A large scale study published in the March issue of the International Journal of Cancer found that men who have diets rich in Vitamin C have a lower risk of developing oral premalignant lesions (OPLs).
OPLs are classified by biopsy and include leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and lichen planus. However, any lesion in the mouth that persists for greater than 14 days should be investigated for premalignancy. OPLs can lead to oral cancer, the most common of the head and neck cancers in the US.
Researchers at the New England Research Institutes examined data from more than 40,000 men enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Men were enrolled between 1986 and 2002 and submitted dietary information including supplement use periodically over the study period.
They found that diets rich in Vitamin C, and not Vitamin C supplementation, lowered the risk of oral premalignant lesions. Men with the highest dietary intakes had a fifty percent reduction compared to men with the lowest intake.
The study also examined a possible relationship between other antioxidants including beta-carotene, lycopene, and Vitamin E but did not find the similar connection.
An interesting additional finding was a slight increase in risk for OPLs in smokers who had high intakes of Vitamin E, either dietary or supplemental. The authors stress the need for more research in this area.
Foods that are high in Vitamin C include most fruits and vegetables.
The study was only in men and does not address OPLs in women. It supports previous case reports that diets high in antioxidants, including Vitamin C protect against the development of oral cancers.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on March 19, 2007 04:25 PM
