Antioxidants are substances that counteract the damaging effects of oxygen in tissues. Vitamin E, which is among the more commonly known antioxidant agents, is believed to provide protection against certain forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other conditions. Plasma samples from patients who received acetaminophen were then compared with those from patients who received no treatment. Dr. Taylor noted that the results of this study support those reported by other investigators. The next step will be to confirm these findings in larger studies, both in animals and in humans.
Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to coronary heart disease and stroke.
Coronary heart disease is the country's number one killer of both men and women, while stroke claims an estimated 150,000 lives in the U.S. each year.