At a time when attaining good health has become an essential factor in people’s lives, Oxidative stress has become common amongst the masses. Oxidative stress is majorly caused when there is an imbalance between the production and accumulation of free radicals (reactive oxygen species) in the cells and tissues and the antioxidant defence to inhibit their harmful effects in the body. It can lead to cell and tissue damage and plays a role in the ageing process. A high-fat diet, sedentary lifestyle, and exposure to pollution and radiation leads to oxidative stress and contribute to the production of excess free radicals in the body.
How immune systems triggers oxidative stress
For a brief time, the body’s immune system triggers oxidative stress that causes a gentle inflammation that tends to decrease once the immune system fights against any infection or fixes any injury. But, uncontrolled creation of free radicals leads to the acceleration of the ageing process as these free radicals end up damaging the healthy cells, DNA makeup, and proteins in the body.
Oxidative stress leads to several lifestyle and health disorders
An increase in oxidative stress leads to chronic inflammation and can trigger the occurrence of many chronic lifestyle disorders including diabetes, atherosclerosis or the hardening of the blood vessels, inflammatory conditions, high blood pressure, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases such as parkinson’s, and alzheimer’s.
How a natural component called squalene boosts immunity, energy, and improves skin quality
Uncontrolled oxidative stress can speed up the ageing process, distress the immune system, and also contribute to the development of adverse health conditions. However, squalene, a natural component present in the human body is the root of a healthy body by birth, and it is the strongest natural anti-oxidant. Squalene readily releases hydrogen to free radicals and abstracts hydrogen from water in cells, thereby releasing oxygen to cells. It supplements the human body with several health-benefiting properties such as anti-oxidation, generation of immunity, the balance of cholesterol levels, acts as an anti-cancer agent, and prevent heart diseases.
But as we age, the level of squalene decreases in the body. This reduction in squalene leads to low oxygen levels in the body that results in reduced immunity, deprived sleep, early ageing, and lifestyle diseases. Thus, it is advisable to daily consume squalene based supplements as it leads to counter the viruses, pathogens, and free radicals that attack the healthy cells in our body daily. O2live is an oxygen supplement that contains 100% pure squalene, and if consumed daily, it will reward you with tremendous health benefits.
Prevention of oxidative stress
Our body requires both antioxidants as well as free radicals. Excess or little of either would end up causing health hazards. With certain lifestyle and dietary modifications, one can reduce the impact of oxidative stress on the body. Below are the essential steps one can take to increase the levels of antioxidants and decrease the formation of free radicals in our body:
– Quit smoking and alcohol intake
– Minimise the use of processed goods, especially the ones rich in sugar and fat
– Increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables that produces antioxidants in the body such as berries, cherries, citrus fruits, prunes, dark leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes and olives are the best ones. The other dietary sources that can increase antioxidant production in the body are fish and nuts, vitamin E, green tea, garlic, and turmeric
– Exercise regularly as it helps to reduce stress, keeps you fit and improve signs of anxiety and reduce depression. Even a regular meditation practice can reduce oxidative stress and boost antioxidant levels in the body
– Take adequate sleep
– Ensure intake of certain antioxidants such as vitamins C and E
– Avoid or reduce exposure to pollution and harsh chemicals
The writer is Director, TheLifekart.in.