Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 In one study, patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy who were pre-treated with low-dose, oral beta-carotene experienced a fifty-fold increase in their plaque beta-carotene level, and the plaque from beta-carotene-treated patients had higher carotenoid levels and higher absorption compared with controls. The administration of 2 microM of beta-carotene proved more potent than 40 microM of alpha-tocopherol in inhibiting LDL oxidation and thus could be a key factor in atherosclerosis prevention. Animal trials support such findings.
Vitamin B,
Vitamin B[ (thiamine) is a powerful antioxidant. |
| While lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid in the human blood and tissues, it is not produced naturally in the body and thus must be obtained through dietary sources.
Recent studies point to the growing interest in lycopene and its potential for promoting health, particularly with respect to heart disease and cancer. A six-year study of 48,000 male health professionals conducted by Harvard Medical School found that the consumption of tomato products more than twice per week reduced prostate cancer risk by 35 percent. |
Dr. Gary Null
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 Additional plant foods believed to decrease the risk include orange oil, onions, garlic, green tea, and cruciferous vegetables. carotenoid and retinoid supplements have also been shown to prevent breast cancer, including beta carotene, apocarotenal, and canthaxanthion.
"Foods that May Prevent Breast Cancer: Studies are Investigating Soybeans, Whole Wheat and Green Tea, Among Others," Primary Care and Cancer 14, no. 2 (February 1994): 10-11. |
| High in trace elements, antioxidant cofactors, flavonoids, and carotenoid.
Coenzyme Q10. Every cell in the body needs this coenzyme to create energy and build stamina.
NADH. Also known as coenzyme 1, NADH is a naturally occurring substance in the body that supplies energy to the cells, allowing them to live longer.
Thymus extract. Pure oral thymus extract enhances immune function and helps reverse the aging process.
Tyrosine. Strengthens the thyroid and adrenal glands, protecting against stress.
ENZYME THERAPY. |
Donald R. Yance, j r.,C.N., M.H., A.H.G., with Arlene Valentine
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 Full-spectrum supplement containing 500 mg vitamin C ascorbate; 200 IU vitamin E succinate; 25,000 IU carotenoid complex; 10 meg selenium; and 10 mg zinc. (Extra zinc, 30 to 50 mg, may be used to enhance healing for a short period of time.)
Two supplements that I recommend are Cyto-Redoxin (Tyler Encapsulations) and Clinical Nutrients Antioxidant (Phyto Pharmica). These are high-quality multicell protective complexes that contain plant extracts as well as vitamins and minerals. |
| John's wort, lavender, or rosemary along with a full-spectrum carotenoid supplement, ascorbate vitamin C, dry vitamin E, and selenium, supplies the body with nutrients that are protection against skin cancer as well as other cancers and chronic illnesses.
Another recent study has demonstrated that squalamine, a steroid derived from shark liver, inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in multiple animal models and may be well suited for treatment of tumors and other diseases characterized by neovascularization in humans. |
| If a full-spectrum carotenoid supplement, such as Beta-Plex, were to be used in clinical trials, I believe we would see consistently impressive results both for cancer prevention and treatment.
Vitamin E Succinate
Vitamin E's most characterized function is as a lipid-soluble antioxidant within the cell membranes, functioning as a free-radical scavenger to prevent lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fats. Vitamin E also increases the effectiveness of selenium, detoxifies nitrates, and protects against cancer, especially prostate cancer. |
Dr. Julian Whitaker
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| Beta-carotene, a carotenoid, is a precursor of vitamin A and is converted in the body into vitamin A as needed. The developing brain of the fetus depends on adequate amounts of vitamin A, and new research suggests that this nutrient is involved in brain function throughout life. Vitamin A has been described by Dr. Ronald Evans of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, as "a type of molecular key that unlocks one of the most powerful functions of the human brain," learning. Dr. |
Susun S. Weed
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 Lycopene is an antioxidant carotenoid especially effective in preventing the initiation of cancer. Best Sources: Tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon.
Monoterpenes are mild antioxidants needed for the production and utilization of anti-cancer enzymes. Best Sources: Fruits, vegetables, mints, basil, seasoning herbs.
