Sunday, January 13, 2008

Health – Oxidative Stress

Health – Oxidative Stress





Human body is made up of different organs like heart, lungs, muscles, skin etc.  The smallest building units of organs are specialized cells.  Due to the damages caused to these cells we grew old.  The damage to the cells of the vital organs eventually leads to death.  These damages are inflicted by free radicals.  The free radicals attack cell walls making holes leading to chemical imbalance.  Free radicals also cause damage to parts of cells such as proteins, DNA and cell membrane by stealing their electrons through a process called oxidation.  That is why free radical damage also called oxidative damage.

The production of free radical mostly occurs within the mitochondria.   The mitochondria produce a chemical the cells uses for energy.  So the mitochondria is called the power house.  The energy is produced through a mechanism known as “electron transport chain”.  In this process occasionally oxygen radicals are formed.  The primary site of radical oxygen damage is to mitochondrial DNA.  The extensive damage to mitochondrial DNA leads cells to die and organism to age.    

Dr. Kenneth Cooper explained this process “oxidative stress”. The oxygen molecule or atoms that are liberated after production of energy inside the cell have at least one unpaired electron in their outer orbit. This oxygen molecule or atoms are called ‘free radical’. These free radicals are unstable and desire to try to get an electron from any molecule or substance in the vicinity causing damage. The damage thus caused by free radical is known as ‘oxidative stresses’. Scientific research proved beyond doubt that oxidative stress or cell damage by free radical is the root cause of more than seventy chronic degenerative diseases like coronary artery disease, cancer, stroke, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, dementia and macular degeneration. Our stress filled life and constant exposure to pollutants in air, food and water results in cell deterioration leading to oxidative stress and finally disease.


In order to arrest and repair the damage done by free radicals on our body, we have to optimize our natural defense mechanism. For building an effective and efficient natural defense system our body needs the wellness solutions that is routine moderate exercise, healthy food and nutritional supplements. What we have to understand here is nutritional supplement is a complementary medicine to a patient. Nutritional therapy is not to eradicate disease but to build a vibrant health. So Health Enhancing Information is very critical in defending the oxidative stress.  Go To HEALTH INFORMATION

Health – Antioxidant




God has blessed us with the best defense mechanism in our body against free radicals. What free radicals need is an electron donor. Any substance that has an ability to give up an electron to free radical is an “antioxidant”. Antioxidant can neutralize free radical and render them harmless.  Antioxidants donate one of their own electron; ending the electron stealing reaction.  In this manner antioxidants can prevent free radical damage.  Our body has the ability to produce antioxidants.  READ MORE.....

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