Antioxidant food supplement

Antioxidants are protective molecules present in certain nutrients such as vitamins and trace elements. They neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress , which is responsible for cellular aging . By reducing oxidative damage, an antioxidant food supplement plays a key role in preserving cellular health .

Antioxidants to prevent cell aging

Antioxidants are essential allies in the pursuit of optimal health . They are present in a variety of foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. However, it can sometimes be difficult to achieve the necessary intake of antioxidants through diet alone: ​​fortunately, there are dietary supplements to compensate for any deficiencies. Antioxidants are very important for the health of athletes, since they protect cells from free radical damage, strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. In addition to their antioxidant effects , some also have anti-inflammatory properties to reduce the risk of inflammatory conditions. It is important to know that oxidative stress, which an antioxidant dietary supplement will help to stem, can be influenced or exacerbated by several aspects of your lifestyle:

• Diet : A diet high in fat, calories and salt can significantly increase oxidation.
• Alcohol consumption : Alcohol stimulates the production of free radicals, particularly in the liver, while decreasing your antioxidant levels.
• Smoking : Smoking even one cigarette increases oxidation markers and decreases antioxidants in the body.
• Physical activity : Although beneficial, sport can become detrimental if it is very intense or poorly managed. Intense training and competition can increase oxidative stress. It is therefore important to prepare well, in particular by supplementing accordingly.
• Psychological stress : Your body responds by increasing the production of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can stimulate cellular metabolism, and these unstable molecules damage cells.
• Lack of sleep : Lack of sleep reduces the effectiveness of these repair processes, allowing free radicals to accumulate more easily in the body. Additionally, lack of sleep can also disrupt hormonal balance, exacerbating the production of free radicals.
• Exposure to sunlight : This causes photo-oxidation due to light. The sun's UV rays promote the production of free radicals.
• Pollution and pesticides : Air pollution and pesticides increase oxidation in your body. Exposure to polluted air and ingestion or contact with pesticides can trigger toxic reactions that cause oxidative stress.

Why take an antioxidant food supplement when doing sports?

Reduction of oxidative stress

When you engage in intense physical activity, the production of free radicals in the body increases, which can lead to oxidative stress and damage muscle cells. An antioxidant dietary supplement can support the neutralization of these free radicals, thereby reducing cellular and muscle damage (2).

Improved muscle recovery

Antioxidants play a crucial role in post-exercise recovery by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. Thus, antioxidant supplementation can decrease muscle soreness and speed recovery , allowing athletes to train more frequently and with better performance.

Support for the immune system

Intense exercise can temporarily weaken the immune system , making athletes more vulnerable (2). Antioxidants, such as selenium and zinc as part of a health supplement , strengthen the immune system by protecting immune cells from oxidative stress.

Preservation of mitochondrial functions

Mitochondria , often referred to as the “powerhouses” of cells, are essential for endurance and athletic performance. Oxidative stress can damage mitochondria, compromising energy production. An antioxidant supplement protects these structures (3), to maintain mitochondrial efficiency during exercise.

What are the main antioxidants?

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C is a powerful water-soluble (soluble in water) antioxidant that acts primarily in the body's aqueous environments, such as the cytoplasm of cells. It neutralizes free radicals by donating an electron to them, which stabilizes these molecules and prevents their excessive reactivity. In addition, vitamin C helps regenerate vitamin E (another antioxidant vitamin) by restoring its active form after it has neutralized a free radical. By combining with a free radical, vitamin C itself becomes a radical, but a radical that is much less reactive and therefore less harmful to cells . This protects proteins, lipids, and DNA from oxidative damage.

Vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols)

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble (soluble in fat) antioxidant dietary supplement that acts primarily in cell membranes , which are composed of lipids. It protects cell membranes by interrupting free radical chain reactions that can damage membrane phospholipids. It made by sacrificing one of its electrons to stabilize free radicals, preventing them from attacking unsaturated fatty acids in membranes. Once vitamin E has neutralized a free radical, it can be regenerated by other antioxidants , like vitamin C, which allows this cycle of protection to continue.

Selenium

Selenium is an antioxidant trace element that plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. It is part of antioxidant enzymes (such as glutathione peroxidase) that neutralize free radicals by converting peroxides into harmless compounds. An antioxidant dietary supplement with selenium also helps regenerate vitamin C and E, prolonging their protective action.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that helps protect cells by stabilizing cell membranes and inhibiting the production of free radicals. It is a key component of antioxidant enzymes , such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), which neutralize free radicals. Zinc in an antioxidant supplement also supports the immune system.

Sources:

(1) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278584613000493?via%3Dihub

(2) https://www.nutralica.eu/dossiers-scientifiques/antioxidants.html

(3) https://www.medecinesciences.org/en/articles/medsci/full_html/2004/04/medsci2004204p458/medsci2004204p458.html#:~:text=The%20vitamin%20E%20is%20abundant,%2C%20the%20tomatoes% 20(lycop%C3%A8ne) .