A study conducted by a team of researchers from Clemson University in South Carolina found that raspberries have protective effects against cancer.

Raspberries belong to the rose family and are classified as a bramble fruit like blackberry. Its fragrant scent and sweet taste makes it an appetizing ingredient to pastries, sweets and certain dishes. Though raspberries are available in limited supply and are primarily grown in California from June through October, the red berry can be bought fresh or in preserved form at any supermarket. And aside from its succulent and delicious taste, raspberries are also rich sources of an antioxidant called ellagic acid. This nutrient belongs to the group of phytonutrients called tannins and is considered as responsible for the various health benefits of other berries.

The growing interest of different scientific bodies in raspberry roots from its potential in fighting cancer through its antioxidant content. A preliminary study conducted by a team of researchers from the Clemson University, South Carolina observed that raspberry extracts can effectively kill breast, colon and stomach cancer cells by up to 90 percent.

Raspberries Kill Cancer Cells

A study from CU in South Carolina observed how certain cancer cells react to raspberry extract and found that the substance can effectively destroy breast, colon and stomach cancer cells by 90 percent. For years, raspberry has been thought to be a rich source of antioxidants. The new study aims to determine whether there is more to raspberry than its antioxidant content. With their findings, researchers are saying that other substances are also responsible for the raspberry extract’s efficacy in eliminating cancer cells.

The researchers used a popular US variety of raspberries called Meeker red raspberries in their study. They compared their results with the effects of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, which is a stronger antioxidant. They found that raspberries are eight times more effective in killing cancer cells. Thus, they concluded that other substances in raspberry are helping in destroying cancer cells, and for their next study, the researchers will further investigate on what these substances are.

A related study on the use of raspberry in fighting cancer published in the American Association for Cancer Research found that the anthocyanins from black raspberry can efficiently inhibit the growth of esophageal cancer cells and stimulate them to die through apoptosis. The ellagic acid extracted from raspberry has received greater attention than its other nutrient content. Studies have shown that the nutrient can effectively prevent certain cancers like breast, esophagus, lung, bladder and skin cancer.

Raspberries and its Variety of Health Benefits

With more data providing evidence on the various health benefits of raspberries, people have more reason to have a serving or so on a regular basis. Though nutrients extracted from raspberries are widely available as food supplements, the study that showed that there are other compounds in raspberries that can potentially help in protecting the body from certain cancers suggests eating fresh raspberries instead in order to fully take advantage of everything that this red berry has to offer.

Raspberry is rich in phytonutrients that has anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. As a plain antioxidant, raspberry contains ellagic acid that helps prevent the damage caused by free radicals to cells and cell membranes. Raspberry’s flavonoid content is also as well-researched as its ellagic acid content. Studies have found that the flavonoids in raspberry do not only offer antioxidant protection but they can also prevent the growth of certain bacteria and fungi in the body. Candida albicans, for example, is the primary culprit for the development of vaginal infections and a contributor of irritable bowel syndrome.

Compared to other berries, raspberry contains 50 percent more antioxidants than strawberries, 300 percent more than kiwis and 10 times more than what tomatoes can offer. This information is according to a study conducted by researchers from Netherlands and which was published in an issue of the health journal BioFactors. And like the other studies on raspberries, this is primarily due to its high ellagitanin content.

Raspberries are also packed with different vitamins and minerals that help promote overall health. These are excellent sources of vitamin C and manganese which are two of the most powerful antioxidants that help protect the cells from oxidative damage. Raspberry is also rich in copper, potassium, magnesium, niacin, folate, riboflavin, vitamin B complex and dietary fiber. In addition to this, health professionals are recommending raspberry as a natural alternative to processed sugar in sating people’s craving for sweets, especially to those with diabetic conditions.

A study published in an issue of The Archives of Ophthalmology showed that eating raspberries can help promote eye health. Researchers found that eating 3 or more servings of the red berry a day can significantly reduce the risk of developing ARMD or age-related macular degeneration by more than 30 percent; ARMD is the primary cause of vision loss in older people.

Selecting and Storing Your Berries

Raspberries are highly perishable and it can only be stored for up to 2 days even when kept in the fridge. So always make it a point to purchase only what you can consume for the period. This is also the reason why most people opt to buy preserved raspberries or raspberry food supplements. But since raspberry has a lot more to offer when eaten fresh, it is recommended that you add fresh raspberry to your shopping list. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that processed foods like canned goods, baby foods, cereals and bread containing raspberries have almost undetectable amounts of anthocyanins and other antioxidants.

Before storing the fruit in your fridge, make sure to remove any molded fruits and other foods may affect the freshness of your berries. Also, pick out any wilted or spoiled raspberry to prevent it from contaminating the others. Since raspberries are often pre-packed, you will likely find spoiled pieces packed together with the fresh ones. And always keep them inside the fridge since putting them in room temperature or exposing them to sunlight will cause the raspberry to become spoiled even before you get the time to eat them. But if you want to keep them longer, raspberries can last for about a year inside the freezer. But make sure to store them in a single layer.

Sources
naturalnews.com
ezinearticles.com
lifestyle.iloveindia.com
whfoods.com

Simply by eating a wide variety of rich fruits and vegetables, Lung cancer risks can be easily reduced among smokers.

The world is dotted with over a billion cigarette smokers, all of which are at risk of developing certain types of cancer. In the United States, lung cancer is a dreaded fatal condition that accounts as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, regardless of gender. Smokers are aware of the huge numbers associated with risks and fatalities. However, the addictive component of tobacco and cigarettes prevail in most instances.

Based on a recent study, cessation from smoking is still the most definite and proven way of reducing the risk of lung cancer, but another method may contribute to decreasing lung cancer risks effectively. It implies that if a smoker is yet to quit the habit, he can at least start with reducing lung cancer risks through eating a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Lung Cancer

All types of cancer are characterized by changes that occur in cells, which result in the cell’s physical and behavioral abnormality. This leads to lung cancer when the uncontrolled cell growth starts to take place in one or both longs.

The deviant cells continuously reproduce and divide, which thus lead to tumor formation, or lumps of tissue. Tumors intervene with the major lung activity of providing oxygen to the bloodstream, and may either be malignant or benign. If it is benign, the tumor remains in a single place and its growth is limited; while malignant tumors develop due to migrating cancer cells that spread to other body parts. Metastasis occurs when the malignant tumor grows and destroys other tissues.

Lung cancer is usually categorized into two main types: small-lung cancer and non-small lung cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is classified under non-small cell lung cancers. Tumours that develop from squamous cells — cells that take the place of damaged cells in the bronchi’s lining — are often located in the lung’s central area and may possibly form cavities.

Squamous cell carcinoma is most often caused by smoking, and it accounts for approximately 30% of all cases of lung cancer.

The Research Breakthrough: Variety over Quantity

A wealthy line of research and evidence has already proven the significance of eating fruits and vegetables to maintain and improve health. However, the recent research added a new twist to the common “fruits and vegetables are beneficial for your health” notion. Published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, the study yielded findings that indicate the potential role of eating fruits and vegetables in reducing lung cancer risks among smokers.

It involved 450,000 Europeans and with 1,600 participants that were already diagnosed with lung cancer disease; along with 14 fruits and 26 vegetables that came as canned, fresh, and dried. Two particularly notable details were discovered: squamous cell carcinoma risk decreased through eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, regardless of quantity.

From the old “eat lots of fruits and vegetables”, a new perspective arose: Eat diverse kinds of fruits and vegetables.

The Wallin Land Grant Professor of Cancer Prevention at the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center and a current member of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention’s editorial board, Stephen Hecht, said that the study was one of the first to assess the importance of diversity over quantity for the prevention of cancer development.

Hecht further stated that the need for fruit variety stems from the fact that tobacco smoke has various cancer-inducing agents or carcinogens, all of which are intricately and complexly mixed. As such, reducing the risk of lung cancer warrants also a rich mixture of protective factors and agents, such as the diverse and healthy fruits and vegetables used in the study.

Smokers, the number of which consistently reaches an alarming scale worldwide, find it difficult to quit the smoking habit, despite exerting a large amount of effort into successfully leaving the cigarette behind. Hecht acknowledged the smoking statistics and smokers’ struggle, and commented that the new discovery showed how struggling smokers can, at least, potentially employ the protective factor found in a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Exploring Other Natural Protective Factors

The study that was earlier discussed further added to the attention and credibility that natural treatment remedies deserve. Fortunately, there are other natural protective factors and risk-reducing methods that are mostly beneficial and efficient. Furthermore, these are worthy of people’s choice, especially those who do not wish to incur more complications and side effects due to taking prescribed and chemical-filled drugs.

