Princeton's Ask The Doctor March-April 2019

QUESTION: What Is Oxidative Stress? I’ve heard it is bad for you. ANSWER:

252 W. Delaware Ave Pennington, NJ 08534

InFunctionalMedicinewemeasure oxidative stress because it is themajormechanismthat causes disease. It is the cause of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, immune dysregulation and aging. We are always trying to decrease the oxidative stress in the cells because it leads to inflammation in the tissues and diseases in the body. Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Free radical compounds attackmolecules in your cells and antioxidant molecules neutralize and clear the free radicals. We are always exposed to free radicals. We produce free radicals just by breathing and eating to make energy in our cells. Environmental toxins, processed foods, excessive exercise can increase our free radical burden. These free radicals steal electrons from other molecules, turning them into yet more unstable free radicals. This process will destroy our cells unless it is stopped. The way to stop free radical attack is to neutralize them with antioxidants. Antioxidants like CoQ10, glutathione, carnitine and melatonin are made in your body. Vitamin C, Vitamin E and many flavinoid compounds found in plants like citrus fruits, apples, grapes, onions, spices, and green tea are examples of the abundance of antioxidants we can get fromour diets and dietary supplements. Eating plentiful amounts of brightly colored fruits and vegetables containing antioxidants can lower the burden of free radicals and lower the oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress can be estimated by taking a breath test, a urine test (lipid peroxides and 8-OhdG), a blood test (glutathione, sulfate) and a stool test (Calprotectin). If it is elevated, it is important to find the cause. Oftentimes it is occult infection (from unsuspected oral infection or from leaky gut). It could be the result of high blood sugar, food additives and preservatives, environmental pollutants and toxin exposure, high body fat and elevated stress. The treatment is to decrease exposure to free radicals and to increase protection through antioxidants - - and live a longer, healthier life!!!!! Dr Kate Thomsen’s office for holistic health care is located in Pennington, NJ. She is trained in Family Medicine, and Board Certified in Integrative Medicine, and is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. She has been practicing Functional Medicine for 20 years. For more information see www.drkatethomsen.com or call the office at 609-818-9700.

FAMILY GENERAL DENTIST

666 Plainsboro Rd., Suite 645 • Plainsboro, NJ 609-275-0022 • Drpaterson@comcast.net www.plainsborodentalarts.com ALL ages, and ALL aspects of dentistry! INCLUDING COSMETIC AND IMPLANT DENTISTRY

Peter Paterson, DMD Kimberly Minassian, DMD Ariane Seto, DMD

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ASK THE DOCTOR

MARCH/APRIL 2019

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