is very important.. As of right now surgery and chemotherapy are the only killer of the disease, and there is no limited ability to cure.
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
damage. Free radicals are very harmful, causing cell damage or apoptosis which is cell death. Antioxidants stop the chain reactions by binding and removing the free radicals and inhibiting the possibility of further other oxidation reactions. Antioxidants are chemicals that defuse free radicals and other biologically damaging molecular fragments in the body. Examples of antioxidants are selenium, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C well known for their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are found in a full-range of fruits and vegetables, as well as in some meat, like fish. However, fruits and vegetables are a key dietary source of antioxidants. Although, our body produces its own antioxidants, the level of product declines over time because of environmental factors and through the aging process (Passwater 16) The supplement, selenium is a mineral that is important to healthy living. Selenium is found in protein such as meat, fish and nuts. It’s a type of antioxidant that is strongly argued over. Scientists have debated whether selenium can fight cancer in humans. Selenium has more than one form of the essential micro-nutrient. It turns out that not all selenium's are the same. Researchers have found that one type of selenium supplement may produce a possible cancer preventing substance more efficiently than another form of selenium in human cancer cells
(“Medical News Today” 1). In 2004 a randomized study, Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, designed to determine whether selenium and vitamin E alone and in combination can reduce the risk of prostate cancer among healthy men. The Selenium and SELECT trials took place in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The goal of the SELECT was to measure if taking selenium and vitamin E supplements can prevent prostate cancer in men age 50 or older. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) includes a total of 35 thousand men from 427 different studies in the United States. The analysis included 34 thousand men who were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: 9 thousand to receive selenium and vitamin E, 9 thousand to receive both treatments and 9 thousand to receive placebo alone plus a control group (Natural Medicine Journal). In 2008 the trial period came to a close because the data being charted was resulting negatively. For example the data recorded of men from The National Cancer Institute who took synthetic vitamin E alone had a 17 percent increase in numbers of prostate cancers compared to men on placebo. The difference between the placebo only group and the vitamin E only group is now of more importance (NCI 5). Placebo is a fake medication given to patients to pretend that healing in your body is really taking effect, when in reality it is just your mind creating it or fixing the problem. Recently, in 2011, researchers have found new data stating that there is newer evidence suggesting that both selenium and vitamin E reduce the risk of prostate cancer. In the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial there has been more than three dozen questions answered about the randomized clinical trial. It is not clear why SELECT showed an increased risk for prostate cancer when later studies that led to the randomized trial showed that vitamin E protected against the disease. The study populations were different, however, the original results may have been changed findings (Mydlo).
Another type of antioxidant, beta carotene, is being studied as one of the preventative antioxidants for a variety of cancer. Beta-carotene is found in orange fruits and vegetables and in green leafy vegetables. The body can change vitamin A from beta carotene into a pigment in the eye's retina helping to see light and color. Green tea provides antioxidants called catechins, red wine contains resveratrol which comes from the skin of the grapes (Anderson 105). Believe it or not, chocolate even has similar compounds found in green tea and red wine. Therefore, if we added antioxidants to our diets such as pure chocolate, blueberries, walnuts, spices like oregano and cinnamon, their antioxidants could provide protection against cancer cell formation in our body tissues. Blocking out harmful chemicals from the air we breath and the processed foods we eat, making our bodies stronger and healthier to repel cancer (Geiger 105). In addition, one of the most promising forms of the vitamin E element supplement, is alpha-tocopherol. It has many purposes and advantages. It is the most popular supplement. It helps heal, promotes respiratory, breast and prostate health. The Alpha-Tocopherol and BetaCarotene Cancer Prevention Trial was a cancer prevention trial conducted by the United States National Cancer Institute. The purpose of the study was to determine whether certain vitamin supplements would prevent lung cancer and other cancers in a group of 29 thousand male smokers in other countries. There are over eight different isomers of vitamin E. The differences in the eight types are important. Few of the eight members of the vitamin E family share similar functions and others have functions that are completely different. The 50 to 70 yearold participants took a pill daily for five to eight years. Each pill contained the synthetic and tocopherol versions of the vitamin E supplement. The National Cancer Institute conducted a cancer prevention trial alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene were more then 10 years ago (NCI). Given the unexpected results of vitamin E
