Volume 30, Issue 171, May 2026

The Role of Endogenous and Exogenous Antioxidants in the Prevention and Supportive Treatment of Chronic Diseases – A Literature Review

Mateusz Łyko^1♦, Karolina Mularczyk², Jakub Kurasz¹, Paweł Siudziński¹, Wojciech Maj¹, Alicja Skoczylas¹, Wiktoria Tomaszewska¹, Wiktoria Podlasiewicz2, Katarzyna Chrobok¹, Piotr Dudziak¹, Anna Nowak¹, Maria Goliańska¹, Filip Kasperczak¹

¹University of Opole Collegium Medicum, Oleska 48 street, 45-052 Opole, Poland
²Wroclaw Medical University, wybrzeże Ludwika Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Mateusz Łyko, University of Opole Collegium Medicum, Oleska 48 street, 45-052 Opole, Poland

ABSTRACT

Background: Chronic diseases, which are long-lasting and slow to develop, pose a significant challenge to health systems worldwide. Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and the antioxidant defense system, plays a key role in the pathophysiology of diverse metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Objective: This review highlights the systemic relevance of internal and external antioxidant mechanisms and their potential for enabling the management of chronic health conditions while optimizing sports performance. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed and MDPI databases. Thirty-two reviews and original research articles were selected for inclusion in this review on antioxidants related to chronic disease prevention, treatment support, and sports use. Results: Several studies have demonstrated that antioxidants can reduce cellular damage by scavenging free radicals and modulating inflammatory pathways, including the NF-κβ pathway. Notable discoveries are related to their advantage over diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, or psoriasis. In good shape to lead muscles, antioxidants facilitate recovery by attenuating exercise-induced oxidative stress. However, acute high-dose supplementation can be detrimental by blunting some of the mitochondrial biogenesis and training adaptations. Conclusion: Thus, antioxidants are crucial in the multifaceted approach to treating chronic disease. Yet, clinical efficacy is highly individual and depends on the stage of the disease. A multiple hits strategy (antioxidant supplementation tailored to the individual, combined with dietary interventions, e.g., the Mediterranean diet, and lifestyle modifications) is advisable to enhance the quality of life as well as the therapeutic response of the patients.

Keywords: antioxidants, chronic disease, sport, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, psoriasis, COPD, atopic dermatitis, oxidative stress, ROS, RNS, free radicals, vitamins

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e90ms3854

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Published: 27 May 2026