Vitamin A, retinol (preformed vitamin A), and provitamin A carotenoids play an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation and immune response. Vitamin A has also been found to have a beneficial effect on stomach ulcers, which are associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer. Now research reports that vitamin A intake from supplements and food can decrease the risk of stomach cancer.
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigated the association of vitamin A, retinol, and carotenoids intake and the risk of stomach cancer. Researchers at Karolinska Institute in Sweden analyzed the data of 82,002 adults ages 45 to 83 years as part of the Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men. The participants were followed for 7.2 years. Food frequency questionnaires obtained from the participants were analyzed to determine vitamin A, retinol, and carotenoids levels.
The researchers found that 139 participants developed stomach cancer. Findings revealed that participants among the top one-fourth of total vitamin A intake from diet and supplements had a 47 percent lower risk of stomach cancer, compared with those in the lowest quarter. Furthermore, participants with the highest consumption of retinol, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene reduced the risk of stomach cancer by 44, 50, and 45 percent. However, carotenoids with no provitamin A activity (beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene), were not linked with stomach cancer risk.
"High intakes of vitamin A, retinol, and provitamin A carotenoids may reduce the risk of gastric cancer," the study authors conclude.
REFERENCES:
1. Larsson SC et al. Vitamin A, retinol, and carotenoids and the risk of gastric cancer: a prospective cohort study. Am J Clin Nutr 2007 Feb;85(2):497-503.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on February 26, 2007 03:40 PM
