Natural Standard Blog

FDA: New Rule for Sunscreen Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new rule for sunscreen products, including a new UVA rating system and sun warning information.

The FDA proposed a new regulation that sets standards for formulating, testing and labeling over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen drug products with ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection.

The FDA reports that because consumers have been able to identify the level of UVB protection for more than 30 years, the new rule is designed to also alert them to the level of UVA protection.

According to the FDA, sunlight is composed of the visible light that humans can see, and ultraviolet (UV) light is composed of the light that humans cannot see. There are two types of UV light – UVA and UVB. UVA light is responsible for tanning, and UVB is responsible for sunburn. Both can damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells. It most often develops on skin exposed to the sun, but it can also occur on areas that are not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. Skin cancer is generally divided into two stages, local (where the cancer affects only the skin) and metastatic (where cancer has spread beyond the skin).

Researchers estimate that more than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. One out of five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.

The FDA reports that the proposed regulation creates a consumer-friendly rating system for UVA products designed to help consumers identify the level of UVA protection offered by a product. Additionally, the FDA proposal provides a ratings system for UVA sunscreen products on a scale of one to four stars. One star would represent low UVA protection, two stars would represent medium protection, three stars would represent high protection and four stars would represent the highest UVA protection available in an OTC sunscreen product. If a sunscreen product does not provide at least a low level (one star) of protection, the FDA is proposing that such products be required to bear a "no UVA protection" marking on the front label near the SPF value.

Ratings would be derived from two tests the FDA proposes to assess the effectiveness of sunscreens in providing protection against UVA light. The first test measures a product's ability to reduce the amount of UVA radiation that passes through it. The second test measures a product's ability to prevent tanning. This test is nearly identical to the SPF test used to determine the effectiveness of UVB sunscreen products.

In addition, a "Warnings" statement in the "Drug Facts" box will be required of all sunscreen product manufacturers. The warning will say: "UV exposure from the sun increases the risk of skin cancer, premature skin aging, and other skin damage. It is important to decrease UV exposure by limiting time in the sun, wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen." The warning is intended to increase awareness that sunscreens are only one part of a sun protection program.

When finalized, the proposed regulation would amend the existing OTC sunscreen rule published in 1999 that established regulations related to UVB light and mandated that OTC UVB sunscreen products be labeled with a SPF. The FDA is also amending its existing 1999 rule to increase the SPF from SPF30+ to SPF50+. Previously, the FDA had recognized SPF values up to 30+. Under the proposed amendment, the range would be SPF2 to SPF50+. Products that are SPF50 provide more UVB protection than lower SPF values.

Additionally, the proposed rule revises the existing SPF (UVB) testing procedures, allows new combinations of active ingredients and asks for comments on the issue of nanoparticles.

The FDA is accepting comments on the new rule for 90 days until November 26, 2007. Comments must be identified with Docket No. 1978N-0038 and can be submitted electronically or in written form.

For more information about integrative therapies that may help block ultraviolet rays, please visit Natural Standard’s Herbs & Supplements database. For more information about skin cancer, please visit Natural Standard’s Conditions database.

 

Antioxidant Supplementation may Increase Skin Cancer Risk in Women

Antioxidant may increase the risk of skin cancer in women, but not in men, a new study suggests.

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells. It most often develops on skin exposed to the sun, but it can also occur on areas that are not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.

More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. One in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.

Researchers from France tested whether supplementation with a combination of antioxidant vitamins and minerals could reduce the risk of skin cancer. It was performed within the framework of the Supplementation in Vitamins and Mineral Antioxidants study, a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, primary prevention trial that tested the efficacy of nutritional doses of antioxidants in reducing incidence of cancer and ischemic heart disease in the general population.

Researchers randomized French adults (7,876 women and 5,141 men) to take an oral daily capsule of antioxidants (120 milligrams vitamin C, 30 milligrams vitamin E, 6 mg ß-carotene, 100 micrograms selenium and 20 milligrams zinc) or a matching placebo. The median time of follow-up was 7.5 years.

