Why is it that the saying we have all heard, "we are what we eat" is such big news?
Why is it that the saying we have all heard, “we are what we eat” is such big news? Eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are good for us. No trans-fat displayed proudly on our Doritos. Now yet again we read:
TUESDAY, March 27 (HealthDay News) -- Blueberries, already touted as a super food because they may protect against memory loss and heart disease, could help stop the development of colon cancer, a new study finds.
The study showed that a natural compound called pterostilbene -- found in blueberries and other fruits -- helped prevent pre-cancerous colon lesions in rats. Don't you think the rats were also just happy to be off the streets?
"Pterostilbene is an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent that is mostly found in blueberries and blackberries," said study leader Bandaru Reddy, a research professor at Rutgers University's Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, in Piscataway, N.J. "We tested it using a rat model that is very similar to the human situation. Several other compounds tested using this model in the past are already in human trials."
Pretty fancy words to basically tell us that colon cancer is one of the major cancers in Western countries, and this study is one of the first to show pterostilbene's potential to fight it, Reddy said.
"Eat berries regardless of this study”. There’s a lot of information on health benefits of berries. Isn’t that we were drinking wine?
In general, be sure to eat 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, especially colorful ones that are high in antioxidants. And iceberg lettuce doesn't count." There goes my sandwich idea. Well not entirely I could pile on some berries, frest fruit, bell peppers and hold on for dear life.
"Scientific studies involving isolated, high-dose, and often synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements have shown conflicting and sometimes even harmful results. One study shows that 2,000 mg of vitamin E may delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease; another suggests that 800 mg is bad for the immune system. 50 mg of beta-carotene decreased the risk of cancer in one group of doctors but actually increased the risk in another."
Here is a quote from Dr. Bruce Ames, winner of the National Medal of Science: "You might as well stand unportected in front of an X-ray machine as to not eat enough fruits and vegetables."
"With daily exercise and proper nutrition there is no reason that we cannot have a big impact on the diseases and cancers we now treat surgically or through various drugs.
Future is brighter the brighter our fruits, berries, vegetables are. It's just that simple.