and beta-carotene, the finding showed no effect of beta-carotene in the National Cancer Institute, and Physicians' Health Study II followed the people who have taken part in these studies and have examined the long-term health effects of beta-carotene supplements (NIH). Noting a less then twenty percent increased incidence of lung cancers in men, taking both supplements, had outcomes similar to those taking beta-carotene alone. The National Cancer Institute organized a system called an Antioxidant Trialists Collaborative Group and conducted randomized controlled trials that continued to repeat in all completed trials (U.S Department of Health and Human Services). As far as researchers can tell, it is not known if the NCI will continue these types of studies in the future. Additionally, a large-scale clinical trial has been made in earlier years for the investigation of antioxidants. The large-scale clinical trial continues to investigate the effect of antioxidants on cancer are the Physicians' Health Study II. It is vital to look at each study individually before comparing them all together. The Physicians' Health Study II was a follow up to the earlier clinical trial Physicians' Health Study I. The study investigated the effects of vitamin E, C, and multivitamins on prostate cancer and total cancer incidence. In the Physicians' Health Study II of 1987 tested the benefits and risks of three widely used, but unproven supplements: vitamin E, vitamin C, and a multivitamin. Results from the trial were of none effect possibly because of their use of synthetic vitamins. There are over eight different members of vitamin E. The differences in the eight types are important details. The vitamin E family share some similar and completely different nutritional effects and functions. Since they used synthetic vitamin A in the study, it made it an unworthy clinical trial. When Physicians' Health Study came to an end in 2007, it was shown that Vitamin C and E did not conclusively prevent major cardiovascular events or cancer. The reason why the Physicians' Health Study I and II used the synthetic versions of vitamin E is because pharmaceutical companies do not want the natural
products to be discovered. The discovery of natural products and supplements may change the way prescription drugs are used. Many doctors treating cancer patients with chemotherapy do not suggest eating high antioxidant foods because it might prevent the chemotherapy from doing its job ( “Men’s Health Magazine” 88). The effects of using antioxidants concurrent with chemotherapy and radiation and described by various camps as either synergistic or antagonistic to certain cancer therapies. Oncologists are concerned because some cancer chemotherapeutic agents they prescribe make free radicals designed lend in the death cancer cell. Free radicals are inactivated by antioxidants making some forms of chemotherapy less effective (Geiger 61). One factor oncologists consider when determining which chemotherapy medications to use to treat a cancer patient is cancer cell type. Antioxidants are prescribed for some patients during cancer treatment to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Two prescription antioxidants, mesna and amifostine , are prescribed to specifically prevent the side effects of the cancer chemotherapy drugs. The use of these antioxidants does not reduce the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drugs (Geiger 62). Although there is not any direct evidence supporting the notion that antioxidants help to prevent cancer, there have been limited clinical trials. These trials have not been advanced enough to study the definite effects of antioxidants on the disease (“5 Antioxidant Myths” 1). As a result of not having enough advanced antioxidant clinical trials studied more then 200,000 people die from pancreatic cancer each year worldwide. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, approximately 30,000 deaths each year. This cancer is difficult to diagnose in its early stages, there are few symptoms and very few tests and screenings available. Most patients have incurable disease by the time they are diagnosed. Noting that less than five percent of pancreatic cancer patients survive five years beyond diagnosis of the disease. Surgery is one of the only hopes for cure, because of the aggressive
nature of pancreatic tumors, only five to twenty percent of patients are hopeful for surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy produce slim increases in survival. The inability to treat pancreatic cancer effectively is demonstrated by the sad statistic of 90 percent of the cancer victims dying within a year of diagnosis. Not only medical drugs but lifestyle changes and nutritional approaches are needed for the treatment of pancreatic cancer ( McMann). Antioxidants were prescribed to three cases of chronic pancreatitis. From the start to the end patient showed the same liver changes (Sandilands). Meaning, findings were made from the patients with chronic pancreatitis were functional and morphological changes in liver cells. The changes in liver cells showed the drug metabolizing enzymes and free radical mediated damage, Morphological, a branch in bio-science, dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms. The possibility that reflux of abnormal bile into the pancreatic duct may initiate pancreatic damage. Bile reflux is a medical condition in which the abnormal backwards flow of bile from the small intestine into the stomach and esophagus. Cells from the pancreas called acinar cells show extensive formation of tiny vesicles beneath the skin, as did the pancreas cells from each case. These observations suggest that chronic pancreatitis cancer proceed independently but by the same mechanism heightened, but unmitigated, oxidative detoxification of the living organism by natural occurring compounds. Therefore, although bile reflux is not required, it could create injury in the head of the gland. In the United States Interventions study, tests the use of drugs and or dietary supplements containing antioxidants. These drugs and dietary supplements has been found to slow down the growth and possibly stop the progression of prostate cancer. This could show to be potentially very effective in reducing the burden of panaceas cancer. There are naturally occurring compounds derived from such agents, including green tea, milk thistle, and soy. Chemotherapy prevention drug agents interfere antioxidants such as selenium, lycopene, and vitamin E. The
