Antioxidants may prevent damage to your body caused by exposure to the free radicals produced by cigarette smoke, environmental radiation and the breakdown of food in your body, according to Medline Plus. Damage to your body from free radicals may cause cancer. Evidence shows that aging increases your body's need for antioxidants, according to a 2004 report in "The Journal Of Nutrition."
Significance
The effectiveness of radiation treatment for cancer depends upon killing the free radicals that are present inside your cancer cells. Because of this, some oncologists question whether taking antioxidant supplements helps or hurts cancer treatment, since antioxidants bind to free radicals.
Sources of Antioxidants
Antioxidants include beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, selenium, co-enzyme Q 10, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. Foods rich in antioxidants include fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, green tea and dark chocolate. You should consume three to five servings of fruit and two to four servings of vegetables daily as part of a healthy diet.
Benefits
Radiation therapy damages your healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Injury to healthy cells may be prevented by the use of antioxidants during radiation therapy. Antioxidants may reduce painful side-effects of radiation therapy. Supplementing with 400 IU Vitamin E and 500 mg vitamin C 500 has been shown to protect against proctitis, a chronic and painful injury that occurs in 5 percent to 20 percent of patients receiving radiation therapy for cervical or prostate cancers.
Considerations
The risk versus benefit relationship of taking antioxidants during radiation therapy is still undetermined. More research is needed to determine whether high doses of radiation given during radiation therapy would prove less effective if you take a daily antioxidant supplement at RDA levels. You should consult with your radiation oncologist before taking any supplements.
