Approximately 60,000 Americans had lymphomas in 2004, with more than 20,000 deaths from the disease. For unknown reasons, the number of people with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (an immune system cancer) have increased in the past 20 years. Now researchers report that people with a higher consumption of vegetables and the antioxidant nutrients lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc have a lower risk of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigated the association of fruit, vegetables and antioxidant nutrients intake on the risk of NHL. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, the National Cancer Institute, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and other institutions reviewed data including 466 men and women with NHL and 391 matched control subjects. Food frequency questionnaires obtained from the participants were analyzed to determine food and nutritional supplement intake.
The researchers found that participants among the top one-fourth of green leafy vegetable consumption had a 41 percent lower risk of NHL, compared to those in the lowest quarter. Those whose cruciferous vegetable intake was highest had a 38 percent reduction of NHL. Furthermore, participants with the highest consumption of lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc reduced the risk of NHL by 46, 46, and 42 percent.
Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, and antioxidants are known to enhance immune function and are associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic disease. "Higher intakes of vegetables, lutein and zeaxanthin, and zinc are associated with a lower NHL risk." the study authors conclude.
REFERENCES:
1. Kelemen LF et al. Vegetables, fruit, and antioxidant-related nutrients and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a National Cancer Institute-Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results population-based case-control study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2006 June;83(6):1401-1410.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 30, 2006 03:16 PM
