VITAMINS THAT FIGHT CANCER: VITAMIN A
Beta-Carotene, an orange pigment and a precursor of vitamin A has been linked with preventing cancer. It improves the functioning of the immune system and helps eliminate oxygen-type free radicals. It has been noted that cancer patients often have low blood levels of beta-carotene. In a study, beta-carotene levels in the blood of lung cancer patients was found to be one-third lower than that in healthy individuals. Similarly, according to a recent British study, it was found that men with the most beta-carotene in their blood were 60 per cent as likely to develop cancer, especially lung cancer, as those with the lowest blood beta-carotene.According to several studies, vitamin A exerts an inhibiting effect on carcinogenesis. It is one of the most important aids in the body’s defense system to fight and prevent cancer. Dr. Leonida Santamaria and his colleagues at the University of Pavis in Italy, have uncovered preliminary evidence suggesting that beta-carotene may actually inhibit skin cancer by helping the body thwart the cancer-causing process, known as oxidation. This vitamin can be taken in large doses up to 1,50,000 units a day in the treatment of cancer.The main food sources of Beta Carotene are dark orange and dark green leafy vegetables – sweet potatoes, carrots, dried apricots, lady’s finger, spinach and pumpkin. Other good sources of this vitamin are grapefruit, mangoes, lettuce and broccoli. The darker orange or green the fruit or vegetable, the more beta carotene it contains.*44/355/5*
