Nutri Courses

Advisory

Oxidation

Oxidation is a chemical process that occurs in the body and can lead to the production of free radicals, which can cause cellular damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging and diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Oxidative stress is a condition in which there are more free radicals present in the body than antioxidants to neutralize them. This condition can lead to damage to DNA, proteins, and fats in the body, which can cause a range of health problems.

Nutrition plays a key role in regulating oxidation in the body. Antioxidants found in many foods can help neutralize free radicals and reduce or prevent the damage caused by oxidative stress. Foods rich in antioxidants include fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and some types of fish and meat. Also, certain vitamins, such as vitamin C and E, are powerful antioxidants. Therefore, it is important to eat a balanced diet rich in these nutrients to reduce the risk of damage caused by oxidation.

Hello,
I would like to ask about baking and eggs. This is new information to me and it surprised me quite a bit :-). Does this mean that baking within a cake is problematic even if it's under 150C? Do you replace eggs when baking? And if so, with what?
Thank you very much.

When cooking eggs, address two fundamental conditions:

1. Heat treatment should always occur to eliminate potential microbial contamination.
2. Egg yolk contains cholesterol, which, at higher temperatures or during prolonged heat treatment, can oxidize and become a health risk. In light of this fact, it is simply more beneficial for the yolk on the plate to be in a semi-liquid form, the so-called "soft-boiled" (meaning it undergoes heat treatment within a range that eliminates microbial activity while also preventing significant changes to the structure of cholesterol).

If you use yolk in baking, you cannot avoid cholesterol oxidation. In such cases, you face the dilemma of whether to use it or find an alternative from the plant kingdom. There are numerous options, and it always depends on the type of recipe—banana, agar, apple puree, grated potato, pudding...

Good day,

I have a question regarding the oxidation of omega-3 in the body: I have learned from several sources that it is advisable to consume them together with polyphenols, which reduce/suppress oxidation in the body. A specific example - sardines: it seems to me that the best option would be sardines in extra virgin olive oil, where I would also consume polyphenols present in the oil. Is my reasoning correct?

Thank you

Omega-3 fats are sensitive to oxidation and can quickly succumb to it under unsuitable conditions. This process can be significantly slowed by storing Omega-3s in a cool environment and without exposure to light, and the presence of antioxidant substances has a crucial influence. However, individual antioxidants boast different effects. In recent years, the influence of polyphenols has been frequently cited, with an interesting source being olive oil (unrefined). If you aim to intake Omega-3 from food, combining fish with high-quality olive oil makes sense. However, keep in mind that you will not have a guarantee that the manufacturer has indeed used high-quality olive oil, that is, with a sufficient content of polyphenolic substances.

Hello,

I am interested in the connection between the oxidation/rancidity of omega-3 in relation to the recommended combination of cooked fish.

Thank you.

During rancidity, the double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids oxidize due to atmospheric oxygen. This results in substances that alter the taste, smell, and overall quality of the fat. If you consume fish fresh, there is no need to worry about the consequences of this process. However, caution should be taken to avoid overcooking them, as omega-3s are relatively sensitive to high temperatures, which can lead to the formation of harmful trans fatty acids.

Questions answered by

Mgr. Martin Jelinek
Lecturer and author of the educational system

Mgr. Martin Jelínek has been systematically involved in nutrition education since 1999. He is the founder of ATAC, the educational company behind NutriCourses, and the author of an educational system focused on nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and the practical application of nutrition knowledge.

He graduated from the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. Throughout his professional career, he has combined nutrition, education, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. His educational system also includes the ZOF (Zone of Optimal Functioning) learning application, where students turn theory into practical work with meal plans.

In 2007, he launched the first intake of a six-month course focused on the education of nutrition advisors. Over time, this course became the foundation for the further development of the educational system and a range of specialised courses.