Learn what could be stressing your body!

What is Oxidative Stress?

One of the leading causes of age-related illnesses is a condition called oxidative stress, wherein your body’s balance between harmful free radicals and antioxidants becomes imbalanced. Oxidative stress not only causes direct and lasting damage to your cells and DNA, but it is also linked to:

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Atherosclerosis

• Systemic inflammation

• Neurodegenerative diseases

• Cancer

• Reduced VO2 max scores (a measurement of your body’s ability to use oxygen)

The trouble with oxidative stress is that it is progressive – meaning the damage accumulates over time. In your younger years, the results of mild or even moderative oxidative stress are less visible. Factors that contribute to an excess of free radicals in your system include:

• Excessive UV exposure

• Smoking

• Airborne and ingested pollutants

• Excessive sugar intake

Excessive sugar intake is one of the most significant contributors to oxidative stress, as the molecular breakdown of glucose involves the release of the toxic hydroxyl radical. Under normal circumstances, the hydroxyl output from blood sugar metabolization is managed by antioxidants that roam your bloodstream. However, it quickly becomes a problem when your sugar intake overwhelms your body’s natural ability to maintain balance.

HOW CAN ANTIOXIDANTS HELP?

Antioxidants bind to and neutralize free radicals, rendering them harmless. While most foods have varying amounts of antioxidants, maintaining a diet and lifestyle free from oxidative stress is one of the simplest and most effective ways to maintain your health and performance. Simple supplements like our carbon infused MCT oils (170 times stronger than vitamin C!) as well as Omega 3’s, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and phytonutrient-rich fruits and berries provide antioxidant support to keep you going strong. A comprehensive, well-rounded can also help supply many critical antioxidants. We currently have all these products at our practice, however we have recently teamed up with Pharmanex to help deliver some of the best supplements to reduce your oxidative burden!