The interaction of cigarette smoking and antioxidants. Part III: ascorbic acid.

The requirement for antioxidant nutrients depends on a person's exposure to endogenous and exogenous reactive oxygen species. Since cigarette smoking results in an increased cumulative exposure to reactive oxygen species from both sources, it would seem cigarette smokers might have an increased requirement for antioxidant nutrients. This review examines available evidence of ascorbic acid supplementation and combinations of antioxidants as interventions in smokers and their effect on functional biomarkers of nicotine metabolism, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and endothelial function.