Antioxidants Cut Free Radical Risk Antioxidants cut free radical risk by Dr. Bhiku Jethalal Despite advice from dietitians, two-thirds of all deaths in the West are due to heart disease and cancer, both linked to our 20th century lifestyles.
Many people ask about vitamins as a defence.
Reports about anti-oxidant vitamins, particularly beta carotene and vitamin E, have been confusing. Before we can understand the role of these vitamins, we need to understand the concept of free radicals - potential factors in many illnesses. Free radicals are unstable molecules, with one of their many pairs of electrons missing an electron. A low-fat, vegetarian diet would cause the least amount of free radical damage. Scientific research now confirms that free radicals play a major role in the development of cancer, heart disease, aging, cataracts and impairment of the immune system.