What is it and how do I know if I have oxidative stress?

Oxidative stress is a natural process that the body goes through and causes a number of damages.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
21 June 2023 Wednesday 11:14
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What is it and how do I know if I have oxidative stress?

Oxidative stress is a natural process that the body goes through and causes a number of damages. In fact, oxidative stress shortens your life, since it is the very act of aging. Studies expose the direct link between a lower degree of oxidative stress and a greater probability of reaching centenary ages.

What happens in the body during this phenomenon is that an excess of free radicals takes place, which are molecules produced by the body due to cellular activity. They are something necessary for one's well-being, but it is important that there is a good level of antioxidants in the body to counteract them. If these are not enough and these free radicals increase, the imbalance causes oxidation of the cells. And this means negative consequences.

When oxidative stress occurs, the function of cells is negatively affected and their processes are altered. The result is the appearance of ailments and diseases of varying severity. As the body ages, the mechanisms responsible for controlling the balance between free radicals and antioxidants stop working as they should and give way to oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress can be identified by paying attention to a series of symptoms that characterize its action on the body. It is common for the increase in free radicals, and the lack of antioxidants to deal with them, to become evident through these signs.

Early detection of oxidative stress is essential to be able to treat it as soon as possible and thus avoid serious diseases, such as hypertension or even types of cancer. That is why, in case of perceiving symptoms or suspicions of being in this situation, it is important to see a doctor.