Low Vitamin D Tied to Depression in Older Adults

Another vitamin-D related study released today linking low levels of vitamin D with an increased the risk of depression in older adults. One the causes of vitamin-D deficiency is again suspected to be not enough exposure to the sun. It also brings to light the relationship between vitamin-D deficiency, hormonal imbalance, and psychiatric illnesses.

Vitamin D and Breast Cancer

From Yahoo Health News comes an article covering a new report on vitamin D and breast cancer...

Breast cancer patients with low levels of vitamin D were much more likely to die of the disease or have it spread than patients getting enough of the nutrient, a Canadian study found. Only 24 percent of women in the study had sufficient blood levels of D at the time they were first diagnosed with breast cancer. Those who were deficient were nearly twice as likely to have their cancer recur or spread over the next 10 years, and 73 percent more likely to die of the disease.

Here's my blog post from last month about vitamin D and overall health, Let the Sunshine In!

Specific Soy Isoflavone Found Effective for Menopause Relief

For more on soy's benefits during menopause:

Nutritional and health benefits of soy — what’s in a bean?

Giving Menopause a Workout

An article in the Denver Post today discusses the benefits of exercise for menopausal women:

It is frustrating to be confronted with the seeming inevitability of menopausal weight gain, but daily exercise can do more than burn calories: It helps protect women from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other disorders. These conditions rise dramatically with the reduction of heart- and bone-protecting estrogen among postmenopausal women. Consistent physical activity and exercise become crucial. Good bone health is supported by resistance training (in the form of weightlifting, taking power yoga, or Pilates) two to three times per week, and by weight-bearing aerobic activity (walking, jogging, and dancing) most days of the week.

The heart responds to aerobic activity in general and according to Bryan L. Haddock, who has done research at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, Texas, cardiorespiratory fitness can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women regardless of whether they used hormone replacement therapy.

Also listed were several workout options for women of varying ability levels.

Coq au Cox-3

I've spent the day obsessing over how to increase my family's intake of cox-3 inhibiting foods (see previous post) and came up with this dish for dinner. I've noted ingredients known to contain cox-3 inhibitors and/or are foods with a known anti-inflammatory effect.

Coq au Cox-3

1 pound chicken, cut into pieces
1 onion, diced (rich in quercitin, an antioxidant)
3 cloves garlic, minced (antioxidants)
1 large piece of ginger, grated (about 1/4 cup) (antioxidants)
1 zucchini, sliced (beta- carotene found in zucchini has anti-inflammatory properties)
1 yellow squash, sliced (vitamin C in summer squash is an anti-inflammatory)
5 Roma tomatoes, chopped (I've read that vitamin C and folate make them anti-inflammatory, yet my husband's naturopath told him to avoid tomatoes because they belong to the nightshade family -- which are inflammatory. Need to look into this a bit)
1 cup coconut milk (okay, so this was the one ingredient of questionable nutritional value, but it tasted good)
At least 2 tbsp curry powder (Cox-3 blocker)
At least 2 tbsp turmeric (Cox-3 blocker)
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cinnamon (Blood glucose control)
2 tbsp olive oil (antioxidant)
salt and pepper

Directions: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil and saute onion and garlic until tender. Add chicken, curry, turmeric, chili, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and continue to saute; flip chicken pieces to cook each side. After 7 minutes, add zucchini, squash, and tomatoes. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat and pour into a casserole dish. Stir in coconut milk and add more spices, if desired. Place in 325 degree oven and let cook for 2-3 hours or until chicken is tender enough to fall off the bones. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Serves 3-4 people.

This dinner was met with praise by all, including a picky 5-year old who claimed the chicken tasted like hot dogs. Sure enough, the Organic hot dogs we buy do list turmeric as ingredient for coloring.

