Fruits and Vegetables Regulate the Cell Cycle to Prevent Cancer

We lost our common sense for awhile and fell in love with a disease establishment that claimed science was on its side. Apparently we are now coming to earth again in a new age where science and sense meet. Scientists are now explaining the finer points of the truth Hippocrates was trying to tell us -- nature has provided us with all the tools we need to stay healthy. An example of this type of research is a study published in the January, 2008 edition of Frontiers in Bioscience that deals with the importance of regulation of the cell cycle in prevention of cancer.

What is the cell cycle?

The growth and maintenance of plants, animals and humans is the result of an ordered series of events which constitute the cell cycle. During this cycle, chromosomes are duplicated and one copy of each duplicated chromosome is transferred from the mother cell to the daughter cell. Proper regulation of this cycle is essential for the normal development of multi-cellular organisms. If control of this cycle is lost for any reason, cancer or other degenerative diseases may be the result.

Successful cell replication depends on two critical processes: the replication of DNA, and mitosis -- the nuclear division of the daughter cell from the mother cell. The master controllers of these processes are protein kinases that regulate the proteins involved in this DNA replication and mitosis.

The research

For this study, scientists reviewed the sequence of events that regulate cell cycle progression with an eye towards the check points and mechanisms that cells employ to insure DNA stability during this cell cycle even in the face of genotoxic stress.

They noted that key transitions in the cell cycle are regulated by the activities of the various protein kinase complexes composed of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) molecules. These cyclins are CDK binding partners which are required for kinase activity and are intimately linked to the cell cycle stage. CDK activity can be controlled by other mechanisms, such as the addition of a phosphate group, resulting in deregulation of the cell cycle. This is the process that leads to cancer.

Although diets rich in fruits and vegetables are increasingly being recommended for the prevention of cancer, their active ingredients and mechanisms of action have not been well understood. This research presents evidence that dietary agents identified from fruits and vegetables can act to modulate the effects of deregulated cell cycle checkpoints. It is through this mechanism that cancer may be prevented by dietary choice.

Compounds from fruits and vegetables that appeared particularly noteworthy were apigenin (celery, parsley), curcumin (turmeric), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (green tea), resveratrol (red grapes, peanuts and berries), genistein (soybeans), and silymarin (milk thistle).

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Study Suggests Fruits and Vegetables May Improve Bone Health

A recent study which was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism has suggested that increasing the alkalinity of one`s diet via eating more fruits and vegetables could improve bone health by reducing the excretion of calcium from the body.

About Bone Health

When it comes to improving bone health, the nutrient which first springs to most minds is calcium. And many people would have the erroneous impression that milk is the best source of calcium for the body, and thus is very necessary for strong bones. Those who are a little more aware of the workings of nutrition would also be aware of the important role which vitamin D plays in the body`s ability to absorb calcium.

But there is one more very important variable which is not always discussed or harped upon - the acid-alkali balance in the body. In the said study, conducted by researchers from Tufts University and Northeastern University, both in Boston, it has been revealed that a diet containing a lot of protein and cereal grain causes excess acid in the body, and this may in turn increase calcium excretion.

"When it comes to dietary concerns regarding bone health, calcium and vitamin D have received the most attention, but there is increasing evidence that the acid / base balance of the diet is also important," said Bess Dawson-Hughes, the leader of the study.

About Bone Loss

As a person ages, his or her body becomes less able to eliminate the acid produced during metabolic processes. As the levels of acid in the body rise, the body has to find a way to neutralize this imbalance. Something has to give, and the body then carries out a process called bone resorption, whereby bones are broken done and minerals like calcium, phosphates and alkaline salts are released into the blood. As would be expected, such a process weakens the bones and raises the likelihood of fractures occurring.

With populations in developed areas rapidly aging, increasingly sedentary lifestyles further causing bone loss, and obesity epidemics raising the amount of stress placed on already fragile bones, diseases and degenerative conditions of the joints and bones are ballooning in their numbers.

How Fruits and Vegetables May Help - Details and Findings of Study

The said Boston study involved 171 men and women aged 50 and above who were randomly assigned potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate or potassium chloride supplements, or a placebo, for a period of 3 months. It was found that those subjects who consumed the bicarbonate supplements experienced significant reductions in calcium excretion, which suggests a reduction in bone resorption.

"When fruits and vegetables are metabolized they add bicarbonate, an alkaline compound, to the body. Our study found that bicarbonate had a favorable effect on bone resorption and calcium excretion. This suggests that increasing the alkali content of the diet may attenuate bone loss in healthy older adults," said Dr Dawson-Hughes.

Personal Changes to Improve Bone Health

So, what can an individual do to reduce his or her risk of bone loss? Two suggestions which the research team put forth were the use of supplements and food fortification. "Achieving alkali-producing diets would require drastic changes in food choices and be challenging in older people who tend to have long-established dietary patterns. Should it be shown to be beneficial, an alternative approach may be to administer bicarbonate in supplement form or to lower the acid-producing capacity of selected foods through alkali fortification," they wrote.

