Wine for radiation side effects
Vitamin C and Brain Development
COMPOUNDS in red wine may help reduce the risk of radiation-induced skin reactions in breast cancer patients, recent research suggests.
Skin problems, including irritation, swelling, blisters, redness and dryness are
common side effects of radiation. Although medications may help prevent these
reactions, they are often costly and can cause their own side effects.
Therefore, less expensive, natural products have been gaining interest among patients. The latest study tested the potential benefits of red wine, which contains antioxidants, including polyphenols, tannins and resveratrol, that may have anticancer effects.
The study included 348 women who were receiving radiation therapy after breast
cancer surgery. They were divided into three groups depending on the dose of radiation received. About 13.6 percent of women who drank a glass of wine daily experienced skin reactions compared to 31.8 of women who drank a half glass of wine daily and 38.4 percent of those who did not drink any wine. However, the incidence increased to 35 percent among those who drank two glasses daily. The wine did not affect the anticancer effects of radiation.
However, these results are preliminary and controversial. Other research has found that drinking as little as one alcoholic beverage daily may increase the risk of breast cancer. In fact, researchers estimate that alcohol consumption may play a role in up to 11 percent of breast cancer cases.
Vitamin C deficiency during the first weeks of life may impair early brain development, according to a new animal study.
In the study, 30 newborn guinea pigs were randomly assigned to receive a standard
diet or a vitamin C-deficient diet for two months. Guinea pigs, like humans, are only able to obtain vitamin C through the diet.
Spatial memory was assessed using a water maze and nerve cells in the brain (called
hippocampal neurons) were evaluated with brain scans. The researchers found that vitamin C-deficient guinea pigs had significantly poorer spatial memory and 30 percent
fewer hippocampal neurons than the control group.
Because vitamin C concentrations are the highest in neurons compared to other cells
in the body, the authors suggested that the vitamin may play an important role in brain activity. However, it is unclear if similar results would occur in humans.
Kudzu for Metabolic Syndrome
KUDZU, an invasive vine common in the southeast United States, may have medical applications. A new animal study suggests that the weed may help treat a condition known as metabolic syndrome. People with metabolic syndrome have three or more of following medical conditions: high blood pressure, high insulin levels, excess fat around the waist and high cholesterol levels. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Traditionally, kudzu has been used to treat high blood pressure, and some research suggests a possible benefit for insulin resistance. However, clear evidence is lacking in these areas. In the report, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers tested the effects of kudzu root extract in female rats with high blood pressure that were prone to strokes. The rats also had symptoms of metabolic syndrome, making them suitable for studying this condition. One group received a standard diet, while the other received supplementation with kudzu root extract for two months.
At the end of the study, rats in the kudzu group gained less weight and had significantly lower blood pressure, blood sugar levels, insulin levels and total cholesterol levels compared to the control rats. The authors concluded that kudzu "may provide a dietary supplement that significantly decreases the risk and severity of stroke and cardiovascular disease in at-risk individuals."
While these early findings are promising, human studies are needed to determine if kudzu is a safe and effective treatment for metabolic syndrome in people.
