Black Cohosh may cut risk of breast cancer by greater than 50%
May
09,
2007
Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in conjunction with other prestigious research centers wanted to gauge the use of herbal-menopausal supplements and their effects on breast cancer.
According to this evidence, women taking supplements of Black Cohosh may cut their risk of breast cancer by more than 50%.
Black Cohosh is used by women to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. In this case controlled study 949 women with breast cancer were compared with 1,524 cancer free women.
After adjusting for other factors, using Black Cohosh supplements had a significant breast cancer protective effect.
It decreased the risk of developing breast cancer by 61%. The study is published in the April 1st, 2007 issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
Colombia researchers find that Black Cohosh stimulates genes that destroy breast cancer cells and inhibit genes that foster their growth
Scientists from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons write that previous studies indicate that ingredients in Black Cohosh inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.
In this new study they added a Black Cohosh extract to a breast cancer cell line. It turns out that the Black Cohosh affected 18 different genes including ER stress genes that destroy the tissue and genes that lead to organized cell destruction of the cancerous cells.
Genes that regulate the growth and cycle of the cancer were also suppressed.
The Colombia researchers conclude that Black Cohosh may be useful in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Large analysis of pooled studies shows that soy products help lower cholesterol
In this new analysis of 11 placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials shows that soy isoflavones alone lower LDL-cholesterol by 5 points.
However, when using soy protein enriched with soy isoflavones the supplement was able to lower LDL-cholesterol by 7 points while improving HDL levels by 3% (about 2 points).
But when the supplements were used in patients with high cholesterol the results the results were the most dramatic.
The study is published in the April 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.