What is oxidative stress?

Oxidative stress describes a state of imbalance between oxidants and antioxidant defense mechanisms in the body. When oxidants (e.g., ROS, reactive nitrogen species (RNS)) outweigh the body’s natural antioxidant defenses (e.g., antioxidant enzymes, glutathione), cellular damage can occur, including damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA. This is thought to contribute to the development or worsening of a wide range of diseases.^[1]