Simple Secrets to Better Health - Chapter 1

Oxidative Stress

We all have stressors in our lives, more at some times than others. Bacteria left on our teeth and gums can be a stressor! Here is an explanation of how stress affects us as our metabolism speeds up to fight a stressor.

Dr. Ray Strand, a family physician, describes the stress reaction as 'The War Within'. Here is what he means by the term. The basic unit of the war is a free radical. It is a charged molecule that only lasts a very short time, before it steals an electron from somewhere to neutralize itself. In doing so, it can damage proteins, fats and many parts of the cell, including the DNA. This is a process known as oxidation and is similar to an apple turning brown when you cut it, or a piece of steel rusting. The body defends itself with antioxidants. Free radical production increases with increased stress.

To picture what is happening, visualize a fire burning in the fireplace. Every once in a while, the fire crackles and out jumps a glowing cinder to damage the carpet. This cinder in the fire is like a free radical creating damage in our body. The more we stoke the fire, the more cinders are created. The more we stress and excite our body, the more free radicals are created. To prevent damage to the carpet from the cinders, we put up a fire screen. To douse the free radicals, our body relies on antioxidants.

The free radicals that cause the process of oxidation in our body come both from inside sources like energy production in the cell and outside sources like plaque on your teeth or cigarette smoke. Likewise, antioxidants are not only produced inside the cell but also come from outside sources like fresh fruits and vegetables.

In a healthy situation, the normal forces of oxidation are balanced by the antioxidant defences. It is important to realize that oxidation serves a very useful purpose in our body. Oxidation is the process the body uses to kill bacteria and viruses. As long as we have the antioxidant reserves to control the forces of oxidation caused by free radicals, we are in a state of health.

To learn about 'The War Within'and more, you can purchase Dr. Strand's book on our products page by clicking on the picture.

'The War Within' really starts when the forces of oxidation due to a variety of stressors overwhelm the body's antioxidant defences. The amount that oxidation exceeds antioxidation is referred to as 'oxidative stress'. The body responds to oxidative stress with a process called inflammation. On a once-in- a-while basis, like a sliver in your finger, inflammation is necessary and good. In a chronic or long lasting situation, it wears the system down and symptoms occur that range from tooth decay and gum disease to heart disease, diabetes and more.

It is worth noting that cigarette smoke is one of the greatest stressors or free radical generators. This is why smokers are more at risk for periodontal diseases than non-smokers. It is almost impossible to eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables to get the antioxidants necessary to combat the excessive oxidation and resulting oxidative stress caused by this habit. Research is now showing that obesity also generates oxidation.

N.B. - Our 'Products' page is intended to 'facilitate further education and product support' to our clients.

Click here to proceed to the next chapter

Click here to return to the chapter index