Chemical found in the spice tumeric might be used as future treatment

LONDON - A molecule found in a curry ingredient can kill esophageal cancer cells in the laboratory, suggesting it might be developed as an anti-cancer treatment, scientists said on Wednesday.

Researchers at the Cork Cancer Research Center in Ireland treated esophageal cancer cells with curcumin — a chemical found in the spice turmeric, which gives curries a distinctive yellow color — and found it started to kill cancer cells within 24 hours.

The cells also began to digest themselves, they said in a study published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Previous scientific studies have suggested curcumin can suppress tumors and that people who eat lots of curry may be less prone to the disease, although curcumin loses its anti-cancer attributes quickly when ingested.

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WASHINGTON - Researchers in the United States have found another good reason to go to the local espresso bar: several cups of coffee a day could halt the progression of liver disease, a study showed Wednesday.

Sufferers of chronic hepatitis C and advanced liver disease who drank three or more cups of coffee per day slashed their risk of the disease progressing by 53 percent compared to patients who drank no coffee, the study led by Neal Freedman of the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) showed.

For the study, 766 participants enrolled in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial -- all of whom had hepatitis C which had not responded to treatment with anti-viral drugs -- were asked to report how many cups of coffee they drank every day.

The patients were seen every three months during the 3.8-year study and liver biopsies were taken at 1.5 and 3.5 five years to determine the progression of liver disease.

"We observed an inverse association between coffee intake and liver disease progression," meaning patients who drank three or more cups of java were less likely to see their liver disease worsen than non-drinkers, wrote the authors of the study, which will be published in the November issue of Hepatology.

The researchers put forward several ways in which coffee intake might protect against liver disease, including by reducing the risk of type two diabetes, which has been associated with liver illness; or by reducing inflammation, which is thought to cause fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver.

Even caffeine, the chemical that gives a cup of coffee its oomph, came under the spotlight, having been found in previous studies to inhibit liver cancer in rats.

But drinking black or green tea, which also contain caffeine, had little impact on the progression of liver disease, although there were few tea drinkers in the study.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), three to four million people contract hepatitis C each year.

Seventy percent of cases become chronic and can cause cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Health @ channelnewsasia

(HealthDay News) -- Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin that's found in dairy foods and many types of meat. It plays a role in the health of your nervous system and in the production of red blood cells.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says here are the possible health consequences of a vitamin B-12 deficiency:

• Dementia.
• Depression.
• Anemia.
• Nervous system abnormalities.
• Possible increased risk of heart disease and stroke, if you also have above normal levels of an amino acid called homocysteine.

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You might think that labelling some of the things you eat as 'brain food' might be stretching it a bit.

However, many scientists and nutritionists believe that foods you eat can directly affect the way your brain performs, that you can boost your intelligence quotient (IQ), focus your concentration, sharpen your memory and keep your mind young.

They may also have an effect on how children develop and grow.

So are we what we eat? Dr Ang Poon Liat, senior consultant paediatrician at the Paediatric Centre in Thomson Medical Centre, said that a person is 20 per cent genes and 80 per cent food.

To him, nurture supersedes nature and one should eat for several reasons.

'Purpose-driven eating is very important; you must eat for brain growth and development, to prevent cancer and to stabilise hormones,' he said.

Aside from breastfeeding, which has proved to increase the IQ of babies and children, the food you feed your kids can also determine their academic potential.

Dr Ang identifies eight brain foods which should be part of your child's diet. However, these are foods that will benefit you through life.

1: Fish

Why: Fish like salmon, sardines (Image 2) and cod are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for brain growth and function.

Dr Ang says: Not just salmon, all types of fish are good. You can even take cod fish body oil, which is rich in vitamin A, to supplement your diet. Your brain is 60 per cent fat, so fish is a good source of that.

2: Eggs

Why: Other than being a great protein source, egg yolks also have a high amount of choline - a nutrient in the B vitamin family - which helps in memory development.

