Pandemics and Protection
Curcumin and Cancer
Curcumin Further
Benefits
Obesity and Dementias
Ask Dr. J: Is Coconut
Healthy?
References
In The Health News
Diet and Disease
Recipe of the Month:
Lentil-Tomato Soup
Dear Friends,
As the avian flu spreads across
continents, infecting mainly birds
and occasional humans, epidemiologists
and infectious disease specialists
are concerned about the possible
development of a pandemic. Based
on the history of viruses like
this, it is reasonable to be concerned
and to take appropriate and manageable
precautions. As the virus spreads
and mutates, it may develop resistance
to antiviral drugs, but so far
they are still effective, and
I would suggest other measures
in addition. A vaccine is still
being tested, but may not be available
when it is needed, and we do not
yet know if it will be effective.
In 1918, returning soldiers from
the first World War helped to
spread influenza (then called
the “Spanish flu”)
around the globe, leading to a
pandemic that killed 25 to 50
million people in less than two
years. In the United States, about
a quarter of the population became
ill, and over half a million people
died. It was particularly virulent,
with a high mortality rate of
over 2 percent of infected people
(in Japan, the mortality was strikingly
lower, at about 0.5 percent, likely
because they had no returning
weakened, fatigued, and malnourished
soldiers).
The possibility of a new pandemic
leads to considerable media attention,
and dire predictions of societal
collapse, as people stay out of
work, goods and services stop
flowing, financial markets close,
and conventional amenities such
as electricity, running water,
and other modern conveniences
cease to be available. I can’t
say that these predictions won’t
come true, but more recent pandemics
have not been as devastating as
in 1918, and even then, 98 percent
of people in developed countries
survived their encounter with
the influenza virus. Any infectious
disease is more likely to be a
problem for people who are malnourished
or have compromised immune systems
(the 1918 flu was unusual in that
the highest mortality was in people
from 20 to 40 years old, many
of them the above-mentioned soldiers).
If this virus mutates into a
bigger problem, I would recommend
being diligent with the usual
care of personal hygiene, particularly
with hand washing and using hand
sanitizers, avoiding large public
gatherings (the virus can be transmitted
before symptoms), and maintaining
a strong immune system with a
healthy diet and dietary supplements.
If you get infected, I’d
recommend high doses of vitamin
C, including intravenous doses,
plus elderberry extract, vitamin
E, coenzyme Q10, echinacea, garlic,
and a variety of other supplements.
It will be almost impossible
to keep adequate food and water
on hand for a lengthy emergency.
Once again we have to make some
choices about reasonable precautions
versus hyper anxiety. Living in
fear and anxiety can only add
to the risks, and the vast majority
of people survive pandemics. You
can’t protect yourself completely,
but you can do your best, and
chances are that will be enough.
I’ve written several times
about curcumin, as it is a powerful
spice that reduces inflammation,
protects the brain through its
antioxidant activity, and inhibits
the formation of new blood vessels
in tumors (“angioneogenesis”)
that allows them to grow. New
information confirms many of these
benefits. Curcumin is one of the
principal phytochemical components
of turmeric, a main ingredient
in curry powder. Turmeric is in
the ginger family (and, indeed,
ginger has some of the same benefits
as curcumin).
A recent animal study shows that
curcumin (its chemical name is
diferuloylmethane) can reduce
the toxicity of cancer chemotherapy
without reducing its effectiveness.
A protein called nuclear factor
kappa-B (NF-kappaB) helps breast
cancer cells survive. NF-kappaB
also increases cancer cell growth,
invasion, and spread. Taxol (paclitaxel),
a breast cancer drug, actually
increases the activation of NF-kappaB,
creating potential problems in
cases where the tumor is resistant
to the drug.
In breast cancer cell cultures,
administration of curcumin along
with the paclitaxel blocks the
activation of NF-kappaB, thus
potentially reducing the growth
and spread of the tumors. Curcumin
also promotes the natural process
of programmed cell death (called
“apoptosis”) in cancer
cells, without any side effects,
further helping to prevent tumor
growth and spread.
The same researchers also studied
breast cancers grafted onto mice.
In an untreated control group,
96 percent of the mice had metastases
to the lungs. The other groups
were given dietary curcumin, with
or without paclitaxel, or just
the drug. Paclitaxel reduced lung
metastases slightly, but in those
given curcumin, only 28 percent
showed evidence of lung tumors.
This information is very promising,
as no treatments are consistently
effective in advanced breast cancer.
Breast cancer is not the only
tumor that may be helped by curcumin.
Colon cancers (and other related
tumors) have a high level of activity
of a receptor for a substance
called epidermal growth factor.
A study of cultured colon cancer
cells showed that curcumin can
inhibit the gene expression for
this receptor, and thus block
the growth of the tumor cells.
