AN OVERVIEW OF ANTI-CANCEROUS BEHAVIOR OF VITAMIN E
Imbalance of reactive oxygen species and their body neutralizing mechanisms defines oxidative stress. ROS play a vital role in cancer progression by taking part in DNA damage and induction of inflammatory processes. Studies reveal that natural anti-oxidant levels are reduced to a much lower extent in the serum of cancer patients in contrast to the healthy ones. Vitamin E subgroups like tocopherols and tocotrienols, being anti-oxidants, show anti-cancer abilities in human and animal cancer models. Cancer patients taking vitamin E diet are observed to have lowered reactive species; however, specific tocopherols in exception act as antagonists against chemotherapeutic drugs. This article reviews the role of pro-oxidants and anti-oxidants in cancer therapy, either alone or in combination with medications. It also highlights the drawbacks of taking vitamin supplements on cancer risks, incidences, and mortality...
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