Is Your Body Under Oxidative Stress? Here’s How to Know.

This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals^® in-house writers.

You’ve tried everything. Switched to cold-pressed oils. Started your mornings with hot water, lemon, and the kind of green powder that smells like pond scum. Bought that expensive antioxidant serum that promises “glow from within.”

And yet, somehow, you’re still tired. Your skin still looks like it’s holding a grudge. And your brain?  Let’s just say, remembering your google password feels like a mental marathon.

While we could blame it on age, menopause, andropause, imbalanced hormones, lack of sleep, dead scrolling at nights, sometimes it could just be something as straightforward as oxidative stress—where your body quietly burns out while you think you’re doing just fine. Quietly chipping away at your energy, immunity, mood, and skin without ever showing up on any of your blood tests.

This isn’t wellness fear-mongering. Oxidative stress is real, rampant, and thriving—especially in urban India where sleep is optional, pollution is plentiful, and stress is practically a badge of honour.

Let’s break it down.

What is Oxidative Stress?

Oxidative stress happens when your body is flooded with more free radicals than it can clean up.

Free radicals are unstable molecules produced when your body processes oxygen, which is a normal part of the metabolism process. But they’re also triggered by pollution, ultra-processed food, UV exposure, alcohol, smoking (even second-hand), and stress (mental and physical).

Antioxidants are the body’s way of keeping free radicals in check. But when the balance tips — when there are too many free radicals or too few antioxidants — you experience oxidative stress. Chronic, subtle, and slowly eroding everything from your glow to your gut.

Signs Your Body May Be Under Oxidative Stress

1. Fatigue That Coffee Can’t Fix

If you wake up feeling like you never slept—no, it’s not your mattress. Your cells are simply too drained to function. Oxidative stress messes with your mitochondria (your cell’s energy generators), so good luck getting through the day without wanting to nap under your desk.

2. Brain Fog So Thick You Could Spread It on Toast

Can’t remember what you were doing five minutes ago? Forgot why you opened the fridge? Zoning out mid-meeting? Blame the free radicals disrupting your neurotransmitters. No, your brain isn’t broken. It’s just tired of running on fumes.

3. Skin That Looks Like It’s Given Up

Dullness. Pigmentation. Fine lines that weren’t there last week. If your skin is suddenly ageing faster than your in-laws’ WhatsApp forwards, oxidative stress is likely breaking down your collagen and stealing your glow.

4. You Get Sick. A Lot.

If every change in weather gives you the sniffles or a throat tickle, it’s not just bad luck. Your immune system is trying to fight off invaders while free radicals are sabotaging it from the inside. It’s like working with a colleague who keeps deleting your files.

5. Muscle or Joint Aches Without the Workout

You didn’t go to the gym, you didn’t dance in the baarat, and yet you ache. Chronic inflammation caused by oxidative stress loves to masquerade as joint stiffness and random muscle pain. Bonus: you also feel 15 years older.

6. You’re Ageing Like Milk, Not Wine

Grey hair in your 30s, sluggish metabolism, irregular cycles—these are not “just aging.” They’re signs that your body is waving red flags you’ve been too tired to notice.

So are you a walking target for Oxidative Stress?

•  Let’s see:

  • Do you live in a city where “fresh air” is a myth? ✅

  • Do you think sleep is for the weak? ✅

  • Reheat meals in the microwave…. A few times at least? ✅

  • Social drinker? Social smoker? Just socially stressed? ✅

  • Live on caffeine and good vibes? ✅✅✅
    
    

  Congratulations! You, my friend, are the human version of an oxidizing apple slice!

But How Do I Know For Sure?

If you’re the kind of person who needs proof:

• Ask your doctor for tests on antioxidant levels, inflammation (CRP), or oxidative damage markers (like MDA).
  
• You could also try hair mineral analysis, if you want to know what your hair's been hoarding.
  
• Or better yet, listen to your body—it’s been whispering this whole time. You’ve just been too busy to hear.
  

What Can You Do About It?

1. Load Up on Antioxidants

Load up on:

• Berries (blueberries, goji, acai) – Rich in polyphenols & vitamin C
  
• Leafy greens (spinach, kale, broccoli) – Packed with chlorophyll & carotenoids
  
• Nuts & seeds (almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds) – Full of vitamin E
  
• Green tea & turmeric – Potent anti-inflammatory benefits
• Dark chocolate (85%+ cacao) – High in flavonoids

2. Sleep Like It’s Your Job

No amount of spirulina or ashwagandha can replace good sleep. Sleep is when your body clears oxidative debris and regenerates. If you’re chronically missing your 7–9 hour QUALITY SLEEP window, it shows.

3. Move, But Mindfully

Exercise helps your body manage oxidative stress — but overtraining can worsen it. Balance high-intensity workouts with yoga, walking at Marine Drive, or a swim at the club.

4. Breathe Better

Deep breathing, pranayama, and even short meditative breaks can reduce stress hormones — a hidden driver of free radical activity.

5. Choose Clean Living

From what’s on your plate to what’s on your skin, clean, plant-based choices reduce your toxic load. If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t smear it on.

6. Strengthen the Body’s Natural Antioxidant Defense

The body’s own antioxidant system relies on glutathione, known as the “master antioxidant.” Boosting glutathione levels is key to long-term oxidative balance.

Caim’s Replenish with Phytos is designed to fight oxidative stress from within by boosting Glutathione production. It contains:

• Blueberry extract – Packed with anthocyanins to neutralize free radicals
  
• Lycopene – Protects against oxidative skin and heart damage
  
• Green tea extract – Reduces inflammation and supports brain health
  
• Phycocyanin – A powerful antioxidant from spirulina that detoxifies cells
  
• Goji berry extract – Enhances immune function and protects the skin
  
• Beetroot – Improves blood circulation and reduces oxidative damage
• Piperine – Enhances nutrient absorption and boosts antioxidant efficacy

Unlike synthetic supplements, Replenish with Phytos provides bioavailable plant-based antioxidants that work in synergy to combat oxidative damage at the cellular level.

Oxidative stress isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a modern health reality, especially in cities like Mumbai where the pace is fast, the air is thick, and the lifestyle is relentless.

But with awareness and a little intention, you can absolutely take control. Pay attention to your body’s signals, choose foods and habits that nourish at the cellular level with right nutrients, and if needed — find gentle, intelligent support from nature-based formulations.

Because in the long run, glow isn’t about what highlighter you use — it’s how healthy your cells are on the inside.

Want to know how your body’s doing on the inside? We’re always here to help you decode it — intelligently, holistically, and plant-first.