If you are wondering if eating a diet rich in antioxidants from fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods may protect cells from the damaging effects of low levels of ionizing radiation that can accumulate over time then you will want to read this hub. Although exposure may be very low unless you’re getting radiation treatment for cancer, the damage adds up over time and can eventually lead to cancer.

I have always been told that eating a diet rich in carotenoids and vitamin A and C is a way to protect cells naturally from cancer inducing damage. So, the next time you’re at the grocery store or the Farmer’s Market, pick up some orange and red fruits and vegetables and give your cells some extra protectionIt seems there isn’t a day that goes by that antioxidants don’t make the news.

These molecules found in many fruits and vegetables help to offset the damage that cells sustain when they carry out reactions involving oxygen called oxidative damage. Without antioxidants, the cell and its DNA it could become altered leading to an increased risk of cancer causing mutations. As you may be aware, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that antioxidants may also protect cells against DNA damage from ionizing radiation which most people are exposed to every day.

As you are probably aware Ionizing radiation consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that are energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, ionizing them. The occurrence of ionization depends on the energy of the impinging individual particles or waves, and not on their number. It has been reported that an intense flood of particles or waves will not cause ionization if these particles or waves do not carry enough energy to be ionizing. So as mentioned, particles or photons with energies above a few electron volts (eV) are ionizing.


A study was conducted on airline pilots, a group who are regularly exposed to the effects of ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation levels increase at higher altitudes. The diet habits were looked at of eighty-two pilots, focusing on their intake of carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, and the antioxidant vitamins C and E by using a food frequency questionnaire.

Some interesting facts they found was that pilots who consumed greater amounts of these antioxidant vitamins through diet showed fewer damaging changes to their DNA also known as the genetic material present in cells Results showed that despite exposure to ionizing radiation, these pilots appeared to enjoy some protection against cell damage.

Ionizing radiation comes from radioactive materials, x-ray tubes, particle accelerators, and is present in the environment. It is invisible and not directly detectable by human senses, so instruments such as geiger counters are usually required to detect its presence. In some cases it may lead to secondary emission of visible light upon interaction with matter, as in Cherenkov radiation and radioluminescence.

It has many practical uses in medicine, research, construction, and other areas, but presents a health hazard if used improperly. Exposure to radiation causes damage to living tissue, resulting in skin burns, radiation sickness and death at high doses and cancer, tumors and genetic damage at low doses.

Although the majority of people aren’t exposed to the high levels of ionizing radiation that a pilot is, most people are exposed to low levels of radiation from the environment such as from solar sources and even from the soil. Most people are familiar with radon, a radioactive material present in the soil which can enter homes and accumulate to high levels. Other ways humans are exposed to ionizing radiation from x-rays and other diagnostic medical tests.

Antioxidants may help to reduce the effects of ionizing radiation from these sources as well. An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. It has been reported that antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols, ascorbic acid or polyphenols.

Because all humans are exposed to some level of ionizing radiation both natural and manmade. It is important to note that antioxidants are also widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements in the hope of maintaining health and preventing diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease. Although initial studies suggested that antioxidant supplements might promote health, later large clinical trials did not detect any benefit and suggested instead that excess supplementation may be harmful.

In addition to these uses of natural antioxidants in medicine, these compounds have many industrial uses, such as preservatives in food and cosmetics and preventing the degradation of rubber and gasoline. So much research has recently focused on how antioxidant vitamins may reduce cardiovascular disease risk.