Oxidative Stress: Reactive Chemical Intermediates

Oxidative stress is characterized by an imbalance between the production of reactive chemical intermediates and the ability of organisms to neutralize such reactive chemical species, including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, free radicals, and electrophiles. Highly reactive molecules can damage cells to cause disease conditions and aging related issues. Organs rely on detoxification metabolisms and antioxidants to carry out reactions to detoxify such reactive chemical intermediates.