Papaya Extract Slows Cancer Cell Growth

Papaya has been used in traditional herbal medicine in Asia and Australia as a remedy for a variety of diseases.  Nam Dang, from University of Florida (USA), and colleagues studied extracts of papaya leaf to ascertain the cellular mechanism of action of its potential role in inhibiting the growth of tumor cell lines.  The team found that four strengths of papaya leaf extract slowed the growth of ten types of cancer cell cultures, including cancers of the cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreas.  Positing that the papaya may beneficially alter the immune system, the researchers write that: “… papaya leaf extract can mediate a Th1 type shift in human immune system … [Papaya] leaf extract may potentially provide the means for the treatment and prevention of selected human diseases such as cancer, various allergic disorders, and may also serve as immunoadjuvant for vaccine therapy.”

Vitamin K May Slash Cancer Risk

Previous studies have elucidated benefits of vitamin K2, most notably in promoting bone and cardiovascular health. Jakob Linseisen, from the German Research Centre for Environmental Health (Germany), and colleagues studied 24,340 subjects, ages 35 to 64 years, enrolled in the EPIC-Heidelberg study.   The participants were following for over 10 years, during which 1,755 cases of cancer were documented, with 458 of these as fatal.  The team found that those study subjects with the highest average intakes of vitamin K2 were 14% less likely to develop cancer, as compared to people with the lowest average intakes.  Furthermore, increased vitamin K2 intakes corresponded to a 28% reduction in cancer mortality.

Link Between Cell Phones and Cancer Remains Uncertain

The safety of cell phones is still in question after results of the biggest study-to-date on the link between cell phone use and brain tumors were inconclusive. The Interphone Study, which was partially funded by cell phone companies, examined whether cellular radio frequencies could be correlated to brain tumors. More than 10,000 people took part in the study, including cell phone users, non cell phone users, cell phone users who survived brain cancer, and brain cancer survivors who had never used cell phones. Overall, results showed that cell phone use does not increase the risk of glioma or meningioma. However, there were suggestions of an increased risk at glioma in people who had spent more than 1,640 hours on their cell phone. Regardless of over what period of time the use was spread, heavy users were found to have up to a 40% higher risk for glioma, and up to a 15% higher risk for meningioma. Jack Siemiatycki, a professor at the University of Montreal and one of the epidemiologists who led the study, stressed that cell phone users should not panic about possible risks related to cell phones. "If there are risks, they are probably pretty small. Should anyone be concerned about potential dangers of cell phones, they can remedy the issue by using hands-free devices and avoid exposure to radio frequencies around their head."

Daily Variety of Fruits & Vegetables May Slash Lung Cancer Risk

Previous research has shown the influence of the quantity of fruits and vegetables on cancer development.  H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, from The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (The Netherlands), and colleagues have completed a unique study that evaluated the diversity of fruit and vegetable consumption, rather than quantity, in reducing cancer risk.  Using data collected in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, the tea, evaluated 452,187 participants, obtaining information was on 14 commonly eaten fruits and 26 commonly eaten vegetables. Regardless of the amount, the researchers found that risk of lung cancer also decreased when a variety of vegetables were consumed. In addition, the risk of squamous cell carcinoma decreased substantially when a variety of fruits and vegetables were eaten. Positing that fruits and vegetables contain many different bioactive compounds, and that by consuming a daily variety of fruits and vegetable we can ingest a rich mix of these bioactive compounds, the team concludes that: “Independent from quantity of consumption, variety in fruit and vegetable consumption may decrease lung cancer risk.”

Swimming in Chlorinated Pools May Increase Cancer Risk

Chlorination is the most commonly used method of disinfecting the water in swimming pools. Levels of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in swimming pool water are not necessarily higher than those in drinking water, however swimming in an indoor pool is known to lead to a greater uptake of compounds such as trihalomethanes (THMs), which are inhaled and absorbed by the skin. Thus, there has been concern that swimming in an indoor chlorinated pool could increase a person’s risk of developing cancer. Researchers collected blood, urine, and exhaled air samples from 49 non-smoking adults before and after they swam for 40 minutes in an indoor chlorinated pool. Evidence of genotoxic (DNA damaging) effects was observed in all participants – micronuclei in blood lymphocytes, and urine mutagenicity (Ames assay). Results also showed that the total concentration of the four most common THMs in exhaled breath was seven times higher after swimming. The authors concluded: “Our findings support potential genotoxic effects of exposure to DBPs from swimming pools. The positive health effects gained by swimming could be increased by reducing the potential health risks of pool water.”

Eating Watercress May Protect Against Breast Cancer

Research conducted at Britain’s University of Southampton suggests that women could help to protect themselves from developing breast cancer by adding watercress to their diet. Molecular oncologist Professor Graham Packham and colleagues studied a small group of breast cancer survivors, who underwent a period of fasting before eating 80g of watercress and then providing a series of blood samples over the next 24 hours. Results showed that ingestion of watercress led to a rapid rise in plasma levels of a compound present in watercress called phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC). Previous studies have shown that PEITC decreases the phosphorylation of the translation regulator 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). Decreased 4E-BP1 phosphorylation has been linked to the inhibition of cancer cell survival and decreased activity of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), which helps tumors grow by promoting the growth of new blood vessels. Further analysis of peripheral blood cells from four participants revealed that phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 was significantly reduced 6 and 8 hours after eating watercress. Study leader Professor Packham, a molecular oncologist at the University of Southampton, commented: “The research takes an important step towards understanding the potential health benefits of this crop since it shows that eating watercress may interfere with a pathway that has already been tightly linked to cancer development.” The authors concluded: “Dietary intake of watercress may be sufficient to modulate this potential anti-cancer pathway.”

