NUTRIGENOMICS

“We did not see any serum uric acid lowering effect of cherry juice concentrate so we believe that the mechanism of action in protecting people against gout attacks has to do with the ability of the juice to reduce inflammation,” said Schlesinger.

In a companion study, also presented at EULAR, Schlesinger reported that in vitro experiments suggest that substances in cherries may inhibit the secretion of interleukin 1-beta, part of a chemical cascade in the body that leads from urate crystal formation in and around joints in the extremities to a painful inflammatory gout attack.

Her studies were supported by grants from Brownwood Acres of Eastport, Mich., which produces the cherry juice concentrate used in the research.

 His strategy includes studying the patient’s entire cancerous genome; analyzing some 24,000 genes in each cancer patient, in order to identify the abnormal genes. Once identified, medications and complementary strategies such as diet and supplements are selected to treat these corrupted genes. (This genetic testing, although new, is fully covered by any insurance carrier, including Medicare.)

 Antineoplastons are peptides and derivatives of amino acids that act as molecular switches. However, as genome research blossomed and science progressed, Dr. Burzynski discovered that antineoplastons also work as genetic switches.

 “They turn off the genes that cause cancer,” he explains. “This means oncogenes. And they turn on or activate the genes that fight cancer, which are chemo suppressor genes.

 Basically, we are using molecular switches that work on approximately 100 genes involved in cancer. Approximately 80 percent of these genes, which we are turning off, are oncogenes but about 20 percent, which we are turning on, are chemo suppressors. Gene p53, for instance, when it’s activated it can kill cancer cells. For some patients whom we treat, that’s enough.

If we use medications like antineoplastons… we can get rid of every one of the cancer cells and they will never come back. We have patients who are now surviving over 20 years with incurable cancers and are perfectly free from cancer. They live normal lives.”

Each patient consults with a qualified nutritional expert, and the diet is customized to the patient based on the genomic analysis. In addition, they also use SNPs analysis, or Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms analysis, which determines how various nutrients and medications are metabolized in your body. 

“Nutrition is very important,” Dr. Burzynski says. “One of the things, as we are alluding to with curcumin, is to control inflammation. That’s one of things you must do before you get cancer, and also when you have cancer.Keeping your body with the proper nutrients is essential. We don’t want to “feed the cancer.” Things that promote cancer, we try to eliminate. We try to eliminate a lot of sugar. That for the most part will fuel the cancer growth.

We want to eliminate glutamine. Glutamine is an amino acid. It’s great if you want to be a bodybuilder or if you don’t have cancer, but if you do have cancer, for the most part, we encourage our patients to stay away from glutamine because that unfortunately is going to be one of the essential ingredients to cancer growth.”

… Certainly, the diet depends on the context of the medications we are using for the patient. Certain dietary ingredients are going to support the medications which we prescribe. Some others may neutralize it.

 We have to take under consideration which medication we prescribe. And then make sure that the patient is not taking supplements or dietary ingredients that can fight these medications. This is also established for every patient.”

Abstract (Carcinogensis)

Sulforaphane (SFN), a prominent isothiocyanate present in cruciferous vegetables, is believed to be responsible along with other isothiocyanates for the cancer preventive activity of such vegetables. SFN arrests mitosis, possibly by affecting spindle microtubule function. A critical property of microtubules is their rapid and time-sensitive growth and shortening dynamics (dynamic instability), and suppression of dynamics by antimitotic anticancer drugs (e.g. taxanes and the vinca alkaloids) is central to the anticancer mechanisms of such drugs. We found that at concentrations that inhibited proliferation and mitosis of MCF7-green fluorescent protein-alpha-tubulin breast tumor cells by approximately 50% (~15 microM), SFN significantly modified microtubule organization in arrested spindles without modulating the spindle microtubule mass, in a manner similar to that of much more powerful antimitotic drugs. By using quantitative fluorescence video microscopy, we determined that at its mitotic concentration required to inhibit mitosis by 50%, SFN suppressed the dynamic instability of the interphase microtubules in these cells, strongly reducing the rate and extent of growth and shortening and decreasing microtubule turnover, without affecting the polymer mass. SFN suppressed the dynamics of purified microtubules in a similar fashion at concentrations well below those required to depolymerize microtubules, indicating that the suppression of dynamic instability by SFN in cells is due to a direct effect on the microtubules. The results indicate that SFN arrests proliferation and mitosis by stabilizing microtubules in a manner weaker than but similar to more powerful clinically used antimitotic anticancer drugs and strongly support the hypothesis that inhibition of mitosis by microtubule stabilization is important for SFN’s chemopreventive activity.PMID: 18952594 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC2639247

