(01-06-12) This Nutrient Battles Six Cancers!

by David Juan, MD
In part two of my look at the nutrient lycopene, we take aim at cancer. In
fact, six different types of cancer. Found in rich amounts in tomatoes,
lycopene may possess powerful cancer-preventative abilities.
Let's start with a Harvard-based study that reviewed all the evidence on both
lycopene and the tomato's cancer- preventative abilities. The researcher's
conclusion was this : "Evidence is strongest for cancers of the lung, stomach,
and prostate gland and is suggestive for cancers of the cervix, breast, oral
cavity, pancreas, colon and esophagus."
Prostate Cancer
Researchers showed that high intake of lycopene from tomatoes reduced the risk
of prostate cancer by 21%. It was also linked to a 35% lower risk of total
prostate cancer, and a 53% lower risk of advanced cancer.
Another study using lycopene supplements, tested 15 milligrams (mg) on 26 men
with prostate cancer for three weeks before they underwent a major surgery. The
men had reduced cancer growth after the surgery was completed. A second study
treated 26 men tested a tomato extract containing 30 mg of lycopene in the same
way, before surgery. It led to much smaller tumors and far less significant
spread of the tumor outside of the prostate.
In yet another study, 54 patients had a surgical procedure to remove the
testes. They tested some of them with an added four mg a day of lycopene
supplement. The nutrient helped shrink the tumor, lessen pain, and improve the
surgery. These are small, yet promising studies.
Breast Cancer
Experts studied the relationship between 17 micronutrients and breast cancer
risk in 289 women with confirmed breast cancer and 442 control subjects. They
found that a higher lycopene intake reduced the breast cancer risk. The
patients took an average of 6.2 mg a day.
Ovarian and Cervical Cancers
A large study of 549 patients with ovarian cancer found that a higher intake
of lycopene was associated with a reduced risk for ovarian cancer -- mainly in
postmenopausal women. Another large population study found that women with
higher blood levels of lycopene had a 33% lower risk of getting cervical
cancer.
Colon Cancer
It is well known that colon polyps or adenomas are precursors to colon cancer.
German researchers studied the relationship between blood levels of lycopene
and these polyps. The results: people who ate the most tomatoes and tomato
products had higher blood levels of lycopene and were protected from colon
adenomas.
Here's Part One of this series: Help Prevent Heart Disease with This Super
Nutrient
Source; Giovannucci, E., "Journal of the National Cancer Institute
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Giovannucci, E., et al., "Journal National Cancer Institute
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Kucuk O. et al: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &
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Kucuk, O., et al., Experimental Biology and Medicine,
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Ansari, M.S., et al., British Journal of Urology, 2003; 92:
375-378.
Levi, F., et al., International Journal Cancer, 2001; 91: 260-
263.
Cramer, D.W., et al., Cancer Causes Control, 1998; 9: 89-
97.
Kanetsky, P.A., et al., Nutrition Cancer, 1998; 31: 31-40.
Erhardt, J.G., et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
2003; 78: 1,219-1,224.

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