The NetNutritionist Blog

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 by: Barbara L. Minton (see all articles by this author)

(NaturalNews) The anticancer effects of IP6 are turning out to be nothing short of astounding. Research is showing that besides reducing cell proliferation and increasing the differentiation of malignant cells, IP6 can often restore cancerous cells to normality.

What is IP6?

IP6, also known as inositol hexophosphate or phytic acid, is a sugar molecule with six phosphate groups attached. It is composed of inositol (one of the B vitamins) bound with six molecules of phosphorous. IP6 was first identified in 1855, but has only recently been researched as a preventative and cure for cancer as well as heart and liver diseases, kidney stones, Parkinson’s disease, and more. It is also a powerful antioxidant, immune system enhancer, and booster of natural killer cells. Foods that are significant sources of IP6 include dried beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, rice, wheat germ, corn and sesame.

Dr. Abulkalam Shamsuddin, a scientist at the University of Maryland School of medicine has been the pioneer researcher of IP6, beginning his work on the compound in the late 1980’s. He discovered the ability of IP6 to control the rate of abnormal cell division even when administered long after cancer was induced. He then proved that IP6 normalized the sugar production of cancerous cells, thereby altering the gene expression toward a more healthful state. This proven ability to change cancer cell physiology had major implications, since cancer cells that are well behaved have far less negative impact on health.

Although IP6 has been proven to boost Natural Killer (NK) cell activity, for Shamsuddin the value of IP6 lies not in its ability to augment the immune system, but rather its ability to directly affect the physiology of cancerous cells. Whereas most cancer research has focused on killing or destroying cancer cells, Shamsuddin’s research focused on taming or controlling the condition to the point where normality could be restored.

How IP6 works to Protect Against Cancer

Here are several ways IP6 is known to prevent and fight against cancer. IP6 is a very common intracellular messenger, meaning that it controls and influences many cellular activities:

Normalizes the Rate of Cell Growth – Cancer cells lose their control mechanisms and typically divide too rapidly, resulting in great numbers of cells that have a devastating impact on health. IP6 slows or normalizes the rate at which cancer cells divide. It reestablishes control in cells that by definition have lost their control mechanisms due to gene mutation.

Helps to normalize cell physiology – How a cancer cell expresses itself largely determines how threatening it is. Experiments have shown that IP6 normalizes several aspects of cell physiology in spite of the fact that these cells have altered DNA. In many instances, DNA repair is achieved.

Enhances NK cells – NK cells are white blood cells that help to protect against virally infected or cancerous cells. Researchers believe that the higher the NK activity, the lower the incidence of some cancers. The healthy human produces 500 to 1000 cancer cells daily. NK cells and programmed cell death (apoptosis) result in the vast majority of these cells being destroyed and removed. During time of stress, NK activity is compromised, and this is why there is a link between stress levels and cancer. IP6 is able to increase NK cells during these periods. Although many supplements claim to increase NK activity, for IP6 these claims have been documented and proven.

Increases tumor suppressor P53 gene activity - DNA contains tumor suppressor genes that inhibit pathways or processes that allow cells to become cancerous. The p53 gene acts as a control to preventing genetically damaged or cancerous cells from growing and propagating. If the p53 gene becomes damaged or compromised, cancers can establish themselves more readily. IP6 has been shown to greatly increase the amount of p53 gene activity, up to 17 times. When augmented by IP6, “standard of care” treatments become more effective due to this increase in p53 gene activity.

Inhibits inflammation – The level of systemic inflammation is an important indicator in determining cancer survival prognosis. Inflammation results in the release of cytokines, chemical messengers that trigger reactions that enable normal cells to grow and repair themselves. Cytokines can also cause cancer cells to grow. IP6 has been shown to significantly inhibit inflammation.

Exhibits potent antioxidant activity – Antioxidants are known to protect against various disease states and aging in general. Oxidative damage to DNA leaves cells susceptible to mutation that can result in cancerous cells being produced. IP6 has been shown to be a significantly more potent antioxidant than green tea.

Enhances apoptosis (programmed cell death) – Programmed cell death is orderly and results in the removal of individual cells without affecting the surrounding cells. It is a normal part of growth and the maintenance of healthy tissues. It removes unwanted cells so that inflammation or immunological reactions do not result. Cancerous cells are resistive to normal cell apoptosis. This is one mechanism of tumor formation. IP6 has been shown to enhance the natural apoptosis of cancer cells.

Affects angiogenesis – Angiogenesis is the process by which tumors set up their own blood supply, assuring the nutrients necessary to fuel their growth. Once this blood supply is set up, tumor growth spirals as more growth leads to more establishment of blood supply. IP6 inhibits this process, resulting in the starvation of cancer cells.

