| There were no significant relationships between dietary vitamin A, beta-carotene, or vitamin C and IMT. Plasma levels of lycopene were inversely correlated with mean carotid artery IMT in women (p=0.047). The prevalence of carotid artery plaque decreased with increasing quartiles of dietary vitamin E in women (p=0.03), but there was no significant association between plaque and dietary intake of any antioxidant vitamin in men. The prevalence of carotid artery plaque decreased with increasing plasma levels of alpha-carotene (p=0.03) and lycopene (p=0.001) in women and with vitamin A (p=0. |
| Wang XD, Krinsky N: The bioconversion of beta-carotene into retinoids. Suhcell Biochem; 30:159-180. 1998
West KP, Katz J, Khatry S et al: Double blind, cluster randomized trial of low dose supplementation with vitamin A or beta carotene on mortality related to pregnancy in Nepal. BMJ; 318:570-575. 1999
Bromelain description
Bromelain is a concentrated mixture of proteolytic enzymes derived from the pineapple plant Ananas comosus. |
| Hughes DA, Wright AJA, Finglas PM et al: The effect of beta-carotene supplementation on the immune function of blood monocytes from healthy male nonsmokers. J Lab Clin Med; 129:309-317. 1997
Kirsh VA, Hayes RB, Mayne ST, et al. Supplemental and dietary vitamin E, P-carotene, and vitamin C intakes and prostate cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst; 98:245-254. 2006
Lawson KA, Wright ME, Subar A, et al: Multivitamin use and risk of prostate cancer in the National Institutes of Health—AARP Diet and Health Study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 99:754-764. |
| One study examining the effects of intakes of vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C on risk of prostate cancer enrolled 29,361 men who were followed for 8 years (average follow-up was 4.2 years). Of these, 52% reported taking vitamin E supplements. Within this group, male smokers who took high-dose vitamin E supplements (>400 mg/day) for at least 10 years had a reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer, although they may be at increased risk for nonadvanced forms of the disease. By study end, 1338 men had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, of these, 38. |
Ray D. Strand
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 The most common antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. We can obtain numerous other antioxidants from our food; these include coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, and the colorful bioflavanoid antioxidants. It is important to realize that antioxidants work in synergy with one another to disarm free radicals in different areas of the body. Like the varied positions of military defense, these antioxidants each have specific roles. Some antioxidants have the ability to actually regenerate other antioxidants so they can neutralize more free radicals. |
Dr Ron Roberts
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 This natural storehouse of good nutrients also contains amino acids, pectin and beta-carotene. Research centres and scientific studies around the world praise the preventive and curative powers of apple cider vinegar and we recommend that all asthmatics take a daily spoonful of it.
A good all-round remedy for bronchial conditions, including asthma, is a mixture of equal parts of lemon juice, honey and apple cider vinegar. Melt the honey in a small amount of hot water before mixing in the apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. |
| The best food sources of Vitamin A are animal and fish livers, kidneys, dark green and orange vegetables, egg yolk and milk. beta-carotene is found in the yellow pigment of fruits and vegetables such as carrots.
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll, the pigment that absorbs light energy and makes plants green, is a natural blood enhancer and neutraliser of toxins. Studies have revealed it reduces infections of the upper respiratory tract and sinuses and various types of chronic ulcers, while recent research showed that it can counteract the effects of pollution and radiation. |
| Vitamin A is also responsible for maintaining an active thymus gland (part of the immune system). beta-carotene, sometimes referred to as pro-Vitamin A, is a related substance that the body can convert readily into Vitamin A.
Because of its importance in keeping the lining of the lungs healthy and in the immune system, Vitamin A is a vital part of the diet for asthmatics. It is also of use to bronchitis and sinusitis sufferers, for skin problems, stress-related problems, gastric ulcers and arthritis. |
Lester A. Mitscher and Victoria Toews
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 National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection in the Netherlands, assessed the intake of flavonoids in the Dutch diet, he found that "on a milligram-per-day basis, the intake of the antioxidant flavonoids still exceeded that of the antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin E. Thus flavonoids represent an important source of antioxidants in the human diet."3
A well-reported 1993 study, also conducted by Dr. Hertog, showed that as intake of flavonoids increases, the risk of death from heart disease decreases. |
| A Dutch study indicated that drinking tea is inversely related to smoking cigarettes and eating a fatty diet, but directly related to eating a diet high in vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and fiber. And Norwegian investigators found that habitual tea drinkers are among the most likely to use dietary supplements such as vitamins or fish oil.8
The healthful habits of tea drinkers that had been revealed incidentally in studies focused on other issues were interesting enough to prompt Dr. |
| Cholesterol is also important during the metabolism of carbohydrates and acts as a vehicle to transport fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A and E and beta-carotene) in the bloodstream. It also supplies material for building cell membranes, especially in nervous tissue. Thus it is necessary in the right proportions for the maintenance of health.
