Oxidative Stress
Definition: the imbalance between the production of free radicals and the human body's ability to counteract their adverse effects through neutralization by antioxidants, that can lead to tissue and cell damage.
The body is under non-stop intrusion from oxidative stress. The oxygen in our bodes split into single atoms with unpaired electrons, however, electrons like to be paired. As a result, the atoms (a.k.a free radicals) seek out other electrons within our bodies in order to become a pair resulting in damage to our DNA, cells, and proteins.
Free Radicals
Definition: molecules with one or more unpaired electrons, including reactive oxygen species, making it highly reactive with other molecules. External substances can also cause the formation of free radicals in the body ie. pesticides, cigarette smoke, ozone, etc.
Free radicals are linked to human diseases, including Cancer, multiple chronic inflammatory diseases, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Atherosclerosis (buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on your artery walls/plaque which can restrict blood flow) to name a few, and may also be linked to aging.
Not all reactive oxygen species are harmful to the body and can sometimes be useful in killing invading microbes or pathogens, however, free radicals can chemically interact with the cell structure and steal their electrons in order to become stabilized. The process then destabilizes the cell component molecules and causes a chain reaction whereby the affected cell then seeks other molecules to steal their electrons, and so on ... triggering a long chain of free radical reactions.
Antioxidants
Definition: molecules present in cells that prevent these chain reactions by lending an electron to the free radicals without becoming destabilized themselves.
Hence, oxidative stress is the fallout - the imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. Antioxidants keep free radicals in check.
Cells naturally produce antioxidants however, diet plays a very important role in antioxidants through a variety of sources such as vitamins A, C, and E. The vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables provide many of the essential antioxidants the body cannot create on its own.
How does Oxidative Stress affect the human body?
Generally speaking, the human body is able to maintain a healthy balance between antioxidants and free radicals but many factors can contribute to oxidative stress and excess free radical production including: lifestyle, diet, environment, and other certain conditions.
The body's natural immune response can also trigger oxidative stress temporarily causing mild inflammation that tends to go away when the immune system repairs an injury or fights off infection.
Oxidative Stress and Surgery
Oxidative stress is also believed to be an integrated part of the surgical stress response - increased free radicals due to undergoing surgery. It can have a negative impact on all forms of major surgery including: plastic surgery, general surgery, cardiac surgery, general surgery, trauma surgery, and orthopaedic surgery. Therefore, antioxidant-enriched nutrition after any major surgery may play an important role in detoxing the body.
Surgeries that involve implanting a medical device, such as breast implants, may also cause constant oxidative stress on the body for the entire duration of the device(s) remaining within the body. With the rise in breast explant surgeries and the personal accounts from women all over the world experiencing positive changes in their health, must indicate a direct cause and effect on the body.
Clearly, there is much more research required specifically relating to medical devices and the direct impacts that may have on the human body causing negative consequences.
All posts are intended strictly for educational purposes. It is not intended to make any representations or warranties about the outcome of any procedure. It is not a substitute for a thorough in-person consultation with a medical professional. If you have questions about your personal medical situation, please call your healthcare provider.
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