Lutein and Lycopene Can Help Prevent Prostate Cancer
New findings from UCLA indicate that Lutein -- a carotenoid
recently discovered in California avocados and found in green
vegetables -- can help protect against prostate cancer. This
study was presented at the American Institute of Cancer Research
(AICR) meeting in July 2001 in Washington D.C.
In recent studies, Lycopene
-- a carotenoid found in tomatoes -- was associated with a
reduced risk of prostate cancer, but lutein had not been linked
to prostate cancer prevention until now.
According to Dr. David Heber, director of the UCLA Center for
Human Nutrition and author of "What Color Is Your Diet," the
study initially focused on a rural area of China, which had a
low incidence of prostate cancer despite a diet virtually free
of lycopene (due to lack of tomato intake) but rich in lutein
(due to a high consumption of green vegetables). The study was
then expanded to include Chinese American men and Caucasian men.
UCLA lab tests showed that lutein reduced prostate cancer cell
growth by 25 percent while lycopene reduced cell growth by 20
percent. When lutein and lycopene were combined, prostate cancer
cell growth was reduced by 32 percent. Thus indicating that both
nutrients together help protect against prostate cancer better
than either nutrient alone.
"Lutein and lycopene in combination appear to have additive or
synergistic effects against prostate cancer," said Heber. "Our
results suggest that further studies should be done to
investigate the nutrient-nutrient interactions of lutein and
lycopene at a subcellular and molecular level."
Traditionally, lutein has been found in green vegetables such as
parsley, celery and spinach but was recently discovered in the
avocado fruit. In fact, research shows that avocados are the
highest fruit source of lutein among the 20 most frequently
consumed fruits.
In addition to the new prostate cancer findings, lutein is also
known to protect against eye disease such as cataracts and
macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the
elderly. Studies from around the world sponsored by the AICR
have shown that individuals eating 400 to 600 grams per day
(more than one pound) of fruits and vegetables reduce their risk
of certain cancers by 50 percent.
California avocados fall in the green-yellow group and contain
such vital nutrients as vitamin E, which helps "mop up" free
radicals that can damage cells and lead to disease; glutathione,
which functions as an antioxidant like vitamin E; beta-sitosterol,
which helps lower blood cholesterol; and the recently discovered
lutein, now linked to prostate cancer and eye disease
prevention.
Source
American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR) meeting - July
2001
Key concepts: lutein, lycopene, prostate cancer