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Epidemiological studies suggest that people who consume more than one portion of cruciferous vegetables per week are at lower risk of both the incidence of prostate cancer and of developing aggressive prostate cancer but there is little understanding of the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we quantify and interpret changes in global gene expression patterns in the human prostate gland before, during and after a 12 month broccoli-rich diet.

METHODS AND FINDINGS:

Volunteers were randomly assigned to either a broccoli-rich or a pea-rich diet. After six months there were no differences in gene expression between glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1) positive and null individuals on the pea-rich diet but significant differences between GSTM1 genotypes on the broccoli-rich diet, associated with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) signalling pathways. Comparison of biopsies obtained pre and post intervention revealed more changes in gene expression occurred in individuals on a broccoli-rich diet than in those on a pea-rich diet. While there were changes in androgen signalling, regardless of diet, men on the broccoli diet had additional changes to mRNA processing, and TGFbeta1, EGF and insulin signalling. We also provide evidence that sulforaphane (the isothiocyanate derived from 4-methylsuphinylbutyl glucosinolate that accumulates in broccoli) chemically interacts with TGFbeta1, EGF and insulin peptides to form thioureas, and enhances TGFbeta1/Smad-mediated transcription.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings suggest that consuming broccoli interacts with GSTM1 genotype to result in complex changes to signalling pathways associated with inflammation and carcinogenesis in the prostate. We propose that these changes may be mediated through the chemical interaction of isothiocyanates with signalling peptides in the plasma. This study provides, for the first time, experimental evidence obtained in humans to support observational studies that diets rich in cruciferous vegetables may reduce the risk of prostate cancer and other chronic disease.TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00535977.

DRUGS

Top 25 Drugs in the US (Forbes)

For the pharmaceutical industry, last year was historic and grim: it was the first year ever when all of the ten most popular medicines in the U.S. were cheap generics.Pfizer’s best-seller Lipitor, which ranked number 6 last year, fell six places in the ranking to number 12, according to the listing compiled by data provider IMS Health Next year, it will be a cheap generic, too. The first copycat versions, made by companies other than Pfizer, will be launched in November.

Coumadin Recalled (Webmd)

May 3, 2011 — Bristol-Myers Squibb has recalled 1.85 million 5-milligram Coumadin tablets in the U.S.

The recalled lot of Coumadin (number 9H49374A, expiration date Sept. 30, 2012) was sold to pharmacies in 1,000-tablet bottles and repackaged for individual prescriptions. Patients taking 5-milligram Coumadin tablets should contact their pharmacies to see if their prescription is included in the recall.

Patients should NOT stop taking their Coumadin. If their prescription is included in the recall, patients should contact their doctors for medical advice.

Coumadin is the best known brand name for warfarin, a drug that prevents blood clots. The recall affects only the Coumadin brand and not generic brands.

Testing of a single tablet from a returned bottle of Coumadin showed that it was more potent than it should have been.

Off Label Alzheimer’s Drug No Good (Dr. Mercola)

Memantine, brand name Namenda, is a widely used Alzheimer’s drug that is approved for moderate to severe cases. Despite this, doctors often prescribe it off-label for mild Alzheimer’s cases and even for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is frequently the prelude to Alzheimer’s.

