Overproduction of reactive oxygen a

Overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can result from exposure to environmental pollutants, such as ionising and
nonionising radiation, ultraviolet radiation, elevated concentrations of ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, cigarette smoke,
asbestos, particulate matter, pesticides, dioxins and furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and many other compounds present
in the environment. It appears that increased oxidative/nitrosative stress is often neglected mechanism by which environmental
pollutants affect human health. Oxidation of and oxidative damage to cellular components and biomolecules have been suggested
to be involved in the aetiology of several chronic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, age-related macular
degeneration, and aging. Several studies have demonstrated that the human body can alleviate oxidative stress using exogenous
antioxidants. However, not all dietary antioxidant supplements display protective effects, for example,