Health News

Can Consuming Dietary Flavonoids Help Protect Against Prostate Cancer?

Flavonoids are a group of naturally occurring plant-derived compounds which are amongst the most powerful and abundant antioxidants in our diets. Growing evidence suggests that consuming flavonoids may protect against prostate cancer.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Cancer begins when our cells begin to uncontrollably grow, divide, and, in some cases, spread. Nearly any cell in the body can become cancerous. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells within the prostate gland begin to grow out of control. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of non-skin cancer among men in the United States. Each year, nearly 200 thousand American men will be diagnosed, and almost 30 thousand will die from prostate cancer. Most cases develop in men that are over 65 years of age.

There are several different forms of prostate cancer. Though some forms may grow and spread quickly, cancer of the prostate is typically slow-growing and often presents no symptoms until advanced stages. Many older men may incur prostate cancer that never poses a threat to their health. In some cases, however, prostate cancer can be much more aggressive, growing rapidly and spreading to other parts of the body.

What Are the Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer?

Researchers are still trying to understand exactly what causes cancer of the prostate, but there are some known risk factors that may predispose a person to develop prostate cancer, risk factors such as:

Age. Cancer of the prostate is extremely rare in men who are younger than 40. The chance of developing prostate cancer begins to rise rapidly after the age of 50, with the majority of cases being diagnosed in men over 65 years of age.
Family Genetics. While most prostate cancers occur in those without a family history of the disease, its presence does seem to run in families, suggesting that there may be either inherited or genetic factors at play. Those with a brother or father with prostate cancer have twice the risk of developing the disease.
Ethnicity. Black men are the most at-risk for developing prostate cancer. In African-American men and African-Caribbean men, prostate cancer tends to occur earlier and grow more rapidly than in any other racial or ethnic group.
Geographic Location. Prostate cancer occurs most commonly in North American, European, Australian and Caribbean populations. Though the reasons are unclear, cancer of the prostate is much less common among Asian populations, however, the number of cases is increasing among those living in urban environments.

Flavonoids and Prostate Cancer: What Is the Link?

The lowest rate of prostate cancer risk can be found in populations who consume the largest amount of flavonoids. Thought to be partly due to a higher consumption of green tea and soy products, which are full of phytoestrogens, diets in East Asian countries are a hundred times more abundant in flavonoids than a Western diet, and they are significantly less likely to develop cancer of the prostate.

Corresponding observational studies have indicated that migrants who are born in Japan but move to the United States have a higher rate of prostate cancer than those living in Japan. For Japanese Americans who were born in the States, that rate increases even further, nearly matching that of white American men. This suggests that dietary, environmental and lifestyle factors play key roles in the occurrence of prostate cancer.

What Are Flavonoids?

In addition to being rich sources of essential vitamins and minerals, plant-based foods also contain many beneficial phytonutrients. Plants naturally produce these chemicals in order to promote growth and protect themselves from their environments. One class of these phytonutrients is flavonoids.

Flavonoids are a group of antioxidant compounds that can be found in fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as in the barks, flowers, stems and roots of plants. Over four thousand different flavonoids have been identified, which can be subdivided into several distinct groups, eight of which are considered to have any dietary significance: anthocyanins, chalconesflavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavanonols and flavanols (also called flavan-3-ols or catechins).

Flavonoids have become well known for their numerous beneficial health effects. Flavonoids possess anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-oxidative and neuroprotective properties. They are an indispensable component in many different nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and medicinal applications. Consumption of flavonoids has been shown to promote longevity, restore intestinal microbiota, help with weight management, curb cardiovascular disease and possibly prevent cancer. There are also dietary supplements available that provide flavonoids like quercetin, catechins and more, although it’s important to note that taking a supplement should not substitute for obtaining these important nutrients from your diet.

Studies Have Shown Flavonoids May Protect Against Prostate Cancer

In a recent study that is set to be published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, researchers directed their attention towards a select group of flavonoids known to have antiproliferative properties. Among the flavonoids that were tested, flavonols and catechins consistently showed a significant reduction in the risk of prostate cancer.