However, a new reanalysis of data from three clinical trials showed that patients with mild Alzheimer’s who took Namenda had no improvement in mental function or their ability to perform everyday tasks compared to placebo. Even among moderate to severe Alzheimer’s patients, for which the drug is approved to treat, the researchers found only “meager” improvements.

The researchers concluded:

“Despite its frequent off-label use, evidence is lacking for a benefit of memantine in mild AD [Alzheimer’s disease], and there is meager evidence for its efficacy in moderate AD.”

Namenda paired with a cholinesterase inhibitor, a type of drug that may help prevent the breakdown of certain memory-influencing neurotransmitters, is the go-to treatment for Alzheimer’s, but the new study shows it likely offers little to no benefit to patients.

Along with dizziness and headache, confusion is listed as one of the most common side effects of Namenda, and this is certainly the last thing a person with Alzheimer’s needs.

Furthermore, cholinesterase inhibitor drugs such as Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl may do more harm than good. This class of drugs is known to provoke slower heart rates, significantly increasing your chances of getting a permanent pacemaker, as well as increasing your risk of hip fracture.

Because of the very limited treatments, and no available cure as of yet, that leaves you with just one solid solution, and that is to prevent it from happening to you in the first place.

Selecting a Safe Opioid (Medscape Neruology)

For example, let’s look at some of the metabolic issues that we need to consider when prescribing because not all opioids are the same. If you were going to be prescribing a short-acting opioid like codeine, what would you want to know about codeine? Codeine is metabolized through a cytochrome P-450-dependent process to morphine. For codeine to be effective for someone, it has to go through this process. So you say, “Okay, so a person goes through this process.” Well, it’s not so simple because the individual for whom you have just prescribed codeine may be a low, intermediate, or fast metabolizer, meaning that the individual may have little to no codeine that is converted to morphine, so he or she doesn’t benefit from codeine. Patients who are intermediate metabolizers may have satisfactory pain relief, and those with great metabolism could have so much morphine that it has adverse effects.

Charles E. Argoff, MD, Posted: 03/14/2011

The Dangers of the Medical Industry (Dr. Hyman)

Seems logical. If you lower cholesterol, you reduce heart attacks, right?

No!

I believe that the reason statins lower risk is NOT because they lower cholesterol, but because they reduce inflammation.  In fact, studies by Dr. Paul Ridker of Harvard show that the risk of heart attacks was only reduced if inflammation was lowered along with LDL cholesterol – but not if LDL cholesterol was lowered alone. (2)

So then along comes a drug that can be combined with statins to lower cholesterol even more. Great idea?  Not really.

You see, the FDA approved Zetia without any proof that it lowered heart attacks or reduced the progression of heart disease. The drug was approved solely on the basis that it lowered cholesterol.

Yet Zetia was given to 5 million people – and made the drug companies $5 billion a year. That’s almost $14 million a day!  And once Zetia was approved, its makers had no incentive to prove that it actually did what it was thought to do – lower heart attacks.

They dragged their feet doing the studies and then released the negative data (which they did only under pressure from news agencies and Congress) after a long delay.

Wouldn’t you drag your feet too if you were making $14 million a day?

But the FDA had the negative data on Zetia – and it didn’t speak up.  The data that was withheld proved that Zetia did not reduce heart attacks but actually INCREASED fatty plaques in the arteries despite lowering cholesterol.

Let that sink in for a moment.

That’s right: Lowering cholesterol led to more heart disease!

That turns our whole medical model upside down. It shows us that high cholesterol is NOT a disease and may or may not be related to heart attacks.

Another recent study put another nail in the coffin of the Cholesterol Myth.

