Pomegranate Juice Components Block Cancer Cell Migration

by S. L. Baker, features writer

(NaturalNews) One of the most dreaded consequences of cancer is when the disease metastasizes -- meaning it spreads from the primary site where it started to other parts of the body. But University of California, Riverside (UCR) scientists have announced what could be a major breakthrough in halting metastasis. They've discovered components in pomegranate juice that inhibit the movement of cancer cells and weaken the attraction of malignant cells to a chemical signal that has been shown to promote metastasis.

The UCR findings were just presented at the American Society for Cell Biology's 50th Annual Meeting, which is being held in Philadelphia. Specifically, the research team from the UCR laboratory of Manuela Martins-Green, Ph.D., found that pomegranate juice seems to block the spread of prostate cancer cells to the bone. The group is planning additional tests to determine the effects of various doses of the natural pomegranate compounds and whether there are any side effects.

In earlier studies, Dr. Martins-Green and her colleagues used a standardized concentration of pomegranate juice on two types of laboratory-cultured prostate cancer cells that were resistant to the male hormone testosterone. Scientists have long known that when cancerous cells are resistant to testosterone, that's an indicator those cells have a strong potential to metastasize. Not only did the research team find pomegranate juice killed many cancer tumor cells -- the pomegranate juice treatment also increased cell adhesion and decreased cell migration in those cancer cells that had not died.

Next the scientists analyzed the pomegranate juice to figure out which specific ingredients produced the molecular impact on cell adhesion and migration in metastatic prostate cancer cells. Dr. Martins-Green, graduate student Lei Wang and undergraduate student Jeffrey Ho discovered the answer: phenylpropanoids, hydrobenzoic acids, flavones and conjugated fatty acids found in the fruit.

"This is particularly exciting because we can now modify these naturally occurring components of the juice to improve their functions and make them more effective in preventing prostate cancer metastasis," Dr. Martins-Green said in a media statement."Because the genes and proteins involved in movement of prostate cancer cells are essentially the same as those involved in movement of other types of cancer cells, the same modified components of the juice could have a much broader impact in cancer treatment."

The idea that pomegranate phytochemicals have an anti-cancer effect isn't new. In fact, evidence has been steadily accumulating over the past few years that along with other health benefits (such as soothing inflammation in the body and potentially reducing the risk of heart disease) pomegranates can prevent and/or treat cancer. For example, earlier in 2010, NaturalNews reported on a study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research showing that phytochemicals known as ellagitannins found in pomegranate fruit could prevent the development of hormone-dependent breast cancer and halt the growth of estrogen-driven tumors (http://www.naturalnews.com/027947_p...).

In addition, in a 2006 study of prostate cancer patients who drank eight ounces of pomegranate juice every day, UCLA researchers found a decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels that suggested a potential slowing of cancer progression. More recently, the results of a long-term study published in the Journal of Urology concluded pomegranate juice may effectively slow the progression of prostate cancer, even when regular treatment has failed (http://www.naturalnews.com/026190_c...).

However, despite all the science showing pomegranate juice could have anti-cancer effects, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has come down hard on claims about those potential benefits. In Sept. 2010, the FTC filed a lawsuit against Pom Wonderful, the natural foods company that provided the pomegranate juice for the UCLA research and has supported other research on pomegranate juice, charging the company's claims about the juice's health benefits were misleading.

For more information:
http://www.naturalnews.com/pomegran...

Suzanne

Nine reasons to eat more sweet potatoes

by Elizabeth Walling

(NaturalNews) Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrition. They are a great source of minerals such as manganese, folate, copper, and iron. The darker-colored variety is a great source of carotenes (precursor of vitamin A), vitamins C, B2, B6, E and biotin. Sweet potatoes are also a fantastic source of dietary fiber. Here are nine reasons you should be eating more sweet potatoes:

Nine Reasons Why You Should Eat Sweet Potatoes

1. Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants, which work in the body to prevent inflammatory problems like asthma, arthritis, gout, and many more.

2. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of carbohydrates for those with blood sugar problems. These fibrous root vegetables can help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent conditions like insulin resistance.

3. Sweet potatoes are healthy for the digestive tract. Being rich in digestive fiber, especially when the skin is also consumed, it helps to relieve constipation and may prevent colon cancer.

4. Sweet potatoes are good for those who are pregnant or trying to conceive because they are high in folate, which is essential for the healthy development of fetal cell and tissue.

5. Packed with important vitamins and other nutrients, eating sweet potatoes can boost immunity by supporting the needs of the body.

6. Sweet potatoes are good for preventing heart disease. High in potassium, sweet potatoes can help prevent the onset of heart attack and stroke. Potassium also helps to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, which is important for stabilizing blood pressure and regulating heart function.

7. Sweet potatoes are good for alleviating muscle cramps. Potassium deficiencies are a leading cause of muscle cramps, as well injuries. By making sweet potatoes a regular part of your diet (along with proper exercise), you can expect an energy boost and fewer muscle cramps and injuries.

8. Sweet potatoes are good for treating stress-related symptoms. The body tends to use a lot of potassium and other important minerals when it is under stress. Sweet potatoes provide important minerals that will help maintain balance throughout the body during times of stress.

9. Sweet potatoes ranked number one in nutrition out of all vegetables by the Center for Science in the Public Interest because they are such a rich source of dietary fiber, natural sugars, complex carbohydrates, protein, carotenoids, vitamin C, iron and calcium.

Further Reading:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?...

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-...

http://www.ayushveda.com/womens-mag...

Suzanne

Eating blueberries helps build strong bones, suggests study

by Jonathan Benson, staff writer

(NaturalNews) Move over calcium, there is a new bone builder in town. Research published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research back in 2010 showed that blueberry compounds helped improve bone development in lab rats, and new research conducted by the same team of scientists is now investigating how the fruit works in humans to boost bone development.

Jin-Ran Chen and his colleagues from the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock recently received funding from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to explore bone development in humans during infancy, childhood, and early adulthood. Part of this includes studying how blueberry compounds play a role in bone development.

In their first study, Chen and his colleagues observed that blueberry polyphenols, which are the pigments in the fruit that give them their bluish, purple, and red colors, are clearly associated with building strong, healthy bones. Rats fed freeze-dried blueberry powder as ten percent of their diets developed significantly more bone mass than rats not fed the powder, which spurred further research into which blueberry compounds were responsible for this amazing effect.

Blood samples taken from the blueberry-fed rats revealed high rates of phenolic acids, the antioxidant compounds believed to help improve bone development. When blood serum taken from the blueberry-fed rats was applied to lab cultures of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for forming bones, researchers noted that osteoblasts formed into mature, functional bone cells much more quickly than they otherwise would apart from exposure to the polyphenol-rich serum.

TCF and LEF, two types of human genes, promote the synthesis of beta-catenin, a type of protein. Beta-catenin is responsible for telling osteoblasts to form into fully mature bone cells, and it is blueberry polyphenols' interaction with these various human components that Chen and his team believe is responsible for improved bone synthesis.

Editor's Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and well-being of all living creatures.

Sources for this story include:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_relea...

Suzanne

Apples

Women who ate dried apples each day for a year showed major improvements in heart-risk factors, awccording to research from Florida State University. Participants in the study were randomly assigned to eat about 2.7 ounces of dried apples or prunes daily. Blood test were taken after 3, 6, and 12 months.

Bahram Arjmandi, PhD, who conducted the study, said that he found "incredible changes" in the women who ate the apples. They experienced a 23% decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol, a 4% boost in good cholesterol, and a 32% decline in C-reactive protein, which is an indicator of inflammation in the body. Those who ate prunes also improved these risk factors, but not as significantly.

The women who ate apples also lost an average of 3.3 pounds over the course of the year, despite the extra 240 daily calories they consumed from the fruit. This may be due to the apples' pectin, a soluble fiber that can make one feel full. Dr. Arjmandi said dried apples were used for convenience during the study and added that fresh apples would probably provide even greater benefits. --Time, April 14, 2011.

Suzanne

Speed Slimming with Asparagus

This veggie is rich in inulin, a type of fiber that decreases levels of the hunger-causing compound ghrelin and boosts levels of the satiety hormone PYY, according to a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Suzanne

Suzanne,
What are your thoughts on powdered fruit mixes (for lack of a better word) such as greens+ or similar products. Most of the time it is difficult for me to eat 6 servings of fruit and veggies a day, and these say they equal 3-4 servings of fruits and veggies per day for each scoop that you mix with water or juice.
God Bless,
Will

What counts as a serving size?

Is broccoli the same as beans? Dried fruit the same as fresh fruit? Here are some answers on what counts as a serving:

* Vegetables
Fresh, frozen or canned varieties: 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw
Raw, leafy greens such as romaine, spinach, iceberg: 1 cup

* Beans or starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, peas or winter squash: 1/2 cup whole or mashed, cooked

* Fruits: 1 medium piece or 1/2 cup chopped, cooked or canned

* Dried fruits: 1/4 cup; for raisins, 2 tablespoons

* Juices: 8 ounces of 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice (limit juice to one serving per day)

How many servings a day should you have?
The appropriate number of servings you should have in a day depends on your age, gender, activity level and weight goals, but a good starting point is to aim for at least three vegetable servings and two fruit servings per day. In addition, larger serving sizes of non-starchy vegetables can help fill you up at meals so that you are less inclined to indulge in large portions of higher-calorie foods.

Sources: CIGNA, American Institute for Cancer Research

Resources
American Institute for Cancer Research:
* Serving size finder: www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=elements_serving_size
* Recommendations for cancer prevention: www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=recommendations_home
* Plant-based diet: www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=recommendations_04_plant_based

American Cancer Society:
* ACS guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention: www.cancer.org/Healthy/EatHealthyGetActi...ancer-questions

USDA:
* What counts as a cup of vegetables: www.choosemyplate.gov/foodgroups/vegetables_counts.html

Suzanne

Comment: Will, I see nothing wrong with fruit and veggies in powdered form.

SS

More on Tomatoes

Promising research suggests that eating tomatoes and tomato products could help protect bone mass, brain health and skin from UV damage. --American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

Suzanne

The apple - Boost your brain power with a common almost forgotten fruit

by Paul Fassa

(NaturalNews) The outdated apple a day keeps the doctor away adage has been replaced with fresh apple juice three times a week. This new routine was discovered after a ten-year study determined it helped Alzheimer's patients by greatly reducing the chance of Alzheimer's disease (AD) from even occurring. Another study uncovered heart health benefits.

The benefits

Dr. Thomas Shea, a neurobiologist, and his research team at the University of Massachusetts topped off years of studying apples' effects on brain health. They used test tubes, Petri dishes, and mice for years. Then recently, they confirmed their findings with a human clinical trial.

Twenty-one AD patients from ages 72 to 93 were fed four ounces of apple juice twice daily for thirty days. There were improvements with memory as well as the negative emotional moods normally associated with AD victims.

He concluded that by drinking apple juice only three times per week, you would reduce your chances of Alzheimer's by 75%.

And there are other benefits. Other animal studies have demonstrated that apples protect the heart, increase lipid metabolism, and reduce inflammation.

A Florida State University study by Dr. Bahram Arjmandi, involving several women aged 45 to 65, discovered that a heavy diet of apples reduced LDL in the women by 23% in six months. The women also lost three and a half pounds on average.

How to juice apples yourself

Don't bother with store bought pasteurized apple juice. Organic raw and unfiltered apple juice is better. But the best way to go is juicing just enough apples to drink at one sitting each time. Since Big Ag apples top the list of the "dirty dozen" (the 12 most sprayed foods), you should invest in organic apples.

Sometimes locally grown small orchard apples are not sprayed, but they are not USDA certified organic. This is often due to the time and money it takes to get that approval. So locally grown could be a solution for less expensive non- toxic apples if you are assured they are not sprayed.

