Spinazie tegen darmkanker*
Uit een Amerikaanse studie door het bekende Linus Paulinginstituut blijkt dat
het eten van spinazie de kans op darmkanker
flink kan verminderen. In het onderzoek werd gekeken naar darmkanker als gevolg
van het eten van bij hoge temperaturen gebakken vlees. Het eten van spinazie
bleek de kans op de vorming van darmtumoren van 58% terug te brengen tot 32%.
Spinazie deed dit door epigenetische
veranderingen aan te brengen.
Spinach influences gene expression to cut colon cancer risk in half
Colorectal cancers represent the fourth most prevalent form of the disease with
more than 150,000 cases diagnosed each year and more than 50,000 deaths.
Forward-thinking nutrition researchers understand that this particular form of
the disease is largely preventable through lifestyle changes including healthy
diet, exercise and smoking cessation. The newly emerging science of Epigenetics
is shining a light on the specific mechanism of food-based nutrients to
influence genetic expression helping to prevent many diseases, especially colon
cancer.
Researchers from Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute have
reported the result of their work in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food
Research that demonstrates how spinach consumption neutralizes carcinogens in
cooked foods to alter cancer stem cells and slash colon cancer risk. This study
adds to the growing body of research that shows the potent nature of fresh,
unaltered foods to prevent chronic diseases and the role of Epigenetics in
cancer, or the ways in which gene expression and cell behavior can be changed
even though DNA sequence information is unaltered.
Regular spinach consumption cuts colon tumor formation in half
The lead study author, Dr. Mansi Parasramka noted "Cancer development is a
complex, multi-step process, with damaged cells arising through various means...
this study showed that alterations of microRNAs affect cancer stem cell markers
in colon cancer formation." The researchers specifically targeted the
damaging acrylamides and heterocyclic amines (HCAs) that form when meats and
other food sources are heated at high temperatures. These compounds influence
microRNAs and genetic markers to increase risk of colorectal cancer.
Scientists know that cancer development is initiated by small changes in DNA
sequencing, or mutations that result in uncontrolled cell growth. The rapidly
emerging field of Epigenetics is showing how dietary, environmental and
lifestyle influences can directly influence the expression of genes to promote
or prevent many cancer lines and heart disease, diabetes and neurological
disorders as well.
MicroRNAs, once thought to be genetic 'junk,' are now recognized as critical
components to the Epigenetic equation as they determine which areas of our
genes are expressed or remain silent as a result of environmental influences
such as diet. The researchers monitored 679 known microRNAs to find out how
they responded or were expressed when exposed to different food sources.
The study team found that consumption of spinach can partially offset the
damaging effects of many food-induced carcinogens. In tests with laboratory
animals, the leafy greens cut the incidence of colon tumors almost in half,
from 58 percent to 32 percent. The researchers concluded "The good news
about epigenetics and microRNA alterations is that we may be able to restore
normal cell function, via diet and healthy life style choices." While
spinach was found to exert a powerful effect on genetic expression to inhibit
colon tumor formation, a varied diet of fresh, uncooked vegetables will yield a
health-promoting shield to protect against many forms of cancer and chronic
disease. (November 2012)
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