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Despite the enormous amount of research during the past many decades, cancer remains the leading cause of death in developed countries. The global mortality rate for cancer is expected to increase steadily in the years to come. Research findings have shown that less than 10% of all cancer cases can be attributed to genetic defects of hereditary origin. Majority of cancers develop after a lifetime of exposure to carcinogens found in food, water and air, or through cellular changes associated with ageing, as well as exposure to certain viruses, such as HPV. Certain cancers can be prevented through dietary changes and immunization. Among the phytonutrients found in dietary foods, tocotrienols have been studied extensively, to determine their bioactivity against cancer.

This article is available in full in the Autumn 2010 issue of Nutraceuticals Now