Cholesterol first acquired its bad rap as an instigator of heart disease all the way back in 1913. That's when a Russian scientist named Nikolai Anitschkow fed a group of rabbits a very high-cholesterol diet as an experiment. |
| Professor Rice-Evans's research has determined that the flavonoids in green tea, which belong to the "catechin" family of flavonoids, have greater efficacy as antioxidants than the same quantity of vitamin C, vitamin E, or beta-carotene. However, it should be noted that flavonoids work synergistically with vitamin C and vitamin E. It is really a case of "the more the merrier" when it comes to antioxidants; it seems that there can never be too many different kinds working to neutralize free radicals. |
Ray D. Strand
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| CoQlO has been shown to protect against the long-term damage to the heart that the drug Adriamycin causes. beta-carotene and vitamin A reduce the adverse effects of radiation and some chemotherapeutic agents. All of these antioxidants have been shown to help protect against the DNA damage to normal cells that cancer treatments cause.
Michelle's Story
Michelle was a beautiful, vibrant four-year-old. Her world was filled with love and lots of laughter. It appeared that nothing could penetrate the safe haven of her family. But Michelle's carefree life changed. |
| Studies show that supplementation of a good diet over a twenty-week period of time with vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene resulted in a significant decrease of the oxidative damage to the DNA of both smokers and nonsmokers. Vitamin E has also been shown to protect against exercise-induced DNA damage.15
Chemoprevention Phase III: Empowering the Body's Repair System
In Phase I and Phase II of chemoprevention, we were primarily concerned with decreasing the amount of oxidative stress the body has to handle and providing adequate antioxidants to prevent such stress to the DNA of the cell. |
Dr. Steve Blake
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 Green vegetables also are rich in beta-carotene. All of the many carotenes in food have antioxidant activity.
One of the most powerful free radicals in the body is superoxide. Superoxide is neutralized with an enzyme made in the body that is called superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide, a less dangerous free radical. There are three types of superoxide dismutase. Two types of superoxide dismutase use zinc for structural stability and copper for catalytic activity. |
Ray D. Strand
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| For example, they will conduct a study with vitamin E, then a respective study will look at vitamin C, and then a separate study will examine the effects of beta-carotene. Occasionally a clinical trial does not show any significant health benefit and physicians and researchers hesitate in recommending that particular nutrient. This is what creates the controversy you see in the media and in the medical literature. Physicians want to know beyond any shadow of doubt that a particular nutrient will help before they will go on record to recommend any form of nutritional supplementation. |
Dr. Steve Blake
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| Vitamin A in the forms found in animal products and in the forms found in many supplements can cause birth defects in the children of pregnant women if consumed in excess. beta-carotene, found in fruits and vegetables, is a safe source of vitamin A for pregnant women. Pregnant women should limit their supplemental vitamin A to 5000 IU or less daily.
Abundant vitamin K in the diet is important for breastfeeding women, especially in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. This vitamin helps reduce excess bleeding in the newborn. Supplemental vitamin K is normally prescribed for newborn infants. |
Ray D. Strand
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| Group 4 received Zocor, niacin, vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, and beta-carotene.
Group 2 did the best and actually showed some minor reversal of the hardening of their arteries. The antioxidant group (Group 3) was the next best with significant improvement. But Group 4, which received a combination of Zocor and antioxidants, did not see as much of a rise in their HDL (good) cholesterol. This finding was a marginal finding and was not statistically significant. |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac.
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 Fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A and E, beta-carotene, and the essential fatty acids linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid) should be taken during the day with the meal that contains the most fat.
¦ Amino acid supplements should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or after a meal, and taken with fruit juice to help promote absorption. When taking an increased dosage of an isolated amino acid, be sure to supplement with an amino acid blend as well, to avoid an imbalance. |
Jeffrey M. Smith
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 Squash: A USDA-approved GM squash contains 67 times less beta-carotene and 4 times more sodium than non-GM squash.126
Soy: Monsanto's own study on Roundup Ready soy showed significant differences in the ash, fat, and carbohydrate content as well as a 27% increase in trypsin inhibitor,127 a known allergen. Additional differences (which Monsanto had omitted from their paper but were later recovered in journal archives) showed that GM soy had significandy lower levels of protein, a fatty acid, and phenylalanine (an essential amino acid). |
| Or what about handing out vitamin-A supplements to children so severely malnourished their bodies can't metabolize beta-carotene?"36 In fact, organizations are successfully doing these. Several groups have promoted the use of gardens in developing nations and the Vitamin Angel Alliance gives at risk children high potency vitamin A tablets, strong enough so that only two are required per year to prevent blindness. At a cost of only $.05 per tablet, only $25,000 is needed to prevent 500,000 children from going blind per year. |
| No published study has confirmed that the human body could actually convert the beta-carotene in golden rice. Other nutrients such as fat and protein, often lacking in the diets of malnourished children, are needed in order to absorb vitamin A. David Schubert points out that "a GM plant making vitamin A precursor, such as 'golden rice,' might also produce retinoic acid derivatives." He says these might result in "direct toxicity or abnormal embryonic development."34 In addition, one gene inserted into the rice comes from daffodils. |
Bill Sardi
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 Vitamin A and beta-carotene at high doses, administered daily before x-ray-irradiation produces more than a 90% cure rate in mice with implanted breast cancer cells, whereas treatment with radiation alone or antioxidants alone are ineffective.
