According to new research published in the November online edition of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, popular spices, such as, pepper and turmeric, contain compounds which could help in treating breast cancer by limiting the growth of stem cells.
Turmeric and pepper have been widely explored as potential cancer treatments, however, this is the first study that suggests the two spices could also prevent cancer by targeting stem cells. Currently cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, are unable to eliminate cancer stem cells.
Researchers from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Centre studied curcumin (found in turmeric, an Indian spice) and piperine (a black peppercorn derivative) when administered to cell cultures reduced the number of stem cells without affecting normal cells. Both spices were used in a very high concentration - about 20-times the potency of that which would be consumed in a normal diet. More research on the role of these compounds in breast cancer treatment is needed before adding extra curcumin or piperine to our diets.
Curcumin has other well known health benefits in traditional Asian medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and arthritis. Piperine has anti-inflammatory properties and is used to improve digestion, weight loss and improves absorption of nutrients from the diet.
Targeting breast stem cells with the cancer preventive compounds curcumin and piperine. Kakarala M, Brenner DE, Korkaya H, Cheng C, Tazi K, Ginestier C, Liu S, Dontu G, Wicha MS. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, 2150 Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, USA, mkakaral@umich.edu.
Endometriosis, a condition where tissue resembling the lining of the uterus is found in the abdomen, is marked by severe pain, most often in the form of menstrual cramps. Its exact cause is not yet known, but it does have a strong inflammatory component and, like the lining in the uterus, is influenced by estrogen. (Endometriosis may result in powder-burn spots, ovarian cysts and pelvic scar tissue otherwise known as adhesions. At times, it can be significant enough to scar the fallopian tubes closed.) A number of dietary measures can help relieve symptoms by reducing inflammation and addressing the activity of estrogen in your system.
Start managing endometriosis nutritionally with an anti-inflammatory diet and try the following dietary changes:
1. Eliminate dairy foods (allow at least three weeks to observe any improvements). 2. Eat only hormone-free meat to avoid any additional estrogen exposure. 3. Emphasize whole soy foods in your diet. Tofu, tempeh and soymilk are rich in plant estrogens and seem to modulate the actions of other forms of estrogen. 4. Limit alcohol intake, which may influence estrogen production. 5. Choose organic foods whenever possible. 6. Drink a cup or two of red raspberry leaf tea daily to help relieve cramps.
Graphic interpretation
Endometriose = endometriosis
Schokolade-Zyste = chocolate cyst (endometrioma cyst of the ovary)
Myom = uterine fibroid
Adhasion = adhesion
Hysterosalpingogramm = hysterosalpingogram (dye-infusion test to asses for tubal patency and uterine anatomy.)
Studies have shown that probiotic supplements have been found beneficial for treatment of vaginal yeast infections, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea caused by viral illnesses or antibiotic therapy, upper respiratory viral infections, facial acne and even high blood pressure. Probiotics are otherwise known as the “friendly” bacteria of the bowel. They can be purchased in yogurts, powders, miso, beverages or capsules.
However beneficial, not all probiotics are equal. According to a recent ConsumerLab report many brands don’t contain the bacteria cited on their label. The products may contain as little as 7 to 58 percent of the amount of viable organisms mentioned on the label. “It’s really shocking how many products really don’t have what they claim on their labels,” says Tod Copperman, the president of ConsumerLab.
What’s more, the amount of living cells (the bacteria must be alive to be effective) varied widely amongst the different probiotic products ranging from less than one hundred million to over 10 billion cells per dose. Because probiotic are not standardized, Mary Ellen Sanders, a probiotics exepert unaffiliated with ConsumerLab, states that, “The best products on the market are the ones that have been tested in human studies and have been shown to have a benefit.”
According to ConsumerLab, the highest quality probiotics they tested included Advocare Probiotic Restore, GNC Nature Brand Best Super Acidophilus and Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus.
The products with the lowest bacterial content were Nature’s Secret Ultimate Probiotics (13% viable bacteria), Swiss Natural Sources “5” Strain Dophilus (13% viable bacteria) and Dr. D Chocolate-Flavored (Pediatric) Probiotics (7% viable bacteria).
Q: I was just wondering if you knew of any cook books or websites specifically aimed toward correct vegetarian diets? I am trying to avoid processed foods as much as possible as well as all meats, but due to the fact that I am so picky and don't eat a wide variety of foods, I'm concerned about getting and maintaining my correct nutrition levels.
A: Thanks for the question! I think your new nutritional efforts are great! Here is the best way I know to eat healthy and add to a very healthy lifestyle: The Anti-inflammatory Diet.
