 US researchers proved that greater levels of selenium, vitamin E and the tomato carotenoid lycopene decrease prostate cancer in one out of every four Caucasian males, or those who inherit a specific genetic variation that is particularly sensitive to oxidative stress.
This study also showed that if individuals with this genetic variation have low levels of these vitamins and minerals, their chance of developing aggressive prostate increases considerably, in contrast to those who keep up levels of these nutrients in proper manner.
This great study presents further proof that oxidative stress may be one of the important mechanisms for prostate cancer development and progression, and correct intake of antioxidants, such as selenium, lycopene and vitamin E, may help put off prostate cancer.
The new facts are based on an analysis of 567 men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1982 and 1995, and 764 cancer-free men from the Physicians Health Study.
The primary objective of this research was to estimate the result of aspirin and beta-carotene on men's health. Research team decided to check for variants of the gene that codes for manganese superoxide dismutatase (MnSOD), an important enzyme that works as an antioxidant in human cells to defend against disease.
The MnSOD gene is passed from parents to offspring in one of three forms: VV, VA or AA.
Compared with men with the MnSOD VV or VA genotype, people with the AA genotype are more sensitive to the antioxidant status. Men with the AA genotype are more susceptible to prostate cancer if their antioxidant levels are low.
The study's outcome showed that a quarter of the men in the research carried the MnSOD AA genotype, half carried the VA genotype, and the remaining quarter carried the VV genotype.
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