Berries for Cancer:
Berries for Cancer: Grapes and Cranberries
By Dr. Paul Gross
Berrydoctor.comLet's have a look at recent research developments showing the potential for lowering your risk against cancer by having berries in your diet!
Seeram NP. University of Rhode Island
Berry fruits for cancer prevention: current status and future prospects.
J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Feb 13;56(3):630-5.
"...the anticancer effects of berry bioactives are partially mediated through their abilities to counteract, reduce, and also repair damage resulting from oxidative stress and inflammation."
Other Possible Effects of Berries and Disease Markers in Cancer Research (Seeram, 2008)
Cranberries in Research on Cancer*regulate metabolizing enzymes important for cancer onset
*inhibit growth factors
*inhibit inflammatory cytokines
*inhibit cancer cell proliferation
*stimulate cancer cell apoptosis, causing the cells to die faster
*inhibit tumor angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels supporting the tumor)
*may also potentially sensitize tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents by inhibiting pathways that lead to treatment resistance
*may provide protection from therapy-associated toxicities
[Note: the studies below have not yet been sufficiently confirmed in humans. Cranberry products have not been approved by the FDA for treating or preventing cancer]
Red Grapes in Research on Cancer*Anticancer activities of cranberry phytochemicals
"...a potential role for cranberry as a dietary chemopreventive"
* In vitro evidence for anticancer activity of cranberries
"...extracts and compounds isolated from cranberry fruit (Vaccinium macrocarpon) inhibit the growth and proliferation of several types of tumor including breast, colon, prostate, and lung."
* Effect of cranberry juice concentrate on chemically-induced urinary bladder cancers
"...components of cranberries may be effective in
preventing urinary bladder carcinogenesis"
[Note: the studies below have not yet been sufficiently confirmed in humans. Grape products have not been approved by the FDA for treating or preventing cancer]
* Anticancer effect of grape resveratrol on human breast cancer cells
"... resveratrol has a variety of biological and pharmacological activities including pronounced anticancer properties. These effects are observed despite its extremely low bioavailability and rapid clearance from the circulation."
* Chemoprevention by resveratrol: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential
"Modulation of cell signaling pathway by resveratrol explains its diverse bioactivities related with human health. Resveratrol also potentiates the apoptotic effects of cytokines, chemotherapeutic agents and gamma-radiation."
Resveratrol: leading berry phytochemical of 2008 research!
Bottom Line?
Eat more fruits and veggies, according to a CDC taskforce to encourage greater consumption of fruis and vegetables.
About the Author
Paul M. Gross, PhD, received his doctorate in physiology from the University of Glasgow, Scotland and was a post-doctoral fellow in neuroscience at the Laboratory of CerebralMetabolism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. A Research Scholar for the Heart and Stroke Foundations of Ontario and Canada, he published 85 peer-reviewed journal reports and book chapters over his 25 year career in medical science, and was recipient of the Karger Memorial Award, Switzerland, for publications on brain capillaries. Dr. Gross is senior author of a 2006 book on the goji berry entitled Wolfberry: Natures Bounty of Nutrition and Health (Booksurge Publishing, Amazon.com) and publisher of The Berry Doctor's Journal at http://berrydoctor.com where readers can obtain free information on berry science and nutrition.
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