A major new cholesterol drug, torcetrapib, was pulled from the pipeline in December 2006 because despite lowering LDL cholesterol and raising HDL cholesterol in 15,000 people, it caused MORE heart attacks and strokes. (3)

Nation’s Fastest Growing Drug Problem (Medscape, Posted 3/28/2011)

Calling prescription drug abuse “our Nation’s fastest growing drug problem,” Mr. Kerlikowske reported that approximately 27,000 people died of unintentional drug overdoses in 2007, “driven to a large degree by prescription drug abuse.” Deaths from unintentional prescription drug overdoses now exceed deaths from gunshot wounds.

In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that hospital emergency department visits involving prescription drug abuse have doubled just over the past 5 years.

“Overdoses that we have talked about in the past, historically crack cocaine and others, are not even at the same level of problem that we are seeing with prescription drugs today,” said Mr. Kerlikowske.

“From day 1, the Obama administration has been focused like a laser on this particular issue. This new plan will build upon our already unprecedented efforts to coordinate a national response to this public health crisis by addressing the threat at the federal, state, and local level.” -Allison Gandey

 Infant Mortality Rate and Vaccinations? (NVIC link to Human &  Experimental Toxicology)

The infant mortality rate (IMR) is one of the most important indicators of the socio-economic well-being and public health conditions of a country. The US childhood immunization schedule specifies 26 vaccine doses for infants aged less than 1 year—the most in the world—yet 33 nations have lower IMRs. Using linear regression, the immunization schedules of these 34 nations were examined and a correlation coefficient of  r ¼ 0.70(p < 0.0001) was found between IMRs and the number of vaccine doses routinely given to infants. Nations were also grouped into five different vaccine dose ranges: 12–14, 15–17, 18–20, 21–23, and 24–26. The mean IMRs of all nations within each group were then calculated. Linear regression analysis of unweighted mean IMRs showed a high statistically significant correlation between increasing number of vaccine doses and increasing infant mortality rates, with r ¼ 0.992 (p ¼ 0.0009). Using the Tukey-Kramer test, statistically significant differences in mean IMRs were found between nations giving 12–14 vaccine doses and those giving 21–23, and 24–26 doses. A closer inspection of correlations between vaccine doses, biochemical or synergistic toxicity, and IMRs is essential. DOI: 10.1177/0960327111407644

Tylenol Use & Cancer (J of Clincal Oncology)

Abstract

PURPOSE Among previous studies examining the associations of over-the-counter analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and incident hematologic malignancies, results were inconsistent for NSAIDs but suggested an increased risk with acetaminophen (paracetamol). Herein, we used a large prospective cohort study to examine these associations. PATIENTS AND METHODS In total, 64,839 men and women age 50 to 76 years were recruited from 2000 to 2002 to the Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) study. Incident hematologic malignancies (n = 577) were identified through December 2008 by linkage to the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results cancer registry. Hazard ratios (HRs) associated with use of analgesics for total incident hematologic malignancies and cancer subcategories were estimated by Cox proportional hazards models. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, smoking, self-rated health, arthritis, chronic musculoskeletal pain, migraines, headaches, fatigue, and family history of leukemia/lymphoma. Results After adjustment, there was an increased risk of incident hematologic malignancies associated with high use (? 4 days/week for ? 4 years) of acetaminophen (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.35 to 2.50 for high use; P trend = .004). This association was seen for myeloid neoplasms (HR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.24 to 4.12), non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.12 to 2.93), and plasma cell disorders (HR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.08 to 5.41), but not chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL; HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.31 to 2.28). By comparison, there was no association with risk of incident hematologic malignancies for increasing use of aspirin, nonaspirin NSAIDs, or ibuprofen. CONCLUSION High use of acetaminophen was associated with an almost two-fold increased risk of incident hematologic malignancies other than CLL/SLL. Neither aspirin nor nonaspirin NSAIDs are likely useful for prevention of hematologic malignancies. PMID: 21555699

Most Commonly Prescribed Medications Have atleast 70 Side Effects (Dr. Mercola)

Using a computer program, scientists analyzed 5,600 drug labels and more than 500,000 labeled effects. They found

that the average drug comes with a list of 70 potential reactions, according to researchers.In fact, the more commonly prescribed drugs averaged around 100 side effects each, with some drugs containing as many as 525 listed reactions.MSNBC reports: “The greatest number of side effects was found in antidepressants, antiviral medications and newer treatments for restless leg syndrome and Parkinson’s disease. In general, medications typically used by psychiatrists and neurologists had the most complex labels, while drugs used by dermatologists and ophthalmologists had the least.”

