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Reactive Oxygen Species

Meaning

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules containing oxygen, such as hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions, that arise naturally as unavoidable byproducts of aerobic metabolism, especially within the mitochondria. While ROS participate in essential cell signaling, an overproduction leads to oxidative stress, capable of damaging lipids, proteins, and critically, hormone receptors. They are a key metric in assessing cellular health and aging.