Understanding Oxidative Stress and its Impact on our Body

In this article we will talk about oxidative stress, the effects it does to our body and ways on how can we reduce it.

Oxidative stress happens when there is an overabundance of oxidants over antioxidants in the body. Naturally occurring oxidative stress contributes to aging.

Both oxidants and antioxidants can be produced by our body endogenously, meaning from within. On the other hand, external factors including smoking, pollution, and consuming refined carbohydrates and sugar can also lead to elevated oxidation.

Numerous scientific studies indicate that oxidative stress over an extended period of time may play a role in the emergence of various chronic illnesses. Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are a few examples of these ailments.

Factors that contribute to Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress and increased production of free radicals are caused by a number of circumstances. These factors are:

• Diet
• Lifestyle
• Certain Conditions
• Environmental factors such as pollution and radiation

Temporary oxidative stress can also be brought on by the body’s normal immune response.

When the immune system successfully fights off an infection or heals an injury, this kind of oxidative stress creates moderate inflammation that eventually goes away.

Unchecked oxidative stress can hasten the aging process and play a role in the emergence of some diseases.

What are Free Radicals?

Molecules containing one or more unpaired electrons are known as free radicals, which also include reactive oxygen species.

Free radicals examples include:

• superoxide
• hydroxyl radical
• nitric oxide radical

Small structures called mitochondria are found in cells, and they are responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy source.

Carbon dioxide, water, and ATP are created when oxygen and glucose are combined in mitochondria. As a result of this metabolic activity, free radicals are produced.

In addition, outside factors like ozone, pesticides, and cigarette smoke can contribute to the body’s production of free radicals.

A particular kind of unstable molecule that readily combines with other molecules in a cell and contains oxygen. Reactive oxygen species accumulation in cells can harm proteins, RNA, and DNA in addition to possibly leading to cell death. Free radicals are also known as reactive oxidant species.

Free radicals are created by the body’s cells as a typical byproduct of normal metabolism.

But antioxidants that cells also make counteract these free radicals.

The body is generally able to keep free radicals and antioxidants in balance.

Different Effects of Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress has a variety of effects that are not always negative. For instance, physical activity-induced oxidative stress may benefit the body’s regulatory functions. 

Exercise can temporarily induce oxidative stress in the muscles by increasing the generation of free radicals. On the other hand, free radicals produced during exercise control tissue growth and promote the synthesis of antioxidants.

Additionally, the body may be shielded from illness and infection by mild oxidative stress. Researchers discovered in a 2015 study that oxidative stress inhibited the growth of melanoma cancer cells in mice.

On the other hand, DNA, proteins, and cells in the body are harmed by prolonged oxidative stress. This may accelerate aging and have a significant impact on the emergence of several diseases.

Chronic inflammation

Chronic inflammation can be brought on by oxidative stress.

The immune system is triggered by wounds and infections. As immune cells known as macrophages combat invasive microorganisms, they also release free radicals. These free radicals have the potential to harm healthy cells and cause inflammation.

Normally, inflammation disappears as the immune system gets rid of the infection or fixes the injured tissue.

But oxidative stress can also set off an inflammatory response, which in turn releases additional free radicals into the environment, feeding the cycle of increasing oxidative stress.

Chronic inflammation brought on by oxidative stress has been linked to a number of illnesses, such as arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Neurodegenerative Conditions

Oxidative stress has been linked to a number of neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Because brain cells need a lot of oxygen, the brain is especially susceptible to oxidative stress. A 2018 reviewTrusted Source states that 20% of the oxygen required by the body to sustain itself is used by the brain.

Intense metabolic processes carried out by brain cells using oxygen produce free radicals. These free radicals promote neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, and cognitive function in the brain.

Excess free radicals under oxidative stress can harm internal brain cell structures or even induce cell death, which raises the possibility of Parkinson’s disease.

Essential proteins like amyloid-beta peptides are also modified by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress may alter these peptides in a way that promotes the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain, per a 2018 systematic review. This is a crucial indicator of Alzheimer’s.

