Diseases caused by oxidative stress and its simple remedy

Basic oxidative stress explanation

Oxidative stress is cell damage induced by free radicals over antioxidants. It's found in cancer, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular disease. Antioxidant-rich food helps reduce oxidative stress from pollution and secondhand smoke.

How do antioxidants and free radicals differ?

Oxidative stress can result from free radical overproduction. Antioxidants can help prevent this.

What are free radicals?

• Free radicals are highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules with unpaired electrons.
• Most oxygen byproducts aren't reactive; however, some can be metabolized into oxidants. Rarely are reactive oxygen species toxic. Some are effective at killing dangerous germs and viruses.
• However, free radicals can chemically interact with DNA, proteins, and lipids in cells to steal electrons and stabilize themselves. This causes a chain of free radical reactions because cell molecules become unstable and seek electrons from other molecules.

Define antioxidants.

Oxygen-free radical reactions can kill any cell that needs oxygen and enzymes. Cellular antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals to prevent these occurrences. Oxidative stress is caused by an antioxidant-oxidant imbalance.

Damage from oxidative stress

Multiple pathophysiological conditions can result from oxidative stress. These include heart and blood vessel disorders, atherosclerosis, heart failure, heart attacks, inflammatory diseases, cancers, gene mutations, neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, chronic fatigue syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and others.

How can I reduce free radicals?

Eat antioxidant-rich foods to reduce oxidative stress. Healthcare professionals say many foods contain antioxidants. Because no antioxidant can eliminate all free radicals. To maximize health advantages, consume various antioxidants.

This chart lists essential antioxidants and meals with them.

• Food antioxidant sources
• Ascorbic acid
• Broccoli, kiwis, strawberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, and citrus.
• Vitamin E deficiency
• Peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, spinach.
• Mineral Selenium
• Eggs, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, and seafood (particularly salmon and tuna)
• Vitamin B6 Kale, sweet potatoes, apricots, mangoes, melons, carrots.

Your doctor may recommend antioxidant supplements to ensure you get enough. In most circumstances, eating provides the finest nutrition.

Mediterranean diets are antioxidant-rich. Research shows many health benefits. A nutritionist can also make food suggestions based on your needs

Treatment of oxidative stress

oxidant damage signs

• Oxidative stress may go unnoticed. This involves minute, unnoticeable modifications. Symptoms may appear slowly and be localized.
• For instance, too much sun can damage the skin. UV radiation from the sun affects skin cell DNA.

Several indications are visible:

• Fine lines and wrinkles. Solar spots. Spider veins.
• Oxidative stress isn't always visible. After causing severe damage, you may feel its effects. Arterial plaque, which contains cholesterol, may cause cardiovascular disease. Symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, tiredness, and heart attacks.
• Healthcare professionals can provide further information about your situation.

The following signs may suggest oxidative stress:

• Ongoing fatigue
• Deterioration in memory
• Mental fog
• Disease spread
• Oxidative stress may hasten gray hair and wrinkles.
• Smoking and sun exposure increases oxidative stress and skin damage.

A small 2020 study found that premature graying subjects have much more oxidative stress than non-premature subjects.

How can oxidative stress occur?

Anything that raises free radical levels to a dangerous level causes oxidative stress. Healthcare specialists call these culprits environmental variables or triggers.

 A known example is:

• Nearby pollution.
• Tobacco use.
• Solar exposure.
• Alcohol too much.
• Stressed.

Possible neurological effects?

Pathological oxidative stress results from an imbalance in free radical production and elimination. Another aging factor is oxidative stress. Due to its high metabolic rate and ischemia vulnerability, the brain experiences oxidative stress.

How can oxidative stress be detected?

Oxidative stress tests check blood and urine samples for free radicals, antioxidants, and antioxidant equilibrium.

Damage from oxidation

Oxidative stress occurs when antioxidant and free radical levels are off. An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants is evident. This damages biological cells and tissues with free radicals. They alter proteins, lipids, and other critical biological components.

Researchers believe oxidative stress contributes to many chronic and degenerative diseases. Some examples:

• Cancer. Oxidative stress, which damages healthy cell DNA, increases cancer risk.
• Vascular disease. Oxidative stress causes atherosclerosis. Plaque formation can cause heart attacks and coronary artery disease.
• Chronic kidney disease... The kidneys may scar from prolonged oxidative stress, impairing their function. This may cause kidney failure and dialysis.
• Diseases of the brain. Researchers link multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and oxidative stress.
• Over time, free radicals can kill neurons, causing dementia.
• Respiratory issues. Oxidative stress and inflammation can cause asthma and COPD.
• Rheumatic chronic arthritis. Free radicals contribute to chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

How to reverse oxidative stress?

• Oxidative stress can be prevented and mitigated.
• Balance your diet.
• Treatment for oxidative stress begins with a balanced diet.
• Other foods, especially antioxidant-rich ones, reduce oxidative stress.

 Antioxidant-rich foods include:

• Chocolate with a dark flavor
• Goji fruit
• Blueberry berries
• Pecans
• New strawberries
• Chopped artichokes
• Bibb lettuce
• Raspberry berries
• Leafy Greens
• Beans
• Eat less manufactured food.
• Diets high in sugar, fat, and processed foods increase oxidative stress.

Approaches to reducing stress include:

1. Moderate exercise boosts cardiac, hepatic, and skeletal antioxidant activity. Regular exercise boosts antioxidant defenses in the elderly.
2. Give up cigarettes.
3. Tobacco use causes inflammation and free radical production. Smoking lowers antioxidant levels, especially in the blood. Quitting smoking reduces oxidative stress and improves exercise performance.
4. Reduce tension
5. Stress increases oxidation and breathing rate by metabolizing oxygen faster. No one can avoid stress, but they may lessen environmental stress and the free radical-antioxidant imbalance it causes.

Stress-reduction methods include:

• Working out
• Mindful Zen
• A lot of laughing
• Joining others
• Doing yoga
• A restful night
• Maintaining accounts
• Healthy eating
• Reducing harmful habits

Avoiding dangerous substances and pollution

Within and outside the home, pollutants and harsh chemicals are prevalent, making total avoidance impossible. Some techniques to reduce chemical exposure are:

• Indoor smoking ban
• Using less fragrant air fresheners
• Not using citrus or pine-scented cleaners
• Reduce the use of surfaces treated with per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to make them repel water and stains and less sticky.
• Outside plastering, gluing, or caulking
• Cut back on incense and candles.

Try red light therapy.

Light therapy affects cell energy production at specific wavelengths. Red light boosts cellular energy metabolism. Red light therapy reduces oxidative stress's harm. Red light treatment (photobiomodulation) reduces oxidative stress by activating the body's free radical metabolism.

Conclusion

A healthcare or wellness specialist can explain oxidative stress and how to reverse it. Understanding oxidative stress can reduce the effects of this free radical/antioxidant imbalance.