Fish May Slash Prostate Cancer Deaths

Previous studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish and fish oil supplements may slow cancer progression by reducing inflammation and by a variety of other mechanisms. Konrad M. Szymanski, from McGill University Health Center (Quebec, Canada), and colleagues completed a meta-analysis of 31 published studies of prostate cancer, including 12 case-control studies involving 5,777 cases.  While the team found no link between eating fish and men's risk of developing prostate cancer, they did observe that men who ate more fish were 44% less likely to develop metastatic prostate cancer.  Higher fish consumption also was associated with a 63% lower risk of dying from prostate cancer.  The researchers suggest that fish consumption may reduce prostate cancer mortality by reducing men's likelihood of developing metastatic disease, positing that the anti-inflammatory effect of the oils present in fish oils may play a critical role.

Tea and Coffee Thwart Brain Tumor Risk

Recent studies have suggested that total coffee and tea consumption may inversely associate with risk of glioma, tumors that originate in the brain’s supportive tissue, and data exists that suggests that caffeine may slow the invasive growth of glioblastoma tumors, a form of aggressive primary brain cancer.  Dominique S. Michaud, from Imperial College (United Kingdom), and colleagues studied the association between coffee, tea, or caffeinated beverages and glioma risk, engaging data collected from over half a million people enrolled in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.  The researchers found that daily consumption of more than 100 milliliters (mL; 3.4 ounces)  of tea or coffee significantly reduced glioma risk (as compared consuming less than 100 ml per day).  Concluding that: “In this large cohort study, we observed an inverse association between total coffee and tea consumption and risk of glioma that was consistent with the findings of a recent study,” the team suggests that: “These findings, if further replicated in other studies, may provide new avenues of research on gliomas.”

Daffodil Compound Targets Brain Cancer

Via computer-assisted techniques, European researchers have identified the eEF1A elongation factor as a therapeutic target in cancer cells.  As such, Robert Kiss, from the Universite Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), and colleagues have found that narciclasine, a natural compound found in daffodil bulbs, inhibits the proliferation of very aggressive cancer cells, while avoiding adverse effects on normal cells. The team grafted human melanoma brain metastatic cells into the brains of genetically altered mice, and found that the injected mice survived significantly longer when treated with narciclasine, as compared to mice that were left untreated.  Observing that narciclasine markedly reduced cancer cell proliferation and migration, the researchers write that: “At nontoxic doses, narciclasine … significantly improves the survival of mice bearing metastatic apoptosis-resistant melanoma xenografts in their brain.”

Apples Confer Anti-Cancer Protection

 Previous research has suggested that different food matrixes may affect the bioavailability of polyphenols in the colon. In that apples are rich in a diverse array of vitamins, minerals and polyphenol antioxidants, German researchers find that apple smoothies deliver a higher quantity of bioavailable polyphenols to the colon than apple juices or ciders, and may therefore be effective in the prevention of chronic colon diseases.  Stephanie Hagl, from the Division of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Kaiserslautern (Germany), and colleagues completed a study to determine the amounts of polyphenols and quinic acid reaching a simulated healthy colon (represented by ileostomy bags) after ingestion of apple smoothie, a beverage containing 60% cloudy apple juice, and a 40% apple puree or cider.  The team found that the amounts of polyphenol and quinic acids reaching the ileostomy bags were considerably higher after apple smoothie consumption, as compared to after the consumption of cloudy apple juice or cider. The researchers speculate that the differences in bioavailability may be related to the differences in the amounts of cell wall constituents which may reduce polyphenol metabolism. They conclude that: “These results suggest that the food matrix might affect the colonic availability of polyphenols, and apple smoothies could be more effective in the prevention of chronic colon diseases than both cloudy apple juice and apple cider.”

Aspirin May Lower Risks of Death from Cancer

Previous studies have suggested that a daily dose of aspirin for 5 years or longer reduces subsequent risk of colorectal cancer.  In that other studies have suggested that aspirin might also reduce risk of other cancers, particularly of the gastrointestinal tract, Peter M. Rothwell, from John  Radcliffe Hospital (England), and colleagues assessed data from studies involving at least four years of treatment with daily aspirin versus placebo and a total study duration of five years or more. Identifying eight qualifying studies, involving a total of 25,570 participants, cancer death rates were 21% lower in study participants assigned to aspirin after five years, and the reduction persisted among those followed for 20 years, Of the selected studies, the UK Transient Ischemic Attack study, which assigned patients to aspirin or placebo in a 2:1 ratio, showed a significantly reduced rate of cancer deaths, with an odds ratio for cancer death of 0.45 in the aspirin group.  Six of the other trials each showed nonsignificant trends toward lower cancer death rates with aspirin/  Pooling the 674 cancer deaths during the study phases of all eight trials yielded an odds ratio of 0.79 for cancer deaths in the aspirin groups.  Writing that: “Daily aspirin reduced deaths due to several common cancers during and after the trials,” the researchers conclude that: “Benefit increased with duration of treatment and was consistent across the different study populations. These findings have implications for guidelines on use of aspirin and for understanding of carcinogenesis and its susceptibility to drug intervention.”

