Therapeutic Effect of Antioxidants on Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

Antioxidant is a molecule that has the ability to slow down or prevent oxidation of the other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transmits electrons from a substance to an oxidizing materials. These reactions produce free radicals that initiate a series of damaging reactions to cells. In fact, antioxidants end up this chain of reactions by taking away the intermediate free radicals. On the other hand, they control other oxidative reactions by oxidizing themselves.

Antioxidants include several groups such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, ubiquinone, bio-flavone, lipoic acid, cartonene. Among these groups vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene are known as the main antioxidants. Selenium, the mineral, plays an important role as an antioxidant. Vitamin C reduces nitrosamine which is carcinogen. Studies have shown that taking lycopene through continuous consumption of tomato prevents prostate cancer in men. This combination places in carotenoids group and it is found abundantly in tomato.

Generally, antioxidants eliminate carcinogenic substances which generate in the body and it also reduces the proliferation of cancer cells.