Antioxidant supplementation and cancer

Every organism is continually exposed to oxidant agents originating from both internal and external sources. High reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by cell metabolism at high concentrations can cause oxidative stress linked to increased deoxyribonucleic acid mutations, resulting in genetic instability and cancer development. In addition to reactive species, chemical, physical, and biological stressors can cause cell mutations, hastening cancer growth, and progression. Endogenous antioxidant defense system components are required to maintain cellular redox equilibrium and defend against oxidative damage. Both enzymatic and non-enzymatic endogenous antioxidants are critical in supporting and sustaining human health. Antioxidant enzymes prevent cancer growth and progression by eliminating free radicals and degrading hazardous oxidative intermediates. Non-enzymatic antioxidants reduce ROS and protect cells from oxidative damage. This chapter will discuss the impact of endogenous and dietary antioxidants on cancer. Yet their exact roles in cancer prevention and biology remain poorly understood, and additional research will be required to determine their role and mechanisms in cancer biology.