Free radicals are molecules in the body that have become unstable due to the loss of an electron. Although some free radical activity is induced by normal metabolic reactions within the body, in large doses free radicals have the potential to create a sort of "metabolic chaos," severely disrupting and damaging other healthy cells. For this reason, heightened free radical activity, also known as oxidative stress, has been implicated in many inflammatory and degenerative conditions, particularly those associated with aging.

Numerous studies have specifically linked oxidative stress with osteoarthritis. Chen and his colleages looked at levels of superoxide free radicals in osteoarthritic patients undergoing total hip replacement. They discovered "a greater predisposition to free radical release and tissue damage in osteoarthritis."1 Other research has called attention to the role of free radicals in the actual destruction of joint tissue in osteoarthritis, and emphasized the importance of utilizing antioxidants and free radical scavengers in treating the disease.2

Because anti-inflammatory drugs often provide no more relief than basic analgesics, and both treat symptoms rather than causes, investigators have recently emphasized the importance of working to undo the actual degenerative mechanisms causing osteoarthritis instead--an approach which critically depends upon decreasing levels of oxidative stress associated with articular tissue damage.3-5

The Oxidative Stress Analysis allows practitioners to get to the root of free-radical generated cell and tissue damage, by utilizing challenge substances to evaluate the body's oxidative stress status, antioxidant reserve and interrelationship with liver detoxification.

References
1 Chen BX, Francis MG, Duthie RB, Bromey L, Osman O. Oxygen free radical in human osteoarthritis. Chin Med J 1989; 102(12):931-3).

2 Henrotin Y, Deby-Dupont G, Deby C, Franchimont P, Emerit I. Active oxygen species, articular inflammation and cartilage damage. EXS 1992;62:308-22.

3 Pinals RS. Pharmacologic treatment of osteoarthritis. Clin Ther 1992;14(30:336-46.

4 Haskin CL, Milam SB, Cameron IL. Pathogenesis of degenerative joint disease in the human temporomandibular joint. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med 1995;6(3):248-77.

5 Milam SB, Zardeneta G, Schmitz JP. Oxidative stress and degenerative temporomandibular joint disease: a proposed hypothesis. J Oral Maxillofac Surgery 1998;56(2):214-223.

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