Oxidative stress may be involved in over a hundred diseases resulting from situations such as intoxication by chemicals or medication, exposure to radiation, hyperoxygenation syndrome, inflammation, ischaemia-reperfusion, or degenerative disorders. Any organ or tissue can become the target of oxidative stress and become diseased : the skin (dermatosis, psoriasis), the brain (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's), the liver (hepatitis C, haemochromatosis, pancreatitis), the kidneys (glomerulonephritis), the joints (rheumatoid arthritis), the digestive system (diabetes), the lungs (asthma), the blood vessels (atherosclerosis), the eyes (cataract). If oxidative stress is truly the trigger of or a contributing factor to these diseases, then it is logical to suppose that by taking antioxidants we can delay or even prevent their appearance. In recent years, cancer and cardiovascular disease have been without contest the prime focus of studies aiming to explore the preventive role of antioxidants. Numerous epidemiological studies clearly show that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants reduces the incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Other studies have focused on the efficacy of antioxidant supplementation. To date, there is still no formal proof of this efficacy, because the design of these studies often appears faulty (e.g. the intake of an antioxidant at too-high dosage can have the opposite effect to the desired one). Nevertheless, very interesting results have shown that vitamin E can prevent atherosclerosis of the carotid and that selenium can reduce the incidence of prostate cancer. Studies aiming to confirm these results are in progress. In addition, scientists are awaiting with impatience the results of the French study SU.VI.MAX ('Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux AntioXydants' - Supplementation with Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals), to be published in 2003. This study aims to show that the daily intake of an antioxidant complex (containing beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc at physiological dosages) reduces the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
In terms of prevention, it is thus important to know one's antioxidant defence and oxidative stress status on the basis of a blood test. PROBIOX proposes analyses that are adaptable to diverse situations (atherosclerosis, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes...) involving oxidative stress. The resulting profiles will make it possible to detect potential anomalies and, if recommended by your doctor, to correct them by changing your dietary habits or by taking an antioxidant supplement.