A reporter from Ivanhoe Newswire interviewed Dr. Jed Fahey about the recently-published broccoli sprouts fights Helicobacter pylori study conducted in Japan.
Source: www.ivanhoe.com.
Filed under: science news, sprouts, stomach, video on July 1st, 2009 | No Comments »
A study published in Cancer Prevention Research suggests that EGCG in green tea may slow down the progression of prostate cancer by lowering levels of proteins that tumors use to grow.
In the study, twenty-six male cancer patients, age 41–68, each took four EGCG capsules a day (the same amount as in 12 cups of green tea) for 6 weeks before their prostates were removed.
Blood tests showed levels of three proteins associated with the growth and spread of prostate cancer fell. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) fell 18.9% on average, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) fell by 9.9%, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) fell by 10.4%. HGF and VEGF are produced when tumors spread and some patients showed “significant” reduction levels of more than 30%, said the researchers. Few side effects were reported and liver function of the patients remained normal.
This was a small study which researchers report must be followed up with larger studies to confirm the findings.
Source: World Tea News.
Filed under: prostate cancer, science news, tea on July 1st, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Dr. Joseph F. McCaffrey wrote an article for Total Health Breakthroughs regarding the recent studies on sulforaphane’s effects on Helicobacter pylori. The most recent published study indicated people who ate broccoli sprouts with high levels of SGS experienced a substantial reduction in H. pylori infection.
Filed under: SGS, books and articles, sprouts, stomach on June 23rd, 2009 | No Comments »
Researchers in Bologna, Italy, were interested in the effects of sulforaphane on animal cardiac muscle cells. Sulforaphane decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species production and DNA fragmentation, and increased cell viability after long-term treatment accompanied by the effects antioxidants and phase II enzymes in the cardiac muscle cells.
Modulation of Phase II Enzymes by Sulforaphane: Implications for Its Cardioprotective Potential. Angeloni C, Leoncini E, Malaguti M, Angelini S, Hrelia P, Hrelia S. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Filed under: SGS, heart, science news on June 17th, 2009 | No Comments »
An animal study conducted at the University of Texas Medical School suggested that sulforaphane improves cognitive function after a traumatic brain injury.
Previous studies showed sulforaphane reduces blood-brain barrier permeability and cerebral edema. In this study, the researchers “examined if sulforaphane, when administered following cortical impact injury, can improve the performance of rats tested in hippocampal- and prefrontal cortex-dependent tasks.” The results suggest that sulforaphane, when administered within one hour after injury, improves performance and reduces working memory dysfunction.
Sulforaphane improves cognitive function administered following traumatic brain injury. Dash PK, Zhao J, Orsi SA, Zhang M, Moore AN. Neuroscience Letters.
Filed under: SGS, brain, broccoli, science news on June 17th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
A group of scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) conducted an epidemiological study on the effects of flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods on heart disease risk factors, with mixed results.
For example, the researchers discovered among the 133 studies reviewed that while green tea decreased LDL cholesterol levels, black tea actually increased blood pressure. The flavonoids in chocolate increased blood vessel dilation, but no evidence was present of chocolate’s effect on LDL cholesterol. Different soy sources provided varying effects on blood pressure.
The epidemiological review was conducted to guide scientists’ focus on the foods and categories of flavonoids that require further research.
According to Dr. Lee Hooper from the UEA School of Medicine,
“The next step will advance flavonoid research and help determine optimal doses or specific food sources required to reduce heart disease risk. Meanwhile existing data suggest that consuming a variety of flavonoid-rich food sources - aiming for 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily - will be beneficial to our health.”
Source: The Medical News.
Since this study, the research continues on the effects of flavonoid-rich foods on heart disease related risk factors. Here is a sample.
Black tea consumption dose-dependently improves flow-mediated dilation in healthy males.
Filed under: heart, science news on June 12th, 2009 | No Comments »
We are occasionally asked if it’s possible to reach toxic levels of sulforaphane in the body, and have always answered that no toxic levels have been determined as of yet. In fact, here is a study showing that the body only absorbs so much sulforaphane within an hour and a half after eating broccoli, and then the body starts eliminating the compound. Furthermore, there is no indication of accumulation. The effects of sulforaphane, however, last in the body for up to three days.
Repeated intake of broccoli does not lead to higher plasma levels of sulforaphane in human volunteers.
Cancer Letters, May 2009.
Filed under: SGS, science news on June 9th, 2009 | No Comments »
Mayo Clinic researchers report encouraging results in early leukemia clinical trials using epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea. The trial showed that patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia can tolerate EGCG fairly well at high doses in capsule form and that lymphocyte count was reduced in one-third of participants.
Source: Science Daily News
Filed under: cancer, science news, tea on June 2nd, 2009 | No Comments »
World Tea News has published an interview with Iman Hakim, a physician with multiple advanced degrees, including an MD, in the field of public health regarding her research on tea. Dr. Hakim answers some very good questions about the current research on tea and recent findings.
Filed under: science news, tea on May 19th, 2009 | No Comments »
The Food Medic offers a wonderful — and extremely healthy — recipe for sprout feta quesadillas.
This is a great blog that offers practical suggestions for nutritional eating.
Filed under: recipes, sprouts on May 11th, 2009 | No Comments »
