|
A Food That May Reduce Incidence of Breast Cancer and Degenerative
Diseases plus Neutralize Carcinogens--Really? All that?
"Naringenin 'in
cooked tomatoes]...exerts multiple biological effects... This
bioflavenoid exhibits anti-estrogenic activity that may be responsible
for the decreased incidence of breast cancer in women...'who
consume them.] 'They] could 'also] exert cholesterol-lowering
properties...
"Furthermore,
naringenin seems to affect different oxidative processes associated with
chronic degenerative diseases. 'Among other benefits, it inhibits
harmful oxidant processes induced...by ascorbic acid. Naringenin
may 'increase]...the primary enzyme involved in the metabolism of many
'harmful chemicals] such as drugs, carcinogens and environmental
pollutants.
"The main sources of
naringenin are citrus fruits and tomato...
"In conclusion, our
study 'tested and] demonstrated naringenin absorption from cooked tomato
paste in men. Furthermore, because a recent study showed that lycopene
'in tomatoes] administered with some polyphenols enhances its
antioxidant properties, our results support the hypothesis that tomato
benefits could be attributed to a positive synergistic action...among
lycopene and other ...constituents, such as naringenin, rather than to
only lycopene properties." Emphases were added.
By Rugianesi,
Catasta, Spigno., et al., Antioxidant Res. Lab., Nat. Inst. for Food and
Nutrition Res., 546-00178 Rome, Italy, in The Journal of Nutrition, vol.
132, 2002. The Journal of Nutrition is the Official Publication of the
American Society for Nutritional Sciences.
DETAILS: This is
further backing for the conclusion that whole foods are superior to
individual nutrients extracted from them. Pasta sauce, especially when
made with no salt added, and containing some fat (usually the case,) is
an excellent food. Lycopene, as shown in prior reports is more easily
utilized by the body when accompanied by some fat. Further, of course,
it is cooked, which also enhances its nutritive value.
MORE DETAILS: Please
note the mention of "ascorbic acid." That is vitamin C. One can take too
much of anything, including water. Its called drowning :-) The current
sales push for massive doses of vitamin C could be characterized
as commercial as well as nutritional excess.
The popular 1000 milligram (mg.) pill is over the top. Dr. Linda Chen,
the world's leading expert on vitamin C, and the Head of the Ph.D.
Program in Nutrition at Kentucky U., cautions against such intakes, and
told us that 1000 is high. She prefers breaking the dosage up, say 250
mg. at a time (or less.)
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