Why You NEED to Understand Oxidative Stress -- and How to Avoid It

Oxidative stress is now recognized as a leading causebody in excess, the harmful condition known as
of chronic disease and aging. It occurs when freeoxidative stress occurs.
radicals -- toxic oxygen molecules produced by"There is evidence that free radicals are a
normal body processes but also via external sourcespredominant factor in the etiology of a wide range of
like stress and pollution -- spiral out of control.diseases and conditions such as cancer, diabetes,
Even the healthiest among us have free radicals inatherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and rheumatoid
our systems. However, free radicals are normallyarthritis," says free radical and antioxidant expert Li Li
kept under wraps where they cannot cause greatJi, Ph.D. of the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
harm to the body. When free radicals exist in your