Oxidative Stress

Aging Process

Foods That May Help

Foods linked to Oxidative Stress in the research literature.

Lemon Balm TeaProtects against
2 cups/day for one month
X-ray techs who drank two cups of lemon balm tea each day for a month boosted antioxidant enzymes and reduced DNA damage
Source: How Not to Die
Purple PotatoesReduces risk of
Pigmented potato consumption alters oxidative stress and inflammatory damage in men (Kaspar et al. 2011)
Source: How Not to Die

Bioactive compounds linked to Oxidative Stress in the research.

Vitamin B12Protects against
Even subclinical B12 deficiency associated with increased oxidative stress; critical for plant-based eaters | Vitamin B12 deficiency related to increased oxidative stress; B12 important for vegetarians to supplement
Source: How Not to Age
PterostilbeneReduces risk of
Pterostilbene is similar to resveratrol and acts as an antioxidant; marketed as a dietary supplement
Source: How We Age
AstaxanthinProtects against
Astaxanthin has been shown to cause protective effects in vitro, in neuronal cancers and against UV on ageing skin in clinical trials.
Source: Nutrition, Food and Diet in Ageing and Longevity
FucoxanthinProtects against
Fucoxanthin, a marine carotenoid, has been shown to combat UV damage.
Source: Nutrition, Food and Diet in Ageing and Longevity

Foods and compounds that may contribute to Oxidative Stress.

Methionine
Methionine is the protein component most susceptible to oxidation; dripping onto isolated mitochondria causes more free radical production | Methionine and homocysteine modulate the rate of ROS generation of isolated mitochondria; methionine restriction decreases mitochondrial oxidative stress
Source: How Not to Age
Saturated fat
Considered the worst of all dietary pro-oxidants
Source: How Not to Age
Sodium (excess)
A single typically salted meal can significantly suppress artery function within 30 minutes by suppressing superoxide dismutase
Source: How Not to Age
Heterocyclic Amines
High intake of heterocyclic amines from meat is associated with oxidative stress
Source: How Not to Age
Uric Acid
Uric acid is produced in large amounts in hepatic fructose metabolism and leads to massive oxidative stress in hepatic mitochondria. Humans lack a working uricase enzyme to break down excess uric acid.
Source: Nutrition, Food and Diet in Ageing and Longevity
Heme iron
Animal protein may be accompanied by additional amounts of potentially detrimental substances: for example, heme iron as an oxidant in red meat
Source: Nutrition, Food and Diet in Ageing and Longevity