Like us on Facebook & Check us out on. Youtube.

What Is Oxidative Stress and Is It Affecting You?

What Is Oxidative Stress and Is It Affecting You?

You’ve probably heard the phrase “oxidative stress.” And perhaps you’ve also heard of free radicals and antioxidants. But do you know what they are and how they might affect you?

If you have more questions than answers when it comes to the topic of oxidative stress, don’t worry: You’re not alone. Although oxidative stress can play a significant role in your health, few people know exactly what it is or how it may affect the body.

Understanding oxidative stress, free radicals, and antioxidant action is a lot to wrap your head around. Primary care physician Deborah D. Viglione, MD, of Living Waters Regenerative Medicine Center in Gulf Breeze, Florida, aims to help you educate yourself about these topics so you can safeguard your long-term health.

Understanding oxidative stress

Every day, your body experiences a process known as oxidation. This is a normal process in which your body uses oxygen for many physiological functions.

Oxidation causes the formation of potentially harmful byproducts known as free radicals. Normally, your body neutralizes dangerous free radicals using compounds called antioxidants, which help prevent toxic free radicals from causing damage to cells, tissues, and organs.

However, when antioxidants and free radicals are out of balance — in other words, when you don’t have enough antioxidants to neutralize the worrisome free radicals in your system — free radicals act as dangerous toxins in your body and you can experience some of the harmful effects of oxidative stress.

As oxidative stress and free radicals interact with your body, they can lead to serious cell damage. As a result, long-term oxidative stress is believed to play a role in causing or worsening a variety of health conditions, including:

Contributors to toxic oxidative stress

Although all people experience oxidation, certain factors can weaken your defenses against potentially harmful long-term oxidative stress. For example, you’re more likely to experience damage from oxidative stress if you:

You’re also at greater risk if you smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke or if you have a history of exposure to radiation or certain chemicals.

Reduce the impact of oxidative stress

Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce the impact of oxidative stress on your body and your overall health. Dr. Viglione is happy to work with you to create a customized treatment and lifestyle strategy to protect you from toxic oxidative stress. 

She provides guidance on everything from diet and exercise to addressing exposure to toxins. She may recommend nutritional supplements, IV therapy, medication changes, and hormone therapy tailored to your needs.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Viglione so you can learn more about oxidative stress and how it could be affecting you, call our office at 850-290-4806.

You Might Also Enjoy...

How to Ensure Natural-Looking Filler Results

Injectables like dermal fillers are among the most popular cosmetic treatments. One concern that comes up with people considering fillers for the first time is that you’ll look unnatural after your procedure. Here’s what you need to know.

What to Expect During and After Microneedling

Do you have dark spots on your skin? Fine lines you wish weren’t so visible? What about uneven tone? Most people have some problem areas when it comes to their skin, and one treatment can address most of them: RF microneedling.

5 Effective Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can be embarrassing to discuss, but effective treatments are available, and talking to your doctor may lead to solutions you didn’t know about! If you’re struggling to get or keep an erection, find out about treatments here.

PRP for Joint Healing: What to Expect

Joint pain can limit your life in surprising ways. You may not be able to exercise the way you want, enjoy hobbies that you love, or even spend quality time with your loved ones. PRP therapy could help. Here’s what you should know.

Can Medical Marijuana Help My Anxiety?

Almost everyone is aware that medical marijuana is available in the state of Florida, but you may not be aware of what conditions it’s used to successfully treat. If you have anxiety, could medical marijuana be right for you?