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Oxidative Stress

Imbalance between production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and antioxidant defenses, leading to damage of lipids, proteins, and DNA implicated in aging, atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, and cancer.

Endogenous ROS arise from mitochondrial electron transport, NADPH oxidases, and xanthine oxidase; antioxidant defense includes superoxide dismutase (SOD; copper/zinc/manganese), catalase, glutathione peroxidases (selenium), glutathione, and dietary antioxidants (vitamin C, E, carotenoids, polyphenols). Large RCTs of single-antioxidant supplementation (β-carotene, vitamin E) have generally failed and sometimes harmed (CARET, ATBC), shifting emphasis to food-based antioxidant intake.

How one textbook covers it

  • Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed. — Ch 45: Defenses Against Reactive Oxygen Species

    Endogenous ROS arise from mitochondrial electron transport, NADPH oxidases, and xanthine oxidase; antioxidant defense includes superoxide dismutase (SOD; copper/zinc/manganese), catalase, glutathione peroxidases (selenium), glutathione, and dietary antioxidants (vitamin C, E, carotenoids, polyphenols). Large RCTs of single-antioxidant supplementation (β-carotene, vitamin E) have generally failed and sometimes harmed (CARET, ATBC), shifting emphasis to food-based antioxidant intake.

Related terms

Glutathione peroxidase, Polyphenols, Vitamin C, Vitamin E