Another study, which was published in PNAS, shown green tea polyphenols, the best source of catechins, to destroy existing prostate cancer cells and stop the development of new ones, thereby inhibiting the development, progression and metastasis of prostate cancer in mice.

Several studies have exhibited the flavonoid quercetin to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. In one study that was published in the journal Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, researchers from China’s Jiamusi University demonstrated that the flavonoids genistein, quercetin and luteolin stopped the development of prostate cancer cells in vitro. According to research published in Oncology Reports, quercetin has been shown to inhibit the development and progression of prostate cancer in both in vitro and in vivo models. Even though more human clinical trials are needed to prove the efficacy of flavonoid treatments, their data adds to growing evidence that flavonoids possess powerful preventative and chemotherapeutic properties.

Belly Fat and Vitamin D Levels Linked

May 24 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Thanks to increased research attention in recent years, we are beginning to form a better understanding of how vitamin D — an essential nutrient long associated with bone health — impacts not only our musculoskeletal system but also other critical aspects of our health. Naturally produced by our skin when exposed to sunlight, vitamin D is also present in food sources like cod liver oil, beef liver, eggs, certain oily fish such as mackerel, herring, tuna and in fortified products such as milk and cereal. Certain supplements also provide vitamin D. Vitamin D is vital to our body’s ability to absorb calcium and also directly impacts blood pressure levels, brain function, lung function, immunity and even mood regulation.

Vitamin D Deficiency: A Widely Overlooked Epidemic

By the Institute of Medicine’s standards, over a quarter of the U.S. suffers from either low or inadequate levels of vitamin D. What’s more, many experts believe that recommended levels of vitamin D should be two to three times higher than those recommended by the IOM — which would make more than 95 percent of the U.S. population either deficient or at risk of deficiency. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and multiple sclerosis. Previous research has suggested that there may exist a link between vitamin D deficiency and obesity.

A global epidemic, obesity contributes to the death of some 2.8 million people worldwide each year. In the United States alone, more than 78 million adults are considered obese. That means that over one-third of adults in the United States are at risk for easily preventable but potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. A proven link between obesity and vitamin D levels could very well have wide-reaching implications for a vast majority of the population.

Researchers Discover Significant Link Between Belly Fat and Vitamin D

A group of researchers from the Netherland’s VU University Medical Center and Leiden University Medical Center sought to better understand the link between obesity and vitamin D levels by observing the types and locations of fat that were associated.

Led by Rachida Rafiq, the team examined data from the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, focusing specifically on the adipose (fat) tissues of participants in relation to their vitamin D levels. In particular, the researchers examined the participants’ total body fat, subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (belly fat), visceral adipose tissue (fat surrounding the organs) as well as their hepatic (liver) fats. The data were adjusted accordingly for potentially influential variables such as alcohol levels, chronic disease and physical activity and the results then examined.

The researchers found that in women, both total body fat and belly fat were linked with lower vitamin D levels, with the abdominal fat having a significantly greater impact. In men, abdominal fat and liver fat were found to hold higher associations with lower vitamin D levels. In every single case, however, it was obvious that the higher the amount of abdominal fat, the less vitamin D was detected, suggesting that those with larger bellies are more likely to experience a vitamin D deficiency and are therefore also at a greater risk of health complications that accompany lowered vitamin D levels.

According to Rafiq, “Although we did not measure vitamin D deficiency in our study, the strong relationship between increasing amounts of abdominal fat and lower levels of vitamin D suggests that individuals with larger waistlines are at a greater risk of developing deficiency, and should consider having their vitamin D levels checked.”

Understanding the Link Between Vitamin D Levels and Fat Tissue

While the direction or cause of this association is not yet understood, these findings provide a point of focus for future studies. The team hopes to further investigate the association between belly fat and vitamin D so they may shed more light on whether exactly a lack of vitamin D predisposes individuals to gain weight or if increased fat causes a decrease in vitamin D levels.

“Due to the observational nature of this study, we cannot draw a conclusion on the direction or cause of the association between obesity and vitamin D levels. However, this strong association may point to a possible role for vitamin D in abdominal fat storage and function,” Rafiq said.

Serotonin and Memory: New Insights May Lead to Future Therapies for Cognitive Decline

May 18 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

In the United States alone, over 16 million people live with some form of cognitive impairment. While age is the greatest risk factor, with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia being the leading causes, cognitive decline bears no limitation to any specific demographic. Conditions such as brain injury, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia and stroke are all known to be accompanied by signs of cognitive impairment. Recent research into the relationship between the hippocampus, serotonin, and memory has begun to shed light on why this may be and may provide a pathway for future therapies.

The Hippocampus, Serotonin, and Memory

As a part of the limbic system — the regions of the brain associated with emotion, learning, memory and motivation — the hippocampus has long been implicated in our ability to learn and store memories. Previously published research demonstrated that persons with damage to the CA1 region of their hippocampus experienced extreme impairment in both autobiographical and episodic memory as well as difficulty with place learning. In patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, the hippocampus is usually one of the first areas of the brain to show signs of damage.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) bears a great influence on the hippocampus. Mounting evidence suggests that serotonin may play a vital role in learning and memory formation. According to earlier research published in Neuropsychopharmacology, researchers found that serotonin disruption interfered with memory recall. In a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, researchers found that individuals with cognitive impairment had less serotonin and performed lower on verbal memory tests.

Even though a link seems apparent, the exact relationship between the hippocampus, serotonin and memory has not been completely understood. Previous research has left it unclear whether serotonin’s effects on learning and memory were due to the role of serotonin itself in relation to memory or to whether it influenced behavioral or emotional aspects that could affect memory. In a study that was recently published in the journal Neuron, researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) examined the role of serotonin in the hippocampus in the hopes of gaining more insight into this connection.

Serotonin Is Necessary for Memory Formation

In order to gain a better understanding of serotonin’s function within the hippocampus and how it relates to memory and learning, the team used a technique called optogenetics. Optogenetics makes use of pulses of light to either stimulate or inhibit neuronal activity. The researchers used this technique to essentially turn the receptors on and off in order to study the various serotonin pathways in the hippocampal CA1 region.

In their experimentat, the team discovered that as serotonin levels increased, neuronal communication within the CA1 region was strengthened, and as a byproduct, there was a marked improvement in spatial memory. Conversely, when serotonin release was inhibited and serotonin levels lowered, neuronal communication declined, and spatial memory was significantly impaired. The team believes this to demonstrate that serotonin not only boosts learning ability and memory, but it is actually a necessary component for memory formation to occur in the first place.

New Insights on Serotonin and Memory Pinpoint Crucial Receptor

With this connection revealed, the researchers set out to determine exactly which specific class of serotonin receptor was involved in learning and memory. According to CUIMC research scientist Catia Teixeria, Ph.D., “First, we found that when serotonin is released from its endogenous pools within the hippocampus during learning, memory of the learned event is strengthened. We then reasoned that by identifying a dominant involvement for one type of serotonin receptor, we could test drug treatments on memory performance. Indeed, we found that systemic modulation of 5-HT4 receptor function with drugs enhanced memory formation.”

The team’s findings regarding the specific serotonin receptor 5-HT4 echo earlier research that identified the receptor’s significance to memory. One previous study showed the 5-HT4 receptors to influence spatial learning and memorization in rats, and in another study, 5-HT4 receptor levels were accurate predictors of memory test performance in human participants.

Brain Enhancement Drugs May One Day Be a Reality

This breakthrough discovery may very well pave the way for future pharmacological solutions that could both boost memory, improve learning deficits, and aid in combating the effects of cognitive decline that accompany age, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and schizophrenia. According to the senior author of the study, Mark Ansorge, Ph.D., “Our data reveal the powerful modulatory influence of serotonin on hippocampal function and memory formation, and they support the rationale to target 5-HT4 receptors for pharmacotherapy of cognitive impairment.”

Research on Gut Bacteria Uncovers New Heart Health, Immune System Benefits

May 16 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Over the past decade, research on gut bacteria has exponentially increased our understanding of how our gut affects us as a whole. So, what exactly is the gut microbiome, how does it form and what is the link to immune response and heart health?

What is the Microbiome?

Each one of us possesses a complex and completely unique ecosystem of microbes that exist on and inside of our bodies, which is collectively referred to as the microbiome. The human body cohabitates in a symbiotic relationship with these trillions of microorganisms, known as the microbiota, that form communities everywhere from on our skin, in our mouths, in the nasal passage and of course, in our gastrointestinal tract. In fact, the largest number of these microorganisms exist within our guts.

These microbes have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to form this mutually beneficial relationship. They play key roles in core bodily functions such as immune response, vitamin and nutrient production and uptake, brain function and disease resistance. Any imbalance to this delicate relationship can have adverse health effects.

How Does the Microbiome Form?

No two people share the same microbiota composition, and even within our own bodies, the communities of microbes are vastly different between locations. There are many factors that contribute to the makeup of our microbiome. The moment that we arrive in this world, microorganisms begin to make themselves at home. In fact, even the way that we’re born plays a large role in the types of microbes that take up residence. Our microbiome continues to evolve over our lifetime. There are many factors that contribute to the diversity of microbiota within our microbiome, including:

the composition of our mother’s own gut microbiota
whether we are breastfed or formula fed as infants
disease, trauma or stressful life events early in life
dietary intake and eating regimens
the amount of physical activity we get
personal hygiene habits
alcohol and cigarette consumption
the use of antibiotics or other medications
acute and chronic stress

While there has been increasing research on gut bacteria, very little is known about exactly how a microbiome is established and maintained to begin with. Researchers from Caltech recently set out to form a better understanding of just how these microorganisms make themselves at home.

The team’s research, which was led by graduate student Gregory Donaldson, was recently published in the journal Science. The researchers examined a microbe called Bacteroides fragilis that is typically found in abundance in the intestines of humans. Bacteroides fragilis was of particular interest because though multiple strains of the bacteria exist, most people will form a long-term relationship with a single strain.

According to Donaldson, “studies by other labs have shown that most people carry the same strain of B. fragilis throughout their lives. We wanted to understand at a molecular level how these bacteria are able to colonize the gut in a stable, long-term way.”

What the researchers discovered is that the microbiota had the ability to trigger a tailor-made immune response. Bacteroides fragilis makes itself at home deep within the thick mucus that lines the guts close to the surface of the intestines. The bacteria are encased in a protective capsule made of carbohydrates, the type of which is typically associated with pathogens, the bad bacteria, and is not normally found within the mucosal layer.

Typically, these bacterial capsules trigger an immune response in which the body produces antibodies that attempt to eradicate the pathogens. However, in this instance, the team observed that instead of destroying the bacteria, the antibodies that were binding to the Bacteroides fragilis were in fact helping the bacterium to successfully colonize.

“It is surprising to find that an immune response actually helps beneficial bacteria to thrive, which in turn helps the host thrive. The study of immunology has mainly been in the context of pathogenic bacteria. But there are trillions of bacteria in the gut, and most of the time none of them are making you sick. Our study shows that there is active immune recognition of these bacteria, but it helps rather than hinders them. This suggests that the immune system is more than just a defense system and antibodies are more than just weapons,” said Donaldson.

Resetting the Microbiome

Recent research on gut bacteria and the link to immune response suggests that resetting the gut microbiota composition may have health benefits. Other research has also linked the disruption of the gut flora to improvements in health, particularly cardiovascular health.

Microbes within the gut produce T cells, which are activated by heart failure and are known to progress the disease. These T cells travel to the heart and provoke an immune response which causes inflammation and forms scar tissue. In findings that were presented at the 2018 Experimental Biology conference, Dr. Francisco J. Carrillo-Salinas exhibited that sterilizing the gut decreased the number of available T cells and prevented these detrimental changes from occurring.

