Chapter 30 - Oxidative stress index

Abstract

Predicting the likelihood of disease onset in clinically healthy people can prevent onset of disease. Total oxidative stress from all sources has been shown to be a predictor of disease onset in clinically asymptomatic individuals. Thus, identifying the sources and quantity of oxidative stress in a person's body can serve to predict the likelihood of disease onset. Traditionally, total oxidative stress has been measured by serum malondialdehyde. Recently, the Oxidative Stress Index has been shown to provide a noninvasive method of measuring total oxidative stress. The Oxidative Stress Index is based upon answers to a patient questionnaire that identify present oxidative stress parameters. The range of items in the questionnaire include: personal physical data, genetics, prevalent conditions, symptoms, diagnostic data, lifestyle, alcohol, tobacco and recreational drug use, and home, work and school environmental toxic exposures.