Antioxidants

Research Overview

Oxygen and nitrogen free radicals generated during cellular metabolism and by certain environmental factors, including lifestyle, appear to play a critical role in the aging process. High dietary intakes of antioxidant vitamins and phytochemicals are associated with better maintenance of physiologic function and a lower prevalence of many degenerative conditions in older adults. Understanding how antioxidants, especially the carotenoids and polyphenols like the flavonoids, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation to impact the pathogenesis of chronic disease presents opportunities for health promotion and alternative therapeutic modalities for an aging population.

The Antioxidants Research Laboratory conducts studies to understand the multifunctional role of antioxidants, particularly the flavonoids and their synergy with other nutrients, on changes in oxidative stress, inflammation, and glucoregulation during aging. This work is conducted in vitro, in animal models, and in healthy and other human populations to elucidate antioxidant requirements for optimal health. These projects contribute to the description and prediction of the impact of age-related changes in antioxidant nutrient and phytochemical requirements and chronic degenerative conditions.

Capabilities

The ARL employs a variety of methods, particularly HPLC-ECD, UPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS/MS to determine the phytochemical content of whole foods and extracts and to measure these nutrients and their impact on biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and glucoregulation in vitro and in vivo.

Learn More

For?more information about the Antioxidants Research Laboratory, please visit the USDA, Agricultural Research Service.

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