Antioxidant supplementation in older persons

Abstract

According to the free-radical theory of aging, oxidative stress is a key contributor to the aging process by inducing structural and functional damages to over the lifespan of the organism. Although innate defenses exist to neutralize such detrimental effects, they still are insufficient to counteract the continuous large production of reactive oxygen species. In this context, interventions aimed at reducing/inhibiting the detrimental effects of oxidants and supporting the organism's defense against oxidative damage may exert positive actions on the conditions and pathophysiological modifications typical of the aging process. Epidemiological data report significant consumption of antioxidant supplementations (in particular, vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, and selenium) in Western countries, in spite of the scarce evidence available to support such widespread use. Moreover, several studies also raise concerns about the safety of this type of intervention. In this chapter, we discuss available evidence related to the use of antioxidant supplements to prevent age-related subclinical and clinical conditions.