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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Cereal Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #168596
Title: AGING, EXERCISE, AND PHYTOCHEMICALS -- PROMISES AND PITFALLS

Author
item JI, L.
item Peterson, David

Submitted to: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2003
Publication Date: 6/15/2004
Citation: Ji, L.L., Peterson, D.M. 2004. Aging, exercise, and phytochemicals -- promises and pitfalls. Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences. 1019:453-461.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Phytochemicals are emerging comprehensive and versatile sources of antioxidants to be consumed to enhance the body's defenses against harmful reactive oxygen species generated endogenously or exogenously. Tocols, favonoids, and phenolic acids compose the majority of this class of antioxidants, although more complex compounds may also be involved, such as ginsenosides. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated convincingly that dietary supplementation of phytochemicals has beneficial effects against certain types of pathogenesis, disease, cancer and aging. There is evidence that these effects are related to the ability of phytochemicals to promote the antioxidant defense system and reduce oxidative stress and damage in the cell. However, due to their structural and chemical diversity and complexity, many of the benefits as well as potential adverse effects remain to be examined.