The following are some other natural preventive measures:

1. Avoid all forms of tobacco.

Of course, readers must be cautious of thinking that the recent study encourages smoking. The researchers added a disclaimer: Despite interesting study results, the only proven way of lung cancer risk reduction is through avoiding all forms of tobacco. As such, non-smokers must not smoke in the first place; occasional smokers should quit while they are yet to become addicted; and chronic smokers should at least strive to stop the habit now.

Tobacco smoke reportedly contains more than 60 known carcinogens. Because carcinogens interrupt the normal development and growth of cells, it enables cancer to initially take form. Quitting, then, is the best tactic in reducing lung cancer risks. Second-hand smoke — which is generally the exhaled smoke pipes, cigarettes, and cigars that people inhale — should also be avoided.

2. Stop Inhaling High Levels of Radon

If smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, a second leading cause follows it: Radon. Approximately 22,000 fatalities due to lung cancer are significantly related to radon.

Radon is a radioactive gas that arises from normal uranium decay in the soil, which eventually spreads in the air. It is difficult to sense the presence of this gas through the 5 basic senses. Along with uranium’s quick decay, tiny radioactive particles are produced and diffused in the air. Inhalation of the said radioactive particles potentially damage lung cells. As such, frequent exposure to and inhalation of radon at high levels enable lung cancer to develop.

While the links are yet to be firmly established, statistics show that a combination of smoking and radon gas exposure heightens lung cancer risks, than when these risk factors operate separately.

With the given information, it is wise for people to test their homes for radon levels. Soil composition and proximity heightens radon levels indoors. There are several short-term and long-term testing devices available, all of which are relatively affordable. For further aid, people should consult their state or local radon official.

3. Physical activity for lung cancer prevention and improved survival rate

Given the wide array of benefits that physical activity and exercise provide, and the conditions that can be prevented, it is not surprising to note that lung cancer belongs to these fatal diseases. Furthermore, according to a 2007 study that was included in the Sixth Annual International Conference on Cancer Prevention of the American Association for Cancer Research, besides lung cancer prevention, exercise can improve the survival chances of those who are already diagnosed.

Sources
newsmaxhealth.com
aacr.org
intro: umm.edu
cancer.gov
cancer.about.com
medicinenet.com
theajcf.org

A decade old drug for leukemia, Mylotarg, has been proven to cause more deaths than no leukemia treatments at all.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is finally removing a leukemia drug in the market, Mylotarg, after studies showed that the drug actually caused four times more mortalities than having no treatment at all.

In addition to a higher mortality rate for patients who trusted Mylotarg, it was also found that the drug produced very little or no benefits when used as a treatment.

Deadly “fast-tracking”

This unfortunate series of events can be traced perhaps to how the drug Mylotarg was approved in the first place. A decade ago, Pfizer approached the US Food and Drug Authority with the new drug for leukemia. The FDA was then implementing a new abbreviated or “fast-track” process of approving new drugs.

Mylotarg was one of the drugs that were approved using this abbreviated approval process, which did not require extensive clinical trials. With a clinical trial that involved only 140+ patients and little other proof of effectiveness, Pfizer was given the go signal to release the drug in the international market; indeed, with dire consequences.

The dire statistics are all we need to see why Mylotarg was finally pulled from the market: 5.7% of all Mylotarg patients died after undergoing treatment. Leukemia patients who did not receive Mylotarg or any other treatment have a mortality rate of 1.4%.

Alongside the withdrawal of Mylotarg from the international market, Pfizer has also withdrawn support for an experimental new drug for osteoarthritis called Tanezumab. Tanezumab was supposed to be prescribed for pain caused by osteoarthritis. Shockingly, Tanezubam actually caused more problems for people who had osteoarthritis.

The use of the experimental drug in clinical trials led to full joint replacement procedures and worsening osteoarthritic conditions. Tanezubam was due for the final stage of testing before FDA approval. An estimated annual revenue of $100 million was expected if the drug was approved (good thing it wasn’t approved!).

What is leukemia?

Leukemia is a devastating form of cancer that target blood-producing tissues in the body, including the marrow and even the lymph nodes (collectively, the lymphatic system). There are several types of leukemia; both children and adults can suffer from the disease.

