Issue: 40 Page: 17
Lycopene in Tomatoes May Help Prevent Prostate Cancer.
HerbalGram. 1997; 40:17 American Botanical Council
The relationship between the risk of prostate cancer and the intake of specific carotenoids, retinol (vitamin A1), fruits, and vegetables was examined in a prospective cohort study (a study of likely candidates from a particular group). The dietary intake of 47,894 men (initially free of diagnosed cancer) was pulled from a 1986 food-frequency questionnaire, and follow-up questionnaires were sent out in 1988, 1990, and 1992. Within that time period, 812 new cases of prostate cancer were documented among the subjects. The food-frequency data and the prostate cancer data were analyzed.The results show that of the carotenoids (a class of yellow to deep red, highly unsaturated pigments occurring in many vegetable oils and some animal fats), neither alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, nor beta-cryptoxanthin intakes were significantly associated with risk of prostate cancer. However, lycopene, the carotenoid that makes tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller, Solanaceae) red, showed a significant inverse correlation to prostate cancer risk, with the degree of correlation differing with high and low intake. Of the 46 fruits, vegetables, and related products on the questionnaire, four showed a significant inverse correlation to prostate cancer risk. Of these four, three are primary sources of lycopene: tomato sauce, tomatoes, and pizza. The fourth significant food item was strawberries. The researchers suggest that this may be an anomaly and note that the red color of strawberries is not due to lycopene. Tomato juice, the other major source of lycopene, showed no correlation to prostate cancer risk. The findings suggest that intake of lycopenes and other compounds found in tomatoes and tomato products may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The other carotenoids measured in this study were unrelated to risk, as was dietary retinol. The findings support general cancer-prevention recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, and suggest that consumption of tomato-based products may be of special benefit in preventing prostate cancer. [Giovannucci, E., A. Ascherio, E. B. Rimm, M. J. Stampfer, G. A. Colditz, and W. C. Willett. December 6, 1995. Intake of Carotenoids and Retinol in Relation to Risk of Prostate Cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 87, No. 23, Dec. 6. 1767-1776. Anonymous. 1995. Tomatoes Found to Reduce Risk of Cancer. New York Times, December 7. Anonymous. 1996. Study Shows Lycopene May Prevent Prostate Cancer. Health Supplement Retailer. February: 8.] Article copyright American Botanical Council. ~~~~~~~~ By Ginger Webb
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