Phytic acid, or phytate, is a plant-based phosphorus which prevents the formation of cancer-promoting free radicals in the intestines and inhibits tumor growth in a wide range of cancers. Best Sources: Wheat, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. |
Nicola Reavley
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 In a 1993 study, researchers examined the relationship between cervical cancer and carotenoid levels in 15,161 women who donated blood in 1974. Over the next 16 years, 50 women developed cancer. The blood samples of these women were compared with those from 50 women free of cancer and the results showed that the levels of total carotenes, alpha carotene, beta carotene, cryptoxanthin, and lycopene were significantly lower among cancer cases than they were among controls.13 Laboratory studies show that beta carotene can slow the growth of cervical cancer cells. |
Rebecca Wood
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 A cup of dandelion greens provides nearly a day's requirement of vitamin A in the form of antioxidant carotenoid and a third of the daily vitamin C requirement. It contains more calcium than broccoli and is an excellent source of potassium.
Use Fresh commercial or foraged dandelion greens (early spring) with a vinaigrette make an excellent salad alone or with other garden greens. If leaves are foraged after the plant blossoms, parboil them to reduce their bitter flavor. |
Dr. Gary Null
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| Additional plant foods believed to decrease the risk include orange oil, onions, garlic, green tea, and cruciferous vegetables. carotenoid and retinoid supplements have also been shown to prevent breast cancer, including beta carotene, apocarotenal, and canthaxanthion.
"Foods that May Prevent Breast Cancer: Studies are Investigating Soybeans, Whole Wheat and Green Tea, Among Others," Primary Care and Cancer 14, no. 2 (February 1994): 10-11. |
Nicola Reavley
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| The results showed that people with high carotenoid intakes had a lower risk of macular degeneration.
Results also showed that those with high intakes of all the antioxidants had significantly reduced risk of the disorder.8
Carotenes
The carotenes, lutein and zeaxanthin, may also have protective effects. Lutein and zeaxanthin are constituents of the pigment of the eye. A low density of this pigment in the macula of the eye may increase the risk of the disorder, macular degeneration, possibly because it permits greater blue light damage. |
Gary Null
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 High in trace elements, antioxidant cofactors, flavonoids, and carotenoid.
Coenzyme Q10. Every cell in the body needs this coenzyme to create energy and build stamina.
NADH. Also known as coenzyme 1, NADH is a naturally occurring substance in the body that supplies energy to the cells, allowing them to live longer.
Thymus extract. Pure oral thymus extract enhances immune function and helps reverse the aging process.
Tyrosine. Strengthens the thyroid and adrenal glands, protecting against stress.
Fo-ti. Rejuvenates the endocrine system and is an excellent digestive tonic.
Ginkgo biloba. |
Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC
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 These carotenoids, found in high concentrations in spinach and kale, concentrate in the part of the retina where macular degeneration strikes. Once there, they protect the retina from damage caused by sunlight.7 As expected, spinach and kale eaters have a lower risk of macular degeneration, although blood levels of lutein have not correlated with risk of macular degeneration in one trial.8'9
Harvard researchers report that people eating the most lutein and zeaxanthin—a total of 5.8 mg per day—have a 57% decreased risk of macular degeneration, compared with people eating the least. |
| It is the primary carotenoid present in the central area of the retina called the macula. Lutein may act as a filter to protect the macula from potentially damaging forms of light. Consequently, lutein appears to be associated with protection from age-related macular degeneration (p. 118) (the leading cause of blindness in older adults).
Where Is It Found?
Spinach, kale, collard greens, romaine lettuce, leeks, and peas are good sources of lutein.
Lutein Has Been Used in
Connection with the Following Conditions*
Ranking
Health Concerns
Secondary
Macular degeneration (p. |
Jean Carper
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 However, the tomato is distinguished for its concentration of another type of carotene called lycopene—which means that maybe beta carotene is not the only cancer protector among the carotenoid family.
In a large population study in Wales tomatoes also ranked high as a protector against acute appendicitis.
MYTHS AND CAUTIONS
¦ Modern folklore blames the tomato for aggravating arthritis because it is a member of the "poisonous nightshade" family, but there is no substantial evidence or logical explanation for it. The tomato is commonly incriminated in food allergies. |
| Kale is also higher in one particular type of carotenoid, beta carotene. (Kale has twice as much as spinach.) Beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body, is singled out by some scientists as a particularly potent anticancer agent, as demonstrated by animal studies. As if that is not enough, kale is a marvelous source of chlorophyll, another constituent that some authorities label a cancer antagonist.
220
When diet is linked with rates of cancer, dark-green vegetables, including kale, come out tops as protective. |
Andrew Chevallier
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 Constituents The seed pulp contains carotenoid coloring principles. History & Folklore In tropical South America, the brilliant red pigment in the seed pulp has traditionally been used in body painting. Annatto dye is also used as a colorant for margarine and cheese. Medicinal Actions & Uses In the Caribbean, annatto leaves and roots are used to make an astringent infusion that is taken to treat fever, epilepsy, and dysentery. The infusion is also taken as an aphrodisiac. The leaves alone make an infusion that is used as a gargle. |
Mark Stengler, N.D.
