Thursday, September 16, 2010

Cancer Prevention Vitamins

Cancer prevention isn't simple. Many factors contribute to the development of cancer. You can't control all of the risk factors, but, you can control your diet. Some vitamins may help prevent cancer.


Calcium


Foods high in calcium may prevent certain types of cancer, like colorectal cancer. Calcium supplements, on the other hand, may not be helpful in preventing of cancer, says the American Cancer Society.


Lycopene


Lycopene, an antioxidant that provides the pink to reddish pigment in fruits and vegetables, may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals. Damaged caused by free radicals may play a role in cancer development.


Vitamin C


Diets high in vitamin C reduce the risk of cancer. However, like calcium, there's no link between supplement use and prevention.


Vitamin E


Vitamin E, also an antioxidant, can protect against cancer like vitamin C, according to The Cancer Project.


B Vitamins


B vitamins may prevent cancer by helping convert homocysteine to methionine, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. Methionine facilitates DNA repair. When the conversion rate lowers, the risk of cancer increases.







Tags: cancer Calcium, cancer like, free radicals, prevent cancer, reduce risk, risk cancer