Fruits and vegetables, generally speaking, are alkalizing. On the other hand, animal flesh and food products, soda beverages as well as most junk and processed foods are highly acidifying. Based on the acid-alkali theory of bone health, if one can turn toward a fully or largely vegetarian diet containing mainly fresh and raw organic produce, then one would already be on an alkalizing and healing diet.

But if that is too drastic, then the least one could do is to increase intake of the said alkalizing foods, while drastically cutting down on the other group. These steps would not only be beneficial for bone strength, but for many other aspects of health, too.
(by: Reuben Chow, citizen journalist)

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Fruits and Vegetables Modulate the Cell Cycle to Prevent Cancer

It's amazing that more than 2000 years ago we realized many universal truths, and we did it without the scientific method. One person who really knew what he was talking about was Hippocrates, who said "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food".

We lost our common sense for awhile and fell in love with a disease establishment that claimed science was on its side. Apparently we are now coming to earth again in a new age where science and sense meet. Scientists are now explaining the finer points of the truth Hippocrates was trying to tell us -- nature has provided us with all the tools we need to stay healthy. One example of this type of research is a study published in the January, 2008 edition of Frontiers in Bioscience that deals with the importance of regulation of the cell cycle in prevention of cancer.

What is the cell cycle?

The growth and maintenance of plants, animals and humans is the result of an ordered series of events which constitute the cell cycle. During this cycle, chromosomes are duplicated and one copy of each duplicated chromosome is transferred from the mother cell to the daughter cell. Proper regulation of this cycle is essential for the normal development of multi-cellular organisms. If control of this cycle is lost for any reason, cancer or other degenerative diseases may be the result.

Successful cell replication depends on two critical processes: the replication of DNA, and mitosis -- the nuclear division of the daughter cell from the mother cell. The master controllers of these processes are protein kinases that regulate the proteins involved in this DNA replication and mitosis.

The research

For this study, scientists reviewed the sequence of events that regulate cell cycle progression with an eye towards the check points and mechanisms that cells employ to insure DNA stability during this cell cycle even in the face of genotoxic stress.

They noted that key transitions in the cell cycle are regulated by the activities of the various protein kinase complexes composed of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) molecules. These cyclins are CDK binding partners which are required for kinase activity and are intimately linked to the cell cycle stage. CDK activity can be controlled by other mechanisms, such as the addition of a phosphate group, resulting in deregulation of the cell cycle. This is the process that leads to cancer.

Although diets rich in fruits and vegetables are increasingly being recommended for the prevention of cancer, their active ingredients and mechanisms of action have not been well understood. This research presents evidence that dietary agents identified from fruits and vegetables can act to modulate the effects of deregulated cell cycle checkpoints. It is through this mechanism that cancer may be prevented by dietary choice.

Compounds from fruits and vegetables that appeared particularly noteworthy were apigenin (celery, parsley), curcumin (turmeric), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (green tea), resveratrol (red grapes, peanuts and berries), genistein (soybeans), and silymarin (milk thistle).
by: Barbara Minton, Natural Health Editor

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Easy Ways to Get Your Five Per Day

We have repeatedly heard how we should eat more fruits and vegetables for optimum health and to reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and obesity. Unfortunately although it sounds simple, research data shows the majority of people simply do not consume enough fruits and vegetables. Instead they continue to eat only two servings of fruits and vegetables per day even though they should consume a minimum of five. Hopefully this article will inspire you with numerous ways to include more fruits and vegetables into your pattern of eating every day.

First, positive belief goes a long way. Begin your day optimistic, thinking about how you can include fruits and vegetables in your eating habits. Develop a positive expectation this is easy to do because canned, dried, fresh, frozen, juiced, and liquidized fruits and vegetables all count towards the minimum goal of five.

Starting with breakfast, add in bell peppers, mushrooms, salsa, and/or spinach into eggs for an omelet or to be wrapped up in pita bread or a tortilla. Happily top off your bagel with your favorite berries or a slice of tomato. Don't forget to consume fruit like apples, applesauce, grapefruit, oranges, and/or juice. Complement your cereal, granola, pancakes, toast, waffles, or yogurt with bananas, blueberries, or strawberries.

Next, instead of single servings, eagerly think of combinations of two different vegetables to serve for lunch and dinner. Are you content with peas and carrots, or corn and beans? Remember to complete your sandwich with cucumber, lettuce, onion, and/or tomatoes. Enthusiastically replace white potatoes with nutritious sweet potatoes. Make sure to keep bags of your favorite frozen fruits and vegetables, which can be heated or thawed in minutes.

Instead of snacking on chips or pretzels throughout the day reach for nutritious raw vegetables. Balance your nutritional regime with baby carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber spears, or red pepper strips dipped in hummus or salad dressing for satisfying crunchy alternatives. Munch on grapes or raisins for a change. Consider a banana or fruit snack. Nibbling on dried fruits like apricots, cherries, cranberries, dates, and figs, will complement any day.

