Natural Products for Cancer Prevention/Management (11)

Lycopene

Lycopene belongs to the carotenoid family.  It is a red pigment and photochemical that blocks free radicals; it is found in tomato, papaya, watermelon, and some other fruits/vegetables.

It was reported that lycopene is a promising agent for prostate cancer chemoprevention based on the studies from animal and human clinical trials. Preclinical studies show that lycopene has potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects, suggesting potential preventive and therapeutic roles for the compound.  Some studies showed that dietary intake of lycopene is inversely associated with the risk of many cancers.  However, clinical trials with lycopene have only recently been started, and available clinical data have not shown a firm conclusion with regard to its use in cancer prevention and treatment.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2016

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I wrote, "IS CANCER IN US", to be published in about two months.

Natural Products for Cancer Prevention/Management (10)

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are organic pigments found in many plants and they are also found in some fungi and bacteria.  There are more than 600 known carotenoids.  Carotenoids play two key roles in plants and algae: (1) they absorb light energy for use in photosynthesis, and (2) they protect chlorophyll from light damage.

Some carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin) in the human body can be converted to retinal (one form of vitamin A) and some carotenoids can function as antioxidants. Some carotenoids in the eye (lutein, astaxanthin, and zeaxanthin) can absorb blue and near UV light and protect the retina. 

A number of carotenoids were proven to have anti-carcinogenic activity and may be useful in cancer prevention.  These include α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, capsanthin, crocetin and phytoene.

It was reported that women with higher circulating levels of α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids may be at lower risk of breast cancer.  Some studies suggest that α-carotene, β-carotene, and zeaxanthin may inhibit the growth of prostate, breast and head and neck cancers.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2016

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I am writing, "IS CANCER IN US", to be published in about two months.

Natural Products for Cancer Prevention/Management (10)

Lycopene

Lycopene belongs to the carotenoid family. It is a red pigment and phytochemical that blocks free radicals; it is found in tomato, papaya, watermelon, and some other fruits/vegetables.

It was reported that lycopene is a promising agent for prostate cancer chemoprevention based on the studies from animal and human clinical trials. Preclinical studies show that lycopene has potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects, suggesting potential preventive and therapeutic roles for the compound. Some studies showed that dietary intake of lycopene is inversely associated with the risk of many cancers.  However, clinical trials with lycopene have only recently been started, and available clinical data have not shown a firm conclusion with regard to its use in cancer prevention and treatment.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2016

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I am writing, "IS CANCER IN US", to be published in about two months.