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β-Carotene and Other Carotenoids in Cancer Prevention

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Vegetables, Whole Grains, and Their Derivatives in Cancer Prevention

Part of the book series: Diet and Cancer ((DICA,volume 2))

Abstract

Epidemiological evidence suggests associations between dietary and circulating carotenoids and reduced risk of cancer at multiple sites. However, clinical supplementation trials have returned null findings, or even evidence of harmful effects of beta-carotene supplementation in certain populations. Studies in animal models of lung cancer have provided possible mechanistic explanations for the discordance between the results of observational epidemiological studies and intervention trials using beta-carotene as a potential chemopreventive agent. As we await better scientific understanding of carotenoid metabolism and mechanisms of action, a prudent strategy to reduce the risk of cancer incidence and mortality would include increased consumption of vegetables and fruits as a part of a healthy, balanced diet.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmocology, University of Virgina, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA

    Yan Wang

  2. Nutrition and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Jean Mayer United States Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Xiang-Dong Wang

  3. Nutrition and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Jean Mayer United States Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Xiang-Dong Wang

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Correspondence to Xiang-Dong Wang .

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  1. , Department of Food and Environmental Sci, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2, Helsinki, 00014, Finland

    Marja Mutanen

  2. , Department of Food and Environmental Sci, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2, Helsinki, 00014, Finland

    Anne-Maria Pajari

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Wang, Y., Wang, XD. (2011). β-Carotene and Other Carotenoids in Cancer Prevention. In: Mutanen, M., Pajari, AM. (eds) Vegetables, Whole Grains, and Their Derivatives in Cancer Prevention. Diet and Cancer, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9800-9_4

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