Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially those of the omega-3 series (EPA and DHA from fish), are known for their anti-inflammatory activity. This effect is important for the prevention/treatment of various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease or rheumatoid arthritis. The latest paper by the group of Francesco Visioli (Universite “Pierre et Marie Curie”, Paris) now adds a new piece to the puzzle of how PUFA exert their beneficial activity in the cardiovascular system: by lowering the load of potentially deleterious oxidative and nitrosative stress.
“In conclusion, based on in vivo data showing reduced excretion of lipid peroxidation products, namely isoprostanes, after …read more

In last month’s issue of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, a new study indicates that apples, and moreso, apple juice, bear the same antioxidant powers often attributed to purple grapes, which helps prevent atherosclerosis. It also appears that processing apples into juice may increase the bioavailability of the naturally-occurring compounds and antioxidants found in the fruit.
Using a variety of established analytical techniques, aortic plaque was evaluated to determine the effectiveness in decreasing plaque that is associated with atherosclerosis.
According to the research, “This study demonstrates that processing apples and purple grapes into juice modifies the protective effect of their phenolics against …read more

It’s springtime, and soon it will be strawberry season! Strawberries, like other berries, are rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins– antioxidants that help remove free radicals from our system and thereby help prevent various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.
A new study however indicates that alcohol treatment further enhanced these free-radical scavenging capacities. Thus the title of this news release: Strawberry daiquiris — the extra-healthy cocktail?
Hm, I don’t think so. Just how much real strawberry juice do you think is there in a glass of daiquiri?!?

A new study in mice suggests that triphala, a common ayurvedic aid for digestion, may be effective in preventing and slowing down the growth pancreatic cancer tumors.
“We discovered that triphala fed orally to mice with human pancreatic tumors was an extremely effective inhibitor of the cancer process, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells,” said Sanjay K. Srivastava, Ph.D., lead investigator and assistant professor, department of pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “Triphala triggered the cancerous cells to die off and significantly reduced the size of the tumors without causing any toxicside effects.”
Triphala is made up of dried extracts from …read more

Just one more reason to eat your fruits and veggies: just one additional serving of fruit and vegetables per day may lower your risk of head and neck cancer. And the more, the better.
In their findings, the researchers report that participants who ate six servings of fruit and vegetables per day per 1000 calories had 29 percent less risk for head and neck cancer than did participants who consumed one and a half servings per 1000 calories per day.
What does one serving mean? A serving is equivalent to any of these:

one medium sized fresh fruit
one half cup of cut fruit
six …read more

I’ve been reading references to February being the Heart Health Month or Women’s Heart Health Month. If it’s so, then it’s just apt, February considered to be the love-month. February = love = heart.
With that in mind, I just wanted to share this lovely image from Eating Well, which joins the campaign by encouraging all of us to include fruits and veggies into our diet to reduce of heart disease risks. Isn’t that photo cute?
If you could cut your risk for heart disease by almost 25 percent simply by adding a banana at breakfast, an apple at lunch and a …read more

Here on my part of the globe, autumn seemed to have arrived sooner than expected. In contrast to those on the other side of the Atlantic, we’ve had a rainy and quite chilly August. It’s perking up the last few days, though, so we just might have a golden autumn ahead of us.
Autumn. Leaves fall, and so do fruits. For the b5media Science & Health Channel Theme Day, I’m listing down my 10 favorite fruits to nibble on during autumn. They’re rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and since they are in season, they’re good for the budget, too!
1. Apples: …read more