Natural Standard Blog

Meat Linked to Prostate Cancer

Eating large amounts of red and processed meats may be linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, researchers report in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The authors followed 175,343 men in the United States who were 50-71 years old from 1995 until 2003. They recorded the participants’ meat consumption, including the type of meat they ate and how they cooked it, and monitored their iron levels, nitrite/nitrate intake and the number of prostate cancer diagnoses.

By the end of the study, 10,313 developed prostate cancer, of which 419 died.

After adjusting for various factors known to increase the risk of prostate cancer, the authors found that men who ate the most red meat were 12 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer and 33 percent more likely to develop advanced prostate cancer than those who ate the least amount.

Processed meat was also linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer. However, the authors noted that red processed meats (like hot dogs and bacon) were linked to a greater cancer risk than white processed meats (like turkey sandwich meat).

Grilling was the only cooking method that was linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. It has been suggested that cancer risk may be increased by compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are formed when meat (especially red meat) is cooked at high temperatures. When heated, the amino acids, sugars and creatinine are converted into HCAs and PAHs, which have been linked to various cancers, including stomach, colorectal, pancreatic and breast cancers, in humans.

Nitrate intake was also correlated with an increased risk of the disease. Nitrates are preservatives that are added to processed and cured meats such as cold cuts and bacon. The preservatives have been associated with cancer-causing chemicals called nitrosamines.

This study supports growing evidence that too much meat may be unhealthy. Earlier studies suggest that red or processed meat may increase the risk of colon cancer and death (particularly from cancer and heart disease) and may be linked to age-related macular degeneration. Red meat also contains high amounts of saturated fats, which have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.

Some other dietary changes may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. For instance, eating fewer dairy products that are high in fat (like ice cream, cheese and sour cream) may be beneficial. Also, cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower) have been reported to contain cancer-fighting phytochemicals that may decrease the chances of developing prostate cancer.

The American Urological Association (AUA) encourages men who are in good health to have annual PSA testing starting at age 50, or at age 40 if they are in high-risk groups, such as African American men or those with histories of the disease. For more information on prostate cancer screening and prevention, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

For more information about integrative therapies for prostate cancer, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness database.

Frequent Nasal Irrigation May Increase Infections

New evidence suggests that daily nasal irrigation may increase the risk of sinus infections.

Nasal irrigation with warm saline has been promoted as way to cleanse the sinuses and help prevent infections. However, using this therapy too often may not be beneficial.

The latest study, presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI) annual meeting, included 68 adults who used nasal irrigation frequently for one year and then stopped therapy for one year. The patients were compared to 24 control patients who did not discontinue nasal irrigation.

The researchers found that number of sinus infections decreased by 62.5 percent after the participants stopped using nasal irrigation. Additionally, after stopping nasal irrigation, they were 50 percent less likely to develop sinus infections than those who continued with daily therapy.

Mucus in the nose contains important immune system molecules that help the body fight against infections. Because nasal irrigation eliminates this mucus, the authors suspect that it may lead to an increased risk of infection.

For more information about nasal irrigation, please visit Natural Standard’s Health & Wellness database.

Green Tea for Pneumonia

Drinking green tea may be protective against pneumonia, a new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests.

The study followed 40,572 National Health Insurance beneficiaries in Japan (19,079 men and 21,493 women) who were 40-79 years old and did not have histories of cancer, heart attack or stroke. Study participants were examined to determine the potential relationship between green tea consumption and death from pneumonia.

After 12 years of follow up, 406 out of the 34,539 participants included (6,033 lost to follow-up) died from pneumonia. However, drinking green tea daily was associated with significantly lower risks of death from pneumonia among women.

After adjusting for age, smoking status, physical functionality and other risk factors, drinking just one cup of green daily was linked to a 41 percent reduced risk of dying from pneumonia among women. Benefits were greater when green tea consumption increased, as women who reported drinking five or more cups a day had a 47 percent lower risk of dying from pneumonia. These results were not observed in men.

