HEALTH & WELLNESS

Finding new ways to measure oxidative stress

The origins of the term “oxidative stress can be traced back to the 1950’s when experts first debated the effects of free radicals and ionizing radiation.

cell

Now widely accepted, oxidative stress is associated with many degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes; and is increasingly being recognized as a major contributing factor in aging. Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals out number naturally occurring antioxidants, leading to widespread protein, lipid, DNA, and carbohydrate damage.

Now scientists are looking for more accurate ways to measure oxidative stress. This review, Today’s Oxidative Stress Markers, discusses promising new markers of oxidative stress such as isopostanes and allantoin, and advantages of these markers over previously used markers. Significantly, new markers may be crucial in defining the role of oxidative stress in lifestyle-related diseases, as well as its progression in various neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, they allow the effects of various treatments including antioxidants to be measured.

The best prevention against oxidative stress is to eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and to exercise regularly. Consider also taking an antioxidant supplement to help boost your own inbuilt antioxidant supply.

Learn more about oxidative stress and it's role in aging

Browse the MitoQ range

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The relationship between exercise and stress

We know that exercise has some incredible stress-relieving effects, but if you're not helping your body bounce back from stress in everyday life - your high intensity exercise routine could be doing more harm than good.

Read more

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The stress-energy connection

Low energy, sleep disturbances and fatigue that you just can't shake? Before you overanalyze the cause of your exhaustion, it might pay to consider if stress could be the culprit.

Read more