Table 1.

Mechanism of action of commonly used antioxidants.

Antioxidant compound	Mechanism of action
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)	Neutralises free radicals
Tocopherol (vitamin E)	Neutralises free radicals
Folate (vitamin B9)	Scavenges free radicals
Selenium	Enhancement of enzymatic antioxidant activity
Zinc	Inhibition of NADPH oxidase
Carnitines	Neutralises free radicals and acts as an energy source
CoQ10	In its reduced form, scavenges free radicals intermediate in mitochondrial electron transport system
NAC	Enhances enzymatic antioxidant activity
Lycopene	Quenches free radicals

NADPH, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate.