title: Antioxidants in health and disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although numerous studies have been published about the probable causes of age-related macular degeneration, arresting or preventing the disease continues to be an elusive goal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The professional literature is reviewed to provide an overview of the relationship of the antioxidants to disorders such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, cataracts and macular degeneration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diseases associated with aging appear to have a common denominator: oxidative damage. Antioxidants have been extensively studied to determine if they can prevent or successfully treat these diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Larger-than-recommended amounts of antioxidants need to be used earlier in life, for longer periods of time, to determine their effectiveness in arresting or preventing diseases of aging.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cheraskin
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004194:Disease; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000517:prevention & control; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014815:Vitamins