Discovery for Cancer Prevention May Lead to Longevity Breakthrough

Thomas Jefferson University (Pennsylvania, USA) scientists have discovered that the "longevity" protein SIRT1, known for its life-spanning effects in different species, inhibits the development of a known precursor to prostate cancer. Richard G. Pestell and colleagues found that deletion of the Sirt1 gene in mice resulted in formation of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions, which are associated with reduced autophagy, or the necessary degradation of a cell's own components and most likely essential for tumor suppression.  The results suggest that the Sirt1 gene promotes autophagy and further highlight the role of the protein SIRT1 (the human homologue of the yeast Silent Information Regulator 2 (Sir2) gene) as a tumor suppressor in the prostate. Explaining that: "Prostate cancer is one of the malignancies that has a very direct relationship to aging," Dr. Pestell submits that: "These results provide a direct link for the first time between the onset of prostate cancer and the Sirt1 gene that regulate aging." Consequently, researchers are hopeful that this finding widens a pathway for discovery of new cancer prevention drugs that could not only block prostate cancer but promote longevity.

Novel Antioxidant Compound in Maple Syrup Identified

As a natural plant extract, maple syrup has been found to contain many beneficial compounds such as polyphenols.  A novel phenolic compound, known as quebecol, in addition to 23 naturally derived phenolics belonging to lignan, coumarin, stilbene, and phenolic acid sub-classes, have been identified in maple syrup. “Published studies have shown that maple syrup extracts have antioxidant, antimutagenic, and human cancer cell antiproliferative properties …To this end, our laboratory has embarked on a collaborative project to comprehensively identify the chemical constituents in maple syrup,” remarked lead study author Navindra Seeram, from University of Rhode Island (Rhode Island, USA).

Life-Extending Role of Strong Social Relationships

Previously, studies have suggested that breast cancer patients benefit from engaging in a meaningful emotional support network.  Researchers at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (Tennessee, USA) and the Shanghai Institute of Preventive Medicine (China) analyzed data on women enrolled in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survivor Study. From 2002 to 2004, a total of 2,230 breast cancer survivors completed a quality of life survey six months after diagnosis and a majority responded to a follow-up survey 36 months after diagnosis. The women were asked about physical issues like sleep, eating and pain, psychological well-being, social support and material well-being. The answers were converted to an overall quality of life score.  During a median follow-up of 4.8 years after the initial quality of life assessment, the researchers documented participants who had died or been diagnosed with a cancer recurrence. Six months after diagnosis, the team found that only greater social well-being was significantly associated with a decreased risk of dying or having a cancer recurrence.

Citrus Compounds Help to Reduce Inflammation

An extensive body of epidemiological studies has linked increased dietary intake of antioxidants from fruits, vegetables wine, chocolate, coffee, tea, and other foods to reduced risks of a range of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Increased intakes of compounds called flavonoids from citrus may be associated with lower levels of markers of inflammation, reports Rikard Landberg, from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden), and colleagues.  Women with the highest intakes of total flavonoids, which includes various subclasses such as flavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanidins, and polymeric flavonoids, had an 8% lower level of the pro-inflammatory compound interleukin-18 (IL-18), compared with women with the lowest intake.  In addition, women with the highest average intakes of flavonol had 4% lower levels of soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), compared with women with the lowest average intakes.

Strawberries May Combat Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is the third most common gastrointestinal cancer and the sixth most frequent cause of cancer death in the world, and the predominant form (esophageal squamous cell carcinoma) has a very poor survival rate. Tong Chen, from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (Ohio, USA), and colleagues engaged 36 study participants who consumed 60 grams (about two ounces) of freeze-dried strawberries daily for six months. The researchers obtained biopsy specimens before and after the strawberry consumption. The results showed that 29 out of 36 participants experienced a decrease in histological grade of the precancerous lesions during the study.  The team comments that: "We concluded from this study that six months of strawberry treatment is safe and easy to consume. In addition, our preliminary data suggests that strawberries … reduced cancer-related molecular events.”

Pomegranate Compounds May Exert Anti-Cancer Benefits

Pomegranate, a rich source of antioxidants, has been linked to improved heart health, and a growing body of science indicates the fruit may exert anti-cancer properties.  Liwei Gu, from University of Florida (Florida, USA), have found that punicalagins, compounds from pomegranate, self-assemble into nanoparticles with gelatin. The loading efficiency of punicalagin A and punicalagin B in the particles was 94% and 84%, respectively, whereas the loading capacity of the particles for these compounds (without nanoparticles) was 15 and 26%, respectively.  Having produced the nanoparticles, the team tested them against a line of leukemia cells, where they demonstrated efficacy at stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Coffee May Reduce Risks of Certain Breast Cancers

High daily intakes of coffee may significantly reduce a woman’s risks of anti-estrogen-resistant estrogen-receptor (ER-negative) breast cancer. Jingmei Li, from the Karolinska Institutet (Sweden), and colleagues assessed the association between coffee consumption and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in a large population-based study of nearly 6,000 people. The team reported that women who consumed five cups of coffee per day were 57% less likely to develop ER-negative breast cancer, as compared to a low consumption reference group. The researchers conclude that: “A high daily intake of coffee was found to be associated with a statistically significant decrease in ER-negative breast cancer among postmenopausal women.”

