Impact of Oxidative Stress on the Human Body

Impact of Oxidative Stress on the Human Body

Oxidative stress is fundamentally an imbalance between the generation of free radicals and the ability of the body to detoxify or counteract their harmful effects through neutralisation by antioxidants.

Multiple factors contribute to oxidative stress and excess free radical production. These factors can include:

• Lifestyle
• Diet
• Certain conditions
• Environmental factors like pollution and radiation

What are free radicals?

A free radical is an oxygen-containing molecule which has one or more unpaired electrons, making it more reactive with other molecules.

Oxygen by-products are comparatively non-reactive; however, some of these can experience metabolism within the biological system to react to these highly reactive oxidants. Not every oxygen species is injurious to the body. Few of them are useful in killing invading microbes or pathogens.

Nevertheless, free radicals can chemically interact with cell components like DNA, protein or lipids and steal their electrons in order to become stabilised. This, in turn, destabilises the cell component molecules, which then seek and steal an electron from another molecule, henceforth triggering a large chain of free radical reactions.

Examples of free radicals include:

• Hydroxyl radical
• Superoxide
• Nitric oxide radical

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances which can neutralise or eliminate free radicals by donating an electron. The neutralising effect of antioxidants aids in protecting the body from oxidative stress. Vitamins A,C and E are the examples of antioxidants.

Similar to free radicals, antioxidants come from multiple different sources. Cells naturally create antioxidants like glutathione.

An individual diet is also a major source of antioxidants. Food like vegetables and fruits provide many vital antioxidants in the form of minerals and vitamins which the body cannot produce on its own.

Effects of Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress can effect many aspects of your health. When there is an imbalance in your body and free radicals surpass antioxidants, there can be lasting damages. The following conditions are related to oxidative stress.

Heart failure

Oxidative stress can cause chronic heart failure due to the reduced antioxidant levels. Antioxidants prevent specific conditions such as cardiac myocyte apoptosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and myocardial stunning.

These conditions can result in heart failure, and when they are not slowed down, they can have harmful effects.

Hypertension

Hypertension is high blood pressure, which elevates your risk of other vascular diseases. Oxidative stress has been associated with a bridge between atherosclerosis and hypertension. When the enzyme oxidase, which stops oxidative stress, is not triggered, hypertension is very prevalent.

Atherosclerosis

Oxidative stress can be activator for atherosclerosis. That is because, when antioxidant levers are less and inflammation levels are high particularly with blood vessels, atheromatous plaque begin to form.

This buildup and circulation of bad cholesterol(LDL) become oxidised by free radicals. This results in the creation of new cells and the accumulation of lipids that can cause plaque buildup and heart problems.

Stroke

Your risk of stroke is inflated when your body is imbalanced; studies have highlighted that oxidative stress can create an ischemia-induced brain injury. This occurs because DNA damage happens along with protein oxidation.

When you have fewer antioxidants, you are more likely to have cerebral damage if you have a stroke.

Cancer

Cancer occurs when cellular and molecular alterations are triggered. Through oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage can activate cancer growth in your body.

Neurological diseases

Oxidative stress has been associated with various neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, memory loss and multiple sclerosis.

Oxidative stress can cause harm that increases lost neurons and can accelerate dementia progression. Free radicals have been shown to generate toxic peptides which affect people with Alzheimer’s.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Your CVD risk is greatly multiplied when your body has oxidative stress. Devoid the healing properties of antioxidants; factors like obesity, hyperglycemia, smoking, an unbalanced diet, and stress can magnify your CVD risk. Oxidative stress affects your cholesterol levels, which can result in plaque buildup and vascular disease.

You can consult your doctor about the free radicals and antioxidant levels in your body to see if you should begin supplementing antioxidants.

Conditions related to oxidative stress

Oxidative stress may play a main role in the development of a range of conditions including:

• Cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and stroke
• Inflammatory disorders
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Asthma
• Male infertility

Risk factors

Factors that may increase a person’s risk of long-term oxidative stress include:

• Obesity
• Alcohol consumption
• Certain medications
• Diets high in fat, sugar, and processed foods
• Exposure to radiation
• Smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products
• Pollution
• Exposure to pesticides or industrial chemicals

Prevention

It is essential to remember that the body needs both free radicals and antioxidants. Having too many or too few of either may result in health problems.

Lifestyle and dietary measures that may assist in reducing oxidative stress in the body include:

• Exercising regularly
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing stress
• Eating a balanced, healthful diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Limiting the intake of processed foods, particularly those high in sugars and fats
• Avoiding or reducing exposure to pollution and harsh chemicals

Optimal weight management may help lower oxidative stress. According to a study surplus fat cells produce inflammatory substances that activate increased inflammatory activity and free radical production in immune cells.

Summary

Oxidative stress is a bodily condition which occurs when your antioxidant levels are low. These levels can be determined via your blood plasma.

‌When there is an imbalance of reactive oxygen species, also called as free radicals, and antioxidant defenses, your body experiences oxidative stress. This imbalance can play a important role in certain illnesses and conditions such as diabetes. 

Oxidative stress can result in cell & tissue breakdown. Nevertheless, there may be some benefits of this imbalance. Some studies highlighted oxidative stress has been shown to aids in combating certain conditions like cancer. 

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