Berry Good Health
by Susan Thorpe-Vargas Ph.D.
Multiple studies have discovered that
phytonutrients found in raspberries can protect us from cancer and can even
shrink some types of cancer tumors. These substances can also act as an
antibacterial and as an antiviral agent. Does this sound too good to be true?
One particular substance found in this natural “medicine chest”, is a series of
compounds called ellagitannins. The highest levels are found in raspberries,
but the ellagitannins are also in certain types of grapes, strawberries,
blackberries, blueberries and some nuts too. Recent work (2001), published by
Dr. Gary Stoner at Ohio State University, showed that components in the seeds
and berry, but particularly ellagitannins, inhibited the initiation and
promotion/progression stages of esophageal cancer. This is an extremely
important finding, considering the potential benefits. In addition, edible
berries, including raspberries also inhibit angiogenesis. This is a term used
to describe the development of blood vessels needed for tumor growth.
We do not as yet know all
of the functions of the ellagitannins in terms of cancer. A study at Hollings
Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina has shown one of the ways
they work is to “turn on” a normal cellular process called apoptosis. Apoptosis
is “science speak” for something called programmed cell death. This natural
cell death is just one of several ways our body protects us from cancer. As we
age, cellular replication mistakes can occur. Cancer cells somehow become
immune to the signals that cause cells to self-destruct, so they become
virtually immortal and reproduce indefinitely.
The disease with a thousand faces
Cancer is not just one disease but is the general name for more than 200
different types of malignancies. Cancers are classified by the tissue type from
which they arise:
· osteosarcoma-bone cancer
· melanoma-skin cancer
· lymphoma-cancer of lymph nodes
· leukemia- cancer of the blood
Every cellular type has its own form of cancer. The one thing all cancers share
in common is uncontrolled growth. Cancer occurs when cells lose control over
critical checkpoints during the process of one cell splitting and becoming two
cells. This control over cellular replication is in the hands of several
specific types of genes.
Two classes of genes are suspected of being associated with the occurrence of
cancer. A mutation in a tumor suppressor gene is like having faulty brakes in
your car. Just as their name implies, tumor suppressor genes function by making
sure there are no mistakes in the genes that are replicated prior to one cell
becoming two. In this "quality control" process, if errors are
detected, the cell is instructed not to divide. Thus, tumor suppressor genes put
the brakes on cellular division. The other class of genes thought to be involved
with preventing cancer is called proto-oncogenes. Researchers have found that
these genes "code" for proteins involved in mechanisms that regulate
the social behavior of cells. Signals from those cells in the immediate
environment induce their neighbors to divide, differentiate and even undergo
apoptosis. So, this type of gene is involved in promoting the normal growth and
division of cells and could be likened to your car's accelerator. A change in
the genetic message - a mutation, can turn the proto-oncogene into an oncogene
and cause your accelerator to become stuck, thus initiating "runaway"
cellular replication. Nevertheless, there seem to be no pattern to these
mutations. What is so frustrating for both researchers and clinicians alike is
that different combinations of mutations are found in different types of cancer
and even in cancers of supposedly the same type in different patients. What is
most important to remember is that cancer begins as a single abnormal cell that
begins to multiply out of control.
So, what causes most mutations?
We live in a polluted environment. For instance, the outgassing from asphalt on
a hot summer day produces the deadly carcinogen benzo{a}pyrene, the same
chemical found on meat that has been charcoal broiled. This is just but one
example. Exposure to such chemicals in the environment can cause the mutations
in our genetic material that lead to cancer. Even normal metabolic processes
like breathing and exercise produce free radicals that can wreak havoc on our
cellular DNA. We can protect ourselves from mutations caused by environmental
toxins and free radicals by taking antioxidants. Guess what? Ellagitannins are
also very good antioxidants and chemoprotective agents. Researchers at Wayne
State University have a theory about how ellagitannins might work. The liver
produces enzymes that rid the body of toxins. These enzymes break down or
chemically change toxic substances we ingest or inhale so that they can be
excreted. During this detox process, the breakdown products, called metabolites,
are frequently more damaging then the original substance. It appears that
ellagitannins are able to safeguard the liver from damage caused by these
breakdown products. Another theory held by some investigators is that
ellagitannins are able to protect our genetic material from certain types of
chemical reactions that lead to misreading of damaged DNA.