Coffee May Lower Risk of Lethal Prostate Cancer

Coffee contains a number of beneficial compounds that act as antioxidants, reduce inflammation, and regulate insulin, and previous studies have associated coffee with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes, gallstone disease, and liver cancer or cirrhosis. Lorelei Mucci, from Harvard School of Public Health (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues examined the association between coffee consumption and the risk of prostate cancer, particularly the risk for aggressive prostate cancer among 47,911 U.S. men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study who reported their coffee consumption every four years from 1986 to 2008. During the study period, 5,035 cases of prostate cancer were reported, including 642 fatal or metastatic cases. The researchers found that men who consumed the most coffee (six or more cups daily) had nearly a 20% lower risk of developing any form of prostate cancer.  Importantly, the inverse association with coffee was even stronger for aggressive prostate cancer. Men who drank the most coffee had a 60% lower risk of developing lethal prostate cancer.

Broccoli Compound Selectively Targets Cancer Cells

Sulforaphane, a primary phytochemical found in broccoli, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables, is an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, or HDAC enzymes. HDAC inhibition is an emerging field of cancer treatment and represents a promising pharmaceutical and dietary approach. Emily Ho, from Oregon State Un (Oregon, USA), and colleagues have investigated the effects of sulforaphane in normal, benign hyperplasia, and cancerous prostate epithelial cells. The team observed that 15 micromoles of sulforaphane caused cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in benign hyperplasia and cancerous prostate epithelial cells; and did not affect normal cells whatsoever.  Sulforaphane also selectively decreased HDAC enzyme activity.  The researchers conclude that: “[Sulforaphane] exerts differential effects on cell proliferation, HDAC activity and downstream targets in normal and cancer cells.”

Vitamin D Plus Calcium Reduces Skin Cancer Risk

Recently, a number of studies have suggested a link between increased vitamin D levels and lower risks of certain cancers. As well, in that calcium plays a role in the body’s conversion of vitamin D to its biologically active form, a growing body of evidence suggests a preventative role relating to cancer, for the combination of vitamin D and calcium.  Jean Y. Tang, from Stanford University School of Medicine (California, USA), an d colleagues investigated non-melanoma skin cancer -- such as basal cell or squamous cell cancers -- the most common forms of skin cancer, as people with this generally non-fatal disease are more likely to develop the more lethal illness — melanoma. The team analyzed data from the Women's Health Initiative, which involved 36,282 postmenopausal women who received either 400 international units of vitamin D and 1,000 milligrams of calcium carbonate per day, or placebo.  Those subjects who received the supplement combination had a 50% reduction in the risk of developing melanoma in women at high risk of developing the disease, leading the researchers to encourage that their findings “[suggest] a potential role for calcium and vitamin D supplements in this high-risk group.”

Folate May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

Folate, a B vitamin, is found in foods such as green leafy vegetables. Martha J. Shrubsole, from Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center (Tennessee, USA), and colleagues analyzed data collected from the Shanghai Women's Health Study, involving 72,861 participants, ages 40 to 70 years.  The team assessed for potential relationships between intakes of folate, niacin, and vitamin B6 and B12 and incidence of breast cancer.  During the course of the study 718 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed. While the researchers found no link between vitamin B6 and B12 intakes and the risk of breast cancer in both pre- and post-menopausal women, they did observe that folate intake was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer – with the effect limited to premenopausal women. Specifically, average intakes of 404 micrograms per day were associated with a 42% reduction in the risk of breast cancer, as compared with average intakes of 194 micrograms per day.  The team concludes that: “For premenopausal women, higher intake of folate was associated with decreased breast cancer risk.”

Antioxidant Vitamins May Reduce Death Risks

Antioxidants are compounds that are capable of neutralizing free radical damage in cells, and may help to  prevent oxidative-stress related diseases.  Researchers involved in the Heidelberg cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Heidelberg) analyzed data collected on 23,943 participants without pre-existing cancer and myocardial infarction/stroke at baseline, with vitamin/mineral supplementation assessed at baseline and during follow-up. After an average follow-up time of 11 years, 1,101 deaths were documented (cancer deaths = 513 and cardiovascular deaths = 264). The team observed that subjects who consumed antioxidant vitamin supplements had a significantly reduced risk of cancer mortality, as well as all-cause mortality. The researchers submit that:  “This cohort study suggests that supplementation of antioxidant vitamins might possibly reduce cancer and all-cause mortality.”

Ginger Compound Affects Prostate Cancer

The ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) is most commonly harvested for its root (rhizome), which is a rich source of unique antioxidants such as gingerols, shogaols, and zingerones.  Prasanthi Karna, from Georgia State University (Georgia, USA), and colleagues prepared a ginger extract from whole ginger, and fed it to mice at a dose of 100 mg per kg of body weight.  The team observed that the extract inhibited the progression of prostate cancer grafts on the lab animals by 56%. Further analysis revealed that the ginger extract inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells while increasing prostate cancer cell death.  In tests involving human cells, the researchers observed that ginger interfered with the ability for prostate tumor cells to spread.  Noting that: “[ginger extract] did not exert any detectable toxicity,” the team submits that: “this is the first report to demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of whole [ginger extract] for the management of prostate cancer.”

