Health Alert 210
About 30 years ago, we began to see evidence that foods rich in vitamin A prevented several types of cancer. Soon though, direct trials of vitamin A supplements failed to show cancer protection. And too much vitamin A can be toxic to your liver. Manufacturers shifted to a more natural vitamin A precursor called beta-carotene. Pick up any multi-vitamin formula today and you’ll see beta-carotene. But not so fast …
Now it looks like another attempt to outsmart nature has run into a predictable problem. We are finding other compounds not only better than Vitamin A but also better than beta-carotene. In fact, they’re up to 100 times more powerful at fighting cancer!
I’m talking about five other carotenoid compounds you may not have heard much about. Today you’ll see how you can use them to get the most powerful natural cancer protection currently known.
* The Other Carotenoids *
These five cancer fighters are alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin. Like beta-carotene, they’re all part of the carotenoid family. They’re easy to spot in nature because they give fruits, vegetables and even fish like salmon and shrimp their orange, red and yellow colors.
These colorful ‘fab five’ can protect against many different cancers. Alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin can prevent breast cancer. Lycopene, the most well known of the bunch, can prevent cancers of the prostate, colon, bladder and pancreas. Then there’s lutein, best known for protecting against eye diseases. However, this carotenoid can also guard against skin, lung, breast and colon cancers. And zeaxanthin is powerful at preventing reproductive cancers like cervical and breast cancers. It can also protect colon tissue from cancer.
The good news is that you can get each of these fab five in your diet…
* How to Increase Your Intake of Cancer Fighting Carotenoids *
I recommend a minimum of 6 milligrams a day of these carotenoids. The best way to get them is to eat more orange, red and yellow fruits and vegetables. It’s not as hard as it sounds. Try adding tomatoes to your salads and sandwiches. Snack on raw cantaloupe, peaches, oranges, and yellow, orange or red peppers. And when you’re on the go, drink vegetable juices instead of fruit juices or sodas.
You can also take a mixed carotenoid supplement. You can find brands at your local health food store that will contain all five carotenoids. You will have to read the labels. I recommend doubling the dose on the bottle if you have suffered cancer or have an increased family risk for the disease. For best results, store your mixed carotenoids in your refrigerator and take them with food.
Al Sears MD
Greenwood-Robins, Maggie Ph.D. Foods That Combat Cancer, Avon Books, 2004. p 21 – 23.
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