Free radicals are entirely inducers produced in the organism as a by-product of normal metabolic action. Free radicals have a surplus of misaligned electrons, and this activated electron is very active and may damage the relevant tissues, leading to initial cellular carcinogenesis. Free radicals are produced in a variety of forms, the primary form being the “oxidation” of oxygen atoms with other chemicals in the body, including fats, a process that generally occurs when minerals rust or fats dissolve. Oxygen is essential for life, and when oxidizing unsaturated fats, it releases the energy of the fat, resulting in the production of free radicals called “oxidation radicals”. Oxidation radicals are very unstable and dangerous molecules that run around, releasing excess energy and harming proteins, fats, nucleic acids, and the deoxyribonucleic acid of cells (the main substance of the nucleus, hereafter referred to as DNA). High-energy rays (e.g., ultraviolet light, ionizing rays) can expel an electron from an atom out of its orbit, thus creating a free radical. The expelled electron hits another atom with its excess energy, causing the new owner to talk into a highly unstable atom. To achieve stability, these free radicals need to transfer excess energy to nearby cells, thus damaging cell membranes and disrupting the arrangement of DNA. Free radicals are produced by a variety of oxidative interactions, including those of chemicals, minerals, and high-energy rays. Under normally controllable conditions, free radicals do not cause disease, and the body’s immune and other defense systems, including enzymes and the cell membrane itself, can block its damage. However, uncontrolled free radicals can still cause brain disease, arthritis and premature aging, as well as cancer. Recent studies have linked free radicals to more than 60 diseases. Dietary factors are extremely rooted in controlling free radical damage, and certain specific nutritional foods such as vitamins and minerals are antioxidants that block oxidation and eliminate the production of free radicals. Some nutritional foods can enhance the ability of antioxidant enzymes to block free radicals. Scientists are experimenting with nutritional foods as anti-free radical therapies for the treatment of many organismal pathologies. Antioxidant nutrients such as carotenoids, vitamins C and E are great allies in the battle against hostile molecules in the body, and we should make full use of beneficial foods. Genes and cancer Not long ago, molecular biologists made a revolutionary discovery in cancer research. They believe that probably all cancers start with genetic changes in healthy normal cells in the body. Oncogenes were first discovered in viruses, and many researchers had believed that cancer was induced by viruses, thus for a long time oncologists focused their research efforts on viruses. It was only a few years ago that the freedom of expression in research changed when biologists discovered oncogenes in human and animal cells. Now it seems that oncogenes in viruses are stolen from animals or humans when they infect them. Each cell has a “computer chip” in its nucleus called a DNA strand, which manipulates and controls the main functions of the cell. Genes are the smallest molecules in DNA, like strings of beads hanging from chromosomes, one chromosome has hundreds of genes and a cell has about 50,000 genes. Each gene contains minute amounts of DNA, produces this or that protein in a fixed pattern, and performs different cellular functions. Thus, genes are the control links for the various functions of life, and thousands of genes on the DNA strand make up the control panel. The specific genes that can instigate cancer are called “prototypical oncogenes” (molecules before they become oncogenes) and are normally responsible for important functions such as cell growth, differentiation and energy metabolism. The gene itself is dual in nature, producing a protein that is important for cell growth and does not cause any negative effects on the organism. But it can also produce a harmful protein that changes the nature of the cell, causing it to multiply out of control and thus damaging nearby tissues. In short, making the cell cancerous. The first human oncogene was isolated from bladder cancer five years ago. Since then, more than 20 oncogenes have been found in human colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, certain leukemias and lymphomas. Scientists have not yet understood what the functions of the various oncogenes are in their “prototypical oncogene” state. Different schools of thought have different answers. Cord, New York. A study by Dr. Wigler of the Spurgeon Laboratory found that one group of oncogenes produces substances that are extremely important for cell metabolism, growth and energy use. Another group of oncogenes produces proteins that contribute to wound healing. Genes and Triggers The basic mechanism for cancer formation in cells is the “oncogene,” but external