Oxidative stress occurs when reactive oxygen species exceed the capacity of antioxidant defenses, causing molecular damage and alterations in cellular signaling. This process is characterized by interindividual variability, particularly based on biological sex. Hormones such as estrogens, which exert antioxidant effects, and androgens, which can act as pro-oxidants in certain contexts, along with genetic and epigenetic factors linked to sex chromosomes, contribute to the sex-specific regulation of redox homeostasis. Nutraceuticals, including polyphenols, vitamins, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids, influence oxidative processes through both direct and indirect mechanisms. This review evaluates the impact of biological sex on oxidative stress mechanisms and responses to nutraceutical antioxidants, synthesizing the results of molecular, metabolic, and clinical studies published over the past decade. The current literature indicates that biological sex influences both basal redox balance and individual responses to antioxidant mechanisms. Generally, males have a higher oxidative load and may benefit more from supplementation, while females typically possess greater antioxidant capacity, primarily due to hormonal influences. Greater consideration of sex as a biological variable is essential to optimize nutraceutical strategies and develop personalized interventions for oxidative stress-related diseases.
Ventre et al. (Tue,) studied this question.