Does antioxidants prevent cancer

Once an atom gains or loses an electron, a free radical is formed (Myung, 2009, p. At extreme levels, free radicals resulting from exposure to the ionizing radiation damage cell components or completely change the cell DNA. In addition, anti-oxidants are the chemicals that neutralize the free radicals and prevent them from causing cancer. The human body produces anti-oxidants that generally neutralize free radicals from the environment. However many anti-oxidants are sourced externally from diet, such as fruits, grains and vegetables (Bardia, 2008, p. Vitamin D has been used against breast, colorectal, breast and prostate cancers. Anti-oxidants, are important for plant and animal life because they are involved in complex metabolism and signaling mechanic. Anti-oxidants include molecules and other enzymes like glutathione and they contribute a lot to body’s defense mechanism.

Anti-oxidants like the Vitamin C and the Vitamin A detox the Reactive oxygen species (R. O. However in counter argument, it would seem like a theoretical leap in the assumption that diets and supplements rich in vitamin E C and Beta Carotene would fully prevent occurrence of cancer in human bodies. Free radicals lead to chronic diseases but this would not obviously mean that the anti-oxidants susbstances would fix the problem and mostly if not perceived out of the natural context. Research indicates that escalated anti-oxidant use increases the risk of cancer. In the Swedish trial in 1994 (Bardia, 2008, p. 203), smoking males who induced beta-carotene were more susceptible to lung cancer than their counterparts. However, these radicles can be neutralized by anti-oxidants which are sourced from diets rich in grains fruits and vegetables.