| For example, you may have heard of a famous Finnish study in which beta carotene supplements seemed to cause lung cancer. The disclosure of these results hit the media like an explosion. This study got more press than any other study in the history of medicine. The question is, why? One reason may be that the results of this study appeared just before the passage of the famous Hatch-Richardson Bill regarding the purchase of vitamin and mineral supplements.
The study population in the Finnish trial included approximately twenty-nine thousand male smokers in Finland. |
Stephanie Beling
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 The real beta carotene that occurs naturally in both fruits and vegetables is very good for you indeed, especially when it combines with other phytochemicals. The National Cancer Institute confirmed that conclusion.
The Power of This PowerFood
Fruits are loaded with health benefits. To begin with, since water makes up 80 percent to 95 percent of most fruits, they are low in calories. In addition, fruits are excellent sources of fiber, both soluble and insoluble. |
J. Robert Hatherill
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 Rich dietary sources of vitamin A include dairy products, eggs, and vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, carrots, peas, and pumpkin. beta carotene, which is found in deep-yellow and dark-green vegetables, can be converted to vitamin A during digestion.
The RDA of vitamin A for adults is 5,000 IU. Vitamin A may prevent cancer in several ways. It is well known that vitamin A fosters growth and maintains your surface cells or epithelial tissues, which is where many cancers arise. Vitamin A also plays a critical role in the immune system by hindering tumor cell growth. |
Elaine Feuer
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 A lack of antioxidants—Vitamins C, E, and beta carotene (a form of vitamin A)—have been implicated in sixty age-related afflictions, including cancer and heart disease. In 1992, Dr. Gladys Block (University of California, Berkeley) published a review of twenty studies that monitored the incidence of mouth, throat, and stomach cancers in relation to Vitamin C intake: Those consuming the lowest intakes of Vitamin C were stricken at twice the rate of those consuming the most. |
Thomas Bartram
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 Supplements. beta carotene (to quench free-radicals), Vitamin A. Vitamin C (lg morning and evening). Vitamin E (one 500iu capsule morning and evening). Selenium:, Zinc. To prepare skin for excessive sunshine: Vitamin B6 (50mg); PABA (every day for one week before exposure). Note. Even dull skies carry ultra-violet light, and sunburn in childhood is a risk factor.
SUNDEW. Drosera rotundifolia L. French: Rosee du soleil. German: Runder Sonnentau. Italian: Erba da fottosi. Lichen. Constituents: flavonoids, naphthaquinones. Action. Expectorant, soothing demulcent, antispasmodic, antitussive. |
Committee on Comparative Toxicity of Naturally Occurring Carcinogens
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 The effect of vitamin E and beta carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers. N. Engl. J. Med. 330:1029-1035.
Armstrong, B. and R. Doll. 1975. Environmental factors and cancer incidence and mortality in different countries, with special reference to dietary practices. Int. J. Cancer 15:617-631.
Ashby, J. 1985. Fundamental structural alerts to potential carcinogenicity or noncarcinogenicity. Environ. Mutagen. 7:919-921.
Ashby, J. and D. Paton. 1993. |
Marcia Zimmerman, C.N.
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 Look for natural beta carotene, preferably in a hill range of carotenoids including alpha carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. A good multiple vitamin capsule will also supply these essential antioxidants and it will include vitamin D, which is not included in most antioxidant formulas. Look for the brands listed above under B vitamins that use Albion amino-acid-chelated minerals. You may only have to supplement with additional magnesium and potassium.
Where Do I Get These Exact Combinations? |
Ralph Moss, PhD
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 The Finnish Alpha Tocopherol beta carotene (ATBC) trial enrolled 30,000 middle-aged male smokers between 1985 and 1993. These men were randomized to receive daily supplements (of either vitamin E or beta-carotene) or placebo for five to eight years, (is) After that time, the results were analyzed. Taking 50 milligrams per day of vitamin E had no effect on the lung cancer incidence among these smokers. That was disappointing enough. But synthetic beta-carotene supplements were associated with a small, but non-significant, increase in their death rate. |
Thomas Bartram
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| Vitamin A 7500iu, Vitamin B2 lOmg, Vitamin C 400mg, Vitamin E 400iu, beta carotene. Zinc 15mg.
CONTRA-INDICATED. Not indicated. Against medical advice. A remedy which is contra-indicated is unsuitable for use.
CONTUSIONS. See: BRUISES.
CONVALESCENCE. During the period of recovery from the passing of an illness to normal health the individual may still be weak, requiring adequate rest and rehabilitation. Restorative herbs include:
Alternatives. Teas. Alfalfa, Oats, Ginseng, St
John's Wort, Vervain, Yarrow.
Carragheen Moss. See entry.
Decoctions. |
| Zinc chelate (lOOmg morning and evening). beta carotene. "Low levels of Selenium and Vitamins A and E are shown in breast cancer cases." (British Journal of Cancer 49: 321-324, 1984).
