Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemicals that can both help and harm cells. They are important for many activities in cells that keep them working properly. However, when too much ROS is produced, it can lead to oxidative stress, which damages cell parts and can cause diseases. This article gives a quick overview of recent studies about how ROS affect health and disease.
Research has shown that ROS act as signals to help control normal functions in cells. But, there is also evidence showing that ROS are involved in different diseases. The fact that ROS can be both helpful and harmful makes it tricky to figure out how to treat diseases caused by them. Scientists are still working to understand their roles and how to manage them better.