Library · Cellular process
Oxidative stress
Make it clearer
Oxidative stress starts with something normal. As they do their work, cells make highly reactive oxygen-containing substances called reactive oxygen species. They are like the sparks a campfire gives off: they come from the fire itself and, if too many fly, they can burn whatever they land on.
When these substances are overproduced, oxidative stress can set in, and that excess can damage cells. The damage affects their biomolecules, the parts the cell is built from: mainly proteins, lipids (that is, fats) and DNA. Antioxidants act to keep that damage to a minimum.
But these same substances do not only cause harm. They can also serve as normal second messengers, meaning signals the cell uses to pass messages along internally, and they help macrophages, a type of defense cell, kill many pathogens, which are microbes capable of causing disease.
In brief
Oxidative stress is the state that can result from an excess of highly reactive oxygen-containing substances that cells make during normal activity; that excess can damage the cells.
Like sparks from the cell's normal work: if too many fly, they can damage whatever they hit.
These reactive oxygen species damage biomolecules, especially proteins, lipids and DNA; antioxidants act to keep that damage to a minimum.
Reactive species can also serve as normal second messengers and help macrophages kill many pathogens.
Sources (2)
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of HealthAntioxidant Supplements: What You Need To Know, NCCIH
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingBiochemistry, Antioxidants, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated