Studies
Fresh Raw Carrots Anyone?
Carrots contain a natural compound called falcarinol, which protects the carrots from fungal diseases. Researchers, from the University of Southern Denmark, studied three groups of 24 rats with precancerous tumors. The first group was the control and did not consume falcarinol. The second group consumed feed and raw carrots. The last group consumed feed with falcarinol added to it.
After 18 weeks, the rats that received either falcarinol or raw carrots in their diet were one-third (1/3rd) less likely to develop cancerous tumors than the control group.
. . This study reveals benefits of B-6, B-U and folate in combating the renarrowing of arteries.
Three B Vitamins Helped Keep Arteries Open: B-6, B-12, and Folate
In 205 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty (a procedure to open arteries in and around the heart, which have narrowed and impede blood flow), subjects received 1 mg of folate (folic acid), 400 mcg of vitamin B-12, and 10 mg of vitamin B-6. The patients receiving these B vitamins had a 33% reduction in blood homocysteine levels versus only a 14% reduction in the placebo group. At a six-month point, the rate of renarrowing of arteries (restenosis) was twice as high in the placebo group as in the treatment group. At one-year, despite the dis-continuation of vitamins for six-months, the benefits were still maintained!
Ambrosi P, Nut, Metab. Cardiovasc. Dis., 2003; 13:39 1-397/Schnyder G, Roffi M, et al,JAMA 2002:288;973-979.
DHA Reduces the Tendency Hostility in Young Adults
A cross-sectional observational study analyzed 3,581 urban black and white young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 for hostility levels based upon their fatty acid intakes. Data obtained from hostility measurements in 1990-1991 and dietary assessments in 1992-1993, both from an ongoing cohort study, were used in this trial. Analysis of this data, after adjustment for multiple variables, revealed a significant inverse association between fatty fish intake and hostility. No association was observed between total Omega-6 fatty acid intake or Omega-6/Omega-3 ratios and hostility. The researchers concluded that regular consumption of fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA is associated with reduced odds for hostility.
Ej Clin. Nuti, 2004; 50:24-31
Vitamin D and Calcium Reduce Premenstrual Syndrome
Calcium and vitamin D may help reduce the likelihood of premenstrual syndrome. Researchers reviewed diet surveys of thousands of nurses aged 27 to 44 years, including 1,057 women who developed PMS over 10 years of follow-up and 1,968 women who did not report having PMS. Women with higher intake levels of calcium and vitamin D were less likely to develop PMS compared to women with lower intakes.
The researchers concluded, “Given that calcium and vitamin D may also reduce the risk of osteoporosis and some cancers, clinicians may consider recommending these nutrients even for younger women.”
Arc!, Inte,-n Med. 2005 June 13;(11): 1246-52
Dry Eye Syndrome (DES)
A study of the dietary intake and ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids in the diets of 1,546 women reporting DES were compared to the ratios of these fatty acids in the diets. of women without DES.
The information was taken from 39,876 women who participated in the Women’s Health Study.
The source of the Omega-3 in the diet was mainly from seafood that contains the long chain EPA and DHA fatty acids. The Omega-6 source was mostly linoleic acid from margarine, butter and nuts.
Upon comparison of the dietary intake ratios of the Omega-6 to Omega-3s, researchers concluded that a
Miljanovic, Trivedi, et al; “Relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women” Am J Clin Nutr 2005; 82:887-93
Calcium and Colorectal Cancer
The importance of calcium for bone health is well known. Scientists have also found that calcium may be important in colon health. Recently scientists reviewed the dietary records of 44,572 men and women who had a screening examination (sigmoidoscopic) for colon cancer. Pre-cancerous polyps were found in 3,696 people.
Food-frequency questionnaires were evaluated for supplemental calcium intake from food and supplements including dolomite, Tums, multi-vitamins, etc.
Dietary calcium was found to reduce the risk of precancerous polyps. People with the highest dietary intake from supplements and food had a 30% lower occurrence of pre-cancerous polyps than people with the lowest intake. According to the American Cancer Society, 5.6% of Americans will develop colon cancer.
