Antioxidants may help cancers thrive

Antioxidant vitamins have become darlings of the nutritional world. By disarming biologically damaging molecular fragments known as free radicals, antioxidants can fight the ravages of aging and many chronic diseases. Free radicals also offer benefits, however, such as ridding the body of germs and damaged cells. By curbing these activities, a new animal study finds, antioxidants can aid cancer growth.