Nutrition

Berberine inhibits growth, induces G1 arrest and apoptosis in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells by regulating Cdki-Cdk-cyclin cascade, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP. Mantena SK, Sharma SD, Katiyar SK. Carcinogenesis. 2006 Oct;27(10):2018-27. Epub 2006 Apr 18. PMID: 16621886 doi:10.1093/carcin/bgl043 In the present investigation, we show that berberine, which is present abundantly in Berberis plant species, significantly inhibits the viability, proliferation and induces cell death in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells (Figure 1), but this effect was not found in normal human epidermal keratinocytes under the identical conditions, except for a non-significant reduction in cell viability at higher concentrations of berberine (50 and 75 µM) and treatment of cells for a longer period of time (72 h). These data suggested that berberine may be examined as an effective chemotherapeutic agent against non-melanoma skin cancers. In conclusion, our study indicates that berberine inhibits growth, induces G1 arrest and apoptotic cell death of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. We also provide mechanistic evidences that berberine-induced apoptosis in human epidermoid carcinoma cells is mediated through disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspase 3 pathway, although other pathways may have a role and that require further investigation. Moreover, further in vivo studies are required to determine whether berberine could be an effective chemotherapeutic agent for the prevention of non-melanoma skin cancers.

"Berberine is a bitter-tasting, yellow, plant alkaloid with a long history of medicinal use in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Berberine is present in the roots, rhizomes and stem bark of various plants including Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Coptis chinensis (coptis or goldenthread), Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), and Berberis aristata (tree turmeric). Berberine has also been used historically as a dye, due to its yellow color. Clinical trials have been conducted using berberine. There is some evidence to support its use in the treatment of trachomas (eye infections), bacterial diarrhea, and leishmaniasis (parasitic disease). Berberine has also shown antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminths (worms), and chlamydia (STD). Future clinical research is warranted in these areas, as well as cardiovascular disease, skin disorders, and liver disorders.

"Berberine is a plant alkaloid isolated from the roots and bark of several herbs. Some of these herbs include: Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), Berberis integerrima. Berbamine and berberine are found in the plant barberry. Coptis chinensis or Berberis aristata Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium) Phellodendron Amurense Yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica). The berberine alkaloid can be found in the roots, rhizomes, stem, and bark of the plants. Berberine-containing plants are used medicinally in many traditional medical systems, including Ayurvedic herbal and Chinese herbal medicine. Coptis chinensis rhizome -- Golden Thread -- Huang Lian -- Intense yellow color most likely due to high content of berberine, which is very bitter in taste"

Berberine and Coptidis rhizoma as novel antineoplastic agents: a review of traditional use and biomedical investigations. Tang J, Feng Y, Tsao S, Wang N, Curtain R, Wang Y. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Oct 29;126(1):5-17. Epub 2009 Aug 15. PMID: 19686830 doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.08.009 Conclusions The modern evidences of treating cancer with Huanglian and berberine have a strong linkage with traditional concept and rules of using Huanglian in CM practice. As anticancer candidates with low toxicity, berberine and its altered structure, as well as Huanglian and its formulae, will attract scientists to pursue the potential anticancer effects and the mechanisms by using technologies of genomics, proteomics and other advanced approaches. On the other hand, relatively few in vivo studies have been conducted on anticancer effects of Huanglian and berberine. The clinical application of berberine or Huanglian as novel cancer therapeutic agents requires in vivo validations and further investigations of their anticancer mechanisms.

A systematic review of the anticancer properties of berberine, a natural product from Chinese herbs. Sun Y, Xun K, Wang Y, Chen X. Anticancer Drugs. 2009 Oct;20(9):757-69. PMID: 19704371

"Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the group of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is found in such plants as Berberis, goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and Coptis chinensis, usually in the roots, rhizomes, stems, and bark. Berberine is strongly yellow colored, which is why in earlier times berberis species were used to dye wool, leather and wood. Wool is still today dyed with berberine in Northern India Berberine (BBR) is a natural compound with up-regulating activity on both low-density-lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and insulin receptor (InsR). This one-drug-multiple-target characteristic might be suitable for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.[12] Berberine has been tested and used successfully in experimental[13] and human diabetes mellitus.[14][15][16] Berberine has been shown to lower elevated blood glucose as effectively as metformin.[17] The mechanisms include inhibition of aldose reductase,[18] inducing glycolysis,[19] preventing insulin resistance[20] through increasing insulin receptor expression[14] and acting like incretins. Berberine has drawn extensive attention towards its antineoplastic effects.[43][44] It seems to suppress the growth of a wide variety of tumor cells including breast cancer,[45] leukemia, melanoma,[46] epidermoid carcinoma, hepatoma, oral carcinoma, tongue carcinoma,[47] glioblastoma, prostate carcinoma, gastric carcinoma.[48][49] Animal studies have shown that berberine can suppress chemical-induced carcinogenesis, tumor promotion, tumor invasion,[50][51][52][53][54] prostate cancer,[55][56][57][58] neuroblastoma,[59][60] and leukemia.[34][61] It is a radiosensitzer of tumor cells but not of normal cells

