Question

Discuss the role of phytochemicals and the B vitamin folate in decreasing cancer risk.

Answer 1

Folate is an essential water-soluble B vitamin found in foods, including dark-green leafy vegetables and legumes

Dietary folate bioavailability ranges from 10 to 98% and is influenced by intestinal pH, enzymatic activity, presence of alcohol and other inhibitors, malabsorption disorders, and the food matrix

A high dietary folate intake was associated with significantly decreased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

every 100 mcg/day increase in folate intake was associated with a

• 12% decrease in risk of esophageal cancer
• 7% lower risk of pancreatic cancer

Phytochemicals are compounds found in plants, which are responsible for the colour, taste and aroma of foods.

Indoles and glucosinolates, like other phytochemicals, can help lower your cancer risk. They are known to prevent tumor growth and decrease production of cancer-related hormones. They can be found in broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.

The most quoted cancer prevention mechanism is via their antioxidant activity, elicited either through direct free radical absorption or through induction of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione via a variety of molecular mechanisms One of these mechanisms is activation of Nrf2, which switches on genes that code for antioxidant as well as detoxification enzymes

Phytochemicals, particularly the thiol class such as sulforaphane,have also been shown to inhibit the conver­sion of procarcinogens to their electrophilic, DNA damaging, chemicals