Changing your diet can protect you from some of the ills of smoking, but it is not a sure way to avoid lung cancer or free radicals. It is true that cigarette smoking causes harmful free radicals and that eating more antioxidants destroys these free radicals. This diet change is negligible in fighting off the toxins and disease that are caused by smoking, however. The best way to prevent free radicals and lung cancer from smoking is to stop smoking. Before adding any supplements to your diet, talk the matter over with your doctor first.
Types of Antioxidants
Thousands of antioxidants exist to fight off toxins in your body. The most common ones are vitamin C, E, beta carotene, selenium and manganese, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Some unfamiliar ones include glutathione, coenzyme Q10 and lipoic acid. All of these substances rove through the body and attract substances that lack paired electrons. These substances, called free radicals, can destroy normal, healthy tissue in their quest to find a pair for their electrons. They will create a domino effect, causing the healthy tissue to lack an electron and creating more free radicals. Antioxidants stop this behavior by binding to the solitary electron.
Free Radicals
Many processes cause free radicals to form. The body produces free radicals on its own as a by-product of breathing, energy production, immune system functioning and from enzymatic activity, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Outside forces can produce free radicals, and overexposure to them can cause the most harm. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of free radicals. X-rays, pesticides and other chemicals, sunlight, air pollution, radiation, medications, physical trauma and infection can also cause free radicals to form.
Antioxidants and Smoking
Antioxidants can protect a person against the harmful free radicals produced from cigarette smoking, but it is not as effective as total smoking cessation. In a study published in the "American Journal of Epidemiology" in 2002, 27,000 male smokers were followed for 14 years, and 1,644 died of lung cancer in that time, according to the Healthful Life Project. Those who consumed higher amounts of fruits and vegetables had 27 percent less risk of dying from lung cancer. Those who consumed the antioxidant lycopene found in tomatoes had 28 percent less risk, and vitamin A offered protection to 27 percent. The researchers do not recommend diet modification as a substitute for smoking cessation, however. In fact, taking beta carotene, an antioxidant, as a supplement has increased the risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
Recommendations
The best course of action when it comes to antioxidants is to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Getting the nutrients from your diet is the best and safest way to incorporate them into your lifestyle. Smoking cessation is the only way to avoid the harmful affects of free radicals. Antioxidants are not miracle nutrients and cannot take away all the harmful effects that smoking causes. Focus on minimizing your exposure to this source of free radicals and increase the amount of antioxidants in your diet by eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
