Oxidative stress is a very dangerous condition that can lead to the development of many diseases, including cancer. They are exposed to oxidative stress, among others, people who live under stress or eat poorly. Check what exactly is oxidative stress, what are its causes and what diseases it can lead to.
Oxidative stress(oxygen stress, oxygen load) is a state of disturbed balance between free radicals (oxidants, reactive oxygen species - ROS) and antioxidants (antioxidants) in the body. Both free radicals and antioxidants naturally occur in the body as they are essential for the proper course of many life processes. As long as they are in balance, the body functions properly. However, when there is an increase in the production of free radicals or a decrease in antioxidant activity, the so-called antioxidant stress.
Oxidative stress - how do free radicals and antioxidants work?
Free radicals are formed with each breath. When oxygen is converted into energy in the body, some of its molecules are released in the form of the so-called free oxygen radicals - compounds that destroy everything they meet on their way.
How do they do this? Oxidants have an unpaired electron, so they constantly strive to take one electron from another cell in order to attach it to each other. This process leads to the disintegration and damage of cells, and hence - to their dysfunction.
Reactive oxygen species can damage all biomolecules present in the body - incl. proteins, fats, as well as cell DNA, leading to mutations. In extreme cases, oxidants can lead to cell death. The destructive effect of free radicals is prevented byantioxidants , which give them their free electron, and thus remove their excess from the body.
Antioxidants are mainly those derived from food, such as carotenoids, polyphenols and vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E. It is worth knowing that these vitamins are not synthesized in the body and must be supplied with food or supplemented .
The antioxidant produced by the body is glutathione, which is concentratedmainly in the liver.
Oxidative stress - causes
Oxidative stress is most often caused by external factors:
- stress, living under nervous tension;
- intense, regular physical exertion;
- environmental pollution;
- excessive exposure to sunlight (sunbathing too much);
- smoking;
- contact with heavy metals: lead, cadmium and mercury, and with nitrogen oxides through food or car exhaust fumes;
- taking certain medications - contraceptives, antidepressants, steroids and anticoagulants;
Age is also important, as over the years the body's defenses against the excess of free radicals are significantly weakened.
An important cause of oxidative stress is also improper diet, and specifically eating, among others :
- highly processed foods, sprinkled and artificially fertilized fruits and vegetables;
- moldy products (mainly vegetables and fruits) - cutting off bruised or moldy pieces of fruit, vegetables or bread and eating the rest of the product;
- smoked (harmful aromatic hydrocarbons are formed during smoking);
- fried, burnt (amine compounds destructive to he alth are formed during frying, they are also present in burnt products);
- cured meat (harmful nitrosamine compounds present in it);
- alcohol;
Oxidative stress - what diseases can it lead to?
The excess of free radicals during oxidative stress contributes to vascular damage, as well as to the oxidation of "bad" LDL cholesterol in the endothelium of blood vessels, leading to the development of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, stroke of the brain or coronary heart disease.
During oxidative stress, fatty acids (lipids) of skin cell membranes and structural proteins (especially collagen) are also oxidized, which causes premature skin aging.
Oxidative stress can also cause many skin diseases, including dangerous melanoma. This is just one of many types of cancer that it can lead to development. The excess of free radicals leads to DNA damage, i.e. the genetic material of the cell, which can lead to the formation of any type of cancer.
Oxidative stress can also be one of the causes of neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease), as neurons are more susceptible to oxidative damage than other cells.
In addition, oxidative stress can lead to developmentdiseases of the eyes, lungs, stomach, kidneys, urinary system and any other system and organ.
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Source: lifestyle.newseria.pl