Soy and cruciferous vegetables reduce cancer risk by enhancing DNA repair

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Nutrients found in soy and cruciferous vegetables have recently been shown to have anti-cancer activity for hormone-responsive tumors (i.e. breast and prostate cancers). The British Journal of Cancer reported that genistein (a soy isoflavone) and indole-3-carbinol (I3C) found in vegetables such as broccoli, enhance DNA repair and partly explain the ability of increased vegetable intake to reduce the risk of cancer.

Nutrients found in soy and cruciferous vegetables have recently been shown to have anti-cancer activity for hormone-responsive tumors (i.e. breast and prostate cancers). The February 13, 2006 issue of the British Journal of Cancer reported that genistein (a soy isoflavone) and indole-3-carbinol (I3C) found in vegetables such as broccoli, enhance DNA repair. After adding increasing doses of I3C and genistein to two prostate cancer and two breast cancer cell lines, the scientists found a rise in levels of certain proteins which repair damaged DNA. Additionally, when researchers added I3C and genistein together in low doses to the cell lines, the results were synergistic, providing greater benefit than that obtained by either compound alone. The finding could explain, in part, the protective effect these compounds have shown against some cancers. The study is also among the first to discover a cellular explanation behind the ability of increased vegetable intake to reduce the risk of cancer.

Source: BRCA1 and BRCA2 as molecular targets for phytochemicals indole-3-carbinol and genistein in breast and prostate cancer cells, S Fan, Q Meng, K Auborn, T Carter and E M Rosen, British Journal of Cancer (2006) 94, 407-426.

Supplements reduce healthcare costs

With health care costs skyrocketing and the age of the population increasing, helping seniors live independently for longer is becoming increasingly important. A recent comprehensive review of existing scientific research literature found positive health effects associated with both omega-3 fatty acids and the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin. Based on health insurance costs for the age group over 65, the five-year estimated savings resulting from daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids and lutein with zeaxanthin is approximately 5.6 billion dollars.

A recent comprehensive review of existing scientific research literature found positive health effects associated with both omega-3 fatty acids and the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin. Researchers critically reviewed the scientific evidence of the two supplements' ability to reduce the risk of disease and developed estimates of potential health care savings. With health care costs skyrocketing and the age of the population increasing, helping seniors live independently for longer is becoming increasingly important. The group reviewed several hundred studies dating back over thirty years to arrive at an estimated cost savings of 3.1 billion dollars over the next five years with the daily use of omega-3 fatty acids. They estimated that the reduction in coronary heart disease in the elderly population would result in 384,303 fewer hospitalizations and physician fees. Loss of central vision caused by age-related macular degeneration results in numerous elderly becoming dependent on the community or a nursing facility. The researchers used over 15 years of research on lutein and zeaxanthin to estimate a potential net savings of 2.5 billion dollars over the next five years. Approximately 98,219 individuals could avoid the transition to dependence during this time through daily intake of 6-10 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin. Based on health insurance costs for the age group over 65, the five-year estimated savings resulting from daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids and lutein with zeaxanthin is approximately 5.6 billion dollars.

http://www.supplementinfo.org/anm/articlefiles/265- FINAL_DSEA_%20FACT_SHEET.pdf

High fiber intake reduces c-reactive protein

According to new research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, high fiber intake, either from dietary sources or fiber supplements, significantly reduced levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). Increased CRP levels are associated with inflammation, heart disease and diabetes. The present study provides evidence to support the health benefits of high-fiber diets.

The randomized crossover study included 35 participants who were assigned to follow either a high-fiber diet or a fiber-supplemented diet. Both diets included 30 grams of fiber per day. Eighteen of the subjects were lean and with normal blood pressure and 17 were obese with elevated blood pressure. Overall, average CRP levels decreased by 13.7 percent in the high-fiber diet group and by 18.1 percent for the fiber-supplemented diet group. Unexpectedly, when the lean and the obese participants were considered separately, differences in the CRP response were observed. In lean individuals, CRP levels decreased by 30 percent when consuming the high-fiber diet and 40 percent when consuming the fiber-supplemented diet. In the obese participants, no significant change in CRP levels was observed for either diet. Although more research is needed to explain the different effects seen in the lean versus obese individuals, the present study supports the assertion that high-fiber intakes are beneficial in reducing the risks of heart disease and diabetes.

