Tomatoes, tomato products and lycopene in prevention and therapy of carcinoma of the prostate – what has been verified?

Sabine Ellinger, Jörg Ellinger, Peter Stehle, Bonn

Results of intervention studies suggest that the daily consumption of one portion of tomatoes or tomato products increases the resistance of leucocytes against breaks of the DNA cord. In view of a correlation existing between DNA-cord breaks in leucocytes and in prostate tissue, it may be that a corresponding nutritional behaviour reduces the risk of prostate carcinoma.

Because the data available are insufficient it is not sure whether a regular consumption of these products is therapeutically effective in patients with carcinoma of the prostate. Nor can the effects of tomatoes and tomato products be exclusively attributed to individual carotenoids; part of these effects seems to be produced by other components. The complete network of components could also be needed for preventive action.

Keywords: antioxidants, carcinoma of the prostate, carotenoids, DNA cord breaks, IGF 1-signal pathway, lycopene, oxidized bases, tomatoes, tumor prevention.

Sie finden den Artikel in deutscher Sprache in Ernährungs Umschau 06/07 ab Seite 318.