ZeaLuteinâ : Other health benefits

Protection against cancer

Preclinical and epidemiological studies have reported the association of dietary carotenoids with a decreased risk of lung cancer 1,2, breast cancer 3-6, chemically-induced colon cancer 7,8, oxidant-induced liver damage9, and renal cell carcinoma10, by virtue of their antioxidant action. A recent study revealed the inhibitory role of paprika juice (containing capsanthin) on colon carcinogenesis in rats11.

 

Protection against cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (e.g. stroke, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction) have been attributed to oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL). Dietary intervention with carotenoid-rich food has been reported to decrease one’s risk for cardiovascular disease12.

 

References

1.  Le Marchand, L., Yoshizawa, C.N., Kolonel, L.N., Hankin, J.H., and Goodman, M.T. (1989) Vegetable consumption and lung cancer risk: a population-based case-control study in Hawaii. J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 81(15), 1158-1164.

2. Le Marchand, L., Hankin, J.H, Kolonel, L.N., Beecher, G.R., Wilkens, L.R., and Zhao, L.P. (1993) Intake of specific carotenoids and lung cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., 2(3), 183-187.

3.  Dorgan, J.F., Sowell, A., Swanson, C.A., Potischman, N., Miller, R., Schussler, N., and Stephenson, H.E. Jr. (1998) Relationships of serum carotenoids, retinol, a-tocopherol, and selenium with breast cancer risk: results from a prospective study in Columbia, Missouri (United States). Cancer Causes and Control, 9, 89-97.

4. Freudenheim, J.L., Marshall, J.R., Vena, J.E., Laughlin, R., Brasure, J.R., Swanson, M.K., Nemoto, T., and Graham, S. (1996) Premenopausal breast cancer risk and intake of vegetables, fruits, and related nutrients. J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 88(6), 340-348.

5.   Zhang, S., Hunter, D.J., Forman, M.R., Rosner, B.A., Speizer, F.E., Colditz, G.A., Manson, J.E., Hankinson, S.E., and Willett, W.C. (1999) Dietary carotenoids and vitamins A, C, and E and risk of breast cancer. J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 91(6), 547-556.

6.  Park, J.S., Chew, B.P., and Wong, T.S. (1998) Dietary lutein from marigold extract inhibits mammary tumor development in BALB/c mice. J. Nutr., 128, 1650-1656.

7.  Narisawa, T., Fukaura, Y., Hasebe, M., Ito, M., Aizawa, R., Murakoshi, M., Uemura, S., Khachik, F., and Nishino, H. (1996) Inhibitory effects of natural carotenoids, a-carotene, b-carotene, lycopene, and lutein, on colonic aberrant crypt foci formation in rats. Cancer Letters, 107, 137-142.

8.  Kim, J.M., Araki, S., Kim, D.J., Park, C.B., Takasuka, N., Baba-Toriyama, H., Ota, T., Nir, Z., Khachik, F., Shimidzu, N., Tanaka, Y., Osawa, T., Uraji, T., Murakoshi, M., Nishino, H., and Tsuda, H. (1998) Chemopreventive effects of carotenoids and curcumins on mouse colon carcinogenesis after 1,2-dimethylhydrazine initiation. Carcinogenesis, 19(1), 81-85.

9.  Martin, K.R., Failla, M.L., and Smith, J.C. Jr. (1996) b-Carotene and lutein protect HepG2 human liver cells against oxidant-induced damage. J. Nutr., 126, 2098-2106.

10.  Yuan, J.M., Gago-Dominguez, M., Castelao, J.E., Hankin, J.H., Ross, R.K., and Yu, M.C. (1998) Cruciferous vegetables in relation to renal cell carcinoma. Int. J. Cancer, 77(2), 211-216.

11.    Narisawa T, Fukaura Y, Hasebe M, Nomura S, Oshima S, Inakuma T   (2000)  Prevention of N-methylnitrosourea-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats by oxygenated carotenoid capsanthin and capsanthin-rich paprika juice.  Proc Soc Exp Biol  and Med. 224(2):116-22

12. Howard, A.N., Williams, N.R., Palmer, C.R., Cambou, J.P., Evans, A.E., Foote, J.W., Marques-Vidal, P., McCrum, E.E., Ruidavets, J.B., Nigdikar, S.V., Rajput-Williams, J., and Thurnham, D.I. (1996) Do hydroxy-carotenoids prevent coronary heart disease? A comparison between Belfast and Toulouse. Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res., 66(2), 113-118.

 

 

©  Sabinsa Corporation 2000