Everyone gets stressed. But oxidative stress is at a cellular level. And it’s the type of stress responsible for a whole host of serious conditions. When healthcare professionals talk about the negative effects of stress in your life, they are often referring to oxidative stress, which involves an imbalance of two types of cells: free radicals and antioxidants.
According to Cleveland Clinic, oxidative stress causes damage to cells and tissues, and can lead to cancer, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. The University of Central Florida Health says that when reactive oxygen species (a byproduct of cellular function) surge, it disrupts the body’s cells and can damage DNA.
Here’s what to know about this type of stress on a microscopic level in the body.
How oxidative stress works
“I think of oxidative stress as an imbalance. Every cell in the body is constantly producing and neutralizing unstable molecules called free radicals. As long as the body's antioxidant defenses can keep up with that production, everything stays in balance,” says Nayan Patel, pharmacist, researcher, and founder of Auro Wellness in La Habra, California. “Oxidative stress happens when free radical production outpaces the body's ability to neutralize them, and that excess starts to damage cells, proteins and even DNA over time.”
Patel says there are numerous causes, including: “poor diet, chronic stress, lack of sleep, alcohol, smoking, pollution and excessive sun exposure.”
In addition, environmental exposures can have a larger impact on this process as we age, he adds.
How to fix oxidative stress
There isn’t a simple test to show how much oxidative stress you have in your body. Instead, health care providers rely on a mix of symptoms and ensuing conditions. You can still take control of fixing oxidative stress in spite of this, mainly through diet and exercise.
“The biggest ways to reduce oxidative stress are to not smoke, limit alcohol, eat a nutrient-rich diet, get regular exercise without overdoing it, sleep enough, manage stress and address chronic health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure,” says Lauren Manaker, a registered dietitian from Charleston, South Carolina. “Reducing exposure to pollution when possible and protecting skin from too much UV exposure can also help.”
Managing the stress in your life is a way to reduce stress in your cells. By making moves toward this and other lifestyle modifications, you can work to fix oxidative stress in the body.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is oxidative stress and how do you fix it?
