subject: What I The Relationship Between Oxidative Stress And Antioxidants? [print this page] What is oxidative stress? It is a state of imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen and a biological system's ability to readily detoxify the reactive intermediates or easily repair the resulting damage. Like the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz, who became corroded because of oxidation, our health suffers from oxidation and it takes an alternative better than oil to repair it.
Although we require oxygen to live, oxidation produces damaging by-products during normal cellular metabolism. What is left behind is called free radicals, oxidized molecules that are missing electrons. The oxidative stress occurs when these molecules become unstable and agitated, remaining in this state until they capture new electrons to replace the missing ones, stealing electrons from our cells even if they are the most vital ones like the electron-rich DNA.
What causes the body to increase our metabolic rate to have it produce free radicals? The metabolic rate increases with strenuous physical activity; depression and recurring anxiety and because of the toxins in our blood streams due to industrial chemicals in our water, air, food and beverages.
What is needed to slow down this process? Antioxidants, either produced internally or consumed, will prevent the start of the damage to the cells, control its spread by neutralizing them while they are still in the bloodstream and can also interact with the free radicals inside the cells during cell division.
Where do you find antioxidants? Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin A are found in large quantities in fruits and vegetables; Vitamin E is found in most grains and nuts; Beta-carotene is found in carrots, broccoli and spinach; and selenium is found in red meats chicken, eggs and dairy products.
With all these sources, it is important to stress the importance of eating a variety of foods and to eat the foods in as natural of a state as possible providing the most benefits from the nutrients
By doing this very simple step you will be well on your way in the prevention of cancer and many other diseases such as arthritis, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy and fibromyalgia that been linked to free radicals and oxidative stress.
In todays polluted and stress filled world we need to take a supplement to bridge the gaps in our diets providing extra antioxidants to help the body fight.
And more information about such a supplement and antioxidants and their health benefits can be found at http://www.fucoidanforhealth.com