Of the many reported benefits of green tea, these data support the possibility that green tea contains components that help fight against viruses and bacteria. For instance, catechins, a main constituent of green tea, have been suggested to have antiviral activity according to experimental and animal studies.

The findings of this cohort study are suggestive, but drinking green tea is not yet recommended to replace current preventative techniques such as hand washing and yearly flu vaccination.

Other non-pharmacological therapies have also been tested for the prevention of pneumonia and pneumonia-related complications. Chiropractic and chlorophyll are just some of the other integrative therapies with potential immune-regulating effects and suggested protective benefits for pneumonia, but the evidence is not fully supportive.

For more information about pneumonia, please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions database.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Major breast cancer organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, are joining forces this month as part of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month program. The campaign aims to increase awareness and promote research about the disease.

As part of this effort, Natural Standard is working with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure© organization to provide consumer information about integrative therapies for breast cancer.

New evidence from the American Cancer Society suggests that in recent years, fewer Americans are dying from breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2009-2010 report suggests that from 1990 to 2005, the number of breast cancer-related deaths has decreased by about 27 percent.

Although fatality rates have decreased among African American, Hispanic and Caucasian women, disparities exist between some races. According to the findings, African American women have a 40 percent higher fatality rate than Caucasian women. The authors suggest that several factors, such as unequal access to medical care and late-stage diagnosis, may contribute to disproportional mortality rates.

Early detection of breast cancer remains essential for improving long-term outcomes. When breast cancer is diagnosed early, the survival rate is about 100 percent, but if diagnosed late, the survival rate is only about 20 percent. Yet, the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006-2008 only 30 percent of uninsured women had mammograms, compared to 70 percent of insured women.

Aside from regular cancer screenings, diet and lifestyle choices may factor into breast cancer risk and management. It is generally recommended that individuals eat healthy and well-balanced diets, maintain healthy body weight, exercise regularly and drink alcohol in moderation (if at all). Many studies are testing the potential benefits of specific foods and diets on breast cancer.

For instance, a new study suggests that a "prudent diet" rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains, yet low in sugars and processed meats may help cut the risk of breast cancer in some African American women.

After studying the diets and health of 50,778 African American women from 1995 to 2007, the researchers found that normal-weight women who followed the prudent diet were about one-third less likely to develop breast cancer than those followed a Western-style diet. However, benefits were not observed in overweight women.

The prudent diet was also associated with a 30 percent reduced risk of breast cancer among premenopausal women compared to post-menopausal women.

Another recent study found that a high-fiber diet may also decrease the risk of breast cancer.

The researchers analyzed data from 185,598 post-menopausal women who participated in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Hormone receptor status, which indicates whether estrogen (ER) and/or progesterone (PR) fuel the growth of the tumor, was available for 2,391 patients.

After an average follow-up period of seven years, the researchers found that women who ate the most fiber were 13 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who ate the least amount. The association was stronger among those with negative ER/PR tumors compared to those with positive ER/PR tumors.

However, more studies are needed to fully understand the potential relationship between fiber intake and breast cancer risk.

Although some diets may be beneficial for breast cancer, some foods, herbs and supplements may increase the risk of the disease or interact with cancer treatment. For instance, soy red clover and black cohosh contain phytoestrogens, which act similarly to estrogen. For more information about the safety of integrative therapies, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

To screen for potential interactions with other therapies, including chemotherapy, please visit Natural Standard's Interactions Checker.

For more information about breast cancer, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

Wine for Radiation Side Effects

Compounds in red wine may help reduce the risk of radiation-induced skin reactions in breast cancer patients, researchers report.

Skin problems, including irritation, swelling, blisters, redness and dryness are common side effects of radiation. Although medications may help prevent these reactions, they are often costly and can cause their own side effects.

Therefore, less expensive, natural products have been gaining interest among patients. The latest study tested the potential benefits of red wine, which contains antioxidants, including polyphenol, tannins and resveratrol, that may have anticancer effects.

The study included 348 women who were receiving radiation therapy after breast cancer surgery. They were divided into three groups depending on the dose of radiation received.

