
Foods high in antioxidants are preventive of cancer, as they protect against the free radical mutation of DNA which can lead to cancer.   Because increased fruit and vegetable intake, but not vitamin supplementation exceeding RDA, is associated with reduced cancer risk, physicians may consider recommending at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables as an alternative to vitamin supplementation.  
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Examples of antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and selenium. If you want to take in more antioxidants, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.  <b>Taking large doses of antioxidant supplements is usually not recommended while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Talk with your doctor to determine the best time to take antioxidant supplements.

There is no evidence that high intake of preventive foods will have any effect on a cancer that has already appeared. </b>  

The process of dedifferentiation, during which cancer cells pick up more and more mutations and become more primitive and possibly less controllable, is the normal degenerative course of cancer cells.  Intake of antioxidant foods in the diet MIGHT very well decrease the mutations picked up by the cancer cells by sopping up the free radicals that can cause them.  In this case, antioxidant ingestion might slow the process of dedifferentiation.

Seven and a half percent of people with LMS will have a second primary cancer within 3 years of their diagnosis.  
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Adequate intake of antioxidants might help prevent or slow the presentation or dedifferentiation of these additional primary cancers.  People who are at risk for a second primary cancer might very well consider increasing their dietary [not supplemental] antioxidants.  

There is, however, no evidence to show that antioxidants taken after a cancer has developed will have an effect on that cancer.

Green tea has antioxidants and other bioactive substances.  
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Epidemiological studies have shown that green tea ingestion of 10 cups or more a day decreases the incidence of cancer.

Resveratrol, the red berry and red grape substance present in red wine as well, has several anticancer effects on biochemical pathways.   It is also a weak phytoestrogen.

The Brassica family:  broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts... is a good source of bioactive anticancer substances.  

Tomatoes are a source of lycopene.  

Olive oil is an excellent source of Vitamin E.

Flaxseed, freshly ground [coffee grinders do it well], 2 Tablespoons a day, is also useful for its anti-inflammatory properties.  Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid. which has a marked anti-inflammatory effect.  

As does fish, from fish oils.  The anti-inflammatory effect might prevent some cancers, and might also prevent the cancer cachexia syndrome.

The antimutagenic potential of selected dietary constituents including Diallyl sulfide (DAS), Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), Curcumin (CUR), and Black tea polyphenols (BTP) has been demonstrated in cytogenetic assays. 
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There are other bioactive substances in foods that do have an effect on cancer cells in vitro, and some are being tested in clinical trials.   The human diet contains a variety of compounds that exhibit chemopreventive effects towards an array of mutagenic processes.  Consult reputable sources about the bioactive substances in foods.  Consultation with an oncologically experienced registered dietician might be useful, effective, and efficient.
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For an excellent essay on the use of supplementation with cancer, see &&url  .  The point being made that the evidence for antioxidant benefit is from eating the foods, not eating the pills.  Well researched, and a clear discussion.

doctordee
December 2003 