by Dr Keith Scott
Although adhering to a well structured training regime is the best way for athletes to achieve good results they need to look to their diets and dietary supplements to maintain good health and to improve post-event recovery. There are many different categories of supplements but perhaps the most important, and misunderstood, of these are the antioxidants. Numerous types of antioxidants occur; some are produced by our bodies while others are derived from the diet. Free radical-induced oxidative stress is an inevitable consequence of prolonged exercise and results in tissue damage, excessive fatigue, delayed recovery and overtraining. Endurance athletes need to ensure that they have an adequate intake of a wide variety of effective plant-based antioxidants.
Free radicals (including reactive oxygen species) are unstable molecules that can cause damage to DNA, cell walls and other structures. Most free radicals are by-products of the normal processes of energy production by the cell. A useful analogy is a car engine that releases exhaust gases during the process of energy production. Free radicals are the body's equivalent of a car's exhaust gases. The more work the engine does the more gases it will produce. Similarly, the harder and longer we exercise the more of these toxic free radicals we produce.
Antioxidants are substances that neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. In order to counter the damaging effects of these unstable molecules the body has developed an elaborate antioxidant defense system. Although we produce our own (endogenous) antioxidants we also require a supply of antioxidants from our food. Some well known dietary antioxidants are vitamins A, C, E; ß-carotene, selenium and plant based antioxidants such as curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol and rutin.
One of the most important concepts we need to appreciate in this context is that we require a wide variety of antioxidants to deal with the many different types of free radicals that are released during energy production. One or two so-called "strong antioxidants" are unable to neutralize all free radical species. Furthermore not all antioxidants can reach all the parts of every cell. For instance vitamin E functions primarily in the "fatty" parts of the cell while vitamin C can only access the "watery" areas. Some antioxidants cannot cross the 'blood-brain barrier' and therefore cannot provide protection for that vital organ.
The body requires higher than normal levels of antioxidants to cope with the vastly increased quantities of free radicals produced during prolonged, strenuous exercise. One way of building up endogenous antioxidants is to exercise frequently. Athletes who train regularly have far greater quantities of endogenous antioxidants than those who exercise intermittently or not at all. As a result of exercise-induced free radical overload endurance athletes also need to boost their intake of plant-derived antioxidants. A number of clinical studies have shown that taking a wide range of plant-based antioxidants can help to counter free radical damage in endurance athletes. In addition they improve post event recovery and accelerate muscle repair - especially in older athletes.
On the other hand several clinical trials have failed to show that taking only one or two so-called "strong" antioxidants like vitamins C, E or Co-enzyme Q10 provides any benefit at all. In fact vitamin C in high doses (1000 mg per day) can be harmful as it slows post event recovery and aggravates muscle inflammation commonly associated with vigorous exercise.
Plants provide an extensive range of valuable antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Spices are the richest food source of these compounds followed by fruit, vegetables, nuts and beverages such as tea and coffee. Scientists have discovered that many plant-based antioxidants are vitally important in the prevention of diseases such as heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease - just some of the illnesses that are associated with free radical damage. As these plant compounds are powerful, effective free radical scavengers it is not surprising that they provide benefits to athletes who are frequently exposed to free radical-induced oxidative stress.
Antioxidant variety is more important than the strength of individual antioxidants. While it is important for everyone to ensure that they have an adequate intake of antioxidants, it is unwise to take excessive amounts of only one or two antioxidants like vitamin C or E as they may do more harm than good. To ensure optimum protection against free radical damage, endurance athletes need to eat sufficient quantities of fruit, vegetables and spices and take a supplement rich in an array of different plant-based antioxidants. Spice supplements provide the most comprehensive antioxidant protection for endurance athletes.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Nutrition For Endurance Athletes Should Include Antioxidants
by Dr Keith Scott
Although adhering to a well structured training regime is the best way for athletes to achieve good results they need to look to their diets and dietary supplements to maintain good health and to improve post-event recovery. There are many different categories of supplements but perhaps the most important, and misunderstood, of these are the antioxidants. Numerous types of antioxidants occur; some are produced by our bodies while others are derived from the diet. Free radical-induced oxidative stress is an inevitable consequence of prolonged exercise and results in tissue damage, excessive fatigue, delayed recovery and overtraining. Endurance athletes need to ensure that they have an adequate intake of a wide variety of effective plant-based antioxidants.
Free radicals (including reactive oxygen species) are unstable molecules that can cause damage to DNA, cell walls and other structures. Most free radicals are by-products of the normal processes of energy production by the cell. A useful analogy is a car engine that releases exhaust gases during the process of energy production. Free radicals are the body's equivalent of a car's exhaust gases. The more work the engine does the more gases it will produce. Similarly, the harder and longer we exercise the more of these toxic free radicals we produce.
Antioxidants are substances that neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. In order to counter the damaging effects of these unstable molecules the body has developed an elaborate antioxidant defense system. Although we produce our own (endogenous) antioxidants we also require a supply of antioxidants from our food. Some well known dietary antioxidants are vitamins A, C, E; ß-carotene, selenium and plant based antioxidants such as curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol and rutin.
One of the most important concepts we need to appreciate in this context is that we require a wide variety of antioxidants to deal with the many different types of free radicals that are released during energy production. One or two so-called "strong antioxidants" are unable to neutralize all free radical species. Furthermore not all antioxidants can reach all the parts of every cell. For instance vitamin E functions primarily in the "fatty" parts of the cell while vitamin C can only access the "watery" areas. Some antioxidants cannot cross the 'blood-brain barrier' and therefore cannot provide protection for that vital organ.
The body requires higher than normal levels of antioxidants to cope with the vastly increased quantities of free radicals produced during prolonged, strenuous exercise. One way of building up endogenous antioxidants is to exercise frequently. Athletes who train regularly have far greater quantities of endogenous antioxidants than those who exercise intermittently or not at all. As a result of exercise-induced free radical overload endurance athletes also need to boost their intake of plant-derived antioxidants. A number of clinical studies have shown that taking a wide range of plant-based antioxidants can help to counter free radical damage in endurance athletes. In addition they improve post event recovery and accelerate muscle repair - especially in older athletes.
On the other hand several clinical trials have failed to show that taking only one or two so-called "strong" antioxidants like vitamins C, E or Co-enzyme Q10 provides any benefit at all. In fact vitamin C in high doses (1000 mg per day) can be harmful as it slows post event recovery and aggravates muscle inflammation commonly associated with vigorous exercise.
Plants provide an extensive range of valuable antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Spices are the richest food source of these compounds followed by fruit, vegetables, nuts and beverages such as tea and coffee. Scientists have discovered that many plant-based antioxidants are vitally important in the prevention of diseases such as heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease - just some of the illnesses that are associated with free radical damage. As these plant compounds are powerful, effective free radical scavengers it is not surprising that they provide benefits to athletes who are frequently exposed to free radical-induced oxidative stress.
Antioxidant variety is more important than the strength of individual antioxidants. While it is important for everyone to ensure that they have an adequate intake of antioxidants, it is unwise to take excessive amounts of only one or two antioxidants like vitamin C or E as they may do more harm than good. To ensure optimum protection against free radical damage, endurance athletes need to eat sufficient quantities of fruit, vegetables and spices and take a supplement rich in an array of different plant-based antioxidants. Spice supplements provide the most comprehensive antioxidant protection for endurance athletes.
Although adhering to a well structured training regime is the best way for athletes to achieve good results they need to look to their diets and dietary supplements to maintain good health and to improve post-event recovery. There are many different categories of supplements but perhaps the most important, and misunderstood, of these are the antioxidants. Numerous types of antioxidants occur; some are produced by our bodies while others are derived from the diet. Free radical-induced oxidative stress is an inevitable consequence of prolonged exercise and results in tissue damage, excessive fatigue, delayed recovery and overtraining. Endurance athletes need to ensure that they have an adequate intake of a wide variety of effective plant-based antioxidants.
Free radicals (including reactive oxygen species) are unstable molecules that can cause damage to DNA, cell walls and other structures. Most free radicals are by-products of the normal processes of energy production by the cell. A useful analogy is a car engine that releases exhaust gases during the process of energy production. Free radicals are the body's equivalent of a car's exhaust gases. The more work the engine does the more gases it will produce. Similarly, the harder and longer we exercise the more of these toxic free radicals we produce.
Antioxidants are substances that neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. In order to counter the damaging effects of these unstable molecules the body has developed an elaborate antioxidant defense system. Although we produce our own (endogenous) antioxidants we also require a supply of antioxidants from our food. Some well known dietary antioxidants are vitamins A, C, E; ß-carotene, selenium and plant based antioxidants such as curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol and rutin.
One of the most important concepts we need to appreciate in this context is that we require a wide variety of antioxidants to deal with the many different types of free radicals that are released during energy production. One or two so-called "strong antioxidants" are unable to neutralize all free radical species. Furthermore not all antioxidants can reach all the parts of every cell. For instance vitamin E functions primarily in the "fatty" parts of the cell while vitamin C can only access the "watery" areas. Some antioxidants cannot cross the 'blood-brain barrier' and therefore cannot provide protection for that vital organ.
The body requires higher than normal levels of antioxidants to cope with the vastly increased quantities of free radicals produced during prolonged, strenuous exercise. One way of building up endogenous antioxidants is to exercise frequently. Athletes who train regularly have far greater quantities of endogenous antioxidants than those who exercise intermittently or not at all. As a result of exercise-induced free radical overload endurance athletes also need to boost their intake of plant-derived antioxidants. A number of clinical studies have shown that taking a wide range of plant-based antioxidants can help to counter free radical damage in endurance athletes. In addition they improve post event recovery and accelerate muscle repair - especially in older athletes.
On the other hand several clinical trials have failed to show that taking only one or two so-called "strong" antioxidants like vitamins C, E or Co-enzyme Q10 provides any benefit at all. In fact vitamin C in high doses (1000 mg per day) can be harmful as it slows post event recovery and aggravates muscle inflammation commonly associated with vigorous exercise.
Plants provide an extensive range of valuable antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Spices are the richest food source of these compounds followed by fruit, vegetables, nuts and beverages such as tea and coffee. Scientists have discovered that many plant-based antioxidants are vitally important in the prevention of diseases such as heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease - just some of the illnesses that are associated with free radical damage. As these plant compounds are powerful, effective free radical scavengers it is not surprising that they provide benefits to athletes who are frequently exposed to free radical-induced oxidative stress.
Antioxidant variety is more important than the strength of individual antioxidants. While it is important for everyone to ensure that they have an adequate intake of antioxidants, it is unwise to take excessive amounts of only one or two antioxidants like vitamin C or E as they may do more harm than good. To ensure optimum protection against free radical damage, endurance athletes need to eat sufficient quantities of fruit, vegetables and spices and take a supplement rich in an array of different plant-based antioxidants. Spice supplements provide the most comprehensive antioxidant protection for endurance athletes.
Reduce Muscle Pain and Inflammation With Natural Flexibility Formulas
by Darrell Miller
At some point, everyone has or will experience muscle pain and inflammation as a result of overuse and exertion. Whether it is the cause of a softball game, weekend camping trip, or a chore-intensive day, our body lets us know that we've overdone it. Fortunately, there are formulas out there that contain clinically studied ingredients that provide a natural solution. These products, which are designed to reduce pain and inflammation as a result of overuse, contain clinically studied ingredients that have been shown to help balance the body's own inflammatory response.
Inflammation is an essential part of your body's healing process. After some form of physical stress affects the body, the immune system responds by sending defensive compounds to the site that was affected. This causes fluid build-up, pain, and redness, the symptoms we typically associate with inflammation. Until the situation is resolved, these symptoms will stick around. Although it may not seem good, without the pain and inflammation that we experience, we'd end up doing more damage to our bodies. Therefore, pain and inflammation are actually effective stop signs. If our bodies are continuously faced with factors that trigger inflammation, the symptoms will always be around, meaning unnecessary pain and inflammation following overuse and exertion.
These natural products provide our body with triple-action activity against the occasional pain and inflammation. They contain powerful antioxidant free-radical scavengers, bromelain, and natural COX-2 inhibitors. Cyclooxygenase is an enzyme that comes in two main types: COX-1 and COX-2. These enzymes regulate the compounds involved with inflammation. COX-1, found throughout the body, maintains the integrity of the stomach lining, circulation, and kidneys. On the other hand, COX-2 is located throughout the central nervous system and is attuned to the brain's sense of what hurts. When it is primarily activated by inflammatory stress, COX-2 generates prostaglandins, which are the hormone-like defensive compounds that cause the responses associated with pain and inflammation due to overuse. By decreasing COX-2 activity, the inflammation cascade that follows the occasional overuse will be short-circuited. Since COX-1 is associated with a healthy stomach lining, you do not want to inhibit this enzyme. Unfortunately, many products don't know the difference between COX-1 and COX-2, inhibiting both in one. However, ingredients in a good flexibility formula can tell them apart. One of these ingredients is IsoOxygene. IsoOxygene, a patented hops extract, is shown to significantly inhibit COX-2, while leaving COX-1 alone. It is also twenty times more potent as a COX-2 inhibitor than other tested products, such as curcumin and grape seed.
