Gaging antioxidant in cancer prevention: Who should use antioxidants?
The question that lingers in everybody’s mind is “how effective is gaging antioxidant in cancer prevention?” Considerable laboratory evidence from chemical, cell culture, and animal studies indicates that antioxidants may slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer. However, the findings according to recent clinical trials were non-committal. Which then brings us to the next point of concern and that is “should people already diagnosed with cancer take antioxidant supplements?”
Should people already diagnosed with cancer use antioxidant supplement?
Experts in several randomized controlled trials have investigated whether taking antioxidant supplements during cancer treatment alters the effectiveness or reduces the toxicity of specific therapies. Even though their findings were not consistent, there was evidence that people who took the antioxidant supplements during cancer therapy had worse outcomes. This result was very evident especially with those patients who were smoking. With the inconsistency it leaves room for more studies to be done to get the clear scientific evidence about the potential benefits or harms of taking antioxidant supplements during cancer treatment. In the meantime patients opting for the use of antioxidant supplement needs to consult with their doctors for direction.
Gaging antioxidant in cancer prevention: Foods rich in antioxidants
As a matter of guidance, it is very important that you are aware of some of the food stuff that is rich in antioxidants. Most of such food stuff are in various kinds of fruits and vegetables besides other foods like nuts, grains and some meats, poultry and fish. The following are just but a small collection of such food:
Beta-carotene is found in many foods that are orange in color, including sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, apricots, pumpkin, and mangos. Some green leafy vegetables including collard greens, spinach, and kale are also rich in beta-carotene.
Lutein, best known for its association with healthy eyes, is abundant in green, leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, and kale.
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, blood oranges, and other foods. Estimates suggest 85 percent of American dietary intake of lycopene comes from tomatoes and tomato products.
Selenium is a mineral, not an antioxidant nutrient. However, it is a component of antioxidant enzymes. Plant foods like rice and wheat are the major dietary sources of selenium in most countries. The amount of selenium in soil, which varies by region, determines the amount of selenium in the foods grown in that soil. Animals that eat grains or plants grown in selenium-rich soil have higher levels of selenium in their muscle. In the United States, meats and bread are common sources of dietary selenium. Brazil nuts also contain large quantities of selenium.
Vitamin A is found in three main forms: retinol (Vitamin A1), 3, 4-didehydroretinol (Vitamin A2), and 3-hydroxy-retinol (Vitamin A3). Foods rich in vitamin A include liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, egg yolks and mozzarella cheese.
Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid, and can be found in high abundance in many fruits and vegetables and is also found in cereals, beef, poultry and fish.
Vitamin E, also known as alpha-tocopherol, is found in almonds, in many oils including wheat germ, safflower, corn and soybean oils, and also found in mangos, nuts, broccoli and other foods.
Finally cancer is not a disease you would want anywhere near you by all means. If you have never gone for checkup for cancer it is never too late to do it right now. Your health is worth the effort and for any pending concern you may have, you can call doctor Akoury today for assistance.
Gaging antioxidant in cancer prevention: Who should use antioxidants?
