| Many times it is really hard to correctly interpret
the news we hear, and I often wonder whether this is because those who
bring us the news are inclined to sensationalize, rather than analyze!
This is well illustrated by the controversy about Beta
Carotene's value as a dietary supplement.
The first important thing to realize is that there is
a significant difference between synthetic and natural Beta Carotenes.
Major studies have used synthetic beta-carotene, and also synthetic
Vitamin A (Retinol). The latter has many restrictions on its use, and
the former never comes in an isolated form in nature. The beta-carotene
supplements recommended by Holistic Practitioners are always the natural
forms, containing such esoteric sounding substances as Zeaxanthin, Lutein,
Lycopene, Alpha- Carotene, and Cryptoxanthin, which in nature accompany
Beta-Carotene.
The second thing to consider here, is that the some of
the studies
were done on people who had smoked heavily for a lifetime, or whose
health was significantly impaired: damage such
as this cannot logically be expected to answer to one single substance,
no matter how beneficial. I am sure you remember the number of times I
have stated that chronic disease does not respond to a Magic Bullet
approach!
The third thing to take into account is the number of
studies that have shown clear, incontrovertible benefits from natural
beta-carotene and other carotenoids, and that even the reports on
this negative study conclude by saying that the protective effects of
fruits and vegetables are not being questioned. The obvious conclusion
here, is that a supplement which is closer to fresh food is more likely
to to be effective than synthetic chemicals. Many people who for one
reason or another do not eat enough in the way of fresh fruits and
vegetables have been compensating by taking concentrated food
supplements , and they should not be put off by this report, as long as
the source is wisely chosen. As the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition put it in 1991, "the overwhelming evidence .......would
indicate that carotenoids exert an important influence in modulating the
actions of carcinogens."
In fact, revisiting this study in 2004, these
conclusions were reached:
A new analysis published in July takes
another look at that same Finnish smokers' study, but now
takes into account their total antioxidant intake, and
clears up that whole controversy. Their risk of getting
lung cancer was closely associated with total antioxidants
in the diet, with more antioxidants meaning less cancer.
A composite antioxidant index was generated for each of
the 27,000 men over 14 years. The calculated amounts of
carotenoids, flavonoids, Vitamin E, selenium and Vitamin C
were compared to actual lung cancer rates, with a clear
result: a combination of antioxidants lowers lung
cancer risk in male smokers. (Lynn: my emphasis) |
Specifically, Lycopene (high in tomatoes) has been
found to lower the risk of prostate cancer (Journal
of the Nat. Cancer Institute 1994) and also
cancers of the mouth, pharynx , stomach and colon.
(International Journal of Cancer 1994)
Lutein and Zeaxanthin have been shown to have protective
effects against macular degeneration. (Journal
of the American Medical Association 1994)
Alpha-carotene drastically reduced the number of
tumors in an animal study of liver, lung and skin cancer, exceeding the
cancer fighting ability of beta carotene (Cancer
research 1992). High
blood levels of carotenoids were found to be protective against heart
attacks in a study of 1,899 men followed for 13 years.
(Journal of the American Medical Association 1994).
What should you look for in an effective supplement?
Look for a beta-carotene from natural sources, or one that lists all the
carotenoids, or a powder or pill that is actually made from foods, and
which states the amount of the nutrients that you can expect to find.
Use them to improve your diet, but at the same time remember - make that
diet as good as can be! Nothing replaces the right foods.
| Keywords: synthetic natural beta
carotene, about zeaxanthin, about lutein, about lycopene,
alpha carotene, about cryptoxanthin, beta carotene prostate
cancer, beta carotene colon cancer, beta carotene macular
degeneration, food carotene, the vitamin lady writes about
beta-carotene |
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