Diseases Linked to Oxidative Stress

Many diseases, such as the following, may arise as a result of oxidative stress:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Male Infertility
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Inflammatory Conditions
• Cardiovascular illnesses such as stroke, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis

These conditions inherently involve higher levels of oxidation and inflammation. For instance, diabetes leads to elevated oxidation due to high sugar levels, and cardiovascular diseases also contribute to oxidative stress. Pre-existing conditions not only make individuals more susceptible to infections but also reduce the body’s ability to produce endogenous antioxidants. 

Risk Elements Related to Oxidative Stress

A person may be more susceptible to long-term oxidative stress due to the following factors:

• Obesity
• pollution
• Some medications
• Exposure to radiation
• Alcohol Consumption
• Smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products
• Diets heavy in processed foods, sugar, and fat
• Exposure to industrial chemicals or pesticides

DNA Oxidative damage

Any change to DNA’s structure that modifies its coding capabilities and/or obstructs cellular metabolism, including transcription or replication, is referred to as DNA damage 1, 2, 3.

Oxidative stress, which is characterized as an imbalance between an organism’s capacity to detoxify reactive intermediates and the quantity of reactive oxygen species it encounters, is a primary cause of damage to DNA.

Importance of Antioxidants

To maintain a healthy life and minimize complications from viral infections, it is essential to increase antioxidant intake.

Antioxidants help neutralize oxidative stress, reducing the damage caused by viral infections and pre-existing conditions.

Antioxidants are also known as “free radical scavengers.” The body makes some of the antioxidants that it uses to neutralize free radicals.

Endogenous antioxidants is the other term for antioxidant. Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress, minimizing complications from viral infections and chronic conditions.

Let’s face it guys nowadays it is not easy to get all the antioxidants that you need from the food that we eat everyday. However there are supplements like Synergreens that is very rich in antioxidants.

The important antioxidants includes:

Vitamins for oxidative stress: A, C, D, E

These are the main vitamins to reduce oxidative stress.

Minerals: Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese

Other antioxidants: Alpha-lipoic acid, NAC (N-acetylcysteine), Quercetin

Probiotics also play a role in boosting antioxidant levels by promoting healthy gut bacteria. Avoiding antibiotics unless necessary can help maintain these beneficial microbes.

Strategies to Combat Oxidative Stress

It’s crucial to keep in mind that the body needs antioxidants and free radicals. Health issues may arise from having either too much or too little of either.

The following dietary and lifestyle choices may help lower the body’s level of oxidative stress:

• Quality sleep
• Regular exercise
• Giving up smoking
• Lowering tension / stress
• Limiting or avoiding exposure to harmful substances and pollution
• Consuming a nutritious, well-balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables
• Restricting the consumption of processed meals, especially those heavy in fats and carbohydrates

Another way to enhance your antioxidant network is through fasting. Long-term fasting reduces oxidative damage and boosts antioxidant capability. However, the cells produce more copies of a gene called SIRT3, a member of a system that works to promote cellular repair processes and it prevents the development of free radicals, when a person is fasting every other day.

Reducing oxidative stress may be aided by maintaining a healthy body weight. A 2015 comprehensive study claims that adipose cells generate inflammatory compounds that cause immune cells to become more active in the inflammatory process and produce more free radicals.

Conclusion

Our body can naturally produce antioxidants to counteract these free radicals. A person’s diet is also an important source of antioxidants.

By understanding the mechanisms behind oxidative stress and taking proactive steps to increase antioxidant intake, you can improve your overall health and resilience against infections.

When the body’s cells have an excessive amount of free radicals, oxidative stress is the result. Free radicals are created by the body during regular metabolic activities.

Oxidative stress can lead to aging by causing damage to DNA, proteins, and cells. A variety of medical disorders, such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s, may also be influenced by it.

Antioxidants are naturally produced by the body to combat these free radicals. Antioxidants can also be obtained from a person’s food.

Modifying one’s diet and way of living may help lower oxidative stress. A balanced, nutritional diet full of fruits and vegetables, frequent exercise, and keeping a healthy body weight are a few examples.