Antioxidant Agent

Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, thereby potentially preventing cancer development through the neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Found abundantly in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains, antioxidants include carotenoids, selenium, and vitamins A, C, and E. They function at multiple levels in the oxidative process, acting via five key mechanisms: reducing local oxygen concentrations, scavenging initiating radicals, chelating metal ions to inhibit radical formation, decomposing peroxides to prevent re-initiation of oxidation, and breaking radical chain reactions by halting hydrogen abstraction. These actions collectively delay or prevent oxidative damage to cellular components such as DNA and lipids, underscoring their role in cancer prevention.
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