Some neurological tissue tumors
are also difficult to treat. A
brain tumor called astrocytoma
can be very invasive, spreading
rapidly through the brain, although
not all such tumors are so aggressive.
The spread of these tumors is
promoted by the same NF-kappaB
protein. In a new study, curcumin
was shown to inhibit NF-kappaB
in five different astrocytoma
cell lines. It also promoted apoptosis
in these cultured cells.
Similar studies show that curcumin
inhibits proliferation of non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma cells while not harming
normal blood cells. It also inhibits
squamous cell cancer growth, and
applied topically to squamous
cell cancer grafts, curcumin inhibits
the growth and spread of these
tumors. In addition, through similar
mechanisms it induces apoptosis
in leukemia cells.
Overall, curcumin is turning
out to be a very desirable spice,
both in cooking and as a dietary
supplement. In addition to its
many cancer-fighting properties,
it protects the kidneys from the
side effects of toxic drugs and
oxidative stress, and has been
used in traditional medicine in
India for rheumatic disease, sinusitis,
diabetic wound healing, and liver
disorders.
Because chronic inflammation
is a contributor to aging and
age-related vascular disease,
curcumin is likely to be beneficial
as an anti-aging supplement. It
protects against degenerative
brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s
disease (AD). In AD, the brain
accumulates a substance called
amyloid. Curcumin binds with amyloid,
reversing the process. Curcumin
fed to aged animals crosses the
blood-brain barrier to bind with
amyloid and reduce brain plaques.
Curcumin inhibits oxidative and
inflammatory contributors to degenerative
diseases, and is better than anti-inflammatory
drugs without side effects. It
is useful for injuries and chronic
arthritis, it lowers CRP, the
inflammatory marker of cardiac
risk, and it also binds with excessive
iron accumulation to reduce oxidative
damage.
It is easy to incorporate curcumin
into the diet by eating a variety
of curry dishes that are so common
in India. They are delicious and
healthy. An alternative is to
take supplements of standardized
extract. Typical daily doses range
from 300 to 600 mg twice per day.
Last month I reported on research
showing that obesity is related
to heart disease in part because
fat cells produce the inflammatory
marker, CRP. Fat cells also produce
substances that increase insulin
resistance, worsening another
risk factor. New research shows
that obesity is related to an
increased risk of Alzheimer’s
disease and other dementias.
Researchers followed 1449 Finnish
middle-aged adults from the 1970s
for an average of 21 years. They
found that those who were obese
had a higher risk of Alzheimer’s
compared to their peers who were
thinner. Although high blood pressure,
smoking, and high cholesterol
were also found to be risk factors,
when the researchers controlled
for those risks, the data showed
that obesity by itself was associated
with double the risk of dementia.
High blood pressure and cholesterol
were independently associated
with about double the risk. Because
some dementias are related to
vascular disease, it is not surprising
that smoking, high cholesterol,
and hypertension are likely to
contribute to this risk. It is
not yet clear that weight reduction
will lessen the risk, but it is
clearly beneficial for many other
reasons.
For even more protection, it
is important to engage in regular
exercise. A new study on the same
Finnish population shows that
mid-life phyical activity at least
twice a week reduces the risk
of dementia in half, and the risk
of Alzheimer’s disease by
42 percent. (I would add curcumin,
vitamin E, lipoic acid, ginkgo,
and other supplements to your
program.)
Q. Is eating
coconut or coconut milk a problem
for heart disease risk? I know
it is high in saturated fat.
—GK, Quebec, Canada, via
Internet
I have often been asked whether
coconut is a risk factor for the
heart because of its saturated
fat content. The information is
mixed, but in moderation it is
unlikely to be a problem. A recent
study of West Sumatrans who consume
a lot of coconut helps to clarify
this. The researchers evaluated
heart disease patients and case
controls. (Lipoeto NI, et al.,
Dietary intake and the risk of
coronary heart disease among the
coconut-consuming Minangkabau
in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Asia
Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004;13(4):377-84.)
They found that both groups had
a high intake of coconut, but
it was unrelated to the risk of
heart disease. The subjects with
heart disease consumed the same
amount of coconut as the controls.
However, those with heart disease
had a higher intake of animal
fat and cholesterol, and a lower
intake of carbohydrate than the
controls.
The researchers also noted that
the heart patients had a higher
animal protein intake. Coconut
contains medium chain triglycerides
and tocotrienols (in the vitamin
E family of nutrients) but no
linolenic acid (an essential fatty
acid). Other research suggests
some increase in certain risk
factors compared to eating fish
oils.
I think that eating coconut
is unlikely to be a problem (other
than being careful of total calorie
intake in overweight people),
if it is not excessive and is
balanced with other essential
fatty acids. My August curry recipe
includes coconut milk and shredded
coconut. I also use these in smoothies
(and add flaxseeds for linolenic
acid).
