You say tomato…
By now you’ve probably heard of the benefits of tomatoes, and how the lycopene they contain can help men avoid prostate cancer. But now there’s a new prostate-cancer-preventing nutrient on the block. A recent study showed that men who add foods rich in the bioflavonoid apigenin to their diet may protect themselves against prostate cancer. Apigenin is found in cherries, apples, grapes, onions, broccoli, celery, and leeks, among other foods-including tomatoes, making them a double-whammy when it comes to cancer prevention. It can also be found in the herbs chamomile, lemon balm, perilla, and parsley.
Researchers at the Case School of Medicine conducted two separate studies to determine what effect apigenin had on prostate cancer. In the first study, they gave a group of mice either a high or low dose of apigenin or an inert substance for 10 weeks. After two weeks, prostate tumors were implanted in each mouse. In the second experiment, researchers first implanted the tumors, then gave each mouse apigenin to determine the bioflavonoid’s efficacy as a treatment for the disease.
The study found that the mice receiving apigenin showed a reduction in the volume and weight of the cancerous tumors. The animals that received the highest dose of apigenin experienced the greatest benefit, with a 59 percent inhibition of tumor volume in the first experiment and a 53 percent reduction in the second experiment compared to the animals who did not receive the bioflavonoid.
The scientists also found an association between apigenin consumption and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), noting a decrease in IGF-1. An elevated level of IGF-1 is associated with an increased risk of prostate and other cancers.
In addition, insulin-like growth factor binding levels, which reduce cancer risk, had increased in the animals that received apigenin.
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What is…a bioflavonoid?
Bioflavonoids are potent antioxidants that protect against oxidative and free radical damage to cells. They are considered essential to human health. Found in plant pigments, they provide much of the color in many fruits and flowers. They are important in cancer prevention, and are thought to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the breast, colon, prostate, and lungs. They also possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Although there are thousands of bioflavonoids, they are divided into four categories, proanthocyanidins, quercetin, citrus bioflavonoids, and green tea polyphenols. Good sources are citrus fruits, berries, onions, legumes, parsley, green tea and red wine.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Editorial Director
Nutrition & Healing
