Lycopene in Fighting Cancer - Is There a Connection?
It can be difficult for the average person to find information about lycopene in fighting cancer or preventing it.
Some information is suppressed, because doctors do not want their patients to have unrealistic hopes or fore go conventional treatments in favor of alternative ones.
This article is meant only to help inform people about what a big role a healthy diet and good nutrition play in preventing some types of cancer.
While some forms of the disease are most surely due to genetics or exposure to environmental toxins like cigarette smoke, researchers have shown again and again, that the incidence of certain types is 50-80% higher among people with poor nutrient intake.
In 2009, Brazilian researchers reported that the risk of cervical cancer was nearly 50% lower in women with a high intake of dark green and deep yellow vegetables and fruits.
Results from studies completed in Seoul, Korea during the same year were similar.
Research from Israel concluded that "consumption of most carotenoids" is strongly associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, but that cigarette smoking reversed the protective effect.
When researchers look at the benefit of lycopene in fighting cancer, they typically look at other carotenoids, too.
Carotenoids are a group of nutrients that include the common beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene.
They often look at the benefit of vitamin E and C, at the same time.
Decades ago, the Linus Pauling Institute suggested that vitamin C could be used to cure cancers.
Some studies have supported that suggestion.
Others have not.
While it may be possible to wipe out the disease, it will likely take a combination of nutrients, rather than a single one, because there are multiple causes of the disease.
In other words, instead of looking at a single nutrient like lycopene in fighting cancer, researchers should probably begin looking at a combination of nutrients that address three main issues.
One of those issues is free radical damage.
Carotenoids and other antioxidants address that issue.
Another is inflammation.
Acute inflammation caused by illness or injury is a necessary function of the immune system.
Chronic or systematic inflammation is a cause of cellular aging and plays a role in many types of cancers.
Dietary factors cause that type of inflammation.
Other dietary factors can prevent it.
Researchers believe that including more natural anti-inflammatories in the diet will reduce the risk of many age-related diseases.
When they have looked at lycopene in fighting cancer of the lungs, they have also been intrigued by its anti-inflammatory activity.
It is not a potent anti-inflammatory.
Turmeric, resveratrol, carnosine and omega-3 fish oil have more potent anti-inflammatory activity.
Another factor contributing to cellular aging and DNA damage that has been shown to contribute to age-related diseases and even wrinkles is Glycation.
The only nutrient that has been proven to help prevent Glycation is l-carnosine.
You might not hear much about Glycation or inflammation, but they are just as damaging as free radicals.
Now that you know a little more about lycopene in fighting cancer, you might want to learn more about other beneficial nutrients.
They might be the cures we've been looking for.
Some information is suppressed, because doctors do not want their patients to have unrealistic hopes or fore go conventional treatments in favor of alternative ones.
This article is meant only to help inform people about what a big role a healthy diet and good nutrition play in preventing some types of cancer.
While some forms of the disease are most surely due to genetics or exposure to environmental toxins like cigarette smoke, researchers have shown again and again, that the incidence of certain types is 50-80% higher among people with poor nutrient intake.
In 2009, Brazilian researchers reported that the risk of cervical cancer was nearly 50% lower in women with a high intake of dark green and deep yellow vegetables and fruits.
Results from studies completed in Seoul, Korea during the same year were similar.
Research from Israel concluded that "consumption of most carotenoids" is strongly associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, but that cigarette smoking reversed the protective effect.
When researchers look at the benefit of lycopene in fighting cancer, they typically look at other carotenoids, too.
Carotenoids are a group of nutrients that include the common beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene.
They often look at the benefit of vitamin E and C, at the same time.
Decades ago, the Linus Pauling Institute suggested that vitamin C could be used to cure cancers.
Some studies have supported that suggestion.
Others have not.
While it may be possible to wipe out the disease, it will likely take a combination of nutrients, rather than a single one, because there are multiple causes of the disease.
In other words, instead of looking at a single nutrient like lycopene in fighting cancer, researchers should probably begin looking at a combination of nutrients that address three main issues.
One of those issues is free radical damage.
Carotenoids and other antioxidants address that issue.
Another is inflammation.
Acute inflammation caused by illness or injury is a necessary function of the immune system.
Chronic or systematic inflammation is a cause of cellular aging and plays a role in many types of cancers.
Dietary factors cause that type of inflammation.
Other dietary factors can prevent it.
Researchers believe that including more natural anti-inflammatories in the diet will reduce the risk of many age-related diseases.
When they have looked at lycopene in fighting cancer of the lungs, they have also been intrigued by its anti-inflammatory activity.
It is not a potent anti-inflammatory.
Turmeric, resveratrol, carnosine and omega-3 fish oil have more potent anti-inflammatory activity.
Another factor contributing to cellular aging and DNA damage that has been shown to contribute to age-related diseases and even wrinkles is Glycation.
The only nutrient that has been proven to help prevent Glycation is l-carnosine.
You might not hear much about Glycation or inflammation, but they are just as damaging as free radicals.
Now that you know a little more about lycopene in fighting cancer, you might want to learn more about other beneficial nutrients.
They might be the cures we've been looking for.