This is a new term to me, and it keeps coming up.
Being that I am drawn to things that have an effect on our bodies, I’ve just got to do a deeper dive to get a better grasp on what this is, and why it has such an impact on our health.
I slightly touched on this topic in my post Molecules, Redox Molecules because the redox signaling molecules are a part of this process, and ultimately, the redox supplement ASEA is why I’ve gone down this rabbit hole in the first place.
While killing everyone might be a slightly harsh statement, I stand by it. This completely normal process has been thrown way off track of homeostasis, and the ways that it can impact each of us individually are limitless, especially since it does its best(worst) work on our gene expression. This silent killer hits us where we didn’t even know it could hurt, our DNA.
What Is Oxidative Stress?
Oxidative stress is a phenomenon caused by an imbalance between the production and accumulation of free radicals, otherwise known as oxygen reactive species (ROS) in cells and tissues, and the ability of our body’s system to detoxify these reactive products.
In order to understand what it is, we need to first explore what the biological and chemical process is that gets us to this point, so I’m going to try and break it down very simply, and hopefully, the image helps.
Many natural biological processes in our bodies, such as breathing, digesting food, metabolizing alcohol and drugs, and turning fats into energy produce harmful compounds called free radicals. Free radicals are usually destroyed by our body’s natural antioxidant system. If this system cannot cope properly, free radicals can trigger a negative chain reaction in the body, a reaction that can destroy the cell membrane, block the action of major enzymes, prevent cellular processes necessary for the proper functioning of the body, prevent normal cell division, destroy deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and block energy generation (Kurutas, 2015).
Our bodies are set up to balance out their processes. This is why antioxidants and redox signaling molecules are so important! They counteract the natural cellular waste.
However, beyond normal physiological roles, excessive production of ROS can occur in response to such stressors as toxicant exposure, radiation damage, and disease, resulting in local oxidative stress and consequent adaptive responses.
Contributing Factors to Oxidative Stress
Living in America, there’s a contributing factor for you. While this is probably true for other countries as well, I live in the USA, so that’s what I know. Let’s list some things that are major proven contributors to oxidative stress:
- Obesity & diets that are high in fat, sugar, and processed foods.
- Smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products. Including those silly vapes.
- Alcohol.
- Air pollution! This includes those pesky chemtrails…
- Exposure to pesticides and industrial chemicals! How about the cocktail of chemicals we are slathering on our bodies every day, or using to “clean” our homes.
- Prescription candy! Otherwise known as medications…
These are a few medications that are proven to increase oxidative stress. Diclofenac is an NSAID, like ibuprofen and asprin. Paracetamol is like Tylenol. Just these two medications are things that people take on sometimes a daily basis! Others are cancer-treating drugs and an antipsychotic, so really wielding a double-edged sword here.
How Does Oxidative Stress Effect Me?
Stress and free radicals are implicated in a wide range of clinical diseases that impact a variety of tissues and systems, making them one of the most significant and ubiquitous threats to human health. Telling you, killing everyone.
This can manifest in:
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Respiratory Issues
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Sexual Maturity
- Premature Grays
- Memory Loss & Brain Fog
- Depression & Anxiety
- Sensitive Eyesight & Hearing Loss
- Unstable Blood Sugar
- Weakened Immune System
- Headaches & Fatigue
This isn’t a comprehensive list. However, everyone can identify with one or more of these issues. These things aren’t normal people! While some of these may come along with aging, we also can age so much better than we are led to believe, or have seen in our families.
Oxidative stress is the underlying factor in almost every discomfort, disease, or ailment.
Western Medicine: More Cause than Cure
There are neurological diseases and age-related diseases that also are largely based on oxidative stress, primarily affecting the brain.
Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), depression, and memory loss are these types of diseases.
Let’s think about how these are treated in our medical system and the fact that doctors don’t really know what causes the onset of them, which is so frustrating.