Inhibits metastasis – IP6 inhibits the adhesion of cancer cells to the extra-cellular matrix proteins, thereby leading to an inhibition of cell migration and invasion. Limiting adhesion is very important after surgeries and biopsies, as these procedures can cause cancer cells to become dislodged. One reason that so many breast cancer patients are found to have lymph nodes containing cancer cells is that mammography can dislodge cancer cells which then migrate to the lymph nodes.

Pharmaceutical research is geared to the development of drugs to treat cancer utilizing these mechanisms. Many of the substances being developed and tested are newly created molecules, having never before appeared in nature. As a result, severe side effects are common place. IP6 already exists in human cells and is easily recognized by the body, so side effects, if any, are rare.

Recent research findings document these mechanisms

The frequency and depth of research into IP6 is expanding at a rapid rate. Here are some of the most recent findings.

The Journal of Clinical Cancer Research, reports a study evaluation the in vivo cancer preventative efficacy of IP6 against prostate tumor growth and progression. Prostate cancer was induced in male mice that were then given either water containing IP6 or plain water. IP6 inhibited prostate cancer progression at the neoplasia state and strongly reduced the incidence of adenocarginoma. The incidence of well-differentiated and poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas in the IP6-fed group were reduced by 44% and 62% respectively. Analysis of the prostate tissue showed a 3.5-fold increase in apoptotic cells. The researchers concluded that these findings are highly significant in establishing for the first time that oral IP6, without toxicity, suppresses prostate tumor growth and progression at the neoplastic state, the state of abnormal or uncontrolled growth.

A study conducted in China and reported in Wei Sheng Yan Jiu explored the effect and mechanism of IP6 on cell proliferation in human gastric carcinoma. They found that IP6 inhibited malignant cell growth in a dose and time dependent manner. The proliferation of gastric carcinoma cells inhibited by IP6 was associated with apoptosis through altered gene expression.

The Brazilian journal, Acta Cirurgica Brasilerira reported a study to determine the modulation effect of IP6 in the biological immunohistochemistry expression of cellular signaling marker apoptosis in a model of induced colon cancer. They found that IP6 was effective in promoting modulation of biological markers in colon cancer.

Another study reported in Acta Cirurgica Brasilerira analyzed of the influence of IP6 on the transcription of genes coding for tumor necrosis factor-alpha and its receptors in a human colon cancer cell line. The results showed that IP6 modulated the expression of the listed genes at transcription level in a dose and time dependent manner.

The journal Neurochemistry Research reported a study of the impact of IP6 as a therapeutic agent on glioblastoma, the deadliest brain tumor in humans and the one currently being battled by Senator Kennedy. Researchers found that the viability of glioblastoma cells decreased following treatment with increasing doses of IP6. The treated cells showed morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis.

Laryngoscope reports a study that found IP6 effective at promoting nuclear factor-kappa B, an early response gene that is associated with head and neck squamous cell cancer. This increased gene expression resulted in reduced cell proliferation and increased cell death.

IP6 is more than a cancer treatment

In addition to the anti-cancer benefits of IP6, ongoing research is revealing its promise as a treatment for diabetes, depression, osteoporosis, heart disease, and kidney stones.

A very recent study reported in the Journal of Toxicology considered the effect of IP6 on Parkinson’s Disease. Disrupted iron metabolism and excess iron accumulation has been reported in the brains of Parkinson’s patients. Because excessive iron can induce oxidative stress and result in neuronal degradation in Parkinson patients, researchers sought to determine the protective effect of IP6, a natural chelator of iron. They found a 45% reduction in DNA fragmentation with the use of IP6, and protection in the differentiated cells. They concluded that IP6 offered a significant neuro-protective effect.

Supplementing with IP6

IP6 has been shown to be quite safe to use. It is naturally present in mammalian cells, and it is obtainable from food. However, in food, IP6 is bound to protein. Before it can be absorbed it must be freed from this protein. An enzyme called phytase that is present in both food and the intestinal tract performs this function. The problem is that the power of the phytase enzyme is damaging to the IP6 and renders much of it inactive and therefore less effective. Pure IP6 from a supplement is not protein-bound and is easily absorbed in tact, and able to provide its complete medicinal properties. Research has shown that when fiber from All Bran was added to the diet of rats with mammary cancer it was much less effective than the equivalent amount of IP6 added to their drinking water.

Many holistic healers and naturopaths recommend IP6 as both a preventative and treatment for cancer. It is becoming standard alternative treatment to recommend it for anyone with a high risk of cancer or who has had cancer and is looking to prevent a recurrence. Some traditional physicians are also becoming aware of the potential of this compound and although they are loath to abandon their traditional treatments, they are adding IP6 to their protocols.

IP6 is available in capsules or powered form. The capsules provide what is considered to be a maintenance or preventive dose of 2 capsules twice a day. The powered form allows for easy dosing at the therapeutic level which is one scoop mixed with water twice a day. IP6 should be taken on an empty stomach. IP6+Inositol from Cell Forte is the most economical and readily available brand. It is sold online at Vitacost.
Sources: “Complementary Therapies”, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Kim Vanderlinden, Dr. Ivana Vucenik, Too Good to be True?

