Health Aspects of Antioxidant Nutrients: A Consice Update

Oxidative stress (OR) reflects an imbalance between the systemic manifestation of reactive oxygen species and a biological system's ability to readily detoxify the reactive intermediates or to repair the resulting damage. Disturbances in the normal redox state of cells can cause toxic effects through the production of peroxides and free radicals that damage all components of the cell, including proteins, lipids, and DNA. Further, some reactive oxidative species act as cellular messengers in redox signalling. Thus, oxidative stress can cause disruptions in normal mechanisms of cellular signalling. In humans, oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the development of cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, fragile X syndrome, Sickle Cell Disease, lichen planus, vitiligo, autism, infection and chronic fatigue syndrome. Dietary active agents are good sources of antioxidants and phytonutrients that provide a protective effect against the OR-mediated DNA and lipids cell membrane structures damage. Nutrition must benefit for human health by providing nutrients and chemical components (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, polyphenols, minerals and water), which are needed for energy production, growth, body tissue maintenance, organ function and health. There has been great interest in the health benefits of antioxidants that are important constituents of most foods of plant origin. Many naturally occurring antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, herbal plants, cereal grains, nuts, seeds and spices have significant protective activity against ROS-induced oxidative stress in organs of biological systems.