A total of 157 cases of all types of skin cancer were reported, from which 25 were melanomas. Because the effect of antioxidants on skin cancer incidence varied according to gender, men and women were analyzed separately.

The researchers found that in women, the incidence of skin cancer was higher in the antioxidant group. Conversely, in men, incidence did not differ between the two treatment groups. Despite the small number of events, the incidence of melanoma was also higher in the antioxidant group for women. The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer did not differ between the antioxidant and placebo groups.

The study authors concluded that antioxidant supplementation affects the incidence of skin cancer differentially in men and women.

For more information about antioxidants, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements database. For more information about skin cancer, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

 

USDA: Ground Beef and Canned Meat Recalls

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced three important recalls pertaining to ground beef and canned meat.

A Nebraska firm recalled ground beef and buffalo products due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination; a Georgia firm expanded its recall of canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum; and a Michigan firm recalled ground beef products to due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

Custom Pack, Inc. in Hastings, Nebraska is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,920 pounds of ground beef and buffalo products due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination, the USDA reports.

To see a list of the products in the recall, please click here.

The ground beef products were produced between June 1 and June 13, 2007 and were distributed to restaurants and institutions in Nebraska. The ground buffalo patties were produced on June 7, 2007 and distributed to restaurants and institutions in Colorado. None of these products were sold through grocery stores.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact company President David B. Dirks at 402.462.2532.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Georgia firm Castleberry's Food Company, owned by Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, is voluntarily expanding its July 19, 2007 recall of canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum, reports the USDA.

Information gathered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) led to the expanded recall; the organizations found that processing malfunction at the establishment have existed longer than initially estimated.

To see a list of the products Castleberry's is recalling, please click here.

The USDA advises consumers with any of these products to throw them away immediately. Cans should be doubled bagged in plastic bags. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company's Consumer Hotline at 888.203.8446.

And finally, Abbott's Meat Inc., a Flint, Michigan establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 26,669 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to the USDA.

For a list of products subject to the recall, please click here.

Each box also bears the establishment number "Est. 10215" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

As of July 21, 2007, no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products had been received. The ground beef products were produced between July 12 and July 20, 2007 and were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Michigan.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact company HACCP Coordinator Pamela Glasco or company President Edward Abbott at 810.232.7128

Motivational Interviewing for Fitness

Motivational interviewing, along with individual and group-based strategies, may increase fitness in women living in rural areas, a new study suggests.

Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, explained that walking can significantly increase cardiorespiratory fitness and thereby reduce the incidence of heart disease in women. However, there is a lack of research aimed at increasing walking in rural women, a high-risk group for heart disease and one for which exercise strategies may pose particular challenges.

In the study, researchers evaluated Heart-to-Heart (HTH), a 12-week walking program designed to increase fitness in rural women through walking. Heart-to-Heart integrated individual-oriented strategies, including motivational interviewing, and group-based strategies, including team building.

Forty-six rural women were randomized to either Heart-to-Heart or a comparison group. The primary outcome of cardiorespiratory fitness and secondary outcomes of self-efficacy and social support were measured pre-intervention and post-intervention. Group differences were analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance.

The study found that women in the Heart-to-Heart group had greater improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and in social support compared to women in the comparison group. Neither group of women experienced a change in exercise self-efficacy.

The study authors concluded that Heart-to-Heart effectively improved cardiorespiratory fitness in a sample of rural women. Further research is needed to refine HTH and determine the optimal approach in rural women to increase their walking.

Motivational interviewing refers to a counseling approach initially developed by clinical psychologists Dr. William R Miller and Dr. Stephen Rollnick. It recognizes that clients who need to make changes in their lives approach counseling at different levels of readiness.

Motivational interviewing is non-judgmental and non-confrontational. The approach attempts to increase clients' awareness of the potential problems caused, consequences experienced and risks faced as a result of the behavior in question. Alternately, therapists help clients both envision a better future and become increasingly motivated to achieve it. With either strategy, counselors aim to help clients think differently about their behaviors and ultimately consider what might be gained through change.

Motivational interviewing is based on four principles: (1) Express empathy, guides therapists to share with clients their understanding of the clients' perspectives; (2) Develop discrepancy, guides therapists to help clients appreciate the value of change by exploring the discrepancy between how clients want their lives to be vs. how they currently are (or between their deeply-held values and their day-to-day behavior); (3) Roll with resistance, guides therapists to accept client reluctance to change as natural rather than pathological; and (4) Support self-efficacy, guides therapists to explicitly embrace client autonomy (even when clients choose to not change) and help clients move toward change successfully and with confidence.

Fitness is a set of attributes that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cite five components of physical fitness - muscular strength, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance and body composition.

The CDC recommends that people of all ages participate in 30 minutes of physical activity (of mild intensity) daily. In addition, cardiorespiratory endurance activity should be supplemented with strength-developing exercises at least twice per week for adults, in order to improve musculoskeletal health and reduce the risk of falling.

According to the CDC, 50 percent of Americans do not exercise enough to achieve health benefits. Physical fitness and dietary intake are good indicators of a person's overall likelihood of developing serious and chronic health problems. Consistent physical exercise is more important than the type of exercise performed.

Integrative therapies with strong or good scientific evidence in the prevention of heart disease include beta-glucan, beta-sitosterol, calcium, niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, policosanol, psyllium, red yeast rice, soy, avocado, barley, betaine anhydrous, carob, coleus, cordyceps, gamma oryzanol, garlic, globe artichoke, l-carnitine, pantethine, sweet almond, yoga and zinc.

For more information about the the integrative therapies mentioned in this story, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

 

Acupuncture for Blood Pressure

Acupuncture may lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension (high blood pressure), a new study suggests.

Researchers from Germany investigated whether traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture is able to lower blood pressure.

In the study, 160 outpatients (78 men and 102 women) between 50 and 66 years of age (average age 58) with uncomplicated arterial high blood pressure were randomized in a single-blind fashion to a six-week course of active acupuncture or sham acupuncture. The patients participated in a total of 22 sessions that each lasted 30 minutes.

Researchers noted that 78 percent of participants were receiving blood pressure-lowering medications, which remained unchanged. One hundred forty patients finished the treatment course (72 with active treatment, 68 with sham treatment).

The researchers found that there was a significant difference in post-treatment blood pressures adjusted for baseline values between the active and sham acupuncture groups at the end of treatment. In the active acupuncture group, average 24-hour ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased significantly after treatment. At three and six months, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures returned to pretreatment levels in the active treatment group.

The study authors concluded that acupuncture according to traditional Chinese medicine, but not sham acupuncture, after six weeks of treatment significantly lowered mean 24-hour ambulatory blood pressures; the effect disappeared after cessation of acupuncture treatment.

The practice of acupuncture originated in China 5,000 years ago. Today, acupuncture is widely used throughout the world, and it is one of the main pillars of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture has become integrated with Western medicine as well, and it is often referred to as medical acupuncture in that context.

There is reasonable scientific evidence supporting acupuncture for several indications, including peri-operative dental pain and several types of nausea and vomiting.

Chinese healers believe there are about 360 specific points along 14 different lines, or meridians, that course throughout the body. After making a differential diagnosis based on signs and symptoms and other observable phenomena in situ, acupuncturists choose combinations of acupoints and needle techniques that are thought to restore normal function of the meridians. The body is thereby enabled to relieve what is congested and supply what is deficient, thus achieving a balance between yin and yang.

Other integrative therapies with strong or good scientific evidence for the treatment of high blood pressure include omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, calcium, coenzyme Q10, hibiscus, Qi gong, stevia and yoga.

For more information about the therapies mentioned in this story, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

Algae for Blood Clots

Researchers of a new study found that green and brown algae have strong anticoagulant, or blood thinning activity, suggesting potential for the treatment of blood clots. Blood clots are clumps of different types of blood cells and clotting factors that stop bleeding after an injury.

Researchers from Cheju National University in South Korea evaluated 22 algal species for their potential blood thinning activities.