Stop Smoking Drug may Increase Suicide Risk (Dr. Mercola)

Chantix effects brain chemistry and could interact with mood stabilizing neurotransmitters including dopamine and nicotinc receptors.   

HEALTH

Autism & Inflammation ( Int Review of Psychiatry)

Summary:  Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder of early onset that is highly variable in its clinical presentation. Although the causes of autism in most patients remain unknown, several lines of research support the view that both genetic and environmental factors influence the development of abnormal cortical circuitry that underlies autistic cognitive processes and behaviors. The role of the immune system in the development of autism is controversial. Several studies showing peripheral immune abnormalities support immune hypotheses, however until recently there have been no immune findings in the CNS. We recently demonstrated the presence of neuroglial and innate neuroimmune system activation in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with autism, findings that support the view that neuroimmune abnormalities occur in the brain of autistic patients and may contribute to the diversity of the autistic phenotypes. The role of neuroglial activation and neuroinflammation are still uncertain but could be critical in maintaining, if not also in initiating, some of the CNS abnormalities present in autism. A better understanding of the role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of autism may have important clinical and therapeutic implications.

6 Reasons to Avoid Milk (Dr. Hyman)

According to Dr. Willett, who has done many studies and reviewed the research on this topic, there are many reasons to pass up milk, including:

1. Milk doesn’t reduce fractures. Contrary to popular belief, eating dairy products has never been shown to reduce fracture risk. In fact, according to the Nurses’ Health Study dairy may increase risk of fractures by 50 percent!

2. Less dairy, better bones. Countries with lowest rates of dairy and calcium consumption (like those in Africa and Asia) have the lowest rates of osteoporosis.

3. Calcium isn’t as bone-protective as we thought. Studies of calcium supplementation have shown no benefit in reducing fracture risk. vitamin D appears to be much more important than calcium in preventing fractures.

4. Calcium may raise cancer risk. Research shows that higher intakes of both calcium and dairy products may increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer by 30 to 50 percent. Plus, dairy consumption increases the body’s level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) — a known cancer promoter.

5. Calcium has benefits that dairy doesn’t. Calcium supplements, but not dairy products, may reduce the risk of colon cancer.

6. Not everyone can stomach dairy. About 75 percent of the world’s population is genetically unable to properly digest milk and other dairy products — a problem called lactose intolerance.

Overmedicating High Blood Pressure (Science Daily)

The authors looked at data for 13,792 people from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which enrolled participants in 1971-76 and followed them up for two decades — they studied DBP, SBP and long-term survival data specifically. In order to assess the underlying distribution of untreated blood pressure in American adults by age, Taylor and team also looked at data for 6,672 adults from the first National Health Examination Survey carried out between 1959 and 1962.

They found that in people aged over 50, those with SBPs above 140, independent of DBP, were significantly more likely to die prematurely. In those aged 50 or less, DBPs above 100 were linked to significant increases in premature death. The authors’ analysis offers alternative cut-off points for the definition of ‘normal’.

Dr. Taylor concludes: “Our findings highlight that the choice of approach used to define normal blood pressure will impact literally millions of Americans. If we cannot reliably see an effect on mortality in a large group of individuals followed for nearly 20 years, should we define the condition as abnormal? We believe considering this kind of approach represents a critical step in ensuring that diagnoses are given only to those with a meaningful elevation in risk, and targeted towards individuals most likely to benefit.”

