There are quite a few ways that chronic pain, DNA damage, aging , oxidative stress, inflammation , the role of antioxidants, our metabolism and immune reponses are joined . A great place to start looking at those connections would be the relationship that ties the prevention of oxidative stress and the prevention or delayed onset of many degenerative and often chronic illnesses that we expect to be a part of normal aging.
Oxidative stress is a killer – even if it doesn’t sound serious as well it’s linked to many illnesses and diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease , myocardial infarction (a heart attack that blocks the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle ,killing it ) other causes of heart failure and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Oxidative stress is the resulting condition when there is either an out of control escalation in free radicals/oxy-radicals/peroxides (collectively known as reactive oxygen species) or a significant shortfall in the body’s antioxidant resources , one of which is l-glutathione .
When your body isn’t able to successfully utilize its supply of antioxidants to protect itself- at the cell level- from oxy-radical damage, you have oxidative stress.
Reactive oxidative species (ROS) come from different sources externally or internally .
Externally, oxy-radicals come from ; introduced toxins and pathogens , cigarette smoke , environmental pollutants , chemo , UV damage , radiation, vigorous exercise and stress .
Internally, free radicals are a standard product of metabolized oxygen . Even our own immune system produce free radicals to attack bacteria, toxins and other invaders . Usually , our own antioxidant reserves will scavenge these damaging by-products . However , when age and/or weak health and lousy diet hinder our usual ability to avoid oxidative stress the harm builds up and our defenses are eventually defeated . When you think of antioxidants – think anti aging products
Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species free radicals are also responsible for DNA damage which can lead to cell death or mutation. Unfortunately , just as our manufacturing ability of antioxidants like glutathione slows down as we age, (and you can’t take an oral glutathione supplement ) so also does our usual ability to maintain our DNA in good repair . One obvious illustration of the destruction created by oxidative stress is the terrible appearance (at best) to the skin of sun worshippers .
According to the Free Radical Theory of Aging, the accumulation of damaged cells caused by the chain reactions of oxy-radicals is a primary contributor to age related conditions and while we cannot stop time , no one will debate that taking care of our health should deliver a higher quality of life through what should be the golden years.