Oxidative stress is a silent threat that causes accelerated aging of our cells and increases the risk of serious diseases linked to excess free radicals. Knowing your level of oxidative stress allows you to better understand its harmful effects and implement measures to reduce it. We take stock.
Definition: What is oxidative or oxidative stress?
Oxidative stress ? Nothing to do with the stress we experience, characteristic by anxieties or anxiety in the face of a possible threat.
Oxidative stress (or oxidative stress) is a phenomenon of chemical oxidation undergone by our body, explains Michel Brack, doctor specializing in oxidative stress.
Free radicals at the origin of the appearance of oxidative stress
In short: your body is attacked by potentially harmful molecules, free radicals. These come mainly from the oxygen that we breathe to live. Paradox, because this element is, in fact, both good and harmful for health…
“When your body is in good condition, harmful free radicals can be controlled, or even destroyed, by antioxidants and damaged biological structures are replaced,” explains Michel Brack. The problem ? These molecules are sometimes produced in excess, and when the body no longer has the ability to protect itself, oxidative stress occurs.
What are the consequences of oxidative stress?
Oxidative stress causes, at low or medium magnitude, the denaturation (or oxidation) of many elements in your body : proteins, lipids, sugars, and thus, the “rust” of tissues, muscles, arteries, and even nerve and/or brain cells.
Oxidative stress accelerates aging
Result: these phenomena accelerate the aging. When oxidative stress reaches the nucleus of cells, it can also modify the genetic code and initiate the cancerous transformation of these cells. Besides the cancer, he is often involved in many pathologies : Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea syndrome, arthritis, allergies…
The cause: smoking, alcohol, medications, the sun, pollution and intensive physical activities or, on the contrary, a sedentary lifestyle, explains Anny Cohen-Letessier, dermatologist. But one of the main causes of this oxidation is also the stress of modern life.
How to measure oxidative stress?
To find out whether or not you have oxidative stress, carry out a review. This is not a simple blood test; certain situations require it:
- You are taking nutritional supplements and you need to take stock of any adaptation;
- You want to take antioxidants because you have a chronic progressive disease;
- You have experienced a painful event or a stressful period;
- You want to prevent degenerative diseases and your aging.
Oxidative stress assessment in the laboratory
“This test allows to assess your level of oxidative stress, from determine the causes and of refer you to treatment specific according to the deficits or imbalances observed,” underlines Dr. Brack. If your first assessment is abnormal, do a check-up four to five months later. Then, if there is nothing alarming, get followed up once or twice a year.
Oxidative stress: how to reduce it? What treatments?
“Although you can increase your dietary intake of nutrients and antioxidants capable of countering free radicals, your body’s defenses vary, particularly as you age,” specifies dermatologist Anny Cohen-Letessier.
For example, if your body can fight the oxidation of lipids it will perhaps not be the same with the proteins. Likewise, the way oxidized products are disposed of or repaired varies from person to person.
Should we take food supplements against oxidative stress?
The ideal, to fight against oxidative stress, is to follow the prescription for antioxidant supplements made after the assessment by the doctor and change your lifestyle. “Get rid of stress, adapt your diet, practice regular physical activity,” advises Anny Cohen-Letellier. So many elements capable of significantly improving your oxidative stress balance.