The problem usually starts when the bone marrow begins producing abnormal white blood cells – more than what the body can handle.

The body has its own system of dealing with malignant and abnormal cells. When cancer occurs, this internal system is defeated. Cells that normally commit cellular suicide become ‘immortal cells’ and ‘forget’ to die naturally, as they should to keep the balance in the body.

Some of the general symptoms of leukemia include:

• Tenderness or pain present in the bones
• Night sweats
• Petechiae or abnormal red spotting of the skin
• Person easy bleeds or easily bruises
• Lymph nodes become swollen
• Uncontrollable weight loss
• Frequently bodily infections
• Fatigue
• Bodily weakness
• Fevers
• Chills

Handling leukemia naturally

The body can be strengthened to fight off this type of cancer naturally:

1. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine recommends a diet of fruit, green salads and vegetables to combat infection in the body and to help purify the body of toxins (this is actually backed by medical science; fruits and vegetables are full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and fiber that all come together to fight off infection and restore balance in the body).

2. Leukemia patients should stay away from stressful situations. Relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation are recommended for natural strengthening of the immune and lymphatic system.

3. Leukemia patients often suffer from a type of anemia; in such cases, B-complex and iron supplements are recommended to help the body restore the iron content of red blood cells.

4. Folic acid deficiency can result from conventional treatments for leukemia, so folic acid supplementation is also important if the patient is already undergoing chemotherapy or other conventional cancer treatments.

5. During the onset of the disease and treatment, leukemia patients are often prone to infections (primarily because leukemia attacks white blood cells, the body’s natural defense).

High doses of vitamin C can help strengthen the body’s immune function. It is also an effective antioxidant, which reduces cellular damage from free radicals. Vitamin E can also be taken as a protective measure against the side effects of treatment.

6. Chlorella supplementation may be explored to increase the production of healthy blood cells. In addition to increasing healthy blood cell production, chlorella also fights off the growth of cancerous cells in the body, which is very important when a person is fighting off leukemia.

7. Garlic can help fight off infections and can also protect the body from further ravages of cancerous cells. Since leukemia patients have sensitive digestive tracts, garlic supplementation may be explored. Don’t forget to consult with your healthcare provider before trying this.

8. According to the A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research, the following can help control the growth of cancerous blood cells and manipulate the cancer-forming process: vitamin B6, parsely, vitamin D, extract of green tea, why protein, grits, calcium D-glucurate, D-limonene (can be sourced from citrus fruits), niacin, choline, selenium, perilla oil, super miraforte, resveratrol, indole-3 carbinol, melatonin, pantothenic acid, licorice root.

Sources:
articles.mercola.com
herbs2000.com
mayoclinic.com
ayurvedic-medicines.com
apjohncancerinstitute.org

Drinking coffee may reduce a person's chances of developing oral cancer and even brain tumors.

According to a study published in the medical journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, it was found that people who drank three to four cups of coffee per day reduced their risk of neck & head cancer by as much as thirty-nine percent.

According to Dr. Mia Hashibe, a researcher from the University of Utah, the findings of the new study is significant because coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world.

The survival percentage for oral cancer and other associated cancers is low, so the findings provide hope for both men and women.  Unfortunately, the study did not make use of data from people who drank decaffeinated coffee.  In addition to oral cancer and neck cancer, another study (this time, from London)  discovered that coffee also reduced the risk of people developing tumors in the brain.

Other studies agree on the benefits of coffee

Studies around the world seem to acquiesce with the recent findings in the United States; it also appears that coffee may be more than just a cancer preventive:

1. A recent study performed in Sweden states that women who drank four to five cups of Scandinavian coffee (which requires boiling) reduced their risk of developing breast cancer over the long term.

It appears that boiled coffee provides more health benefits because it can contain up to eighty different fatty acids, which have been shown to have cancer-preventing effects when taken by the human body.  The benefits of boiled Scandinavian coffee was noted for women between the ages of 49 and 55.

2. According to researchers who published a study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, regular coffee intake may ward off adult-onset diabetes or type 2 diabetes.  In animal tests, it was shown that coffee increased the sensitivity of the animals to insulin.  Coffee was also effective in combating the sudden rise of blood glucose levels according to the researchers.