Fish Oil Supplementation May Slow Prostate Cancer Growth

Previously, some studies have suggested that lowering dietary fat and decreasing the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer development and progression. William J. Aronson, from the University of California/Los Angeles (UCLA; California, USA), and colleagues conducted a Phase II randomized trial involving 48 men undergoing radical prostatectomy, who were assigned to receive a low-fat diet with 5 g of fish oil daily (dietary omega-6 : omega-3 ratio of 2:1), or a traditional high-fat Western diet (dietary omega-6 : omega-3 ratio of 15:1), for 4 to 6 weeks prior to the operation. The team found that the growth of prostate cancer cells was slowed among the men given the fish oil supplements, all of whom also were shown to display altered cell membrane compositions among both the healthy and cancerous cells in the prostate. Writing that: " The intervention resulted in decreased prostate cancer proliferation and decreased prostate tissue omega-6:omega-3 ratios,” the researchers urge: “further studies evaluating reduction of dietary fat with fish oil supplementation on modulating prostate cancer biology.”

Moderate Red Wine Consumption May Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Drinking red wine in moderation may reduce one of the risk factors for breast cancer, providing a natural weapon to combat a major cause of death among American women.  Chrisandra Shufelt, from Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute (California, USA), and colleagues studied 36 women  who were randomized to drink either Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay daily for almost a month, then switched to the other type of wine. Blood was collected twice each month to measure hormone levels. Researchers sought to determine whether red wine mimics the effects of aromatase inhibitors, which play a key role in managing estrogen levels. Aromatase inhibitors are currently used to treat breast cancer.  The team found that chemicals in the skins and seeds of red grapes slightly lowered estrogen levels while elevating testosterone among premenopausal women who drank eight ounces of red wine nightly for about a month.  Concluding that: “These data suggest that red wine is a nutritional [aromatase inhibitor] and may explain the observation that red wine does not appear to increase breast cancer risk,” the study authors submit that this data challenges the widely-held belief that all types of alcohol consumption heighten the risk of developing breast cancer.

Fiber May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

Numerous studies established the wide-ranging health benefits of fiber.  Most notably, increased dietary intake of fiber associates with lower risks of dying from cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases. D. Aune , from Imperial College London (United Kingdom), and colleagues completed a meta-analysis in which they observed that soluble fiber exerted an effect on the risk of breast cancer. Specifically, the researchers observed that for every 10 g per day increase in soluble fiber intake, a woman may reduce her risk of breast cancer by up to 26%. No such effect was observed for insoluble fiber.  Good sources of soluble fiber include oatmeal, oat cereal, lentils, apples, oranges, pears, nuts, flaxseeds, beans, dried peas, blueberries, psyllium, cucumbers, celery, and carrots. The study authors conclude that: "In this meta-analysis of prospective studies, there was an inverse association between dietary fiber intake and breast cancer risk.”

Anti-Cancer Mechanism of Tomatoes Revealed

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant compound for which previous studies have suggested and intervention role in certain cancers.  In that cancer cells employ the mechanism known as angiogenesis to connect to the body’s blood supply, Mridula Chopra, from the University of Portsmouth (United Kingdom), and colleagues observed that lycopene disabled the angiogenic ability of cancer cells. Writing that: "The anti-angiogenic effects of lycopene in the present study were shown at a concentration that should be achievable by dietary means,” the study authors conclude that: "These results extend our knowledge of one of the putative anti-cancer actions of lycopene.”

Farm Chemicals May Increase Cancer Risk

Dietary cadmium, a toxic metal widely dispersed in the environment and found in many farm fertilizers, may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer, according to a study by researchers from the Karolinska Institutet (Sweden).   Some scientists are concerned about cadmium because contamination of farmland mainly due to atmospheric deposition and use of fertilizers leads to higher uptake in plants. Agneta Akesson and colleagues observed 55,987 women for more than 12 years. They estimated the dietary cadmium exposure using a food frequency questionnaire. During the follow-up period, researchers observed 2,112 incidences of breast cancer including 1,626 estrogen receptor-positive and 290 estrogen receptor-negative cases. Cadmium consumption was divided into three groups with the highest levels of exposure compared with the lowest. Overall, a higher exposure to cadmium via diet was linked with a 21% increase in breast cancer. Among lean and normal weight women, the increased risk was 27%.  Both estrogen receptor-positive and negative tumors had the same risk increase at roughly 23%. The study authors conclude that: "Overall, these results suggest a role for dietary cadmium in postmenopausal breast cancer development.”

Lipstick Poses Lead Hazard

In the United States, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cosmetic safety under the authority of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) – which requires that  cosmetics marketed in interstate commerce be safe when used as directed in the labeling or under customary conditions of use.  However, there is presently no specification relating to the amount of lead in cosmetics, which can be present via pigment ingredients.  In the spring of 2010, the FDA procured 400 commercially available lipsticks on the US market and tested each for total lead content. The selection of lipsticks tested was based on the parent company’s market share; additionally, lipsticks from niche markets were included, in an effort to capture lipsticks with unusual characteristics.  The analyses revealed an average lead concentration in the 400 lipsticks of 1.11 ppm, with two major retail brands testing at 7 ppm or greater.  It is noteworthy that the FDA-recommended upper limit for lead in candy is 0.1 parts per million (ppm).

