What Is Oxidative Stress, And Why Is It Important?

Oxidative stress is caused by the build-up of reactive oxygen species (ROS), sometimes also known as “free radicals”. These are types of molecules that can cause damage to many different types of cells.

Normally, your body uses free radicals to do helpful things, such as killing invading bacteria, or causing damaged cells to “self-destruct” so that they don’t go on to cause cancers or other major health problems.

However, when too many free radicals build up, they can start having negative effects on normal, healthy cells. This can cause widespread problems throughout the body and brain, such as damaging cells’ DNA, or triggering systemic inflammation.

Therefore, your body needs to keep a careful balance between producing just enough free radicals to be useful, while also producing enough of the natural antioxidant compounds that help break these down so that they don’t build up and cause widespread damage.

Oxidative stress is caused by the excessive build-up of “free radicals,” which can trigger a variety of health issues such as chronic inflammation and DNA damage.
 

What Does The UGT2A1 Gene Do?

This is where the UGT2A1 gene comes in. This important gene codes for a protein called UDP glucuronosyltransferase. This protein helps create glutathione, one of your body’s strongest natural antioxidant defenses against the harmful effects of oxidative stress.

Glutathione binds directly to reactive oxygen species and neutralizes them, thereby preventing them from causing damage to cells.

Although oxidative stress can affect many different aspects of your health, your brain is especially sensitive to the negative effects of oxidative stress. Therefore, the variants you carry in this gene can have significant effects on your overall cognitive functioning by determining how much glutathione you produce. The more glutathione you have, the more your brain is protected against inflammation and cellular DNA damage.

Maintaining proper glutathione levels in the brain can also help prevent cognitive decline due to normal aging and protect you against cognitive impairments from neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s disease).