We all know that poor lifestyle choices, stress in our personal lives, and environmental toxins all contribute to how we feel mentally and how our body functions physically. But how often do we link these with our risk for oxidative stress? And why is oxidative stress important?

The process that causes an apple to turn brown or iron to rust (oxidation) is the same process that contributes to most chronic degenerative disease such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's, cancer, and chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. It's also the cause of wrinkles, sagging skin, age spots, and serves as an index of accelerated aging.

Oxidation is the end result of daily exposure to the oxygen we breathe. Our bodies are continually using the food we eat to create energy and it is during this process that molecules are oxidized and unstable free radicals are produced. Free radicals then react with neighboring molecules in a process called "oxidative stress", which causes a cascade of damage that initiates destructive pathways leading to disease long before clinical symptoms are present!

Free radicals are so reactive and short-lived that direct measurement is usually not possible. That's why F2-Isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) are substituted as an excellent molecular biomarker. F-2 IsoPs are produced by the reaction of free radicals with arachidonic acid. They cause blood vessels to constrict, blood pressure to raise, and promotion of blood clots. Additionally, F2-IsoPs may be elevated at the earliest stages of plaque development and research has shown that people with high levels of F2-IsoPs are 30 times more likely to develop heart disease!¹ Measuring them in the urine is widely recognized as the gold standard for oxidative stress. Aging and age-related diseases reflect the inability of our body to cope with oxidative stress over time and production of isoprostanes is well documented to increase in direct proportion to our level of oxidative stress.^2-5

Since F2-IsoPs are affected by the lifestyle choices you make, such as what you eat and how much you exercise, doesn't it make sense to measure them and identify your risk for oxidative stress? Don't age faster – age smarter by checking your urinary F2-IsoPs!

Instructions

Fasting is not required. Take all medication as prescribed.

References

1. Schwedheim E et al. Urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2a as a risk marker in patients with coronary heart disease: A matched case-control study. Circulation. 2004; 109: 843-848
2. Roberts LJ II, Morrow JD. Measurement of F2-Isoprostanes as an Index of Oxidative Stress in Vivo. Free Radic Biol Med 2000;28:505–513. [PubMed: 10719231]
3. Lawson JA, Rokach J, FitzGerald GA. Isoprostanes: Formation, Analysis and Use as Indices of Lipid Peroxidation in Vivo. J Biol Chem 1999;274:24441–24444. [PubMed: 10455102]
4. Morrow, J. D., Awad, J. A., Boss, H. J., Blair, I. A., and Roberts, L. J., II Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 89, 10721–10725 (1992). [PubMed: 1438268]
5. The Isoprostanes: Unique Bioactive Products of Lipid Peroxidation. By L. Jackson Roberts, II, MD and Jason D. Morrow, MD.