How Does Oxidative Stress Affect Health? Here's What You Need To Know

It's not easy to understand oxidative stress from soundbites.

Dr. Gerardo Mackenzie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of California at Davis. e He helps us to determine what is evidence-based.

What are free radicals, and what are antioxidants?

Atoms are the building blocks of our cells. Atoms are enclosed by electrons. The "right" amount of electrons are needed to make an atom stable. When there are not enough electrons in an atom, it will search for more, and possibly bond with another cell to create free radicals. Free radicals can take electrons even from healthy cells. This can cause damage.

The molecules are brought back into balance when antioxidants give up their electrons in order to satisfy free radicals.

Antioxidants are necessary to neutralize free radicals. Oxidative stress is caused by too many free radicals and not enough antioxidants.

Mackenzie defines "oxidative stress" as: "An imbalance between the reactive oxygen species that are generated by our cells through metabolic processes in our cells and our antioxidant defenses' ability to interact with and quench this reactive product."

What is the danger of oxidative stress to health?

Mackenzie says that free radicals can play a vital, normal role in certain cellular processes. "They are beneficial." They are essential in many important biological processes, such as the intracellular destruction by phagocytes of bacteria and cell signaling. Use Cenforce 100 mg to reduce stress or improve your health.

Harvard Health also writes: "When the body's immune system is activated to combat intruders, for instance, the oxygen that it uses releases an army of radicals which destroys viruses, bacteria, and damaged cells in an explosive oxidative burst." Exercise also produces some free radicals. It appears that this is necessary to produce some of the positive effects of regular exercises, such as sensitizing muscle cells to insulin."

Mackenzie believes that while some low-level oxidative stresses may be beneficial, what most people are thinking of when they hear the term oxidative strain is likely chronic overload. "This occurs when antioxidants cannot detoxify or counteract oxidative damage." This can be a much bigger problem. He continues, "When our antioxidant defense system is overwhelmed, it can damage cells." The oxidative stress that we experience can damage our cells' membranes, proteins, and DNA. Damage to DNA can lead to mutations and, in the end, can lead to tumors.

How can you eliminate oxidative stress from your body?

Antioxidants are the best way to combat oxidative stress. Mackenzie states that fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of antioxidants. e

• Citrus fruits

• Squashes

• Apples

• Tomatoes

• Onions

• Carrots

Do supplements help with oxidative stress?

Mackenzie says, "I'm not a fan of supplements." There are data that show supplements do not protect against many diseases. "We have to be careful."

He emphasizes that supplements can be useful or even necessary in certain situations. "If someone is suffering from osteoporosis, they may need calcium supplements under the supervision of a doctor." We can easily get the necessary levels of calcium from our food, especially in the United States.