what is oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is a phenomenon that occurs when there is an imbalance between the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells and the ability of cells to clear them. ROS, also known as free radicals, are molecules that can cause damage to cellular structures such as membranes, lipids, proteins, lipoproteins, and DNA. Oxidative stress can negatively affect several cellular structures and has been linked to several neurological diseases such as Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, depression, and memory loss. However, oxidative stress can also be exploited as a therapeutic approach to treat clinical conditions such as cancer, with a certain degree of clinical success. Antioxidants are molecules that can donate an electron to a free radical without making themselves unstable, which causes the free radical to stabilize and become less reactive. Maintaining a balance between free radicals and antioxidants is important for overall health, and lifestyle choices such as regular exercise and avoiding exposure to smoke can help prevent or reduce oxidative stress.