Gay Riley
Lipovisuals.com
bodybugg
www.netnutritionist.com

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 by: Barbara L. Minton (see all articles by this author)

(NaturalNews) The anticancer effects of IP6 are turning out to be nothing short of astounding. Research is showing that besides reducing cell proliferation and increasing the differentiation of malignant cells, IP6 can often restore cancerous cells to normality.

What is IP6?

IP6, also known as inositol hexophosphate or phytic acid, is a sugar molecule with six phosphate groups attached. It is composed of inositol (one of the B vitamins) bound with six molecules of phosphorous. IP6 was first identified in 1855, but has only recently been researched as a preventative and cure for cancer as well as heart and liver diseases, kidney stones, Parkinson’s disease, and more. It is also a powerful antioxidant, immune system enhancer, and booster of natural killer cells. Foods that are significant sources of IP6 include dried beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, rice, wheat germ, corn and sesame.

Dr. Abulkalam Shamsuddin, a scientist at the University of Maryland School of medicine has been the pioneer researcher of IP6, beginning his work on the compound in the late 1980’s. He discovered the ability of IP6 to control the rate of abnormal cell division even when administered long after cancer was induced. He then proved that IP6 normalized the sugar production of cancerous cells, thereby altering the gene expression toward a more healthful state. This proven ability to change cancer cell physiology had major implications, since cancer cells that are well behaved have far less negative impact on health.

Although IP6 has been proven to boost Natural Killer (NK) cell activity, for Shamsuddin the value of IP6 lies not in its ability to augment the immune system, but rather its ability to directly affect the physiology of cancerous cells. Whereas most cancer research has focused on killing or destroying cancer cells, Shamsuddin’s research focused on taming or controlling the condition to the point where normality could be restored.

How IP6 works to Protect Against Cancer

Here are several ways IP6 is known to prevent and fight against cancer. IP6 is a very common intracellular messenger, meaning that it controls and influences many cellular activities:

Normalizes the Rate of Cell Growth – Cancer cells lose their control mechanisms and typically divide too rapidly, resulting in great numbers of cells that have a devastating impact on health. IP6 slows or normalizes the rate at which cancer cells divide. It reestablishes control in cells that by definition have lost their control mechanisms due to gene mutation.

Helps to normalize cell physiology – How a cancer cell expresses itself largely determines how threatening it is. Experiments have shown that IP6 normalizes several aspects of cell physiology in spite of the fact that these cells have altered DNA. In many instances, DNA repair is achieved.

Enhances NK cells – NK cells are white blood cells that help to protect against virally infected or cancerous cells. Researchers believe that the higher the NK activity, the lower the incidence of some cancers. The healthy human produces 500 to 1000 cancer cells daily. NK cells and programmed cell death (apoptosis) result in the vast majority of these cells being destroyed and removed. During time of stress, NK activity is compromised, and this is why there is a link between stress levels and cancer. IP6 is able to increase NK cells during these periods. Although many supplements claim to increase NK activity, for IP6 these claims have been documented and proven.

Increases tumor suppressor P53 gene activity - DNA contains tumor suppressor genes that inhibit pathways or processes that allow cells to become cancerous. The p53 gene acts as a control to preventing genetically damaged or cancerous cells from growing and propagating. If the p53 gene becomes damaged or compromised, cancers can establish themselves more readily. IP6 has been shown to greatly increase the amount of p53 gene activity, up to 17 times. When augmented by IP6, “standard of care” treatments become more effective due to this increase in p53 gene activity.

Inhibits inflammation – The level of systemic inflammation is an important indicator in determining cancer survival prognosis. Inflammation results in the release of cytokines, chemical messengers that trigger reactions that enable normal cells to grow and repair themselves. Cytokines can also cause cancer cells to grow. IP6 has been shown to significantly inhibit inflammation.

Exhibits potent antioxidant activity – Antioxidants are known to protect against various disease states and aging in general. Oxidative damage to DNA leaves cells susceptible to mutation that can result in cancerous cells being produced. IP6 has been shown to be a significantly more potent antioxidant than green tea.

Enhances apoptosis (programmed cell death) – Programmed cell death is orderly and results in the removal of individual cells without affecting the surrounding cells. It is a normal part of growth and the maintenance of healthy tissues. It removes unwanted cells so that inflammation or immunological reactions do not result. Cancerous cells are resistive to normal cell apoptosis. This is one mechanism of tumor formation. IP6 has been shown to enhance the natural apoptosis of cancer cells.

Affects angiogenesis – Angiogenesis is the process by which tumors set up their own blood supply, assuring the nutrients necessary to fuel their growth. Once this blood supply is set up, tumor growth spirals as more growth leads to more establishment of blood supply. IP6 inhibits this process, resulting in the starvation of cancer cells.

