Jennifer Matthews: At age 30, Eric Labrant was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
Eric LaBrant: No family history of bladder cancer. I didn't smoke. I didn't work in industries that would lend itself towards that.
Jennifer Matthews: Now, a new study shows vitamin E may have helped prevent the cancer.
Dr. Ladia Hernandez: Basically, the results show that individuals with a higher intake of Vitamin E showed a 42-percent reduced risk in bladder cancer.
Jennifer Matthews: But beware, not all vitamin E is the same. Doctor Xifeng Wu says foods containing high levels of the alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E offer better protection. Those include red and green bell peppers, spinach, mustard greens, almonds, sunflower seeds, and vegetable oils.
Dr. Xifeng Wu: The Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can reduce DNA damage.
Jennifer Matthews: Doctor Wu says 15 milligrams a day is all you need.
Dr. Ladia Hernandez: It's definitely attainable if someone eats 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Jennifer Matthews: Walnuts, pecans, and garbanzo beans contain a different form of vitamin E and don't offer the same protection against bladder cancer. Another natural helper is folate, which studies show can cut the risk of bladder cancer nearly in half. Researchers say folate found in fruits and veggies is crucial for DNA repair.
Eric is in remission now, but he says he's changing his diet.
Eric LaBrant: Especially now that I know I'm at risk for cancer in the future.
Jennifer Matthews: He says that new diet will give him the extra protection -- and security -- he needs. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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