Am.j Clin. Nutr 2004;800:1358-65
Regular Fish Consumption Reduced the Risk for Prostate Cancer
Researchers analyzed the dietary fat intake of 47,866 men aged 40-75 for 14 years. During this period 2,965 new cases of prostate cancer were reported. Four hundred forty-eight of these cancers had progressed into an advanced stage.
Review of the data showed there was a significant association between the type of fat (oil) consumed and the risk for developing prostate cancer.
Men consuming the highest quantities of EPA and DHA from fish experienced an 11% reduced risk for developing prostate cancer, with a 26% risk reduction observed for advanced prostate cancer.
No association was seen between alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake and overall prostate cancer incidence. However, Men with prostate cancer consuming larger amounts of (ALA) were twice as likely for their cancer to have progressed into an advanced stage.
Milk, Lactose and Ovarian Cancer
A study involving 61,084 Swedish women (38-76 years of age) resulted in 266 who were diadagnosed with ovarian cancer during the 13.5 year study period. The diets of these cancer patients were examined for intake of dietary products and lactose and then compared to the non- cancer controls.
A review of their diet found women who consumed four or more servings of dairy per day had twice the risk of serious ovarian cancer compared to women who consumed less than two servings of dairy per day. Dietary milk showed the strongest effect: intakes of two or more glasses of milk were associated with double the risk of serious ovarian cancer compared with the “never or seldom” milk-intake group.
Am. J Clin. Nutr. 2004;80;1353-7
B Vitamin Reduced the Risk of Developing High Blood Pressure In Women
Folate (folic acid), a B vitamin, is required for several body processes including normal brain function, amino acid metabolism, blood cell formation and DNA synthesis, and for early development of a health child during pregnancy. Now researchers report that folic acid may help prevent the development of hypertension (high blood pressure) among both young and older women in the United States.
Researchers evaluated whether dietary folate from food and vitamin supplements influenced the development of hypertension in 94,000 women over an eight-year period. They found a decreased risk of hypertension with increased amounts of folate from food and supplements. Among young women, a folate intake of 1,000 mcg or greater reduced the risk of developing hypertension by 45% compared to an intake of 200 mcg per day. For older women the risk was decreased by 18%.
The US Recommended Daily Value for folate is 400 mcg. Compared to a folate intake of 400 mcg, the results showed that a daily intake of 1000 mcg reduced the risk of developing hypertension by 40% in younger women and 13% in older women.
The researchers cited two small studies whereby high dose folate supplementation reduced blood pressure. Folate may be beneficial to the lining of our blood vessels, which are crucial for cardiovascular health.
FormanjP and others. Folate Intake and the Risk of Incident Hypertension Among US Women.JAMA Jan. 19, 2005.Vol. 292(3) pp 320-329.
Major Women’s Study Found Vitamin E Reduced Cardiovascular Deaths 49%
The Women’s health study included about 40,000 women who received either (300 IU per day) of vitamin E or a placebo for 10 years. Women, aged 45 years and older, who received vitamin E, experienced a 24% reduction in cardiovascular death.
However, for older women (those affected most by cardiovascular disease), vitamin E was even more effective. Vitamin E reduced all major cardiovascular events in women over 65 years of age by 26%, due to a 34% reduction in heart attacks and a 49% reduction in cardiovascular deaths.
Published on Page 59* of the July 6th 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association
GAMA), these outstanding benefits are buried in the full text of the publication. The researchers did not summarize these benefits in the abstract nor release these results to the press. With unfortunate scientific misdirection, the researchers concluded; ‘the data does not support recommending vitamin E supplementation for cardiovascular disease or cancer prevention among healthy women.”
Prominent vitamin E Researcher, Maret Traber, Ph.D., of the Linus Pauling Institute, states concerning their statement: “I find that conclusion inexplicable.”
Lee and others, “Vitamin E in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular
Disease and Cancer The Women’s Health Study:A Randomized Controlled
Trial”JAMA, 2005:(294)56-65
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