If you suffer from joint pain, fatigue, and unexplained health issues, this could be the most important article you read all year…
We all know that prolonged stress is detrimental to our health, but what many people may not realize is that there are different types of stress – and some are far more harmful than others…
So, while you may consider yourself to be a generally stress-free person, it’s important to understand that that’s not the whole story. In fact, there’s one type of stress in particular – known as oxidative stress – that can do some serious damage to your body if left unchecked.
The issue with oxidative stress is that it’s often “invisible” – meaning, you may not even realize that it’s affecting you. That’s because oxidative stress is like a “silent assassin“, slowly but surely taking its toll on your body over time.
And whilst we all know to have a relaxing bath after a long day or to take some time out for ourselves when we’re feeling overwhelmed, few of us know how to combat oxidative stress specifically, or even recognise the signs that we may be suffering from it.
Luckily for you, we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll be exploring everything you need to know about oxidative stress, including causes, symptoms, and most importantly, how you can combat it.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
So, what exactly is oxidative stress? In a nutshell, it’s when your body has too many “free radicals” – unstable molecules that damage cells, proteins, and DNA.
Free radicals are produced naturally by your body as a by-product of metabolism, however, they can also come from external sources, such as pollution, cigarette smoke, and UV radiation – more on that later.
Generally speaking, your body is able to handle a certain amount of free radicals. In fact, they can actually be beneficial in small quantities, as they help to regulate cell function.
The problem arises when there’s an imbalance – when there are too many free radicals and not enough “antioxidants” to counteract them. That’s when oxidative stress occurs, and it can have a serious impact on your health.
In fact, multiple diseases are known to initiate and/or progress as a result of oxidative stress, including [1]:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Neurological Disease
- Chronic Inflammation
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Metabolic disorders
- Kidney Disease
- Cardiovascular Diseases
As you can see, it’s a pretty long list. And unfortunately, the effects of oxidative stress don’t stop there…
In addition to the diseases above, oxidative stress has also been linked to accelerated ageing, as it damages cells and leads to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
In other words, oxidative stress is something you really want to avoid, both for the sake of your health and your appearance!
What Causes Oxidative Stress?
So, now we know why oxidative stress is so detrimental, let’s take a look at its causes. As mentioned earlier, free radicals are produced naturally by the body as a by-product of metabolism, but that’s just the beginning.
Unfortunately, we come into contact with plenty of external sources of free radicals every day – from pollution to tobacco smoke to UV rays. So when these harmful sources are combined together with our body’s natural processes, it can lead to a build-up of free radicals in the body.
But that’s not all, because another factor contributing to oxidative stress is the fact that our modern lifestyle tends to cause our bodies to be in a constant state of stress. And this constant state of stress can increase your risk of inflammation and increase the production of free radicals in your body even further, leading to a perfect environment for oxidative stress to take hold.
What Are The Symptoms Of Oxidative Stress?
The symptoms of oxidative stress can be wide-ranging and nonspecific, which means that they can be easily mistaken for other health conditions.
Aside from the diseases we mentioned earlier, some of the most common symptoms of oxidative stress include:
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Digestive issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out other health conditions. However, if you are healthy and these are your only symptoms, it could be that you are experiencing oxidative stress!
But what does that mean for you?
Well, in a nutshell, if you’re experiencing oxidative stress, it means that the constant damage caused by free radicals will eventually start to have a negative impact on your health – potentially leading to serious health problems like cancer and heart disease.
So, what can you do about it? Thankfully, there’s an easy solution.
How To Prevent And Reduce Oxidative Stress
So, if you’ve made it this far and you’re worried that you might be suffering from oxidative stress due to factors like lifestyle and environmental exposure, what are you supposed to do?
The good news is that there are things we can do to help control the amount of oxidative stress in our bodies and fight the free radicals that build up inside us.
One of the simplest (and quickest!) ways to reduce oxidative stress is to use a red light therapy device.
Red light therapy (also called Photobiomodulation) is a form of light therapy that uses red and near-infrared light to help improve cellular function and promote healing.
When it comes to oxidative stress, red light therapy can help by reducing inflammation and stimulating the production of new mitochondria – the powerhouses of our cells. This, in turn, helps to reduce the number of free radicals in our bodies and protects us from the damaging effects of oxidative stress.
Once you get your oxidative stress under control, you can start to enjoy all the benefits that come with it – from improved skin and reduced wrinkles to increased energy levels and a better mood!
You’ll also likely notice a reduction in those everyday aches and pains as your body starts to heal itself from the damage caused by free radicals.
Sounds too good to be true? We promise it isn’t!
According to this 2017 study, “it is well-accepted that Photobiomodulation when used as a treatment for tissue injury or muscle damage is able to reduce markers of oxidative stress.” [2].
So, if you’re looking for a way to help reduce oxidative stress, red light therapy could be the answer!
Red light therapy is a safe, effective, and non-invasive way to help reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress – and it’s something you can do in the comfort of your own home, thanks to the Move+!
The Move+ is a medical-grade device that uses LEDs and laser diodes to reduce oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
It’s portable, easy to use, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee – so you’ve got nothing to lose!
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