Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on Total Antioxidant Status in Indian Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Hyperglycemia results in the overproduction of free oxygen radicals that impair the endogenous antioxidant defenses. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effect of 3 months of antioxidant supplementation in the form of foods rich in micronutrients with pharmacological supplement on total antioxidant status of Indian children with type 1 diabetes. Ninety children with diabetes (mean age 11.5 ± 3.6 yrs, 37 boys) were randomly allocated to three groups: Group 1 (n = 31) = DM controls; Group 2 (n = 30) = multimicronutrient syrup; and Group 3 (n = 29) = dietary supplements (nine snack recipes rich in micronutrients). They received intervention for 3 months. Healthy controls were enrolled from local schools. Fasting blood was tested for total antioxidant status (TAS) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C). Children with diabetes had lower TAS (0.70 ± 0.2 vs. 1 ± 0.24 mmol/l, p = .0001) compared to healthy controls. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were similar at baseline for...