Natural Sources for Cox-2 Inhibitors

Following up on my previous post about aspirin therapy reducing breast cancer risk, turns out there are several herbs and other foods that also contain a similar anti-inflammatory, cox-2 blocking benefit (see previous entry more on Cox-2). Edible source of cox-2 inhibitors include:

-- Red grapes: The Cox-2 inhibitor known as resveratrol is produced in the skin of red grapes, where it protects against oxidation and fungal infections. Resveratrol is found in grape juice and red wine; red Bordeaux and French Cabernets contain a particularly high concentration of the compound.

Resveratrol appears to help protect against cancer in at least three ways: It has anti-inflammatory effects, it's a powerful antioxidant, and it may prevent cancer cells from progressing to the next stage. Supplements provide about 600 mcg of resveratrol, the amount found in a glass of red wine.

-- Rosemary: This common spice also contains strong Cox-2 inhibitors. Rosemary can be used as a seasoning. It can also be consumed as a tea: Use 1 tsp. dried leaves per cup of hot water; steep for 15 minutes.

-- Turmeric and curcumin (spices found in curries and sometimes chili) contain cox-2 inhibitors.

-- Green Tea: Green tea has also been shown to inhibit the COX-2 enzyme, and it has strong antioxidant effects as well. Several population studies have indicated that green tea possesses powerful anticancer effects. Try drinking green tea daily.

-- Bee Propolis: the sticky resin collected by bees from pines and other trees, is "one of the most potent natural COX-2 inhibitors," according to Dr. Gaynor, director of medical oncology at the Strang Cancer Prevention Center in New York. I like the brand Really Raw Honey because it has a layer of propolis -- "cappings" -- at the top of every jar. If you don't want to eat it, you can buy bee propolis (typically sold as 500 mg capsules) at almost any health food store.

Is it the medicine cabinet versus the spice rack when it comes to reducing cancer risk? It can be difficult to weigh the pros and cons between pharmaceutical treatment and a natural course for health. Bottom line, everyone benefits from a healthy diet including the foods listed above. For more on inflammation and women's health, here's an article from WomentoWomen.com addressing this topic.

Aspirin Reduces Breast Cancer Risk?

Yes it does, according to a study published in the latest issue of the journal, Breast Cancer Research. In a long-term study of 127,000 women, those who took a daily asporin were 16% less likely to develop estrogen-receptive breast cancer. Here's a quote from the article:

Estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer accounts for some 75 percent of all breast cancers, experts say. Women who take an aspirin each day may reduce their risk of developing this most common type of breast cancer by 16 percent, according to the results of a large study. While aspirin reduced the risk of this form of breast malignancy, other painkillers did not, the U.S. team found.

The finding could have important implications for cancer prevention, Gretchen Gierach of the National Cancer Institute says, but a lot more work is needed to see if the effect is real. Moreover, she believes that it is still too early to recommend that women start taking aspirin to prevent breast malignancy.

"This is an exciting implication, if it's true," Gierach said. "But we need further clarity from other studies."

However...

One expert noted that chronic aspirin use can have serious consequences and should not be used for cancer prevention.

"The American Cancer Society does not recommend using aspirin for cancer prevention because aspirin can cause serious gastrointestinal bleeding," said Eric J. Jacobs, Strategic Director of Pharmacoepidemiology in the department of epidemiology and surveillance research at the American Cancer Society.

How does aspirin therapy work? Aspirin is part of a drug class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Aspirin block two enzymes, cox-1 and cox-2. Cox-2 promotes cell growth and the development of blood vessels in tumors, and it is involved in increased estrogen production in breast tissue. Cox-1 protects the lining of the stomach, initiates blood clotting, and regulates blood flow to the kidneys. So while blocking cox-2 is good news for stopping cancer cell growth and increased estrogen tissue, by blocking the enzyme that protects the stomach lining, it can wreak havoc with the GI tract.

This study is encouraging, but also leaves me wondering... Do any foods or herbs also contain this same cox-2 blocking effect (and without the drawback of cox-1 blocking)? Let me see what I can find...