AntiOxidant Formula abs /CD

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of supplementation with an association of small physiological amounts of antioxidant nutrients upon biochemical parameters and indicators of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes. DESIGN: The study included a double-blind placebo-controlled design. SUBJECTS: 575 elderly long term hospitalized subjects aged 65-103 years. INTERVENTION: Four groups were compared. They received daily: (V) vitamins (vitamin E, 15 mg and vitamin C, 120 mg) and beta-carotene, 6 mg; (T) trace elements (zinc, 20 mg, selenium, 100 micrograms); (VT) vitamins associated with trace elements; or (P) a placebo. Biological markers of vitamin and trace element status, and free radical parameters were measured initially and after 6 months of supplementation. RESULTS: An analysis of variance indicated a significant effect of vitamin supplementation on serum alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and vitamin C, a significant effect of trace element supplementation on serum zinc and both a significant trace element and a vitamin-trace element interaction on serum selenium. We observed significant effects of both trace element and vitamin supplementation on GPx activity (P < 0.01), an effect of vitamin supplementation on SOD activity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that shortterm supplementation with moderate doses of antioxidant vitamins and trace elements in elderly subjects clearly improves both non-enzymatic (alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, vitamin C) levels and enzymatic antioxidant (GPx and SOD) activity. Monget AL, Richard MJ, Cournot MP, Arnaud J, Galan P, Preziosi P, Herbeth B, Favier A, Hercberg S. Eur J Clin Nutr 1996 Jul;50(7):443-449.