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Ketchup for prostate health
Is it really true that eating tomato ketchup can help protect against cancer of the prostate? And if it is, how much do I need to eat? Both my father and grandfather developed prostate problems, so while I am still only in my 30s, I want to do whatever I can to avoid the same thing happening to me.
The reasons tomato ketchup is sometimes touted as a health-promoting food which may help protect against not only cancer of the prostate but pancreatic, breast and intestinal cancers too, is that it is a good food source of an antioxidant called lycopene.
This is the pigment that gives red tomatoes their colouring and, unusually, both the potency and bioavailability (i.e. how much the body can absorb and then utlise) of this antioxidant increase when it is cooked which explains why tomato ketchups and pastes provide a higher content than the raw fruits.
Although researchers have shown lycopene to be twice as potent as the better-known cancer-protecting betacarotenes; and 100% more bioavailable when cooked, new reseach published in the American academic journal, Nutrition Review suggests all tomato ketchups are not equal.
In independent tests on 13 different brands of ketchup, scientists found that some organic brands contained more than twice the amount of lycopene (180 micrograms per 1g serving) as some non-organic brands (just 60 micrograms per 1g). What this means is that while tomato ketchup can help bolster lycopene levels in the body, if you are serious about taking steps to protect your prostate, you will be better advised to use a good quality lycopene supplement which guarantees a therapeutic daily dose.
There are lots of different brands on sale in good health stores but I recommend Vitamin Research's Lycopene which provides 10mg of the active agent per capsule. Mail order from the Nutricentre (0800 587 2290) where 60 capsules cost £16.99. Take two a day.