| Just what are antioxidants and can they do anything | | | | by-product of normal cell processes. Free radicals are |
| to help prevent or fight cancer? | | | | molecules with incomplete electron shells which make |
| Information from the National Cancer Institute | | | | then more chemically reactive than those with |
| describe antioxidants as substances that may protect | | | | complete electron shells. Exposure to various |
| cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules | | | | environmental factors, including tobacco smoke and |
| known as free radicals. Free radicals may lead to | | | | radiation, can also lead to free radical formation. (We |
| cancer. Antioxidants interact with and stabilize free | | | | pick up a lot of radiation from the sun, enough to |
| radicals and may prevent some of the damage free | | | | burn our skin). In humans the most frequent form of |
| radicals otherwise might cause. Examples of | | | | free radicals is oxygen. |
| antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins | | | | When an oxygen molecule becomes electrically |
| C, E, and A, and other substances. | | | | charged of "radicalized" it tries to steal electrons from |
| Can antioxidants prevent cancer? | | | | other molecules, causing damage to the DNA and |
| Considerable laboratory evidence indicates that | | | | other molecules. Over time, such damage may |
| antioxidants may slow or even prevent the | | | | become irreversible and lead to disease including |
| development of cancer. However, information from | | | | cancer. Antioxidanats are often described as |
| recent clinical trials is less that clear. | | | | "mopping up" free radicals, meaning they neutralize |
| Five large-scale clinical trials published in the 1990s | | | | the electrical charge and prevent the free radicals |
| reached differing conclusions about the effect of | | | | from taking electrons from other molecules. |
| antioxidants on cancer. The studies examined the | | | | Antioxidants used to be abundant in fruits and |
| effect of antioxidants on cancer in different groups. | | | | vegetables and nuts and grains. Due to our soils being |
| A study published in 1993 showed a combination of | | | | nutritionally depleted the amount of antioxidants |
| beta-carotene, vitamin E, and selenium significantly | | | | available in our food is now less that previously. It is |
| reduced incidence of both gastric cancer and cancer | | | | recommended that we supplement our diet with |
| overall. | | | | good nutritional products. |
| Antioxidants neutralize free radicals as the natural | | | | |