Oxidative damage and defense

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 63; no. 6; pp. 985S - 990S
• Main Authors: Jacob, RA, Burri, BJ
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Elsevier Inc 01.06.1996; American Society for Clinical Nutrition; American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc
• Subjects: ACIDE ASCORBIQUE; ACIDE FOLIQUE; ACIDO ASCORBICO; ACIDO FOLICO; ACTIVIDAD FISICA; ACTIVITE PHYSIQUE; ANTIOXIDANTES; ANTIOXIDANTS; Antioxidants - standards; ANTIOXYDANT; ARTERIOSCLEROSE; ARTERIOSCLEROSIS; Arteriosclerosis - prevention & control; ASCORBIC ACID; Ascorbic Acid - physiology; BESOIN NUTRITIONNEL; beta Carotene; Biological and medical sciences; CAROTENOIDE; CAROTENOIDES; CAROTENOIDS; Carotenoids - physiology; CLINICAL TRIALS; COMPOSICION APROXIMADA; COMPOSITION GLOBALE; DAMAGE; DANOS; DEGAT; ENSAYOS CLINICOS; ESSAI CLINIQUE; EXERCISE; Exercise - physiology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; FOLIC ACID; FOOD COMPOSITION; FREE RADICALS; Fruits; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HOMOCISTEINA; HOMOCYSTEINE; Homocysteine - physiology; HUMAN NUTRITION; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; NECESIDADES DE NUTRIENTES; NEOPLASMAS; NEOPLASME; NEOPLASMS; Neoplasms - prevention & control; NUTRICION HUMANA; NUTRITION HUMAINE; NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS; OXIDACION; OXIDATION; Oxidative Stress - physiology; OXIGENO; OXYDATION; OXYGEN; OXYGEN REACTIVE SPECIES; OXYGENE; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; PROTECTION; PROXIMATE COMPOSITION; RADICAL LIBRE; RADICALES LIBRES; Reactive Oxygen Species; REVIEWS; Vegetables; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vitamin E - physiology; Congress; Human; Oxidative stress; Vitamin; Lipids; Review; Antioxidant; Defense; Free radical; Feeding; Peroxidation
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/63.6.985

Increased production of reactive oxygen species is a feature of most, if not all, human disease, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Dietary antioxidants may be especially important in protecting against human diseases associated with free radical damage to cellular DNA, lipids, and proteins. Ascorbic acid is an effective water-soluble antioxidant, and epidemiologic studies suggest that increased ascorbate nutriture is associated with reduced risk of some degenerative diseases, especially cancer and eye cataracts. Population studies have also shown that high vitamin E intakes are associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease, possibly as a result of inhibition of atherogenic forms of oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Recent data suggest that beta-carotene provides protection against lipid peroxidation in humans, as well as provitamin A activity. Yet, present data are not sufficient to quantitate micronutrient requirements needed to protect against oxidative damage. The antioxidant roles of many food constituents, such as polyphenols, have not been clarified. Most antioxidants can act as prooxidants under certain conditions, and more research is needed to determine the occurrence and importance of this in vivo. The few controlled intervention trials carried out so far have shown mixed results as to the potential of antioxidant supplements for reducing the incidence of chronic diseases. Definitive recommendations on antioxidant intakes for disease prevention must await evidence from controlled studies and intervention trials, some currently in progress. Overall, the present data suggest that protection against oxidative damage and related disease is best served by the variety of antioxidant substances found in fruit and vegetables.