A Review on Antioxidants and Their Health Effects

Background: Literature has focused that oxidative damage is a common factor in the aging process and the formation and development of major diseases. Such a finding encouraged the use of antioxidants to prevent and treat mentioned problems. Several research endeavors have done on the issue to find out any relevant relationship between antioxidant use and human being health especially in the case of preventing premature aging and many kinds of diseases. This study outlines results of representative research studies conducted worldwide to clarify the necessity of antioxidant use in health promotion of human life. Methods: For the purpose a literature review was done through defining an appropriate search strategy to identify existing evidence and key publications on the issue. Results: Study findings revealed that existing literature is not enough to prove the antioxidant usefulness for improving human health outcomes and it seems that other factors including life style should also be considered instead of focusing on isolated antioxidants as single leading factors. Conclusions: It is necessary to obtain comprehensive information from the influencing factors including disease origins, diet and different environmental, individual factors to determine possible effects on health condition or survival.