In today’s era, health advice is everywhere you look: from videos, celebrities, social media and more; there is an abundance of tips and tricks to improving your health.
But surprisingly, no one seems to talk about one of the clearest indicators of health your body can offer: oxidative stress. In short, oxidative stress refers to an imbalance in your body between free-radicals (often referred to as toxins) and antioxidants which results in cellular and tissue damage that can manifest in various unhealthy symptoms.
You must have heard of ‘detoxing’ by now: the popular term for removal of toxins from the body. Oxidative stress is the best way to measure whether these detoxification techniques have actually worked: by measuring your OSI (Oxidative Stress Index) before and after. If it seems too confusing, don’t worry: read on and we’ll explain it all.
What Is Oxidative Stress?
Oxidative stress refers to the excessive production of free radicals in your body. Free radicals are unstable molecules within our cells, which many people often call toxins. These free radicals seek stability by acquiring electrons from other molecules, which causes harm to proteins, lipids, and even our DNA. This damage can manifest in harmful effects on our bodies and could be the cause of your poor health.
How is Oxidative Stress Measured?
Oxidative stress is measured by what is called an OSI (Oxidative Stress Index) through a simple blood test. Typically, an acceptable range would be a score less than 40, while a score of more than 60 would indicate an imbalance. An example of an OSI test that is locally available in the UAE is OxiStress Chex. OxiStress Chex Plus includes extra testing for your Vitamin B, D, Cholesterol and more to give you and your doctor a comprehensive overview of your health. It is recommended to combine oxidative stress tests with detoxifying treatments like IV Therapy and Ozone Therapy through pre-treatment and post-treatment testing to see the changes in your OSI over time.
What Can Make Your Oxidative Stress High?
There are many factors that can contribute to high oxidative stress levels. For example, exposure to environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke and air pollution, an inadequate diet high in processed foods, chronic inflammation, intense physical exercise, prolonged stress, and even the natural aging process. By understanding the sources of oxidative stress, we can learn what to avoid and which lifestyle changes to make to restore balance in the body.
The Impact of Oxidative Stress on Health:
1. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
Oxidative stress significantly influences the aging process and the onset of age-related diseases. As we grow older, our bodies' capacity to counterbalance free radicals diminishes, leading to a gradual accumulation of damage over time. Oxidative stress has been closely linked to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and age-related degeneration.
2. Inflammation and Immune Function
Oxidative stress and inflammation often intertwine. Chronic inflammation generates an excessive number of free radicals, thereby contributing to a detrimental cycle of oxidative stress and inflammation. This interplay can weaken our immune system, making us more vulnerable to infections and autoimmune diseases.
3. Cancer Development
DNA damage resulting from oxidative stress increases the risk of developing cancer. Free radicals can induce mutations in crucial genes, disrupting normal cellular growth and division. Understanding the connection between oxidative stress and cancer increases the significance of adopting an antioxidant-rich diet and making effective and healthy lifestyle choices to cancer prevention.
4. Heart Health
Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. It damages the inner lining of blood vessels, promotes inflammation, and alters cholesterol metabolism, all of which contribute to the emergence of cardiovascular problems.
Ways to Reduce Oxidative Stress
1. Antioxidant-Rich Diet
Consuming a diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes provides essential antioxidants that effectively counteract free radicals. Foods rich in vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and flavonoids are particularly beneficial in this regard.
2. Regular Exercise
While intense exercise may slightly induce oxidative stress, engaging in regular physical activity enhances the body's natural defence mechanisms against it. Moderate exercise facilitates the production of antioxidants and promotes overall health and well-being.
3. Stress Management
Chronic stress contributes to oxidative stress. Using effective stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfilment, can help reduce stress levels and minimize oxidative damage.
4. Avoiding Environmental Toxins
Reducing your exposure to environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and pesticides can effectively minimize oxidative stress. Establishing a clean and healthy living environment is of utmost importance.
Oxidative stress serves as a substantial factor in the development and progression of various health conditions. By comprehending the causes and consequences of oxidative stress, we can proactively take steps to minimize its impact.
Evaluate your oxidative stress risk index with our OxiStress Plus Chex™ test!
