The Double-edged Sword of Antioxidant Supplements on Metabolic Diseases, A Necessity for Quantification of Oxidative Status

Abstract

Cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as by-products of metabolism, which can give rise to a two-sided effect on the body under balanced and imbalanced oxidant homeostasis conditions. Antioxidant supplements exert their beneficial efficacy in the treatment of metabolic diseases only when the oxidant homeostasis is imbalanced with the over-production of ROS. Over-supplementation of antioxidant(s) can also cause an imbalanced oxidant homeostasis to exert detriments to the induction of metabolic diseases. This commentary raises a concern that prior to precise supplementation of antioxidants, an establishment of oxidant homeostasis status is required in avoiding an imbalanced oxidant homeostasis in vivo. In searching for valid oxidant stress makers, 3-Nitrotyrosine seems to fit in with the selection criteria and its quantification can be correlated with the degree of oxidative stress in vivo.

Detriments of Antioxidant Oversupply and Determination of the Oxidative Status

“…The cellular antioxidant defense mechanism plays an important role in maintaining in vivo metabolism with a U-shaped dose-response relationship to health outcomes, meaning that both excessive and insufficient levels of antioxidants can cause metabolic disorders (details have been reviewed by Zhang). 2 While antioxidants are often viewed as beneficial, it is important to recognize their double-edged nature and not overlook their detrimental effects. The market is saturated with over-the-counter antioxidant products and exaggerated advertising that lacks any proper indication of detrimental effects leading to the unrestrained use, and possible misuse, of these products, resulting in metabolic diseases.…”