Qué es y cuál es la causa de la oxidación del cuerpo

The oxidation of the body is fundamental for life as it participates in the process of obtaining cellular energy. It is a combined process of loss (oxidation) and uptake (reduction) of electrons with which it is transformed the oxygen breathed and the ingested nutrients conveniently transformed into the energy necessary for the organic operation. This process produces, in addition to carbon dioxide and water, a series of residual molecules that are known as free radicals. These have oxidizing capacity.

Causes of oxidation

The production of free radicals, which as has been highlighted have an oxidizing capacity, may be internal or external cause.

The main internal cause is the acceleration or dysfunction of cellular metabolism. Another cause can be various diseases, especially chronic diseases such as obesity or diabetes. Special situations such as continued stress or pregnancies also generate the production of free radicals.

Among the external causes, some physical agents such as ultraviolet radiation. Many chemicals, such as hydrocarbons, herbicides or drugs ; and certain infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria or fungi , may also be the cause.

In good health, the body itself is able to neutralize the damage caused by free radicals thanks to natural defense systems, known as antioxidants.

In good health, our body is able to neutralize the damage of free radicals thanks to natural defense systems (antioxidants). Some of these antioxidants are endogenous, produced by the body. Others, however, are exogenous. The latter should be introduced from the outside, such as through proper nutrition.

Oxidation test

In the human body there is a balance between the production, either internal or external, of free radicals and their "elimination" through the antioxidant systems.

When this balance is altered, what is known as oxidative stress. This imbalance between prooxidants and antioxidants is responsible for premature aging. In addition, it is involved in numerous diseases such as cardiovascular, neurological, degenerative and certain types of cancer.

In order to assess this oxidative balance, it is necessary for an Internal Medicine specialist to perform an oxidation test. They quantify the reactions that generate free radicals and the antioxidant capacity of our organism. Thanks to a high quality analyzer device, it is possible to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the blood in a fast, simple and very reliable way. Only one drop of blood is deposited on a disposable electrode strip and the oxidizing-reducing capacity. In this way, we can have a quantification of our global metabolism. This, unique to other tests that are performed during preventive check-ups, allows to address the early prevention and improvement of the patients' health, being able to delay and avoid numerous serious cardiovascular, metabolic and tumor diseases, among others.