Oxidative stress is an extremely common condition that
can cause a wide range of health conditions. It’s no secret that the body
requires a constant source of oxygen to survive, but the same process that
keeps the body functioning also generates a variety of highly reactive,
imbalanced molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can also enter the
body due to pollution, exposure to high-frequency radiation, cigarette smoke,
and industrial chemicals, some of which are found in extremely common household
chemicals. The structure of free radicals lacks an electron, causing them to be
imbalanced. Upon encountering the tissues of the body, whether they be muscles,
organs, brain tissue, or nerves, they “steal” an electron to balance
themselves.
This process, in turn, imbalances the tissues of the
body, which causes a chain reaction throughout the cellular structure of the
body that induces a state called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can dramatically increase inflammation,
and is involved in the development of a wide variety of serious health
conditions, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders,
chronic fatigue, diabetes, organ failure, liver disease, renal failure,
and rheumatoid arthritis.
Fortunately, the body has a natural defense against free
radicals that are able to neutralize the threat they present and restore
balance to cellular structure. Antioxidants are molecules that are able to
donate a spare electron to free radicals without becoming imbalanced
themselves, dramatically improving overall health. Antioxidants are both
manufactured organically by the body and absorbed from dietary intake. Some
foods and beverages, such as green tea or green leafy beverages, are extremely
rich in phytonutrient antioxidants that minimize oxidative stress, but there
are many other lesser-known sources of antioxidants that are even more
powerful.
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