Stress and Nutrition Antioxidant Screen

What

This test measures the F2-isoprostane/creatinine ratio.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase

Orders not permitted in: AK, HI, AZ

How

Type of sample to be collected:
Urine

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit one of our Patient Service Centers

About the test

Our Stress and Nutrition Antioxidant Screen measures the F2-isoprostane/creatinine ratio in urine, which reflects oxidative stress in the body.

Oxidation is an essential process that helps your body convert food into energy, eliminate toxins, and repair cells. Without oxidation, the body would be unable to function properly. However, excessive oxidation can also be damaging to the body. This is called oxidative stress. This imbalance can lead to cellular damage and various health conditions.

This test is useful for anyone who wants to evaluate their oxidative stress levels, including those with risk factors such as smoking, unbalanced diet, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), or a family history of cardiovascular disease.

An abnormal result may indicate an increased risk of developing certain health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. A healthcare provider may recommend dietary or lifestyle changes or further testing to rule out or confirm potential health risks or disorders

This test may be right for you if:

You want to evaluate your health risks from oxidative stress for general wellness
You want to evaluate your health risks from oxidative stress because you have a family history of cancer or heart disease.
You smoke

This test may not be right for you if:

You are looking for specific measures of cardiovascular disease risk. You may want to consider the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

When the body is exposed to stressors like tobacco smoke, unbalanced diet, pollution, or ultraviolet radiation, it can produce compounds known as F2-isoprostanes. These compounds can contribute to cell damage and the development of various diseases.

F2-isoprostanes are compounds formed from arachidonic acid, an essential fatty acid. Arachidonic acid is found in cell membranes and is used to create various hormones and signaling molecules. The body can create arachidonic acid from other fats, but it can also be obtained through foods, such as egg yolks and red meat. When consumed, arachidonic acid is first broken down into smaller molecules before being used by the body. Once broken down, arachidonic acid can be used to create various signaling molecules that play a role in inflammation and blood clotting. Although the body needs arachidonic acid to function properly, too much of it can increase the production of F2-isoprostane which can damage the body’s tissues and therefore contribute to heart disease and stroke and the onset of chronic disease.

F2-isoprostane levels are an important marker of oxidative stress, and so it is essential to account for variations in urine dilution when measuring them. Urinary creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism. Creatinine is transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it is filtered and eliminated from the body through urine.

Urinary creatinine is generally used as a marker of kidney function and to correct for urinary dilution or variations. As such, accounting for urinary creatinine levels is essential to obtain an accurate measure of F2-isoprostanes.

High levels of oxidative stress in the body may cause symptoms, such as:

Fatigue
Brain fog, memory loss
Headache
Sensitivity to noise
Depression or anxiety
Decreased vision
Muscle or joint pain
Susceptibility to infections
Unstable blood sugar levels
Premature gray hair
Changes in skin complexion (wrinkling, dryness, roughness, elasticity)

Our Stress and Nutrition Antioxidant Screen is for anyone who wants to evaluate their oxidative stress levels. You must be 18 years old to purchase.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report.

You will have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results.

If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you.

Your test results will be available to you a few days after we collect your sample.

How Does it Work?

Take an in-person test at a Quest Diagnostics location.

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Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your doctor, family, or friends.

FAQs

What is oxidative stress?

Your body experiences oxidative stress when your antioxidant levels are low. Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body.

When reactive oxygen species (ROS), commonly known as free radicals, and antioxidant defenses are out of balance, your body experiences oxidative stress. This imbalance can contribute to developing certain health conditions. However, there may be some benefits from this imbalance. Although oxidative stress has more harmful than beneficial properties, some studies have shown that oxidative stress can help fight diseases like cancer.

What diseases are linked to oxidative stress?

Overproduction of free radicals can lead to oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA and may ultimately result in chronic health conditions, including hardening of the blood vessels (atherosclerosis), cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases such Parkinson disease and as Alzheimer’s.

Diet and lifestyle play a role in the development and management of chronic conditions. Prior to the onset of chronic diseases, it is advisable to determine whether lifestyle and nutritional changes are necessary and consult a medical professional for next steps.

How can I reduce my oxidative stress or lower my F2-isoprostane/creatinine ratio?

Although it is difficult to eliminate free radicals and oxidative stress entirely, you can reduce the impact of oxidative stress on your body by:

Eating more fruits and vegetables
Reducing red meat consumption
Exercising regularly
Losing excess weight, weight management
Quitting smoking
Limiting alcohol intake
Avoiding overeating
Being aware of pesticides and other pollutants
Wearing sunscreen
Getting adequate sleep

Are there other names for a Stress and Nutrition Antioxidant Screen?

Yes, a Stress and Nutrition Antioxidant Screen is also known as an IsoPF2, F2 Isoprostane, F2CR, F2ISO, or F2-IsoPs test.

Can stress raise my oxidative stress level?

Yes, psychological stress is associated with increased oxidant production and oxidative damage. Long-term exposure to psychological stressors may raise the likelihood of developing a variety of diseases.

Intense stress overstimulates the immune system, which disrupts the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. Chronic inflammation can harm cells and lead to the formation of free radicals. This can cause further damage to cells, resulting in a destructive cycle of cell death. While our bodies have mechanisms in place to repair this damage, if we are consistently stressed, these processes may become overburdened and unable to keep up. This can lead to an increase in oxidative stress and an increased risk of disease.

How is the F2-isoprostane/creatinine ratio calculated?

The F2-isoprostane/creatinine ratio is a way of measuring the levels of F2-isoprostanes in a urine sample. Creatinine levels help to normalize F2-isoprostane levels, so the 2 can be compared between different samples. This ratio is important because it can help to identify individuals who may be at risk for developing certain diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's. The higher the ratio, the greater the level of F2-isoprostanes in the body, and greater possible risk for these diseases.

Which foods are high in antioxidants?

Plant-based foods are the best sources of antioxidants. Some of the best sources of antioxidants include fruits (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries), vegetables (carrots, kale, spinach), whole grains (corn, oats, black rice), and beans (black, pinto, kidney). Adding these foods to your diet is a great way to boost your antioxidant intake.

Stress and Nutrition Antioxidant Screen

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