Exercise & Weight as Opposing Risk Factors in Breast Cancer

Previously, a number of studies have suggested that physical activity reduces breast cancer risk. As well, maintaining a healthy, controlled weight has been shown to beneficially impact a person's risk for a variety of diseases. Lauren E. McCullough, from the University of North Carolina (North Carolina, USA), and colleagues studied 1,504 women with breast cancer (233 noninvasive and 1,271 invasive) and 1,555 women without breast cancer who were 20 to 98 years old and were part of the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project.  Women who exercised either during their reproductive or postmenopausal years had a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. Women who exercised 10 to 19 hours per week experienced the greatest benefit with an approximate 30% reduced risk. Risk reductions were observed at all levels of intensity, and exercise seemed to reduce the risk of hormone receptor positive breast cancers, the most commonly diagnosed tumor type among American women.  Further, when the researchers looked at the joint effects of physical activity, weight gain and body size, they found that even active women who gained a significant amount of weight – particularly after menopause – had an increased risk of developing breast cancer, indicating that weight gain can negate the beneficial effects of exercise on breast cancer risk. Writing that: "[Regular physical activity]at any intensity level during the reproductive and postmenopausal years have the greatest benefit for reducing breast cancer risk,” the study authors warn that: "Substantial postmenopausal weight gain may eliminate the benefits of regular activity.”

Fat May Fuel Cancer

The World Health Organization reports that in 2008 there were more than 1.4 billion obese adults in the world and that cancer claimed the lives of 7.6 million that year. Whereas a number of previous studies have demonstrated a link between obesity and certain cancer, the physiological causes have not been identified.  Mikhail Kolonin, from, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Texas, USA), and colleagues completed a study in which adipose stromal cells were transplanted into mice; they observed these cells to become recruited by tumors, where they incorporate into blood vessels and become fat cells.   The researchers also observed that cancer induces a six-fold increase of adipose stromal cell frequency in the systemic circulation – where they are incorporated into blood vessels as pericytes and they can differentiate into adipocytes in an obesity-dependent manner.  The study authors conclude that: “our results suggest that [adipose stromal cells] recruited from endogenous adipose tissue can be recruited by tumors to potentiate the supportive properties of the tumor microenvironment."

Brussels Sprouts Beat Breast Cancer

Cruciferous vegetables are vegetables of the family Brassicaceae (also known as Cruciferae), and include brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and bok choy.  Cruciferous vegetables are rich in glucosinolates, the body converts to isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol – compounds associated with anti-cancer properties.  Researchers from Zhejiang University (China) completed a meta-analysis of 13 epidemiologic studies, including 18,673 case-control breast cancer studies. The team combined the data to reveal that higher intakes of cruciferous vegetables resulted in a 15% reduction in breast cancer risk. They conclude that: "Findings from this meta-analysis suggest that cruciferous vegetables consumption may reduce the risk of breast cancer.”

Multivitamin Exerts “Modest but Significant” Reduction in Cancer Risk

An estimated one-third of Americans take a daily multivitamin supplement, the composition of which mimics healthy fruit and vegetable compounds.  J. Michael Gaziano, from Harvard Medical School (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues analyzed data collected in the Physicians' Health Study (PHS) II, that includes 14,641 male U.S. physicians, initially age 50 years or older. Subjects received a daily multivitamin or equivalent placebo, and were followed for an average of 11.2 years. During multivitamin treatment, there were 2,669 confirmed cases of cancer, including 1,373 cases of prostate cancer and 210 cases of colorectal cancer, with some men experiencing multiple events. A total of 2,757 (18.8%) men died during follow-up, including 859 (5.9%) due to cancer. Analysis of the data indicated that men taking a multivitamin had a modest 8% reduction in total cancer incidence. The researchers found that a multivitamin significantly reduced the risk of total cancer (excluding prostate cancer -  the early stage of which was the  cause of half of all incident cancers in the study).  There were no statistically significant reductions in individual site-specific cancers, including colorectal, lung, and bladder cancer, or in cancer mortality.  Reporting that: “Daily multivitamin use was associated with a reduction in total cancer among 1312 men with a baseline history of cancer,” the study authors conclude that: “In this large prevention trial of male physicians, daily multivitamin supplementation modestly but significantly reduced the risk of total cancer.”

Citrus Fruits May Help Lower Men’s Cancer Risk

There are over 4,000 flavonoids identified in fruits, vegetables, and beverages (such as tea, coffee, wine, and fruit drinks). Experimental studies have suggested that flavonoids may exert an anti-inflammatory action, induce cell death, and impair angiogenesis – all of which may help to lower men’s risks for aggressive prostate cancer.  Susan E. Steck, from the University of South Carolina (South Carolina, USA), and colleagues  analyzed data collected on 920 black and 977 white men who were newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, enrolled in the North Carolina–Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP), a multidisciplinary study of the social, individual, and tumor-level causes of racial differences in disease aggressiveness.  The researchers used the 2011 US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods to help them calculate total flavonoid intake among study subjects.  The team observed that men with the highest intake of flavonoids had a 25% lower risk for aggressive prostate cancer, as compared to men with the lowest flavonoid intake; the results did not differ by race.  The investigators observed orange and grapefruit juices and tea to be the main contributors to total flavonoid intake for all study participants combined.

