Antioxidants May Help Patients After Surgery
 (NY, Reuters Health, 1/13/03)

Dr. Avery B. Nathens of Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Washington, and team, treated 300 post-surgery patients with Vitamin C through intravenous line and Vitamin E via a feeding tube. The researchers found that, when compared with those who did not receive these supplements, the critically ill patients on this protocol tended to have shorter stays in the intensive care unit, half the risk of multiple organ failure and decreased time on a ventilator. The scientists speculate that these antioxidants may reduce post-surgery complications by neutralizing free radicals.