The very oxygen we breathe and use for bodily functions and during physical activity also produces a toxic by-product in the form of free radicals. Oxidative stress occurs as a function of our normal daily metabolism, and increases greatly during aerobic exercise. While this process is typically something athletes don’t immediately “feel,” oxidative stress causes well-documented long-term adverse effects on chronic disease states and athletic performance. Current research shows that supplementing with standard synthetic vitamins inhibit the beneficial adaptive responses associated with improved athletic performance. Learn why consuming antioxidants from natural whole foods has been proven to reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress, allowing the body to physiologically adapt to exercise with no adverse consequences.