ABSTRACT
Several misconceptions regarding the value of supplemental micronutrients in optimal health and disease prevention, and treatment exist at this time. This is primarily due to that fact that many popular magazines, prestigious newspapers, internationally respected scientific journals, and books have reported conflicting results due to use of a single nutrient in the clinical studies. As a result, a number of misconceptions concerning the value of antioxidants exist among most physicians and other health-care professionals. This has created confusion in the minds of consumers, although most continue to take supplemental nutrition with or without the knowledge of their doctors. Humans have antioxidant enzymes and dietary and endogenous antioxidants to defend against oxidative damage. The use of a single antioxidant in disease prevention studies has no scientific rationale. This chapter has clarified some of the existing misconceptions regarding the value of antioxidants in health and disease.
