Oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is a little like when your favorite toy breaks from playing with it too much. Cells in your body can get worn out from doing too much work, just like your toy. But, instead of breaking, cells become damaged from something called 'oxidation'. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that happens when too many bad molecules called 'free radicals' build up in your body. Free radicals are like germs, but even tinier. They like to steal things from the cells in your body, which makes the cells weak and tired. Oxidative stress happens when these free radicals take over and the cells don't have enough energy to fight back.