About 13.6 percent of women who drank a glass of wine daily experienced skin reactions compared to 31.8 of women who drank a half glass of wine daily and 38.4 percent of those who did not drink any wine. However, the incidence increased to 35 percent among those who drank two glasses daily. The wine did not affect the anticancer effects of radiation.

However, these results are preliminary and controversial. Other research has found that drinking as little as one alcoholic beverage daily may increase the risk of breast cancer. In fact, researchers estimate that alcohol consumption may play a role in up to 11 percent of breast cancer cases.

For more information about cancer please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

Cannabis Compounds may Inhibit Prostate Cancer

Early evidence suggests that compounds in marijuana called cannabinoids may help prevent prostate cancer cells from growing.

Researchers tested the anticancer effects of two cannabinoids: methanandamide and JWH-015. The compounds stopped the growth of therapy-resistance human prostate cancer cells in the laboratory and significantly reduced the size of prostate tumors in mice.

According to the authors, the cannabinoids may work by blocking tumor cell receptors, thereby preventing them from multiplying.

Although these preliminary results are promising, additional research is needed to fully understand how cannabinoids may affect prostate cancer in humans.

In a related April 2009 study, researchers found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in marijuana, may help kill brain cancer cells. THC caused the tumors to shrink in both the mice and humans. They also noted that THC caused the tumor cells to undergo autophagy, or self-destruction.

For more information about marijuana, please visit Natural Standard’s Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Probiotics may Prevent Colds

A new study suggests that probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria naturally found in the body and commonly added to cultured milk products, may help prevent cold and flu viruses in children.

There are many different types of probiotics that have various affects on the body. In general, probiotics have been found to help boost the immune system. They may also aid in several gastrointestinal illnesses, such as inflammatory bowel disease, antibiotic-related diarrhea, colitis, infectious diarrhea, hepatic encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome and allergies.

Probiotics are thought to work by competing with harmful organisms for nutrients. Some probiotics may also produce substances that inhibit their growth. As a result, probiotics are thought to restore balance to the microorganisms living in the digestive tract.

The latest study, published in the journal Pediatrics, included 326 children from China who were three to five years old. They were randomly assigned to receive milk with probiotics (either Lactobacillus acidophilus alone or in combination with Bifidobacterium animalis) or plain milk twice daily from November 2005 to May 2006.

The researchers report that children who received probiotics developed fewer colds, needed fewer antibiotics and missed fewer days of school than the children who drank plain milk.

Children in the Lactobacillus group developed 53 percent fewer fevers, 41 percent fewer cough episodes and 28 percent fewer runny noses than those in the placebo group. Among those who became sick, length of illness was 32 percent shorter in the Lactobacillus group than in the placebo group. Additionally, the rate of antibiotic use was 68 percent lower and the number of days absent from school was 38 percent lower compared to the placebo group.

These beneficial effects were even more noticeable in those who received the combination of probiotics. These children developed 72 percent fewer fevers, 62 percent fewer cough episodes and 59 percent fewer runny noses. The average duration of illness was also shortened by 48 percent compared to the placebo group. These children were also 84 percent less likely to use antibiotics and 32 percent less likely to miss school than those in the placebo group.

Although these results are promising, the study was funded by Danisco, a Danish company that makes probiotics products. Additional research is needed to confirm these results.

For more information about probiotics please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Webinar Forum: UCONN Enduring CE Program: Scientific Evidence on the Health Benefits of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Through Every Stage of Life

In this knowledge-based continuing pharmacy education activity, Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD, discusses the available evidence of effectiveness for DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid.

Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and nurses interested in learning about the clinical evidence for the use of DHA for various disease states throughout life are invited to participate in the webinar.

There is no fee for this activity; funding was generously provided by an educational grant from Martek Biosciences Corporation.

Dr. Ulbricht is Attending Pharmacist Massachusetts General Hospital and Chief Editor of Natural Standard Research Collaboration.

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Criteria for Quality and Interpretive Guidelines, The University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy requires that faculty disclose any relationship that the faculty may have with commercial entities whose products or services may be mentioned in the activity. Dr. Catherine Ulbricht does not have any actual or potential conflicts of interest associated with this CPE activity.