Researchers found that most probably, the active compound or compounds of the algal species were related to high molecular weight polysaccharide or a complex form with carbohydrate and protein.

Algin is a polysaccharide that is derived from brown seaweed and currently confined to the North Atlantic basin. It is often used as packing material for shellfish. Algin is often used to normalize bowel function. Algin has been used in combination with dietary fibers in rat studies to evaluate their effects on lipids. However, this application has not been confirmed by human studies.

Fucus vesiculosus is a brown seaweed that grows on the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the North and Baltic seas. Laboratory studies have found anticoagulant properties in fucans or fucoidans, which are components of brown algae such as bladderwrack. However, there are no high-quality human studies available to support this use.

More studies are needed to ascertain the effects of green and brown algae on blood thinning and clotting.

 

Herbs that have been clinically reported to increase the risk of bleeding include: garlic, Ginkgo biloba and saw palmetto.

Agents that may increase risk of bleeding when taken alone or concomitantly with other agents based on known mechanism of action, basic science studies, human case reports/trials and/or expert opinion include: alfalfa, American ginseng, angelica, anise, arginine, Arnica montana, asafetida, aspen bark, bilberry , birch, black cohosh, bladderwrack, bogbean, boldo, borage seed oil, bromelain, capsicum, cat's claw, celery, chamomile, chaparral, clove, coleus, cordyceps, danshen, devil's claw, Dong Quai, EPA, evening primrose oil, fenugreek, feverfew, fish oil, flax/flaxseed, ginger, ginseng, grapefruit juice, grape seed, green tea, guggul, gymnestra, horse chestnut, horseradish, leopard's bane, licorice, lovage root, male fern, meadowsweet, nordihydroguairetic acid (NDGA), omega-3 fatty acids, onion, papain, Panax ginseng, parsley, passion flower, poplar, prickly ash, propolis, quassia, red clover, reishi, rue, saw palmetto, siberian ginseng, soy, Spanish bayonet, sweet birch, sweet clover, turmeric, vitamin C, vitamin E, willow bark, wild carrot, wild lettuce and wintergreen.

For more information about the algae or seaweed, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

Citrus for Cancer

Citrus flavonoids, or naturally occurring plant compounds that function as antioxidants, may be effective anticancer agents, a new study reports.

Researchers from Lawson Health Research Institute in Canada explained that tangeritin and nobiletin are citrus flavonoids that are among the most effective at inhibiting cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

Tangeritin is a flavone that is found in tangerine and other citrus peels. Tangeritin is commercially available as a dietary supplement. Nobiletin is one of the citrus bioflavonoids and can be found in citrus fruits such as lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, etc.

The study investigated the antiproliferative activity of tangeretin and nobiletin in human breast cancer cell lines and a human colon cancer line.

Researchers found that both flavonoids inhibited proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and blocked cell cycle progression in all three cell lines. At concentrations that resulted in significant inhibition of proliferation and cell cycle arrest, neither flavonoid induced cell death in any of the tumor cell lines.

To test the ability of arrested cells to recover, cells that were incubated with tangeretin and nobiletin for four days were then cultured in a flavonoid-free medium for an additional four days. Cells resumed proliferation similar to untreated control within a day of flavonoid removal. Cell cycle distribution was similar to that of control within four days of flavonoid removal.

The study authors concluded that in cell lines at concentrations that inhibit proliferation up to 80 percent over four days, tangeretin and nobiletin stop cell growth and significantly suppress proliferation by cell cycle arrest without cell death. Based on this evidence, tangeretin and nobiletin may be effective anticancer agents.

Integrative therapies with strong or good scientific evidence for the treatment of various aspects of cancer include vitamin A, probiotics, psychotherapy and selenium.

For more information about the integrative therapies mentioned above or for information about the medicinal uses of citrus fruits, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

Phytoestrogens for Bone Health

Genistein, a phytoestrogen isoflavone found in soy products, may help increase bone health by reducing bone loss in osteopenic postemenopausal women, according to a new study. Osteopenia causes the bones to become less dense.