10 McDonald’s 400 - Calorie Meals — Exposed!

400-Calorie Fail

If you own a TV, you probably know McDonald's recently launched its Favorites Under 400 Calories campaign to promote its "healthier" menu items. The move came after the International Olympic Committee questioned whether they should continue to let McDonald's sponsor the Olympics.
If you ask McDonald's, they'll tell you they offer plenty of options for calorie-counters. "Customers may be surprised to know that about 80 percent of national menu choices are under 400 calories for the standard recipe," Neil Golden, chief marketing officer for McDonald's USA, was quoted as saying in a July 2012 press release.
As the originators of the 400-Calorie Fix concept, Prevention agrees that McDonald's is onto something: 400 is a great number to hit, 4 times a day, to rev your metabolism while still eating what you love. The catch? Our 400-Calorie Diet applies to entire meals—not a box of fries.
Still, we wondered: Is it possible McDonald's has some healthy 400-calorie-or-less options worth digging into? Let's find out.

6 Drinks That Shrink Your Belly

The Best Belly-Flattening Drinks

That ice-cold lemonade may hit the spot on a 90-degree day, but it’s not doing your waistline any favors. A 20-ounce Minute Maid Lemonade contains 250 calories and 68 g of sugar. Fortunately, there are plenty of refreshing summer drinks that you can drink without guilt—and they may actually help you lose weight. Here are six ways to quench your thirst without packing on pounds.

4 Foods To Avoid At All Costs

We’re all for the occasional indulgence, but some new items on fast food menus are taking the “junk food” idea to a whole new level—and a downright revolting one, at that. Check out these new concoctions that should never (ever, ever) cross your lips.
Pizza Hut’s Hot Dog Pizza Love pizza? What about hot dogs? How about them together?! We’re sad to say there is such a thing. Pizza Hut restaurants in the United Kingdom recently unveiled a new offering of a “Hot Dog Stuffed Crust” pizza on its delivery menu. Bite into the crust and end up with a mouthful of salty, processed meat along with your mouthful of dough. For now, you won’t be able to get these stateside, but stay tuned. In the meantime, we say: God save the Queen…from a heart attack!

3 Times When It's OK To Fake A Smile

It's easy to smile when your husband cooks you dinner for the first time in a year, or your puppy wakes you up from a siesta looking especially fetching. But what about those moments when you least want to put on a happy face?
Decades of research, including one brand-new study, show that smiling does a body all kinds of good, but even more interesting: You don't actually have to mean it. Check out the 3 best times to fake a smile.

The Happiness Diet

What if you discovered that the best place to begin your personal pursuit of happiness is at the end of your fork? Well, prepare to polish your silverware. Emerging research from the fields of neuroscience and nutrition shows that by changing what you eat, you can stabilize your mood, improve your focus, and boost your brain health, all while trimming your tummy.
We call this way of eating the Happiness Diet. And fear not: It's not all carrot sticks and raw broccoli. It includes foods that are rich in nutrients like vitamins A, B12, D, and E, and folate, iodine, magnesium, calcium, iron, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids—your Essential Elements of Happiness.

Food is directly linked to three areas of brain function that create your "happiness ability." The first is your capacity to focus, think, plan, and remember (we call them "foods for thought"). The second is emotional regulation ("foods for good mood"). And third are foods that give you the ability to power through a deadline and control anxiety ("foods for energy").

5 Ways To Give Yourself An Awesome Massage

Between talking, texting, typing, and cross-training, life can really take a toll on your body. It’s no wonder that prescription pain medication sales have jumped 90 percent since 1997, according to an Associated Press investigation. That’s a lot of pills, especially when massage can be just as effective in some cases, and almost free. Whether it’s your head, shoulders, knees, or feet that need attention, there’s an easy massage you can give yourself, no expensive meds
required.

 

Trouble Spot: Your handsThe Solution: A wrist workout Sitting at a desk all day long can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, irritation of a nerve in your wrist and fingers, but this series of exercises, ideally done every hour, can prevent pain from creeping into your day.

25 Easy Ways To Fit In 10 Minutes Of Exercise

Stolen Moments Add Up

Experts recommend working out 45 minutes to an hour a day (30 minutes for beginners) for weight loss and fitness. But if you're like most women, you don't always have a block of 30 to 60 minutes a day to devote exclusively to doing your workouts.
Lest you think that short bursts of activity have a negligible effect on your fitness program, think again. One study found that women who split their exercise into 10-minute increments were more likely to exercise consistently, and lost more weight after five months, than women who exercised for 20 to 40 minutes at a time.

Think Your Way to Weight Loss

As anyone who has ever been on a diet knows, changing your eating and exercise habits can often feel impossible. You succumb to every nutritional and fitness fad and hope the promise of a quick fix changes your life.
In Coach Yourself Thin, professional weight loss coaches Greg Hottinger, MPH, RD, and Michael Scholtz, MA, offer unique strategies to help you end this futile cycle.

Here are some selected bits of weight loss wisdom from the book that will help you create realistic fitness and nutrition goals, awaken your intuition to listen to your body’s needs and regain balance in your everyday life:

1. Beware the Quick Fix Mindset
We have noticed a common way of thinking that we call the Quick Fix Mindset; we see it often among our clients who are struggling to lose weight. This mindset was born alongside the increased prevalence of labor-saving devices and the move away from home-cooked meals and to packaged products.

