OXIDATIVE STRESS ASSOCIATED WITH EXERCISE, PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AND LIFE-STYLE FACTORS

Oxidative stress is a cellular or physiological condition of elevated concentrations of reactive oxygen species that cause molecular damage- to vital structures and functions. Several factors influence the susce ptibility to oxidative stress by affecting the antioxidant status or f ree oxygen radical generation. Here, we review the effect of alcohol, air pollution, cigarette smoke, diet, exercise, non-ionizing radiation (UV and microwaves) and psychological stress on the development of ox idative stress. Regular exercise and carbohydrate-rich diets seem to i ncrease the resistance against oxidative stress. Air pollution, alcoho l, cigarette smoke, non-ionizing radiation and psychological stress se em to increase oxidative stress. Alcohol in lower doses may act as an antioxidant on low density lipoproteins and thereby have an anti-ather osclerotic property.