EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF DIETARY ANTIOXIDANTS ON BLOOD MARKERS OF PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation are recognized as primary contributors to metabolic, cardiovascular, and hepatic disorders, and dietary antioxidants have been suggested as practical strategies to mitigate these effects. This randomized controlled trial conducted at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, assessed the impact of vitamin C, vitamin E, and a polyphenol blend on blood biomarkers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, hepatic function, and cardiometabolic health during an eight-week intervention. One hundred patients with increased baseline CRP were randomly allocated to control, vitamin C (500 mg/day), vitamin E (400 IU/day), or polyphenol supplementation groups, and alterations from baseline to week eight were evaluated. Compared to the control group, all antioxidant groups exhibited significant reductions in CRP, IL-6, and malondialdehyde (p < 0.001), along with increases in antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and GPx), with the polyphenol group displaying the most marked benefits. Additional findings indicated enhancements in liver enzyme (ALT) levels, fasting glucose, and LDL-cholesterol, especially in the polyphenol group. The effect sizes were predominantly moderate to large, indicating substantial intervention effects across the outcomes. These findings correspond with recent literature, indicating that antioxidant supplementation can reduce systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, while enhancing existing information through direct comparisons of different classes of antioxidants. Polyphenol supplementation demonstrated greater advantages than vitamins C and E, underscoring the therapeutic potential of polyphenol-rich dietary treatments influencing the biomarkers of pathological diseases.