Carotenoids Help Reduce the Risk of Lung Cancer - Brief Article

Vegetarian Journal, March, 2001 by Reed Mangels

More men and women die of lung cancer than of any other cancer in the United States. Smoking is known to be a very important risk factor for developing lung cancer. Other factors in our diets are also being examined to see if dietary changes could reduce our risk.

In a study of more than 100,000 men and women, those who ate more foods containing the carotenoids alpha-carotene and lycopene had the lowest risk. Alpha-carotene is found in bright orange vegetables like carrots and pumpkin, while lycopene is found in tomatoes and products made from tomatoes. In subjects who never smoked, a 63% reduction in the incidence of lung cancer was seen in those with the highest intakes of alpha-carotene. Smokers had a reduction in risk of developing lung cancer when they had high intakes of lycopene.

These results may make some people look for a pill containing lycopene or alpha-carotene. Don't do it. The study showed that eating a diet high in a variety of carotenoids (not just lycopene or alpha-carotene) reduced risk of lung cancer. There is also a strong possibility that other substances found in plants may reduce the risk of cancers, including lung cancer. These important substances would not be found in a pill that only has alpha-carotene or lycopene. Also, no matter how healthy your diet is, there is still a greater risk of developing lung cancer if you smoke.

Michaud DS, Feskanich D, Rimm EB, et al. 2000. Intake of specific carotenoids and risk of lung cancer in 2 prospective US cohorts. Am J Clin Nutr 72:990-997.