The combination of vitamin E
and lycopene -- the chemical that gives tomatoes their rich, red
color -- may significantly inhibit the growth of prostate
tumors, a new study finds.
Past studies have found that
lycopene consumption tends to lessen a man's risk of prostate
cancer. This was confirmed by Dutch researchers at the Erasmus
Medical Center in Rotterdam, Who found that the growth of more
than half of the prostate tumors grown in mice were suppressed,
the scientists said in a statement.
Even more impressive, when
low-dose lycopene was combined with vitamin E, the growth of 73
percent of the prostate tumors was inhibited, the researchers
found. Study leader Dr. Jacqueline Limpens said that while
the early results of the mouse study seemed promising, they must
be confirmed among men. In the meantime, men should be
encouraged to regularly eat foods rich in these ingredients,
including processed tomato products, papayas, watermelon, wheat
germ, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts and olive oils,
she said. |