Why does chemotherapy and radiation eventually stop working?
It is becoming clear that normal therapeutic cancer treatment works by turning
on apoptosis. We used to think that chemotherapy and radiation killed rapidly
dividing cells, which is why these procedures were able to shrink tumors.
However, at some point these treatments begin to lose their effectiveness. Why
is that? Scott Lowe, a research scientist at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory may
have found the answer. Instead of killing these cells, chemotherapy and
radiation damage their cellular DNA. This alerts the cell watchdogs that control
the cell cycle that something is wrong and tells the cell to stop dividing or to
commit suicide. Therefore, chemotherapy and radiation act somewhat like a
"vaccination" that works by helping the body help itself. The evidence
for Dr. Lowe's theory is pretty convincing, because when these treatments start
to fail, researchers have found that the genes that control apoptosis are no
longer functioning.
Why don't ellagitannins induce normal cells to commit suicide?
As we know, cancer cells become immortal, this means that they are able to
replicate themselves after something called the Hayflick limit has been reached.
The Hayflick limit is the number of "allowed" cellular replications.
Each cell type has its own limit. Human cancer studies show that mutations in
the tumor suppressor gene called p53 account for many of the tumors found. One
of the functions of this gene is that it normally prevents cells with damaged
DNA from proceeding through the cell cycle. The presence of the protein product
encoded by p53 turns on the waf-1 gene. The waf-1 gene produces a protein that
normally inhibits the activity of several similar cellular proteins called
kinases. These proteins are involved in stopping cell cycle progression. A
mutation in either the p53 or waf-1 gene can cause the loss of that
"emergency brake" function and allow uncontrolled growth. However,
only "damaged" cells are induced to commit suicide and so normal cells
are not affected.
Other Phytochemicals found in
Raspberries
Besides ellagitannins, the
short list of other beneficial compounds found in red raspberries includes
anthocyanins, salicylic acid, quercitin and catechins. Some recent work has
shown that these anthocyanins are more effective then Vitamin E in inhibiting
the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Both Cox-1 and Cox-2 are associated with the pain
of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, and Cox-2 inhibition is positively
linked to preventing breast cancer. Besides their anticancer properties,
anthocyanins provide many other health benefits. Among these are controlling
diabetes, improving circulation and aiding the retention of motor skills and
loss of memory linked to aging. Salicylic acid may have the same effects as
aspirin in protecting us from cancer and the progression of atherosclerosis.
Both quercitin and catechins are flavonals that are known to have antioxidant
benefits including cancer prevention, and quercitin may act as an antihistamine
also. Besides the anticancer properties of ellagitannins they can protect us
against infections.
An Antibacterial and an Antiviral agent
Ellagitannins can act as
antibacterial agents and as antiviral agents too, and now we know how. Think of
the genetic material of bacteria as a rubber band that is all twisted up. In
order to replicate, the DNA must untwist itself through a process requiring the
enzyme gyrase. Ellagitannins inhibit gyrase activity so replication of the
bacterial DNA is restricted. Importantly, bacteria cannot easily become
resistant to this type of antibacterial action. Resistance to antibiotics has
become a real concern to the international medical community. A federal
government task force noted that antibiotic resistance was “a growing menace to
all people” but children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are
especially at risk. Besides its antibacterial action, ellagitannins have
antiviral activity also. Viruses do not have the ability to replicate
themselves. Instead that must “hijack” the host cell and insert their own DNA
into the host cell genome. This requires an enzyme called integrase and the
ellagitannins inhibit this enzyme also. It is especially helpful with the
retroviruses, like HIV, as it inhibits reverse transcriptase specifically.
Diabetes and the Protective Effects of Ellagic Acid
New data shows that ellagic
acid is very effective in preventing damage to the eyes, kidneys, heart and the
small capillaries of the feet and hands that occur with high glucose levels. It
does this by inhibiting an enzyme called aldose reductase. This enzyme is
responsible for the production of protein-sugar products called AGE (Advanced
Glycation End-Products) These end products cause the damage of small blood
vessels that leads to the blindness, kidney damage, stroke and heart attacks and
loss of limbs associated with both forms of diabetes. In addition, ellagic acid
as well as several other constituents in raspberry seed powder, enhance insulin
action, decrease insulin resistance and lower blood sugar., and have multiple
anti-inflammatory effects and decrease oxidative stress as well as lower blood
pressure.
