Präventive Bedeutung von ß-Carotin bei Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen und Krebs

Abstract: Atherosclerosis and cancer are extremely multifactorial processes, sometimes developing over periods of decades. Thus, investigation on the etiology and prevention of these diseases is rendered substantially more difficult. For some years now, the discussion on the role of free radicals and other molecules with a high reaction potential on the atherogenic and cancerogenic process has been going on. Mechanisms are being investigated.Carotenoids, especially ß-carotene, are able to eliminate highly reactive oxygen molecules, the so-called singlet oxygen, as well as other free radicals. This suggests that carotenoids are possibly active as anti-atherogenic and anti-cancerogenic agents. In biochemical terms, this is a plausible assumption. There are many epidemiological studies suggesting that a diet comprising large amounts of vegetables and fruit, which is rich in carotenoids and other antioxidants such as vitamin E and C, decreases the risk of some types of cancer and of atherosclerosis.Results from animal studies confirm this hypothesis. ß-carotene is being tested worldwide in various intervention studies targeted at cancer risk reduction, especially concerning lung cancer and other types of epithelial cell cancer. Convincing results have not been presented yet.Recent findings made by coincidence in a subgroup of the large US-Physician Health Study indicate that a dose of 50 mg of ß-carotene on alternate days reduces by 50% the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke among heart disease patients. Thereupon, new plans of extensive studies with ß-carotene are being furthered. On the basis of presently known data, official institutions recommend for the prevention of coronary heart disease and cancer a diet rich in vegetables and fruit which provides large amounts of carotenoids, other antioxidants, and dietary fibres. Yet, recommendations on the intake of micronutrients do not take into consideration recent findings on antioxidants which suggest that in order to achieve an optimized supply, larger doses are needed than those recommended up to now.

Keyword(s): ß-Carotin

Zurück | Weiter