What is DNA?

DNA

What is DNA and what is its Role in our body....

What is DNA?

DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Sometimes referred to as the "Building Blocks of Life."

DNA contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive and reproduce. That's how important DNA is. It contains the genetic information, and this information dictates how the body’s cells would construct new proteins according to the genetic code. 

Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mt DNA). Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA.

An important property of DNA is that it can replicate, or make copies of itself. Each strand of DNA in the double helix can serve as a pattern for duplicating the sequence of bases. This is critical when cells divide because each new cell needs to have an exact copy of the DNA present in the old cell.

Damaged DNA

When the DNA gets damaged (caused by free radicals and mutagens), it will cause cell mutation. Since DNA controls cell growth, development and replication it is essential to have a healthy DNA to avoid replication of damaged or mutated cells.

We could say that Healthy DNA is critical in having a Healthy Cell, thus it is essential to repair DNA to have a healthy body.

What is Responsible for DNA Repair?

I firmly believe that Endogenous Antioxidants are responsible for DNA repair, maybe not all of them but the most prevalent Endogenous Antioxidant Glutathione is. Glutathione as discussed on our previous posts is responsible for protecting Cells and Cellular Components. It aids in detoxification, immune boosting, free radical scavenging and plays a very important role in the synthesis and Repair of DNA since it is present in each and every cell of our body.