Antioxidant Cancer Research Paper

Antioxidant Cancer Prevention Few Americans are educated on antioxidants, and how antioxidants can help in our daily diet. Antioxidants are micro-nutrients that protect tissues in the body. They do this by blocking harmful chemical reactions caused by oxidation, which is the destructive effect of oxygen on the molecular components of our cells. Just as oxygen can cause metals to rust and corrode, it can pull electrons from organic molecules making them defective and capable of producing cellular damage (Weil). Prevention and possible treatment of cancer with antioxidants is vital to understand. We know of cancer patients, and understand that cancer can be deadly. Because cancer is the second major cause of death, understanding cancer and antioxidants
Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in any part of the body, which can result in a tissue swelling or tumor. Free radicals have been connected to be a cause of cancer. There are two types of free radicals, nitric oxide free radicals and reactive oxygen radicals (Geiger 95). Free radicals are responsible for aging and tissue damage. These free radical molecules are very unbalanced, so they look to bond with other molecules (Panglossi

2). Free radicals are harmful, causing cell damage or apoptosis which is cell death. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, free radicals can multiply through a chain reactions resulting in the release of thousands of these cellular oxidants. When the chain reactions starts it spreads to cells throughout the body. These free radical molecules are very unbalanced, so they look to bond with other molecules (Panglossi 2). When this happens, cells can become so badly damaged that DNA codes can be altered and immunity can be compromised. Contact with a free radical or oxidant on this scale can create cellular deterioration, resulting in diseases like cancer. Free radicals are also responsible for aging and tissue