Inhibits metastasis – IP6 inhibits the adhesion of cancer cells to the extra-cellular matrix proteins, thereby leading to an inhibition of cell migration and invasion. Limiting adhesion is very important after surgeries and biopsies, as these procedures can cause cancer cells to become dislodged. One reason that so many breast cancer patients are found to have lymph nodes containing cancer cells is that mammography can dislodge cancer cells which then migrate to the lymph nodes.

Pharmaceutical research is geared to the development of drugs to treat cancer utilizing these mechanisms. Many of the substances being developed and tested are newly created molecules, having never before appeared in nature. As a result, severe side effects are common place. IP6 already exists in human cells and is easily recognized by the body, so side effects, if any, are rare.

Recent research findings document these mechanisms

The frequency and depth of research into IP6 is expanding at a rapid rate. Here are some of the most recent findings.

The Journal of Clinical Cancer Research, reports a study evaluation the in vivo cancer preventative efficacy of IP6 against prostate tumor growth and progression. Prostate cancer was induced in male mice that were then given either water containing IP6 or plain water. IP6 inhibited prostate cancer progression at the neoplasia state and strongly reduced the incidence of adenocarginoma. The incidence of well-differentiated and poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas in the IP6-fed group were reduced by 44% and 62% respectively. Analysis of the prostate tissue showed a 3.5-fold increase in apoptotic cells. The researchers concluded that these findings are highly significant in establishing for the first time that oral IP6, without toxicity, suppresses prostate tumor growth and progression at the neoplastic state, the state of abnormal or uncontrolled growth.

A study conducted in China and reported in Wei Sheng Yan Jiu explored the effect and mechanism of IP6 on cell proliferation in human gastric carcinoma. They found that IP6 inhibited malignant cell growth in a dose and time dependent manner. The proliferation of gastric carcinoma cells inhibited by IP6 was associated with apoptosis through altered gene expression.

The Brazilian journal, Acta Cirurgica Brasilerira reported a study to determine the modulation effect of IP6 in the biological immunohistochemistry expression of cellular signaling marker apoptosis in a model of induced colon cancer. They found that IP6 was effective in promoting modulation of biological markers in colon cancer.

Another study reported in Acta Cirurgica Brasilerira analyzed of the influence of IP6 on the transcription of genes coding for tumor necrosis factor-alpha and its receptors in a human colon cancer cell line. The results showed that IP6 modulated the expression of the listed genes at transcription level in a dose and time dependent manner.

The journal Neurochemistry Research reported a study of the impact of IP6 as a therapeutic agent on glioblastoma, the deadliest brain tumor in humans and the one currently being battled by Senator Kennedy. Researchers found that the viability of glioblastoma cells decreased following treatment with increasing doses of IP6. The treated cells showed morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis.

Laryngoscope reports a study that found IP6 effective at promoting nuclear factor-kappa B, an early response gene that is associated with head and neck squamous cell cancer. This increased gene expression resulted in reduced cell proliferation and increased cell death.

IP6 is more than a cancer treatment

In addition to the anti-cancer benefits of IP6, ongoing research is revealing its promise as a treatment for diabetes, depression, osteoporosis, heart disease, and kidney stones.

A very recent study reported in the Journal of Toxicology considered the effect of IP6 on Parkinson’s Disease. Disrupted iron metabolism and excess iron accumulation has been reported in the brains of Parkinson’s patients. Because excessive iron can induce oxidative stress and result in neuronal degradation in Parkinson patients, researchers sought to determine the protective effect of IP6, a natural chelator of iron. They found a 45% reduction in DNA fragmentation with the use of IP6, and protection in the differentiated cells. They concluded that IP6 offered a significant neuro-protective effect.

Supplementing with IP6

IP6 has been shown to be quite safe to use. It is naturally present in mammalian cells, and it is obtainable from food. However, in food, IP6 is bound to protein. Before it can be absorbed it must be freed from this protein. An enzyme called phytase that is present in both food and the intestinal tract performs this function. The problem is that the power of the phytase enzyme is damaging to the IP6 and renders much of it inactive and therefore less effective. Pure IP6 from a supplement is not protein-bound and is easily absorbed in tact, and able to provide its complete medicinal properties. Research has shown that when fiber from All Bran was added to the diet of rats with mammary cancer it was much less effective than the equivalent amount of IP6 added to their drinking water.

Many holistic healers and naturopaths recommend IP6 as both a preventative and treatment for cancer. It is becoming standard alternative treatment to recommend it for anyone with a high risk of cancer or who has had cancer and is looking to prevent a recurrence. Some traditional physicians are also becoming aware of the potential of this compound and although they are loath to abandon their traditional treatments, they are adding IP6 to their protocols.

