Antioxidants

 

Antioxidants And Vitamins Battle Cancer

Cancer affects people of all ages and races around the globe. As no cure has yet been discovered, it can be a devastating diagnosis. However, science discovers new information every day that may help in the fight against cancer. Scientists have discovered that tiny particles called free radicals may be responsible for the growth and development of cancer in humans.

These particles allow too much oxygen into cells, causing them to break down and stop functioning correctly.

However, there are steps that people can take every day to lower their risk of developing cancer. Fruits and vegetables, for example, that are high in antioxidants and vitamins may help to prevent the growth of cancer in most individuals. For this reason, doctors recommend a diet high in both fruits and vegetables and low in processed sugars. It is important that both elements be present because they work to promote health in different ways. Free radicals are destroyed by antioxidants and vitamins work to promote a healthy immune system. Fruits and vegetables that are dark in color are likely to contain the highest levels of these essential nutrients, so it is important to keep this in mind when shopping for produce.

The Value Of Supplements

Many people today do not have healthy diets, consuming fast food and junk food instead of lean meats, grains and vegetables. For those that have a difficult time working adequate amounts of antioxidants and vitamins from food into their diets, there are many supplements available on the market today without the need for a prescription. Many supplements offer over 100% of the daily value of essential nutrients. However, scientists and doctors are ambivalent about their value, indicating that they are not an easy solution to the problem.

It seems that the important antioxidant and vitamin properties are less readily absorbed by the body when taken in pill form than they are when ingested via fruits and vegetables.

The natural food digestion process more efficiently accesses the nutrients when they are part of the food the person consumes. Therefore, most health professionals recommend getting most of your antioxidants and vitamins directly from food. If there is a deficiency that cannot be remedied this way, then supplements may be worth considering, but they shouldn’t be used as a replacement for proper nutrition. For this very reason, doctors warn against restricting calorie intake too much or, conversely, easting too much fast food because both limit the amount of antioxidants and vitamins that your body is getting.