Antioxidant Vitamins and Cancer :: Medicine Medical Essays Health

Antioxidant Vitamins and Cancer Cancer is one of the world's number one killers; nearly 75% of all Americans are affected by this disease. Thus, much time and research has been put into finding a preventative means of slowing the deaths attributed to this disease. Research by the scientific community coupled with propaganda from the media has brought antioxidants to the forefront in preventative medicine against cancer. This site will discuss what the claims are about antioxidant vitamins and what science has shown to in fact be true. This site is simply a summary; a beginner's guide to an ever-changing world of antioxidant research. Antioxidants and the role of oxygen free radicals Antioxidants work in protecting your body from cancer by reducing the effects that oxygen free radicals have on cell damage. This oxidative stress has both internal (digestion of certain nutrients, fighting off bacteria, etc.) and external or environmental causes. The oxygen free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with unpaired electrons formed between the interaction of oxygen and certain molecules. These radicals immediately attach themselves to other cells in order to balance out the number of electrons and become stable. Once formed, these free radicals can have a very destructive impact on a cell. Those radicals which do not cause death to the cell can stimulate the growth of cancer when they interact with and cause damage to the DNA within the cell. Scientific evidence suggests that these oxygen free radicals play important roles in the expansion of tumors and the acquisition of malignant properties. (Role of Oxygen Free Radicals European Journal of Cancer. 32A(1):30-8, 1996 Jan.) To prevent this free radical damage, the body utilizes a defense system made up of antioxidants. The antioxidant molecules interact with the oxygen free radicals and halt the spread of cancer causing cells with damaged DNA before other vital molecules are damaged. The main micronutrient antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Additionally, a trace metal known as selenium is required for the proper functioning of one of the body's antioxidant enzyme systems. Since the body cannot produce these micronutrients itself, they must be ingested through the diet. (http://www.liberty.com/home/appaloosa/protx.html) Vitamin E: Vitamin which helps protect our bodies when they are exposed to environmental pollutants that interfere with healthy oxygen metabolism. It is a fat soluble vitamin found in nuts, seeds, vegetable and fish oils, whole grains, fortified cereals, and apricots. Antioxidant Vitamins and Cancer :: Medicine Medical Essays Health Antioxidant Vitamins and Cancer Cancer is one of the world's number one killers; nearly 75% of all Americans are affected by this disease. Thus, much time and research has been put into finding a preventative means of slowing the deaths attributed to this disease. Research by the scientific community coupled with propaganda from the media has brought antioxidants to the forefront in preventative medicine against cancer. This site will discuss what the claims are about antioxidant vitamins and what science has shown to in fact be true. This site is simply a summary; a beginner's guide to an ever-changing world of antioxidant research. Antioxidants and the role of oxygen free radicals Antioxidants work in protecting your body from cancer by reducing the effects that oxygen free radicals have on cell damage. This oxidative stress has both internal (digestion of certain nutrients, fighting off bacteria, etc.) and external or environmental causes. The oxygen free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with unpaired electrons formed between the interaction of oxygen and certain molecules. These radicals immediately attach themselves to other cells in order to balance out the number of electrons and become stable. Once formed, these free radicals can have a very destructive impact on a cell. Those radicals which do not cause death to the cell can stimulate the growth of cancer when they interact with and cause damage to the DNA within the cell. Scientific evidence suggests that these oxygen free radicals play important roles in the expansion of tumors and the acquisition of malignant properties. (Role of Oxygen Free Radicals European Journal of Cancer. 32A(1):30-8, 1996 Jan.) To prevent this free radical damage, the body utilizes a defense system made up of antioxidants. The antioxidant molecules interact with the oxygen free radicals and halt the spread of cancer causing cells with damaged DNA before other vital molecules are damaged. The main micronutrient antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Additionally, a trace metal known as selenium is required for the proper functioning of one of the body's antioxidant enzyme systems. Since the body cannot produce these micronutrients itself, they must be ingested through the diet. (http://www.liberty.com/home/appaloosa/protx.html) Vitamin E: Vitamin which helps protect our bodies when they are exposed to environmental pollutants that interfere with healthy oxygen metabolism. It is a fat soluble vitamin found in nuts, seeds, vegetable and fish oils, whole grains, fortified cereals, and apricots.