Apple© Budda | Dreamstime.com

Oxygen is necessary for all life; oxygen is utilized within the cells to create energy, and in the process it creates a by-product called free radicals.

Free radicals are charged oxygen molecules that are missing at least one electron and desire to get an electron from the surrounding cells. If a free radical is not readily neutralized by an antioxidant, which has the ability to give this free radical the electron it desires, it can go on to create more volatile free radicals, by damaging the cell wall, vessel wall, proteins, fats, and even the DNA nucleus of the surrounding cells.

Free radicals are produced constantly in our bodies but given a steady income of antioxidants, our body has the ability to restore balance. The problem comes when there are not enough antioxidants and the free radicals attack cells creating havoc, thus the oxidative stress. Think of  it in this way; when you cut an apple and leave it out in the air it becomes brown because of oxidation.  The same thing happens to our cells when free radicals attack healthy cells; we become brown on the inside.

Unfortunately,  we are not aware that this is the case until it is late and we have already developed some kind of disease. Researchers have found that low grade inflammation which can go on for years and is the main cause of many degenerative diseases,  is the result of oxidative stress damage. 

Ordinarily our bodies can repair almost anything however the stressful lifestyle, pollution, processed foods, not enough antioxidant or nutritional supplementation impose extra needs in the body which it cannot meet.  More specific, some of the causes of pro-oxidants or free radicals are, the sun and UV radiation, cigarette smoking, environmental pollution, stress, ongoing medications, also as a natural by-product of our metabolism and exercise. We get antioxidants through diet and supplementation such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, bioflavonoids and phytochemicals. 

In summary, to prevent oxidative stress, you need to have more antioxidants available along with their supporting nutrients than the number of free radicals you produce.  Furthermore, during certain occasions the need for antioxidants is greater such as during intense exercise, stress, illness, and pregnancy. 

If you would like to be notified when similar articles on Healthy Lifestyle are published, you may click on the subscribe icon at the top of this page.
 

Other articles you may enjoy on Healthy Lifestyle: 

Ten tips for managing daily stress

Improve your health by training your breath

Breathing is the foundation of physical health

Breathing is the foundation of emotional and mental health

Improve breathing by using the neti pot