Last week we talked about fighting free radicals with antioxidants. Now let’s look at how the formation of free radicals in the first place can increase your risk
of cancer!

While there is no single cause of cancer, several factors—including smoking, exposure to radiation, certain viruses, genetics, etc.—influence the growth and spread of this menacing illness. But in this issue, I’d like to examine one of the hidden causes of cancer: free radicals.

By giving attention to these underlying mechanisms that promote the growth of cancer, you’ll be in the best position to prevent it. And even if you already have cancer, examining these causes will give you a better understanding of how to treat your disease without dangerous chemotherapeutic agents, toxic radiation, or invasive surgery alone.

The Fight Against Free Radicals
Simply put, free radicals are atoms or molecules with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons. Let’s take the helium atom for example. The helium atom has two electrons circling around the center, and its center is made up of two protons and two neutrons. If one of those electrons “goes away,” the remaining electron no longer has a mate!

What we now have is an electrically charged free radical. Once formed, these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction, similar to that in the game of dominos.

If free radicals do indeed react with DNA and the cell can’t repair its DNA fast enough, then it becomes programmed to function poorly, die, or start a new cell line we call cancer!

But where exactly do free radicals come from? Your body constantly generates them during cellular respiration (where oxidative energy is generated), and by immune system cell activity. Free radical molecules are also produced from ultraviolet radiation, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, heavy metals, trans-fatty acids, chemicals used to process foods (nitrosamines), preservatives and dyes—even charcoal from barbecued foods!

As mentioned, free radicals eat away at healthy cells and turn them defective. As a result, over a period of time, these “silent killers” can:

• Destroy cell membranes
• Cause DNA mutation and genetic damage
• Weaken the immune system
• Accelerate the natural aging process
• Turn cholesterol into sticky plaque that clogs arteries
• Oxidize LDL cholesterol—which can lead to atherosclerosis, hormone dysfunction—and even diabetes!

And as you already know, smoking is especially dangerous to your health. Recent studies show 90 percent of lung cancers occur in smokers and 90 percent of mouth, larynx, esophagus and liver cancers occur in smokers who consume alcoholic beverages.