# Oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is an imbalance in your cells. On one side are reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the other are your body's antioxidant defenses. When ROS outpace the defenses, they damage your biomolecules. That impairs your mitochondria. It speeds up telomere shortening. And it feeds chronic low-grade inflammation. Oxidative stress is implicated in many hallmarks of aging. It is linked to heart disease, neurodegeneration, diabetes, and cancer. And it is shaped by your diet, exercise, sleep, and environmental exposures.

## Sources

- Liguori I, Russo G, Curcio F, et al.. (2018). Oxidative stress, aging, and diseases. Clinical Interventions in Aging. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S158513
- Valko M, Leibfritz D, Moncol J, Cronin MT, Mazur M, Telser J. (2007). Free radicals and antioxidants in normal physiological functions and human disease. International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2006.07.001
- Butterfield DA, Halliwell B. (2019). Oxidative stress, dysfunctional glucose metabolism and Alzheimer disease. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-019-0132-6

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_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/glossary/oxidative-stress · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-06-22_