Reactive Oxygen Species vs. Antioxidants: The Oxypocalypse or The War That Never Was

Recommended use of antioxidant vitamins to treat varied medical maladies is based on the invalidated free radical theory. The continued non-acceptance of the null findings of over 500 clinical trials on vitamin and antioxidant supplements has no scientific basis or biochemical plausibility. The underlying principles of the free radical theory have been proven to have repeated unreliability. It fails to meet the requirements of the scientific method and lacks reproducibility. Yet, the multi-billion dollar antioxidant supplement industry continues to thrive and trumpet false claims for their potentially harmful products. No doubt, excessive intake of antioxidant vitamins results in increased risk of heart disease, cancer, strokes and overall mortality. A working knowledge of redox chemistry is essential to understanding the hundreds of failed trials testing the efficacy of antioxidant supplements and antioxidant vitamins. Normal redox homeostasis may be pathologically disturbed by overzealous use of antioxidants. My UTOPIA and ROS insufficiency theories present a new perspective more correctly informed by the most contemporaneous experimental findings and by the most reliable clinical trials and studies. In short, electronically modified oxygen derivatives (EMODs) are essential for human existence and protection. An EMOD insufficiency "allows" for the development of a multitude of disease entities, including infections, non-healing wounds, infertility, tumor development, arteriosclerotic blockages, and cancer growth and metastasis. There never has been a "war" between EMODs and antioxidants.