The role of inflammation and oxidative stress in training adaptation

Chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs), which include cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes, are reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. It has now become clear that low-grade chronic inflammation is a key player in the pathogenesis of most CNCDs. Given that regular exercise offers protection against all causes of mortality, primarily by protection against atherosclerosis and insulin resistance, we suggest that exercise may exert some of its beneficial health effects by inducing anti-inflammatory actions. The finding that antioxidants attenuate important players in the exercise-induced anti-inflammatory response suggests that the use of antioxidant supplementation may be less desirable from a long-term health perspective. Chronic inflammation promotes development of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, neurodegenation, and tumour growth and thereby the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and some cancers.