Critical Review on Role of Micronutrients in Prevention of Cancer in India

Abstract

Carcinogenesis, in a recent years, is highly known to be linked with nutrition, particularly the micronutrients which play an important role as an antioxidant as well as an immunity-potentiating agent. Epidemiological studies with human cancer subjects, however, were very limited in India though people in India are exposed to different kind of carcinogens quite often. In this review, we analyzed and showed that Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc have significant effect in lowering cancer risk.The vegetables and fruits that are rich in Vit C are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green and red peppers, spinach, cabbage, turnip greens, and other leafy greens, capsicyum, Lemon, oranges, etc. Food rich in Vitamin E are nuts, seeds, avocado, vegetable oils and wheat germ. Zinc, an important trace elements for growth can be found in meat, shellfish, legumes like chickpeas, lentils and beans, seeds, nuts, dairy, eggs and whole GrainsOur mission, as an educators and researchers, is to translate the scientific discovery of any health issue like cancer to a health-literate generation in college, family, and community. Coordinated collaboration between professionals in education and public health can better prepare our young people to be health literate and cancer-free.