Aggarwal BB,
et al., Curcumin suppresses the
Paclitaxel-induced nuclear factor-kB
pathway in breast cancer cells
and inhibits lung metastasis...
Clin Cancer Res 2005, 15 Oct;11:7490-7498.
Chen A, et
al., Curcumin inhibits human colon
cancer cell growth by suppressing
gene expression of epidermal growth
factor receptor ... Oncogene.
2005 Sep 19; [Epub ahead of print]
Nagai S, et
al., Inhibition of cellular proliferation
and induction of apoptosis by
curcumin in human malignant astrocytoma
cell lines. J Neurooncol. 2005
Sep;74(2):105-11.
Sun C, et al.,
Anticancer effect of curcumin
on human B cell non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma. J Huazhong Univ Sci
Technolog Med Sci. 2005;25(4):404-7.
LoTempio MM,
et al., Curcumin suppresses growth
of head and neck squamous cell
carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2005
Oct 1;11(19 Pt 1):6994-7002.
Tirkey N, et
al., Curcumin, a diferuloylmethane,
attenuates cyclosporine-induced
renal dysfunction and oxidative
stress in rat kidneys. BMC Pharmacol.
2005 Oct 15;5(1):15 [Epub ahead
of print]
Banjerdpongchai
R, Wilairat P,.Effects of Water-soluble
Antioxidants and MAPKK/MEK Inhibitor
on Curcumin-induced Apoptosis
in HL-60 Human Leukemic Cells.
Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2005
Jul-Sep;6(3):282-5.
Yang F, et
al., Curcumin inhibits formation
of amyloid beta oligomers and
fibrils, binds plaques, and reduces
amyloid in vivo. J Biol Chem.
2005 Feb 18;280(7):5892-901.
Baum L, Ng
A, Curcumin interaction with copper
and iron suggests one possible
mechanism of action in Alzheimer’s
disease animal models. J Alzheimers
Dis. 2004 Aug;6(4):367-77.
Kivipelto M,
Obesity and vascular risk factors
at midlife and the risk of dementia
and Alzheimer disease. Arch Neurol.
2005 Oct;62(10):1556-60.
Rovio S, et
al., Leisure-time physical activity
at midlife and the risk of dementia
and Alzheimer’s disease.
Lancet Neurol. 2005 Nov;4(11):705-11.
Common environmental toxins
are more pervasive and dangerous
than is suggested by health authorities.
Of particular concern, according
to researchers, are lead, radon,
tobacco smoke, and byproducts
of chemicals used to disinfect
municipal water supplies, including
trihalomethanes (THM). They suggest
that allowable levels (80 parts
per billion in the USA) are far
too high. As little as 1 ppb can
increase the risk of bladder cancer.
(Wigle DT, Lanphear BP, Human
Health Risks from Low-Level Environmental
Exposures... PLoS Med. 2005 Oct
18;2(12):e350 [Epub ahead of print].)
Using a solid carbon block filter
can virtually eliminate the lead
and THM from drinking water. Ventilation
of homes can reduce the radon
risk.
Chronic back pain is a leading
cause of lost work days. An exercise
program with both strength and
flexibility training for 2-4 months
is effective treatment, and is
better than ultrasound, electrical
stimulation, and hot packs. More
intensive activity appears to
be even better than less intense
regimens, refuting the myth that
bed rest is a good treatment for
back pain, but it requires some
effort. (Exercise training may
ease chronic back pain. Reuters
Health, October 4, 2005.)
Consuming more beans, nuts, and
cereal grains provides protection
against cancer. These contain
inositol pentakisphosphate (similar
to phytate, or inositol hexaphosphate–IP6,
already shown to help with cancer),
which blocks PI3K, an enzyme that
promotes tumor growth through
angiogenesis (Maffucci T, et al.,
Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol
3-kinase/Akt pathway by inositol
pentakisphosphate results in antiangiogenic
and antitumor effects. Cancer
Res. 2005 Sep 15;65(18):8339-49).
These foods have many other benefits
(fiber and flavonoid content)
and many tasty recipes include
them.
This is a Mediterranean-style
hearty soup for chilly fall days.
Sauté onions and garlic
with diced carrots and celery
in olive oil, adding chopped fresh
basil and parsley, thyme, rosemary,
and some freshly ground pepper.
When the garlic starts to turn
brown, add boiling water, lentils,
cubes of potato, barley (about
half as much as the lentils),
and a can or two of organic fire-roasted
tomatoes or fresh, grilled tomatoes).
Let this simmer until the potatoes,
lentils, and barley are all soft.
Add chopped green leafy vegetables
(chard, spinach, or kale), and
when these are wilted, add some
lemon juice and a small amount
of salt or soy sauce. As a final
step, turn off the heat and fold
in some chopped fresh cilantro.
You can use brown rice or millet
instead of the barley, or you
can leave the grain out and serve
the dish with a side of whole
grain bread.
