Oxidative Stress: The Role of Antioxidant Phytochemicals in the Prevention and Treatment of Diseases

Abstract

Oxidative stress, characterized by an imbalance favouring oxidants over antioxidants, is a key contributor to the development of various common diseases. Counteracting these oxidants is considered an effective strategy to mitigate the levels of oxidative stress in organisms. Numerous studies have indicated an inverse correlation between the consumption of vegetables and fruits and the risk of chronic diseases, attributing these health benefits to the presence of antioxidant phytochemicals in these foods. Phytochemicals, present in a wide range of foods and medicinal plants, play a pivotal role in preventing and treating chronic diseases induced by oxidative stress by working as antioxidants. These compounds exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anticancer, and protective properties against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and neurodegenerative conditions. This comprehensive review delves into the significance of these compounds in averting and managing chronic diseases, elucidating the key sources of these invaluable elements. Additionally, it provides a summary of recent advancements in understanding the health benefits associated with antioxidant phytochemicals.

Recommendations for nutritional supplements for dry eye disease: current advances

“…Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in plants that enhance plant defenses against pathogens ( Zaynab et al, 2018 ) and have various beneficial effects on human health. These include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, boosting the immune system, and promoting cardiovascular health ( Choudhary et al, 2024 ; Muscolo et al, 2024 ; Weerawatanakorn et al, 2024 ). A diet rich in phytochemicals is crucial for deriving these health benefits, as exemplified in Table 1 .…”

Editorial: “Carotenoids, polyphenols and phytocannabinoids: new perspectives in the prevention of chronic diseases”

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Editorial on the Research Topic "Carotenoids, polyphenols and phytocannabinoids: new perspectives in the prevention of chronic diseases" Plant-based food matrices are rich in phytochemicals, which are bioactive compounds that can enhance human health and wellbeing when combined with other lifestyle changes. The term "phytochemicals" refers to several classes of compounds including phenolic compounds, alkaloids, carotenoids, and organosulfur compounds (Muscolo et al, 2024). In this regard, polyphenols have been extensively investigated for their ability to protect human health against oxidative damage, which is involved in the development of chronic degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases, as well as cancer (Russo et al, 2021).

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