Abstract: Nutriceutical compositions useful as a dietary supplement which have antioxidant/free radical scavengers and also having a cytoprotective effect are disclosed. The compositions contain a cytoprotective and antioxidant/free radical scavenging amount of at least one of D-histidine, L-histidine, a racemic mixture thereof, a non-racemic mixture thereof, and nutriceutically acceptable salts thereof in combination with phytonutrients having antioxidant properties such as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A and .beta.-carotene. The compositions can be prepared in capsule form, tablets, sustained release tablets, suspensions and oral rehydration solutions.