Overall, the body has a pretty good repair system. However, stress due to free radical damage can take its toll, especially during times of occasional physical stress. Free radicals are hungry, unstable molecules in search of electrons, free radicals and reactive oxygen species can damage cells. They attack other cells in order to find them, causing the other cells to become free radicals themselves. This sets off a chain reaction of oxidative stress. Free radicals, which are formed during the body's normal functions, can have benefits such as neutralizing viruses and bacteria. When doing this, they damage the body's own antioxidant defenses as well. Free radicals typically become active during times of inflammation due to overuse or other stress. Thanks to the herbal antioxidant elements in a good flexibility formula, the body's own natural inflammatory defenses can be supported. Vitamin C, for example, has been scientifically studied for its beneficial effects on muscle, collagen, and connective tissue health, which helps hold us together, literally. Green tea has been well studied for the benefits of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), also known as a polyphenol. EGCG works as an overall antioxidant by scavenging free radicals and supporting healthy collagen. One study showed that green tea supported collagen health by 50%. The green tea extract included in flexibility formulas usually containing about 70% polyphenols, with half of them being from EGCG. Green tea when combined with elderberry and ginger in formula's can help prevent oxidative stress on the body. Anthocyanins, which are found in berries and vegetables, helps keep the body in optimum health, especially during times of physical stress. Black elderberry extract, which is included in most flexibility formulas, is shown to be more readily used by the body than the natural bioflavonoids of other plants. Ginger, which has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, provides strong, natural antioxidant activity. A recent scientific study found that there are more than 50 separate antioxidants in ginger root. According to several scientific studies, rutin is the most effective antioxidant in reducing the inflammation cascade. Boswellia, a tree found growing in the dry, hilly regions of India, have been used in Ayurvedic practices for centuries. It also has antioxidant properties, which help reduce free radical damage. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), another antioxidant ingredient in good natural formulas, helps the body produce more of its own antioxidants. Research has shown that NAC inhibited occasional pain and inflation due to overuse and fatigue by twenty-six percent as compared to other controls. It has also been shown to act as an antioxidant and support healthy collagen and synovial fluid in joints. One ingredient you always want to find in a good flexibility formulas is bromelain, which is derived from pineapple. This provides an enzymatic pathway and has shown benefits in reducing pain and inflammation from occasional overuse. Together, these ingredients provide COX-2 inhibition (and COX-1 sparing), antioxidant benefits, and enzyme support. They work with the body's own natural anti-inflammatory pathways to relieve pain and reduce inflammation due to occasional overuse.
Along with a flexibility supplement, another product that is beneficial to try is a glucosamine sulfate supplement, which has been shown to help build and support cartilage. Glucosamine is found in the body's connective tissue and cartilage. Supplemental glucosamine sulfate is up to 98% absorbable, letting more glucosamine reach the target structures. It is currently being clinically studied by scientists on its effect in building cartilage as well. You can find many pain and inflammation formulas at your local or internet health food store.
At some point, everyone has or will experience muscle pain and inflammation as a result of overuse and exertion. Whether it is the cause of a softball game, weekend camping trip, or a chore-intensive day, our body lets us know that we've overdone it. Fortunately, there are formulas out there that contain clinically studied ingredients that provide a natural solution. These products, which are designed to reduce pain and inflammation as a result of overuse, contain clinically studied ingredients that have been shown to help balance the body's own inflammatory response.
Inflammation is an essential part of your body's healing process. After some form of physical stress affects the body, the immune system responds by sending defensive compounds to the site that was affected. This causes fluid build-up, pain, and redness, the symptoms we typically associate with inflammation. Until the situation is resolved, these symptoms will stick around. Although it may not seem good, without the pain and inflammation that we experience, we'd end up doing more damage to our bodies. Therefore, pain and inflammation are actually effective stop signs. If our bodies are continuously faced with factors that trigger inflammation, the symptoms will always be around, meaning unnecessary pain and inflammation following overuse and exertion.
These natural products provide our body with triple-action activity against the occasional pain and inflammation. They contain powerful antioxidant free-radical scavengers, bromelain, and natural COX-2 inhibitors. Cyclooxygenase is an enzyme that comes in two main types: COX-1 and COX-2. These enzymes regulate the compounds involved with inflammation. COX-1, found throughout the body, maintains the integrity of the stomach lining, circulation, and kidneys. On the other hand, COX-2 is located throughout the central nervous system and is attuned to the brain's sense of what hurts. When it is primarily activated by inflammatory stress, COX-2 generates prostaglandins, which are the hormone-like defensive compounds that cause the responses associated with pain and inflammation due to overuse. By decreasing COX-2 activity, the inflammation cascade that follows the occasional overuse will be short-circuited. Since COX-1 is associated with a healthy stomach lining, you do not want to inhibit this enzyme. Unfortunately, many products don't know the difference between COX-1 and COX-2, inhibiting both in one. However, ingredients in a good flexibility formula can tell them apart. One of these ingredients is IsoOxygene. IsoOxygene, a patented hops extract, is shown to significantly inhibit COX-2, while leaving COX-1 alone. It is also twenty times more potent as a COX-2 inhibitor than other tested products, such as curcumin and grape seed.
Overall, the body has a pretty good repair system. However, stress due to free radical damage can take its toll, especially during times of occasional physical stress. Free radicals are hungry, unstable molecules in search of electrons, free radicals and reactive oxygen species can damage cells. They attack other cells in order to find them, causing the other cells to become free radicals themselves. This sets off a chain reaction of oxidative stress. Free radicals, which are formed during the body's normal functions, can have benefits such as neutralizing viruses and bacteria. When doing this, they damage the body's own antioxidant defenses as well. Free radicals typically become active during times of inflammation due to overuse or other stress. Thanks to the herbal antioxidant elements in a good flexibility formula, the body's own natural inflammatory defenses can be supported. Vitamin C, for example, has been scientifically studied for its beneficial effects on muscle, collagen, and connective tissue health, which helps hold us together, literally. Green tea has been well studied for the benefits of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), also known as a polyphenol. EGCG works as an overall antioxidant by scavenging free radicals and supporting healthy collagen. One study showed that green tea supported collagen health by 50%. The green tea extract included in flexibility formulas usually containing about 70% polyphenols, with half of them being from EGCG. Green tea when combined with elderberry and ginger in formula's can help prevent oxidative stress on the body. Anthocyanins, which are found in berries and vegetables, helps keep the body in optimum health, especially during times of physical stress. Black elderberry extract, which is included in most flexibility formulas, is shown to be more readily used by the body than the natural bioflavonoids of other plants. Ginger, which has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, provides strong, natural antioxidant activity. A recent scientific study found that there are more than 50 separate antioxidants in ginger root. According to several scientific studies, rutin is the most effective antioxidant in reducing the inflammation cascade. Boswellia, a tree found growing in the dry, hilly regions of India, have been used in Ayurvedic practices for centuries. It also has antioxidant properties, which help reduce free radical damage. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), another antioxidant ingredient in good natural formulas, helps the body produce more of its own antioxidants. Research has shown that NAC inhibited occasional pain and inflation due to overuse and fatigue by twenty-six percent as compared to other controls. It has also been shown to act as an antioxidant and support healthy collagen and synovial fluid in joints. One ingredient you always want to find in a good flexibility formulas is bromelain, which is derived from pineapple. This provides an enzymatic pathway and has shown benefits in reducing pain and inflammation from occasional overuse. Together, these ingredients provide COX-2 inhibition (and COX-1 sparing), antioxidant benefits, and enzyme support. They work with the body's own natural anti-inflammatory pathways to relieve pain and reduce inflammation due to occasional overuse.
Along with a flexibility supplement, another product that is beneficial to try is a glucosamine sulfate supplement, which has been shown to help build and support cartilage. Glucosamine is found in the body's connective tissue and cartilage. Supplemental glucosamine sulfate is up to 98% absorbable, letting more glucosamine reach the target structures. It is currently being clinically studied by scientists on its effect in building cartilage as well. You can find many pain and inflammation formulas at your local or internet health food store.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Phytochemicals And The Health Value Of Colors
by Dr. Paul Gross
Mother Nature has generously supplied the plant world with thousands of bioactive chemicals, in turn giving protection to assure health and regeneration of the species. In each edible plant are dozens, if not hundreds, of phytochemicals with health benefits that transfer to us through our diet.
A simple way to grasp what phytochemicals do is to understand why plants have colors in the first place. Colorful chemicals can be described as pigments in two main classes: phenolics and carotenoids.
Phenolic Pigments
Plant colors of blue, purple, black and red belong to the pigment class called phenolics (or polyphenols), which includes several thousand individual chemicals across the plant world.
Although phenolics may be grouped in as many as 11 subclasses, each with hundreds of chemicals, those known best in public media are the flavonoids found in colorful edible plants like berries. A principal flavonoid subgroup that is common in dark berries is the anthocyanins (anthos = flower, cyanin = blue, Greek). Anthocyanins give the brightest colors to plants, including the blue of blueberries, black of blackberries, red of cherries or rose petals, and purple of prunes and eggplant.
Pigments provide two general functions to plants. Via their scent, flavor, and color, pigments serve to attract pollinators and assure continuation of the species. Secondly, they act as a defensive shell of acidic protectors guarding against bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pests. This category includes antioxidant roles necessary to neutralize the effects of constant exposure to the sun, ultraviolet radiation and production of free radicals during photosynthesis.
Following digestion from eating pigmented foods like berries, phenolics distribute throughout the body's water compartments. This includes the inside of cells where oxidative reactions are occurring second by second throughout life. Phenolics (and carotenoids below) are the antioxidants that neutralize oxidation reactions from free radicals that can damage cell structures and contribute to disease and aging.
Simply stated, humans can increase their defenses against disease by eating colorful plants. Preliminary evidence for this benefit comes from a host of research studies on animals and in limited human clinical trials. Theses studies show positive results by phenolics against:
*Cancer *Cardiovascular disease *Thrombosis (blood clots) *Inflammation *Diabetes
Phenolics appearing in public media over recent years include:
*Proanthocyanidins (anti-cancer effect from grape seeds) *Resveratrol (protective effect against cardiovascular disease from red grapes and dark wines) *Anthocyanins (protection against brain damage following stroke from blueberries) *Chlorogenic acid (reduction of high blood pressure from strawberries) *Ferulic acid (cancer prevention from black raspberries)
Carotenoids
In plants that are red, orange, yellow or green are a smaller family of pigments called the carotenoids. These are the pigments associated with the vivid colors of corn, carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes and spinach. Even though green plants have a predominance of chlorophyll - a green pigment - carotenoids are ever present (though masked by chlorophyll). An example of this effect occurs in spinach. Even though it is a dark green vegetable, spinach contains high levels of a yellow carotenoid called lutein.
Other carotenoids now seen in consumer products like vitamins and supplements include:
*Beta-carotene *Lycopene *Zeaxanthin ("zee-a-zan-thin")
Carotenoids have two characteristics of particular health value to us. First, they tend to dissolve best in lipids and so are concentrated in fatty parts of human cells (like membranes, nuclear envelopes and the sheaths of nerves close to critical functions of these cell components). Second, carotenoids typically have numerous double-bonds between carbon atoms, a highly effective source of electrons needed in antioxidation processes.
Simply for the above reason, carotenoids are thought to be more powerful dietary antioxidants than phenolics. With carotenoids in cell lipids and phenolics in cell water, phytochemicals from a diet of colorful plants act in concert to protect our organs from potential damage by radical oxygen and nitrogen species.
In ongoing basic research on animals, carotenoids have been linked to broad health benefits including:
*Eye diseases *Cardiovascular diseases *Cancer *Psoriasis *Inflammation *Viral infections
Summary of health benefits: Enrich your dietary content of phenolics and carotenoids by eating a variety of the most brightly colored vegetables and fruits!
Reading
* Heber D, What Color is Your Diet?, 2001, HarperCollins, New York. * Joseph JA, Nadeau DA, Underwood A. The Color Code, 2002, Hyperion, New York. * Lee J, Koo N, Min DB. Reactive oxygen species, aging, and antioxidative nutraceuticals. Comprehen Rev Food Sci and Food Safety 3:21-33, 2004.
About the Author
A scientist, author and expert on cardiovascular and brain physiology, Dr. Paul Gross has done extensive research on the brain, bones and antioxidants. Gross is also founder of Berry Health Inc, a developer of nutritional, berry-based supplements. For more information, visit http://www.berrywiseonline.com
Mother Nature has generously supplied the plant world with thousands of bioactive chemicals, in turn giving protection to assure health and regeneration of the species. In each edible plant are dozens, if not hundreds, of phytochemicals with health benefits that transfer to us through our diet.
