Ganoderma
Vegetables & Fruits Vs Cancer : Emphasis On Vitamins, Fiber & Awareness Of Alternative Medicine
Mahidol University Annual Research Abstracts 2000
159 VEGETABLES & FRUITS VS CANCER : EMPHASIS ON
VITAMINS, FIBER & AWARENESS OF
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Voranunt Suphiphat Division of Experimental Nutrition,
Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol
University.
Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400
Key words : vegetables, fruit, cancer
It is well known that food and nutrition are important modifiers
of cancer risk. Consumption of more foods of vegetable origin, less
foods of animal origin and less alcohol, tobacco can reduce the
risk of cancers. Diets that high in vegetables and
fruits supply not only vitamins and minerals but also
antioxidants, fibers and phytochemical or bioactive compounds.
The evidence for a protective effect of vegetable is rather
stronger than that for fruit.
Because vegetables are consumed in
greater quantities and there is a close association with vegetable
fiber while no clear association with fruit fiber is observed.
Diet high in green vegetables is
convinced to have protection against lung and stomach cancer and
they probably protect against mouth and pharyngeal cancer. While
diet high in cruciferous vegetables
such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and
mustard greens are probably protective against colorectal and
thyroid cancer. The protective effect is attributable to induction
of phase II enzymes.
However, frequent intake of cruciferous
vegetables could also result in cancer enhancing effects because in
can induce cytochrome P4501A2 which catalyze the metabolic
activation of various procarcinogens.
Data on high consumption of Allium (onions, garlic, scallions,
chives), tomatoes and citrus fruits is convinced to protect against
stomach cancer, whereas carrots probably protect against lung,
stomach and bladder cancers. The antioxidant properties of b
carotene or other carotenoid,
Vitamin C,
Vitamin E and selenium is well
documented but the evidences on folate and cancer are less
substantial.
Since the concept of back to the nature is attributed to alternative
medicine in which the therapies including folk medicine,
herbal medicine,
diet fads, homeopathy, faith
healing, new age healing, chiropractice, acupuncture,
naturopathy, massage and music therapy.
This unorthodox
therapeutic should use their own judgement to seek
information on specific
treatment from the qualified health practitioner. Otherwise,
there would be hazard to health
(Presented at the 5th National Cancer Conference
October 20-22, 1999 Radisson Hotel, Bangkok :60-1.)
.