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gdpawel · 12-20-2009, 08:45 AM

Antioxidants are nutrients that prevent some of the damage from unstable molecules known as free radicals, created when the body turns food into energy. Vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene are among well-known antioxidants, although not the only antioxidants on the planet. There are plenty of sources of antioxidants in a good diet and supplementation.

Previous research had suggested that vitamin C may stifle tumor growth by preventing DNA damage from free radicals. Other research found that antioxidants appear to be working in a different way, undermining a tumor's ability to grow under certain conditions.

Recent Johns Hopkins research has found that antioxidants may be interfering with the growth of cancers that are already established, and even reversing them once established, by knocking out communications signals between cancer cells that encourage cells to grow and divide.

These communications signals turn out to be free radicals, which the cancer cells often produce in abundance. Runaway cell division was actually slowed when cancer cells were introduced to the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. This demonstrates the existence of a mechanism that can allow a simple antioxidant to slow down or reverse a cancer that's already in place.

Figuring out how antioxidants impede tumors and help to resolve the insidious side effects of treatment, should be the focus of researchers to help figure out how they might be harnessed to fight cancer. Cancer treatment by radiation and chemotherapy reduces inherent antioxidants and induces oxidative stress, which increases with disease progression.

Accumulation of excess free radicals causing oxidative damage to cells is one of the contributing factors in cancer. The human immune system and antioxidant activity becomes weaker and less efficient with age. This reduced effectiveness helps to explain the rising incidence of cancer.

Antioxidant supplementation has shown a remarkable ability to forestall age related changes to the immune system and even reverse many aspects of immune function in subjects with damaged immune functions caused by radiation and chemotherapy. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water.

12-20-2009, 08:45 AM	#3
gdpawel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,080	Re: Antioxidants and Cancer: Backwards? Antioxidants are nutrients that prevent some of the damage from unstable molecules known as free radicals, created when the body turns food into energy. Vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene are among well-known antioxidants, although not the only antioxidants on the planet. There are plenty of sources of antioxidants in a good diet and supplementation. Previous research had suggested that vitamin C may stifle tumor growth by preventing DNA damage from free radicals. Other research found that antioxidants appear to be working in a different way, undermining a tumor's ability to grow under certain conditions. Recent Johns Hopkins research has found that antioxidants may be interfering with the growth of cancers that are already established, and even reversing them once established, by knocking out communications signals between cancer cells that encourage cells to grow and divide. These communications signals turn out to be free radicals, which the cancer cells often produce in abundance. Runaway cell division was actually slowed when cancer cells were introduced to the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. This demonstrates the existence of a mechanism that can allow a simple antioxidant to slow down or reverse a cancer that's already in place. Figuring out how antioxidants impede tumors and help to resolve the insidious side effects of treatment, should be the focus of researchers to help figure out how they might be harnessed to fight cancer. Cancer treatment by radiation and chemotherapy reduces inherent antioxidants and induces oxidative stress, which increases with disease progression. Accumulation of excess free radicals causing oxidative damage to cells is one of the contributing factors in cancer. The human immune system and antioxidant activity becomes weaker and less efficient with age. This reduced effectiveness helps to explain the rising incidence of cancer. Antioxidant supplementation has shown a remarkable ability to forestall age related changes to the immune system and even reverse many aspects of immune function in subjects with damaged immune functions caused by radiation and chemotherapy. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water.