A very helpful link is noted below. It is quite technical talking about ratios of different food categories to provide a nutritionally balanced diet. The basic tenets: Eat two servings of fresh or frozen vegetables and/or fruit for each meal. Try to eat more vegetables than fruit and of varying colors. Eat low-fat protein with each meal. Cook foods and eat bread with extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil. Try to eat at least 2 servings of fish per week; if not, take a fish-oil supplement or a plant-based (algae) omega-3-fatty acid supplement.
LONDON (AFP) – A diet heavy in processed and fatty foods increases the risk of depression, according to British research published on Monday.
Researchers at University College London also found that a diet including plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish could help prevent the onset of depression.
They compared participants -- all civil servants -- who ate a diet largely based on "whole" foods with a second group who mainly ate fried food, processed meat, high-fat dairy products and sweetened desserts.
Taking into account other indicators of a healthy lifestyle such as not smoking and taking physical exercise, those who ate the whole foods had a 26 percent lower risk of depression than those who ate mainly processed foods.
People with a diet heavy in processed food had a 58 percent higher risk of depression.
The researchers put forward several explanations for the findings, which are published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Firstly, the high level of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables could have a protective effect, as previous studies have shown higher antioxidant levels to be associated with a lower risk of depression.
Secondly, eating lots of fish may protect against depression because it contains high levels of the sort of polyunsaturated fatty acids which stimulate brain activity.
And they said it was possible that a "whole food" diet protects against depression because of the combined effect of consuming nutrients from lots of different types of food, rather than the effect of one single nutrient.
The researchers concluded: "Our research suggests that healthy eating policies will generate additional benefits to health and well-being, and that improving people's diet should be considered as a potential target for preventing depressive disorders."
The study was carried out on 3,486 people with an average age of 55, who worked for the civil service in London.
Each participant completed a questionnaire about their eating habits, and a self-assessment for depression.
Women and men have primarily three sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Levels and ratios of these hormones differ between the sexes. Estrogen and progesterone are the dominant sex hormones in women whereas, testosterone is the predominant sex hormone in men. Understanding the interaction of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone is necessary to decipher symptoms and conditions caused by their imbalances.
"Estrogen" comes in three variations in the female body: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3). It is made in the ovaries, adrenal glands and fat cells. The scientific community often refers to all three forms collectively as "estrogen". However, each molecule has different actions and is present in different concentrations throughout a woman's life. Therefore, it is important to differentiate the three when referring to the "estrogen effects".
Estrone (E1) is the predominant form of estrogen in the postmenopausal period. It is manufactured in the fat cells primarily from androstenedione (a testosterone derivative). An increase in estrone correlates to increased body fat in the menopausal woman. Elevated estrone levels have been associated with increased incidence of breast tumors in animals.
Estradiol (E2) is the most active form of estrogen and is the predominant form of estrogen in women of reproductive age. Estradiol is made primarily by the ovaries and adrenals but is also made in small amounts by fat cells in the postmenopausal period.
Estriol (E3) is the weakest of the estrogens. It is primarily manufactured by the placenta during pregnancy. Estriol supplementation mainly affects the vaginal wall with little effect on the heart and bones. It also plays a role in hair, nail and skin health.
The scientific community often refers to all three forms (estrone, estradiol and estriol) collectively as "estrogen". However, each molecule has different actions. During the aging process, the ovaries cease to manufacture estradiol. The adrenal glands (small organs that sit onthe top surface of the kidneys) take over estrogen production in the form of estrone. The body transforms unused testosterone into primarily estrone and releases estrogen previously stored in fat cells.
Progesterone antagonizes the effects of estrogen, most importantly in the breast and uterus where it counteracts the stimulation of cell growth where overgrowth could lead to cancer. Progesterone is manufactured primarily by the corpus luteum on the ovary after monthly ovulation occurs and to a small degree by the adrenals. Progesterone is also manufactured by the placenta in great quantity during pregnancy. Progesterone is a precursor to most hormones making it extremely important far beyond the role it plays in the production of sex hormones.
For many reasons it is very important to maintain a healthy balance between these two sex hormones. Progesterone production diminishes significantly after menopause. Obese women who manufacture a significant amount of estrone in fat cells after menopause may not produce an adequate amount of progesterone, thereby increasing the likelihood of estrogen-related cancer, such as those of the uterus and breast.
Photomicrograph of estradiol crystals. Estradiol, the most potent of the natural estrogens, is used in its natural or semisynthetic form to treat menopausal symptoms.
According to new research published in the November online edition of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, popular spices, such as, pepper and turmeric, contain compounds which could help in treating breast cancer by limiting the growth of stem cells.
