You may be shelving some life-and-death secrets behind your pantry door.

A study led by Lenore Kohlmeier, professor of epidemiology and nutrition, suggests that an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables—especially the red ones—may protect men from heart attacks.

The study analyzed fat tissue from 1,379 European men who had recently suffered heart attacks. The study revealed significantly lower levels of a potent antioxidant called lycopene in the men who had suffered heart attacks than in those who had not. These results indicate that lycopene may reduce the risk of heart attacks in men. Lycopene has already been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

We acquire lycopene by eating fruits and vegetables, particularly tomato products, red grapefruit, and watermelon. Cooked foods release lycopene most efficiently.

"Lycopene is a pigment that plants produce to transfer energy from sunlight to chlorophyll," Kohlmeier explains.

Lycopene and other antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta carotene protect the body against free radicals, which are charged particles that damage cell membranes and body proteins. Stresses such as smoking and intense physical activity increase our production of free radicals.

Dietary levels of lycopene varied greatly from country to country. For unknown reasons, men in Malaga, Spain, had the lowest levels, those in Moscow the highest.

Kohlmeier's work is funded by the United States Department of the Army, the Concerted Action of the Commission of European Communities, and the National Cancer Institute.

—E. D. Richardson

© Copyright 1998 Endeavors magazine. All rights reserved.

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