Nutritional Support

Public release date: 16-Jun-2004

Michael Bernstein, 202-872-6042, American Chemical Society

Largest USDA study of food antioxidants reveals best sources

Artichokes and beans may not be at the top of your list of favorite foods, but when it comes to antioxidants, these veggies earn a coveted place. They are among a growing variety of foods found to contain surprisingly high levels of these disease-fighting compounds, according to a new USDA study, which researchers say is the largest, most comprehensive analysis to date of the antioxidant content of commonly consumed foods.

In addition to confirming the well-publicized high antioxidant ranking of such foods as cranberries and blueberries, the researchers found that Russet potatoes, pecans and even cinnamon are all excellent, although lesser-known, sources of antioxidants, which are thought to fight cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's. The study appears in the June 9 print edition of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer-reviewed publication of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.

"The bottom line is the same: eat more fruits and veggies," says Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., a chemist and nutritionist with the USDA's Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Ark., and lead author of the study. "This study confirms that those foods are full of benefits, particularly those with higher levels of antioxidants. Nuts and spices are also good sources."

The new study is more complete and accurate (thanks to updated technology) than previous USDA antioxidant data and includes more foods than the previous study, the researchers say. They analyzed antioxidant levels in over 100 different foods, including fruits and vegetables. In addition, the new study includes data on spices and nuts for the first time.

Among the fruits, vegetables and nuts analyzed, each food was measured for antioxidant concentration as well as antioxidant capacity per serving size. Cranberries, blueberries, and blackberries ranked highest among the fruits studied. Beans, artichokes and Russet potatoes were tops among the vegetables. Pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts ranked highest in the nut category.

Although spices are generally consumed in small amounts, many are high in antioxidants. On the basis of antioxidant concentration, ground cloves, ground cinnamon and oregano were the highest among the spices studied.

Prior says that the data should prove useful for consumers seeking to include more antioxidants in their diet. But he cautions that total antioxidant capacity of the foods does not necessarily reflect their potential health benefit, which depends on how they are absorbed and utilized in the body. Researchers are still trying to better understand this process, he adds.

Currently, there are no government guidelines for consumers on how many antioxidants to consume and what kind of antioxidants to consume in their daily diet, as is the case with vitamins and minerals. A major barrier to such guidelines is a lack of consensus among nutrition researchers on uniform antioxidant measurements. Scientists will soon attempt to develop such a consensus at the First International Congress on Antioxidant Methods, held June 16-18 at the Caribe Royale Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Fla., with the ultimate goal of developing better nutritional data for consumers. ACS is the principal sponsor of the meeting.

For now, USDA officials continue to encourage consumers to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables for better health.

- Mark T. Sampson

The online version of the research paper cited above was initially published May 19 on the journal's Web site. Journalists can arrange access to this site by sending an e-mail to newsroom@acs.org or calling the contact person for this release.

For more information on the First International Congress on Antioxidant Methods, please call the contact person for this release.

Best Sources Of Food Antioxidants

Top 20 fruits, vegetables and nuts (as measured by total antioxidant capacity per serving size)

Consider Exsula Iridesca as your source of vital anti-oxidant supplement.

Inositol and IP6

Macrobiotic food has inositol, which lowers cancer and heart attack rate. IP6 (contains inositol molecule), when added to cultures of human breast cancer cells, within 3 hours, IP6 started to arrest the growth of cancer cells and the effect stayed for 48 hours.

IP6 also increases calcium inside the cell in 57%, it means it helps the cell to cell communication. IP6 works with leukemic cells, sarcomas, colon, breast, lung, prostate. It redifferentiates and slows the growth within hours.

What food it's in: Macrobiotics- brown rice, millet, oats, barley, lentils, navy, chickpea, adzuki, lima. (or a product- Cell Forte) In fact, eating macrobiotics is found to extend the patient life expectation 4 times more. It has the power of eliminating metastasis.

Carcinogenesis 16;5:1055-8, 1995 ; 16;8:1975-9, 1995.
Shmsuddin AKM IP6: An anti cancer agent and more, Natural Medicine 1; 5:9-15, 1998.

Please see also mega vitamin therapy, it also helps to get rid of cancer.
www.doctoryourself.com

Hans Nieper, M.D.

Dr. med. (as they call it in Germany) Hans Nieper is an oncologist now practicing in Hannover, Germany. He applies various metabolic therapies in his own unique way, using many of the approaches already mentioned. He terms his approach "eumetabolic therapy." He employs the usual vegetarian/fruitarian approach along with, among other things, vitamins, minerals, BCG, laetrile, squalene for chromosome repair and bromelain (600 to 1200 mg. per day) to dissolve the membrane around cancer cells allowing T-lymphocytes (which he builds up with thymus extract and zinc orotate) to attack them. While Dr. Nieper is an admirable example of a doctor who uses the metabolic approach, there is no need to rush off to Germany for therapy. Many good doctors in the North America use the metabolic approach with equal effect.

Sprouted Food

Mary Talamentes
My sister's sister-in-law had pancreatic cancer diagnosed 5 years ago. Met a practitioner from Norway, who recommend that she puree in 1 quart of water 1 pound of mung bean sprouts and drink it throughout the day. Her condition was terminal at the time. Her cancer went into remission after 3 months on this regimen, with no allopathic intervention. CT scans have not revealed any cancer up to this day.

Asparagus

Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy of an article, entitled, `Asparagus for cancer' printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979. I will share it here, just as it was shared with me:

"I am a biochemist, and have specialised in the relation of diet to health for over 50 years. Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked with him on his project, and we have accumulated a number of favourable case histories. Here are a few examples.

Case No. 1, man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise.

Case No. 2, a successful businessman 68 years old who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After years of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumour had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.

Case No. 3, a man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971 he was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it. By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared. He is back at his regular business routine.

Case No. 4, a woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by a skin specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.

I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of materia medica', edited in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones. We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy.

For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh. I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives. Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening. Patients usually show some improvement in from 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases.

As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what cures can prevent'. Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste with breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold. For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our regular checkups.

The last blood survey, taken by a medical doctor who specialises in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink. As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theories about cancer.

Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normaliser. That accounts for its action on cancer and in acting as a general body tonic. In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good." It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.

Hundreds of Collected Cancer Testimonials at: http://curezone.com/forums/fd50.asp?f=2

Essiac in capsules or in tea bags do not have the effectiveness as the properly brewed tea. It takes several hours and is well worth your time and effort even, if you do not have a devastating disease. I now get the blend from Ameriherb in Ames, IA 800-267-6141 they do not have a website. Their blend is $18.00 for 1.4 pounds.

Disclaimer: In our regulated society we are not permitted to make claims to consumers in support of health benefits derived from foods. This means we cannot make specific statements as to how food-based, non-drug products may help prevent or treat diseases. If we were to succeed, our government would attempt to re-classify that food as a drug! Eating any food or a concentrated natural product should be a decision based on your personal research and understanding. Food-derived antioxidants, minerals and enzymes play an important role in your health. The information we provide in this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a health care professional. It should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or construed as a prescription of a medication or other treatment. We cannot and do not claim that the products we offer will prevent, cure, treat or diagnose a disease in humans or animals. Natural healing is inherently unpredictable, and results will vary widely.