Fifty percent of adult males in the United States and other countries may carry the human papillomavirus, or HPV, according to the University of Utah. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus known to cause cancer of the cervix, penis, vagina, oral cavity, anal canal, vulva, head and neck. An HPV prevention vaccination for both males and females is available through your primary care physician or local health department. However, individuals infected with HPV may benefit by consuming nutrient-rich foods that aid in preventing or slowing the progression of cancer cells.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables contain sulfur compounds called glucosinolates. The breakdown of glucosinolates produces a compound known as Indole-3-carbinol, or I3C. I3C stops the progression of certain types of cancers. According to Linus Pauling Institute, preliminary research for HPV suggests a significant number of women taking 200 to 400 mg of I3C per day over the course of 12 weeks completely regressed the progression of precancerous cervical lesions. Results were similar when women consumed I3C for lesions on the vulva, a common complication of HPV. Good sources of IC3 include garden cress, mustard greens, horseradish, kale, watercress, turnips, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
Folate
Cervical dysplasia is a grouping of abnormal cells in the cervix and a common symptom of HPV. Cervical dysplasia is a precursor to cervical cancer. According to University of Maryland Medical Center, females infected with HPV and deficient in folate, or vitamin B9, possess an increased risk of developing cervical dysplasia. Among females displaying symptoms of cervical dysplasia, folate may slow the progression from cervical dysplasia to cancer. However, consuming extra folate does not reverse the symptoms of cervical dysplasia. Good sources of folate include fortified breakfast cereal, whole wheat products, liver, eggs, legumes, asparagus, oranges, cantaloupe, strawberries and sunflower seeds.
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene provides the pigment in plants and converts to retinol, a form of vitamin A, when it is consumed. Similar to folate, beta-carotene deficiencies may increase an HPV-infected female's risk of developing cervical dysplasia and cancer. Additionally, according to a 2010 study published in "Cancer Research," females with high levels of beta-carotene were 43 to 50 percent less likely to acquire any HPV-related infections than females with low levels of beta-carotene. Good sources of beta-carotene include pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, broccoli, lettuce and tomatoes.
Other Antioxidants
Warts are caused by different strains of HPV. Warts can spread from one part of the body to another. To prevent or reduce symptoms of warts, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends eating foods rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals, cancer-causing agents in the body. Foods rich in antioxidants include blueberries, tomatoes, strawberries, cherries, zucchini, squash, green tea and bell pepper.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Indole-3-Carbinol; Jane Higdon; July 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Warts; Steven Ehrlich; June 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Cervical Dysplasia; David Zieve; December 2009
- New York University Langone Medical Center; Cervical Dysplasia; February 2011
- University of Utah; Half of U.S. Men Infected with HPV, Study Reveals; March 2011
- "Cancer Research"; Plasma Micronutrients and the Acquisition and Clearance of Anal Human Papillomavirus Infection: The Hawaii HPV Cohort Study; Y.B. Shvetsov, et al.; December 2010
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