Age-related diseases: the preventive potential of an adequate antioxidant micronutrient status

摘要

The increase in average life expectancy in developed countries is correlated with an increasing prevalence of illnesses associated with high disability and mortality rates, such as cardiovascular disease and dementia. In addition to the interest in the potential causative role ofoxidative stress in the pathophysiology of several age-related processes and diseases, there is much discussion about the clinical implications ofoxidative stress in terms of diagnostic use of biomarkers and micronutrient levels as well as of therapeutic possibilities. This short review is focused on the results of studies exploring the association between biomarkers ofoxidative stress associated with long-term disease, such as DNMipid/protein damage and antioxidant micronutrient status, and reliable non-invasive indicators of clinical severity. In our experience, a relationship between biological and clinical indicators of disease severity and outcome does exist and might be likely not only to identify populations at risk, but also to further refine levels of micronutrients required for optimum long-term health.