Dr Ang says: The best way to eat your egg is soft boiled. Frying or having it hard boiled destroys its protein, causing it to be allergenic.

3: Nuts

Why: They provide vitamin E and are also a source of antioxidants that protect the membranes of brain cells against free radicals.

Dr Ang says: Macadamia and almonds are recommended. Ground peanuts are less ideal because they often result in allergic reactions.

4: Colourful vegetables

Why: They provide high levels of antioxidants that keep brain cells strong and healthy.

Dr Ang says: Choose fresh products in a wide variety of colours to give you a range of antioxidants. Also, go for brighter and hence more intense antioxidants, which help prevent cancer.

5: Wholegrains

Why: Provides gradual release of glucose that the brain needs to function due to the fibre regulating its release. It also contains B vitamins.

Dr Ang says: The slower release process of glucose prevents glucose swings - the process in which a child is energised and then quickly becomes fatigued. These mood changes are unhealthy for a child.

6: Berries

Why: High levels of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, which can help prevent cancer. Some studies have also shown improved memory.

Dr Ang says: The best fruits are berries. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and even cherries. They are less sweet and present less sugar problems; also, they have antioxidant values that are rated the highest.

7: Beans

Why: These provide energy from protein to complex carbohydrates which are good brain foods. Proteins are needed to synthesise the nucleic acid of brain cells.

Dr Ang says: Green beans and red beans are good. As far as soya beans go, it is best to consume fermented soya products.

8: Yogurt

Why: Good source of protein and B and D vitamins, which are vital for the growth of brain tissue and neuro-transmitters.

Dr Ang says: Yogurt is preferred over milk because a semi-solid food is a better choice for a growing child. Also, because it is fermented, it is also pre-digested and is easier for a child to process.

Health @ AsiaOne

Egg definitions

Cage eggs
These eggs account for most eggs sold in Australia. They come from hens kept in battery-style cages with little room or freedom for movement.

Vegetarian eggs
Most consumers see "vegetarian" and assume this is a healthier egg. In fact, in order for eggs to be vegetarian, the hens must be on a completely animal-free diet and this means they cannot be allowed to roam free range as they naturally forage for insects and worms outdoors. These eggs are therefore usually from cage-kept hens fed a vegetarian diet.

Barn-laid eggs
These are from hens that are housed in a large shed rather than cages. They have enough room to walk around and flap their wings, but do not have the same space as free-range birds.

Omega-3 eggs
These are from hens fed a diet high in omega-3 fats and vitamin E to boost the content of these essential nutrients in the eggs. These may be either free range or cage-kept hens — read the label to be sure. Those labelled "naturally richer in omega-3s" are usually from hens allowed to roam free range and consume a more natural diet, including grass.

Free-range eggs
These are from hens with access to an outdoor run during daylight hours. The hens have more space than cage-kept hens. Free-range eggs enriched with omega-3s are the next best choice after organic eggs.

Organic eggs

These are eggs from hens fed certified organic feed — without the use of pesticides, insecticides and artificial fertilisers. The hens cannot be fed antibiotics and conditions must comply with strict humane practice codes. These eggs tend to be naturally richer in many nutrients, including omega-3 fats and vitamin E, due to the high quality of feed used. They are usually more expensive as a result.

Effects of detox diets:

1. Short-term weight loss
2. Long-term weight gain
3. Dramatic side effects
4. Makes exercise more difficult

Many people are turning to detox diets to get in shape for summer. The lemon detox diet is a popular one on the market but what does it really do to your body?

Nutritionist Joanna McMillan-Price joins TODAY to talk about the detox craze and whether it will even help you lose weight.

"The lemon detox diet is part of an extreme "detoxifying" diet called the Master Cleanse," explains Ms McMillan-Price. "It involves drinking nothing but the lemon concoction made from squeezing lemon juice and mixing it with maple syrup, bottled water and cayenne pepper."

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