"Let's shine some sunlight on these knowledge deficiencies: * Serum vitamin D levels have been dropping (as chronic inflammation has been increasing) over the last three decades -- has something changed in our diets? * Vitamin D deficiencies occur globally (not restricted to Northern latitudes or winter) -- related to diet? * Women are more vulnerable, because of cultural modesty in some countries, but males are still D-deficient. * A subset of people exposed to ample sunshine are still D-deficient. * Vitamin D deficient individuals also have elevated TNF. * Vitamin D deficiency and inflammation are risk factors in the same diseases. It seems that the simplest conclusion is that chronic inflammation leads to vitamin D deficiency, even though vitamin D deficiency may also contribute to inflammation."

Is a lower dose of vitamin D supplementation enough to increase 25(OH)D status in a sunny country? Pignotti GA, Genaro PS, Pinheiro MM, Szejnfeld VL, Martini LA. Eur J Nutr. 2009 Nov 28. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 19946776 CONCLUSION: The dose given (400 IU/day) was not enough to achieve 25(OH)D concentration, considered optimal for bone health.

"For more than 80 years, scientists have known that vitamin D is important for building bones. And for most of those 80 years, people thought this was the only thing it was good for. In the past decade, however, we've learned two important things about vitamin D: it appears to have many other important health effects, and many Americans don't get enough of it. In 2008, new research pointed to a vitamin D deficiency as a possible contributing factor in heart disease. And the suspected link between vitamin D deficiency and cancer grew even stronger. This surely will spur much new research in 2009. Why is vitamin D deficiency so common? The vitamin is made in our skin when sunlight strikes it. Many Americans-especially those who live in the northern part of the country, are elderly or have dark skin-don't soak up enough sun. And the vitamin isn't found in many foods. The main sources are fatty fish (such as salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines) and milk, cereal and juices that have been fortified with it. Vitamin D deficiency often is unsuspected because it causes no direct symptoms; like high blood pressure, it does its damage silently."

The effect of omega-3 FAs on tumour angiogenesis and their therapeutic potential. Spencer L, Mann C, Metcalfe M, Webb M, Pollard C, Spencer D, Berry D, Steward W, Dennison A. Eur J Cancer. 2009 Aug;45(12):2077-86. Epub 2009 Jun 1. Review. PMID: 19493674 Omega-3 fatty acid (omega-3 FA) consumption has long been associated with a lower incidence of colon, breast and prostate cancers in many human populations. Human trials have demonstrated omega-3 FA to have profound anti-inflammatory effects in those with cancer. In vitro and small animal studies have yielded a strong body of evidence establishing omega-3 FA as having anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effects. This review explores the evidence and the mechanisms by which omega-3 FA may act as angiogenesis inhibitors and identifies opportunities for original research trialling omega-3 FAs as anti-cancer agents in humans. The conclusions drawn from this review suggest that omega-3 FAs in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found principally in oily fish have potent anti-angiogenic effects inhibiting production of many important angiogenic mediators namely; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Platelet-Derived Endothelial Cell Growth Factor (PDECGF), cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2), prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), nitric oxide, Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta (NFKB), matrix metalloproteinases and beta-catenin

Fatty fish and fish omega-3 fatty acid intakes decrease the breast cancer risk: a case-control study. Kim J, Lim SY, Shin A, Sung MK, Ro J, Kang HS, Lee KS, Kim SW, Lee ES. BMC Cancer. 2009 Jun 30;9:216. PMID: 19566923 doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-216 Conclusion These results suggest that high consumption of fatty fish is associated with a reduced risk for breast cancer, and that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish is inversely associated with postmenopausal breast cancer risk

Synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of low doses of curcumin in combination with polyunsaturated fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid. Saw CL, Huang Y, Kong AN. Biochem Pharmacol. 2010 Feb 1;79(3):421-30. Epub 2009 Sep 8. PMID: 19744468

"As more and more research is carried out into foods and the nutrients that they contain, we are seeing that many of the foods we have been eating for generations, and some that are newer to us, are packed full of vitamins and minerals, and many other nutrients with exciting health benefits. This list is provided for your information and reference, however it must be remembered that everybody is unique and has individual nutritional needs, and we recommend seeing a practitioner before making any significant changes to your diet."