Vitamins A and D inhibit virus penetration in healthy cell walls. Multivitamin combinations should not include Vitamin B12, production of which in the body is much increased in cancerous conditions. Vitamins B-complex and C especially required.
Note. |
| Contains beta carotene precursor of vitamin A, Vitamins D, E and chlorophyll. For dry skin. Powdered seeds used by Indians for diarrhoea and dysentery. Oil or pulp softens hard skin, beautifies the complexion, stimulates hair growth, aids healing of wounds, acts as an emmenagogue and aphrodisiac.
Bactericidal against Gram-positive bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureau (/. Neeman et al, Appl. Microboil., 19, 470(1970)).
Avocados lower cholesterol levels.
AYURVEDA MEDICINE. System of sacred medicine originating from Ancient India, dating from 1000 to 3000BC. |
Paul Pitchford
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 Refer to the Green Food Products chapter for further properties and sources of beta carotene. environment diminishes. Excessive ejaculation in particular reduces jing, draining the body's vitality. According to modern nutrition, semen contains substantial amounts of zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to proper immune function. Excessive loss of semen, therefore, taxes the body's stores of these (and other) nutrients. |
Thomas Bartram
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| Vitamin A is known to increase resistance by strengthening the cell membrane; preferably taken as beta carotene 300,000iu daily as massive doses of Vitamin A can be toxic. Amino acid - Glutathione: Garlic's L-cysteine relates.
Vitamin C. "The virus is inactivated by this vitamin. Saturating cells infected with the HIV virus with the vitamin results in 99 per cent inac-tivation of the virus. The vitamin is an anti-viral and immune system modulator without unwanted side-effects. |
James A. Howenstine, MD
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 Among these 71 nutrients are chlorophyll, phytocyanin, amino acids, vitamins including B 12, minerals, SOD, bromelain, nucleic acids proteins, beta carotene, and gamma linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. The dosages of these micronutrients are so tiny they are rapidly and easily absorbed. They then act as biologic response modifiers, which make it easier for the same nutrient to be absorbed in a larger dosage.
What Has SBO Done In Patients?
I have already mentioned the fascinating recovery of the young man from petit mal epilepsy. |
Patrick Quillin, PhD,RD,CNS
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 Antioxidants, like beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium appear to enhance the effectiveness of chemo, radiation, and hyperthermia while minimizing damage to the patient's normal cells; thus making therapy more of a "selective toxin." An optimally nourished cancer patient can better tolerate the rigors of cytotoxic therapy. For a few examples...
VITAMIN K. While in simplistic theory, vitamin K might inhibit the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy (Coumadin), actually vitamin K seems to augment the anti-neoplastic activity of Coumadin. |
John Boik
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 Analysis of blood samples revealed that high levels of beta carotene and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) were associated with decreased cancer risk. Persons with the highest tier of total carotenoids exhibited approximately a 66% reduction in risk compared to the lowest tier.
Zheng etal., 1993 an associated decline in leukotriene B4 production (reviewed by Linder, 1991:149). In animal studies, histamine release and inflammation are associated with tumor promotion.
Animal studies support a protective role for vitamin C. |
| Alpha-tocopherol, beta carotene cancer prevention study group, 1994
Administration of vitamin A (350,000 to 500,000 IU) significantly increased response rates, duration of response, and projected survival in postmenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer who were treated by chemotherapy.
Israel etal., 1985
In a crossover study on 18 patients with mucosal dysplasia of the head and neck region (a recognized premalignant lesion), supplementation with beta-carotene and cis-retinoic acid resulted in improvement in 61% of the subjects, and a complete response in 33%.
Malakeretal. |
Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.
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 Regression of experimental hamster cancer by beta carotene and algae extracts. J Oral Maxillofac Surg.1987; 45:510-5.
1 Bryostatins
Bryostatins are chemicals called lactones that have been isolated from an ocean invertebrate called Bugula neritina. These three-inch-long primitive animals, also called sea mats or corallines, are little known because they have virtually no commercial use to humans. But they are quite interesting to scientists since, although they are technically animals, they are very plantlike and live in underwater branching colonies. |
| A clinical trial of beta carotene to prevent basal-cell and squamous-cell cancers of the skin. The Skin Cancer Prevention Study Group [see comments]. N Engl J Med.l990;323:789-95.
ž ^ 'DlTAMINS
The B vitamins are extremely important for the general maintenance of health. They enhance immune function; restore the nutritional status of cancer patients, especially those receiving conventional treatment; and enhance the effects while diminishing the side effects of chemotherapy.
Both cancer and its treatment with chemotherapy can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies. |
| Patients who received such "conditioning therapy" were found to have lower levels of vitamin E and beta carotene. The loss of these antioxidants, doctors at Tubigen University, Germany concluded, is possibly the cause of the toxicity seen with BMT.
"We suggest high-dose supplementation of essential antioxidants for patients undergoing BMT," the German doctors wrote in 1989 (9).
