19 December 2012
Women with higher blood concentrations of carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin may be at reduced risk of breast cancer, says a new data analysis from the US.
To investigate a potential association between carotenoids and breast cancer risk, the study analyzed data from eight cohort studies involving a total of 7011 participants (1). The analysis showed that women with higher levels of individual and total carotenoids had a significantly lower risk for breast cancer risk, with a stronger finding in estrogen receptor–negative (ER-) breast cancers.
The researchers concluded that a diet high in carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables offers many health bene-fits, including a possible reduced risk of breast cancer. The potential preventive effect on ER-tumours could mean that carotenoid intake is one of the first modifiable risk factors for this poor prognosis tumour type. There is some evidence from experimental studies that carotenoids block tumour progression and reduce proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers as well, but it is possible that this effect is hidden by hormone related associations, which overpower other risk factors, the scientists commented.
They said, it is too early to recommend the use of specific high-dose carotenoid supplements for breast can-cer prevention. Earlier this month, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that exposure to beta-carotene from food additives and food supplements at a level below 15 mg/day does not give rise to concerns about adverse health effects in the general population, including for heavy smokers (2).
29 September 2010
According to a new study in US-Chinese cooperation, carriers of the MTHFR677TT polymorphisms were associated with lower levels of folate in their plasma and red blood cells (RBC) and with higher plasma homocysteine levels than individuals with CT or CC genotype – irrespective of the folic acid supplementation dose.
14 June 2009
Female soldiers given iron supplements improved scores for running tests and cognitive performance, according to US study.
11 January 2016
A new large (n=10.735), cross-sectional study has revealed that despite some of the highest sunlight levels on the globe, 62.65% of females and 40.6% of males in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are deficient in vitamin D.
