title: Assessment of lifestyle effects on the levels of free oxygen radicals in the korean population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As many studies revealed that oxidative stress due to the imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant capacity is related with pathologic processes such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, as well as aging and obesity, the relationship between lifestyle and oxidative stress has recently gained much medical attention. However, little information exists on the effects of lifestyle on ROS in Korea. In this study, we investigated the effects of lifestyle on free oxygen radical levels in men and women in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 138 adults participated in this study from September 2007 to June 2010 at a health promotion center and department of family medicine. Information on the lifestyle of each participant was obtained by questionnaire. Biochemical markers and a free oxygen radical test (FORT) were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age was 47.28 ± 10.85 years and 79.7% were male. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP; r = 0.418, P = 0.012), triglycerides (r = -0.243, P = 0.008), hemoglobin (r = -0.445, P < 0.001), total protein (r = 0.210, P = 0.036), creatinine (r = -0.294, P = 0.001), fruit intake per day (P = 0.047), and smoking (P = 0.003) were related to the FORT levels in univariate analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hs-CRP (P = 0.039) was an independent predictor of serum FORT values. This statistical model can explain 78% of the variance in FORT values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This result suggests that hs-CRP showed a statistically significant positive association with FORT values. Further studies on the relationship between lifestyle and antioxidant capacity as well as ROS seem to be warranted to evaluate the overall effect of oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Ah
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sung-Goo
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Se-Hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seo-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ha-Na
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: In-Sun
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Sang-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Song
keywords: Free Oxygen Radical Test; High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein; Life Style