Question 1

Q: Why is there inflammation in the muscles when we exercise?

Accepted Answer

A: There is inflammation in the muscles due to the overproduction of free radicals from high levels of oxygen consumption.

Question 2

Q: Does preventing oxidative damage in the muscle affect positive adaptation from exercise?

Accepted Answer

A: No, preventing oxidative damage in the muscle does not affect positive adaptation from exercise if we have a normal intake of antioxidants from whole food sources that are in line with what we have been eating during our evolution.

Question 3

Q: What is the concept of hormesis in relation to exercise?

Accepted Answer

A: Hormesis is a concept where low exposure to a potentially damaging agent has a favorable biological response in the organism's immune system followed by higher dose inhibition. In exercising, this concept may apply where low-level oxidative damage triggers adaptive responses like muscle growth and increased endurance and most importantly upregulates our own antioxidant defense mechanism in the long run.

Question 4

Q: What is Nrf2, and how does it relate to exercise and phytochemicals?

Accepted Answer

A: Nrf2 is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of more than 200 genes relating to anti-oxidative defense. Exercise induces episodic increases in oxidative stress that stimulate Nrf2 activation, leading to an upregulation of endogenous antioxidant defenses. Phytochemicals can also stimulate the activation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway independently from exercise.

Question 5

Q: Does supplementation with antioxidants prevent the induction of molecular regulators of insulin sensitivity and endogenous antioxidant defense by physical exercise?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, physical exercise resulted in an increase in molecular regulators of insulin sensitivity and endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms. However, supplemental antioxidants prevented this induction, causing it to preclude health-promoting effects on an exercise like prevention of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Question 6

Q: Is it necessary to avoid any antioxidant-rich food before training in the gym for building muscles?

Accepted Answer

A: No, avoiding any antioxidant-rich food before training is unnecessary when aiming for building muscles. Antioxidants in whole good sources can supplement our internal defense mechanisms during recovery effectively without blocking the main benefit of exercise which increases internal antioxidant production over time.

Question 7

Q: How does rigorous physical exercise affect DNA damage?

Accepted Answer

A. Rigorous physical exercise increases DNA damage during the race but six days later; individuals will have less DNA damage than if they didn’t run at all due to increased internal defense mechanisms like superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase production.

Question 8

Q: Why is recovery after exercising important for health?

Accepted Answer

A: Recovery after exercising is important for health because it provides adaptations that lead to improved physical fitness and physiological function. The stress from exercising triggers our body to adapt by increasing internal antioxidant defenses over time.

Question 9

Q: Do antioxidant supplements have a negative effect on athletic performance?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, high doses of antioxidant supplements like vitamins C and E can block positive adaptation to exercise.

Question 10

Q: Can consuming whole food sources of antioxidants improve athletic performance?

Accepted Answer

A: Consuming antioxidant-rich whole foods like blueberries, cherries, dark chocolate, tomato juice, and even beans can improve athletic performance and reduce muscle damage.

Question 11

Q: What is the effect of black currant extract on exercise-induced oxidative stress?

Accepted Answer

A: Black currant extract suppressed exercise-induced oxidative stress but also boosted the positive effects of exercise.

Question 12

Q: Does astaxanthin benefit endurance?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, astaxanthin enhances fat utilization as an energy source and can attenuate muscle glycogen depletion, which benefits endurance.

Question 13

Q. How does astaxanthin help with recovery after exercise?

Accepted Answer

A. By inhibiting pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory intermediates which could accelerate recovery time.

Question 14

Q: How does astaxanthin provide protection against free radical-induced damage during exercise?

Accepted Answer

A: Astaxanthin accumulates in the mitochondrial membrane and provides protection against free radical-induced damage to the mitochondrial CPT1 regulatory enzyme that is responsible for breaking down fat into energy, which consequently enhances fat metabolism.

Question 15

Q: Does astaxanthin reduce inflammation after exercise?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, astaxanthin can inhibit pro-inflammatory intermediates and can accelerate recovery after exercise.

Question 16

Q: What are some potential applications for astaxanthin?

Accepted Answer

A: Some potential applications for astaxanthin include improving endurance, enhancing fat utilization as an energy source, fighting inflammation, and accelerating recovery after exercise besides being an extremely potent antioxidant by itself. Astaxanthin could be particularly beneficial for individuals who want to improve their overall physical performance or those who seek a natural way to boost their athletic abilities.

Question 17

Q: What is the effect of curcumin on exercise-induced arterial function?

Accepted Answer

A: Curcumin shows a positive effect on exercise-induced arterial function, and when combined with exercise, it has a significant synergistic effect.

Antioxidant Impaired Training Adaptations: Preventing Oxidative Damage in the Muscle

Glycogen depletion- How not to exercise

Exercise- Why exactly do we need it?