| It can be difficult for the average person to find | | | | a single one, because there are multiple causes of the |
| information about lycopene in fighting cancer or | | | | disease. In other words, instead of looking at a single |
| preventing it. Some information is suppressed, | | | | nutrient like lycopene in fighting cancer, researchers |
| because doctors do not want their patients to have | | | | should probably begin looking at a combination of |
| unrealistic hopes or fore go conventional treatments | | | | nutrients that address three main issues. |
| in favor of alternative ones. | | | | One of those issues is free radical damage. |
| This article is meant only to help inform people about | | | | Carotenoids and other antioxidants address that |
| what a big role a healthy diet and good nutrition play | | | | issue. |
| in preventing some types of cancer. While some | | | | Another is inflammation. |
| forms of the disease are most surely due to | | | | Acute inflammation caused by illness or injury is a |
| genetics or exposure to environmental toxins like | | | | necessary function of the immune system. Chronic or |
| cigarette smoke, researchers have shown again and | | | | systematic inflammation is a cause of cellular aging |
| again, that the incidence of certain types is 50-80% | | | | and plays a role in many types of cancers. Dietary |
| higher among people with poor nutrient intake. | | | | factors cause that type of inflammation. Other |
| In 2009, Brazilian researchers reported that the risk | | | | dietary factors can prevent it. |
| of cervical cancer was nearly 50% lower in women | | | | Researchers believe that including more natural |
| with a high intake of dark green and deep yellow | | | | anti-inflammatories in the diet will reduce the risk of |
| vegetables and fruits. Results from studies completed | | | | many age-related diseases. When they have looked |
| in Seoul, Korea during the same year were similar. | | | | at lycopene in fighting cancer of the lungs, they have |
| Research from Israel concluded that "consumption of | | | | also been intrigued by its anti-inflammatory activity. It |
| most carotenoids" is strongly associated with a | | | | is not a potent anti-inflammatory. Turmeric, |
| reduced risk of colorectal cancer, but that cigarette | | | | resveratrol, carnosine and omega-3 fish oil have more |
| smoking reversed the protective effect. When | | | | potent anti-inflammatory activity. |
| researchers look at the benefit of lycopene in fighting | | | | Another factor contributing to cellular aging and DNA |
| cancer, they typically look at other carotenoids, too. | | | | damage that has been shown to contribute to |
| Carotenoids are a group of nutrients that include the | | | | age-related diseases and even wrinkles is Glycation. |
| common beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, | | | | The only nutrient that has been proven to help |
| lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene. They often look at | | | | prevent Glycation is l-carnosine. |
| the benefit of vitamin E and C, at the same time. | | | | You might not hear much about Glycation or |
| Decades ago, the Linus Pauling Institute suggested | | | | inflammation, but they are just as damaging as free |
| that vitamin C could be used to cure cancers. Some | | | | radicals. |
| studies have supported that suggestion. Others have | | | | Now that you know a little more about lycopene in |
| not. | | | | fighting cancer, you might want to learn more about |
| While it may be possible to wipe out the disease, it | | | | other beneficial nutrients. They might be the cures |
| will likely take a combination of nutrients, rather than | | | | we've been looking for. |