Researchers from the University of Messina in Italy assessed the effects of genistein on bone metabolism in osteopenic postmenopausal women in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

The study included 389 postmenopausal women with a bone mineral density (BMD) less than 0.795 grams per centimeter squared at the femoral neck and no significant comorbid conditions.

After a four-week stabilization period during which participants received a low-soy, reduced-fat diet, participants were randomly assigned to receive placebo (191 patients) or 54 milligrams of genistein (198 participants) daily for 24 months. Both the genistein and placebo tablets contained calcium and vitamin D.

The primary outcome was bone mineral density at the anteroposterior lumbar spine and femoral neck at 24 months.

The researchers found that bone mineral density increased in genistein recipients and decreased in placebo recipients at the anteroposterior lumbar spine and the femoral neck. Genistein decreased urinary excretion of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline, increased levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and insulin-like growth factor I and did not change endometrial thickness compared with placebo. These results were statistically significant. More genistein recipients than placebo recipients experienced gastrointestinal side effects (19 percent vs. eight percent) and discontinued the study.

Study limitations were that the study did not measure fractures and had limited power to evaluate adverse effects.

The study authors concluded that 24 months of treatment with genistein has positive effects on bone mineral density in osteopenic postmenopausal women.

Integrative therapies with strong, good or unclear evidence for the treatment of osteopenia and related conditions include calcium, vitamin D, black tea, boron, copper, creatine, DHEA, gamma linolenic acid, horsetail, physical therapy, red clover, soy, tai chi, tamarind and vitamin K.

For more information about the therapies listed above and isoflavones, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Pain

Electrical nerve stimulation, or ENS, may be an effective treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain, a new study reports.

Researchers from the Philosopher's River Consultancy in Montana explained that previous studies and meta-analyses of the efficacy of electrical nerve stimulation for the treatment of chronic pain associated with various diseases have produced mixed results.

The researchers investigated whether ENS is an effective treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain by using statistical techniques that permit accumulation of a sample size with adequate power.

The analysis included randomized, controlled trials published between January 1976 and November 2006 and obtained from the National Libraries of Medicine, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. In addition, prospective, placebo-controlled studies using any modality of ENS to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain in any anatomical location were included. The main outcome measure was pain at rest.

A total of 38 studies in 29 papers, which included 335 placebo, 474 ENS and 418 cross-over (both placebo and at least one ENS treatment) patients, met the selection criteria.

The overall results showed a significant decrease in pain with ENS therapy using a random-effects model. These results indicate that ENS may be an effective treatment modality for chronic musculoskeletal pain and that previous, equivocal results may have been due to underpowered studies.

Integrative therapies with good scientific evidence for the treatment of chronic pain include acupuncture, bromelain, comfrey, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, hypnosis, music therapy, physical therapy and therapeutic touch.

For more information about electrical nerve stimulation, please refer to Natural Standard's monograph on TENS. For information about the integrative therapies for chronic pain listed above, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

Low-Glycemic Diet for Acne

A low-glycemic diet may help improve acne, a new study reports. In addition, the low-glycemic diet may also result in weight loss and body mass reduction.

Researchers from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, explained that although the pathogenesis of acne is currently unknown, recent studies suggest that dietary factors, including the glycemic load, may be involved.

The study investigated whether a low-glycemic-load diet improves acne lesion counts in young males.

Researchers recruited 43 male acne patients aged 15-25 years for the 12-week, parallel design, dietary intervention incorporating investigator-blinded dermatology assessments.

The experimental treatment was a low-glycemic-load diet composed of 25 percent energy from protein and 45 percent energy from low-glycemic-index carbohydrates. In contrast, the control situation emphasized carbohydrate-dense foods without reference to the glycemic index. Acne lesion counts and severity were assessed during monthly visits, and insulin sensitivity was measured at baseline and 12 weeks.

The researchers found that at 12 weeks, the mean total lesion counts had decreased more in the low-glycemic-load group than in the control group. The experimental diet also resulted in a greater reduction in weight and body mass index and a greater improvement in insulin sensitivity than did the control diet.

