16/06/2009
New 'Tomato Pill', Ateronon - Despite its claims, there is no substitute for a balanced diet
Dr Edward Leatham
,
Professor Gordon Ferns
Who this applies to: Those suffering from or at risk of Heart Disease and Strokes
A new one-a-day dietary supplement, Ateronon, made by a biotechnology company attached to Cambridge University, is soon to be widely available on the High Street. It claims that if taken daily, it can help ward off heart disease and strokes.
The "tomato pill", so called because its active ingredient lycopene can be found in tomatoes, is claimed to reduce the oxidation of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol that can cause fatty deposits and clog the arteries and therefore can be seen an important component in maintaining a healthy circulatory system.
SCVC comment
Professor Gordon Ferns, Professor of Molecular & Metabolic Medicine and Consultant in Clinical Biochemistry urges caution: "Lycopenesare a family of antioxidants found in some vegetables, including tomatoes. The benefits of antioxidants arise because they have the ability to prevent the oxidative modification of LDL cholesterol particles that can lead to the clogging of the arteries.
However studies of other antioxidants have previously shown that whilst they have what may be considered to be beneficial effects in the laboratory, this has not translated into a clinical benefit.The advantages of a varied fresh fruit and vegetable intake HAS however been convincingly demonstrated in controlled studies, and it is therefore likely that a mixture of components are involved in their protective impact.
For this reason, we advocate caution on the use of these antioxidant extracts in patients with cardiovascular disease. In any instance, food supplements are intended to supplement the diet and should not be regarded as a substitute for a balanced and varied diet.”
SCVC Cardiologist Edward Leatham adds, "As always, we caution people to wait for any new drug to be clinically proven in its offer of benefits before they begin to start taking it. As yet, the trials undertaken are limited andtherefore it will take some time, and several further clinical trials, to provide such evidence for Ateronon."
Links
www.bbc.co.uk
www.bhf.org.uk
www.justatheory.co.uk