May 5, 2005 – Recent research confirms that certain carotenoids (the colored pigments of various plants), in particular lutein and zeaxanthin, may help prevent prostate cancer.
Australian researchers conducted a case-control study of 130 patients with prostate cancer and 274 subjects serving as a control group1. Their results indicated that the risk of contracting prostate cancer was significantly reduced depending on the amount of carotenoids absorbed by subjects. The anticancer effect was particularly marked in the cases of lutein and zeaxanthin, but high consumption of other carotenoids such as lycopene, alphacarotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin was also associated with a significant reduction in risk.
Recent studies in China and the United States1-3 also indicate that lutein and zeaxanthin may be even more effective than lycopene from tomatoes in preventing prostate cancer.
Finally, the results of in vitro tests conducted in the United States4 have shown that avocado can inhibit the development of prostate cancer cells. In addition to being a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin, avocado contains a significant amount of fat, which is essential for the absorption of carotenoids.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are plant pigments whose color plays in shades of yellow and red. Like lycopene, they belong to the large family of carotenoids, pigments with multiple medicinal and nutritional properties. Carotenoids are naturally present in many fruits and vegetables, usually yellow, red or orange flesh, or dark green foliage (the color of the pigment is then masked by the strong green coloration of the chlorophyll).
Lutein and zeaxanthin, in particular, are found in appreciable amounts in corn, spinach, green turnip foliage, cavalier cabbage (dark green cabbage), kale, broccoli, romaine and leaf lettuce, avocado, tangerine and persimmon (or plaquemine).
Note that to make the most of the virtues of lutein and zeaxanthin, it is preferable to eat raw or very lightly cooked foods that contain it.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to The Moss Reports.
1. Jian L, Du CJ, Lee AH, Binns CW. Do dietary lycopene and other carotenoids protect against prostate cancer?Int J Cancer. 2005 Mar 1; 113 (6): 1010-4.
J Nutr Biochem. 2005 Jan; 16 (1): 23-30.
2. Moss RW. Carotenoids May Protect Against Prostate Cancer, Part I, Cancer Decisions Newsletter, United States, 2005. [Consulté le 3 mai 2005]. www.cancerdecisions.com
3. Moss RW. Carotenoids May Protect Against Prostate Cancer, Part II, Cancer Decisions Newsletter, United States, 2005. [Consulté le 3 mai 2005]. www.cancerdecisions.com
4. Lu QY, Arteaga JR, Zhang Q, Huerta S, Go VL, Heber D. Inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth by an avocado extract: role of lipid-soluble bioactive substances.
