Strategies for reducing or preventing the generation of oxidative stress

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2011:2011:194586. doi: 10.1155/2011/194586. Epub 2011 Dec 10.

Abstract

The reduction of oxidative stress could be achieved in three levels: by lowering exposure to environmental pollutants with oxidizing properties, by increasing levels of endogenous and exogenous antioxidants, or by lowering the generation of oxidative stress by stabilizing mitochondrial energy production and efficiency. Endogenous oxidative stress could be influenced in two ways: by prevention of ROS formation or by quenching of ROS with antioxidants. However, the results of epidemiological studies where people were treated with synthetic antioxidants are inconclusive and contradictory. Recent evidence suggests that antioxidant supplements (although highly recommended by the pharmaceutical industry and taken by many individuals) do not offer sufficient protection against oxidative stress, oxidative damage or increase the lifespan. The key to the future success of decreasing oxidative-stress-induced damage should thus be the suppression of oxidative damage without disrupting the wellintegrated antioxidant defense network. Approach to neutralize free radicals with antioxidants should be changed into prevention of free radical formation. Thus, this paper addresses oxidative stress and strategies to reduce it with the focus on nutritional and psychosocial interventions of oxidative stress prevention, that is, methods to stabilize mitochondria structure and energy efficiency, or approaches which would increase endogenous antioxidative protection and repair systems.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants* / therapeutic use
  • Caloric Restriction*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxidative Stress* / drug effects
  • Reactive Oxygen Species* / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Reactive Oxygen Species