Redox and Oxidative Stress

Sports and Oxidative Stress

Studies show that intense exercise increases levels of free radicals and cellular oxidative stress.  This does not mean that you will be healthier if you stop exercising.  There is a net benefit to exercising.  And even some benefits to low levels of exercise-induced oxidative stress.  The body's natural antioxidant defenses, however, can easily be overwhelmed by intense exercise and the large amounts of free radicals created from increased cellular metabolism.  Both the weekend-warrior and the professional athlete alike are at risk from the destructive forces of free radicals.
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What is Redox and Oxidative Stress?

The technical answer:

"Redox" is a scientific term that describes chemical reactions that involve the addition or reduction of electrons to molecules, thus altering oxidation numbers or "oxidation states."  Redox is shorthand for the reduction/oxidation reaction involved.  Disturbances in this normal redox state in the body can cause toxic effects due to the production of peroxides (yes, the same stuff in your medicine cabinet!) and free radicals that inflict molecular damage to proteins, DNA, and lipid membranes, in a process called "oxidative stress."  Oxygen itself is an exceedingly reactive element when unbound and is capable of forming a multitude of toxic free radicals.
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The real-world answer:

The process by which our cells extract energy from food involves chemical reactions that leave some molecules missing an electron, making them unstable and very reactive.  This unstable molecule is called a free radical.  In the free radical's effort to restore its natural energy balance it will "steal" an electron from the first available source.  In the absence of adequate anti-oxidants, the free radical will steal an electron from healthy tissue such as DNA, your cellular membranes, or a host of other tissues you would prefer left intact.
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The bottom line:

Cellular redox balance is maintained by varous complex chemical and enzymatic antioxidant defenses to free radicals.  When the body's redox balance is lost, harmful oxidative stress is caused.  Minimizing oxidative stress means minimizing cell degeneration and cellular damage, which is turn means better health.
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Lifestyle Choices

Avoiding excessive intake of pro-oxidants such as smoke, excessive alcohol, exposure to noxious chemicals or ultraviolet light, are a good start in the quest to minimize oxidative stress.  The world in which we live, however, doesn't always cooperate with us.
Most fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, and should be a part of your daily diet. And whenever possible avoid processed or preserved foods, and charred meats, which all can have negative oxidative effects on your body.
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But Life Gets Busy...

It's no secret getting proper nutrition can be challenging in the best of circumstances. And who among us wants to worry if he or she is pushing too hard during exercise or play. Add to that, the increased nutritional demands on athletes and active people.  It is easy to find yourself behind in your body's nutritional needs.
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The Best Defense

Nothing is better for health than a diet of whole, fresh foods rich in antioxidants, adequate hydration, and plenty of sleep.  Unfortunately, the reality is that the harder we work and play, the more we try to pack into our lives, the more our diet and sleep typically suffer. Proper supplementation can help you bridge the gap between a "perfect diet" and your diet, and help keep you at your optimal health and strength.
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Factors that Increase Oxidative Stress

Intense exercise:

Three significant events or systems occur during exercise that combine to create increased oxidative stress loads.
1) Whole body oxygen consumption:  Exercise can demand a 10-20 fold increase in whole body oxygen consumption, and a staggering 100-200 fold increase in local muscle oxygen consumption.  Most of this oxygen is transformed to water, but 2-4% is converted into damaging free radicals.
2) Ischaemia-reperfusion:  This is a result of redistribution of blood away from our organs to our working muscles, which in turn leads to local muscle hypoxia (shortage of oxygen).  When intense exercise stops, a reoxygenation of your organs and local muscles takes place. This results in a burst of free radicals.
3) Auto-oxidation of catecholamines:  Rising levels of the stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline are normal during exercise.  Some of these hormones become oxidized and then create free radicals, which contributes to muscular fatigue during and after exercise.
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Environmental Accelerants:

1) Excessive intake of pro-oxidants:  A pro-oxidant would include smoking, certain drugs, alcohol, additives/preservatives in foods, and exposure to industrial toxins from air pollution, ozone, and smog.
2) Ultraviolet light:  We all know that excessive sun causes our skin to age prematurely.  The reason behind this is oxidative stress from UV radiation.  Athletes and active people are at particular risk to over exposure of UV light.

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Disease, Aging and Oxidative Stress

U.S. government funding for studies on antioxidants and disease conditions has more than doubled in the last year to almost 300.  We now know that oxidative stress is a compounding factor in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, Huntington's disease, and diabetic neuropathy.  Oxidative stress is also a factor in cataracts, stroke, renal disease and arteriosclerosis.
The Free Radical Theory of Aging states that, over time, mitochondria accumulate damage to their genetic material.  The result is progressively fewer mitochondria capable of providing sufficient energy for optimal cell function.  This ultimately leads to cell death and physical aging.  Many of the diseases associated with oxidative stress are diseases that manifest earlier in people with higher oxidative stress loads or a poor redox balance.
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Redox Signaling Molecules – Oxidative Stress PREVENTION

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results vary.