Make sure you keep fruits and vegetables visible and easily accessible. When you open your refrigerator door, have a cleaned prepared portions of your most consumed fresh produce at eye-level. Have available on your kitchen countertop or table a bowl of your family's preferred fresh fruit.

Don't neglect leftover vegetables to grow moldy in the back of the refrigerator. Passionately heat them together in a pan to make vegetable soup broth. When you have more time, strategize to use these when you make and freeze casseroles, lasagnas, primavera, soups, and/or stews for use on the days when you are pressed for time.

Banish the thought this can be too time consuming by tossing together several fruits for a fruit platter. To complete your eating habits mix apples, coconut, bananas, blueberries, papaya, pineapple, strawberries, and/or mangos with a little orange juice for a fruit salad. Appreciate how well some fruits freeze. Wash off your fresh bananas, blueberries, grapes, or strawberries, and toss them into a freezer bag or container to be popped into the freezer. To balance your fruit intake, once frozen you can add them to drinks, ice cream, pudding, smoothies, yogurt, or just eat them plain as refreshments.

When dining out at restaurants, start with a salad. Substitute vegetables for the fries, or order stir-fried vegetables. When you go to the buffet, first head for the fresh fruits and vegetables before moving on to other selections.

Last but definitely not least, don't forget to harmonize your nutritional intake with shakes and smoothies. With or without ice, ice cream, yogurt, kefir, banana, blueberries, oranges, papaya, pineapples, strawberries, or more, spiced with or without cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, mint, or more. Put in some of your frozen fruit for savored tang. Gratefully throw your favorite combination of fruit, juice, spices, or more in a blender, select liquidize, and pour into your favorite glass or mug for a satisfying meal on the go.

In fact in March 2007, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) became so concerned about increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables by all Americans they launched a public private partnership, the National Fruit & Vegetable Program. The partnership maintains Fruit & Veggies – More Matters encouraging us to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. This website is loaded with all types of information and recipes with the goal to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet. I particularly enjoy their pictures of what a daily serving of 2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of vegetables actually looks like. The CDC in partnership with Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) maintains
www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org with the goal of encouraging families to achieve increased daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. They even have an interactive children's area www.foodchamps.org for learning with age appropriate materials, games, and recipes.

Hopefully you are now empowered with the knowledge of the unlimited choices available so you have the freedom to balance your food intake with more fruits and vegetables every day. In summary, when you start your day thinking positive about how you can add fruits and vegetables into your pattern of eating, you will appreciate finding them abundantly available everywhere in your life. Always remember to include a full serving of love, mixed well with joy and laughter in your life.
(by: Debby Bolen, citizen journalist)

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Study Shows Vegetable Juice Helps Build Health

A new study by University of California at Davis researchers backs up advice natural health advocates have been giving for decades: Juice is a great way to get the health-building benefits of vegetables.

The research, presented this week at the American Dietetic Association's annual conference in Chicago, looked at three groups of healthy men and women. All three groups met with dietary counselors who discussed different ways of adding more vegetables to the participants' diets. However, two of the groups were also instructed to drink at least one 8-ounce serving of 100% vegetable juice daily. The study found the research subjects who consumed vegetable juice were far more likely to meet or exceed the minimum daily vegetable servings associated with good health (about five servings). Those who didn't drink vegetable juice took in less than 25% of the vegetables recommended for health.

A growing body of science documents that eating a variety of nutrient-packed, fiber-rich vegetables reduce the risk for heart disease, diabetes and many cancers and can help keep weight under control. However, according to the University of California researchers, about seven out of 10 Americans fail to meet even the minimum U.S. Dietary Guidelines for daily vegetable intake – and they conclude that adding vegetable juice to meals could be a simple way to boost intake of this important food group.

The researchers also pointed out that changing eating behaviors is much more effective when nutrition advice is partnered with easy and convenient solutions, such as drinking juice. In fact, the vegetable juice drinkers reported that they actually enjoyed drinking their veggies and, after six weeks of the study, reported they felt "more satisfied" with the ease of getting vegetables into their diet by drinking more juice.

"We found that drinking vegetable juice seemed to address some of the key barriers to vegetable consumption such as convenience, portability and taste, so individuals were more likely to meet their daily recommendations," Carl Keen, PhD, study author and professor of nutrition and medicine at the University of California at Davis, said in a prepared statement for the media.

Other research has pointed out some of the specific health benefits of juices. For example, a study published in the American Journal of Medicine suggests that both vegetable and fruit juices could help fight the mind-robbing Alzheimer's disease. The reason? Both fruit and vegetable juices are rich in polyphenols. These natural phytochemicals may offer protection against Alzheimer's, the scientists concluded, because of their ability to powerfully neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. Moreover, theVanderbilt University research team found that frequent drinking of fruit and vegetable juices was associated with a substantially decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
(By: Sherry Baker)

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