To obtain CE credit: pharmacists, technicians, nurses:

• Go to: www.pharmacyce.uconn.edu
• Click on the DHA Tab in the top banner
• Click on the link “post test learning assessment and evaluation”
• Register as a new user if you have never used our system at UConn
• Enter your license number and APPROPRIATE session code for your profession.  Failure to use the correct code will result in the incorrect statement for your profession. 
• Take the quiz and evaluation
• Print your statement of credit

After July 28, 2009, individuals may view the recorded webinar, successfully complete the online post-test learning assessment and evaluate the program to receive 1 hour (0.1CEU) of pharmacist, pharmacy technician or nursing credit.

Fat and Pancreatic Cancer

Two new studies suggest that being obese and eating a high-fat diet may both be associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

Although obesity is already considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer, one of the new studies suggests that obesity during early adulthood may be especially risky.

The case-control study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, included 841 adults with pancreatic cancer and 754 cancer-free individuals. Both groups were matched by age, race and sex. The participants were asked about their height and weight when they were 14-19 years old and how it changed every 10 years.

The authors found significant associations between pancreatic cancer risk and being overweight at age 14-39 and being obese at age 20-49. In addition, being overweight or obese at age 20-49 was associated with an earlier onset of pancreatic cancer by two to six years. On average, pancreatic cancer was diagnosed at age 61 in overweight or obese patients compared to age 64 in people who were of healthy weight.

Although the risk of developing pancreatic cancer leveled off in people older than 40, disease prognosis was worse in people who were overweight or obese later in life (age 30-79).

Another new study suggests that eating a high-fat diet may also be associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, particularly if the fat comes from animal sources, such as meat and dairy products.

Although earlier studies have examined this potential link, results have been inconsistent. This latest observational study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, analyzed data from the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. The study included 308,736 men and 216,737 women who completed a 124-item food frequency questionnaire from 1995 to 1996. None of the participants had cancer when the study began.

After an average follow-up period of 6.3 years, 865 men and 472 women were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. On average, men and women who ate the most total fat were about 23 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who ate the least amount. People who ate the most saturated fat had a 36 percent increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. This risk increased even more (to 43 percent) in people who ate the most saturated fat from animal food sources. The findings remained after adjusting for other risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including smoking, body mass index, energy intake and history of diabetes.

However, this study only shows an association between high-fat diets and pancreatic cancer and does not prove cause and effect. Additional research is needed to fully understand the potential relationship between fat and cancer.

For more information about pancreatic cancer please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions database.

Breastfeeding Linked to Improved School Performance

A new study suggests that breastfeeding may be linked to improved academic performance compared to formula feeding.

Several earlier studies support this finding, but have not clearly proved that breastfeeding actually causes an increase in intelligence. For example, it is possible that mothers who breastfeed may be more educated or be more likely to engage in other behaviors that promote intelligence.  

In this latest study, researchers examined data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which surveyed high school students and their parents. The study included 191 sibling pairs, in which one had been breastfed, while the other had been formula fed. Comparing siblings helped control other factors, such as family environment and parents’ intelligence, which may contribute to academic performance.

The authors found that between siblings, breastfed infants had a 12-14 percent higher grade point average (GPA) during high school and were slightly more likely to attend college than their formula-fed siblings. Both GPA and likelihood of attending college appeared to increase with each additional month of breastfeeding.

However, more research is needed to fully understand how breastfeeding affects cognitive function later in life.

Other evidence suggests that babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop infections (especially lung infections, ear infections, and diarrhea) during their first year of life than babies who are fed formulas. This is because the mother's breast milk contains important antibodies, enzymes, fats and proteins that help boost the baby's immune system. Although baby formulas contain all of the important vitamins and nutrients a growing baby needs, manufacturers have not been able to replicate all of the components in breast milk. Formulas lack antibodies and are more difficult for newborns to digest.

For more information about breastfeeding, please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions database.