Carotenoids Prevent Polyps From Returning

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill compared the supplemental and dietary alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and vitamin A intakes of 834 participants in a low fat, high fiber, high fruit and vegetable dietary intervention, as part of the 3-year Polyp Prevention Trial. Baseline or average carotenoid and vitamin A quartiles were established from the data.

Analysis of the data found that dietary intakes of alpha- and beta-carotene and vitamin A from food with or without supplements were inversely associated with a polyp recurrence. Researchers reported that participants with carotene and vitamin A concentration values in the highest quartile were 40 percent less likely to develop a new polyp compared with those in the lowest quartile. However, researchers of this study suggest that this may not be a cause-and-effect association.

The authors conclude; "Alpha-carotene and vitamin A may protect against recurrence in nonsmokers and nondrinkers or be indicative of compliance, or another healthy lifestyle factor that reduces risk."