What is Oxidative Stress & How Does It Affect our Body’s Balance?
Oxidative stress is a condition that occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ability of cells to detoxify them or repair the resulting damage. ROS are highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen metabolism in cells. While they play important roles in various cellular processes, such as cell signaling and immune response, excessive ROS production can lead to harmful effects.
Under normal physiological conditions, the body maintains a balance between ROS production and the antioxidant defense system, which includes enzymes and molecules that neutralize ROS. However, certain conditions or factors can disrupt this balance and result in oxidative stress. These factors include:
Environmental factors: Exposure to environmental pollutants, such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, radiation, and certain chemicals, can increase ROS production and overwhelm the antioxidant defense system.
Lifestyle factors: Unhealthy lifestyle choices, including a poor diet high in processed foods and trans fats, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and chronic stress, can contribute to oxidative stress.
Disease conditions: Various diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases), diabetes, and chronic inflammatory conditions, can promote oxidative stress. Inflammation itself can increase ROS production as immune cells generate ROS to combat pathogens.
Aging: The aging process is associated with a gradual decline in the body’s antioxidant defense mechanisms, making older individuals more susceptible to oxidative stress.
When oxidative stress occurs, ROS can cause damage to cellular components, including DNA, proteins, and lipids. This damage, known as oxidative damage, can disrupt normal cellular function and lead to various pathological conditions. For example:
DNA damage: ROS can directly damage the DNA structure, leading to mutations and genomic instability. This can contribute to the development of cancer and other genetic diseases.
Protein damage: ROS can modify and oxidize proteins, impairing their structure and function. This can affect enzymatic activity, receptor signaling, and overall cellular metabolism.
Lipid peroxidation: ROS can initiate lipid peroxidation, a process where lipids in cell membranes are attacked, leading to the production of reactive lipid species. This can cause membrane damage, disruption of cellular integrity, and dysfunction of organelles.
Consequence of Oxidative Stress: The consequences of oxidative stress can be mitigated by the body's antioxidant defense system, which includes enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione. These antioxidants help neutralize ROS and repair oxidative damage. However, when the antioxidant defense system is overwhelmed or compromised, oxidative stress can persist and contribute to the development of various diseases.
