Risks from Surgery and Anesthesia Risks to the body from free radicals may be substantially increased during and after anesthesia and surgery. Several free radicals have been implicated as primary culprits in interfering with the re-establishment of a regular heart rhythm following surgery, and in contributing to the common complication of pancreatitis. Some of the mechanisms of neurological injury following anesthesia and surgical procedures have also been identified in the scientific literature. There are specific nutrients and drugs that, when taken in advance of surgery, can help protect against the more common forms of neurological injury that may occur during anesthesia and surgery. Because of the energy released by their inherent instability, free radicals can interfere with the ability of body cells to function normally.
Antioxidants can reduce the energy of free radicals in several ways.
Their presence in a cell can prevent the free radical from forming, or they can minimize damage by interrupting an oxidizing chain reaction. The body also produces its own antioxidant defenses. These compounds can be taken as supplements, but taking supplements containing the building blocks of these enzymes may actually be more helpful. Some nutrients containing such building blocks are copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc. Many vitamins, minerals, and herbs also act as antioxidants.