Many times it is really hard to correctly interpret the news
we hear, and I often wonder whether this is because those who bring us the news
are inclined to sensationalize, rather than analyze! This is well
illustrated by the controversy about Beta Carotene's value as a dietary
supplement.
The first important thing to realize is that there is a
significant difference between synthetic and natural Beta Carotenes. Major
studies have used synthetic beta-carotene, and also synthetic Vitamin A (Retinol).
The latter has many restrictions on its use, and the former never comes in an
isolated form in nature. The beta-carotene supplements recommended by Holistic
Practitioners are always the natural forms, containing such esoteric sounding
substances as Zeaxanthin, Lutein, Lycopene, Alpha- Carotene, and Cryptoxanthin,
which in nature accompany Beta-Carotene.
The second thing to consider here, is that the some of the
studies were done on people who had smoked heavily for a lifetime, or whose
health was significantly impaired: damage such as this cannot logically be
expected to answer to one single substance, no matter how beneficial. I am sure
you remember the number of times I have stated that chronic disease does not
respond to a Magic Bullet approach!
The third thing to take into account is the number of studies
that have shown clear, incontrovertible benefits from natural beta-carotene
and other carotenoids, and that even the reports on this negative study conclude
by saying that the protective effects of fruits and vegetables are not being
questioned. The obvious conclusion here, is that a supplement which is closer to
fresh food is more likely to to be effective than synthetic chemicals. Many
people who for one reason or another do not eat enough in the way of fresh
fruits and vegetables have been compensating by taking concentrated food
supplements , and they should not be put off by this report, as long as the
source is wisely chosen. As the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
put it in 1991, "the overwhelming evidence .......would indicate that
carotenoids exert an important influence in modulating the actions of
carcinogens."
In fact, revisiting this study in 2004, these conclusions were
reached:
A new analysis published in July takes another look
at that same Finnish smokers' study, but now takes into account their
total antioxidant intake, and clears up that whole controversy. Their
risk of getting lung cancer was closely associated with total
antioxidants in the diet, with more antioxidants meaning less cancer.
A composite antioxidant index was generated for each of the 27,000 men
over 14 years. The calculated amounts of carotenoids, flavonoids,
Vitamin E, selenium and Vitamin C were compared to actual lung cancer
rates, with a clear result: a combination of antioxidants lowers
lung cancer risk in male smokers. (Lynn: my emphasis)
Specifically, Lycopene (high in tomatoes) has been found to
lower the risk of prostate cancer (Journal of the Nat.
Cancer Institute 1994) and also cancers of the mouth,
pharynx , stomach and colon. (International Journal of
Cancer 1994) Lutein and Zeaxanthin have been shown to
have protective effects against macular degeneration. (Journal
of the American Medical Association 1994)
Alpha-carotene drastically reduced the number of tumors in an
animal study of liver, lung and skin cancer, exceeding the cancer fighting
ability of beta carotene (Cancer
research 1992). High blood
levels of carotenoids were found to be protective against heart attacks in a
study of 1,899 men followed for 13 years. (Journal of
the American Medical Association 1994).
What should you look for in an effective supplement? Look for
a beta-carotene from natural sources, or one that lists all the carotenoids, or
a powder or pill that is actually made from foods, and which states the amount
of the nutrients that you can expect to find. Use them to improve your diet, but
at the same time remember - make that diet as good as can be! Nothing replaces
the right foods.
Keywords: synthetic
natural beta carotene, about zeaxanthin, about lutein, about lycopene,
alpha carotene, about cryptoxanthin, beta carotene prostate cancer, beta
carotene colon cancer, beta carotene macular degeneration, food
carotene, the vitamin lady writes about beta-carotene
Berkeley
Wellness looks at the claims - http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html/ds/dsBetaCarotene.php
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