A method for inhibiting and/or ameliorating the occurrence of diseases associated with reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals in a subject whereby a subject is administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or co-antioxidant formulation. The analog or derivative is administered such that the subject's risk of experiencing diseases associated with reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals may be thereby reduced. In some embodiments, the invention may include a pharmaceutical composition including a carotenoid analog or derivative. The carotenoid analog may include a conjugated polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The conjugated polyene may include a cyclic ring including at least one substituent. The substituent may be coupled to the cyclic ring with an ester functionality. The pharmaceutical composition may be adapted to be administered to a human subject.