Is Exercise the Ultimate Antioxidant?

As a person who eats very healthy and conciously includes plentiful sources of potent anti-oxidants in my diet as well as taking omega-3 fa supplements, vit d and calcium supplements and a MV supplement, I can vouch for exercise as when I DON'T exercise, I immediately feel the difference in my performance, my mental capacity, my mood, and my physiology.

I think the "my study vs. your study" is not necessarily conflicting in this case. There has been prior research showing that exercise produces ROS, which makes sense, and it has been recommended to take antioxidants post-workout as a logical assumption. But what healthhabits is showing in this article is the body has a natural defense mechanism against the ROS created from exercise.
In a relatively recent study, it was shown that the exogenous antioxidants actually hindered the body's natural antioxidant defense capabilities.
Ristow et al. (2009) published an article "Antioxidants prevent health-promoting effects of physical exercise in humans" which concluded: Molecular mediators of endogenous ROS defense (superoxide dismutases 1 and 2; glutathione peroxidase) were also induced by exercise, and this effect too was blocked by antioxidant supplementation. Consistent with the concept of mitohormesis, exercise-induced oxidative stress ameliorates insulin resistance and causes an adaptive response promoting endogenous antioxidant defense capacity. Supplementation with antioxidants may preclude these health-promoting effects of exercise in humans.

Actually studies have shown that extreme exercise produces excessive amounts of free radicals requiring more antioxidants to counter them.

Anything relinquishing toxins is an antioxidant, and sweating during exercise, as well as increased blood flow, is the ultimate tool in purifying the body. Great article!

I am proof that exercise works as I have been off blood pressure pills now for 6 weeks.it took me 1 year working out 6 days a week for 70 minutes ,I have lost 23 lbs and 4 inches off my waist.I am also sporting 16 inch pumped guns and a 30 inch waist,Not bad for a young 59.But I am not finished yet.My wife says I will die happy with a set of dumb bells in my hands.For those that say they can't work out because of a bad back I had the L 5 disc removed 20 years ago and the spine fused.

This reminds me of the OTHER never-ending cycle involving exercise: people say they're too tired to work out, but engaging in physical activity actually gives you energy! This new research presents something similar: you have to exercise to maintain your health, but you have to be healthy enough to have the motivation the work out. Bottom line: physical activity has a wide range of health benefits, the fact that it also makes you more aesthetically appealing is just a bonus.

I think this is a way out. I for example do a lot of physical work - all kinds of it and feel great. Also I use modern gadgets for keeping fit and healthy. Like for example All in fitness for iPhone by Viaden Mobile. The application has four parts which include training modes, calorie counter and so on. It can be a real help for a person while trying to be healthy.

While what you eat makes up the majority of your body composition, one should not expect to live a healthy lifestyle by sitting around and doing nothing. Grok moved and moved a lot. And, of course he lifted quite heavy things just to get food, shelter, etc. We take these things for granted and now have to make an effort to lift weights which is why so many of us don't unfortunately.

This is probably the most important reason to exercise