3. Past US studies show that coffee may be helpful in reducing LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels.  Coffee also contains polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants that protect the body from free radical damage.  Polyphenols are also present in abundant quantities in green tea.

4. Based on a Harvard Medical School study on aggressive/advanced prostate cancer and coffee-drinking, it was found that males who regularly drank coffee were sixty percent less likely to develop advanced prostate cancer, compared to males who did not drink coffee at all.

5. A Netherlands study produced the following findings for coffee consumption: 2 to 4 cups of coffee a day reduced the incidence of heart problems by twenty percent.  Coffee intake also slightly reduced the chances of a person dying from the most common causes (cancer, heart problems, stroke, heart attack, diabetes, etc.)

Sources:
sciencedaily.com
sciencedaily.com
sciencedaily.com
sciencedaily.com
sciencedaily.com
sciencedaily.com

A chemical compound called epigallocatechin gallate showed much promise by killing cancerous cells during a phase 2 clinical study.

According to a study performed by researchers from the Mayo Clinic, the extract of the world-popular green tea has been effective in regulating the growth and proliferation of cancer cells in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).  The study was classified as a phase two human clinical trial, and the results were very promising indeed.

Epigallocatechin gallate vs. cancer cells

The compound epigallocatechin gallate was shown to have the ability to kill cancer cells in patients with CLL.  The compound prevented the cancer cells from surviving, thereby effectively reducing the total cancer cell count. The first phase of the human clinical trial of epigallocatechin gallate also showed similar, positive results.

What does this all mean?  According to one of the Mayo researchers, Dr. Tait Shanafelt, the two clinical trials show that epigallocatechin gallate showed some promise in stabilizing or normalizing the condition of patients with CLL.  While the compound is not classified as a definitive cure for the condition, it shows promise in slowing down the progress of the medical condition.

Instead of a cure, Mayo clinic researchers state that the compound should be viewed as a cancer preventive rather than cancer cure. And there was a catch: the patients that were subjected to the nutraceutical treatment were patients who had early signs of CLL (not advanced stage CLL).

The study involved thirty-six respondents and resulted in a fifty percent reduction of leukemia cell count at the end of the human clinical trial.  Including the patients from the first clinical trial, the total number of CLL patients involved in the study is forty-two.  A third clinical trial is needed before the Mayo Clinic researchers can make a definitive recommendation regarding the use of epigallocatechin gallate for CLL sufferers.

Other benefits of green tea

Tea is the second most drunk beverage in the world (right next to water). It contains natural antioxidants and caffeine (50% less than regular coffee).  And did I mention that it’s good for you for a lot of reasons?  It’s more than just a cancer preventive.  Here are some more health benefits of drinking green tea:

1. According to a study published by the American Medical Association, 40,000 respondents (from Japan; all of them drank up three cups of green tea per day) showed no evidence of cardiovascular anomalies and coronary heart problems since the study started back in the year 1994.  Not one individual from the 40,000 strong group developed any cancer, too!

2. Drinking green tea reduces the risk of dying from heart disease by twenty six percent (for males).  For women, drinking three to five cups of the precious elixir reduced the risk of dying from heart attacks and other cardiac problems by a staggering thirty-one percent.

3. Having chronic problems with sleep apnea (disturbances during sleep) and poor sleep quality, generally?   Reach for green tea.  US studies found out that chemical compounds in green tea can help prevent cognitive troubles resulting from poor sleep.

4. If you have trouble memorizing for school, don’t drink soda.  Instead, make yourself a nice, warm green tea brew.  There is no reason not to enjoy this beverage as it now comes in many natural flavors, like blueberry, cinnamon, etc.

All you have to do is choose your favorite flavor and use a French press to make an instant cup of tea.  Or you can just buy tea bags and allow the tea to infuse itself into the water for a few minutes.  I recommend this and that’s how I make my green tea.  The longer you keep the teabag in the hot water, the stronger the tea.

You can also add a bit of cinnamon to make the tea more interesting.  Since tea has caffeine, it can also help keep you more alert and awake when working or studying.   Green tea also has theanine, which has been shown to have beneficial effects in that region of the human brain that is responsible for alertness.

5. Suffering from poor immunity against common illnesses like the flu and the common cold?  Green tea is rich in chemical compounds called polyphenols, which can help boost your immune system.  Polyphenols can also help slow down aging by reducing the oxidative stress that the body experiences from free radicals.  Polyphenols are capable of disabling free radicals in the body.

