Antioxidant News and Research

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Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules made by the process of oxidation during normal metabolism). Free radicals may play a part in cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of aging. Antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins A, C, and E, and other natural and manufactured substances.

Freezing or refrigerating expressed breast milk for longer than 48 hours substantially lowers its antioxidant content

This may be of particular importance for premature babies, who both have reduced antioxidant capacity as well as high levels of oxygen free radical activity as a result of infection and blood transfusions, say the authors.

21 Oct 2004

Fruit and vitamin C intake are likely to be useful for the prevention of stomach cancer

The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study was initiated to test the effect of vitamin supplementation on the prevention of lung and other cancers.

18 Oct 2004

Vitamin E's status as a super supplement questioned

Over the past decade, vitamin E has become one of the top-selling supplements in the United States, in part because research released in the early- to mid-1990s suggested that taking vitamin E supplements might protect against heart disease, boost the immune system and reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

14 Oct 2004

Researchers test whether huperzine A can effectively treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are testing whether huperzine A, a natural moss extract used in Chinese medicine, can effectively treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

8 Oct 2004

Best way to protect yourself from digestive cancers is by eating right, not taking a pill

“The bottom line is to forget the antioxidant supplement and eat lots of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables,” said William Hart, Ph.D., R.D., associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University. “Limit meat, high fat milk products and all other sources of fat.”

8 Oct 2004

Researchers to develop dietary agents to reduce risk of cataracts for astronauts

Astronauts are at increased risk of cataracts because of space radiation. In fact, it is estimated during a long space flight to Mars and back, about one quarter of the crew would become blind because of space radiation-induced cataracts. Other groups which are at increased risk are jet crews, radiation workers and radiation accident cleanup workers.

5 Oct 2004

Vitamin supplements not effective in protecting against gastro-intestinal cancer

A systematic review and meta-analysis (pooled analysis) of previously published randomised trials in this week’s issue of THE LANCET provides strong evidence that antioxidant supplements (such as vitamin supplements) are not effective in protecting against gastro-intestinal cancer.

30 Sep 2004

Male smokers needed for study to investigate new method of improving selenium intake

Around 200 men – including men who smoke – are being sought by researchers in Adelaide, South Australia to take part in a new study aimed at preventing cancer and other health problems.

30 Sep 2004

Active ingredients of soya may help beat breast cancer

Researchers are investigating whether it is possible to turn the active ingredients of soya into a useful medicine that may help to beat breast cancer, the British Pharmaceutical Conference heard today.

27 Sep 2004

Don't choose tomatoes based on colour

If a tomato is bright red, round and reasonably large, it should be a tasty tomato, right? Wrong!

27 Sep 2004

Four or more glasses of red wine per week may reduce risk of prostate cancer by 50 percent

Drinking a glass of red wine a day may cut a man's risk of prostate cancer in half, and the protective effect appears to be strongest against the most aggressive forms of the disease

23 Sep 2004

Fish oils appear to reduce breast cancer risk

Researchers who found that fish oils appear to reduce breast cancer risk have now discovered that the oils may especially benefit women with particular genetic makeups.

21 Sep 2004

Streptococcus bacteria uses sword and shield to fight white blood cells

A single gene called cylE within the important bacterial pathogen Group B Streptococcus (GBS), controls two factors that act together as a “sword” and “shield” to protect the bacteria from the killing effects of the immune system’s white blood cells

21 Sep 2004

Discovery of dopamine terminal injury in brains of people with HIV dementia

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered a key mechanism in the brains of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dementia.

20 Sep 2004

Study hints at antioxidants being able to prevent and restore hearing loss

In a preliminary study, researchers find that vitamin E may be effective in restoring sudden onset hearing loss of unknown origin (idiopathic sudden hearing loss). These findings suggest that further research may reveal the role of antioxidants in the prevention and restoration of hearing loss.

18 Sep 2004

Beer possesses the same antioxidant benefits as red wine

Beer drinkers can toast the news that their favourite beverage possesses the same benefits as red wine, the alcohol long celebrated for its antioxidant properties.

16 Sep 2004

Hibiscus flowers contain antioxidants that help control cholesterol levels

Hibiscus flower extract may have the same health benefits as red wine and tea according to new research by scientists in Taiwan. Hibiscus contains antioxidants that help control cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease, says the research in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

14 Sep 2004

Childhood leukaemia significantly lower in Asia than in Western countries

The incidence of childhood leukaemia in Britain increased dramatically during the twentieth century. The increase has mainly affected the under-five age group, in whom the risk increased by more than 50 per cent during the second half of the century alone.

9 Sep 2004

Protein sources, such as beef and beans beneficial in lowering childhood leukemia risk

A new study suggests that eating more vegetables, fruit and protein before pregnancy may lower the risk of having a child who develops leukemia, the most common childhood cancer in the United States.

8 Sep 2004

Omega-3 supplement may help protect against Alzheimer's

Higher intake of fatty, cold-water fish (such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel) has long been associated with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's and epidemiological studies suggest that dietary supplements of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids might also protect against Alzheimer's disease.

1 Sep 2004