Free radicals and antioxidant therapy in clinical practice: to be or not to be?
Free radicals and antioxidant therapy have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. Current research reveals the potential applications of antioxidants in prevention or control of disease. However, controversy still exists due to lack of well controlled clinical trials and definitive conclusion on efficacy/safety. This article highlights the debatable issues related to this. Based on the available literature and clinician's experience, recommendation on antioxidant usage is mentioned at the end. There is a need to assimilate the known available information with extensive research to establish a positive role of antioxidant therapy in clinical practice and to use an evidence-based approach for summarizing data, drawing conclusions and making recommendations about antioxidant usage and efficacy. A substantial gap still exists between the claims and the efficacy/safety in this area of research.
Carnelio
Sunitha
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, India.
Khan
Sohil Ahmed
SA
Rodrigues
Gabriel Sunil
GS
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans
D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals