A lot has been said about the wonders of antioxidants in our bodies. But are you aware that antioxidants and cancer also have a connection? It's true; antioxidants may save your life by preventing the development of serious illnesses in one's body including one of the most deadly - cancer.

They work in your body by protecting the molecular cells from undergoing any damage from free radicals. Different types of cancer are said to be caused by free radical damage. The vitamins found in antioxidants are extensive and include, Vitamins A, C and E as well as beta-carotene and lycopene. These vitamins, minerals and nutrients work to stop these free radicals from doing any more harm to your cells and work to get rid of them.

Research has shown that a high level of antioxidants not only aid in cancer prevention, they also delay the growth of cancer cells already present in the body. Many cancer patients have taken to loading up on antioxidants to somehow slow down the damage cancer brings.

Antioxidants are packed in fruits and vegetables, but you can also find them in other foods like fish, poultry, some meats, nuts and grains. Beta-Carotene, lycopene, lutein, selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E all work in your body against the free radicals that are doing the damage to your system. If you are not fighting the free radicals, then they will continue to multiply because as the free radicals work to fix themselves in your body, they are stealing vital nutrients from your other cells. This in turn causes damage to the cells. The process just goes on in a vicious circle and then the free radicals can lead to cancer.

Antioxidants work to flush free radicals out of the body and they work on repairing the damage already caused by the free radicals. So you may wonder where free radicals come from and why your body has so many to fight against. The answer is that the free radicals are formed because of numerous causes. The process of breathing in oxygen causes free radicals. You will also get free radical formation from pollution, exposure to sunlight, cigarette smoking and food digestion.

Regardless of whether you are worried about the free radicals in your system causing cancer or you are genetically disposed to get cancer, you should begin to consume a lot more fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods that are packed with them.

You should also pick out a high quality supplement of antioxidants because most of us just don't get enough of them in our bodies to actually stabilize and rid ourselves of the free radicals in our bodies. Not only will a supplement help you, but it will also give you the fighting power of vital nutrients and their benefits.