Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals chemically bond with the body’s cells, causing cellular damage and potentially leading to diseases such as cancer. Antioxidants, found in fruits, vegetables, and herbs, can help control cellular stress and prevent diseases. Factors contributing to oxidative stress include aging, smoking, pollution, excessive sunlight exposure, and poor diet.
Oxidative stress often occurs as a side effect of normal human functioning. When cells in the human body use oxygen for energy, they can create reactive molecules known as free radicals. Free radical molecules are unstable because they lack an electron. Inside the body, they can potentially react with almost any other molecule. Oxidative stress is the cellular damage associated with the chemical reaction between free radicals and other molecules in the body.
Cell damage caused by oxidative stress is thought to underlie a number of diseases, such as cancer or autoimmune diseases. The body generally uses nutrients known as antioxidants to control cellular stress. Antioxidants are believed to boost immunity, as well as prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes and macular degeneration. Antioxidants may also help slow the signs of aging and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Oxidative stress usually occurs when there are more free radicals than antioxidants in the body. When the levels of free radicals and antioxidants are out of balance, the free radicals chemically bond with the body’s cells. Free radicals are so unstable that they can react with almost any other type of molecule. They are believed to be able to significantly damage the body’s cells and proteins. Free radicals can be responsible for damaging a cell’s DNA so that the cell mutates and reproduces out of control, forming a cancer.
Some amount of oxidative stress is almost always an inevitable result of aging. Other factors that may contribute to cellular oxidative stress include cigarette smoking, pollution, excessive sunlight exposure, and poor diet. Doctors believe that cellular stress can be largely controlled by avoiding cigarettes, using UV protection and eating a diet rich in antioxidants.
Antioxidants are nutrients that generally work to scavenge the body of free radicals by donating an electron. When a free radical molecule takes an electron from an antioxidant molecule, the free radical stabilizes. Once stabilized, the free radical can no longer cause harm.
Common antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E. Zinc, selenium, and plant polyphenols are known antioxidants. Antioxidants are most often found in fruits, vegetables, herbs and teas. Doctors generally agree that eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help slow the normal progress of oxidative stress.
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