Breast Cancer

‘Healthy Foods and Breast Cancer Awareness’-http://www.laurelonhealthfood.com, 02/10/08

Apparently October is National Breast Cancer Month.

Concord Grape Juice- the Journal of Medicinal Foods published a study that found that the Concord grape extract in purple Welch’s 100% Grape Juice has “breast cancer chemopreventive potential” because it protects healthy breast cells fron DNA damage.

Apple- according to research from Cornell University, natural chemicals in apple peels can inhibit breast, liver, and colon cancer cell growth

Milk- a study from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that pre-menopausal women who consume high amounts of vitamin D and calcium may reduce their risk of breast cancer by 40%.

Brussel Sprouts- a recent study has found Brussels sprouts to be powerful cancer fighters. Less than one cup of Brussels sprouts a day may reduce the risk of breast, liver,  colon, and bladder cancer and heart disease by up to 59% in women and 71% in men.

Broccoli Sprouts-the American Cancer Society says that a compound in broccoli sprouts, sulforaphane, may prevent and treat breast cancer, by causing the body to make more of the enzymes that fight-off cancer-causing chemicals

Olive Oil- Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz say that a healthy fat in olive oil, oleic acid, “may help disarm a gene that prompts breast cancer cells to grow and divide.”

Fibre-Rich Foods- University of Leeds researchers have found that pre-menopausal women who eat 25-30g of fibre a day are 50% less likely to develop breast cancer than those who eat less fibre. Their findings showed that a high fibre diet helps to regulate estrogen levels which are associated with breast cancer.

 

This post would have interested worried about breast cancer, but for the majority of those who think ‘they’re ok’ the article may have seemed as if it didn’t concern them.

Each of the foods found to have a defending effect against breast cancer were separated into different paragraphs and highlighted in bold, so readers could easily just read the headings and know what food was good for defending breast cancer. Although the article included a picture at the end, it was quite long and would not have attracted many to read the post.

Aging fine with resveratrol

‘New Research on Resveratrol’- http://www.laurelonhealthfood.com, 28/08/08

 

Studies have found resveratrol has strong anti-aging, anti-cancer and cardiovascular health benefits.

 

Summary-

Zhejiang University researchers in China found that resveratrol (compound found in red wine, grapes, grape juice, some berries, and peanuts) can significantly reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and renal sympathetic nerve activity, which implies that it could have a useful role in anti-aging therapy. In another study, the researchers found that resveratrol inhibits the accumulation of blood clots (which can cause a heart attack).

The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry published a research that found that resveratrol selectively targets malignant (cancerous) cells and destroys them while allowing healthy cells to adjust. This is different to what happens in chemotherapy, where it kills cancerous cells but is also toxic to healthy cells.

The Apoptosis journal published findings that resveratrol and quercetin are able to prevent adeoxycholate from killing cells and causing disease. The findings show that resveratrol may help reverse the cell damage that causes colon cancer.

The Experimental Gerontology published research that found resveratrol can imitate calorie restriction by controlling ‘mitochondrial biogenesis and turnover, critical factors in the maintenance of energy production, the prevention of endogenous oxidative stress, and the promotion of healthy aging.’

 

Though the findings do not mean it’s okay to be drinking lots obviously. I’ve read a few articles in newspapers before about the benefits of drinking one or two glasses of red wine a day. The benefits of red wine are a popular topic discussed in the media, as with coffee.

This blog entry is easier to follow since it discusses just one topic, but sounds more medical and difficult to understand for those who simply want to stay healthy.