You should use a slow speed masticating juicer. It can be single auger (the masticating screw) or double auger. You can Google slow speed masticating juicers and shop for what works for you. This is a worthwhile investment if you intend to do any juicing for improved health.

This type of juicer eliminates the extra fiber that inhibits rapid absorption while concentrating the juice of several items in one drink and preserving the enzymes that a high speed juicer may destroy.

Do not peel the apples. Cut them into pieces small enough for the juicer and include the core, seeds and all. Adding a small piece of peeled ginger root into the juicer adds more inflammatory protection. A freshly squeezed lemon can be added also. This should be done at least three times a week.


Early Alzheimer's disease (AD) symptoms

It's best to launch a three prong attack if confusion, fog, and memory loss is creeping in as a matter of daily life. The apple juice approach is good, but it may not be enough.

Orthomolecular medical doctors specialize in curing with high dose vitamin and mineral supplements, such as IV mega-dose Vitamin C. They have had a good deal of success with all types of brain issues using large doses of niacin.

Consuming pure cold pressed coconut oil twice daily has even reversed advanced AD. That's something Big Pharma cannot even claim. Find out more about that here: http://www.naturalnews.com/030373_c...

[Editor's Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and wellbeing of all living creatures.]

Sources for this article include:

VIDEO: Husband and wife discuss how they reversed husband's early AD http://healthmaven.blogspot.com/201...

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_relea...

http://www.healthiertalk.com/just-o...

http://www.livestrong.com/article/1...

http://www.healthiertalk.com/slash-...

http://www.healthiertalk.com/why-yo...

Suzanne

Fruit and vegetable consumption effectively lowers colon cancer risk

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Health-minded individuals are well aware that a diet high in natural fruits and vegetables equate to vibrant health and dramatically lowered risk of many chronic diseases. The result of a new study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association provides details on how specific fruit and vegetable consumption lowers the incidence of many types of colon cancer, the third most prevalent form of the disease. Foods such as apples, broccoli and cauliflower each lower the risk of cancer initiation in different parts of the colon while high sugar, fiber-void fruit juices are shown to increase risk of the illness. Nutrition scientists from Australia provide important documentation to confirm the importance of eating a colorful selection of fruits and vegetables to lower colon cancer risk.

Nutrition researchers have designed studies to examine the effect of healthy diet on colon cancer risk in the past, but the protective effect has been debatable as they do not provide specific results for different foods on the key regions or subsites of the colon. Professor Lin Fritschi, PhD, head of the Epidemiology Group at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, and her research team set out to investigate the link between fruit and vegetables and three cancers in different parts of the bowel: proximal colon cancer, distal colon cancer and rectal cancer.


Colon Cancer Risk Lowered by Eating a Wide Variety of Brightly Colored Fruits and Vegetables

The controlled study included 918 participants with a confirmed colon cancer diagnosis and compared them with 1021 individuals with no history of the digestive disease. All participants completed extensive nutritional and demographic questionnaires to account for potential conflicts such as socioeconomic status. Analysis of the data showed that specific fruit and vegetables from similar varietal families affect risk for colon cancer in different portions of the digestive tract.

With respect to different fruit and vegetable consumption, the researchers found a reduced rate of proximal colon cancer linked to eating brassicas like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. In addition, both total vegetable intake and total vegetable and fruit intake were linked to a lower risk of distal colon cancer. And finally a significant reduction in distal colon cancer risk was linked to dark yellow vegetables and apples.

There should be no doubt that natural fruits and vegetables consumed raw or minimally cooked to retain the active enzymes is a critical factor in digestive health that dramatically lowers the risk of colon cancer and other chronic conditions as well. This study conveys the important nature of eating a wide variety of different colored fruits and vegetables, high in phytonutrient content, to provide a protective shield at different colon subsites and throughout the body.

Sources for this article include:
http://adajournal.org/webfiles/imag...
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/art...
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_relea...

Suzanne