Ridding the Body of Heavy Metals
A recent literature search
showed the ellagic acid is capable of chelating the heavy metal nickel.
Chelation is a process that involves surrounding an inorganic metal mineral or
chemical toxin with organic molecules, thus allowing the body to eliminate these
toxic compounds safely. Although there have not been any specific studies done
one can assume that because of their similar chemical properties, ellagic acid
would also be effective in chelating palladium, platinum and the radioactive
element darmstadtium.
Citizen: Heal Thyself. (With apologies to Mr. Hippocrates)
People are turning to
alternative forms of medical treatment and prevention. Not only is the medical
delivery system failing but, our costs for heath services are rising at an
astronomical rate. What this means for the medical consumer is that we need to
be more responsible for our own health. We need to look at prevention instead
of always looking to health care providers to “fix” what exposure to a toxic
environment and/or years of unhealthy lifestyle practices have wrought. The
quality of medical care is uneven at best. Too often, our insurance providers
do not cover necessary tests and procedures, especially those of a preventative
nature. However, we can become involved in our own health care. A diet rich in
fresh fruits and vegetables is a good start towards preventing disease.
Unfortunately, current test show that our soil is severely lacking in many
minerals or electrolytes and other components that are essential for proper
nutrition. It is necessary to sometimes take supplements as it may not be
physically or economically
possible to eat enough food
to get the proper nutrition. In addition, the cost of fresh fruits and
vegetables can be prohibitive. For instance, unless you grow your own
raspberries, the cost of the American Cancer Institute’s recommended daily bowl
of the whole berries could run as high as $300 a month. Not only that, but
research has shown that the ellagitannin content is much higher in the seeds
then in the fruit. In addition, the powdered seed may be much more bioavailable
then the whole fruit, especially so for the short carnivorous gut of the cat or
dog. So nutraceutical supplements appear to be the answer. Raspberry seeds
contain many more times the ellagitannins than the fruit at one-tenth the cost.
It’s your choice, whatever form you may decide to use – the take home message
is: “Eat your ellagitannins!”
SMDI - Scientific Medical Devices,
Inc.
Scientific Medical Devices, Inc. (SMDI) has established itself as one of the
leading suppliers of Meeker Raspberry Seed Capsules, Meeker Raspberry Seed
Powder and Meeker Raspberry Skin Cream made from the Meeker Raspbberry Extract.
SMDI sells to consumers, web suppliers, pet owners, health food stores and
cancer clinics worldwide. Raspberries contain one of the most powerful
antioxidants known – a series of ellagitannins that are converted into ellagic
acid in the body. Raspberry ellagitannins are one of very few fruits that have
been clinically shown to be transformed into beneficial levels of ellagic acid
in the body. The ellagitannin content in the seeds is much higher than in the
fruit.
The ellagitannin content of red raspberry seeds varies dramatically with the
variety of the berry. The highest levels of ellagitannins are found in the
Meeker variety of raspberry seed. SMDI has selected a processor who guarantees
us greater than 90% Meeker raspberry content and is willing to actively control
their raw material stream to satisfy our strict nutraceutical requirements.
SMDI has essentially tied up the production of the Meeker variety of
raspberry. SMDI processes the seed into maximum bioavailable flour which frees
the ellagitannis for immediate adsorption and transformation into ellagic acid
in the body. SMDI’s Meeker Variety Raspberry Seed products contain the highest
amount of ellagitannins available in nature per dollar spent. There has been
much research into ellagic acid, its value as a potential anti oxidant and in
its fighting cancer. Ellagic acid has been found to inhibit the promotion and
progression of certain types of cancer.
Many pet owners are feeding the Raspex Raspberry Seed Powder and the Raspex
Raspberry Seed Capsules to their pets. They are expericing dramatic results
dealing with tumor reduction and increasing and maintaining the quality of their
pets life
NOW SMDI is proud to bring you its line of cosmaceuticals – that is a line of
cosmetics made with the Meeker Variety Raspberry Seed Extract. These cosmetic
products were developed by one of the world’s leading skin biophysicists
resulting in some of the most effective skin restoration and preservation
products on the market today.
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