A simple way to grasp what phytochemicals do is to understand why plants have colors in the first place. Colorful chemicals can be described as pigments in two main classes: phenolics and carotenoids.
Phenolic Pigments
Plant colors of blue, purple, black and red belong to the pigment class called phenolics (or polyphenols), which includes several thousand individual chemicals across the plant world.
Although phenolics may be grouped in as many as 11 subclasses, each with hundreds of chemicals, those known best in public media are the flavonoids found in colorful edible plants like berries. A principal flavonoid subgroup that is common in dark berries is the anthocyanins (anthos = flower, cyanin = blue, Greek). Anthocyanins give the brightest colors to plants, including the blue of blueberries, black of blackberries, red of cherries or rose petals, and purple of prunes and eggplant.
Pigments provide two general functions to plants. Via their scent, flavor, and color, pigments serve to attract pollinators and assure continuation of the species. Secondly, they act as a defensive shell of acidic protectors guarding against bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pests. This category includes antioxidant roles necessary to neutralize the effects of constant exposure to the sun, ultraviolet radiation and production of free radicals during photosynthesis.
Following digestion from eating pigmented foods like berries, phenolics distribute throughout the body's water compartments. This includes the inside of cells where oxidative reactions are occurring second by second throughout life. Phenolics (and carotenoids below) are the antioxidants that neutralize oxidation reactions from free radicals that can damage cell structures and contribute to disease and aging.
Simply stated, humans can increase their defenses against disease by eating colorful plants. Preliminary evidence for this benefit comes from a host of research studies on animals and in limited human clinical trials. Theses studies show positive results by phenolics against:
*Cancer *Cardiovascular disease *Thrombosis (blood clots) *Inflammation *Diabetes
Phenolics appearing in public media over recent years include:
*Proanthocyanidins (anti-cancer effect from grape seeds) *Resveratrol (protective effect against cardiovascular disease from red grapes and dark wines) *Anthocyanins (protection against brain damage following stroke from blueberries) *Chlorogenic acid (reduction of high blood pressure from strawberries) *Ferulic acid (cancer prevention from black raspberries)
Carotenoids
In plants that are red, orange, yellow or green are a smaller family of pigments called the carotenoids. These are the pigments associated with the vivid colors of corn, carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes and spinach. Even though green plants have a predominance of chlorophyll - a green pigment - carotenoids are ever present (though masked by chlorophyll). An example of this effect occurs in spinach. Even though it is a dark green vegetable, spinach contains high levels of a yellow carotenoid called lutein.
Other carotenoids now seen in consumer products like vitamins and supplements include:
*Beta-carotene *Lycopene *Zeaxanthin ("zee-a-zan-thin")
Carotenoids have two characteristics of particular health value to us. First, they tend to dissolve best in lipids and so are concentrated in fatty parts of human cells (like membranes, nuclear envelopes and the sheaths of nerves close to critical functions of these cell components). Second, carotenoids typically have numerous double-bonds between carbon atoms, a highly effective source of electrons needed in antioxidation processes.
Simply for the above reason, carotenoids are thought to be more powerful dietary antioxidants than phenolics. With carotenoids in cell lipids and phenolics in cell water, phytochemicals from a diet of colorful plants act in concert to protect our organs from potential damage by radical oxygen and nitrogen species.
In ongoing basic research on animals, carotenoids have been linked to broad health benefits including:
*Eye diseases *Cardiovascular diseases *Cancer *Psoriasis *Inflammation *Viral infections
Summary of health benefits: Enrich your dietary content of phenolics and carotenoids by eating a variety of the most brightly colored vegetables and fruits!
Reading
* Heber D, What Color is Your Diet?, 2001, HarperCollins, New York. * Joseph JA, Nadeau DA, Underwood A. The Color Code, 2002, Hyperion, New York. * Lee J, Koo N, Min DB. Reactive oxygen species, aging, and antioxidative nutraceuticals. Comprehen Rev Food Sci and Food Safety 3:21-33, 2004.
About the Author
A scientist, author and expert on cardiovascular and brain physiology, Dr. Paul Gross has done extensive research on the brain, bones and antioxidants. Gross is also founder of Berry Health Inc, a developer of nutritional, berry-based supplements. For more information, visit http://www.berrywiseonline.com
Toward Berry Good Aging
by Dr. Paul Gross
As Canadians live longer and pay more attention to diet and healthy lifestyles, those in middle to upper ages want to "add life to years", not just years to life.
One way for aging well is to consume colour-rich plants (i.e., mixed vegetables, varied fruits and particularly different brightly coloured berries).
Why is coloring a good guide for food selection?
Science teaches us that vivid colours in plants like berries come from pigments provided by Nature to ward off pests and attract pollinators, helping to guarantee regeneration of the species.
Pigments have another important function for the plant. Located mostly in the outer layers, skin or rind, they fashion an antioxidant defensive shell against sun and radiation exposure which, if not prevented from forming free radicals, would oxidize cells, membranes, proteins and DNA.
Simply, pigments assure survival of the species by guarding against oxidative stressors in the plant's environment.
Fortunately for humans, eating colour-rich plants transfers that antioxidant benefit to us.
The French Paradox and Anti-Aging Benefits
Clinical studies have shown that French citizens who regularly consume red wine have unexpectedly low rates of neurological, inflammatory and cardiovascular disorders. This occurs despite their preference for high-fat foods that should promote these diseases.
How do they gain this protection?
Regular consumption of red wine is thought to provide sufficient quantities of grape antioxidant pigments that fight disease-promoting fats and other oxidizing factors.
Oxidative stress is the cell's failure to balance and defend itself against production of oxygen free radicals which damage nucleic acids, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Oxidative damage is particularly detrimental in the brain because its cells cannot be renewed.
Understanding the French paradox and its dependence on fruit antioxidants was a clue for other scientists to examine the value of berry consumption against typical aging and oxidative stress diseases.
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Lou Gehrig's (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), visual decline, memory, motor and cognitive deficits, arthritis, diabetes and even cancer are likely to have some degree of oxidative stress at their origin.
Dietary choices of colourful foods and antioxidant benefits supplied by berries and other colour-rich plants may be an answer for lowering the risk of contracting such diseases.
Although studies showing this benefit of colourful plants are only preliminary, the results are encouraging.
Berry Phenolics and the Brain
Berries (blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, strawberries, among others), exemplify a familiar and popular plant group with varied colors.
Small, water-soluble chemicals called "phenolics" - the colour pigments from berry skin, pulp and seeds with tongue-twisting names like resveratrol, anthocyanin, quercetin, peonidin and malvidin - have antioxidant properties known to be valuable for human health.
Some of the most convincing laboratory research on the benefits of berry phenolics shows improvements in the following brain functions, revealing a possible link to inhibition of the aging process:
* Connectivity between brain cells responsible for cognition and memory * Signaling capacity from neuron to neuron * Motor control and balance * Problem-solving ability * Activity of key anti-inflammatory enzymes within the brain * Uptake of phenolics specifically in brain regions responsible for mood (cerebral cortex), motor control (striatum, cerebellum), learning and memory (hippocampus)
Are There Specific Anti-Aging Benefits of Berries?
Consumption of berries and their antioxidant phenolics shows potential benefit against:
Alzheimer's Disease - In mice genetically bred to have brain amyloid deposits (Alzheimer's disease model), motor performance and neuronal signaling capacity did not decline further with age when berries were consumed regularly.
Memory Deficits - Studies in rats given berry preparations in their food showed improvements in learning and memory during specific field tasks.
Loss of Motor Control and Balance - Aged rats fed berries were able to perform agility tests better than their control-fed counterparts.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - Antioxidant vitamins C and E combined with beta-carotene (a provitamin for vitamin A), zinc and copper - all nutrients found in berries - are the basis for commercial supplements prescribed by eye physicians to delay or prevent AMD, a blinding disorder of the elderly. Clinical trials have shown that these nutrients are effective in stopping the progression of AMD.
Cancer - Test tube studies have shown that berry phenolics can block the multi-step process of carcinogenesis at various stages: tumor initiation, promotion and progression, while stimulating the natural death rate of cancer cells, causing tumor cells to extinguish faster than normal.
The research to date is preliminary in these experimental results, but nonetheless promising for human health and anti-aging benefits gained from eating colourful plants like berries.
Why wait for the full scientific evidence of health benefits that these wonderful gems of summer can provide when regularly included in the diet?
Enjoy berries now, knowing that you are fortifying your body with Nature's nutrients and phytochemicals shown by early research to guard against oxidative diseases.
Isn't that a berry good plan for aging well?
Reading
Aggarwal BB, Bhardwaj A, Aggarwal RS, Seeram NP, Shishodia S, Takada Y. Role of resveratrol in prevention and therapy of cancer: preclinical and clinical studies. Anticancer Res. 24:2783-40, 2004.
Bressler NM, Bressler SB, Congdon NG, Ferris FL 3rd, Friedman DS, Klein R, Lindblad AS, Milton RC, Seddon JM. Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. Potential public health impact of Age-Related Eye Disease Study results: AREDS report no. 11. Arch Ophthalmol. 121:1621-4, 2003.
Heber D. What Color Is Your Diet? New York, HarperCollins, 2001.
Joseph JA, Nadeau DA, Underwood A. The Color Code, New York, Hyperion, 2002.
Labinskyy N, Csiszar A, Veress G, Stef G, Pacher P, Oroszi G, Wu J, Ungvari Z. Vascular dysfunction in aging: potential effects of resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory phytoestrogen. Curr Med Chem. 13:989-96, 2006.
Lau FC, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA. The beneficial effects of fruit polyphenols on brain aging. Neurobiol Aging 26 Suppl 1:128-32, 2005.
Lee J, Koo N, Min DB. Reactive oxygen species, aging and antioxidative nutraceuticals. Comprehen Rev Food Sci Food Safety 3:21-33, 2003.
Liu RH. Potential synergy of phytochemicals in cancer prevention: mechanism of action. J Nutr. 134 (Suppl):3479S-3485S, 2004.
About the Author
Dr. Paul Gross is a scientist and expert on cardiovascular and brain physiology. A published researcher, Gross recently completed a book on the Chinese wolfberry and has begun another on antioxidant berries. Gross is founder of Berry Health Inc, a developer of nutritional, berry-based supplements. For more information, visit http://www.berrywiseonline.com
As Canadians live longer and pay more attention to diet and healthy lifestyles, those in middle to upper ages want to "add life to years", not just years to life.
One way for aging well is to consume colour-rich plants (i.e., mixed vegetables, varied fruits and particularly different brightly coloured berries).
Why is coloring a good guide for food selection?
Science teaches us that vivid colours in plants like berries come from pigments provided by Nature to ward off pests and attract pollinators, helping to guarantee regeneration of the species.
Pigments have another important function for the plant. Located mostly in the outer layers, skin or rind, they fashion an antioxidant defensive shell against sun and radiation exposure which, if not prevented from forming free radicals, would oxidize cells, membranes, proteins and DNA.
Simply, pigments assure survival of the species by guarding against oxidative stressors in the plant's environment.
Fortunately for humans, eating colour-rich plants transfers that antioxidant benefit to us.
The French Paradox and Anti-Aging Benefits
Clinical studies have shown that French citizens who regularly consume red wine have unexpectedly low rates of neurological, inflammatory and cardiovascular disorders. This occurs despite their preference for high-fat foods that should promote these diseases.
How do they gain this protection?
Regular consumption of red wine is thought to provide sufficient quantities of grape antioxidant pigments that fight disease-promoting fats and other oxidizing factors.
Oxidative stress is the cell's failure to balance and defend itself against production of oxygen free radicals which damage nucleic acids, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Oxidative damage is particularly detrimental in the brain because its cells cannot be renewed.
Understanding the French paradox and its dependence on fruit antioxidants was a clue for other scientists to examine the value of berry consumption against typical aging and oxidative stress diseases.
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Lou Gehrig's (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), visual decline, memory, motor and cognitive deficits, arthritis, diabetes and even cancer are likely to have some degree of oxidative stress at their origin.
Dietary choices of colourful foods and antioxidant benefits supplied by berries and other colour-rich plants may be an answer for lowering the risk of contracting such diseases.
Although studies showing this benefit of colourful plants are only preliminary, the results are encouraging.
Berry Phenolics and the Brain
Berries (blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, strawberries, among others), exemplify a familiar and popular plant group with varied colors.
Small, water-soluble chemicals called "phenolics" - the colour pigments from berry skin, pulp and seeds with tongue-twisting names like resveratrol, anthocyanin, quercetin, peonidin and malvidin - have antioxidant properties known to be valuable for human health.