IP6 is available in capsules or powered form. The capsules provide what is considered to be a maintenance or preventive dose of 2 capsules twice a day. The powered form allows for easy dosing at the therapeutic level which is one scoop mixed with water twice a day. IP6 should be taken on an empty stomach. IP6+Inositol from Cell Forte is the most economical and readily available brand. It is sold online at Vitacost.
Sources: “Complementary Therapies”, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Kim Vanderlinden, Dr. Ivana Vucenik, Too Good to be True?

Gay Riley
Lipovisuals.com
bodybugg
www.netnutritionist.com

By JoNel Aleccia
Health writer
msnbc.com
updated 7:21 a.m. CT, Thurs., Oct. 30, 2008

JoNel Aleccia
Health writer

Tough times inspire belt-tightening, or so the popular notion goes, but scientists who study public health say they’re worried that a slumping economy will make American waistlines wider than ever.

Rising unemployment, higher food prices and dwindling savings may exacerbate the nation’s obesity problem, sending already high rates ballooning as consumers turn to cheaper, less healthful choices ranging from boxed mac ‘n’ cheese to fast-food dollar menus.

“All evidence suggests that obesity is the toxic consequence of a failing economic environment,” said Adam Drewnowski, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington in Seattle.

As households struggle with falling incomes and with food prices expected to jump 6 percent this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, families are scrimping on groceries. Nearly six in 10 Americans said they’ve cut back on the quality or quantity of the food they buy, according to an annual hunger survey released this week by Hormel Foods Corp.

But that doesn’t mean they’re dieting, noted Drewnowski, whose research has found a consistent link between poverty and obesity, including a recent study that showed that obesity rates were five times higher in lower-value Seattle ZIP code areas than in upscale neighborhoods.

“It is quite possible to spend less and eat more,” said Drewnowski. “The very cheapest foods are calorie-rich and nutrient-poor. Because they contain refined grains, sugars and fats, they also taste good and, of course, are easy to come by.”

Although more than a third of the nation’s adults and children are obese, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate recently appeared to stabilize, particularly among young people ages 2 to 19. But Drewnowski said the current economic crisis, which affects a wide swath of society, is likely to erase any progress, leading to more obesity and related health harms, from heart disease to diabetes.

“Now that we are all poor, the rates will go up again,” he said. “I predict an increase that will become apparent in about three years.”

Whole grains, fresh fruit costs too much
Financially stressed shoppers are likely to trade pricey whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables for low-cost but high-fat alternatives, said Lauren A. Haldeman, an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, who studies poverty and obesity.

That's partly because fruits and vegetables cost more for less energy than processed foods, said Dr. Judith Wylie-Rosett, a professor of epidemiology and population health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

"If you follow the five-to-nine suggestion [for daily fruit and vegetable servings], the diet is an almost threefold increase in price," she said.

It's also partly because some consumers aren't used to adding fresh produce to their diets and because the marketing for convenience foods is too enticing to resist.

“There are deals all the time for 99-cent burgers,” Haldeman said. “They’re low in nutrition, but they also satiate. If they’ve got to feed a family, they’re going to look for these low-cost foods.”

At the same time, those grappling with economic uncertainty may be more likely to seek sweet or high-fat comfort foods and less likely to exert the effort it takes to maintain a nutritious diet.

“I wonder if they’re feeling emotionally and mentally able to cook a low-fat meal, to learn a new skill, to read a food label,” Haldeman said. “It might just be easier to stop off and get a hamburger or chicken nuggets.”

Sales figures appear to support that theory. Fast-food giant McDonald's last week credited the company’s Dollar Menu in part with boosting third-quarter sales in the U.S. by 4.7 percent in an otherwise dismal restaurant market.

Diane Michna, 49, of Winchester, Calif., doesn’t need sales data to tell her that fast food is a cheap way to keep up with the appetites of three adolescent boys.

“We are forced to purchase the unhealthy and fattening low-cost premade frozen meals or to eat out getting the dollar-menu specials as I no longer can afford to feed my kids the healthy foods they deserve,” she said. “We eat a lot of Top Ramen, that’s for sure.”

Michna, who retired from the local sheriff’s department after a knee injury, is supporting her two sons, ages 11 and 18, and is a guardian for another boy, also 18. She also feeds the kids peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and homemade pizza, but she worries about the impact of her fixed budget on their health; two of the boys are already overweight.

“My youngest boy, I’m worried about him getting diabetes,” she said. “It’s the french fries. He grew up loving Happy Meals.”

Michna said she feels the problem acutely because she remembers what it was like to buy quality food, including meats, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables. “Eating fast food was a once in a blue moon option only,” she said. “Now even a lemon costs a dollar or more and they used to be 10 cents.”

‘A change of lifestyle’
New victims of the economic crisis may be especially vulnerable to weight-related health problems, said Gwendolyn Lipscomb, director of the office of minority health in Alabama, one of three states with overall obesity rates that top 30 percent.

