
Is Oxidative Stress A Leading Cause To All Chronic Diseases
- October 18, 2019
- 3010 Views
- saxena
Oxidative stress is an essential factor in the development of chronic diseases. To prevent and reverse the chronic illness of our patients, we need to look at the causes of oxidative stress. Read on to this article to find out what causes oxidative stress and how diet and lifestyle can inhibit the development of this dangerous physiological process.
What Is Oxidative Stress?
Oxidative stress is a sign of damage. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to counteract the effects through antioxidants.
Free radicals are produced by the body’s cells during normal metabolic processes. However, cells also provide antioxidants that neutralize these free radicals. In general, the body can maintain a balance between antioxidants and free radicals.
Oxidative stress is harm done to cells and tissues that cannot compensate for the production of free radicals. The body’s natural immune response can also cause oxidative stress for a while. This type of oxidative stress causes mild inflammation, which disappears after the body’s immune system fights infection or corrects injury.
Uncontrolled oxidative stress can accelerate the ageing process and contribute to the development of various conditions. To find out why free radicals cause oxidative damage, let’s return briefly to Chemistry.
What are Free Radicals:
Free radicals are molecules uncharged with an unpaired electron in their outer valence shell. To fill part of its empty valence free radicals move in the body and steal electrons from other atoms in our cells and tissues. The process of electronic oxidative theft that damages cells, proteins and DNA and is considered a significant factor in many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and autoimmune diseases.
Examples of free radicals are:
- Superoxide
- Hydroxyl radicals
- Radical nitric oxide
Cells contain small structures called mitochondria. It produces energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondria combine oxygen and glucose to create carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. Free radicals are produced as a by-product of this metabolic process.
What Are The Risk Factors For Oxidative Stress?
Every human naturally produces some free radicals in their body through processes such as exercise or inflammation. It’s normal and part of a complex body system to stay healthy. They can also be exposed to free radicals in the environment. Some sources are:
- pesticides and detergents
- Deodorants
- Cigarette smoke
- Radiation
- Pollution
- diets rich in sugar, fat, and alcohol
- Medications
- Obesity
Effects of Oxidative Stress On Body:
The impact of oxidative stress vary and are not always dangerous. For example, oxidative stress that results from physical activity may have a beneficial regulatory effect for the body.
Exercise increases the formation of free radicals, which can cause temporary oxidative stress in muscles. However, free radicals formed during physical activity regulate tissue growth and stimulate antioxidant production. Mild oxidative stress can also protect the body from infections and diseases.
However, long-term oxidative stress damages cells, proteins and body DNA. It can contribute to ageing and play an essential role in the development of various chronic conditions in the body. Here are some of these conditions:
Chronic Inflammation:
Oxidative stress can cause chronic inflammation. Infections and injuries trigger the body’s immune response. Immune cells, called macrophages, produce free radicals while fighting invading germs. These free radicals can damage healthy cells and cause inflammation. Under normal circumstances, inflammation disappears after the immune system, clears the infection or restore damaged tissue.
However, oxidative stress can also trigger an inflammatory response, which in turn produces more free radicals. It can cause oxidative stress and further creating a cycle. Chronic inflammation due to oxidative stress can cause various diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis.
Neurodegenerative Diseases:
The effects of oxidative stress can cause various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The brain is very vulnerable to oxidative stress because brain cells need large amounts of oxygen. According to the 2018 review, the brain consumes 20 per cent of the body’s total oxygen needed to feed itself. Brain cells use oxygen to carry out intense metabolic activities that produce free radicals. These free radicals increase brain cell growth, neuroplasticity, and cognitive function.
During oxidative stress, excess free radicals can damage the structure in brain cells and even cause cell death, thereby increasing the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Oxidative stress also changes essential proteins such as amyloid-beta peptides. Oxidative stress can change this peptide to accumulate amyloid plaque in the brain. It is a crucial marker for Alzheimer’s disease.
Conditions Related To Oxidative Stress:
Oxidative stress can play a role in the development of various diseases, including:
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Inflammatory disorders
- Cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Male infertility
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Asthma
Prevention of Oxidative Stress:
It is essential to remember that the body requires both antioxidants and free radicals. Having too many or too few of either may lead to health problems. Lifestyle and dietary measures help to reduce oxidative stress in the body they are:
- Eating a balanced, healthful diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Limiting the intake of processed foods, particularly those high in sugars and fats
- Exercising regularly
- Quitting smoking
- Reducing stress
- Avoiding or reducing exposure to pollution and harsh chemicals
To reduce oxidative stress, maintain healthy body weight. Excess fat in the body cell produces inflammatory substances that trigger inflammatory activity and free radical production in immune cells.
Conclusion:
Oxidative stress occurs when there is an excess of free radicals in the body’s cells. During normal metabolic processes, the body produces free radicals. Oxidative stress can damage cells, DNA, proteins, which can contribute to ageing. It may also play a role in the development of a range of health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The body naturally produces antioxidants to counteract these free radicals. A person’s diet is also an essential source of antioxidants.
To reduce oxidative stress maintain a particular lifestyle and dietary changes. These may include maintaining a healthy body weight, regularly exercising, and eating a balanced, healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Oxidative stress can damage many body tissues, that lead to several diseases over time.
While you can’t altogether avoid exposure to free radicals, you can make lifestyle choices regarding diet, exercise, and environment. Follow them to help keep your body in balance and prevent damage and disease.
Treatment of oxidative stress with integrated medicine at Dr Saxena Clinic visit to know more information about the treatment available!
The Author :
Dr. Saxena
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