Oxidative stress is usually normal human functioning’s side effect. It is something that cannot be completely eliminated, but its progression could be slowed down. When the cells in your body exhaust oxygen to churn out energy, they could make reactive molecules, called free radicals. These free radicals are essentially unstable molecules as they do not have an electron. In a human body, they could potentially react with pretty much all other molecules. The cell damage linked with the chemical interaction between the body’s molecules and free radicals is oxidative stress.
The oxidative stress-caused cell damage could cause a range of illnesses, which also includes cancer. Generally, the body uses nutrients called antioxidants to manage cellular stress. These antioxidants help with immunity, and also prevent health disorders such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and macular degeneration. These antioxidants could also help slow down aging signs and safeguard against Alzheimer’s disease.
Usually, oxidative stress happens when the body has lesser antioxidants than free radicals. When there is an imbalance between the two, free radicals easily bond with the body’s cells. And when they do bond, they may cause some real issues. For instance, they can significantly damage proteins and cells in the body. They could be behind cell DNA damage, wherein the cell mutates, and reproduces itself uncontrollably, forming a cancer.
Oxidative stress and aging have always had a connection with each other. Other factors contributing to this cellular stress includes pollution, cigarette smoking, poor nutrition, and exposure to increased sunlight. According to doctors, cellular stress could be significantly controlled by using UV protection topical creams or clothing when out in the sun, avoiding cigarettes, and following an antioxidant-rich diet.
Antioxidants are nutrients that help cleanse free radicals from the body by releasing electrons. Upon receiving an electron from the antioxidant molecule, free radicals stabilize and cease to be their ominous selves. In other words, when stabilized, free radicals cannot cause any damage to the human body anymore.
There are quite a few antioxidants that spoil play for the free radicals. Some of the common ones are vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. Zinc, plant polyphenols and selenium are also potent and well-known antioxidants. As far as foods go, antioxidants are abundantly found in certain vegetables, fruits, teas and herbs. Medical professionals agree to the fact that taking an antioxidant-rich diet could help reduce the pace with which oxidative stress progresses.
