Antioxidant Supplementation for Health – A
Savior or A Slayer?

An antioxidant is basically a molecule capable of
slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules.
Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers
electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent.
 Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which
start chain reactions that damage cells.
Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by
removing free radical intermediates and inhibit other
oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves.
 Antioxidants (vitamins E and C, β-carotene,
superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase etc.) protect
cells from the damage caused by free radicals, formed
as a result of oxidative stress.
Free radicals (O  2 −  , H 2 O2,  OH −  , ROO −  etc.) are
generated during the cellular metabolism and also due to
environmental effects (cigarette smoke, ionizing
radiations).
 Excessive production of free radicals has been
implicated in the causation and progression of several
diseases, e.g.,
 Atherosclerosis,

 Cancer,
 Rheumatoid arthritis,
 Diabetes, and
 Cataract.

The general belief is that since free radicals are bad
for health, antioxidants...