“Understanding how the gut microbiota directly regulates the function of distant organs such as the heart will shed new light on potential new therapeutic approaches in patients recently diagnosed with heart failure to prevent progression,” said Dr. Carrillo-Salinas.

Meal Timing and Diet Alter Gut Health

May 11 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Every time we consume food, we’re also feeding the bacteria that call our bodies home. The human body plays host to trillions of microorganisms, including thousands of species of bacteria, fungi and viruses. These microorganisms actually outnumber our own cells, and the vast majority of them reside in our digestive system.

Referred to as the gut’s microbiota or gut flora, the microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract play fundamental roles in immunity, nutrient absorption and vitamin production. The microbiota influences cardiovascular health, blood sugar and hormone regulation, brain development and even has the ability to affect our mood and behavior. Every individual has a microbiota that is completely unique to them, and any imbalance in these microbes can potentially lead to sickness, disease and mental decline.

Researchers have uncovered links between our gut flora and diseases and illnesses such as:

Alzheimer’s Disease
asthma
autism Spectrum Disorder
cancer
cardiovascular Disease
depression
diabetes
Multiple Sclerosis
obesity
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

There are many factors that can contribute to the composition and continual balance of the gut microbiota. Among the most important and easiest factors to address are diet and meal timing.

How Diet Affects Gut Health

Different species of bacteria have been found to thrive on different types of foods, and even if you take a probiotic supplement, what you eat can vastly alter your gut flora. Where we live and the regional foods we consume even play a large part in our microbiota composition. For instance, a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition found that a Mediterranean diet promoted a healthier gut than a Western diet.

In their study, the researchers demonstrated that a Mediterranean diet, which is typically higher in plant fibers, whole grains, fish and poultry than a Western diet, increased the amount of the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus by up to seven percent. The Western diet, which tends to be lower in fiber, with higher amounts of fat and refined carbohydrates, only increased the number of beneficial bacteria by 0.5 percent.

Refined carbs and high-sugar foods are known to cause inflammation of the gut and promote the growth of bad bacteria. Research also indicates that the amount of and types of protein we consume alters the microbial diversity of our guts. For example, studies found that consumption of whey and pea protein increase the presence of certain beneficial gut bacteria while decreasing particular strains of pathogenic or bad bacteria.

How diet affects gut health is a large factor in our microbiota, but what we eat isn’t the only thing to consider when looking to improve your gut flora. Increasing research indicates that the size of meals and their frequency also impacts the gut’s microbial balance.

Meal Timing and the Effects on Your Gut

Most living organisms operate off innate circadian rhythms, and as it turns out, this includes our gut bacteria. A research article published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE demonstrated that bacteria commonly found in the human gut possess their own circadian rhythm and respond to fluctuations in the presence of hormones such as melatonin and tryptophan.

Our biological clocks are extremely sensitive to both the intake and restriction of energy. Research has shown that a disruption of these circadian rhythms can lead to numerous detrimental health effects such as diabetes, hypertension and irregular hormone levels. Structured eating regimens may provide the best way to avoid these disruptions and ensure optimal gut health.

Sometimes disrupting these internal clocks could prove beneficial, however. According to a recent study that was led by researchers from MIT and published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, it may be possible to shock our guts back to good health through fasting. In their study, the researchers discovered that a 24-hour fast in mice caused a metabolic switch that boosted the regeneration and reparation of gut stem cells.

In a study that was recently published by the American Diabetes Association, this reset of the gut microbiota that occurs with fasting was shown to have the added benefits of preventing blindness and promoting longevity. Yet another recent study, which was released by Experimental Biology, has shown that fasting may also improve heart function and help to slow the cardiac damage that accompanies heart failure.

The Bottom Line?

Our bodies are essentially more bacteria than they are human, and a proper balance to this bacteria is vital to our overall health, well-being, and longevity. The good news is that being more mindful of what we put into our bodies and when we do it are easy steps to correcting and maintaing the balance of this symbiotic relationship.

Resveratrol Proven to Slow Brain and Muscle Aging

May 04 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Resveratrol is powerful phytoalexin, a group of naturally occurring antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds produced by plants, that can be found in red wine, raw cacao, pistachios, peanuts, and dark berries such as red grapes, blueberries and muscadines. Like other antioxidants, resveratrol can help the body to fight and repair cellular damage.

Research over the past decade has indicated that resveratrol could promote heart health and may also possess anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Adding to its growing list of health benefits, a recent batch of studies suggests that resveratrol may repair and protect from damage to both muscle fibers and neural synapses brought upon by aging.

According to Dr. Gregorio Valdez, assistant professor at Virginia Tech and author of one such study, “we all slow down as we get older. Gait, balance issues, and impaired motor coordination contribute to health problems, accidents, lack of mobility and a lower quality of life. We work on identifying molecular changes that slow down motor deficits that occur with aging. I believe that we are getting closer to tapping into mechanisms to slow age-induced degeneration of neuronal circuits.”

Resveratrol Promotes Healthy Aging of Muscle Fibers

After reaching middle age, most adults will begin to lose an average of three percent of their muscle mass, strength and endurance each year. This age-related decline in muscular function referred to as sarcopenia greatly affects quality of life and may decrease life expectancy. According to recent research, resveratrol may both repair and protect against such muscular degeneration.

Regular exercise helps slow the loss of muscle mass but may also lead to muscle damage and joint pain in an already stressed body. Resveratrol has been shown in numerous studies to ease joint pain, reduce inflammation and repair the cartilage breakdown associated with arthritis. A new study out of Australia shows resveratrol is also beneficial in this way to the skeletal muscles. The team’s findings echo other research exhibiting how the administration of resveratrol greatly increases aerobic performance and both prevents and repairs damage to muscles that results from exercising.

Reduced blood flow due to age can be both a symptom of and contributing factor to muscular decline. A study led by researchers from Harvard and published in Cell found that resveratrol activates the same genes that normally respond to diet and exercise, healing the vascular system, improving blood flow and increasing endurance in elderly mice.

Muscle atrophy, a partial or complete wasting away of muscle tissue, can result from sarcopenia, inactivity, as well as neuromuscular disease. A research paper recently published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences examined the adaptive changes in muscles after inducing sciatic nerve damage in mice that were fed either a normal diet or a resveratrol-supplemented diet. Their research showed that resveratrol “significantly prevents” muscle atrophy.

Resveratrol Protects the Brain From the Effects of Aging

Skeletal muscles aren’t the only form of atrophy that resveratrol may prevent. Cerebral atrophy and the degradation of neuronal synapses are typical effects of the aging process and can ultimately lead to cognitive decline and memory problems as well as provoke interference with the body’s ability to deal with stress. Research shows resveratrol possesses several significant neuroprotective benefits.

Previous research has indicated that proper diet and exercise can help to neuronal synapses from the typical wear and tear of aging. In one study published in The Journals of Gerontology, researchers discovered that resveratrol has many of the same neuroprotective benefits of combining a low-calorie diet with regular exercise.

Other studies also seem to suggest that resveratrol may help to slow down age-related cognitive decline, protecting from and repairing damage done to the brain. Several studies indicate that the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol may make it a useful therapy for those suffering from cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Valdez concludes that for researchers, “the next step is to identify the mechanism that enables resveratrol to protect synapses. If we know the mechanism, we can modify resveratrol or look for other molecules that are more effective at protecting the synapses.”

Don’t Raise Your Wine Glass Just Yet

While resveratrol shows great potential, experts do caution that because of the relatively low concentrations of resveratrol found in food sources such as wine, people would not likely see the same massive neuroprotective benefits exhibited in the mice studies.

According to Valdez, “in wine, resveratrol is in such small amounts you could not drink enough of it in your life to have the benefits we found in mice given resveratrol. These studies are in mice and I would caution anyone from blasting their bodies with resveratrol in any form.”