Some of the most convincing laboratory research on the benefits of berry phenolics shows improvements in the following brain functions, revealing a possible link to inhibition of the aging process:
* Connectivity between brain cells responsible for cognition and memory * Signaling capacity from neuron to neuron * Motor control and balance * Problem-solving ability * Activity of key anti-inflammatory enzymes within the brain * Uptake of phenolics specifically in brain regions responsible for mood (cerebral cortex), motor control (striatum, cerebellum), learning and memory (hippocampus)
Are There Specific Anti-Aging Benefits of Berries?
Consumption of berries and their antioxidant phenolics shows potential benefit against:
Alzheimer's Disease - In mice genetically bred to have brain amyloid deposits (Alzheimer's disease model), motor performance and neuronal signaling capacity did not decline further with age when berries were consumed regularly.
Memory Deficits - Studies in rats given berry preparations in their food showed improvements in learning and memory during specific field tasks.
Loss of Motor Control and Balance - Aged rats fed berries were able to perform agility tests better than their control-fed counterparts.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - Antioxidant vitamins C and E combined with beta-carotene (a provitamin for vitamin A), zinc and copper - all nutrients found in berries - are the basis for commercial supplements prescribed by eye physicians to delay or prevent AMD, a blinding disorder of the elderly. Clinical trials have shown that these nutrients are effective in stopping the progression of AMD.
Cancer - Test tube studies have shown that berry phenolics can block the multi-step process of carcinogenesis at various stages: tumor initiation, promotion and progression, while stimulating the natural death rate of cancer cells, causing tumor cells to extinguish faster than normal.
The research to date is preliminary in these experimental results, but nonetheless promising for human health and anti-aging benefits gained from eating colourful plants like berries.
Why wait for the full scientific evidence of health benefits that these wonderful gems of summer can provide when regularly included in the diet?
Enjoy berries now, knowing that you are fortifying your body with Nature's nutrients and phytochemicals shown by early research to guard against oxidative diseases.
Isn't that a berry good plan for aging well?
Reading
Aggarwal BB, Bhardwaj A, Aggarwal RS, Seeram NP, Shishodia S, Takada Y. Role of resveratrol in prevention and therapy of cancer: preclinical and clinical studies. Anticancer Res. 24:2783-40, 2004.
Bressler NM, Bressler SB, Congdon NG, Ferris FL 3rd, Friedman DS, Klein R, Lindblad AS, Milton RC, Seddon JM. Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. Potential public health impact of Age-Related Eye Disease Study results: AREDS report no. 11. Arch Ophthalmol. 121:1621-4, 2003.
Heber D. What Color Is Your Diet? New York, HarperCollins, 2001.
Joseph JA, Nadeau DA, Underwood A. The Color Code, New York, Hyperion, 2002.
Labinskyy N, Csiszar A, Veress G, Stef G, Pacher P, Oroszi G, Wu J, Ungvari Z. Vascular dysfunction in aging: potential effects of resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory phytoestrogen. Curr Med Chem. 13:989-96, 2006.
Lau FC, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA. The beneficial effects of fruit polyphenols on brain aging. Neurobiol Aging 26 Suppl 1:128-32, 2005.
Lee J, Koo N, Min DB. Reactive oxygen species, aging and antioxidative nutraceuticals. Comprehen Rev Food Sci Food Safety 3:21-33, 2003.
Liu RH. Potential synergy of phytochemicals in cancer prevention: mechanism of action. J Nutr. 134 (Suppl):3479S-3485S, 2004.
About the Author
Dr. Paul Gross is a scientist and expert on cardiovascular and brain physiology. A published researcher, Gross recently completed a book on the Chinese wolfberry and has begun another on antioxidant berries. Gross is founder of Berry Health Inc, a developer of nutritional, berry-based supplements. For more information, visit http://www.berrywiseonline.com
Preventing Prostate Cancer With Green Tea
by Marcus Stout
The mysteries of cancer have eluded us for years. However, we are beginning to learn many pieces of valuable information about how to prevent many different kinds of cancer. And, of course, once we learn more about how to prevent the disease, we can better understand how to treat it, as well. Research is ongoing, and scientists are learning much about this disease, though there still is much to learn.
One form of cancer that plagues many men is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 234,460 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2006. About 27,350 men will die of this disease.
Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in men, after lung cancer and colorectal cancer. While 1 man in 6 will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, only 1 man in 34 will die of this disease. Earlier detection and better treatments are making the death rate for this disease go down.
Yet, there is still much work to do to learn the causes of prostate cancer and to develop more reliable treatments. If we can further our research and learn the causes of more types of cancer, including prostate cancer, then we will be well on our way to preventing more incidences of this disease.
There have been some promising findings, and it appears that one thing that we can do to prevent prostate cancer is to include green tea in our diet. We've learned through research that green tea has the ability to prevent many forms of cancer, prostate cancer among them. Studies of Asian culture, where green tea consumption is high and cancer incidences are much lower have led to the understanding of how green tea can help in this area.
One study of particular interest was reported by the UK Tea Council. This study showed that green tea consumption appears to have the ability to act as a sort of scavenger against a substance called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).* ROS are a form of free radicals that cause cell damage.
This particular form of free radical appears to be one that especially contributes to the development of prostate cancer, when it is produced in excess. But, the anti-oxidants contained in green tea have the particular abilities to get at these free radicals and eradicate them, preventing them from developing into cancer cells.
So, it appears that prostate cancer is just one of the many that green tea may have the power to prevent. And, the power appears to be in the anti-oxidants that are found in green tea. Anti- oxidants are important because they combat free radicals, like ROS, in our bodies. These free radicals are created as a by product of converting the food we eat to energy.
When free radicals are not kept in check, they damage our cells and DNA. This leads to faster aging and a higher risk of many diseases, including cancer.
For this reason, a diet high in anti-oxidants is now believed to be one of the best ways to prevent disease and premature aging. And, green tea, along with certain fruits and vegetables provide some of the most potent sources of these important substances. If you're not already doing so, add pomegranates, blueberries, artichokes, tomatoes and asparagus to your diet. These fruits and vegetables have been found to have the most potent anti-oxidants. And, wash it all down with green tea.
One great reason that green tea is such a good way to prevent disease and protect health is that it has no side effects, so everyone can use it. Even those who are sensitive to caffeine can usually tolerate green tea quite well. Green tea is far lower in caffeine than coffee or black tea. In addition, the caffeine in green tea doesn't appear to cause a fast heart rate and jitters the way that many other caffeine containing beverages do.
The news about prostate cancer and green tea is important to deliver, particularly to American men. On average, the American man is far more likely to drink coffee than tea. And, when American men do drink tea, they are much more likely to drink black tea. So, we should spread the word to all the men in our lives that green tea is a powerful health protector.
So, make green tea part of your healthy lifestyle, particularly if you happen to be a man. Green tea is refreshing and delicious. And, green tea may be a simple and important way to prevent disease and ensure that we live long and healthy lives. So, whether your pleasure is hot or iced, have your cup of green tea today and every day!
About the Author
Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and wu long tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
The mysteries of cancer have eluded us for years. However, we are beginning to learn many pieces of valuable information about how to prevent many different kinds of cancer. And, of course, once we learn more about how to prevent the disease, we can better understand how to treat it, as well. Research is ongoing, and scientists are learning much about this disease, though there still is much to learn.
One form of cancer that plagues many men is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 234,460 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2006. About 27,350 men will die of this disease.
Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in men, after lung cancer and colorectal cancer. While 1 man in 6 will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, only 1 man in 34 will die of this disease. Earlier detection and better treatments are making the death rate for this disease go down.
Yet, there is still much work to do to learn the causes of prostate cancer and to develop more reliable treatments. If we can further our research and learn the causes of more types of cancer, including prostate cancer, then we will be well on our way to preventing more incidences of this disease.
There have been some promising findings, and it appears that one thing that we can do to prevent prostate cancer is to include green tea in our diet. We've learned through research that green tea has the ability to prevent many forms of cancer, prostate cancer among them. Studies of Asian culture, where green tea consumption is high and cancer incidences are much lower have led to the understanding of how green tea can help in this area.
One study of particular interest was reported by the UK Tea Council. This study showed that green tea consumption appears to have the ability to act as a sort of scavenger against a substance called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).* ROS are a form of free radicals that cause cell damage.
This particular form of free radical appears to be one that especially contributes to the development of prostate cancer, when it is produced in excess. But, the anti-oxidants contained in green tea have the particular abilities to get at these free radicals and eradicate them, preventing them from developing into cancer cells.
So, it appears that prostate cancer is just one of the many that green tea may have the power to prevent. And, the power appears to be in the anti-oxidants that are found in green tea. Anti- oxidants are important because they combat free radicals, like ROS, in our bodies. These free radicals are created as a by product of converting the food we eat to energy.
When free radicals are not kept in check, they damage our cells and DNA. This leads to faster aging and a higher risk of many diseases, including cancer.
For this reason, a diet high in anti-oxidants is now believed to be one of the best ways to prevent disease and premature aging. And, green tea, along with certain fruits and vegetables provide some of the most potent sources of these important substances. If you're not already doing so, add pomegranates, blueberries, artichokes, tomatoes and asparagus to your diet. These fruits and vegetables have been found to have the most potent anti-oxidants. And, wash it all down with green tea.
One great reason that green tea is such a good way to prevent disease and protect health is that it has no side effects, so everyone can use it. Even those who are sensitive to caffeine can usually tolerate green tea quite well. Green tea is far lower in caffeine than coffee or black tea. In addition, the caffeine in green tea doesn't appear to cause a fast heart rate and jitters the way that many other caffeine containing beverages do.
The news about prostate cancer and green tea is important to deliver, particularly to American men. On average, the American man is far more likely to drink coffee than tea. And, when American men do drink tea, they are much more likely to drink black tea. So, we should spread the word to all the men in our lives that green tea is a powerful health protector.
So, make green tea part of your healthy lifestyle, particularly if you happen to be a man. Green tea is refreshing and delicious. And, green tea may be a simple and important way to prevent disease and ensure that we live long and healthy lives. So, whether your pleasure is hot or iced, have your cup of green tea today and every day!
About the Author
Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and wu long tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
Green Tea's Ability To Slow Growth Of Cancer Cells
by Marcus Stout
Nearly all of us are aware that green tea has gained attention for research results showing that it can prevent, and possibly even treat, cancer. Green tea has been shown in many studies to have the ability to slow the growth of abnormal cells, and act as a scavenger against them.
While we don't have all the answers, it does seem clear that tea's anti-oxidants are what make them so effective at preventing cancer. Anti-oxidants are critical to the protection of our health because they neutralize the free radicals created by our body as it converts food to energy. Free radicals damage cells and DNA and, over time, contribute to the development of diseases like cancer.
But, anti-oxidants keep the free radicals in check, so that they're not able to damage our bodies. Anti-oxidants are abundant in many sources, including fruits, vegetables, chocolate, red wine, coffee, tea and several vitamins.
However, one of the most potent anti-oxidants you can find is the EGCG found in green tea. EGCG has been shown to be 100 times more potent than other significant anti-oxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E.
EGCG is more abundant in green tea than black tea because of the way that black tea is processed. Black tea is fermented, which virtually rids it of EGCG. However, black tea does contain other anti-oxidants, but these do not seem to be as effective at preventing cancer.
EGCG and other anti-oxidants in green tea have been shown to have significant ability to slow the growth of cancer cells. One study showed that green tea prevented breast cancer from spreading in patients who already had the disease. Another showed that breast cancer patients who drank green tea had a significantly lower risk of the recurrence of breast cancer than those who did not drink green tea. In addition, studies have shown traditional chemotherapy treatments to be more effective when administered along with green tea.
With regard to prostate cancer, green tea consumption appears to have the ability to act as a sort of scavenger against a substance called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). ROS are a form of free radicals that cause prostate cell damage and that especially contribute to the development of prostate cancer, when produced in excess. But, the anti-oxidants contained in green tea have the ability to get at these free radicals and eradicate them, preventing them from developing into cancer cells.
Green tea has also been shown to be an effective preventer of lung cancer. Green tea appears to cause apoptosis of abnormal lung cells. Apoptosis is the orderly process of cell death. Cell death due to apoptosis is good, because it is a process of killing off damaged or unneeded cells. Green tea seems to help the body rid itself of potentially harmful lung cells by inducing the process of apoptosis.
Green tea also seems to help prevent lung cancer by inhibiting the growth of the abnormal lung cells. So, green tea keeps the cells from growing and spreading until the apoptosis can kills the cells off. These two powers help to rid the body of abnormal cells before they can replicate and cause a problem.
Other research has shown green tea to be effective at preventing ovarian cancer, too. A study in Sweden reported that women who consumed green tea showed a significantly lower risk of developing ovarian cancer, and that the risk decreased as their tea consumption increased.
And, green tea has been shown to prevent cancers of the digestive system. One study concluded that the women who were regular tea drinkers had a significantly lower risk of biliary tract cancer and gallbladder cancer than those who did not drink green tea.
