In last few decades, the incidence of cancers have been increased. The linkage is attributable to the role of oxidants in food or external environment. Oxidants are products generated inside the body as cellular metabolism that have harmful effects. They are the ”ROS” i.e. reactive oxygen species like superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide.
Our body has effective antioxidant mechanism to deal with such oxidants. The primary antioxidants are the free radical scavengers. The secondary antioxidants retard the chain initiation. The tertiary antioxidants repair the damage the biomolecules caused by damage by free radicals.
The oxidative stress generated both internally or externally. Internally they are produced as a result of inflammation due to oxidative stress or externally by chemicals, UV radiation, coloring agents, solvents, pesticides, trans fatty acids in packaged foods.
The examples of antioxidants are—
– vitamin A, C ,E
– SELENIUM, ZINC
– Glutathione
– Natural antioxidants like beta-carotene ,lycopene, luteins
They are present in sufficient amounts in green vegetables like spinach, raddish, carrots.
All types of fruits like orange, Guava, Apple, Mango ,Apricot.
Nuts like almond, casewnut, Walnut ,Dates .
Our daily diet should contain adequate amount of antioxidants. About 400 grams of leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts are adequate to fight the body with free radicals.
Not only in Cancers, but also in Diabetes, Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular diseases, the role of
antioxidants is well studied. Now in this materialistic world, if we do not give proper importance to our
daily diet, we may succumb to these chronic morbid diseases.
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