Source: Effect of a High-Fiber Diet vs a Fiber-Supplemented Diet on C-Reactive Protein Level, Dana E. King; Brent M. Egan; Robert F. Woolson; Arch G. Mainous III; Yaser Al-Solaiman; Ammar Jesri, Archives of Internal Medicine March 12 2007, Volume 167, Pages 502-506

Canadian study indicates that quality of nutritional supplements is still a concern

In a recent study, researchers discovered that more than half of the nutritional supplements tested did not disintegrate properly. Included in the test were 39 tablets and 10 capsules containing minerals and vitamins commercially available on the Canadian market. USANA's Multimineral was included in the test. The first disintegration stage was performed using Simulated Intestinal Fluid (SIF) pH 6.8 for 20 minutes. Products which did not disintegrate were further analyzed using USP disintegration conditions for dietary supplements. Of the 39 tablets tested, only 18 products (which included Usana's Multimineral) disintegrated fully at the first stage. The 21 tablets that did not pass the first stage were then tested for disintegration using USP conditions. Nine tablets still failed to disintegrate, including all three timed-release products tested. Forty-percent of the capsules also failed the first stage, although all ten eventually passed when subjected to USP testing conditions. This study illustrates that disintegration, one basic indicator of product quality, is still a concern for dietary supplements. J Pharm Pharmaceut Sci (www.cspsCanada.org) 9(1):40-49, 2006

http://www.ualberta.ca/~csps/JPPS9 (1)/Loebenberg.R/tablets.pdf

The mediterranean diet

Description of the Mediterranean Diet

What are the key aspects of the Mediterranean
diet? Surprisingly, the Mediterranean diet
contains higher levels of fat intake than even the
typical western diet. However, the primary source
of fat in the Mediterranean diet is made up of
omega-3 essential fats and monounsaturated fats.
(These fats are found primarily in our vegetables,
nuts, legumes, and cold-water fish.) Both of these
fats have actually been shown to lower total
cholesterol along with LDL (bad cholesterol). In
fact, 20% to 30% of the calories in the
Mediterranean diet come from these fats, while
less than 10% of the calories come from saturated
fat. This group of foods contains almost no fat
from trans-fats.
The Mediterranean diet is loaded with fresh fruits,
fresh vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts
which contain the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants,
and fiber that are critical for optimal health. These
carbohydrates also contain the good fat and the
good protein. About 50 to 60% of the calories in
the Mediterranean diet come from these types of
carbohydrates. The diet contains a large intake of
olives and olive oil, but is low in red meat and
most dairy products, though low-fat cheese is
consumed frequently.

The Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is characterized by an
expanding waistline, increasing blood pressure,
poor lipid pattern, increased risk of heart disease
and diabetes. It is the underlying problem of the
obesity and diabetes epidemic that modern
civilization faces today. On top of that, people with
metabolic syndrome have increased inflammation
in their arteries along with dysfunction and
damage to the very fine lining of their blood
vessels, called the endothelium. Over 25% of the
population in the US and Canada already have
the metabolic syndrome and another 25% are well
on their way to developing it.

The lead study in last month’s JAMA investigated
180 patients who had the metabolic syndrome.
They divided these individuals into two groups.
One group was placed on the Mediterranean diet
and the other ate the typical American diet. Both
of these groups had similar activity levels and
received similar instruction on healthy living. They
followed these two groups closely over the next
two years.

After 2 years, the patients on the Mediterranean
diet were experiencing these results:
*Significant decrease in body weight
*Decreased waist circumference
*Decreased blood pressure
*Decreased fasting blood sugar
*Increased HDL (good cholesterol,)
*Decreased triglyceride level.

In fact, nearly half of this group actually reversed
their insulin resistance and their metabolic
syndrome. They also had a significant reduction
in the inflammation of their arteries and
improvement in the function of their endothelium.
Investigators obviously concluded that the
Mediterranean diet is a safe strategy for treating
metabolic syndrome and for reducing the
incidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
without the use of drugs and the risks that come
with them. Doesn’t it make sense that
developing a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy
and delicious diet, should be our first-line therapy
for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome?

The other study investigated the effects of the
Mediterranean diet and lifestyle factors on
healthful aging. In the industrialized countries,
about 75% of deaths in individuals over the age of
65 are due to either cardiovascular disease or
cancer. Numerous studies show that diet and
lifestyles are directly linked to these degenerative
diseases, regardless of predisposing factors.
People in this 10-year study who ate a
Mediterranean-style diet, exercised moderately,
limited their alcohol intake, and did not smoke or
who had not smoked for at least 15 years, lived
longer, healthier lives. In fact, they had over a
50% decrease in deaths from all causes of death,
including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
These findings were true even in elderly subjects
who made these healthy lifestyle changes.

Source: http://www.bionutrition.org/
Use my username 'andrewwilmot' and password 'james'
Healthy for Life Newsletter
November 2004 Vol.1 No. 10

Read full article here.