Contrary to what many people believe, antioxidants are part of a complex "push me-pull me" system of inflammation and anti-inflammation working as a team for a total appropriate effect. Additionally, there are literally hundreds of different kinds of antioxidants acting on many different levels and mechanisms of the physiology of a living body. Though I am not a biochemist and these matters can quickly get complicated, I do know there is a vastly complex chemical interplay going on. Dietary antioxidants (i.e., tocophenols, tocotrenols, polyphenols,catichins,...) have differing effects on a variety of radicals, damaging compounds, enzymatic paths, or free radical producing pathways (i.e., super oxygen radicals, peroxinitrites, NO excess, O signets, myeloperoxidases, iNOS, cNOS, H2O2...). There are even likely, other as yet undiscovered mechanisms in this dance. Taken as a whole, the broad effect of these interactions is an overall tenuous balance- and thats a healthy situation.
For example, H2O2 is a potent inflammatory radical, it also is a primary weapon of neutrophils (a white blood cell) when combating infection or participating in the process of localized inflammation and healing. Some anti oxidant "spin trap" compounds may actually extend the life spans of these kamikaze cells thereby impeding their primary function, namely combating infection; not a good thing.
Whether we are dealing with aging, longevity, or a disease process the predominant excess of one oxidant or another will vary. It seems likely that a mix of oxidant compounds get in the game at different times and places, and the body responds physiologically with appropriate measures. Trying to influence this process is a delicate matter. So even though there is data that indicates a possible beneficial effect from antioxidant supplementation in certain diseases and conditions it is a mistake to then prematurely extend conclusions to a healthy population.
Dietary antioxidants in the context of single to multiple supplements as studied in many of these trials seem to stimulate effects that push this inflammatory/anti-inflammatory system towards detrimental imbalances. Supplements claiming their product comes from whole food sources can't convincingly bridge the gap between pill and real food either. Though, these studies, reviews, and meta analysis have analyzed a limited number of antioxidants, they do add to a growing data base supporting food as the best way to health.
These ongoing trials suggest that whatever their effect, dietary antioxidants ingested normally through eating a balanced diet will avoid dire antioxidant effects and work beneficially along with everything else that is consumed. Supplementation, on the other hand, seems cause for concern.
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