Nutrients and Oxidative Stress: Friend or Foe?

Figure 1

Dietary intake patterns affect human health state. High-carbohydrate and an animal-based protein diet and excessive fat consumption will eventually lead to obesity as well as other obesity-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, and cancer. The key pathway involved in the pathogenesis is via the elevation of oxidative stress. Subsequently, inflammation occurs resulting in the reduction of insulin sensitivity, increased cancer cell proliferation, involvement of gene in lipogenesis, and cancer development of which is activated and accompanied by apoptosis of healthy cells. To revert these unhealthy conditions, consumption of healthy diet is essential. Healthy diet includes whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, fish, and legumes. In general, a healthy diet contains dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids like monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA), protein, vitamins, minerals, and others health-promoting components. All these components exhibit antioxidant ability thereby reduce oxidative stress. The healthy diet could reduce inflammation, cancer development, and lipogenesis transcriptional expression. It also increases insulin sensitivity accompanied by the reduction of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. A healthy dietary pattern is crucial for maintaining good health.