ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews some of the major issues in the scientific and public debate and the emerging new areas of research. The issues in this debate range from safety and optimum intake to the methodology for establishing efficacy and making public policy recommendations. The scientific debate on how to determine the optimum intake of antioxidants has been complicated by a continuing paradigm shift of our view of the role of nutrients and phytochemicals in nutrition and health. In contrast, the new paradigm focuses on the levels needed to improve wellness and reduce the risk of disease. Safety is of paramount importance in making recommendations for antioxidant intake. Some antioxidants like vitamin A and selenium are extremely toxic at high levels. Even though vitamins E and C are considered safe, they can be harmful in certain conditions. β-Carotene provides a good example of the safety issues in evaluating antioxidant phytochemicals and determining their effective safe use levels.