"A new study finds that obese people have brains that eight percent smaller than thin people and those brains look 16 years older. Live Science.com reports that this condition makes it harder to think and puts people at greater risk for Alzheimer's and other diseases. The results, based on brain scans of 94 people in their 70s, represent "severe brain degeneration," said Paul Thompson, senior author of the study and a UCLA professor of neurology. "

"Imagine a superfood -- not a drug -- powerful enough to help you lower your cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, and, for an added bonus, put you in a better mood. Did we mention that there are no side effects? You'd surely stock up on a lifetime supply. Guess what? These life-altering superfoods are available right now in your local supermarket. "The effect that diet can have on how you feel today and in the future is astounding," says nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, author of Nutritionfor aHealthy Pregnancy, Food & Mood, and The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. "Even people who are healthy can make a few tweaks and the impact will be amazing," Somer says. "I'd say that 50% to 70% of suffering could be eliminated by what people eat and how they move: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension can all be impacted.""

A review of scientific research and recommendations regarding eggs. Kritchevsky SB. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Dec;23(6 Suppl):596S-600S. Review. PMID: 15640512 For much of the past 40 years, the public has been warned away from eggs because of a concern over coronary heart disease risk. This concern is based on three observations: 1. eggs are a rich source of dietary cholesterol; 2. when fed experimentally, dietary cholesterol increases serum cholesterol and; 3. high serum cholesterol predicts the onset of coronary heart disease. However, data from free-living populations show that egg consumption is not associated with higher cholesterol levels. Furthermore, as a whole, the epidemiologic literature does not support the idea that egg consumption is a risk factor for coronary disease. Within the nutritional community there is a growing appreciation that health derives from an overall pattern of diet rather than from the avoidance of particular foods, and there has been a shift in the tone in recent dietary recommendations away from "avoidance" messages to ones that promote healthy eating patterns. The most recent American Heart Association guidelines no longer include a recommendation to limit egg consumption, but recommend the adoption of eating practices associated with good health. Based on the epidemiologic evidence, there is no reason to think that such a healthy eating pattern could not include eggs.

Nutritional contribution of eggs to American diets. Song WO, Kerver JM. J Am Coll Nutr. 2000 Oct;19(5 Suppl):556S-562S. PMID: 11023007 Conclusions: In this cross-sectional and population-based study, egg consumption made important nutritional contributions to the American diet and was not associated with high serum cholesterol concentrations.

Introduction: nutritional and functional roles of eggs in the diet. Applegate E. J Am Coll Nutr. 2000 Oct;19(5 Suppl):495S-498S. Review. PMID: 11022998 For years, eggs have been held up as a powerhouse of nutrition. This reputation has been due to eggs' exceptional nutrition profile as a nutrient-dense food containing high quality protein and a substantial amount of many essential vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately their position on the nutrition pedestal fell with the discovery that they are also a source of dietary cholesterol. The most recent scientific research not only returns eggs to their golden past, but elevates their position as a functional food and ultimately provides more reasons than ever to consume eggs. In February 2000, scientists convened at a conference in Amelia Island, Florida, to discuss the latest research about the role of eggs in disease prevention and the promotion of health. This supplement of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (JACN) presents compelling scientific evidence about eggs' functional food attributes, reaffirms that eggs have a minimal effect on blood cholesterol levels and presents new research on the contribution of eggs to the American diet. For health professionals, this issue provides a new scientifically based viewpoint on eggs and their role in health and nutrition, a viewpoint that should be imparted to all consumers in an effort to ensure optimal health and well-being.

Types of dietary fat and risk of coronary heart disease: a critical review. Hu FB, Manson JE, Willett WC. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001 Feb;20(1):5-19. Review. PMID: 11293467

A systematic review of the evidence supporting a causal link between dietary factors and coronary heart disease. Mente A, de Koning L, Shannon HS, Anand SS. Arch Intern Med. 2009 Apr 13;169(7):659-69. Review. PMID: 19364995 Conclusions The evidence supports a valid association of a limited number of dietary factors and dietary patterns with CHD. Future evaluation of dietary patterns, including their nutrient and food components, in cohort studies and randomized trials is recommended