Oxidative stress, also called oxidative damage, can happen if the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is greater than the body’s anti-oxidant defense. ROS can cause damage to molecules in our bodies.
Sources:
- Graham J.B. et al. Oxidative stress. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2011 Jun; 25(3): 287–299. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3101336/
- Pizzino G. et al. Oxidative Stress: Harms and Benefits for Human Health. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017; 2017: 8416763. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551541/