Abstract
Free radicals and antioxidants are widely discussed in the clinical and nutritional literature. Antioxidants are needed to prevent the formation and oppose the actions of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which are generated in vivo and cause damage to DNA, lipids, proteins, and other biomolecules. Endogenous antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutases, H 2 O 2 -removing enzymes, metal binding proteins) are inadequate to prevent damage completely, so dietderived antioxidants are important in maintaining health. Many dietary compounds have been suggested to be important antioxidants: The evidence for a key role of vitamins E and C is strong, but that for carotenoids and related plant pigments is weaker. Interest is also growing in the role of plant phenolics, especially flavonoids. Some antioxidants can exert prooxidant effects in vitro, but their physiological relevance is uncertain. Experimental approaches to the optimization of antioxidant nutrient intake are proposed.
Keywords
AntioxidantCarotenoidReactive oxygen speciesSuperoxide dismutaseBiochemistryChemistryReactive nitrogen speciesRadicalFree-radical theory of agingAscorbic acidEnzymeIn vivoOxidative stressVitamin CBiologyFood scienceBiotechnology
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Publication Info
- Year
- 1996
- Type
- review
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 33-50
- Citations
- 1688
- Access
- Closed
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Cite This
Barry Halliwell
(1996).
Antioxidants in Human Health and Disease.
Annual Review of Nutrition
, 16
(1)
, 33-50.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.nu.16.070196.000341
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1146/annurev.nu.16.070196.000341