Radicais livres e antioxidantes : proteção ou perigo?

• Autor(a) principal: Vasconcelos, Thiago Brasileiro de
• Data de Publicação: 2014
• Outros Autores: Cardoso, Ana Richelly Nunes Rocha, Josino, Jeanne Batista, Macena, Raimunda Hermelinda Maia, Bastos, Vasco Pinheiro Diógenes
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)
• Texto Completo: http://www.repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/10133
• topic: Radicais Livres; Qualidade de Vida; Antioxidantes

This study describes a literature review on the role of free radicals and antioxidants in the human body and quality of life. A literature review was carried out from April 25 to May 20 2013, through consultations in the databases Bireme, SciELO, LILACS, Pubmed and Google Scholar, as well as books that addressed the topic under study. The descriptors utilized were: free radicals, antioxidant, system of defense and quality of life. The articles published in Portuguese or English, from the years 2002 and 2012 were selected. The production of reactive oxygen species - free radicals is an integral part of metabolism and is present in normal conditions, notably in the physiological processes involved in energy production, regulation of cellular growth, phagocytosis, intracellular signaling and synthesis of important substances, such as hormones and enzymes. To counteract this production and its potential negative effects, the human body has an antioxidant system. In case of imbalance between pro and antioxidant systems, with a predominance of oxidant system, the oxidative stress takes place, which may lead to premature aging, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, negatively influencing the quality of life. The inclusion of antioxidants in diet and the regular physical exercises are very important for reducing the risk of developing diseases associated with accumulation of free radicals, besides improving quality of life.