Is your body under attack from oxidative stress? Chances are good that it is. Most of us experience oxidative stress at some point in our lives. Fortunately, treatment for oxidative stress can reduce some of the damage oxidative stress causes.
Oxidative stress is a natural phenomenon. It occurs when your body cells, tissues, and organs do their various jobs. Excessive oxidative stress can lead to early aging and poor health. You can take steps to reduce oxidative stress and its effects on your body.
What Is Oxidative Stress?
The first step in reducing oxidative stress is to understand it.
Many body cells break down molecules into atoms. Each atom has several electrons.
Electrons like to bond in pairs because it gives them stability. Unpaired electrons, known as free radicals, are unstable. Free radicals seek out other unpaired electrons they can bond with or steal. While bonding makes free radicals more stable, it changes how the molecule works. This can ultimately change how cells, tissues, and organs work.
Atoms that give up their electrons become unstable free radicals. As these new free radicals search for electrons, they create even more free radicals. This chain reaction can damage cell membranes and DNA. It can also alter chemical reactions in the body, and damage connective tissue and collagen.
What are the main causes of oxidative stress?
Digestion and other body functions cause free radicals. Cigarette smoke, air pollution and some chemicals can cause them too.
Oxygen is the most common source of free radicals. In a process known as oxidation, the body breaks down oxygen to use as energy. This process can cause the oxygen atoms to lose electrons and create free radicals.
Your body fights free radicals with antioxidants. These natural substances provide free radicals with electrons without becoming unstable. Your body cells produce some antioxidants. You also get antioxidants through some of the food you eat.
Free radicals can outnumber antioxidants. Scientists refer to this imbalance as oxidative stress. A lab test can measure the antioxidant levels in your blood.
Oxidative stress can cause damage. This damage can cause a wide variety of diseases and health concerns, such as:
- Chronic inflammation
- Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
- Cancer
- Heart and blood vessel problems, such as high blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Inflammatory disorders
- Asthma
Oxidative Stress Can Lead to Ill Health
Oxidative stress can cause widespread damage to your cells, protein, and DNA. It can also accelerate the aging process. It may also play a role in the development of:
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Many other health issues
Treatment for Oxidative Stress
Eat foods that contain antioxidants
Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants. Focus on eating:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Cranberries
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Potatoes
- Carrots
Limit fat, sugar, and processed foods
These foods promote oxidation in their own way. For example, exposure to sunlight, air, or heat can cause oxidation in dietary fats and oils. Cells break down sugar to use as fuel, and in the process, it causes oxidation. The preservatives in processed foods may create free radicals.
Improve your lifestyle
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol
- Exercise regularly
Manage stress
When you’re stressed out, your body burns through its energy resources quickly. This can affect your wellness. To increase available energy, you breathe faster. Your cells also break down sugar more rapidly. Both can cause free radicals and oxidative stress.
Ease stress by:
- Getting active
- Meditating
- Connecting with others
Avoid environmental causes of oxidative stress, where possible
Reduce exposure to:
- Harsh chemicals
- Pollution
- Cigarettes
- Other environmental causes
Use red and near-infrared light therapy
Dietary and lifestyle changes can help you manage oxidative stress. They may not be enough to overcome it completely, though. Light therapy can help.
Light therapy uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to reduce oxidative stress. Red light also supports the production of ATP, which is a molecule that transports energy within the cell. More ATP means more energy is available for cells to use for everyday function, repair, and proliferation. Light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, delivers the power of red and near-infrared light to cells deep within the body.
Need more information on ways to reduce oxidative stress? Consult with your health and wellness professional.
This article was originally published on November 1, 2022, and was last updated on May 13, 2024.
