Posted on 11. Jan, 2010 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Pomegranate—concentrated prostate protection.
The Prostate Gland: Who Needs It?
About the size of a walnut, positioned precariously below the bladder and surrounding the urethra—for men, the prostate gland is the key to reproductive and sexual health.
Each year more than five-hundred thousand men worldwide are diagnosed with prostate cancer. African-American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer while Asian men have the lowest.
In America, each year, more than 192,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed and more than 27,000 men will die as a result.
Pomegranate: Powerful Prostate Protection
Until recently, prostate cancer prevention was nothing more than a pipe-dream.
Now a recent study from the University of Mississippi offers a real alternative.
The anti-oxidant properties of the polyphenols found within the pomegranate have previously been recognized for their cardio-protective benefits. Now, the anti-prostate cancer benefits have been established.
According to the researchers, pomegranate extract inhibits an enzyme found in the liver known as CYP1B1. If left unattended, CYP1B1 metabolizes naturally occurring hormones and manufactures environmentally-induced cancer causing agents.
CYP1B1 is commonly found in cancer cells, not healthy human cells.
Pomegranate decreases the risk for prostate cancer by shutting down this renegade enzyme.
Not All Antioxidants Are Created Equal
Food-based anti-oxidants come in all shapes and sizes. In the case of the pomegranate, the ellagitannin compounds are the “active ingredient” and responsible for about half of the fruit’s antioxidant and medicinal properties.
Prostate cancer is a very slow growing tumor developing primarily in the first five decades of life. Pomegranate is an ideal preventive agent, addressing both cardiovascular and reproductive health.
In the words of the scientists,
“Our study has [revealed] a previously unknown mechanism of action of pomegranate juice constituents, which could potentially contribute to prostate cancer chemoprevention,” they wrote. “We proved that systemically available metabolites of pomegranate juice are effective inhibitors of CYP1B1 enzyme activity/expression and could lower the incidence of prostate cancer initiation and sustenance.”
To put it more simply, a diet high in polyphenols and low in fat is the key to prostate cancer prevention and sexual reproductive health for men!
Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
Gentleman be forewarned, the symptoms of prostate cancer can be vague. However, if any of the following symptoms persist, a visit to your doctor is warranted.
Trouble urinatingStarting and stopping while urinatingDecreased force in the stream of urineBlood in your semenWeak urine streamDifficulty starting urinationStopping and starting while urinatingDribbling at the end of urinationStraining while urinatingFrequent need to urinateIncreased frequency of urination at night (nocturia)Urgent need to urinateNot being able to completely empty the bladderBlood in the urine (hematuria)Urinary tract infectionBlood in your urineIn the meanwhile, why not reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet, increase your level of exercise and consider adding pomegranate extract to your daily routine—I know I do!
Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Published online ahead of print, ASAP article, doi: 10.1021/jf902716r
“Effects of Pomegranate Chemical Constituents/Intestinal Microbial Metabolites on CYP1B1 in 22Rv1 Prostate Cancer Cells”
Authors: S.G. Kasimsetty, D. Bialonska, M.K. Reddy, C. Thornton, K.L. Willett, D. Ferreira
Posted on 07. Dec, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
DNA: Dark chocolate does us right!
DNA: The Stuff Of Life
Our DNA contains the genetic instructions of life itself—yes, that includes you.
However, protecting DNA is problematic. Everything from the air we breathe to the sun that shines down upon us, damages our DNA.
Enter polyphenol-rich dark chocolate.
According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, consumption of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate can protect DNA from oxidative damage and help prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Study participants consuming as little as 860 milligrams of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate, experienced a 20 pecent decrease in DNA damage just two hours after consumption. Dark chocolate also contains epicatechin, a polyphenol renowned for it’s anti-cancer anti-oxidant and DNA protective properties.
Short But Sweet
Epicatechin (polyphenol) blood levels measured two hours after consumption of dark chocolate were considerably lower, suggesting that small, frequent doses of polyphenols were optimal. That’s not so bad considering that some prescription medicines need to be taken 3-4 times per day!
Conclusion?
Dark chocolate represents yet another non-pharmacological way of preventing cancer, heart disease and protecting our DNA.
If Not Chocolate Then What?
Polyphenols are abundant. If you are allergic to chocolate or simply choose to not eat it, other rich sources of polyphenols are available.
If all else fail, consider taking supplemental polyphenol nutrients.
Life is sweet after all!
Source: British Journal of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, First View article, doi: 10.1017/S0007114509992698
“Effect of dark chocolate on plasma epicatechin levels DNA resistance to oxidative stress and total antioxidant activity in healthy subjects”
Authors: A. Spadafranca, C. Martinez Conesa, S. Sirini and G. Testolin
Posted on 03. Dec, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Hot flashes can be hard to handle...
Resveratrol To The Rescue!
Of all the phytoestrogens (plant compounds with weak estrogen-like activity), resveratrol, is now considered the safest and most effective alternative to hormone replacement therapy.
Reseveratrol you’ll remember is an extract of red wine and grape skins and now, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, may represent a safer alternative to hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women and could help prevent breast cancer.
Does Diet Help?
