J Nutrition September, 2006

[tomato flavonoids, like lycopene, reduce cardiovascular risk] Transgenic Flavonoid Tomato Intake Reduces C-Reactive Protein in Human C-Reactive Protein Transgenic Mice More Than Wild-Type Tomato J. Nutr. 2006 136: 2331-2337[http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/9/2331] ” The increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease. The molecular basis of this health effect is not fully understood, yet dietary flavonoids are thought to play an important role. …Human C-reactive protein transgenic (CRPtg) mice express markers of cardiovascular risk that allow us to study of the putative health effects of wild-type tomato (wtTom) and flavonoid-enriched tomato (flTom)…WtTom and flTom did not affect fibrinogen, but comparably repressed E-selectin expression and upregulated HDL cholesterol. Tomato peel consumption improved cardiovascular risk factors in CRPtg mice, a beneficial effect that was further enhanced by enrichment of the flavonoid content.”

[more evidence that it is important to consume lots of fish oil] The (n-3) Fatty Acid Dose, Independent of the (n-6) to (n-3) Fatty Acid Ratio, Affects the Plasma Fatty Acid Profile of Normal Dogs J. Nutr. 2006 136: 2338-2344[http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/9/2338] ” The purpose of this study was to determine whether the dose of (n-3) fatty acids (FA) administered, independent of the relative ratio of (n-6) to (n-3) FA in the food, influences plasma FA composition in dogs…Results from our studies indicate that 175 mg DHA/(kg body weight · d) is required to attain maximum plasma levels of DHA.”

[animal fat intake contributes to ovarian cancer] Dietary Intake Changes and Their Association with Ovarian Cancer Risk J. Nutr. 2006 136: 2362-2367 [http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/9/2362] “There are reasons to suspect that dietary changes through adult life may modify risk for some cancers. We examined the association of recent and past dietary habits and changes in dietary intake over time with ovarian cancer risk…Substituting nonanimal fat in preference to animal fat over a relatively short term (between 2 and 7 y prior to interview) decreased the risk of ovarian cancer [OddsRatio = 0.65/100 kcal …]. Our results suggest that substitution of nonanimal for animal fat during adult life might reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, but this requires confirmation in prospective studies.”

[A list of great fruits and veggies to eat] Daily Polyphenol Intake in France from Fruit and Vegetables J. Nutr. 2006 136: 2368-2373 [http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/9/2368] ” The objective of this study was to create a French database on the polyphenol content of fruit and vegetables as uncooked fruits and vegetables and then to evaluate polyphenol intake through fruit and vegetable consumption in France. .. Vegetables with the highest polyphenol concentration were artichokes, parsley, and brussels sprouts [>250 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g fresh edible portion (FEP)]; fruits with the highest concentrations were strawberries, lychees, and grapes (>180 mg of GAE/100 g FEP). Conversely, melons (Cantaloupe cv.) and avocados had the lowest polyphenol concentration for fruits and vegetables, respectively. Based on fruit consumption data, apples and strawberries are the main sources of polyphenols in the French diet, whereas potatoes, lettuces, and onions are the most important vegetable sources. ..”

[one way meat, refined grains, and milk hurt bones and heart] Acid-Base Status Affects Renal Magnesium Losses in Healthy, Elderly Persons J. Nutr. 2006 136: 2374-2377[http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/9/2374] ” Magnesium and calcium deficiency in humans is related to a number of pathological phenomena such as arrhythmia, osteoporosis, migraine, and fatal myocardial infarction…”Magnesium and calcium are necessary for good health. Just getting enough from good water could save 23women and 65 men per 100,000 each year. The Western diet is now acidic, causing acidosis, because of our consumption of meat, refined grain, and milk. This acidosis changes the homeostasis of calcium by affecting how our kidneys work. [ed. note – This article made me concerned about taking vitamin C twice a day. I was relieved to learn that sodium ascorbate, the main supplement form of vitamin C, actually makes the body less acidic, and thus helps maintain calcium for strong bones and magnesium for a healthy heart.] [Quantity of fish oil is really important] Dietary Fish Oil Inhibits Antigen-Specific Murine Th1 Cell Development by Suppression of Clonal Expansion J. Nutr. 2006 136: 2391-2398[http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/9/2391] [ed. note: Th1 cells are one of two major groups of cells essential to our immune response. But when they multiply when not necessary, for instance in response to stress, they cause inflammation, which contributes to heart disease, cancer, type II diabetes and other diseases of aging.] “These studies suggest that the attenuated inflammatory response which accompanies dietary fish oil feeding may be explained, at least in part, by suppression of Th1 clonal expansion. “