The interaction of cigarette smoking and antioxidants. Part 2: alpha-tocopherol.

It is logical that the requirement for antioxidant nutrients depends on a person's exposure to endogenous and exogenous reactive oxygen species. Since cigarette smoking results in an increased cumulative exposure to reactive oxygen species, it would seem cigarette smokers would have an increased requirement for antioxidant nutrients. This review examines available evidence of alpha-tocopherol supplementation by smokers and its effect clinically and on in vitro biomarkers of oxidative stress.