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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: DuckTapeSunroof who wrote (717934)	12/12/2005 3:53:07 PM
From: Bill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Researchers find cancer-preventing compound in beer The darker the brew, the better it fights common cancers Charlie Fidelman The Montreal Gazette Wednesday, November 30, 2005 MONTREAL - Like wine, beer too has its virtues. Studies strongly suggest that a compound found only in hops and the main product they're used in -- beer -- is effective in preventing many types of cancer. And the darker the brew the higher the concentration of the active ingredient, Fred Stevens, professor of medicinal chemistry and researcher at the Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University, said Tuesday. The flavonoid compound called Xanthohumol is toxic to prostate, breast, colon and ovarian cancer cells. The potential applications for this micronutrient in cancer prevention and treatment is enormous, experts said. But don't go hoisting another pint or two just yet, Mr. Stevens said. "I don't recommend that. Moderate beer consumption lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease but that has nothing to do with flavonoids," Mr. Stevens said. Studies using rats and test-tube cultures show that Xanthohumol stops tumour growth at an early age, along with other anti-cancer properties. "But we used a pure compound in cell cultures," Mr. Stevens said. "To go to humans is a big jump." For one thing, it's not clear how much flavonoid can be absorbed from drinking beer. It's not known what remains of the compound after it passes through the human gut. But in the lab, even microscopic amounts can inhibit enzymes that can activate cancer growth as well as help the body detoxify carcinogens. "Research in the area has exploded worldwide," said Mr. Stevens, who published a review of the literature in the journal Phytochemistry. Even before study results are in, efforts are under way to isolate the compound as a food supplement, he said. For example, Germany recently developed a beer with 10 times more Xanthohumol concentration. "In Belgium they are selling hops tablets," Mr. Stevens said. "But it's not proven that non-beer formulations are effective or safe." Moderate alcohol consumption, including beer, has health benefits, said Charles Couillard, a Laval University professor of food science and a researcher at the Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods. "We saw a decrease in cardiovascular disease in people drinking red wine," Mr. Couillard said of the "French paradox" which launched several studies. "But what was reducing the mortality, the alcohol or maybe some component in the grape including flavonoids?" Well, it's both, Mr. Couillard said. Alcohol increased good cholesterol, HDL, but the flavonoids improved blood vessel function. Flavonoids also neutralize free radicals, which "can attack lipids, proteins and DNA" and are implicated in many diseases, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, cancer and even early aging, he said. For an alcohol-free dose of flavonoids go for a piece of dark chocolate (a good source), Mr. Couillard recommended. Don't forget to include five to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, as most are also high in flavonoids, he added. © The Ottawa Citizen 2005