Green tea has even been shown to be effective at preventing and treating skin cancer, when given orally, or even applied topically. Topically applied green tea extract scavenges abnormal skin cells, ridding the body of them before they can mutate into cancer cells. Green tea also holds potential for preventing aging and other skin problems when applied topically.
In short, it appears that green tea is powerful when it comes to preventing abnormal cell growth, which can be an important tool in preventing and treating many proliferative diseases, like cancer.
So, as you can see, green tea's anti-oxidants hold a wealth of power. They seem to be able to scavenge abnormal cells and prevent the spread of cancerous cells. An interesting report published by the UK Tea Council outlines the anti-oxidant activity of green tea and how it appears to have a potent effect on abnormal cell growth and spread.
Certainly, more research is required for us to fully understand green tea's power. But, it seems fairly clear that green tea is an important cancer preventer and health protector. And, adding green tea to your diet is likely one of the simplest things you can do to help protect your health.
Green tea is easy to find, delicious and available in a wide range of forms and flavors. So, whether you like it hot or cold, flavored or plain, get your dose of green tea. It's a refreshing and delicious way to prevent cancer!
About the Author
Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and wu long tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
Nearly all of us are aware that green tea has gained attention for research results showing that it can prevent, and possibly even treat, cancer. Green tea has been shown in many studies to have the ability to slow the growth of abnormal cells, and act as a scavenger against them.
While we don't have all the answers, it does seem clear that tea's anti-oxidants are what make them so effective at preventing cancer. Anti-oxidants are critical to the protection of our health because they neutralize the free radicals created by our body as it converts food to energy. Free radicals damage cells and DNA and, over time, contribute to the development of diseases like cancer.
But, anti-oxidants keep the free radicals in check, so that they're not able to damage our bodies. Anti-oxidants are abundant in many sources, including fruits, vegetables, chocolate, red wine, coffee, tea and several vitamins.
However, one of the most potent anti-oxidants you can find is the EGCG found in green tea. EGCG has been shown to be 100 times more potent than other significant anti-oxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E.
EGCG is more abundant in green tea than black tea because of the way that black tea is processed. Black tea is fermented, which virtually rids it of EGCG. However, black tea does contain other anti-oxidants, but these do not seem to be as effective at preventing cancer.
EGCG and other anti-oxidants in green tea have been shown to have significant ability to slow the growth of cancer cells. One study showed that green tea prevented breast cancer from spreading in patients who already had the disease. Another showed that breast cancer patients who drank green tea had a significantly lower risk of the recurrence of breast cancer than those who did not drink green tea. In addition, studies have shown traditional chemotherapy treatments to be more effective when administered along with green tea.
With regard to prostate cancer, green tea consumption appears to have the ability to act as a sort of scavenger against a substance called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). ROS are a form of free radicals that cause prostate cell damage and that especially contribute to the development of prostate cancer, when produced in excess. But, the anti-oxidants contained in green tea have the ability to get at these free radicals and eradicate them, preventing them from developing into cancer cells.
Green tea has also been shown to be an effective preventer of lung cancer. Green tea appears to cause apoptosis of abnormal lung cells. Apoptosis is the orderly process of cell death. Cell death due to apoptosis is good, because it is a process of killing off damaged or unneeded cells. Green tea seems to help the body rid itself of potentially harmful lung cells by inducing the process of apoptosis.
Green tea also seems to help prevent lung cancer by inhibiting the growth of the abnormal lung cells. So, green tea keeps the cells from growing and spreading until the apoptosis can kills the cells off. These two powers help to rid the body of abnormal cells before they can replicate and cause a problem.
Other research has shown green tea to be effective at preventing ovarian cancer, too. A study in Sweden reported that women who consumed green tea showed a significantly lower risk of developing ovarian cancer, and that the risk decreased as their tea consumption increased.
And, green tea has been shown to prevent cancers of the digestive system. One study concluded that the women who were regular tea drinkers had a significantly lower risk of biliary tract cancer and gallbladder cancer than those who did not drink green tea.
Green tea has even been shown to be effective at preventing and treating skin cancer, when given orally, or even applied topically. Topically applied green tea extract scavenges abnormal skin cells, ridding the body of them before they can mutate into cancer cells. Green tea also holds potential for preventing aging and other skin problems when applied topically.
In short, it appears that green tea is powerful when it comes to preventing abnormal cell growth, which can be an important tool in preventing and treating many proliferative diseases, like cancer.
So, as you can see, green tea's anti-oxidants hold a wealth of power. They seem to be able to scavenge abnormal cells and prevent the spread of cancerous cells. An interesting report published by the UK Tea Council outlines the anti-oxidant activity of green tea and how it appears to have a potent effect on abnormal cell growth and spread.
Certainly, more research is required for us to fully understand green tea's power. But, it seems fairly clear that green tea is an important cancer preventer and health protector. And, adding green tea to your diet is likely one of the simplest things you can do to help protect your health.
Green tea is easy to find, delicious and available in a wide range of forms and flavors. So, whether you like it hot or cold, flavored or plain, get your dose of green tea. It's a refreshing and delicious way to prevent cancer!
About the Author
Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and wu long tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
Can Green Tea Protect Liver Transplant Patients?
by Marcus Stout
In recent years, green tea has gained a lot of attention for its ability to prevent diseases and keep us healthy. Most of the attention has been on green tea's ability to prevent cancer and heart disease, and some of the research results in this area have been quite promising. Look at some of the findings thus far.
* Green tea was shown to be an effective adjunct to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. A study concluded that patients who received green tea along with their chemotherapy showed a higher concentration of their chemotherapy drugs in their cancer cells than those who had chemotherapy alone. * Green tea acted was shown to act as a scavenger against skin cancer cells, whether taken orally or applied to the skin.
* Green tea was shown to have a significant lowering effect on post menopausal women's circulating estrogen level. We know that a high circulating estrogen level after menopause increases the breast cancer risk.
* A study conducted in China showed that regular tea drinkers had a significantly lower risk of biliary tract cancer and gallbladder cancer - even if they had gall bladder disease - than those who did not drink green tea.
* Another study showed that green tea consumption appears to have the ability to act as a sort of scavenger against a substance called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). ROS are a particular form of free radicals that contribute to the development of prostate cancer, when produced in excess.
* Green tea has been shown to prevent heart disease by preventing LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood from oxidizing. When LDL cholesterol doesn't oxidize, it cannot harden into plaque and stick to arterial walls.
* Green tea has been shown to regulate blood sugar naturally. Researchers believe that it has potential to help control Type II diabetes.
But, there may be additional interesting news. It's possible that green tea may increase the chances of success in liver transplants, as well. In the past, studies have shown that green tea's anti-oxidants might be effective in treating several forms of liver disease. But now it seems that there may be even more good news about how green tea might help the liver.
Two different studies have shown ways that green tea might be helpful in increase the chance of success in liver transplants. One common complication in liver transplants is ischemia, or restricted blood flow. When blood flow is restricted after a transplant, the chances are greater that the patient will develop complications or reject the organ. Ischemia is more common in obese people, and when the transplanted liver is fatty.
One study showed that the simple act of rinsing a fatty liver in a solution that contained green tea extract before transplanting it reduced the chances of transplant failure.
In another study, some mice were fed EGCG, the most significant anti-oxidant in green tea, while others were not. They were all then subjected to surgeries resulting in ischemia that threatened to injure their livers.
The mice that were fed green tea had a 100% survival rate, while those that were not fed green tea had only a 65% survival rate. When the mice that were fed green tea underwent tissue analysis, they were found to have far less liver cell death and far more viable liver tissue than the mice who did not receive green tea.
In addition, the study showed that green tea has the ability to reduce the fat content of fatty livers by as much as 55%, while protecting the liver tissue.
This is great news for liver transplant patients. Each year, about 4500 livers become available for transplant from cadaver donors. In addition, living donor programs are becoming more popular and safe. Each year, more and more liver transplants are performed from living donors, who typically make a complete recovery within weeks of their surgery.
However, each year many patients die while waiting for transplants, and some transplants fail due to complications. Each year, about 5% of cadaver transplant patients die within one month of the transplant, and another 9% will die within one year. Statistics are better for live donor transplant patients, with approximately a 3% death rate in the first year, and just over 5% death rate in the first year.
If green tea can reduce the number of transplant failure by helping ensure a higher level of viable liver tissue and reducing the risk of ischemia, then liver transplants can see an even higher success rate than today. This, coupled with the increased success of live donor transplants makes facing a liver transplant far less frightening.
Green tea seems to hold a great deal of possibility for the future. There are numerous diseases that green tea seems to have the ability to prevent or help treat. As research continues, it's likely that we'll learn more ways that we can use green tea to protect our health.
About the Author
Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and wu long tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
In recent years, green tea has gained a lot of attention for its ability to prevent diseases and keep us healthy. Most of the attention has been on green tea's ability to prevent cancer and heart disease, and some of the research results in this area have been quite promising. Look at some of the findings thus far.
* Green tea was shown to be an effective adjunct to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. A study concluded that patients who received green tea along with their chemotherapy showed a higher concentration of their chemotherapy drugs in their cancer cells than those who had chemotherapy alone. * Green tea acted was shown to act as a scavenger against skin cancer cells, whether taken orally or applied to the skin.
* Green tea was shown to have a significant lowering effect on post menopausal women's circulating estrogen level. We know that a high circulating estrogen level after menopause increases the breast cancer risk.
* A study conducted in China showed that regular tea drinkers had a significantly lower risk of biliary tract cancer and gallbladder cancer - even if they had gall bladder disease - than those who did not drink green tea.
* Another study showed that green tea consumption appears to have the ability to act as a sort of scavenger against a substance called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). ROS are a particular form of free radicals that contribute to the development of prostate cancer, when produced in excess.
* Green tea has been shown to prevent heart disease by preventing LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood from oxidizing. When LDL cholesterol doesn't oxidize, it cannot harden into plaque and stick to arterial walls.
* Green tea has been shown to regulate blood sugar naturally. Researchers believe that it has potential to help control Type II diabetes.
But, there may be additional interesting news. It's possible that green tea may increase the chances of success in liver transplants, as well. In the past, studies have shown that green tea's anti-oxidants might be effective in treating several forms of liver disease. But now it seems that there may be even more good news about how green tea might help the liver.
Two different studies have shown ways that green tea might be helpful in increase the chance of success in liver transplants. One common complication in liver transplants is ischemia, or restricted blood flow. When blood flow is restricted after a transplant, the chances are greater that the patient will develop complications or reject the organ. Ischemia is more common in obese people, and when the transplanted liver is fatty.
One study showed that the simple act of rinsing a fatty liver in a solution that contained green tea extract before transplanting it reduced the chances of transplant failure.
In another study, some mice were fed EGCG, the most significant anti-oxidant in green tea, while others were not. They were all then subjected to surgeries resulting in ischemia that threatened to injure their livers.
The mice that were fed green tea had a 100% survival rate, while those that were not fed green tea had only a 65% survival rate. When the mice that were fed green tea underwent tissue analysis, they were found to have far less liver cell death and far more viable liver tissue than the mice who did not receive green tea.
In addition, the study showed that green tea has the ability to reduce the fat content of fatty livers by as much as 55%, while protecting the liver tissue.
This is great news for liver transplant patients. Each year, about 4500 livers become available for transplant from cadaver donors. In addition, living donor programs are becoming more popular and safe. Each year, more and more liver transplants are performed from living donors, who typically make a complete recovery within weeks of their surgery.
However, each year many patients die while waiting for transplants, and some transplants fail due to complications. Each year, about 5% of cadaver transplant patients die within one month of the transplant, and another 9% will die within one year. Statistics are better for live donor transplant patients, with approximately a 3% death rate in the first year, and just over 5% death rate in the first year.
If green tea can reduce the number of transplant failure by helping ensure a higher level of viable liver tissue and reducing the risk of ischemia, then liver transplants can see an even higher success rate than today. This, coupled with the increased success of live donor transplants makes facing a liver transplant far less frightening.
Green tea seems to hold a great deal of possibility for the future. There are numerous diseases that green tea seems to have the ability to prevent or help treat. As research continues, it's likely that we'll learn more ways that we can use green tea to protect our health.
About the Author
Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and wu long tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
Creakic breakthrough product or just another overpriced supplement
by Richard Paley
As creatine is the bodies natural way of supplying energy to muscle cells it is no surprise that many top athletes including olympic gold medallists Linford Christie and Sally Gunnell have used a creatine supplement. The latest creatine supplement to hit the market is called Creakic and claims to be the most powerful creatine pill in existence. This article will look at the supplement Creakic and see if it can live up to its claim.
The most common way people go about building their muscles is by intense training sessions. What they don't realise is that by doing this they can actually be limiting their creatine uptake and thus their muscle growth. Along with the effectiveness of any creatine supplement they may be taking. As scientific studies have shown that intense training sessions increase the body's reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
Reactive oxygen species are highly toxic molecules that impair the muscles creatine uptake. After spending years looking into this problem a team of researchers lead by Dr. Marvin Heur believe they have found the solution. Unlike other similar supplements Creakic neutralizes the reactive oxygen species resulting in increased creatine adsorption and muscle growth.
