Review

Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact

Volume: 34 Number: 3 December 30, 2025
EN TR

Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact

Abstract

This study addresses the antioxidant effects of vitamins A, E, and C and their contributions to the maintenance of human health. Excessive production of free radicals can lead to oxidative stress, negatively affecting cellular components such as lipids, proteins, and DNA; this, in turn, contributes to the onset of various chronic diseases, including aging-related conditions, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Antioxidants are vital for counteracting these harmful effects. Both endogenously produced and externally sourced antioxidants neutralize free radicals, reducing cellular damage and strengthening the body’s defense systems. The antioxidant properties of vitamins A, E, and C play a critical role in protecting cellular components from oxidative damage by mitigating the effects of oxidative stress. Adequate intake of these vitamins through a balanced diet enhances the body’s antioxidant capacity, providing protective effects against aging and the development of chronic diseases. This review aims to provide a better understanding of the physiological roles, antioxidant mechanisms, and overall impact of vitamins A, E, and C on human health.

Keywords

References

  1. Sandesc M, Rogobete AF, Bedreag OH, et al. Analysis of oxidative stress-related markers in critically ill polytrauma patients: An observational prospective single-center study. Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2018;18(2):191-197. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2018.2306.
  2. Süt C, Aygül DR, Mercanlıgil SM. Antioksidan vitaminlerin diabetes mellitus'ta gelişen oksidatif stres üzerindeki rolü. Selçuk Sağlık Dergisi. 2023;4(3):503-519.
  3. Lobo V, Patil A, Phatak A, Chandra N. Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health. Pharmacogn Rev. 2010;4(8):118-26. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.70902.
  4. Andres CMC, Perez de la Lastra JM, Juan CA, Plou FJ, Perez-Lebena E. Antioxidant metabolism Pathways in vitamins, polyphenols, and selenium: Parallels and divergences. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(5):2600. doi:10.3390/ijms25052600.
  5. Munteanu IG, Apetrei C. Analytical methods used in determining antioxidant activity: A review. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(7):3380. doi:10.3390/ijms22073380.
  6. Osipova V, Polovinkina M, Gracheva Y, Shpakovsky D, Osipova A, Berberova N. Antioxidant activity of some organosulfur compounds in vitro. Arab J Chem. 2021;14(4):103068. doi:10.1016/j.arabjc.2021.103068.
  7. van der Schaft N, Schoufour JD, Nano J, et al. Dietary antioxidant capacity and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, prediabetes and insulin resistance: the Rotterdam Study. Eur J Epidemiol. 2019;34(9):853-861. doi:10.1007/s10654-019-00548-9.
  8. Moharram HA, Youssef MM. Methods for determining the antioxidant activity: A review. Alex J Fd Sci & Technol. 2014;11(1):31-42.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Metabolic Medicine

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

December 30, 2025

Submission Date

June 25, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 10, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 34 Number: 3

APA
Koca, F., Yılmaz, E., & Çimen, L. (2025). Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact. Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 34(3), 536-545. https://doi.org/10.34108/eujhs.1727061
AMA
1.Koca F, Yılmaz E, Çimen L. Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact. Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025;34(3):536-545. doi:10.34108/eujhs.1727061
Chicago
Koca, Feride, Elif Yılmaz, and Leyla Çimen. 2025. “Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact”. Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 34 (3): 536-45. https://doi.org/10.34108/eujhs.1727061.
EndNote
Koca F, Yılmaz E, Çimen L (December 1, 2025) Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact. Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 34 3 536–545.
IEEE
[1]F. Koca, E. Yılmaz, and L. Çimen, “Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact”, Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 536–545, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.34108/eujhs.1727061.
ISNAD
Koca, Feride - Yılmaz, Elif - Çimen, Leyla. “Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact”. Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 34/3 (December 1, 2025): 536-545. https://doi.org/10.34108/eujhs.1727061.
JAMA
1.Koca F, Yılmaz E, Çimen L. Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact. Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025;34:536–545.
MLA
Koca, Feride, et al. “Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact”. Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 34, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 536-45, doi:10.34108/eujhs.1727061.
Vancouver
1.Feride Koca, Elif Yılmaz, Leyla Çimen. Vitamins A, E, and C: Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action and Physiological Impact. Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025 Dec. 1;34(3):536-45. doi:10.34108/eujhs.1727061