see researches on food (2008) part 3

LATEST RESEARCHES ON NATURAL FOOD & NUTRITION

Omega 3, 6, Vitamin E Combo Fights Neuron Disease
A diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs: omega-3 and
omega-6) and vitamin E may protect against motor neuron disease
(MND), according to research published online in the Journal of
Neurology (doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2005.083378). The diets of 132 people
with a form of MND called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),
commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and were compared
with 220 subjects without the disease. Intake of vitamin E and
PUFAs was noticeably lower in the ALS group. Those whose intake
of more than 32 grams of PUFAs per day had a 60 percent lower risk
of ALS. A daily intake of more than 18 milligrams of vitamin E also
reduced risk by 60 percent.

Green and Black Tea Prove Beneficial to Brain Functioning
Research in the European Journal of Neuroscience (2006, vol.23,
no.1: 55-64) indicates that both green and black tea may help protect
the brain against age-related neurodegenerative conditions
such as Alzheimer’s disease. Cell cultures from rats were treated with
amyloid proteins, which are associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s
disease. Extracts from both green and black tea, with concentration
levels of between five and 25 micrograms per milliliter, were found
to exhibit protective activity against the effects of amyloid proteins.

Lycopene Intake Associated with Reduced Pancreatic Cancer Risk
This literature summary is part of the HerbClip, an educational mailing service of the American Botanical Council
Lycopene is a carotenoid phytochemical found in ripe tomatoes
and tomato products. Intake of lycopene is associated
with a reduction in risk for prostate cancer.
This case control study was designed to determine the relationship
between intake of dietary lycopene and pancreatic cancer
risk. In addition, the modifying effect of cigarette smoke on
carotenoids and pancreatic cancer was assessed. The study took place within the Canadian National Enhanced Cancer Surveillance System (NECSS). The NECSS is a multisite, population based case control study that includes 21,020 participants across Canada. This study includes 462 pancreatic cancer patients (258 men, 204 women) and 4,721 matched controls (2,547 men, 2,492 women).
The diets of participants were accessed for carotenoid intake
using a semiquantitive study questionnaire developed from the
Block and the Willet questionnaires, modified to account for
differences in Canadian diets. The study questionnaire includes
questions on 69 food and beverage items. Questions about
carotenoid supplements were not included. The daily intake of
carotenoids was estimated using values from the USDA-Nutrition
Coordinating Center (NCC) Carotenoid Database and the
Canadian Nutrition File.
Mean dietary carotenoid intakes were calculated separately
for cases and controls. Study population characteristics were
compared using Mantel extension test for categorical variables
and the paired t-test for continuous variables. Odds ratios and 95
percent confidence intervals were calculated. P values<0.05 or="0.69," p="0.026" or="0.57," p="0.016" or="0.58," p="0.02" p="0.02)" p="0.013).">

Peppermint Oil Relieves IBS Symptoms
This literature summary is part of the HerbClip, an educational mailing service of the American Botanical Council
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the gastrointestinal
tract that is characterized by constipation, diarrhea,
and abdominal cramps resulting from intestinal spasms.
Although IBS is widespread, there are relatively few safe and
effective treatments for its symptoms. Peppermint (Mentha x
piperita) oil is used as a treatment for IBS in herbal medicine.
The authors reviewed 15 clinical trials on peppermint oil in
the treatment of IBS, emphasizing the safety and cost effectiveness
of peppermint oil therapy. They also reviewed an article on
abdominal pain in children. The 15 clinical trials enrolled a
total of 651 patients and lasted from two weeks to six months.
Nine clinical trials were randomized double-blind crossover
studies, five were randomized double blind parallel group studies,
and two were open label studies. In the clinical trials, peppermint
oil was compared to placebo (n=12), psychotherapy
(n=1), and anti-cholinergic smooth muscle relaxants (n=3).
Thirteen trials included enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules,
and three trials did not specify the formulation. The authors
used “overall success” to compare the studies in order to account
for study method variations.
The placebo response was in the range of 10–52 percent for
all studies; the average placebo response was 29 percent. Of the
12 placebo-controlled trials, eight showed a statistically significant
positive effect for peppermint oil over the placebo. The
nine double-blind crossover trials showed peppermint oil efficacy
in the range of 39–79 percent, with an average positive
response rate of 58 percent. The two open label studies showed
mixed results: the range of positive response to peppermint oil
treatment was 18–93 percent. Three double blind crossover
studies comparing peppermint oil to smooth muscle relaxants
did not show significant differences between the two
types of treatments in terms of efficacy. The authors conclude
that “[t]here is reasonable evidence that enteric-coated
peppermint oil, 180–200 mg t.i.d., given for 2–4 weeks, in IBS
is efficacious as compared to placebo and the smooth muscle
relaxants investigated.”
Adverse event reports associated with peppermint oil were
generally mild and transient. Tolerance in the study on children
and abdominal pain was “good.” A total of 71 patients dropped
out of the 15 clinical trials, 58 dropouts were unrelated to the
study medications. Six patients dropped out due to worsening of
symptoms, nausea, vomiting, perianal burning, peppermint
taste, and heartburn.
The bulk of the clinical evidence shows that peppermint oil
enteric-coated capsules are a safe and effective short-term treatment
for the symptoms of IBS. The wide response ranges listed
above may be partially due to the fact that IBS has multiple
causes. Peppermint oil therapy is more cost effective and is associated
with a lower risk of adverse events than conventional
drug treatments available for IBS. The authors conclude that
peppermint oil may be the therapy of choice “in IBS patients
with non-serious constipation or diarrhea to alleviate general
symptoms and improve quality of life.