Of course all this comes at a price. When compared to other similar supplements Creakic is the most expensive and unlike other creatine supplements comes in capsule form. Each bottle contains 180 capsules which is about a months supply. As the manufactures recommend that you take two servings each of 3 caplets a day. One in the morning and the other immediately after your workout or if your not working out that day any other time during the day will do.
So does Creakic live up to its claim of being the most powerful creatine pill in existence. Anecdotal evidence would appear to back up this claim with people reporting quicker recovery from workouts, increased muscle size and strength. Though one of the biggest draws seems to be that the capsule form is easier to take than powder.
That's not to say that other creatine supplements are ineffective in fact many do produce impressive results and for a lot less money than Creakic. Though there results do suffer when compared to those produced by Creakic. But this shouldn't come as a big surprise as the scientists behind Creakic have spent years researching and developing a way to combat the problem of reactive oxygen species.
About the Author
Richard Paley has a strong interest in fitness and nutrition and is an avid gym goer. This is why he is always on the look out for bodybuilding supplements such as Creakic which can help improve his weight lifting. For more information please see http://www.creakicinformation.com
As creatine is the bodies natural way of supplying energy to muscle cells it is no surprise that many top athletes including olympic gold medallists Linford Christie and Sally Gunnell have used a creatine supplement. The latest creatine supplement to hit the market is called Creakic and claims to be the most powerful creatine pill in existence. This article will look at the supplement Creakic and see if it can live up to its claim.
The most common way people go about building their muscles is by intense training sessions. What they don't realise is that by doing this they can actually be limiting their creatine uptake and thus their muscle growth. Along with the effectiveness of any creatine supplement they may be taking. As scientific studies have shown that intense training sessions increase the body's reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
Reactive oxygen species are highly toxic molecules that impair the muscles creatine uptake. After spending years looking into this problem a team of researchers lead by Dr. Marvin Heur believe they have found the solution. Unlike other similar supplements Creakic neutralizes the reactive oxygen species resulting in increased creatine adsorption and muscle growth.
Of course all this comes at a price. When compared to other similar supplements Creakic is the most expensive and unlike other creatine supplements comes in capsule form. Each bottle contains 180 capsules which is about a months supply. As the manufactures recommend that you take two servings each of 3 caplets a day. One in the morning and the other immediately after your workout or if your not working out that day any other time during the day will do.
So does Creakic live up to its claim of being the most powerful creatine pill in existence. Anecdotal evidence would appear to back up this claim with people reporting quicker recovery from workouts, increased muscle size and strength. Though one of the biggest draws seems to be that the capsule form is easier to take than powder.
That's not to say that other creatine supplements are ineffective in fact many do produce impressive results and for a lot less money than Creakic. Though there results do suffer when compared to those produced by Creakic. But this shouldn't come as a big surprise as the scientists behind Creakic have spent years researching and developing a way to combat the problem of reactive oxygen species.
About the Author
Richard Paley has a strong interest in fitness and nutrition and is an avid gym goer. This is why he is always on the look out for bodybuilding supplements such as Creakic which can help improve his weight lifting. For more information please see http://www.creakicinformation.com
Antioxidant Food Supplements
by Russell Blank
Antioxidant supplements play a protective role for our general health including the health of our hair. Antioxidants supplements are supposed to slow down the oxidation reactions which are brought about by the free radicals. The Free radicals are highly reactive unstable atoms generated in our body that can damage cells leading to a number of diseases and ageing.According to the Free-radical theory of aging, these highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), damage the DNA, proteins and other cellular structures like the cell membranes and cell organelles.
The reaction of free radicals within cells, and subsequent damage has been linked to a range of disorders and chronic diseases including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, alzheimer's and diabetes and inflammatory conditions
Antioxidants are able to slow down or block these dangerous reactions in the body. They do it either by reacting with intermediates and halting the oxidation reaction directly. They react with the free radicals and prevent the oxidation reaction from occurring. Antioxidants supplements can be taken as dietary supplements or taken as tablets and capsules. Studies suggest those dietary antioxidants supplements provide a range of are benefits for our health. However, excess antioxidant supplementation may be counter-productive.
Diet carrying antioxidant supplements
A healthy and balanced diet containing antioxidant supplements plays a pivotal role in retaining your hair's health. Some of the herbal nutrition supplements and some fruits which contain antioxidants serve as natural medications for hair loss.Antioxidant food supplements are found in various forms - vegetables, fruits, grain cereals, legumes, nuts, etc. The sources of antioxidants include fruits (berries and peppers, apple skins, cider, wine), vegetables (spinach, tea leaves), fungi (mushrooms), whole grain cereals (hops, barley, millet and maize), nuts (pecans, pistachios, almonds), beans (cacao including chocolate, coffee).
Polyphenol antioxidants
This type of antioxidant is characterized by the presence of several phenol functions. It is found in a wide array of phytonutrient-bearing foods. Examples include - most of the legumes; fruits like apples, blackberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, grapes, pears, plums, raspberries, and strawberries; vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, celery, onion and parsley. All the above are rich sources of polyphenol antioxidants.Alternative sources of polyphenol antioxidant include red wine, chocolate, green tea, olive oil, bee pollen and several grains.
Antioxidant vitamins
Some of the vitamins that are good sources of antioxidants,. the antioxidant vitamins are--vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin A The animal form of vitamin A is retinol. It is a yellow, fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin found in animal foods such as eggs, liver, whole milk and fortified foods like fat-reduced milk, cereals and breads. Vitamin A, are the dark-colored pigments found in plant foods like fruits and vegetables (especially dark green leafy ones) and include spinach, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes and squash.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant helpful in maintaining healthy hair. Sources of this vitamin are foods such as citrus fruits, kiwi, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes with their skins and dark green vegetables. The daily recommended dose for vitamin C is 60 mg.
Vitamin E
It increases scalp circulation which is crucial for hair growth. You get vitamin E from foods like wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds ad nuts, dried beans and leafy green vegetables. The daily recommended dose for vitamin E is up to 400 IU.
About the Author
Russell Blank is freelance writer who is an advocate of natural care remedies for good health. He is a prolific writer on antioxidant supplements writing informative articles in various magazines. For more information visit us : www.hairlossinformation.com
Antioxidant supplements play a protective role for our general health including the health of our hair. Antioxidants supplements are supposed to slow down the oxidation reactions which are brought about by the free radicals. The Free radicals are highly reactive unstable atoms generated in our body that can damage cells leading to a number of diseases and ageing.According to the Free-radical theory of aging, these highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), damage the DNA, proteins and other cellular structures like the cell membranes and cell organelles.
The reaction of free radicals within cells, and subsequent damage has been linked to a range of disorders and chronic diseases including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, alzheimer's and diabetes and inflammatory conditions
Antioxidants are able to slow down or block these dangerous reactions in the body. They do it either by reacting with intermediates and halting the oxidation reaction directly. They react with the free radicals and prevent the oxidation reaction from occurring. Antioxidants supplements can be taken as dietary supplements or taken as tablets and capsules. Studies suggest those dietary antioxidants supplements provide a range of are benefits for our health. However, excess antioxidant supplementation may be counter-productive.
Diet carrying antioxidant supplements
A healthy and balanced diet containing antioxidant supplements plays a pivotal role in retaining your hair's health. Some of the herbal nutrition supplements and some fruits which contain antioxidants serve as natural medications for hair loss.Antioxidant food supplements are found in various forms - vegetables, fruits, grain cereals, legumes, nuts, etc. The sources of antioxidants include fruits (berries and peppers, apple skins, cider, wine), vegetables (spinach, tea leaves), fungi (mushrooms), whole grain cereals (hops, barley, millet and maize), nuts (pecans, pistachios, almonds), beans (cacao including chocolate, coffee).
Polyphenol antioxidants
This type of antioxidant is characterized by the presence of several phenol functions. It is found in a wide array of phytonutrient-bearing foods. Examples include - most of the legumes; fruits like apples, blackberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, grapes, pears, plums, raspberries, and strawberries; vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, celery, onion and parsley. All the above are rich sources of polyphenol antioxidants.Alternative sources of polyphenol antioxidant include red wine, chocolate, green tea, olive oil, bee pollen and several grains.
Antioxidant vitamins
Some of the vitamins that are good sources of antioxidants,. the antioxidant vitamins are--vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin A The animal form of vitamin A is retinol. It is a yellow, fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin found in animal foods such as eggs, liver, whole milk and fortified foods like fat-reduced milk, cereals and breads. Vitamin A, are the dark-colored pigments found in plant foods like fruits and vegetables (especially dark green leafy ones) and include spinach, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes and squash.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant helpful in maintaining healthy hair. Sources of this vitamin are foods such as citrus fruits, kiwi, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes with their skins and dark green vegetables. The daily recommended dose for vitamin C is 60 mg.
Vitamin E
It increases scalp circulation which is crucial for hair growth. You get vitamin E from foods like wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds ad nuts, dried beans and leafy green vegetables. The daily recommended dose for vitamin E is up to 400 IU.
About the Author
Russell Blank is freelance writer who is an advocate of natural care remedies for good health. He is a prolific writer on antioxidant supplements writing informative articles in various magazines. For more information visit us : www.hairlossinformation.com
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Mutagenic potentials of damaged nucleic acids produced by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species: approaches using synthetic oligonucleotides and nucleotide
Mutagenic potentials of damaged nucleic acids produced by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species: approaches using synthetic oligonucleotides and nucleotides
SURVEY AND SUMMARY
Hiroyuki Kamiya*
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
*To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +81 11 706 3733; Fax: +81 11 706 4879; Email: hirokam@pharm.hokudai.ac.jp
DNA and DNA precursors (deoxyribonucleotides) suffer damage by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. They are important mutagens for organisms, due to their endogenous formation. Damaged DNA and nucleotides cause alterations of the genetic information by the mispairing properties of the damaged bases, such as 8-hydroxyguanine (7,8-dihydro- 8-oxoguanine) and 2-hydroxyadenine. Here, the author reviews the mutagenic potentials of damaged bases in DNA and of damaged DNA precursors formed by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, focusing on the results obtained with synthetic oligonucleotides and 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates.
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SURVEY AND SUMMARY
Hiroyuki Kamiya*
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
*To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +81 11 706 3733; Fax: +81 11 706 4879; Email: hirokam@pharm.hokudai.ac.jp
DNA and DNA precursors (deoxyribonucleotides) suffer damage by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. They are important mutagens for organisms, due to their endogenous formation. Damaged DNA and nucleotides cause alterations of the genetic information by the mispairing properties of the damaged bases, such as 8-hydroxyguanine (7,8-dihydro- 8-oxoguanine) and 2-hydroxyadenine. Here, the author reviews the mutagenic potentials of damaged bases in DNA and of damaged DNA precursors formed by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, focusing on the results obtained with synthetic oligonucleotides and 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates.
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Reactive oxygen species production in association with suberization: evidence for an NADPH-dependent oxidase
Reactive oxygen species production in association with suberization: evidence for an NADPH-dependent oxidase
Received 29 August 2002; Accepted 6 November 2002
Fawzi A. Razem and Mark A. Bernards1,
Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: +1 519 661 3935. E-mail: bernards@uwo.ca
In response to wounding, potato tubers generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in association with suberization. Immediately following wounding, an initial burst of ROS occurs, reaching a maximum within 30 to 60 min. In addition to this initial oxidative burst, at least three other massive bursts occur at 42, 63 and 100 h post-wounding. These latter bursts are associated with wound healing and are probably involved in the oxidative cross-linking of suberin poly(phenolics). The source of ROS is likely to be a plasma membrane NADPH-dependent oxidase immunorelated to the human phagocyte plasma membrane oxidase. The initial oxidative burst does not appear to be dependent on new protein synthesis, but the subsequent bursts are associated with an increase in oxidase protein components. Oxidase activity is enhanced in vitro by hydroxycinnamic acids and conjugates associated with the wound healing response in potato.
Key words: NADPH-oxidase, potato, reactive oxygen species, Solanum tuberosum, suberization, wound healing.
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Received 29 August 2002; Accepted 6 November 2002
Fawzi A. Razem and Mark A. Bernards1,
Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: +1 519 661 3935. E-mail: bernards@uwo.ca
In response to wounding, potato tubers generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in association with suberization. Immediately following wounding, an initial burst of ROS occurs, reaching a maximum within 30 to 60 min. In addition to this initial oxidative burst, at least three other massive bursts occur at 42, 63 and 100 h post-wounding. These latter bursts are associated with wound healing and are probably involved in the oxidative cross-linking of suberin poly(phenolics). The source of ROS is likely to be a plasma membrane NADPH-dependent oxidase immunorelated to the human phagocyte plasma membrane oxidase. The initial oxidative burst does not appear to be dependent on new protein synthesis, but the subsequent bursts are associated with an increase in oxidase protein components. Oxidase activity is enhanced in vitro by hydroxycinnamic acids and conjugates associated with the wound healing response in potato.
