Oxidative stress is one of the silent processes in the body that few people notice until the first symptoms appear. Yet oxidative stress is created every day, through breathing, metabolism, nutrition, stress, environmental toxins or UV radiation. In small amounts, the body can handle it with ease. It becomes critical when free radicals are produced faster than they can be neutralised. This is when oxidative stress develops, placing a burden on cells, organs and, in the long term, entire bodily systems.
Our organism has an impressive network of protective mechanisms: antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, trace elements and repair processes work together to deactivate free radicals. But when this balance is disrupted, oxidative stress occurs, acting like a gradual attack on the structural foundations of our health.
How Oxidative Stress Develops in the Body
Free radicals are highly reactive oxygen and nitrogen compounds. They arise from everything that keeps us alive: breathing, energy production, detoxification. Yet modern lifestyles significantly increase the load. Smoking, UV light, ozone, environmental pollutants, high mental strain or certain medications can greatly amplify oxidative stress.
As long as sufficient antioxidant substances are present, the balance remains stable. If this defence is lacking, the equilibrium shifts: oxidative stress spreads and begins to damage lipids, proteins and even DNA.
The Impact of Oxidative Stress
When oxidative stress circulates in the blood, it reaches nearly every tissue. Particularly sensitive are:
• the endothelium (cell layer) of blood vessels
• nerve cells
• epithelial cells of the organs
- Epithelial cells form the surfaces that line all internal and external body interfaces (skin, mucous membranes, etc.) and are responsible for gland formation.
The consequences range from mild functional disturbances to severe chronic processes. Studies show that oxidative stress is involved in a wide variety of developments:
• accelerated ageing
• promotion of systemic inflammation
• increased tendency toward thrombosis and atherosclerosis
• strain on the cardiovascular system
• neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s
• involvement in tumour development
It becomes clear: oxidative stress is not an isolated phenomenon, but a central mechanism driving many modern diseases.
How Oxidative Stress Is Measured
To understand how heavily the body is burdened, laboratory diagnostics use various markers. A modern laboratory describes numerous parameters that indicate the stage of oxidative stress and how well the antioxidant defence systems are functioning:
• MDA-LDL as an indicator of lipid oxidation
- Lipid oxidation: a chemical process in which lipids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids, are oxidised by aggressive radicals, triggering damaging chain reactions and compromising cell membranes as well as the quality of foods.
• Carbonyl proteins as irreversible damage to proteins
- Carbonyl proteins are oxidation products of proteins. They arise through the action of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species on proteins, peptides and amino acids, forming aldehydes and ketones, compounds with reactive carbonyl groups.
• Nitrotyrosine as a marker of nitrosative stress
- Nitrotyrosine (3-nitrotyrosine) is a key biomarker for nitrosative stress, formed when aggressive nitrogen species such as peroxynitrite interact with the amino acid tyrosine in proteins, potentially causing damage linked to inflammation, cardiovascular disorders and neurological problems.
• Thiol status as the most important extracellular protection mechanism
- Thiol status is a crucial laboratory marker measuring the body’s antioxidant capacity by determining the amount of free, protective sulphur-hydrogen groups (SH groups) in proteins and amino acids in the blood. These groups neutralise free radicals, bind toxins and detoxify heavy metals. A low thiol status indicates oxidative stress, inflammation and an increased risk of chronic disease.
• Glutathione (GSH) as a central cellular antioxidant
- Glutathione (GSH) is a natural antioxidant made from the amino acids glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. It is present in every cell, produced in the liver and protects cells from oxidative stress, supports detoxification and enhances immune function by neutralising free radicals.
• GPx, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, Zinc as essential antioxidant factors
- Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is a group of selenium-containing antioxidant enzymes that protect cells from oxidative stress by reducing harmful hydrogen and lipid peroxides into harmless water and alcohol while oxidising GSH into GSSG.
These parameters together indicate whether oxidative stress is only temporary or already has deeper effects on cellular function.
Why the Body Reacts So Sensitively to Oxidative Stress
Cells operate within a narrow biochemical equilibrium. Oxidative stress disrupts precisely this balance. As a result:
Mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, produce less energy. Proteins lose their function. Fatty acids in cell membranes become unstable. Signalling pathways become disorganised.
All of these processes accumulate and lead to typical symptoms that at first seem unspecific:
• fatigue
• reduced performance
• concentration difficulties
• increased susceptibility to infections
• slower recovery
• hormonal imbalances
Many of these issues develop long before a disease is diagnosed. That is why early analysis of oxidative stress is so valuable.
How Oxidative Stress Can Be Reduced Holistically
Reducing oxidative stress is based on two pillars: lowering the burden and strengthening protective mechanisms.
- Reduce exposure:
Fewer toxins, less stress, better sleep quality, anti-inflammatory nutrition, cautious medication use. - Strengthen the antioxidant system:
Vitamin C and E, glutathione, selenium and zinc are essential protective substances. Laboratory diagnostics reveal which ones are lacking. - Support cellular regeneration:
Adequate nutrient supply, stable mitochondrial function and efficient detoxification pathways are crucial for reducing oxidative stress in the long term.
Glutathione, the body’s most important endogenous protective molecule, plays an especially vital role in neutralising oxidative stress and repairing damaged cells.
Why Prevention Matters
Oxidative stress is not a sudden event. It is a process that works in the background, often over many years. The earlier it is identified, the better long-term damage can be prevented. Regular monitoring of antioxidant capacity, especially during stress, intense physical activity, illness or poor nutrition, is essential for long-term health.
Conclusion: Understanding Oxidative Stress Before Symptoms Appear
Oxidative stress is an invisible yet powerful biological factor. It influences ageing, immune function, energy production and cellular health. Today’s diagnostics make it measurable, enabling targeted prevention.
Those who understand how oxidative stress develops, how it is measured and how to counteract it can actively protect their long-term health.
