Neoplasma. 2004;51(1):30-3.  Links

Oxidative DNA damage in relation to nutrition.

Krajcovicova-Kudlackova M, Dusinska M.

Institute of Preventive and Clinical Medicine;, Bratislava, 833 01 Slovak
Republic. kudlackova@upkm.sk

Oxidative DNA damage in humans could arise also from incorrect nutritional
habit and life style. DNA strand breaks with apurinic/apyrimidinic sites,
oxidized purines and oxidized pyrimidines were assessed in 24 subjectively
healthy vegetarians (plant food, dairy products, eggs) and compared with 24
non-vegetarians (traditional diet, general population). DNA strand breaks +
oxidized purines are significantly reduced in vegetarians (p<0.05), DNA strand
breaks are nonsignificantly decreased. The sufficient antioxidative status
(overthreshold values of natural essential antioxidants, which mean a reduced
risk of free radical disease) is crucial in free radical defense. Intake of
protective food commodities (fruit, vegetables, dark grain products, grain
sprouts, oil seeds) is significantly higher in vegetarians. Alternative
nutrition subjects have a significantly increased plasma levels of vitamin C,
vitamin E, beta-carotene with high incidence of overthreshold values (92% vs.
42% - vitamin C, 67% vs. 33% - vitamin E, 67% vs. 17% - beta-carotene). There
is recorded a significant inverse linear correlation between values of DNA
strand breaks + oxidized purines and vitamin C or beta-carotene levels (p<0.01,
p<0.05). Vegetarian diet is significantly more rich source of antioxidants. The
results of reduced endogenous DNA damage and higher antioxidative status in
vegetarians document that a correct vegetarian nutrition might represent an
effective cancer prevention.

PMID: 15004656 [PubMed - in process]

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