6. Substituting polyphenol-rich beverages like green tea for soda and the like can also reverse the spike in body weight.  Because green tea doesn’t have much sugar, it does not contribute much to your weight (apart from its water content).  If you are having trouble with ‘water weight’, then all you have to do is to sip on the green tea during the day instead of downing a whole cup in one go.  But don’t forget: being well-hydrated is more important.  Also, water helps the body lose weight by helping in better digestion and also by helping the body burn calories more efficiently.

7. According to researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the antioxidants present in green tea can also penetrate the tissues in the eyes and do a world of good there.  Increased antioxidant activity in any body tissue has always been linked to decreased inflammation and healthier tissues and cells.

8. All kinds of tea come from the same camella plant – and tea always has more than ten times the amount of antioxidant chemicals than regular vegetables and fruits.  So drink up!  Green tea can also help prevent dangerous blood clots from forming in veins and arteries (which can lead to heart attack and stroke).  You also reduce the risk for atherosclerosis when you drink plenty of tea, say Dr. John Weisburger, the US’s pro-tea champion and veteran researcher (who is also, incidentally, already eighty two years old!)

Cancer prevention

In the spirit of global cancer prevention, here are some easy steps that you can prevent different types of cancer.

Prostate Cancer

• In a European study, it was discovered that regular intake of legumes and other vegetables lowered the risk of prostate cancer over the long term.
• Nutrients like vitamin D, isoflavanoids and selenium can help reduce prostate cancer by stopping the chemical processes that can lead to the formation of cancer cells.

Skin Cancer

• Increase your intake of antioxidants prior to sun exposure or take an umbrella with you when going out into the direct heat of the sun for a long period of time!
• Beta-carotene has been linked to reduced risk of developing cancerous skin cells.

Lung Cancer

• Long term tobacco smoke has been linked to lung cancer – so stop the habit before it leads to something much, much worse than just stained teeth.
• Regular exercise produces a protective effect on the body – including the respiratory system. Get enough exercise to strengthen your breathing apparatus.

Sources:
sciencedaily.com
blogs.webmd.com
blogs.webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com

Sulforaphane, an active compound extracted from broccoli, offers hope to breast cancer sufferers as it is capable of killing off cancer stem cells.

According to new research from the US, a compound found in the popular vegetable broccoli is capable of targeting and killing off cancer stem cells.  According to the research, which was published recently in the journal Clinical Cancer Research, the compound sulforaphane was capable of killing off cancer stem cells and prevented new cancerous growths from emerging.

Broccoli vs. cancerous tumors

Collating their data with other earlier studies on the subject, the US researchers noted that sulforaphane was able to reduce the resistance of cancerous tumors to conventional treatment.  Since the compound reduces tumor resistance, a second theory arose: the compound may be the key to solving the problem with relapses, or recurring cancer.

The researchers further noted that people who consumed more broccoli tend to have less risk of breast cancer.  Since the compound is derived naturally from the vegetable, it has very low toxicity and can be utilized by the body easily (high bioavailability).

Bioavailability is an important concept in medical treatments because if a drug has low bioavailability, it becomes less effective and the patient would eventually need to take higher doses of the drug to get the desired results.  To date, sulforaphane has already been marketed as a food supplement.  However, the amount of sulforaphane in supplements is not being regulated.

Broccoli vs. diabetes

It seems that like a few other organic compounds like resveratrol, sulforaphane is enjoying widespread popularity because it provides so many benefits.  In another study published in the medical journal Diabetes, it was found that the same compound may be helpful in reducing the vascular damage associated with long-term diabetes.

As you may know, diabetes causes a lot of problems to diabetics, including damage to blood vessels.  This damage to blood vessels may even cause blindness if the diabetes is not treated and monitored correctly.

Sulforaphane, according to the study in Diabetes, was capable of reducing the damage to body’s blood vessels by activating enzyme production.  The enzyme produced protects the blood vessels from the ravages of diabetes.

The compound also helped the body by helping produce enzymes that disabled free radicals in the body.  In yet another study, the compound offered hope to family lines with histories of cancer.

It appears that the compound was also capable of preventing cells from passing on damaged or corrupted genetic information to the next generation of cells.  In another study (this is the fourth!) sulforaphane was also linked to reducing the chances of aggressive prostate cancer in men by more than forty-five percent.