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 Vitamin C—1,000 to 2,000 milligrams
Lipoic acid—100 milligrams
Coenzyme Q10—100 milligrams
Vitamin A—1,500 to 5,000 IU
Selenium—200 micrograms
Tocotrienols—100 milligrams
Mixed carotenoid complex— 25,000 IU
Green tea—1 to 3 cups daily
Recommended Foods
- ;
Many fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, and the more you can get in your diet, the better. Here are some of the stars.
* Grapes, strawberries, cherries, and blueberries ail contain phytonutrients known as flavonoids that have potent antioxidant activity. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
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 The present recommendation is not to look at isolated beta-carotene as the effective supplement but at a carotenoid mix. Additionally, startling evidence is at hand showing decisive benefits from another antioxidant, vitamin E, even when it is used as an isolated supplement. Recent studies have shown that vitamin E in supplements can reduce heart disease recurrence in patients who have already suffered a heart attack by as much as 75 percent.
Some scientists have also questioned the value of common recommendations for vitamin C supplementation. A recent government-sponsored study by Dr. |
Nicola Reavley
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| Other types of studies have shown that cancer victims often have lower carotenoid levels than healthy individuals.
In a study published in 1991, researchers investigated the links between beta carotene and cancer in New Zealand families. The study involved 389 people diagnosed with cancer and 391 hospital patients without cancer. They also assessed the family members of the study participants to compensate for the fact that changes in beta carotene levels may have occurred after the cancer developed. |
J. E. Williams, O.M.D.
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 Vitamin A and the carotenoid Family: Though not classified as an antioxidant, vitamin A deserves mention in this section because it is a fat-soluble substance essential for proper immune function. Vitamin A maintains healthy epithelial tissue, such as the skin and the outer lining and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Since these tissues serve as the first line of nonspecific, defense-inhibiting viral organisms to lodge on the surface of your lungs, throat, and nasal passages, it is Vitamin A afso improves white important to keep them strong and vital. |
James F. Balch, M.D.
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 Carotenoid Content of Fruits and Vegetables: An Evaluation of Analytic Data," Journal of the American Dietetic Association 93:3 284-296 (1993).
Co-Enzyme 0-10 (Co-Q-10)
The Story of Gina Ferguson
On November 11, 1997, ABC News aired the first in a series of stories on nutrition called "The ABCs of Life." The principal character of that first story was Gina Ferguson. John McKenzie reported:
Gina Ferguson seemed much too young to be suffering from an enlarged and weakened heart. She was 24 years old, and she was dying. |
| The implications of this study reinforce other researchers demonstrating the health benefits of the carotenoid family. These nutrients reduce the number of dna strand breaks and likely reduce the risk of cancerous cell changes.
B. L. Pool-zobel, A. Bub, H. Muller et ai.( "Consumption of vegetables Reduces Genetic Damage in Humans: First Results of a Human intervention Trial with carotenold-Rich Foods, Carcinogenesis 18 (1997), pp. 1847-50. |
| The answer is lycopene, a carotenoid akin to beta-carotene, a potent antioxidant that contributes to the bright red color of a quality tomato. In fact, S. Franceschi wrote in the International Journal of Cancer (October 1994), "Dietary intake of tomatoes which contain high levels of lycopene appeared to protect against cancer of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum in over 5,000 cancer patients and controls. |
| Lycopene and Cancer Prevention in the Prostate
Lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid present in human plasma and tissues. Lycopene is especially highly concentrated in the prostate and undoubtedly has a protective benefit to the prostate as an antioxidant. Oxidative stress is always identified in the prostate tissue that develops into malignant cancer. The oxidation caused by free radicals damages the proteins and the DNA by chemically altering them. The magnitude of this oxidative damage increases with age, as does the incidence of prostate cancer. |
| Scientists associate this property to lycopene's long-chain molecular structure, which contains thirteen double bonds, more than any other carotenoid. This unique double-bonded character is very important in its function as an antioxidant, being able to neutralize free radicals easily. Although not created by the human body, findings indicate that lycopene is an important part of the human organism's defense mechanism against oxidative agents, especially singlet oxygen. |
| Lycopene was the only carotenoid that seemed to be independently protective of myocardial infarction. This helped explain why vegetable consumption seems to reduce the risk of heart attack. This study came about because scientists are beginning to understand that lipid metabolism and oxidation of low-density lipoproteins accelerate atherogenesis and that supplementation of the antioxidant vitamin E, lycopene, and other bioflavonoids reduce the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction. |
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