As stated above, two of the main medications in everyone’s medicine cabinets are a cause of oxidative stress. We are so used to taking Ibuprofen or Advil that we don’t even think twice about the effects that it’s really having on our bodies. We want the quick fix to a symptom, however, this does not address the root cause and does more long-term damage. Western doctors are no longer trained to look at the whole human for the cause of disease and discomfort. Their job is to prescribe medication, schedule surgery, or send you to the next “expert” for expensive testing and minimal diagnoses.
The study of oxygen-reactive species really only started about thirty years ago, and that’s when the push of eating anti-oxidant rich foods and taking supplements really came into the market. You know those are good for you, but have you ever wondered why? This is why oxidative stress and the plummeting effects it has on our overall health.
How To Create Homeostasis within Yourself
Let’s talk about some good ways to keep yourself healthy and vibrant! Or get yourself back to that state, because you CAN! This is by no means a comprehensive list, just dipping the toe into rejuvenating waters.
First is first my dears, you have to be conscious of the food you are putting into your body.
We HAVE to get away from this over-processed, negative nutrition diet. Even when eating more whole food based, it’s important to try to buy organic (or even better-grow your own) because our soils have been depleted and there just is not as much nutritional value as there used to be. Especially for meats, be extremely conscious of where you get your meat, thinking of all the chemicals and pesticides that the animal is being fed and treated with.
There are so many incredible nutritional superfood supplements and additives out there that adding to your daily intake will help immensely with your overall health and energy.
Second is obvious lifestyle choices. Don’t smoke cigarettes and keep your drinking moderate. Make sure that you are staying active, and not just physically! I wrote an article Building Your Brain with Puzzles and Games, that goes over the importance of keeping your mind sharp, and how this is linked to lowering chances of dementia and Altzimers. Drink more water, the good water that doesn’t have pharmacuitical waste and flouride and whatever else in there.
Get good sleep! We all know how important sleep is, so let’s actually put that into practice! If you aren’t aware of how important sleep is, check out my post The Importance of Sleep and Healing.
Third is to reevaluate your relationship with the products you are using everyday.
It’s time to take ownership of your personal health, and a great place to start is with your personal care products and household cleaning products. You are slowly poisening yourself, and your body is exremely good at detoxing and limiting the damage of these products, but so much energy is going into maintaining that, they are wiped out, and when we keep piling things on top, this is where the oxidative stress comes in, your body can’t keep up.
Switching to nontoxic, plant based, or even homemade personal care and cleaning products can be a little bit of an adjustment, and no one is asking you to be perfect. Just be aware of the dangers of these products, and do the best you can.
The fourth aspect to look at is your automated conditioning to fill your medicine cabinet with over the counter medications. Everything from cough syrup, pain relievers, cold and flu pills, sleep aids, migrane pills, energy supplements, heartburn and acid reflux tabets, all of it.
None of these are native to our body. None of these have zero side effects.
It’s time to shift our thinking when it comes to healing ourselves, and using more natural methods. Homeopathy, essential oils, herbal tinctures, castor packs, herbal teas, frequency medicine, high-quality vitamins and minerals, are all going to be extremely more powerful and beneficial in actually creating a healthier you, so you don’t have to rely on a medicine cabinet for daily issues.
I am not a medical professional, and I am not giving medical advice.
I am providing information and inviting you to take a look at areas in your life that you can start to make shifts. There are many tools that will open the door to you being your own self healer, these tools are adjacent, working right along with you.
If you are looking to get a jumpstart on your healing, I encourage you to check out my ASEA page, as this is a product that specifically targets these ROS molecules, and offers supplementation to negate their harmful effects. This product is 100% native to the body, and there are no side effects or contraindications. This is truly a miracle supplement that mainstream medical does not want you to know about.
That’s all that I have guys, I hope you’ve enjoyed and are motivated to start empowering yourself with the knowledge and awareness to work with your incredible body to achieve optimal health.
Love to hear your comments, answer any questions, or provide any additonal information!
Love and vibes,
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