Health!!

The importance of health has never been recognized as much as it should have been. But, the covid-19 pandemic, by default, augmented the seriousness about health which had continuously been ignored: seemingly, owing to our busy lifestyle. Among a host of factors, oxidative stress -- I find -- is most detrimental to our health. In fact, our bodies are under constant attack from pollutants in air, water, and food -- along with our mundane concerns of our day-to-day life. Consequently, it all adds up to oxidative stress and sooner or later the diseases. Oxidative stress is also said to be contributing to aging.

What is Oxidative stress?

Oxidation is a normal and necessary metabolic process, whereby, our body utilizes oxygen to create energy. Consequent upon the said process, free radicals -- oxygen molecules with unbalanced electrons -- are produced in our body. These free radicals try to neutralize themselves by consuming molecules or substance in the vicinity, thereby, damaging cell membrane, proteins, fats, or even DNA nucleus of the cell -- called oxidative stress. This very oxidative stress, eventually, causes degenerative diseases: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, cancer, inflammatory conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Solution: Antioxidants

Though it’s impossible to completely avoid the exposure to free radicals and eventually to oxidative stress. However, we can minimize the effects, thereof, on our body. In fact, to counter the effect of oxidative stress, antioxidants are used, which are molecules that fight free radicals in our body. Though, our body naturally produces some antioxidants, it can also be externally taken via our food. Therefore, the key goal -- to maintain healthy life – should be to increase our levels of antioxidants and decrease formation of free radicals. And, that can be achieved by following lifestyle changes:

1) Healthy Diet: Eat enough vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A, C, and E, copper, zinc and selenium. Fruits -- berries, leafy greens, carrots, broccoli – are the ones which are rich in antioxidants. Apart from our diets, nutritional supplements can also be taken to enhance the immune system and antioxidant defense system. Besides, avoiding food that increases free radicals -- high sugar and carbohydrates, processed food, and reuse of cooking fats and oils -- is equally important.

2) Physical activity: Any form of physical activity lessens the negative effects caused by free radicals and offers many health benefits. Therefore, 30-40 min of any type of physical activity – at least thrice in a week -- help in maintaining a healthy life. Exercise protocol may club cardio and strengthening – for better results.

3) Other life style changes: Say “No” to smoking and consume alcohol in moderation. Good sleep cycle, conducive social and physical environment you are living in, also aid in reducing the oxidative stress.

Finally, we should do whatever we can to decrease our oxidative stress so as to enhance our life expectancy and the quality of life.

“It is much easier to preserve our health than regaining it after it has been lost.”