Scientists at Louisiana State University studied patients with lung cancer. Vitamin E was significantly lower in patients hospitalized for lung cancer. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 A preliminary study treated people with precancerous oral lesions with 60 mg. of beta carotene a day for six months. (This would equal about four to five carrots a day.) Test results showed an impressive fifty-percent reduction in the number of lesions.
Green tea—Drinking green tea has also been linked to a reduced risk of oral cancer in humans, particularly cancer of the esophagus. A study reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (June, 1994), compared 900 middle-aged Chinese men and women with esophageal cancer to over 1,500 cancer-free men and women. |
Thomas Bartram
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| Vitamins A, B, C, E, bioflavonoids, beta carotene, dolomite, propolis, zinc.
CYTOSTATIC. A herb which tends to slowdown mitosis (division and multiplication of cells) that can be of value as a supportive aid in malignancy.
Goldenseal, Mistletoe, Red Clover, Violet leaves. See also: ANTI-NEOPLASTIC.
DAISY. Woundwort. Bruisewort. Bellisperennis L. German: Wildes Massliebchen. French: Marguerite. Spanish: Margarita. Italian: Beilide. Keynote: conditions arising from bruises. Fresh or dried flowerheads.
Constituents: ammoniacal salts, saponin, tannic acid, inulin.
Action: vulnerary. |
Nicola Reavley
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 The results of this study suggest that the cancer sites associated with low levels of beta carotene are, in general, sites for which smoking is a strong risk factor.3
Lung cancer
Several population studies have investigated the links between lower levels of carotenes and lung cancer. In a study published in 1998, researchers at Johns Hopkins University measured nutrient levels in blood samples from 258 patients with lung cancer and compared these with those in samples from 515 people free of cancer. |
Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon
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 Vitamin Bi2 beta carotene Magnesium Potassium
Corticosteroids Aristocort Cortef Decadron Delta-Cortef Deltasone Kenacort Medrol Prednisone and others
Cortisonelike drugs can deplete the body of vitamin D3 and interfere with calcium absorption and metabolism. Long-term use may result in bone loss. Such medications may also lead to depletion of potassium and vitamins B6, Bi2, or folic acid. Check with your doctor about a supplement. |
| Because vitamin E is itself an important antioxidant, it might be wise to add a supplement of 100 to 400 IU if you are taking beta carotene.
Vitamin E
Birth Control
Pills
Demulen
Norlestrin
Ortho-Novum
Ovcon
Ovral
Tri-Norinyl
and others
Women using combination oral contraceptives may need more of these vitamins. Both folic acid and B6 levels may be low, and too little vitamin B6 could be responsible for depression. Ask your doctor about a supplement.
Vitamin C (1 gram or more) may increase blood levels of estrogen. Side effects may become more noticeable. |
| Investigators have documented that vitamin E supplements seem to lower the risk of heart disease by about one third and boost the cardioprotective action of beta carotene.5 Vitamin E, like aspirin, also helps blood flow freely by promoting factors that prevent clots. Vitamin E could create havoc when taken with Coumadin, because this vitamin apparently adds to the effect of the blood thinner. Clearly, if you take an anticoagulant, don't undertake self-treatment with vitamin E. Your doctor should be monitoring any such supplementation very closely. |
| Vitamin A
Alcohol
Research in baboons indicates that beta carotene can increase the liver damage caused by chronic alcohol intake.
Alcohol has numerous effects on the body. Some of these, such as changes in liver and intestinal function, may impact several nutrients. One consequence of long-term alcohol abuse is brain damage— Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Lack of the B vitamin thiamine plays an important role in the development of this problem.
Absorption or utilization of vitamins B6, Bi2, and C is affected by regular alcohol intake. |
Nicola Reavley
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| These results suggest that in smokers, dietary vitamin C supplementation should accompany beta carotene supplementation.9
Vitamin C
Low vitamin C intake is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. As well as exerting beneficial effects on cholesterol levels, vitamin C also increases the production of prostacyclin, a prostaglandin which decreases the clumping of blood platelets and dilates blood vessels, therefore reducing the risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis and stroke. |
| As well as protecting against free radical damage, beta carotene may also act as a filter and protect against light-induced damage to the fiber portion of the eye lens.
Other carotenes may also exert protective effects. In a 1997 study, researchers at Arizona State University assessed the relationship between carotenoid pigments in the retina of the eye, including lutein and zeaxanthin, and the density of clouding in the lens. The study involved younger people (ages 24 to 36 years) and older people (aged 48 to 82 years). |
Marcia Zimmerman, C.N.
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| Add the vitamin E and squeeze the contents of the beta carotene capsule into the mixture. Pour the Sunshine Butter into the glass containers. Cover them carefully with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil, and freeze. Defrost as needed; it only takes a few minutes. Keep refrigerated after use.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal you and your child can eat. Many adults skip breakfast, either because they are in a hurry to get out the door or because they don't feel hungry. There is a tendency for these individuals to choose sugary foods later in the morning, as energy levels sag. |
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