Key words: NADPH-oxidase, potato, reactive oxygen species, Solanum tuberosum, suberization, wound healing.
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Antioxidants and reactive oxygen species in follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF: relationship to outcome
Antioxidants and reactive oxygen species in follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF: relationship to outcome
O. Oyawoye1, A. Abdel Gadir2, A. Garner3, N. Constantinovici4, C. Perrett1 and P. Hardiman1,5
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and 4 Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, London, 2 London Female and Male Fertility Centre, London and 3 Department of Biological Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK.
5 To whom correspondence should be addressed at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK. e-mail: hardiman@rfc.ucl.ac.uk
BACKGROUND: The role of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in female reproductive function is still unclear. The present study was designed to investigate their relationship with ovulation, fertilization and conception. METHODS: Follicular aspirates obtained from women undergoing IVF following controlled ovarian stimulation were evaluated using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay for baseline total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Both the baseline TAC and the decline in TAC over 72 h (two-point assay) were used as markers of oxygen radical activity. RESULTS: A total of 303 follicular aspirates from 63 women were analysed. Two hundred and eighteen (71.9%) yielded oocytes, 169 (77.5%) of these fertilized and 134 (79.3%) of these embryos survived until the time of embryo transfer. Baseline TAC was no different in follicular fluid whether the follicle contained an oocyte or not, but was significantly higher in fluid from follicles whose oocyte successfully fertilized and significantly lower in fluid from follicles where the resultant embryo survived to transfer. The decline in TAC was lower when the oocytes fertilized and higher in association with embryo viability, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide further evidence that ROS play a role in female reproductive function.
Key words: antioxidants/follicular fluid/free radicals/reproduction
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O. Oyawoye1, A. Abdel Gadir2, A. Garner3, N. Constantinovici4, C. Perrett1 and P. Hardiman1,5
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and 4 Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, London, 2 London Female and Male Fertility Centre, London and 3 Department of Biological Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK.
5 To whom correspondence should be addressed at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK. e-mail: hardiman@rfc.ucl.ac.uk
BACKGROUND: The role of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in female reproductive function is still unclear. The present study was designed to investigate their relationship with ovulation, fertilization and conception. METHODS: Follicular aspirates obtained from women undergoing IVF following controlled ovarian stimulation were evaluated using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay for baseline total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Both the baseline TAC and the decline in TAC over 72 h (two-point assay) were used as markers of oxygen radical activity. RESULTS: A total of 303 follicular aspirates from 63 women were analysed. Two hundred and eighteen (71.9%) yielded oocytes, 169 (77.5%) of these fertilized and 134 (79.3%) of these embryos survived until the time of embryo transfer. Baseline TAC was no different in follicular fluid whether the follicle contained an oocyte or not, but was significantly higher in fluid from follicles whose oocyte successfully fertilized and significantly lower in fluid from follicles where the resultant embryo survived to transfer. The decline in TAC was lower when the oocytes fertilized and higher in association with embryo viability, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide further evidence that ROS play a role in female reproductive function.
Key words: antioxidants/follicular fluid/free radicals/reproduction
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Wollastonite Fibers in Vitro Generate Reactive Oxygen Species Able to Lyse Erythrocytes and Activate the Complement Alternate Pathway
Wollastonite Fibers in Vitro Generate Reactive Oxygen Species Able to Lyse Erythrocytes and Activate the Complement Alternate Pathway
Mario Governa*, Lamberto Camilucci, Monica Amati*, Isabella Visonà*, Matteo Valentino*, Gian Carlo Botta, Antonella Campopiano and Carla Fanizza
*Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Ancorn Ospedale di Torrette. I-60020 Torrette di Ancona. Italy Department of Industrial Hygiene ISPELS, I-00040 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Turin Ospedale CTO, via Zuretti 29, I-10126 Torino, Italy
Received May 27, 1997; accepted February 3, 1998
Wollastonite fibers were tested in vitro for their ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) with two different systems: a cell-free reactive mixture containing deoxyribose and a polymorphonuclear leukocyte suspension. After adding the fibers, we measured the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances pduced by deoxyribose degradation and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence, respectively. Compared with asbestos, wollastonite fibers produced higher ROS levels both in the PMN suspensions and in the cell-free reactive mixtures. A large amount of these ROS were not hydroxyl radicals. Indeed we obtained remarkable differences in ROS generation between unground and ground wollastonite fibers and negative results with fibers modified with ferric chloride and dithionite. In addition, ROS generation was partially inhibited (by 46–54%) in the reactions performed in the presence of 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea (DMTU), a strong hydroxyl radical scavenger. Wollastonite fibers were also analyzed for their ability to lyse erythrocytes and activate complement. Hemolytic potency was about twice that of chrysotile and half that of crocidolite. The levels of complement activation (via the alternate pathway) were about four-fifths of those measured in zyrnosan-activated plasma (a typical stimulus used to activate the alternate pathway), equal to those obtained with crocidolite, and two-thirds of those found with chrysotile. The addition of DMTU markedly reduced both these activities. Since asbestos fiber toxicity is mainly due to hydroxyl radical generation, our results indicate that wollastonite fibers are probably less toxic than asbestos fibers.
Key Words: wollastonite fibers; asbestos substitutes; reactive oxygen species; complement activation via alternate pathway; hemolysis in vitro.
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Mario Governa*, Lamberto Camilucci, Monica Amati*, Isabella Visonà*, Matteo Valentino*, Gian Carlo Botta, Antonella Campopiano and Carla Fanizza
*Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Ancorn Ospedale di Torrette. I-60020 Torrette di Ancona. Italy Department of Industrial Hygiene ISPELS, I-00040 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Turin Ospedale CTO, via Zuretti 29, I-10126 Torino, Italy
Received May 27, 1997; accepted February 3, 1998
Wollastonite fibers were tested in vitro for their ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) with two different systems: a cell-free reactive mixture containing deoxyribose and a polymorphonuclear leukocyte suspension. After adding the fibers, we measured the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances pduced by deoxyribose degradation and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence, respectively. Compared with asbestos, wollastonite fibers produced higher ROS levels both in the PMN suspensions and in the cell-free reactive mixtures. A large amount of these ROS were not hydroxyl radicals. Indeed we obtained remarkable differences in ROS generation between unground and ground wollastonite fibers and negative results with fibers modified with ferric chloride and dithionite. In addition, ROS generation was partially inhibited (by 46–54%) in the reactions performed in the presence of 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea (DMTU), a strong hydroxyl radical scavenger. Wollastonite fibers were also analyzed for their ability to lyse erythrocytes and activate complement. Hemolytic potency was about twice that of chrysotile and half that of crocidolite. The levels of complement activation (via the alternate pathway) were about four-fifths of those measured in zyrnosan-activated plasma (a typical stimulus used to activate the alternate pathway), equal to those obtained with crocidolite, and two-thirds of those found with chrysotile. The addition of DMTU markedly reduced both these activities. Since asbestos fiber toxicity is mainly due to hydroxyl radical generation, our results indicate that wollastonite fibers are probably less toxic than asbestos fibers.
Key Words: wollastonite fibers; asbestos substitutes; reactive oxygen species; complement activation via alternate pathway; hemolysis in vitro.
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Decreased reactive oxygen species concentration in the elongation zone contributes to the reduction in maize leaf growth under salinity
Decreased reactive oxygen species concentration in the elongation zone contributes to the reduction in maize leaf growth under salinity
Received 27 November 2003; Accepted 5 March 2004
Andrés A. Rodríguez, Alicia R. Córdoba, Leandro Ortega and Edith Taleisnik*
IFFIVE-INTA, Camino a 60 Cuadras Km 5 1/2, 5119 Córdoba, Argentina
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: +54 351 4974330. E-mail: gertale@uolsinectis.com.ar
Abbreviations: ROS, reactive oxygen species; SEZ, segments from the leaf elongation zone; SEZc or SEZs, SEZ from non-salinized or salinized plants, respectively; DPI, diphenylene iodonium; FC, fusicoccin; REGR, relative elongation growth rate; NBT, nitro blue tetrazolium; XTT, Na, 3'-[1-[(phenylamino)-carbonyl]-3, 4-tetrazolium](4-methoxy-6-nitro) benzene sulphonic acid hydrate; SOD, superoxide dismutase.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the apoplast of cells in the growing zone of grass leaves are required for elongation growth. This work evaluates whether salinity-induced reductions in leaf elongation are related to altered ROS production. Studies were performed in actively growing segments (SEZ) obtained from leaf three of 14-d-old maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings gradually salinized to 150 mM NaCl. Salinity reduced elongation rates and the length of the leaf growth zone. When SEZ obtained from the elongation zone of salinized plants (SEZs) were incubated in 100 mM NaCl, the concentration where growth inhibition was approximately 50%, O2•– production, measured as NBT formazan staining, was lower in these than in similar segments obtained from control plants. The NaCl effect was salt-specific, and not osmotic, as incubation in 200 mM sorbitol did not reduce formazan staining intensity. SEZs elongation rates were higher in 200 mM sorbitol than in 100 mM NaCl, but the difference could be cancelled by scavenging or inhibiting O2•– production with 10 mM MgCl2 or 200 µM diphenylene iodonium, respectively. The actual ROS believed to stimulate growth is •OH, a product of O2•– metabolism in the apoplast. SEZs elongation in 100 mM NaCl was stimulated by a •OH-generating medium. Fusicoccin, an ATPase stimulant, and acetate buffer pH 4, could also enhance elongation in these segments, although both failed to increase ROS activity. These results show that decreased ROS production contributes to the salinity-associated reduction in grass leaf elongation, acting through a mechanism not associated with pH changes.
Key words: Leaf elongation, maize, monocot growth, reactive oxygen species, salt stress.
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Received 27 November 2003; Accepted 5 March 2004
Andrés A. Rodríguez, Alicia R. Córdoba, Leandro Ortega and Edith Taleisnik*
IFFIVE-INTA, Camino a 60 Cuadras Km 5 1/2, 5119 Córdoba, Argentina
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: +54 351 4974330. E-mail: gertale@uolsinectis.com.ar
Abbreviations: ROS, reactive oxygen species; SEZ, segments from the leaf elongation zone; SEZc or SEZs, SEZ from non-salinized or salinized plants, respectively; DPI, diphenylene iodonium; FC, fusicoccin; REGR, relative elongation growth rate; NBT, nitro blue tetrazolium; XTT, Na, 3'-[1-[(phenylamino)-carbonyl]-3, 4-tetrazolium](4-methoxy-6-nitro) benzene sulphonic acid hydrate; SOD, superoxide dismutase.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the apoplast of cells in the growing zone of grass leaves are required for elongation growth. This work evaluates whether salinity-induced reductions in leaf elongation are related to altered ROS production. Studies were performed in actively growing segments (SEZ) obtained from leaf three of 14-d-old maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings gradually salinized to 150 mM NaCl. Salinity reduced elongation rates and the length of the leaf growth zone. When SEZ obtained from the elongation zone of salinized plants (SEZs) were incubated in 100 mM NaCl, the concentration where growth inhibition was approximately 50%, O2•– production, measured as NBT formazan staining, was lower in these than in similar segments obtained from control plants. The NaCl effect was salt-specific, and not osmotic, as incubation in 200 mM sorbitol did not reduce formazan staining intensity. SEZs elongation rates were higher in 200 mM sorbitol than in 100 mM NaCl, but the difference could be cancelled by scavenging or inhibiting O2•– production with 10 mM MgCl2 or 200 µM diphenylene iodonium, respectively. The actual ROS believed to stimulate growth is •OH, a product of O2•– metabolism in the apoplast. SEZs elongation in 100 mM NaCl was stimulated by a •OH-generating medium. Fusicoccin, an ATPase stimulant, and acetate buffer pH 4, could also enhance elongation in these segments, although both failed to increase ROS activity. These results show that decreased ROS production contributes to the salinity-associated reduction in grass leaf elongation, acting through a mechanism not associated with pH changes.
Key words: Leaf elongation, maize, monocot growth, reactive oxygen species, salt stress.
