Polyphenols Together are More Protective

The anticarcenogenic effects of polyphenols (they prevent or delay the development of cancer) from fruits and vegetables are well established. Little is known about synergistic (additive) biochemical effects of combinations of these compounds. In this study Ellagic acid, Quercetin, and Resveratrol were studied signally, or in combination for their effects on human leukemia cells. When either compound was added to Resveratrol, either Quercetin or Ellagic Acid, their anticancer effects were stronger than the polyphenols signally. The research was conducted at the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida in Gainesville and the study is published in the February 10th, 2005 issue of Cancer Letters.

The Herb Turmeric helps Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Two hundred and seven individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who were otherwise healthy were put on either a one-dose or a two dose daily treatment with the herb Turmeric for 8 weeks. The prevalence of IBS dropped significantly in both groups with an initial drop of 41% in the once daily group that improved by an additional 53% after the end of treatment. The twice daily group had a 57% decrease in incidence with a further 60% drop at studies end. A post study analysis shows that abdominal pain dropped by 22% in the once daily and 25% in the twice-daily group. About 67% reported improvement in symptoms by the end of the study and they had a favorable shift in bowel pattern. The study was performed at the University of Reading, Reading, UK and is published in the December 2004 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.