Here's How to Tell You're Experiencing Oxidative Stress:

Oxidation is what occurs when your body metabolizes oxygen to use it in its natural processes. When you breathe in, your cells use oxygen to create energy, fight off infection, and more. As oxygen molecules are used during energy production, free radicals are released. Metabolism is a basic cellular process during which fuel is produced for the basic cell functions. Part of this very natural and essential process is a waste product called a ‘free radical’.
Free radicals are unstable molecules with unpaired electrons. Again, they are an unavoidable byproduct of cellular metabolism. Free radicals can steal electrons from lipids, proteins, RNA, and DNA, causing them damage. This is because they have an unmatched electron as part of their structure.
Because these electrons want to be in pairs, they travel through the body to group together. The free radical is always on the hunt for another electron to steal from any and all molecules in the body. While this is a normal process, too many free radicals can wreak havoc on your body, causing inflammation, stress, speeding up aging, and more. A well-balanced and healthy body has mechanisms to minimize and dispose of free radicals.


To read more about what oxidative stress is, check out this blog: What Is Oxidative Stress?


We’re going to talk about 5 signs you may be experiencing oxidative stress symptoms, and what you can do to relieve them.

OXIDATIVE STRESS SYMPTOMS
What to Look Out For & Why They Occur

Oxidation is normal and small amounts of free radicals can even be beneficial. However, too many free radicals can harm your body, speed up aging, and exert harmful effects on all areas of your health. Keep reading to learn about 5 signs that may be pointing towards oxidative stress symptoms:



  1. You feel fatigued. When your body is under oxidative stress, it uses a lot of energy to combat symptoms such as inflammation. You may not get the restful sleep you need, and during the day, it can be difficult to keep up your energy reserves.

  2. Brain fog/lack of concentration. If you notice that you’re losing your train of thought, suddenly have the inability to focus, and feel like you’re in a mental “fog,” oxidative stress may be the culprit.

  3. Muscle and joint pain. Free radicals can cause over-inflammation in the joints and muscles. If you feel more fatigued than normal after a workout, or wake up with sore joints and muscles, you may need to incorporate more antioxidants in your diet and make some lifestyle changes.

  4. Headaches. Headaches can also be indicative of pollutants in the air. This happens when your body depletes its energy reserves trying to detoxify and break down harmful chemicals.

  5. Increase in stress and anxiety. Your body will give you warning signs that it’s under stress, and lack of good sleep, persistent pain in your muscles and joints, and headaches can make you feel ill at ease. This study linked oxidative stress to depression and anxiety in middle-aged and menopausal women.

HOW TO PREVENT OXIDATIVE STRESS

Oxidation is a normal and natural function of the body, and when your body is able to detoxify the free radicals that are generated in this process, you shouldn’t experience any of these symptoms. However, uncontrolled oxidative stress can accelerate your aging process and can lead to the development of a number of inflammatory conditions if left unchecked.


To prevent this, it’s important to promote balance - in your diet, lifestyle, exercise, sleep routines, and more. It’s important to reduce pollutants in your life, so get houseplants that can cleanse the air in your living space, avoid products like heavily scented laundry detergents, harsh cleaning chemicals, and others, and try to get some fresh air at least once a week. Remember to change the filters of your air conditioner too. There are also air-filtering products available to provide a constant cleansing of your surrounding air.


Also include antioxidants in your diet. Fruits and berries, such as cherries, and leafy greens like spinach are rich in antioxidants and help promote antioxidant production in your body naturally.


This is why we decided to develop our Tart Cherry Extract. Tart cherries are an excellent source of antioxidants – and since many of our lifestyles don’t include antioxidant activities or diets, it’s important to supplement when you can.

Dr. Meredith Warner, Orthopedic Surgeon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Meredith Warner is the creator of Well Theory and The Healing Sole. She is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Air Force Veteran.


She is on a mission to disrupt traditional medicine practices and promote betterment physically, spiritually and mentally to many more people. She advocates for wellness and functional health over big pharma so more people can age vibrantly with more function and less pain.


At Well Theory, Our surgeon-designed products are FDA Registered and formulated to help people:


  • Manage the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain
  • Recover vibrantly from orthopedic related surgeries
  • Fill the gaps in our daily diets
  • Manage pain associated with inflammation
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