The dangers of oxidative stress

By Mike Ventresca, Vital Choice Healthstore

Have you ever heard of the term “oxidative stress?” There’s a good chance you haven’t.

However, you’re probably quite familiar with the conditions long-term oxidative stress can lead to—like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage the cells in your body. Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals. Think of it like trash collection. Free radicals are the bags of garbage, while antioxidants are the garbage trucks. Simply put, when free radicals outnumber antioxidants, or when there are too many garbage bags for the trucks, the neighborhood becomes toxic.

Unfortunately, we can’t easily avoid free radicals. Not only does the body produce free radicals daily, but we are also exposed at an ever-increasing rate to external sources like pollution, pesticides and chemicals. Even a diet high in sugar and fat all increase your free radical load.

While reducing free radicals can be a challenge, a great way to combat and prevent oxidative stress is to ensure you’re getting enough antioxidants. In addition to antioxidant-rich foods, supplements can play a key role.

An excellent formula for combating oxidative stress is Omega Curcumin by Nordic Naturals. Omega Curcumin combines four powerful antioxidants, each of which could stand on its own, in one great formula. In addition to industry-leading fish oil, Nordic Naturals adds a patented curcumin extract (shown to reduce excess oxidation), reduced glutathione (the body’s most powerful antioxidant), and N-Acetylcysteine, or NAC, which has been shown to work with glutathione to bind to and neutralize free radicals. For more information, please stop in today.

Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. Call 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.