Carotenoid Blood Levels May Affect Breast Cell Health

by | Mar 28, 2013 | 2012, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Carotenoids, Women's Health

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. In this large meta-analysis study, there was a 19% reduced risk of cancer for those with the highest levels of total blood carotenoids versus the lowest levels. 

The American Cancer Society estimates the economic impact of cancer to be $226 billion per year, with 1 in 4 U.S. deaths each year attributable to cancer (1). In regards to breast cancer, the National Cancer Institute estimates 229,060 new cases and 39,920 new deaths in 2012 (2).

Breast cancer prevention suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control include regular screenings, knowing your family history, getting enough physical activity and smart dietary choices, limiting alcohol consumption, and getting informed about hormone replacement therapy (3). Now a new study (4) suggests that blood levels of carotenoids, the antioxidants that give fruits and vegetables their color, may influence breast cell health.

In the study, researchers analyzed data from 8 studies examining carotenoid blood levels and breast cancer risk in 3,055 breast cancer cases compared to 3,956 healthy patients. The 8 studies included data from Sweden (5), the Nurse’s Health Study (6), the Shanghai Women’s Health Study (7), and the Multiethnic Cohort Study in California and Hawaii (8).

In addition to finding a 19% reduced risk of breast cancer for those with the highest levels of total blood carotenoids versus the lowest levels (> 139 vs < 70.1 micrograms/deciliter, p = 0.01), the researchers also found significant benefits in breast cell health among 4 different carotenoids:

Nutrient (micrograms/deciliter) Rel Risk Highest Rel Risk Lowest Percent Change
Alpha Carotene >11.3 <2.6 13% reduced risk (p=0.04)
Beta Carotene >39.9 <11.9 17% reduced risk (p=0.02)
Lutein & Zeaxanthin >37.3 <16.9 16% reduced risk (p=0.05)
Lycopene >45.0 <15.7 22% reduced risk (p=0.02)

Attributing these results to the ability of carotenoids to affect cell growth, cell development, programmedcell death (called “apoptosis”) (9), and scavenging dangerous free radicals to help maintain overall cell health (10), the researchers conclude that “women with higher circulating levels of α-carotene, Beta carotene, lutein + zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids may be at reduced risk of breast cancer.”

Source: Eliassen, A. Heather, et al. “Circulating carotenoids and risk of breast cancer: pooled analysis of eight prospective studies.” Journal of the National Cancer Institute 104.24 (2012): 1905-1916.

© The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2017 Oxford University

Posted March 28, 2013.

Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppauge, NY.  You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com

References:

  1. “The Economic Impact of Cancer” form the American Cancer Society Website.
  2. “Breast Cancer” posted on the National Cancer Institute Website.
  3. “Prevention: Breast Cancer” posted on the CDC website.
  4. Eliassen AH. Circulating Carotenoids and Risk of Breast Cancer: Pooled Analysis of Eight Prospective Studies . J Natl Cancer Inst 2012 Dec 6. [Epub ahead of print]
  5. Hulten K, Van Kappel AL, Winkvist A, et al. Carotenoids, alpha-tocopherols, and retinol in plasma and breast cancer risk in northern Sweden. Cancer Causes Control. 2001;12(6):529–537.
  6. Tamimi RM, Hankinson SE, Campos H, et al. Plasma carotenoids, retinol, and tocopherols and risk of breast cancer. Am J Epidemiol. 2005;161(2):153–160.
  7. Dorjgochoo T, Gao Y-T, Chow W-H, et al. Plasma carotenoids, tocopherols, retinol and breast cancer risk: results from the Shanghai Women Health Study (SWHS). Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009;117(2):381–389.
  8. Epplein M, Shvetsov YB, Wilkens LR, et al. Plasma carotenoids, retinol, and tocopherols and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in the Multiethnic Cohort Study: a nested case–control study. Breast Cancer Res. 2009;11(4):R49.
  9. Simeone A-M, Tari AM. How retinoids regulate breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2004;61(12):1475–1484.
  10. Fornelli F, Leone A, Verdesca I, Minervini F, Zacheo G. The influence of lycopene on the proliferation of human breast cell line (MCF-7). Toxicol In Vitro. 2007;21(2):217–223.