Cutting-Edge Nutrition Science April 2008

Topic: Eating More Fish and Green and Cruciferous Vegetables May Lower Multiple Myeloma Risk in Women

Note: This topic is covered during the Food As Medicine training
in Understanding Core Imbalances,
a lecture by Cindy Geyer, MD

Keywords: MULTIPLE MYELOMA - Fish, Green Vegetables, Cruciferous Vegetables, Tomatoes, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Calcium, Ice Cream, Jello, Jell-O, Pudding, Cream Soup, Dairy, Diet, Alcohol

Reference: "Diet and risk of multiple myeloma in Connecticut women," Hosgood HD 3rd, Baris D, et al, Cancer Causes Control, 2007; 18(10): 1065-76. (Address: Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7240, USA. E-mail: hosgoodd@mail.nih.gov ).

Summary: In a population-based, case-control study involving 179 women with multiple myeloma and 691 controls, consumption of fish, cruciferous vegetables and green vegetables was independently inversely associated with multiple myeloma risk, whereas consumption of some dairy products was positively associated with multiple myeloma risk. Diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. After adjusting for potential confounders, dietary intakes of cooked tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables, fresh fish, alcohol, and vitamin A were independently inversely associated with multiple myeloma risk. On the other hand, consumption of ice cream, jello, pudding and cream soups were independently positively associated with multiple myeloma risk. Additionally, a positive trend was observed between carbohydrate intake and multiple myeloma risk, whereas an inverse trend was observed between vitamin D and calcium intake and multiple myeloma risk. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Despite very limited data on dietary factors in relation to multiple myeloma, the findings from this study concur with previously published studies, suggesting an inverse association for consumption of fish, cruciferous vegetables and green vegetables, and a positive association for some dairy products."

Topic: Low-Dose Antioxidant Supplementation
May Benefit Cardiovascular Health

Note: This topic is covered during the Food As Medicine training
in Food Jewels: Antioxidants & Phytochemicals,
a lecture by James Joseph, PhD

Keywords: CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, THROMBOSIS, ARTERIOSCLEROSIS - Antioxidant, Zinc, Selenium, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E

Reference: "Effect of low dose antioxidant vitamin and trace element supplementation on the urinary concentrations of thromboxane and prostacyclin metabolites," Arnaud J, Bost M, et al, J Am Coll Nutr, 2007; 26(5): 405-11. (Address: Département de Biologie Intégrée, CHU de Grenoble, BP 217, 38043 Grenoble cedex 9, France. E-mail: JArnaud@chu-grenoble.fr ).

Summary: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 186 presumably healthy subjects, daily supplementation with a multi-antioxidant for a period of two years was found to reduce platelet activation, conferring a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health. Subjects were randomized into 2 groups: Group 1 received daily supplementation with a multi-antioxidant for 2 years (n=100); Group 2 received a placebo. Comparing baseline measurements to measurements after the 2 year intervention, significant increases were found in blood levels of zinc, selenium, and beta-carotene concentrations among subjects in the multi-antioxidant group. Moreover, urinary excretion of 11-dehydro TXB(2)/2,3 dinor 6 keto PGF(1alpha) ratio - a marker of the pathogenesis of thrombosis and arteriosclerosis - was significantly lower in the multi-antioxidant group, as compared to the placebo group. Levels of serum selenium were significantly associated with the urinary 11-dehydro TXB(2)/2,3 dinor 6 keto PGF(1alpha) ratio. The authors conclude, "These results support the hypothesis that a low-dose multi-antioxidant supplementation may contribute to a reduction in platelet activation which is beneficial for cardiovascular function."

Topic: Greater Habitual Soyfood Consumption
May Be Associated with Decreased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Lower Total and LDL Cholesterol 

Note: This topic is covered during the Food As Medicine training
in Macronutrients,
a lecture by John Bagnulo, PhD

Keywords: CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS, ATHEROSCLEROSIS - Soy, Soyfood, Soy Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Bifurcation IMT

Reference: "Greater habitual soyfood consumption is associated with decreased carotid intima-media thickness and better plasma lipids in Chinese middle-aged adults," Zhang B, Su YX, et al, Atherosclerosis, 2007 Nov 16; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Faculty of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74# Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, People's Republic of China. E-mail: suyx@mail.sysu.edu.cn ).

Summary: In a cross-sectional study involving 406 Chinese adults aged 40-65 years, results indicate that greater habitual soyfood consumption may be associated with a decreased bifurcation carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and improved lipid profile, particularly in men. Among men, after adjusting for potential confounders, the third tertile for habitual soyfood consumption (mean = 7.48 g/d soy protein) was associated with lower mean bifurcation IMT (16%), total cholesterol (12.3%) and LDL cholesterol (19.6%), compared with the first tertile (mean = 0.64 g/d soy protein). Similarly, among women, the third tertile for habitual soyfood consumption (mean = 8.35 g/d soy protein) was associated with lower mean bifurcation IMT (9.4%), total cholesterol (6.2%) and LDL cholesterol (10.4%), compared with the first tertile (mean = 0.64 g/d soy protein). The association between habitual soyfood intake and IMT and total and LDL cholesterol was stronger in men. Thus, the authors of this stu dy conclude, "higher habitual soyfood consumption is associated with decreased bifurcation IMT, plasma TC and LDL-c in middle-aged Chinese adults. The association is more apparent in men than in women."

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