Originally
published December 7 2006
by
Jessica Fraser
(NewsTarget) Eating green, leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of skin cancer
recurrence by as much as 55 percent, according to the results of an 11-year
Australian study.
The study, led by Dr.
Jolieke van der Pols of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, found
that participants who ate at least three servings of green leafy vegetables per
week -- such as spinach -- more than halved their risk of skin cancer
recurrence.
The researchers found
that leafy vegetables such as spinach and silverbeet (chard) were linked to the
reduction in skin cancer
risk, especially for patients who had a history of the disease.
According to van der
Pols, the vegetables
contain a wide array of healthy vitamins, minerals and
anticancer nutrients, which may explain their ability to reduce cancer risk.
"Other research that
has looked at individual nutrients haven't found very clear evidence [of skin cancer risk reduction], so it
might be that actually the combination of nutrients as they occur normally in
the foods that we eat, actually have the effect on skin cancer," van der
Pols said.
"Green leafy
vegetables are good sources of folic acid, vitamins A, C and E, the carotenoids
lutein and zeaxanthin, and other components which may help boost the skin's
natural defense against damage caused by UV rays," she said. "This
new evidence suggests that an increase in consumption of these foods may help
to reduce the risk of skin cancer recurring among those with a previous history
by up to 55 percent."
Consumer health advocate
Mike Adams, author of "The Healing Power of
Sunlight and Vitamin D," called van der Pols' research
"groundbreaking," and said the best sunscreen is good
nutrition.
"The conventional cancer industry has
so far refused to acknowledge any serious link between diet and skin care,
preferring to push sunscreen products sold by corporations that donate heavily
to the cancer industry," Adams said.
"The truth is
finally coming out, and spinach
isn't the only food with this sunscreen effect," he said.
"Astaxanthin is a nutritional supplement that's even more powerful as a
sunscreen."
Dr. van der Pols said
consumers should boost their intake of leafy, green vegetables, in addition to
taking precautions when in the sun, such as wearing a hat and protective
clothing.
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