Oxidative Stress

Back Clinic Oxidative Stress Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Team. Oxidative stress is defined as a disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses. In other words, it is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to counteract or detoxify the harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants. Oxidative stress leads to many pathophysiological conditions in the body. These include neurodegenerative diseases, i.e., Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, gene mutations, cancers, chronic fatigue syndrome, fragile X syndrome, heart and blood vessel disorders, atherosclerosis, heart failure, heart attack, and inflammatory diseases. Oxidation happens under a number of circumstances:

the cells use glucose to make energy
the immune system is fighting off bacteria and creating inflammation
the bodies detoxify pollutants, pesticides, and cigarette smoke
There are millions of processes taking place in our bodies at any given time that can result in oxidation. Here are a few symptoms:

Fatigue
Memory loss and or brain fog
Muscle and or joint pain
Wrinkles along with grey hair
Decreased eyesight
Headaches and sensitivity to noise
Susceptibility to infections
Choosing organic foods and avoiding toxins in your environment makes a big difference. This, along with reducing stress, can be beneficial in decreasing oxidation.