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Reactive oxygen species stimulate prostaglandin F2 production in human endometrial stromal cells in vitro
Reactive oxygen species stimulate prostaglandin F2 production in human endometrial stromal cells in vitro
Norihiro Sugino,1, Ayako Karube-Harada, Shiro Kashida, Shuji Takiguchi and Hiroshi Kato
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1–1–1, Ube 755-8505, Japan
BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of reactive oxygen species on prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) production by human endometrial stromal cells (ESC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Isolated ESC were incubated with hydrogen peroxide, which induces lipid peroxidation. Hydrogen peroxide increased both intracellular and medium concentrations of PGF2 (P < 0.01). A time course study showed that hydrogen peroxide significantly increased PGF2 concentrations in the medium after 6 h incubation (P < 0.01), after which no further increase was observed. To study whether the increase in PGF2 production caused by hydrogen peroxide was mediated by cyclooxygenase, ESC were incubated with indomethacin (0.5 µg/ml), an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Indomethacin significantly blocked the increases in PGF2 production caused by hydrogen peroxide (P < 0.01). Hydrogen peroxide also increased PGF2 production by decidualized ESC (P < 0.01), induced by the incubation with medroxyprogesterone acetate (10–6 mol/l) and oestradiol (10–8 mol/l). CONCLUSIONS: Reactive oxygen species stimulate PGF2 production in ESC, suggesting that they might influence endometrial function by regulating PGF2 production.
Key words: endometrial stromal cell/human/hydrogen peroxide/prostaglandin F2/reactive oxygen species
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: obgyn@po.cc.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
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Norihiro Sugino,1, Ayako Karube-Harada, Shiro Kashida, Shuji Takiguchi and Hiroshi Kato
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1–1–1, Ube 755-8505, Japan
BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of reactive oxygen species on prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) production by human endometrial stromal cells (ESC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Isolated ESC were incubated with hydrogen peroxide, which induces lipid peroxidation. Hydrogen peroxide increased both intracellular and medium concentrations of PGF2 (P < 0.01). A time course study showed that hydrogen peroxide significantly increased PGF2 concentrations in the medium after 6 h incubation (P < 0.01), after which no further increase was observed. To study whether the increase in PGF2 production caused by hydrogen peroxide was mediated by cyclooxygenase, ESC were incubated with indomethacin (0.5 µg/ml), an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Indomethacin significantly blocked the increases in PGF2 production caused by hydrogen peroxide (P < 0.01). Hydrogen peroxide also increased PGF2 production by decidualized ESC (P < 0.01), induced by the incubation with medroxyprogesterone acetate (10–6 mol/l) and oestradiol (10–8 mol/l). CONCLUSIONS: Reactive oxygen species stimulate PGF2 production in ESC, suggesting that they might influence endometrial function by regulating PGF2 production.
Key words: endometrial stromal cell/human/hydrogen peroxide/prostaglandin F2/reactive oxygen species
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: obgyn@po.cc.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
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Reactive oxygen species as causative agents in the ichthyotoxicity of the red tide dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides
Reactive oxygen species as causative agents in the ichthyotoxicity of the red tide dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides
Chang Sook Kim, Sam Geun Lee, Chang Kyu Lee, Hak Gyoon Kim and Jin Jung1
Harmful Algal Biology Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Pusan 619-900 and 1 Division of Applied Biology and Chemistry, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Suwon 441-744, Korea
The underlying toxic mechanisms of the red tide dinoflagellate, Cochlodinium polykrikoides, were studied with respect to the reactive oxygen species-mediated toxic effect. Cochlodinium polykrikoides generates superoxide anion (O2–) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as measured by the cytochrome c reduction method and scopoletin–peroxidase method, respectively. The capability of C.polykrikoides to generate these oxygen radicals was related to the growth phase: the highest rate in the exponential phase and a gradual decrease in the stationary phase. Other phytoplankton, such as Eutreptiella gymnastica, Heterosigma akashiwo, Prorocentrum micans, Gymnodinium sanguineum and Alexandrium tamarense, also produce H2O2; the rate of H2O2 generation by these species was lower than that of C.polykrikoides. The exposure of liposomal samples to intact or ruptured individuals of C.polykrikoides resulted in severe membrane damage, such as liposomal lipid peroxidation. Cochlodinium polykrikoides-induced lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by oxygen radical scavengers, superoxide dismutase, benzoquinone, catalase and mannitol. In addition, lipid peroxidation of gill tissue of flatfish exposed to C.polykrikoides increased with increasing algal cell density. These results suggest that reactive oxygen species generated from C.polykrikoides are responsible for oxidative damage leading to fish kills.
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Chang Sook Kim, Sam Geun Lee, Chang Kyu Lee, Hak Gyoon Kim and Jin Jung1
Harmful Algal Biology Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Pusan 619-900 and 1 Division of Applied Biology and Chemistry, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Suwon 441-744, Korea
The underlying toxic mechanisms of the red tide dinoflagellate, Cochlodinium polykrikoides, were studied with respect to the reactive oxygen species-mediated toxic effect. Cochlodinium polykrikoides generates superoxide anion (O2–) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as measured by the cytochrome c reduction method and scopoletin–peroxidase method, respectively. The capability of C.polykrikoides to generate these oxygen radicals was related to the growth phase: the highest rate in the exponential phase and a gradual decrease in the stationary phase. Other phytoplankton, such as Eutreptiella gymnastica, Heterosigma akashiwo, Prorocentrum micans, Gymnodinium sanguineum and Alexandrium tamarense, also produce H2O2; the rate of H2O2 generation by these species was lower than that of C.polykrikoides. The exposure of liposomal samples to intact or ruptured individuals of C.polykrikoides resulted in severe membrane damage, such as liposomal lipid peroxidation. Cochlodinium polykrikoides-induced lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by oxygen radical scavengers, superoxide dismutase, benzoquinone, catalase and mannitol. In addition, lipid peroxidation of gill tissue of flatfish exposed to C.polykrikoides increased with increasing algal cell density. These results suggest that reactive oxygen species generated from C.polykrikoides are responsible for oxidative damage leading to fish kills.
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Testosterone and prostate specific antigen stimulate generation of reactive oxygen species in prostate cancer cells
Testosterone and prostate specific antigen stimulate generation of reactive oxygen species in prostate cancer cells
Xiao-Ya Sun,1, Steven P. Donald and James M. Phang,2
Metabolism and Cancer Susceptibility Section, Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
Prostate specific antigen, the clinical marker for prostate cancer, is a neutral serine protease whose function is to lyse seminal proteins. Recent work by our laboratory has suggested that prostate specific antigen stimulates the generation of reactive oxygen species in prostate cancer cells. Using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, a dye that fluoresces in the presence of hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl radicals, we found that prostate specific antigen markedly stimulated reactive oxygen species generation in LNCaP cells. The effect was concentration dependent and its specificity was supported by the fact that anti-prostate specific antigen antibodies abolished the response. Since testosterone stimulates the production of prostate specific antigen, we considered that the reactive oxygen species response to testosterone may be linked to prostate specific antigen. We found that the testosterone effect on reactive oxygen species was blocked by flutamide and by anti-prostate specific antigen antibody. Additionally, though PC3 and DU145 could not respond to testosterone, they readily increased reactive oxygen species in response to prostate specific antigen. Focusing on the mechanism of the prostate specific antigen effect, we tested two other serine proteases, trypsin and chymotrypsin, but found no effect on reactive oxygen species in LNCaP cells. Nevertheless, serine protease inhibitors, 1-antichymotrypsin, 2-macroglobulin and Bowman–Birk inhibitor, blocked reactive oxygen species generation stimulated by prostate specific antigen. This apparent paradox was investigated with the use of a specific anti-`prostate specific antigen' antibody which recognizes an epitope away from the catalytic site and which does not inhibit protease activity. Despite the lack of inhibition of proteolytic activity, this antibody blocked the effect of prostate specific antigen on reactive oxygen species generation. These findings suggest that although the integrity of the prostate specific antigen molecule is necessary for stimulating reactive oxygen species generation, its proteolytic activity is not. The underlying mechanism is currently under investigation.
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Xiao-Ya Sun,1, Steven P. Donald and James M. Phang,2
Metabolism and Cancer Susceptibility Section, Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
Prostate specific antigen, the clinical marker for prostate cancer, is a neutral serine protease whose function is to lyse seminal proteins. Recent work by our laboratory has suggested that prostate specific antigen stimulates the generation of reactive oxygen species in prostate cancer cells. Using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, a dye that fluoresces in the presence of hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl radicals, we found that prostate specific antigen markedly stimulated reactive oxygen species generation in LNCaP cells. The effect was concentration dependent and its specificity was supported by the fact that anti-prostate specific antigen antibodies abolished the response. Since testosterone stimulates the production of prostate specific antigen, we considered that the reactive oxygen species response to testosterone may be linked to prostate specific antigen. We found that the testosterone effect on reactive oxygen species was blocked by flutamide and by anti-prostate specific antigen antibody. Additionally, though PC3 and DU145 could not respond to testosterone, they readily increased reactive oxygen species in response to prostate specific antigen. Focusing on the mechanism of the prostate specific antigen effect, we tested two other serine proteases, trypsin and chymotrypsin, but found no effect on reactive oxygen species in LNCaP cells. Nevertheless, serine protease inhibitors, 1-antichymotrypsin, 2-macroglobulin and Bowman–Birk inhibitor, blocked reactive oxygen species generation stimulated by prostate specific antigen. This apparent paradox was investigated with the use of a specific anti-`prostate specific antigen' antibody which recognizes an epitope away from the catalytic site and which does not inhibit protease activity. Despite the lack of inhibition of proteolytic activity, this antibody blocked the effect of prostate specific antigen on reactive oxygen species generation. These findings suggest that although the integrity of the prostate specific antigen molecule is necessary for stimulating reactive oxygen species generation, its proteolytic activity is not. The underlying mechanism is currently under investigation.
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Involvement of reactive oxygen species in N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide- induced apoptosis in cervical carcinoma cells
Involvement of reactive oxygen species in N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide- induced apoptosis in cervical carcinoma cells
N Oridate, S Suzuki, M Higuchi, MF Mitchell, WK Hong and R Lotan
Department of Tumor Biology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
BACKGROUND: The inhibitory effects of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR) on tumorigenesis and tumor growth may result from its ability to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death). Since antioxidants inhibit 4HPR-induced apoptosis, experiments were planned to determine whether the levels of reactive oxygen species increase in cells undergoing apoptosis after exposure to 4HPR. METHODS: Cells of the human cervical carcinoma cell line C33A and normal human cervical epithelial cells were treated with 4HPR and analyzed for survival, induction of apoptosis, generation of reactive oxygen species, and expression of the apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax. RESULTS: Treatment with 4HPR decreased C33A cell number by inducing apoptosis in a time- and dose- dependent fashion. DNA fragmentation typical of apoptosis was observed in cells exposed to 4HPR at concentrations of 3 microM or higher for 6- 24 hours. The generation of reactive oxygen species was enhanced by 1.85-fold to 4.5-fold after a 1.5-hour treatment with 0.4-10 microM 4HPR. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an oxygen radical scavenger, suppressed the rate of generation of reactive oxygen species and inhibited 4HPR-induced apoptosis. 4HPR failed to modulate cellular levels of the Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. N-(4-Methoxyphenyl)retinamide, the major 4HPR metabolite, and several other retinoids that bind to nuclear retinoic acid receptors or retinoid X receptors failed to enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species and to induce apoptosis. 4HPR was much less effective in generating reactive oxygen species and in inducing apoptosis in normal human cervical epithelial cells than in C33A cervical carcinoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancement of the generation of reactive oxygen species may be involved in apoptotic pathway induction by 4HPR.
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N Oridate, S Suzuki, M Higuchi, MF Mitchell, WK Hong and R Lotan
Department of Tumor Biology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
BACKGROUND: The inhibitory effects of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR) on tumorigenesis and tumor growth may result from its ability to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death). Since antioxidants inhibit 4HPR-induced apoptosis, experiments were planned to determine whether the levels of reactive oxygen species increase in cells undergoing apoptosis after exposure to 4HPR. METHODS: Cells of the human cervical carcinoma cell line C33A and normal human cervical epithelial cells were treated with 4HPR and analyzed for survival, induction of apoptosis, generation of reactive oxygen species, and expression of the apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax. RESULTS: Treatment with 4HPR decreased C33A cell number by inducing apoptosis in a time- and dose- dependent fashion. DNA fragmentation typical of apoptosis was observed in cells exposed to 4HPR at concentrations of 3 microM or higher for 6- 24 hours. The generation of reactive oxygen species was enhanced by 1.85-fold to 4.5-fold after a 1.5-hour treatment with 0.4-10 microM 4HPR. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an oxygen radical scavenger, suppressed the rate of generation of reactive oxygen species and inhibited 4HPR-induced apoptosis. 4HPR failed to modulate cellular levels of the Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. N-(4-Methoxyphenyl)retinamide, the major 4HPR metabolite, and several other retinoids that bind to nuclear retinoic acid receptors or retinoid X receptors failed to enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species and to induce apoptosis. 4HPR was much less effective in generating reactive oxygen species and in inducing apoptosis in normal human cervical epithelial cells than in C33A cervical carcinoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancement of the generation of reactive oxygen species may be involved in apoptotic pathway induction by 4HPR.
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