Elevated oxidative stress is among the top causes of degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, fibromyalgia, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, insomnia, and chronic fatigue syndrome among others. Most of these conditions occur after several years of inability of the body to react optimally to various oxidative stressors. In most cases, this occurs when your body’s antioxidant defense system is insufficient to neutralize the harmful free radical compounds. In other words, if the body is able to handle and adapt to the oxidative stressors, you will just feel normal, stronger, and healthier. However, when the stressors are too much for the body to adapt to, you will get weaker and sicker.
How Does Oxidative Stress Occur?
Oxidation process occurs when the body metabolizes the oxygen that you breathe. Oxidation also occurs under the following circumstances:
• When body cells use glucose to produce energy
• When the body immune system is fighting off bacteria
• When the body is detoxifying pollutants, pesticides, and cigarette smoke.
The process also produce free radical compounds, which can interact with other molecules within the body cells causing damage or stress to the neighboring cells, mitochondria, and even to the DNA (or genes).
Generally, free radicals are normal and useful to some extent. For instance, besides causing damage, they can stimulate some repairs. It is only when their amount in the cells overwhelms the necessary repair processes that it becomes a problem. This is the stage that somebody is said to have oxidative stress.
Oxidative Stress Symptoms
How do you know that you have oxidative stress? Well, here are a few signs to look out for:
• Fatigue
• Wrinkles and grey hair
• Joint or muscle pain
• Brain fog or memory loss
• Headaches
• Sensitivity to noise
• Decreased eye sight
• Susceptibility to infections
Protecting Yourself from Oxidative Stress
Protecting yourself from oxidative stress entails protecting your body cells by supplying them with what they need and avoiding things that they don’t need. Therefore, understanding that we are all exposed to toxins and stressors as well as potential infections on a daily basis and opting for the best ways to reduce stress and increase anti-oxidants is the most important step in protecting yourself from oxidative stress.
For one-on-one help with oxidative stress issues, it is highly recommended to contact a naturopathic doctor. Most of them will first perform oxidative stress blood test before treating you or advising you on the next course of action.