“Those who have been economically independent with good health insurance coverage and retirement benefits might be more prone to the onset of obesity and diabetes, due to the stress and the compromises they have to make,” she said. “It would be a new thing for them, a change of lifestyle.”

Even consumers who’ve been able to focus on losing weight now worry that the bad economy will undermine their efforts. Bonnie Barnett, 48, of Hemet, Calif., has shed 45 pounds since January, thanks to lean meat, fresh produce — and regular workouts at a local health club.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she said.

But Barnett works for the fleet services department of a local car dealership, where workers have seen layoffs and pay cuts in recent months. Her own salary has been reduced by half and now she’s afraid she’ll have to give up her gym membership — “$30 is $30,” she says — and shop for cheaper, less healthful food.

“I’m afraid the weight is all going to come back,” she said. “The healthy stuff costs a lot more. I just went to the grocery store and spent $50 tonight and came back with nothing.”

Not everyone agrees that hard times have to decimate a decent diet. Dozens of readers told msnbc.com that they’ve reduced their food costs and improved their health by cooking more at home, cutting back on expensive kinds of meat and produce, relying on leftovers and reducing waste.

Kim Kopen, a 48-year-old mother of two from of Oak Grove, Minn., had to take a hard look at her grocery budget after her husband, a union bricklayer, was recently laid off — again.

“I love organic, but I’ve gone away from organic,” said Kopen, who can’t work outside the home because she is disabled by rheumatoid arthritis. “We’re doing a diet that is less expensive with less fresh fruits and vegetables and more frozen. We’ve been doing a lot of carbohydrates. Potatoes are cheap.”

Actually, death rates fall in a downturn
But not all researchers agree that bad times equal bad health. Christopher J. Ruhm, a professor of economics at UNC Greensboro, said his research shows the opposite — that overall death rates fall during economic downturns and rise during booms. Similarly, several health markers — including smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity — actually improve when the economy tanks.

“The drop in tobacco use occurs disproportionately among heavy smokers, the fall in body weight among the severely obese and the increase in exercise among those who were completely inactive,” Ruhm wrote.

However, Ruhm is quick to emphasize that he’s not suggesting that an economic crisis is a good thing: “Never am I saying that if you go from rich to poor you’ll be better off,” he said.

And, even he notes that his past research has focused on what he describes as “garden variety recessions,” not the global economic crisis now unfolding.

“It seems possible that this is something bigger,” he said.

Bodybugg
www.netnutritionist.com
www.lipovisuals.com

By RADHA CHITALE
ABC News Medical Unit
Oct. 30, 2008

Many people, when they are feeling miserable from a cold or the flu, get the urge to gorge on food. But picking the right foods can benefit and even speed healing.

More Photos"This is more or less a new area," said Kerry Neville, a Seattle dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "There has been some good research, and we'll be seeing more. But it remains to be seen how much of this can actually be helpful."

Teasing out how and where food can benefit is difficult because our immune systems -- a coordinated system of signals sent and received, feedback loops and multiple redundancies to ensure that foreign molecules are identified and destroyed if they are harmful -- are so complex. A breakdown in any part of the system leaves the whole body susceptible to infection and illness.

And lifestyle and environment can cause small breakdowns in the system all the time. Smoke, air quality, sunlight and poor diet can all contribute to a weakened immune system, particularly in the form of free radicals. These highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons can break down cells, leaving them vulnerable to invading viruses and bacteria.

Antioxidants, a type of chemical found in plants, help neutralize free radicals and protect cells, thus bolstering the immune system. Antioxidants often give plants their color and can also include vitamins C, A, and E. Experts estimate that there are many more antioxidants that are as yet unidentified.

And studies have shown that some of the protective vitamins and minerals, when given alone, do not benefit people as much as getting those nutrients from their diets.
I don't say any one food is going to protect you," said Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietician and author of "The Flexitarian Diet." "There is a crazy thing that happens, and it is called synergy. ... You start putting multiple [foods] together, the effects are multiplied and it is shocking."

The nutrients in food are not meant to be consumed in a vacuum. The context in which the body encounters the healthy minerals and molecules is almost as important as the nutrients themselves, which may be why chicken soup is such a popular home remedy.

"It's the recipes that have the magic, just the way the foods are combined," said Dr. John La Puma, author of "Chef MD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine." "If you just eat one food and expect it to act like a drug, you're out of luck."

But prevention is not the name of the game for most of these foods in targeting a specific illness. Once ill, the expert advice boils down to fluids, rest and eating a variety of healthy food.

"Nothing is a magic bullet, as far as making a major impact in making you feel better as quickly as possible," Neville said.

Some dietitians do recommend taking a daily multivitamin because, as Neville pointed out, people do not typically eat as many fruits and vegetables as they should -- around two to three cups per day.

