"Oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in your body that leads to cell damage. It plays a role in many conditions like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease." (Cleveland Clinic)
Oxidative Stress should be called "oxidation" and compare its action to that of an apple you cut in half. What do you notice? It turns brown. That is oxidation at work.
Free radical damage causes the apple to start to decay. Inside the body, oxidative stress means that cell membranes get damaged and rusty, while internal cellular pieces like damaged DNA and other debris accumulate, affecting nearby cells. It is like garbage that is not taken away, so it builds up, leading to inflammation.
What causes "oxidative Stress"?
• Smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking prescription drugs.• Eating, particularly animal-derived protein and fat, and non-plant based carbs.
• Ingesting pesticides from produce, or antibiotics and hormones in animal products.
• Eating processed foods with artificial flavorings and dyes.
• Exposure to pollution and toxins in water, air, or in personal care products.
• Trauma or injury to muscle, bone, skin, and connective tissue.
• Muscle-damaging anaerobic training.
Protecting ourselves from free radicals
1. Strengthen and clean the liver from time to time (Liver Balance, Milk Thistle combination).
2. Eat plenty of vegetables.
3. Antioxidant supplementation if need be (Alpha Lipoic Acid or Super ORAC or Super antioxidants).
Antioxidants are the body's natural defense against free radicals. Think of them as scavengers-scouring our systems and "mopping up" free radicals before they have a chance to harm cells.
Without antioxidants, free radicals can damage brain tissue, leading to Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease or senility. In short, antioxidants are Nature's anti-aging compounds, protecting us from diseases associated with aging.