**2. Functional foods**

A functional food is a nutritional food with vitamins and minerals and other compounds functional in the body; they are also known as antioxidants. In the **Table 2** we show some antioxidants report in the literature.

#### **2.1 Glutamic acid**

Glutamic acid is a nonessential amino acid and has functions that allow it to interact with other biological biomolecules in order to maintain energy between tissues for the synthesis of molecules and lead to cell growth [1].

This amino acid is considered for its function as a neurotransmitter in its molecular form as glutamate neurons because it stimulates the central nervous system and the latter is the substrate resulting in glutamine, and by this the biomolecular gamma-aminobutyric acid (inhibitory neurotransmitter at the synapse level) is formed by the glutamic carboxylase enzyme. This neurotransmitter opens the chlorine channels, hyperpolarizes the postsynaptic membrane, and decreases neuronal activity.

It has been reported that only 1.8 kg of glutamate is found in the muscle tissue, brain, and kidneys. Due to its physicochemical characteristics, its degree of acidity (2.17 and 9.13) crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Glutamine can be produced from ammonia (NH3) in the brain and is part of the detoxification process. For this reason, this biomolecule is part of the bestknown antioxidants to maintain the function of various organic systems such as the immune system, the digestive system, and the muscular system.

Given the characteristics of this compound, it is included in the human diet in the form of a food supplement and in nutritional foods in the form of glutamine, since it allows the recovery of patients who have undergone surgery treatments and in cases of electrolyte loss in patients who have decreased their immunological system, for example, patients with AIDS or cancer.

This substance is also known as the chemical messenger, for its ability to interact with neurons and allow cell communication, as well as an energy source in oxidation processes of cancer cells [5].

This compound also participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates and in the cellular respiration process of the Krebs cycle [1].

This amino acid can cause alterations in patients who are treated with antiepileptic drugs or who suffer from kidney or liver disease, for which reason the dose of this amino acid must be controlled.

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*Importance of the Nutrition with Antioxidants in the Treatment of Cancer and Others Damages*

It is recommended to ingest glutamic acid by supplements. The nutrient presentations range from 200 to 500 mg, and for its intake, it is presented in solid pharmaceutical forms as tablets. The dose in pediatric patients from 6 to 12 years is 200 mg

In patients with cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy and radio-

The omega-3 fatty acids include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The first is found in vegetable oils (flaxseed, soybeans, and canola), and the second and third are found in seafood and fish. The fatty acids known as omega-3 refer to the position of the carbon atoms with respect to the carboxyl functional group (COOH). They are polyunsaturated fatty acids. The term omega is derived from the position of the terminal methyl functional group of the fatty acid as the main carbon atom identifying the double bond. EPA and DHA are structural components of the phospholipids that are part of the membranes and are the substrates that give rise to eicosanoid lipids (derived from 20 carbon atoms such as EPA) and docosanoid lipids (derived from 22 carbon atoms such as DHA). The importance of these compounds lies in several functions of cellular metabolism. It has been reported that these fatty acids have anti-

In the men, the intake of this type of fatty acids increases in cell membranes, specifically in lymphocytes, decreasing the amount of arachidonic acid in cell membranes and decreasing the proinflammatory products of omega-6 fatty acids. EPA is a substrate of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX-1–COX-2) and lipooxygenase-5 in the plasma membrane, competes with arachidonic acid (AA) in the production of eicosanoids, and maintains the levels of prostaglandins I2 (inhibitor

Dietary supplements based on EPA and DHA have the property of decreasing the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and pulmonary necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) released by activation of macrophages and monocytes. Although cytokines are activators of the immune response, the hyperactivity of the same can cause inflammation in the intestine, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases. Therefore, dietary supplements based on EPA and DHA can decrease the production of inflammatory

The documented mechanisms for the modulation of cytokines are based on the decrease of proinflammatory gene expression through changes in the activity of genetic transcription factors such as in the hyperactivation of receptors activated by PPAR-gamma peroxisomes and by inhibition in the release of the transcription nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB). Modification in the cell membrane related to cell signal-

Chemically, it is a carboxylic acid. It is found in fish oil and some seaweed. DHA is a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid of the omega-3 series [8]. The oil of unicellular algae is known as *Crypthecodinium cohnii* [9]. The omega fatty acid it is use for

Also, DHA lowers blood pressure and prevents the development of hypertension and cardiovascular pathologies like atherosclerosis [11]. This substance has a strong positive relationship between dietary fat in the treatment of cancer. DHA inhibits cyclooxygenase, thereby decrementing the amount of prostaglandins and increasing the lipoxygenase activity. This in turn results in higher production of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETE) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), which have

therapy, the intake of glutamic acid benefits their recovery.

inflammatory properties that have a cytoprotective function.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85469*

every 12 hour.

**2.2 Omega-3 fatty acids**

of platelet aggregation).

ing is also included.

cytokines and the effects of TNF-alpha [6–8].

coronary disease and depression [7, 10] (**Figure 1**).

It is recommended to ingest glutamic acid by supplements. The nutrient presentations range from 200 to 500 mg, and for its intake, it is presented in solid pharmaceutical forms as tablets. The dose in pediatric patients from 6 to 12 years is 200 mg every 12 hour.

In patients with cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the intake of glutamic acid benefits their recovery.