general lack of activity of antioxidants is discussed, followed by considerations about translation of preclinical chemo prevention efficacy data and timing of administration of the agent, as well as discussion of study design of clinical trials and the predictive ability of preclinical models (Kandas 2). Mona Vie and Vemma are physician formulated liquid vitamin supplements designed to support nutrition and health. It promotes a solution to effectively protect your body from free radicals. According to health journals the necessary consumption to fight one days worth of free radicals invasion is 10 pounds of blueberries, which is not realistic. Articles have made it clear that trying to eat large amount of antioxidant is impractical, but the processed pill called SUPER TRIO can fix that, that logic is false. There are ways to get high doses of antioxidants besides consuming massive amount of fresh foods. There are liquid types of antioxidants such as Vemma and Mona Vie. These juices have dozens of antioxidants in their purest and most powerful form. For Example, two ounces of Vemma replaces 55 eggs, 19 bananas, and 61 cups of tomatoes. These juices promote healthily aging, lowering the risk of heart disease and high antioxidant count as weapons to fight free radicals (Geiger 93). Whenever a study is made there are always questions regarding the truth behind it. The question is whether it is a statistically significant study or not fully proven successful. While researching antioxidants it is normal to come across articles, blogs, and books telling about the “myths” of antioxidants. There are some people that assume fruits and vegetable only provide vitamins and minerals. Truth is, antioxidants can be found in foods other than fruits and vegetables, such as black and pinto beans, seeds and nuts. When purchasing foods it is essential to be aware of the refining process, because this eliminates any antioxidants found in the grain. There is a jiggle that is not so funny: "The whiter the bread, the sooner you're dead!" Depending on the type of animal and what foods it consumed, dairy products, meats, and eggs can contain
significant amounts of antioxidants. Working along side the antioxidant supplements, is the citrus fruit it is used as traditional medicine as medicinal plant. CitFlavonoids became known for various properties, such as antioxidants, anticancer, and anti inflammatory. Flavonoids are any large class of plant pigments. Gastric cancer is the fourth commonest cancer and the second commonest cause of cancer death. Chemopreventive strategies to reduce the incidence of gastric cancer are required.The present study of the anti-cancer flavonoids, isolated from citrus in human gastric cancer. Flavonoids isolated from citrus induced cancer cell cycle death. Findings suggest flavonoids isolated from citrus were useful agent for chemoprevention of gastric cancer. Chemoprevention is regarded as one of most promising and realistic approaches in the prevention of cancer. Another antioxidant that has been joined in research is curcumin. Curcumin is a source of the spice Turmeric, and it is used in curries and other spicy dishes from India, Asia, and the Middle East. Curcumin is what gives the Curry its characteristic bright yellow color and strong taste. Curcumin has been a front-line topic of mainstream scientific research for a variety of diseases. Curcumin is a well known antioxidant that exerts anti proliferative effects. The effects of curcumin were evaluated in a breast cancer model to determine the effects on certain cell lines, and tissue cells. Conclusion can be made about curcumin acting upon oxidative stress in breast cells transforming the effect of radiation with estrogen. Another flavonoid, resveratrol, is cytoprotective in human cells exposed Aß- mental complex. Our findings suggest that resveratrol acts not through anti aggressive pathways but mainly by its properties. The idea that diet could be a way to fight cancer has been around for decades. The variety of different antioxidants in the foods we eat are numerous. Experts blame one-third of all cancer on diet and lifestyle. New research is suggesting fruits and vegetables containing antioxidants
and ingredients such as lycopene found in tomatoes may actually help prevent cancer, specifically prostate cancer. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower seem to benefit people with an inherited risk to lung cancer. Onions, calcium and garlic are said to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 56% and breast cancer by 25% (“Eating to beat Cancer” 3). In conclusion, Antioxidants are good at slowing down the oxidation process. When oxidation occurs in food, fatty acids undergo chemical changes. Fatty acids are also found in the blood, which can undergo similar chemical changes, as does food. There are dozens of food that are high in antioxidants. For example: Selenium found in meats, fish, cereal, dairy products, Brazil and some other nuts. Vitamin C found in orange juice, kiwi, grapefruit, strawberries, green peppers, cauliflower and broccoli. Vitamin E can be found mayonnaise, margarine, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, crab, shrimp and fish. It is important to remember that certain types of the food matters. Raw unsalted nuts, organic low fat mayonnaise. Beta-carotene found in dark green, dark yellow and orange vegetables and fruits (Garewal 86). Although several different high end clinical trials have been run, the use of antioxidants as a cancer prevention tool and or possible treatment of cancer has not yet been studied and researched closely enough to determine whether or not the hundreds of antioxidant are capable of such a great task.