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New Opportunities to Mitigate the Burden of Disease Caused by Traffic Related Air Pollution: Antioxidant-Rich Diets and Supplements.

International journal of environmental research and public health
January 1, 1970
Jillian Barthelemy et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess whether fish oil, as an antioxidant supplement, could mitigate adverse health effects of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP).

Results Summary

The study found conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of fish oil supplements in mitigating TRAP-related health effects, with no clear consensus on its effectiveness.

Population

Human subjects, including potentially susceptible populations like children, the elderly, asthmatics, and occupational workers exposed to TRAP.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
antioxidant-rich diets
decrease
adverse health effects associated with TRAP
human subjects
-
is effective in mitigating
#1
adherence to the Mediterranean diet
decrease
adverse health effects associated with TRAP
human subjects
-
is effective in mitigating
#2
increased fruit and vegetable consumption
decrease
adverse health effects associated with TRAP
human subjects
-
is effective in mitigating
#3
antioxidant supplements
no change
adverse health effects associated with TRAP
human subjects
-
presented conflicting evidence
#4
fish oil
no change
adverse health effects associated with TRAP
human subjects
-
presented conflicting evidence
#5
olive oil
no change
adverse health effects associated with TRAP
human subjects
-
presented conflicting evidence
#6
vitamin C and E supplements
no change
adverse health effects associated with TRAP
human subjects
-
presented conflicting evidence
#7
Abstract

Air pollution is associated with premature mortality and a wide spectrum of diseases. Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is one of the most concerning sources of air pollution for human exposure and health. Until TRAP levels can be significantly reduced on a global scale, there is a need for effective shorter-term strategies to prevent the adverse health effects of TRAP. A growing number of studies suggest that increasing antioxidant intake, through diet or supplementation, may reduce this burden of disease. In this paper, we conducted a non-systematic literature review to assess the available evidence on antioxidant-rich diets and antioxidant supplements as a strategy to mitigate adverse health effects of TRAP in human subjects. We identified 11 studies that fit our inclusion criteria; 3 of which investigated antioxidant-rich diets and 8 of which investigated antioxidant supplements. Overall, we found consistent evidence that dietary intake of antioxidants from adherence to the Mediterranean diet and increased fruit and vegetable consumption is effective in mitigating adverse health effects associated with TRAP. In contrast, antioxidant supplements, including fish oil, olive oil, and vitamin C and E supplements, presented conflicting evidence. Further research is needed to determine why antioxidant supplementation has limited efficacy and whether this relates to effective dose, supplement formulation, timing of administration, or population being studied. There is also a need to better ascertain if susceptible populations, such as children, the elderly, asthmatics and occupational workers consistently exposed to TRAP, should be recommended to increase their antioxidant intake to reduce their burden of disease. Policymakers should consider increasing populations' antioxidant intake, through antioxidant-rich diets, as a relatively cheap and easy preventive measure to lower the burden of disease associated with TRAP.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Air PollutionAntioxidantsDietDietary SupplementsFood AnalysisHumans
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy50/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations29
Citations/Year5.8
Relative Citation Ratio2.25
NIH Percentile78%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.72
Normalized Score0.55
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