The authors concluded that the improvement in acne and insulin sensitivity after a low-glycemic-load diet suggests that nutrition-related lifestyle factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of acne. However, further studies are needed to isolate the independent effects of weight loss and dietary intervention and to further clarify the underlying mechanisms.

The glycemic index is a numerical index that ranks carbohydrates based on their rate of glycemic response (i.e. their conversion to glucose within the human body). Glycemic index uses a scale of 0 to 100, with higher values given to foods that cause the most rapid rise in blood sugar. Pure glucose serves as a reference point and is given a glycemic index (GI) of 100.

Foods with a high GI are those that are rapidly digested and absorbed and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low-GI foods, by virtue of their slow digestion and absorption, produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels and have proven benefits for health.

The theory behind the glycemic index is to minimize insulin-related problems by identifying and avoiding foods that have the greatest effect on blood sugar, especially for those with diabetes.

Low-GI diets have been shown to improve both glucose and lipid levels in people with diabetes (type 1 and type 2) and reduce insulin levels and insulin resistance. Low-GI diets may also have benefits for weight control because they help control appetite and delay hunger.

Reliance on GI may lead to over consumption. GI should only be used to rate a food's carbohydrate content. If it is used as the sole factor for determining diet, individuals may easily end up over consuming fat and total calories.

A major criticism of the GI-diet is that the reference food used to determine the glycemic index, white bread, is popular only within a particular culture. Even proponents of this diet acknowledge that the glycemic index tests were developed for people who eat at least 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. Results for people whose foods do not feature large amounts of carbohydrates have not been investigated.

The GI value of a meal featuring every major food group is difficult to predict. Consumers should note that the GI diet is not approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and that following the USDA's Food Pyramid is one potential way to eat healthfully, although some might disagree.

Some junk foods, including chocolate, potato chips and many candy bars, have low GI indexes. However, some suggest that this might be due to small portion sizes. The safety of this diet is not yet well-researched, but consumers should avoid excessive consumption of these generally unhealthy products if they choose to abide by the GI diet. Most of the information about the GI diet available on the Internet is also promoting a product related to this weight-loss plan. Consumers should critically evaluate the bias of information about the GI diet available on the Internet.

Integrative therapies with strong, good or unclear scientific evidence for the treatment of acne include vitamin A (retinol), zinc, guggul and tea tree oil.

For more information about the low-glycemic diet, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness database.

Broccoli and Cauliflower for Prostate Cancer Prevention

A diet rich in cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower, may be associated with a reduced risk of aggressive prostate cancer, a new study reports.

Prostate cancer is the uncontrollable growth of cancerous cells in the prostate gland. The prostate, located in front of the rectum and under the bladder, is part of a man's reproductive system.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting one in six men. Researchers estimate that more than 218,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007. Although only one out of 10,000 men younger than age 40 will be diagnosed, the rate increases up to one out of 39 for men between the ages of 40 to 59, and one out of 14 for men between the ages of 60 to 69. More than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65 years of age.

When diagnosed and treated early, prostate cancer has a cure rate of more than 90 percent. It is extremely important to be diagnosed early, and healthcare professionals recommend men who are 50 years of age and older get screened for prostate cancer.

Researchers from Cancer Care Ontario in Toronto, Canada, evaluated the association between prostate cancer risk and the intake of fruits and vegetables in 1,338 patients with prostate cancer among 29,361 men in the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. In the study, participants completed both a general risk factor and a 137-item food-frequency questionnaire at baseline.

The researchers found that vegetable and fruit consumption was not related to prostate cancer risk overall. However, high intake of cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli and cauliflower, may be associated with reduced risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

There was also some evidence that the risk of aggressive prostate cancer decreased with increasing spinach consumption, but the findings were not consistently statistically significant when restricted to stage III or IV prostate tumors.

Prostate cancer is a growing area of interest for researchers. There is good scientific evidence that selenium supplementation can reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. For more information about integrative therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer, please visit Natural Standard’s Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.