Harvard researchers have ascertained that men who consumed high levels of lycopene (an anti-oxidant found in tomatoes), showed a 21% lowered risk of developing prostate cancer, compared to those eating lower amounts of the fruit.
Prostate Cancer Diet: Clinical Findings for Tomatoes and Prostate Cancer
The clinical trial demonstrated that men who consumed two or more servings of tomato sauce every week were 23% less prone to prostate cancer, during the 22 years of the study than those individuals who ate less than one serving of tomato sauce in a week.
In yet another study, lycopene supplements were administered to individuals who were already suffering from prostate cancer. Results showed, a slower tumor growth, reduction in the size of the tumor, and reduced levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen, a tumor marker for prostate cancer that demonstrates cancer activity) by 18 %.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Prostate Cancer Prognosis
Regular screening for prostate cancer helps identify the disease while it is still in its early stages. Early detection helps to embark on the most appropriate line of treatment, thereby, making the prognosis look good. Prostate Cancer has good prognosis in general compared to other forms of cancer.
Tomatoes Protect against Other Forms of Cancers: Protective Effect of Lycopene
Lycopene, the powerful anti-oxidant found in tomatoes, is enormously protective against cancer, particularly, cancer of the prostate, lung, skin cancer, breast cancer, and anal cancer. Lycopene helps prevent the development of cancers by counteracting the injurious effects oxygen free radicals, before they can damage cellular structures.
Lycopene, a potent antioxidant, offers numerous health benefits, including protection from cancers.
- The amount of lycopene in tomatoes varies, depending up on the type of tomato, and how ripe it is. In the reddest varieties, the lycopene content is 50 milligrams per kilogram, whereas the yellow varieties grant a mere five milligrams per kilogram.
- Processing releases more lycopene.
- Consuming lycopene with a source of fat or when the food is heated increases its absorption.
Other Health Benefits of Tomatoes:
There are several other reasons why one should relish tomatoes
- Tomatoes combat age, making you look and feel younger. Tomatoes are packed with two spectacular anti-aging antioxidants – lycopene and beta-carotene. They fight free radicals and lessen the damage caused by them. These antioxidants are potent enough to decrease free radical damage by up to 42%.
- Tomatoes work wonders for your skin: Tomatoes improve the complexion and skin tone, making the skin, healthy and blemish-free. Tomatoes also act as a natural sunscreen, shielding the skin from the brutal effects of the sun.
- Tomatoes boost immunity levels. Drinking tomato juice regularly helps pep up the body’s immune mechanisms, and thus increases the body’s ability to fight bacteria and viruses more efficiently. The immune mechanisms get a huge boost and keep colds, coughs, sore throats, infections and fevers at bay.
Cancer is definitely a multi-factorial disease, and a myriad of factors– genes, diet and nutrition, lifestyle, psychology, and the environment play significant roles. The goal in preventing prostate cancer is to reduce the controllable factors (i.e. a nutrient-deficient diet, smoking, no exercise, and stress) that are linked to its development.
Shweta Shah - A practicing homeopath using aromatherapy, yoga, acupressure and diet in patient management
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