Prevention of Oxidative Stress and Diseases by Antioxidant Supplementation
G. Martemucci, Piero Portincasa, Vincenzo Centonze, Michele Mariano, Mohamad Khalil, Angela Gabriella D‘Alessandro
Abstract
Excessive and uncontrolled oxidative stress can damage biomacromolecules, such as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA, by free radical and oxidant overproduction. In this review, we critically discuss the main properties of free radicals, their implications in oxidative stress, and specific pathological conditions. In clinical medicine, oxidative stress can play a role in several chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular, inflammatory, neurodegenerative diseases, and tumours. Antioxidant supplements can theoretically prevent or stop the progression of diseases, but a careful literature analysis finds that more evidence is needed to dissect the ultimate beneficial effect of antioxidants versus reactive oxygen species in several diseases.