Prasad cites a study where breast cancer patients with stage 0-111 cancer undergoing radiation treatment were given antioxidants (8,000 mg of vitamin C as calcium ascorbate, 800 IU of vitamin E [alpha tocopherol succinate], and 60 mg of natural ft-carotene—administered orally, divided into two doses, half in the morning and half in the evening). |
Dr. Steve Blake
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| Forms in the body: retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, and beta-carotene.
CERTAIN TYPES OF VITAMIN A CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS
Excess preformed vitamin A from animal products or supplements taken during pregnancy is known to cause birth defects. Provitamin A carotenes are not known to cause birth defects. Intake levels by pregnant women below 10,000 IU daily have not been associated with an increase of birth defects. However, many foods are fortified with preformed vitamin A that can add to the other dietary sources of vitamin A. |
Erich Grotewold
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 Effects of a combination of beta-carotene and vitamin A on lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, N Engl J Med, 334: 1150-1155.
Orlowski, R. Z, and Baldwin, A. S., Jr., 2002, NF-kB as a therapeutic target in cancer, Trends Mol Med, 8:385-389.
Pan, M. H, Lin-Shiau, S. Y., Ho, C. T, Lin, J. H, and Lin, J. K, 2000, Suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activity by theaflavin-3,3'-digallate from black tea and other polyphenols through down-regulation of IkappaB kinase activity in macrophages, Biochem Pharmacol, 59: 357-367.
Pannala, A. S., Rice-Evans, C. A. |
Dr. Steve Blake
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| Older men and women may want to limit their supplemental vitamin A intake or take only the beta-carotene form of vitamin A; fresh fruits and vegetables are good sources. Too little vitamin A can also be a problem because adequate vitamin A is needed to prevent osteoporosis.
Vitamin D deficiency can be a contributor to osteoporosis. Without enough vitamin D, the bones cannot properly mineralize. Either sufficient sunlight or 600 to 700 IU of supplemental vitamin D daily have been found to lower the chances of osteoporotic fracture.
Vitamin K is needed to bind minerals to bones. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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 Constitutional
Vegetarian diet for 3 months until follow-up
Additional Therapies to Consider
Zinc: 30 mg daily Vitamin E: 800 IU daily Selenium: 400 meg daily Pyridoxine: 50 mg 3 times daily
Maintenance Plan for 1 Year
Vitamin C: 3 g daily Beta-carotene: 150,000 IU daily Folic acid: 2.5 mg daily Vitamin E: 400 IU daily
Multiple vitamin/mineral: follow label directions Green tea capsules: 1 capsule daily Botanical Formula II: alternate 1 month on,
1 month off Vegetarian diet
Smoking may also alter immune function and affects the levels and distribution of ascorbic acid. |
Ray D. Strand
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| I have found my patients need to have optimal levels of vitamin C to protect the integrity of the endothelium, decrease the oxidation of the LDL cholesterol, and regenerate the vitamin E and glutathione. beta-carotene, along with all the different types of carotene, is also necessary to help prevent or slow down this process.
I want to build up the glutathione levels within the cell by giving the body its precursors—selenium, vitamin B2, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and niacin. |
Wendy Bazilian, DRPH, MA, RD, Steven Pratt, MD, Kathy Matthews
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 Those who consumed the most salads enjoyed above-median blood levels of folic acid, vitamins C and E, lycopene, and alpha- and beta-carotene. And each serving of salad eaten was associated with a 165 percent higher likelihood of subjects meeting the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin C in women and a 119 percent greater likelihood in men.* Keep in mind that the rich supply of nutrients in those salads is also acting to help promote weight loss. So enjoy your SuperFoods salad daily and recognize that it's helping you reach your goals. |
Marshall Editions
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 It contains high levels of iodine as well as beta-carotene, potassium, zeazanthin, bromine, and mucilages, which heal and soothe the tissues. For the best results, bladderwrack must be taken over a long-term period. Drink a tea made from 1-2 tsp of herb boiled in 1 cup of water or take 30 drops of tincture daily.
Guggul: This herb is effective in stimulating the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone. The active constituent in guggul is a resin, which is secreted by the plant when injured. Because resins are insoluble in water, an alcohol extract must be used. |
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