Body oxidation is fundamental to life as it is involved in the process of obtaining cellular energy. It is a combined process of electron loss (oxidation) and electron capture (reduction) that transforms the oxygen breathed and the nutrients ingested into the energy necessary for organic functioning. This process produces, in addition to carbon dioxide and water, a series of residual molecules known as free radicals. These have oxidizing capacity.
Causes of oxidation
The production of free radicals, which, as has been pointed out, have oxidizing capacity, can be caused internally or externally.
The main internal cause is the acceleration or dysfunction of cellular metabolism. Another cause may be various diseases, especially chronic diseases such as obesity or diabetes. Special situations such as continuous stress or pregnancy also generate the production of free radicals.
External causes include physical agents such as ultraviolet radiation. Many chemical products, such as hydrocarbons, herbicides or drugs; and certain infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria or fungi, can 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 caused by free radicals thanks to natural defense systems (antioxidants). Some of these antioxidants are endogenous, produced by the body. Others, however, are exogenous. The latter must 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” by the antioxidant systems.
When this balance is disturbed, what is known as oxidative stress appears. This imbalance between prooxidants and antioxidants is responsible for premature aging. It is also 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 a specialist in Internal Medicine to perform an oxidation test. The reactions that generate free radicals and the antioxidant capacity of our organism are quantified. Thanks to a high quality analyzer device, the antioxidant capacity of blood can be assessed quickly, easily and very reliably. Only a drop of blood is enough to be deposited on a disposable electrode strip and the oxidation-reducing capacity is measured. In this way, we can have a quantification of our global metabolism. This, together with other tests performed during preventive check-ups, allows early prevention and improvement of patients’ health, delaying and avoiding many serious cardiovascular, metabolic and tumor diseases, among others.