While the benefits of other phytoestrogens on breast cancer prevention are still considered controversial, population studies suggest that a diet high in fat may increase the risk for breast cancer in susceptible individuals, while a diet rich in polyphenols (such as resveratrol), may decrease risk. The role of soy in the prevention of breast cancer remains clouded at best, with no scientific consensus.
What Do We Know?
In the study, three compounds were carefully compared for phytoestrogen and anti-tumor properties—resveratrol, geistein and glycitein (both phytoestrogens found in soy). Resveratrol exerted the most dominant estrogen-like activity and little to no potential for tumor growth.
In fact, resveratrol seemed to inhibit cell growth, confirming it’s anti-tumor activity.
If true, reseveratrol will both relieve the symptoms of menopause and decrease risk for breast cancer—a true “win—win” situation.
Source: Journal of Nutritional BiochemistryPublished online ahead of print: doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2009.06.010
Title: Effects of diverse dietary phytoestrogens on cell growth, cell cycle and apoptosis in estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cells
Authors: T Sakamoto, H Horiguchi, E Oguma, F Kayama
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
The Essence Of Taiji: Integrating Heaven And Earth
Taiji (pronounced”tie-jee”) is an ancient healing/martial-art form that originated in China, thousands of years ago.
The Chinese conceived of taiji as a way to bring heaven and earth closer together, to resolve the great “opposites” of life—light/dark, yielding/resisting, relaxing/contracting and—to integrate mind and body.
The Yin And Yang Of [...]
Posted on 30. Nov, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
The Two Faces Of Vitamin C
L-ascorbic acid or “vitamin C” is an essential nutrient and potent anti-oxidant.
Vitamin C has a long history dating back to 1795 when the British Navy introduced lime juice to prevent the scourge of scurvy.
More recently, mega-doses of vitamin C have been used for everything from the common cold to cancer.
While [...]
Posted on 23. Nov, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Remember cod-liver oil?
Well a great idea, just got better!
While cod-liver oil is a good source of vitamin D, it contains far too much vitamin A and a only a fraction of the omega 3 fatty-acids recommended.
We now know that vitamin D is the “active ingredient” in cod-liver oil and responsible for most of the [...]
Posted on 16. Nov, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Some Fast Facts:
Men with diabetes have lower testosterone levels than healthy men
Testosterone replacement therapy is readily available and seldom utilized
Testosterone is critical for mental, physical and sexual health in both men and women
Low testosterone is linked to diabetes, obesity, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, depression and high blood pressure
Simple cost effective screening tests are available [...]
Posted on 12. Nov, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Heart Disease: It’s Not Just About LDL Anymore
The cholesterol lowering drugs known affectionately as “statins” are widely prescribed for patients with elevated cholesterol and/or diabetes. While they may be extremely effective at lowering LDL “bad” cholesterol, they also come with a “side-order” of side-effects—some potentially fatal.
As recently as 2008, statins were being extolled for [...]
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Diabetes: A Modern Day Plague Of Biblical Proportions
Twenty-four million people in America have diabetes. That’s a staggering 8 percent of the population.
Men and women in the 60 and over age group have the highest incidence with an equally incomprehensible 23 percent currently diagnosed with diabetes!
This modern day metabolic plague will continue to spread as [...]
Posted on 31. Oct, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Chronic inflammation underlies most diet and lifestyle related diseases, including high-blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and even Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Antioxidants play a pivotal role in combating chronic inflammation and premature aging by reducing the oxidative damage that occurs when cells are stressed beyond their capacity. When left unchecked for months and years, cellular [...]
Posted on 28. Oct, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Recently researchers reported on data from “NHANES”, a survey that monitors the daily diet of Americians, with the following shocking conclusion:
Eighty per cent of Americans increase their risk for diet-related diseases by failing to eat a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables.
Rightfully so, America’s Phytonutrient Report, highlighted the importance of the color of fruit [...]
Posted on 23. Oct, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Earlier this month the Food And Drug Administration released a consumer advisory regarding the use of supplemental vitamins. To everyone’s surprise the advisory admitted that vitamins “can be useful” and that “there are many good reasons” to consider taking them! As a physician that practices “preventing” medicine, I couldn’t agree more.
Vitamins are and always will [...]
Posted on 21. Oct, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Depression can be difficult to treat.
Even with the most effective medications, a sixty percent response rate is considered exceptional. Worse yet for most people, continued treatment revolves around minimizing side-effects rather than aggressively addressing the circumstances that allowed the depression to develop in the first place.
Even more confusing are recent clinical studies that suggest [...]
Posted on 20. Oct, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
Why Not Try These Truly Functional Foods
This recently released list of foods that lower cholesterol will come as no surprise to some people.
What is surprising is how little it really takes to make a significant difference.
For example, just 20 to 35 grams of oats per day, 2 ounces of nuts, 10 ounces of tofu or [...]
Posted on 19. Oct, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D..
OZ: THE LAND OF INFINITE MEDICAL ANSWERS
(THAT DOESN’T EXIST)
What does it mean when Comedy Central becomes the voice of reason in all things medical?
Only that when you get to the Emerald City and pull back the curtain and discover the Wizard of Oz is really the Wizard of Biz and incapable of solving all of [...]