8 Cruelest Foods You Eat

How cruel is your food?

By the time that cheeseburger arrives on your plate, it's hard to think about anything but how tasty it'll be. But when you trace the origins of each ingredient—the beef, the fried egg, the splurge-worthy bacon—some uncomfortable truths emerge.
That we're uneasy about the origins of our food is no surprise. After all, in our shrink-wrapped, pre-cooked, fast-food world, it's easy to ignore. Fortunately, though, awareness is growing where it matters: Big Food. In just this year alone, shocking cases of documented animal abuse have persuaded many of the biggest meat purchasers—McDonald's, Burger King, and Subway—to make their chains more humane.
Still, we're a long way off from feeling good about what's for dinner, whether it's beef, chicken, or even eggs. Join us as we check in with the 8 Cruelest Foods You Eat—plus, what's being done about them, and what to eat in the meantime.

Sniff Away Your Stress

Did someone reheat Indian food in the office microwave…two floors down? Your amped-up smelling ability doesn’t mean you’re turning into a superhero—it could be stress. According to a new study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, people with anxiety can experience a heightened sense of smell, and are able to sniff out things that calmer folks might miss.
It turns out that when we feel anxious, our body naturally goes into survival mode, heightening our ability to identify threats—and the nose often takes the lead. As anxiety levels rise, so does our ability to correctly sniff out a strong or unusual stench. In other words, if you think you smell smoke coming from the kitchen or are convinced Patches the poodle left an accident somewhere in the house, it could be a sign you're more stressed than usual.

2-Minute Stress Solutions

Two Minutes To Calm

When we were 5, we might have sucked our thumbs for stress relief. As adults, many of us self-soothe with junk food, a glass (or two) of wine, maybe some mindless TV. But those are fixes that don't actually fix anything. Luckily, recent studies reveal some easy ways to lift your spirits and lower your stress that actually create positive shifts in your brain and body.

"Stress triggers the release of the hormone cortisol, which can damage our brains and weaken our cardiovascular and immune systems over time," says neuropsychologist Rick Hanson, PhD, the author of Buddha's Brain. We asked experts for their best instant mood boosters, backed by the latest research in nutrition, psychology, and neuroscience. Follow these tips and you'll be saying "aah" in no time.

Are You A Stress Eater ?

If we could all try to learn healthier habits in a stress-free bubble (real life, in other words), the going would be a lot easier. Who hasn’t received an irritating email and had a sudden urge for a bag of chips, not baked?
When it comes to weight loss, stress reduction is extremely important, according to Pam Peeke, MD, MPH, and author of the The Hunger Fix. "When life’s stresses hit, you must learn to adapt and adjust without resorting to self-destructive habits—your False Fixes," she writes.

"Studies have shown," writes Peeke, "that forming what is referred to as an implementation intention (‘If I encounter situation X, then I will perform behavior Y"’) increases your probability of carrying out your goals.
"These problem-solving skills require creativity, and by flexing those cognitive and creative muscles…you’ll also exercise and thus strengthen your PFC [prefrontal cortex], giving you a Healthy Fix that will make you more creative! Definition of a virtuous cycle."

Finding Calm In The Chaos

On my first day of meditating at home, I was lying on the floor, trying to focus on my breath. I was also trying to gently push away the intrusive thoughts that were rampaging through my mind like a willful 2-year-old who is being told "no."
But my house was filled with family and dogs, and there was a ball game blasting on the TV downstairs. The thoughts I was trying to evict were starting to sound hysterical.

 Then I heard it—the clack, clack, clack of dog claws on the hardwood floor. Snuffle, snuffle,


 nuffle. Buster, our Tibetan spaniel, was inspecting me like a search-and-rescue dog looking for signs of life. Why hadn't I closed the door?
There's a good reason you never see pictures of gurus posing with their families and pets. Can't anybody get a little inner peace around here?

6 Ways To Beat Your Food Addiction

It’s an all-too-common scenario: You wake up in the morning swearing today’s the day when you’ll eat clean, nourish yourself with a healthy breakfast at home, and pass up the glistening bakery goodies that tempt you every day. You make it to work without incident and then stress hits—any kind of stress, from a new project deadline to a caustic remark from your boss. A little while later, you find yourself with pastries in hand, wolfing down sugary anesthetics and wanting more. When you finally pop out of your food trance, and the reality of what you’ve done begins to settle in, the ensuing feelings of shame and guilt stoke your stress levels more and you’re already plotting your next food fix. You wonder: Why do I keep caving to these cravings? Where’s my discipline and willpower?
This is your brain addicted to food.

10 Most Addictive Foods

"Any dessert tonight?"

Talk about the worst words to hear from your waiter. Oh, you know you shouldn't, but you're no match for the smell of those fresh-baked cookies wafting from the kitchen. Why is every super-palatable food of today damn near impossible to resist?
"Nobody's binging on spinach or broccoli," says Ashley Gearhardt, PhD, assistant professor in the psychology department at the University of Michigan. As co-creator of Yale University's Food Addiction Scale, she's contributing to a growing body of research that puts "food"—or the processed chemicals that pass for food these days—in the same category as drugs of abuse.