triggers are needed for changes to occur. Sometimes cancer occurs due to natural changes in genes, or the cause of the trigger cannot be identified. However, such cases are rare and most cancers are induced by known carcinogens. Oncogenes are triggered in a variety of ways, sometimes by a carcinogen or virus entering a cell, attaching to DNA, and causing a mutation in a susceptible gene. In the case of asbestos dust, for example, a tiny asbestos fiber can enter the nucleus of a cell and attach to a gene, as seen under an electron microscope. Causing cancer-causing rays, subatomic particles attack the DNA strands, causing defects in the nucleic acids. Some viral genes enter the cell and mix with the DNA to create or activate oncogenes. Scientists are still not sure if the virus itself has oncogenes or if there is a gene in the virus that induces oncogenes in human cells. Tiny genetic changes and movements can disrupt the stability of the cell’s internal mechanisms. In some cases, a change in just one or two of the thousands of DNA subunits that make up a gene is enough to cause a mutation that produces abnormal proteins and causes malignant changes in the cell. Another mechanism involves the recombination of genes. If a prototype gene changes position on a chromosome, it may contact another gene, thus inducing cancer. The triggering effect may also be blocked if a nearby “suppressor gene” comes into contact with it. Research from the University of Minnesota Department of Medicine suggests that chromosome ruptures can activate oncogenes. Human chromosomes have many “fragile sites”, and if one of them breaks, it can cause gene reorganization and trigger oncogenes. The most convincing example is Burkitt’s lymphoma, where scientists have been able to identify the location of chromosomal rupture and gene reorganization, which occurs in almost every case. As stated above, genetic changes or genetic recombination on chromosomes may occur by chance or in cases where the cause is difficult to identify. This condition can account for a small percentage of cancers with unknown carcinogenic causes. One day in the future it may be possible to elucidate the involvement of certain nutritional, environmental, psychological or other factors in altering genetic material that cannot yet be identified using modern cancer research techniques. Recent studies have shown that more than a few oncogenes must be activated to turn normal cells into cancer cells; similarly, several carcinogens may be required to induce oncogenes and start the cancer process. The first step is the “initiation” step of cancer. The first step is the “initiation” of cancer, in which a carcinogen attaches itself to a cell and produces a mutation that causes these cells to become “incompletely differentiated”. However, the mutation alone is not enough, but the addition of “cancer promoter” is needed to induce the cells to multiply and spread, and the number of cells increases greatly. At this time, the cells are extremely unstable, but they do not constitute tumors yet. However, under the promotion of new carcinogenic substances, they mutate again and expand malignantly, and eventually form tumors. The nitrosamines and asbestos dust in bacon are the “initiating” carcinogens, while fat is a powerful “cancer promoter”, especially for breast and colon tissue. Cigarettes can be both an initiator and a promoter. We have focused on the cancer side of the equation above, talking about the hundreds and thousands of oncogenic triggers that are all around us. However, I also want to emphasize that there are control networks and resistance systems for cancer prevention at all levels in the human body, and that cancer can only form after repeated invasion of normal cells and repeated failure of the body’s defense mechanism to resist. The pioneer of nutrition is Chinese traditional medicine, and there are many herbal medicines that can fight against free radicals. It is generally accepted that we should take in as many nutrients as possible from food, and that various nutrients work together to ensure the normal metabolism of the body. I emphasize that healthful foods are the primary source of nutrients. However, taking supplements can ensure that the optimal amount of micronutrients is required, which is difficult to achieve from food alone. It is important to note that high doses of some micronutrients can be toxic, and some nutrients such as vitamin A and selenium should not be taken in high doses. Taking supplements is not at all scary as long as you follow medical advice and take them in moderation without side effects. The recommended supplements are completely controlled and within the safe range and are not dangerous to health. By taking traditional Chinese or Western vitamin or mineral pills, we are consuming foods containing biochemicals that are important to our health. Taking supplements to prevent and treat disease is just as beneficial as taking nutrients from food to ensure good health.