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There is growing evidence that antioxidants may
有越来越多的证据表明，抗氧化剂能够
protect the body's cells from cell damage that can
保护身体细胞不被损害，身体细胞的损伤
lead to cancer. An antioxidant can be a vitamin,
会导致癌症，抗氧化剂可以是维生素
mineral, or phytochemical. Antioxidants neutralize
矿物质和植物化学物质，抗氧化剂可以
damage to the body's cells and are naturally found
中和身体细胞损伤，它们存在于蔬菜
in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and nuts.
水果，天然谷物，豆类和坚果中
Over the past two decades, scientists have studied
在过去的二十年间，科学家研究了
antioxidants like Vitamins C and E. Beta carotene,
维生素C和E，同时对胡萝卜素
lycopene, lutein, resveratrol, and selenium are other
番茄红素，叶黄素，白藜芦醇
antioxidants that are also being investigated.
和硒等抗氧化剂也进行了研究
Antioxidants defend the body's cells against
抗氧化剂保护身体细胞不受
molecules called "free radicals". Cellular activities
自由基的侵蚀，细胞运动一方面保证机体的
that keep us alive also produce destructive oxygen
正常运转，另一方面却也产生具有破坏性的
molecules in the highly reactive, unstable form of
氧分子，这种分子以自由基的形式存在
free radicals. Free radicals posses an unpaired or
并且极其不稳定，自由基拥有自由电子
"free" electron. Pairing this lone electron with
将一个电子与另一个电子组合起来
another gives the molecule stability. To achieve
就能够使分子保持稳定，为了达到稳定
stability, a free radical scavenges electrons from
自由基会从其他分子那里抢夺电子
other molecules which disrupts their stability
从而使其他分子的稳定性遭到破坏
in turn. Too many free radicals can inflict damage
过多的自由基会对健康细胞造成损伤
on healthy cells and research now implicates excess
有研究表明，自由基数量过多
free radicals in a number of diseases including cancer
会导致很多疾病，比如癌症
Antioxidants can help offset damage caused by free
抗氧化剂能够减缓自由基带来的损伤
radicals and function in a variety of ways. They can
并且在众多方面对身体有益
limit free radical formation, destroy free radicals,
它们能够限制自由基的形成，将它们摧毁
and stimulate antioxidant enzyme activity.
并且刺激自由基酶活动
Many scientists believe that a plentiful supply of
很多科学家相信，足量的抗氧化剂摄入
antioxidants carrying out different protective roles
能够在众多方面保护人体
may help defend against a cell's
能够阻止人体细胞的变化
changes and can lead to cancer.
从而有效预防癌症
There is currently much controversy surrounding the
目前关于服用抗氧化剂
pros and cons of taking antioxidants. It is not fully
各方观点不一，目前我们还不能完全肯定
understood at this time if large doses of antioxidants
大量摄入抗氧化剂是否会
may protect cancer cells from the intended effects
反过来保护癌细胞不受化疗
of chemo or radiation therapy, act to enhance the
和放疗的影响，也就是说起到
effects, or act as pro-oxidants causing more damage
氧化剂的作用，反过来增强对身体的损伤
than protection of our healthy cells.
而不是保护健康的细胞
It is highly likely to be very individualistic.
这是因人而异的
A number of studies point to an association between
一些研究表明，抗氧化剂能够
antioxidants and reduced cancer risk. However,
降低罹患癌症的风险，但是
researchers are becoming more convinced that
相关研究人员越来越相信
cancer protection does not come from any single
预防癌症不是由某种单一的氧化剂能够
antioxidant. It will take more studies to draw
做到的，还需要更多的研究，才能确定
firm conclusions about specific antioxidants.
每种氧化剂的特殊作用