Over all, maintaining a diverse diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, is the body's best defense against viral invaders.

Following are some foods to focus on to help boost your immune system when feeling under the weather.

Yogurt/Kefir
Yogurt can be delicious layered with fruit in a parfait or as a cooling side for a dish of spicy food, but it also packs a healthy dose of good bacteria that can protect the body against harmful bacteria and infections.
They're like little soldiers, lining the intestinal tract to fend off invading germs," said Blatner, also an ADA spokeswoman.
These little soldiers -- the good bacteria -- are called probiotics, and studies have shown eating yogurts rich in them can lead to an improved immune response by increasing the body's white blood cell count. Probiotics are found in yogurts with live or active cultures -- the lactobacillus and bifidobacterium strains.

Traditional kefir is similar to yogurt but cultured with special kefir grains, so it contains slightly different bacteria. Originally from the Middle East, kefir has a sour, refreshing taste and is slightly effervescent from the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation. Unlike the bacteria in yogurt, which are transient and pass through the system over time, the bacteria in kefir are capable of colonizing in the intestinal tract. Kefir also contains good yeasts that help fight off pathogenic yeasts in the body.

Turmeric
This rich, flavorful spice has been used for centuries as part of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicines, in addition to being used for cooking. Turmeric is found in every yellow curry, and its golden color is the result of curcumin, a polyphenol with strong cold and flu-fighting properties.

Although the mechanism is unclear, a 2008 study published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications found that curcumin prevents some immune cells from responding to stimulants and so has modulating and anti-inflammatory effects. Other studies have also shown the immune-boosting properties of curcumin in turmeric, however these have not been confirmed in humans.

Turmeric is found naturally as the rhizome part of the turmeric plant and it looks very similar to ginger. The powdered spice is made by boiling, drying and grinding the root. The powder has antiseptic qualities when applied topically and often is used on cuts, burns and bruises.
Garlic
Garlic may be the wunderkind of the plant world, its properties ranging from medicinal to mystical to culinary. Ancient Egyptians considered garlic holy and used it as currency. Indeed, the pungent smell is a small price to pay for the health benefits garlic can confer.

"Garlic has been a miracle food for everything," Neville said.
Much of the immune-boosting properties of garlic come from its sulfur-containing compounds, which also give the bulb its aroma, particularly one called allicin. These compounds are effective against bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections. They also enhance the immune system and have anti-tumor and antioxidant features, which help guard cells from everyday wear and tear.

Americans are growing increasingly aware of the powerful properties of garlic. According to an article in the Journal of Nutrition, garlic is the second most used supplement in the United States.

In some parts of the world, particularly the Balkans, garlic is considered so powerful it is thought to guard against vampires and witches. In 1994, a group of scientists decided to test the protective effect of garlic against vampires using leeches as a stand-in for the blood-sucking monsters. They offered their leeches two arms, one bare and the other covered in a garlic paste.

Unfortunately, in two out of three cases the leeches showed an obvious preference to the garlicky arm, attaching to it in 14.9 seconds, compared to 44.9 seconds for the bare arm. In an article published in the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association, the researchers concluded that garlic may attract vampires rather than repel them and that restrictions on garlic use might be considered in order to avoid Balkan-like developments in Norway.

Oregano
Oregano is an herb whose name is derived from the ancient Greek word meaning "joy of the mountains." And it is joyful indeed to think that your spaghetti sauce or pizza, flavored with this bold, peppery herb, can help keep you free from infections.
"Herbs and spices are incredibly potent antioxidants," Blatner said. "In terms of herbs, [oregano] is the highest in antioxidant compounds."

The antioxidant activity in oregano is due to its high content of phenolic acids and flavonoids, color compounds that are also anti-inflammatory. When eaten, oregano can protect against the common cold, influenza, fevers and indigestion.

But oregano is rarely eaten alone, and the combination of the herb and other foods may contribute to its disease-fighting abilities.

"It could be a synergistic effect," said Mary Beth Kavenagh, an instructor in the department of nutrition at Case Western Reserve University. She also pointed out that oregano is often eaten with immune-boosting garlic and tomatoes, which contain vitamin C, beta carotene and leutine, all of which benefit the body.

Topically, oregano has antimicrobial properties, guarding against bacteria. Scientists have plans to tap this property by using oregano to create thin wraps for covering fresh food to protect it from spoiling.

Red Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are part of the nightshade family and originated in South America before spreading to Europe and the rest of the world. Bell peppers are both low in calories and dense in nutrients. They are a good source of phytochemicals as well as beta carotenes and vitamin C.
In fact, gram for gram, red bell peppers have twice the vitamin C of most vitamin C-containing fruits and vegetables, Blatner said, including oranges.

Linus Pauling, one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, was an advocate of megadoses of supplemental vitamin C to prevent colds. Whether vitamin C is effective at preventing a viral infection that will cause a cold is under debate and hasn't been fully proved or disproved.