Sources:
mayoclinic.com
nutraingredients.com

Exercise doesn't just benefit people by reducing weight and making muscles stronger – it can also help cancer patients by reducing the side effects of cancer treatment.

According to Eleanor Walker, a division director from the Henry Ford Hospital, exercise may well be the missing ingredient in cancer care for the longest time.

According to Dr. Walker, introducing exercise alongside the usual cancer care offered to patients offers both physical and psychological advantages.  It appears that exercise also reduces the side effects commonly associated with cancer treatment.

ExCITE-ing

In addition to reducing the side effects of the various treatments for cancer, exercise is also a great energizer and is also capable of combating nausea – an all too common problem for cancer patients undergoing treatment.  The testing was done using an program called ExCITE, which was designed by researchers from the Cancer Center at the Henry Ford Hospital.

The patients were given the usual tests and specific diets and exercise programs were recommended to them, based on the initial test results.  One of the respondents, a breast cancer patient, reported that the usual side effects of treatment like nausea and even vomiting were eliminated after she joined the ExCITE program.

According to the patient, Cheryl Fallen, the ExCITE program is a very holistic approach to mitigating problems associated with cancer treatment because the exercise routines are able to strengthen the immune system and also improves the blood circulation of the patients.  Fallen also views the program as a positive aid for cancer patients; and it makes her feel good, too.

…And even more reasons to exercise

1. Exercise lowers your blood sugar levels, energizes you and improves your physical and psychological condition.  It’s all a matter of investing time and energy into it; the rewards of finally becoming physically fit are endless.

2. Exercises increases the capacity of cells to utilize sugar.  During exercise, the muscles in the body are forced to pump out energy and utilize the raw substrate used for work – glucose.  If you exercise on a daily basis, the cells in the body use sugar more efficiently, effectively lowering insulin resistance.

3. Exercising is a great way to deal with stress. Stress isn’t just a frame of mind. It’s the body’s reaction to worries and anxieties. Resting is not the best solution to stress- exercise is.  The more you exercise, the more the body heals and recovers from the physical and mental burdens of stress.  With less stress, you will be able to perform better at work or school and you will instantly feel better. After a workout (like walking or running), the body releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. Endorphins allow the body to cool down and relax – naturally.

Sources
rd.com
exercise.about.com
sciencedaily.com

A recent presidential study has concluded that the carcinogens in the environment are contributing to high cancer rates.

As time goes on and on, more sources point to the fact that cancer is caused by carcinogens in the environment.  In fact, a new report was just released that was completed by a expert panel that currently advises Barack Obama. This panel, called the President’s Cancer Panel (or PCP), was set up in the 1970’s.

This 240 page report, which is available for the public to download, is called “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now.”  The report concludes that the known carcinogens in the environment are increasing, and they need to be dealt with by the government.

Dr. LaSalle D. Lefall, Jr. chairperson of the PCP stated, “There remains a great deal to be done to identify the many existing but unrecognized environmental carcinogens and eliminate those that are known from our daily lives – our workplaces, schools and homes.”  According to the report, people are exposed to up to 80,000 chemicals each day and many of them are completely unregulated.  These chemicals include radon, formaldehyde, and benzene.  Oftentimes people are completely unaware that they are being exposed to these cancer-causing chemicals.

The panel urged the government to take better steps to reduce people’s exposure to toxins by doing things like improving the understanding about these toxins, developing a better policy towards them and raising awareness. These are just a few of the suggestions made by the PCP.

The good news, however, is that researchers are learning more all the time about natural ways to treat cancer.  For example, exercise is an easy and effective way to fight cancer.  Additionally, turmeric is an extremely powerful herb that can actually kill cancer cells.  Turmeric contains the chemical curcumin.  Recent tests by the Cork Cancer Research Center show that curcumin can actually destroy cancer cells.

Sources:
news.bbc.co.uk
medicalnewstoday.com

Researchers have discovered that increased omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of colon cancer. This can come from food sources or fish oil supplementation.

Do you get tons of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet?  If so, new research indicates you will reduce your risk of colon cancer.  Taking fish oil supplements can also accomplish the same goal.

