An imbalance between the antioxidant defence mechanism and free radicals in the system leads to oxidative stress, which is the cause of diseases or inflammation. Nevertheless, a diet laden with antioxidants can help you avert oxidative stress.

This imbalance holds a main role in certain diseases and conditions such as diabetes. Oxidative stress can lead to cell and tissue breakdown, and this develops when the antioxidant levels are very low in the body. The antioxidant levels can be determined by testing blood plasma. Well, gaining a better knowledge of oxidative stress and how it impacts the system can help you make better lifestyle choices.
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Delve into this article to get all your questions answered about oxidative stress.

What Is Oxidative Stress?

Oxidative stress happens when there is a disparity between your system’s antioxidant defenses and the production of free radicals, which can largely destroy your body’s healthy cells.

Free radicals are oxygen-bound molecules with unpaired electrons, which are vital for certain bodily processes like combatting pathogens. Studies also reveal that free radicals may be valuable in the wound-healing process. Since free radicals have an irregular number of electrons, they are very reactive. And when they gain an electron from a surrounding element, like a strand of DNA, they can alter or destroy the strand’s structure.

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Exposure to a high amount of free radicals causes oxidative stress in the system. This can develop because of:

Oxidative stress may negatively impact health and lead to :

Antioxidants are compounds that offer an electron to free radicals and neutralize them, restricting a free radical’s chance to cause damage to healthy cells.

What Are The Causes Of Oxidative Stress?

The human body naturally makes some free radicals in stimuli to exercise or certain food or drink. For instance, drinking alcohol can lead to an increase in free radicals. In addition, there are several potential factors of free radicals that prevail in your surroundings, including:

  • Smoking cigarette
  • Air pollution
  • Sunlight
  • Industrial toxins or chemicals
  • Radiation
  • Pesticides

Thus, growing exposure to free radicals from all these sources can lead to oxidative stress and cause cell and tissue damage.

What Are The Risk Factors For Oxidative Stress?

Environment and personal habits can greatly impact how likely you are to experience oxidative stress, which include:

  • Air pollution
  • Smoking
  • Sun
  • Over exercise
  • Contaminants of foods such as pesticides
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Exposure to industrial chemicals
  • Radiation
  • Certain medications
  • Obesity

What Are Signs That Indicate You Have Oxidative Stress?

Signs of oxidative stress include:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Memory loss
  • Brain fog
  • Infections

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Oxidative stress may also contribute to visible signs of ageing, premature greying of hair and wrinkles.

In addition, oxidative stress can elevate your risk of chronic health problems like:

Cancer: Evidence discloses that smoking-related oxidative stress to tissue damage that may cause certain types of cancer.

Inflammatory Diseases: Free radicals also hold a key role in causing inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis that can lead to joint pain and swelling.

Cardiovascular Disease: Research suggests that oxidative stress is involved in heart disease as well as stroke.

Neurological Disorder: A few studies revealed that oxidative damage plays a role in neurological diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Respiratory Disease: Evidence reveals that lung diseases like asthma are caused due to oxidative stress.

Liver Disease: A study discloses that oxidative stress contributes to alcohol-induced liver injury.

Kidney Disease: Oxidative stress may impede kidney function and possibly lead to kidney failure.

How To Prevent Oxidative Stress?

Antioxidants have the ability to combat free radicals, thus experts consider that a diet packed with antioxidants can be valuable in defending against oxidative stress.

Some of the nutrients that are high in antioxidants include:

Some of the foods containing these nutrients include:

  • All berries
  • Leafy greens vegetables
  • Citrus fruits
  • Bell peppers
  • Pumpkin, tomatoes, and squash
  • Broccoli
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Grapes
  • Avocado
  • Cherries
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Legumes
  • Seafood
  • Green tea
  • Dark chocolate

Effective Behavioural Changes

Modifying lifestyle may help prevent oxidative stress:

  • Quitting smoking, as smoking can increase your risk of developing several diseases
  • Adding more antioxidant-rich foods to the diet and limit the intake of processed foods, junk and saturated fats.
  • Restricting alcohol intake
  • Reducing stress levels and engaging in stress-easing activities like meditation, yoga and hobbies that interest you
  • Shielding your skin from UV ray damage. Applying sunscreen can safeguard the skin from sun damage.
  • Getting good quality sleep, as a solid amount of sleep is vital for optimising overall health
  • Taking antioxidants supplements as advised by your healthcare provider