Thursday, July 30, 2009

The Underlying Truth About Antioxidants and Cancer

By Travis Van Slooten

A lot has been said about the wonders of antioxidants in our bodies. But are you aware that antioxidants and cancer also have a connection? It's true; antioxidants may save your life by preventing the development of serious illnesses in one's body including one of the most deadly - cancer.

They work in your body by protecting the molecular cells from undergoing any damage from free radicals. Different types of cancer are said to be caused by free radical damage. The vitamins found in antioxidants are extensive and include, Vitamins A, C and E as well as beta-carotene and lycopene. These vitamins, minerals and nutrients work to stop these free radicals from doing any more harm to your cells and work to get rid of them.

Research has shown that a high level of antioxidants not only aid in cancer prevention, they also delay the growth of cancer cells already present in the body. Many cancer patients have taken to loading up on antioxidants to somehow slow down the damage cancer brings.

While fruits and vegetables are the best sources of antioxidants, they can also be found in other foods including certain meat products, poultry, fish, and nuts. Common anti-oxidants that are most useful in combating free radicals in the body are beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, selenium, and Vitamins A, C, and E. If you don't act to repair the free radicals already found in your body, they will only grow more in number as by stealing electrons from other atoms, these in turn, will become free radicals too. The more free radicals are presents in one's body, the greater the possibility of cell damage, until eventually you may develop cancer-ridden cells.

Antioxidants work to flush free radicals out of the body and they work on repairing the damage already caused by the free radicals. So you may wonder where free radicals come from and why your body has so many to fight against. The answer is that the free radicals are formed because of numerous causes. The process of breathing in oxygen causes free radicals. You will also get free radical formation from pollution, exposure to sunlight, cigarette smoking and food digestion.

There are also persons who come from a family line who are prone to certain types of cancer, and if you are one those, it is all the more imperative for you to pack on more antioxidants in your body. And even if you just want to lessen the chances of developing cancer, the answer is in eating more fruits and vegetables, which are rich sources of antioxidants.

There's also another way of increasing your supply of antioxidants in the body without having to consume large amounts of fruits and leafy vegetables. This is by regularly taking a supplement that contains a high level of antioxidants, thereby boosting your body's immune system. A high-quality supplement, a diet that incorporates antioxidant-rich foods, and a healthy lifestyle is your perfect defense against cancer.

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