According to Dr. Sangmi Kim at the National Institute of Environmental Health Studies in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, not only can fish oil supplementation fight inflammation, it can also reduce the risk of cancer.

The study examined polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and bowel cancer risk in both whites and African Americans.  Approximately, half of the people in each group were colon cancer patients.  The other half served as the control group.

The researchers found that the people in the group of whites, who consumed the top forth amount of omega-3s, had half the risk of colon cancer.  They also found that fish oil had the same effect.  Although when the black participants were analyzed separately, they didn’t see cancer rates drop as omega 3 intake increased.  However, researchers stated, “Whether the possible benefit from this dietary modification varies by race warrants further evaluation.”

So where can you get the necessary omega-3 fatty acids? They are found in walnut oils, flaxseed oil, and leafy greets.  It is important to remember to eat more omega-3s than omega-6 fatty acids, as you want a healthy balance in your diet.  It can be unhealthy to have more omega-6 in your system. Omega-6 acids can be typically be found in oils like soybean oil and sunflower oil as well as meats.  While omega-3 oils reduce inflammation, omega-6 oils can cause inflammation.

Frequent readers of Natural Health on the Web know that I am a big advocate of the Mediterranean diet. This diet suggests eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like fruits, vegetables, olive oil and fish rather than omega-6 rich meats.

Sources:
sciencedaily.com
umm.edu

German researchers find link between low consumption of vitamin K2 and cancer (lung cancer, specifically).

All the rage these days in the health world is the importance of getting a daily dose of vitamin D in your diet, whether it’s through the foods you fix or the sun you soak.  As a result, other vitamins have been given short shrift.

Well what better way to reacquaint oneself with other vitamins than with a study that says increasing one’s vitamin K intake can lower cancer risk?

Now, before I get into the guts of the study, this is not to suggest that eating cabbage with every meal will somehow prevent cancer.  But what the study does suggest is that certain sources of vitamin K are more cancer preventive than others.

About a year ago, I wrote about the differences between vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. I wrote about vitamin K2 being a more nutritious form of vitamin K than it’s partner in nutrition, vitamin K1, but at that point vitamin K2 was being hailed for its link to bone and cartilage development.  So, runners and people battling arthritis were encouraged to eat sources of vitamin K2.

This time, however, vitamin K2 is being hailed for its cancer-prevention prowess.

Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, Germany discovered its cancer-fighting effects after analyzing the results of a 10-year study that involved approximately 24,300 adults.  All of the adults – between the ages of 35 and 64 – were cancer free at the outset.

That fact changed 10 years later.  By the end of the study, approximately 1,800 men and women were diagnosed with cancers of various kinds, with just less than one-fourth of them dying from their disease.

But when researchers looked at the decedents’ dieting patterns, as well as those who remained cancer free throughout the study period, they saw some patterns.

For instance, among those who ate vitamin K2 rich foods, they were 28 percent less likely to be among those who died of cancer.  But when researchers looked at people who had the lowest vitamin K2 intake, they were almost 50 percent more likely to have been diagnosed with lung cancer (the most commonly diagnosed cancer there is, by the way).

Comparatively, those who had the highest vitamin K2 intake, they were less than half a percent more likely to have lung cancer.

Findings were similar among other commonly diagnosed cancers (e.g. prostate):  the more vitamin K2 eaten, the less likely they were to develop cancer.

Coincidence?  Perhaps.  The researchers are loath to suggest definitively that it’s the vitamin K2 that did it because most of the participants who ate lots of vitamin K2 got it from cheese primarily.  Thus, it could another aspect of cheese that makes it so cancer friendly.

The study is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Now, as most of you know, I’m not an extremist when it comes to nutrition.  Virtually everything high in calories can be enjoyed so long as it’s in moderation.

Thus, while cheese is pretty high in saturated fat and cholesterol, there are enough good things in cheese to make it a healthful food when eaten in moderation.

But there are other healthy sources of vitamin K2 that you don’t have to scrimp on.  One of them is natto, which, like cheese, is a fermented food (vitamin K2 primarily comes from fermented foods).  I’ve never eaten natto, but seeing as how the Japanese have eaten it for well over a thousand years—a culture that is known for its long lifespan and healthy dieting habits—it’s clearly a food worth trying.

And who knows?  One bite may make you nutso for natto!

Sources:
newsmaxhealth.com
naturalhealthontheweb.com
gaia21.net