Make Entry -- Become an Editor -- Most Popular: (10, 25, 50, 75, 100)

   Help

Oxidative Stress

In oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species damage organic cells and the tissues those cells make up. These reactive forms of oxygen can include such things as singlet oxygen or hydrogen peroxide – any oxygen that is reactive due to an incomplete electron octet. Anti-oxidants are used to combat these forms of oxygen by reacting with them in lieu of organic chemicals in your cells.

Many oxidants are produced by normal enzymatic reactions in the mitochondria or in other parts of the cell. Oxidative stress can result from irradiation or hyperoxia, among other things. It is a probable contributing cause of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's or ALS. Several forms of cardiovascular disease may also result from oxidative stress; for instance, oxidation of LDL is an apparent precursor to plaque formation. Antioxidant dietary supplements, however, have not been shown definitively to prevent damage from oxidative stress, though there is some epidemiological evidence that seems to indicate they do help.

Oxidative stress probably contributes to the aging process; this is strongly indicated in Drosophila melanogaster experiments, but the process seems more complicated in mammals.

Web Resources On Oxidative Stress

What is Oxidative Stress?
Oxidative Stress Chart

Book Resources On Oxidative Stress

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Protocols by Donald Armstrong
Nutrigenomics by Rimbach & Fuchs (Eds)

Site Maps: Most Recent | Clusters | Browse
New: Graduate Student Job Opportunity