Say No to Farmed Fish (VitalChoice)

They found that while farmed tilapia and catfish contain few omega-3s, they pack more omega-6s than burgers or bacon. This unbalanced “omega-ratio” is proven to promote chronic low-level inflammation and the diseases that flow from it. (See “Farmed Salmon’s Diet Yields Unhealthful Cardiovascular Effects”) Many people seeking omega-3s from seafood don’t know about this nutritional distinction between wild and farmed fish, and fall victim to a nutritional bait-and-switch.

Exercise for Long Life (Dr. Amen)

Improve longevity, brain mass, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Read Dr. Amen’s blog for more information

Another Reason to Buy Organic Meat (Dr. Mercola)

As if pesticides, herbicides, inflammatory imbalances, animal cruelty, antibiotics, and hormones weren’t enough…..now there’s meat glue to increase your chance of getting food poisoning. Gross!! Please support animal kindness and buy organic for your health and theirs!

How to Stay Young (Deepak Chopra)

Click to learn seven tips on staying young

When it comes to breast cancer specifically, there are many pieces to the puzzle, but one of the keys is balancing your estrogen levels. High levels of estrogen consistently correlate with breast cancer in most scientific studies. The first step to creating and maintaining estrogen balance is to overcome insulin resistance.

Insulin is the hormone released from your pancreas after a meal. It sends signals to your cells telling them to absorb sugar from your blood — which is a critically important job. However, this finely orchestrated system is sent spiraling out of control by our modern diet.

Sugar is the main culprit. When you eat too much of it, in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, highly-refined and processed carbohydrates, or the multitude of other forms it comes in, your body sends out more insulin than it can properly use and you develop insulin resistance.

What most people DON’T realize is that as your insulin levels increase your estrogen levels increase as well. That means your risk of breast cancer goes up every time you eat too much sugar!

However, the havoc that insulin wreaks doesn’t stop there.

Insulin resistance also increases the amount of body fat you have. As your body fat increases, so does an enzyme in your fat called aromatase. Aromatase turns hormones made in other organs in your bodies (such as your adrenal glands) into estrogen. That means your estrogen levels are raised even more, making your risk of breast cancer that much greater.

This point is especially important for postmenopausal women. Percentage of body fat is the number one risk factor for breast cancer in this population

Although resveratrol has widely been studied for its potential health benefits, little is known about its metabolic effects in humans. Our aims were to determine whether the polyphenol resveratrol improves insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients and to gain some insight into the mechanism of its action. The present study shows for the first time that resveratrol improves insulin sensitivity in humans, which might be due to a resveratrol-induced decrease in oxidative stress that leads to a more efficient insulin signalling via the Akt pathway.

Conclusions: A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD. More data are needed to elucidate whether CVD risks are likely to be influenced by the specific nutrients used to replace saturated fat. (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition March 2010 vol. 91 no. 3 535-546) 

One of the first and most important findings is that the 20 ng/mL level of vitamin D proposed by the US Institute of Medicine for adequate bone protection is actually 10 ng/mL too low. Based on control and optimization of parathyroid hormone levels, Lazaretti found that vitamin D levels should be above 30 ng/mL for bone protection.

She also found the following:

Eat Breakfast to Loose Weight (Dr. Amen)

In a study comparing those teens who skipped breakfast and those who ate a healthy 500 calorie breakfast, those that had the breakfast showed more saiety and less cravings throughout the day when brain scans were taken. High protein breakfasts produced the best results.

What’s in Your Seafood? (Vitalchoice)

Hormones in Your Fruit (Dr. Mercola)

Now, there’s hormones not just in our meat, but in our fruit! Oxytocin to be exact.

Are We Really Living Longer? (N Engl J Med. 2005 Mar 17;352(11):1138-45)

Comment in

• N Engl J Med. 2005 Jun 16;352(24):2556.
• N Engl J Med. 2005 Jun 16;352(24):2556.
• N Engl J Med. 2005 Jun 16;352(24):2555; author reply 2556-7.
• N Engl J Med. 2005 Mar 17;352(11):1135-7.