But research has gone far enough to show that increasing vitamin C intake can reduce the length of time cold symptoms last as well as reduce the severity of those symptoms.

And experts are not huge proponents of supplemental vitamin C.

"The best way to get vitamin C is through food," La Puma said.

The FDA recommends getting about 90 milligrams of vitamin C each day, which is easily obtainable through daily meals. A half cup of raw red bell pepper contains 142 milligrams of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is known to maintain the skin, which is the body's first line of defense against microbes and viruses of all kinds. Vitamin C may also help to increase white blood cell count as well as antibody production.

Green Tea
Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, after water, and to great effect. Tea is rich in polyphenols -- plant antioxidants -- as well as a number of other chemicals that can help protect the body against cold or flu.

Green tea has undergone minimal oxidation during drying and processing, and it has been subject to many scientific studies. Some of the more convincing studies highlight a compound called epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, a powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer agent. EGCGs have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells without harming healthy tissues.

Tea can also be physically beneficial.

"Some of the helpfulness of tea is the fact that it's warm and therefore kind of soothing," La Puma said.

The soothing, steamy effect can apply to any warm drink or soup, as well, including chicken soup.

And Neville said some studies have shown that EGCGs can inhibit a virus' ability to replicate, which may offer an offensive strategy for preventing a cold, as well as improving the body's overall immune response.

Pumpkins
Pumpkins are good for more than a lighted jack-o-lantern on the front porch. Their rich, orange flesh is packed with beta carotene, a nutrient that the body breaks down to make vitamin A.

Vitamin A helps the proteins that regulate cell-to-cell communication, which is the foundation of the immune system. Vitamin A also aids in cancer prevention, because cell-to-cell communication breakdown is one of the primary causes of cancer.

Research suggests that vitamin A may help keep the respiratory system healthy, Blatner said, which can be particularly helpful when you have a cold or the flu.

"The good news is we're in beta carotene season now," Kavenagh said, referring to the abundant orange fall vegetables such as squashes, carrots and sweet potatoes, all good sources of the nutrient. And the more intense the color, the higher the levels of beta carotene.

But experts caution against too much vitamin A. Because it is fat-soluble, excess vitamin A can be stored in the body's fat cells and large quantities can be toxic, Blatner said. Eating beta-carotene-rich foods should provide the FDA recommended nine milligrams each day and may be safer than taking a vitamin A supplement directly.

Ginger
Perfumed and flavorful, the word 'ginger' comes from the Sanskrit word meaning 'horn shaped,' referring to the root's branched structure.

Cultural Remedies for Cold ComfortWhile it can be sweet, ginger also has some heat from a compound called gingerol, a relative of capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their zing and heat. When it is dried, ginger contains less gingerol and more shoagol, an anti-inflammatory agent.

Ginger is often recommended as a tea or a bath for those with a cold or flu because it is helpful in increasing sweat production, which may help us get rid of germs and "sweat out" toxins.

"It might be an old wife's remedy, but people do swear by it," Blatner said.

Ginger has also been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting, making it a very useful food to have around when you have the flu.

Oysters
Oysters are widely thought to be one of nature's most potent aphrodisiacs. This fact probably has to do with their high zinc content, which is necessary for testosterone production, one of the most important hormones behind the human sex drive for both men and women.

Oysters may or may not give you a boost in bed, but there is no doubt that zinc is very good at protecting the body against colds and flu.

Zinc functions in more enzymatic reactions than any other mineral, making it indispensable to the immune system, which is involved in reactions and signaling all the time. In particular, zinc enhances the function of helper T cells, which are important in identifying foreign antigens and alerting other cells of the immune system to invaders. Even a mild zinc deficiency can have adverse effects on the immune system, particularly in children and the elderly.

But too much zinc can be toxic and will inhibit immune function. The FDA recommends about 11 milligrams of zinc per day.

Lean meats such as beef, chicken and seafood are the best sources of zinc. Nonmeat eaters may have a harder time getting enough of the mineral because zinc in plant proteins is not as available for use in the body as zinc from animal proteins. Some options for getting zinc into a vegetarian diet include pumpkin seeds, beans and mineral-fortified cereals.

Broccoli
Broccoli, with its intense green color and dense florets, just looks healthy. Derived from the Latin word for "branch" or "arm," broccoli belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables which includes cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and turnip.

"These would, for sure, be foods with extremely potent antioxidant compounds to help fight disease," Blatner said.

In the winter, when some of the more exotic fruits may be of lesser quality than the summer, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are an excellent -- and cheap -- source of vitamins A, C and E. In addition, broccoli is high in glucosinolates which stimulate the body's immune system.

Broccoli is a doubly powerful food because of its high concentration of sulforaphanes, which are potent anti-cancer agents.

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