Study shows high-dose vitamin E supplements may increase risk of dying
Nov 11, 2004. Researchers at Johns Hopkins report that use of high-dose vitamin E supplements, in excess of 400 IU (international units), is associated with a higher overall risk of dying. These results should be of concern to the millions of Americans who take vitamin E supplements for perceived health benefits. November 11, 2004. »» Full Story
Study denies that fruits and veggies protect against cancer
November 3, 2004.
A study from Harvard school of public health in Boston questions whether eating lots of fruit and vegetables reduces the risk of developing cancer.
Although a diet high in fruits and vegetables (the currently recommended 5 or more a day) protects against cardiovascular disease, the study says, such a diet has no protective effect against cancer.
This study's conclusions clash with advice from organizations such as American Cancer Society, which advises eating 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
Analyzing diet and health reports from more than 100,000 doctors and nurses over 14 years, the Harvard researchers conclude that diets high in fruits and vegetables led only to a "modest" overall reduction in chronic disease, largely because of the impact on preventing heart disease and stroke
Increased fruit and vegetable consumption, the authors say, is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease but not cancer. »»Full story
Drinking plenty of tea could help protect your memory, new research suggests
October 24, 2004. . Brain "fog" and loss of spatial reasoning and verbal memory are emerging as a problem not just for some older people but also for some cancer patients after chemotherapy and/or hormonal blockade drugs. New research suggests that green and black tea dampen the activity of enzymes in the brain that cause memory to lose its edge. Researchers at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK hope the findings will lead to the development of a new treatment for Alzheimer's Disease. Lead researcher Dr Ed Okello said: "It would be wonderful if our work could help improve the quality of life for millions of sufferers and their carers." Full Story »»
Strong-flavored onions show promise for fighting cancer
October 20, 2004. Although milder onions are popular, the bitter and more pungent onions seem to have more flavonoid compounds and appear to be more healthful, according to researchers at Cornell University. 
Onions with the strongest flavor — particularly New York Bold, Western Yellow and shallots — are the best varieties for inhibiting the growth of liver and colon cancer cells. Full Story » »
Foods Fight Cancer Better Than Vitamin Pills Recent nutrition research published in the medical journal The Lancet confirms what most people already feel in their gut -- the best way to protect yourself from digestive cancers is by eating right, not taking a pill. Oct 7, 2004. Full story » »
Dining out can blind you to what you eat Ignorance is bliss, which may be what lures people tired of a healthy diet to break away amd head for a fast food restaurant. People underestimate the amount of fat and calories in restaurant meals, sometimes by very significant amounts. Sept 27 2004. Full story » »
More recent news
Earlier Food News
Magic Bullet Supplements Unlikely to Prevent Cancer Whole Foods Best Protection March 6, 2000. Cancer-fighting substances in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans, pills and supplements work together in complex ways. Vitamin pills cannot make up for the vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals found in these foods, researchers say. Full story
"Two
Studies Compare Levels of Contaminants in Farmed versus Wild
Salmon" Fall 2002
Super-Broccoli
Bred to Fight Cancer May 25 2000. Super broccoli bred from garden broccoli and a wild Sicilian variety
is the latest veggie to hold out anti-cancer promise. Full
story
Cow's Milk and Dairy Foods as Risk for Prostate Cancer
Updating an earlier research study, Harvard researchers cautiously
warn that high dairy consumption puts men at higher risk for prostate
cancer and for metastastic spread. Full
story
See Fruit versus Calcium for fuller
background, earlier story.
High Tofu Consumption Linked to Brain Aging Full
story
Greens,
B12 May Lower Cancer Risk Eating three times the recommended
daily intake of folate and vitamin B12 may lower the risk factors
for cancer by protecting your DNA, an Australian study claims. Folate-rich
foods include leafy green vegetables and wholegrains. B12 is found
in meat, chicken, fish, liver and kidneys or in vegetarian supplement
form. Full
story Plant
Compounds Slow Growth of Tumor Cells April 6, 1999 Two
compounds from edible plants --one from cereals and the other from fruits
and vegetables -- suppress the growth of three kinds of human cancer
cells in the laboratory, researchers at UW-Madison
report. Their findings "strengthen the idea that
a diet rich in plants is beneficial because of the
large array of plant compounds rather than the singular
action of one kind of plant or one compound in plants."
Full
story
Grapefruit Affects Drugs Including Prostate Cancer Chemo
April 7, 1999 Red grapefruits are high in lycopene, making
them a good anti-prostate cancer diet snack. But whatever their color,
grapefruit can affect the body's absorption of many medications.
Although some drugs are absorbed faster if taken with grapefruit
juice, a new study finds that the "grapefruit effect" can
block Vinblastine, a drug used in chemotherapy for treating prostate
cancer.
Full
story
Citrus Fights Cancer
April 6, 1999 Citrus limonoides, found in orange peel and
other citrus rinds, could have significant health benefits, scientists
said last month at the American Chemical Society conference. The
active compound may have anti-cancer effects. Citrus limonoids
are present in commercial orange juice at about the same level
as vitamin C. A Japanese company is producing an orange juice with
triple the level of limonoid glucosides.
Full
story
Fruits and Vegetables Prevent Osteoporosis In Men
April 2, 1999.Two different bone conditions may afflict
men who have prostate cancer -- osteoporosis (or bone loss) caused
or made worse by hormonal blockade; and spread of cancer to the
bones. Drugs may be needed to combat osteoporosis, but diet may
play a part in protecting against it. A new look at lifetime diets
ofparticipants in the Framington Heart Study found that for both
men and women, lifelong dietary intake of potassium, magnesium
and fruits and vegetables affected bone strength in old age.
Full
story
Broccoli organic
seed supplies, sprouting methods
Green
Tea ABC newsman
George Orick in Indonesia
