 |
|
Avocados may help prevent oral cancer, OSU study shows
September 05, 2007COLUMBUS, Ohio - Nutrients taken from avocados are able to thwart oral cancer cells, killing some and preventing pre-cancerous cells from developing into actual cancers, according to researchers at Ohio State University.
Researchers found that extracts from Hass avocados kill or stop the growth of pre-cancerous cells that lead to oral cancer. Hass avocados are year-round fruits known for their distinctive bumpy skin that turns from green to purplish-black as they ripen.
While there are more than 500 varieties of avocados grown worldwide, Hass avocados are the most readily available at supermarkets nationwide. Similar research has not been conducted on other varieties of avocados.
The findings are published online in the journal Seminars in Cancer Biology.
Lead author Steven M. D'Ambrosio, a member of the molecular carcinogenesis and chemoprevention program at Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center, also wrote an accompanying editorial for the journal, discussing the cancer-fighting potential of fruits and vegetables. D'Ambrosio collaborated with Haiming Ding in Ohio State's College of Medicine.
Studies have long associated the consumption of fruits and vegetables with a reduced risk for various types of human cancer. The protective effect is attributed to the high levels of phytonutrients or phytochemicals - plant compounds thought to have health-protecting qualities - that are often found in dark colored fruits and vegetables.
"As far as we know, this is the first study of avocados and oral cancer," says D'Ambrosio. "We think these phytochemicals either stop the growth of precancerous cells in the body or they kill the precancerous cells without affecting normal cells. Our study focuses on oral cancer, but the findings might have implications for other types of cancer. These are preliminary findings, and more research is needed."
D'Ambrosio, who collaborated with researchers in Ohio State's College of Pharmacy, found that phytochemicals extracted from avocados target multiple signaling pathways and increase the amount of reactive oxygen within the cells, leading to cell death in pre-cancerous cell lines. But the phytochemicals did not harm normal cells.
"These studies suggest that individual and a combination of phytochemicals from the avocado fruit may offer an advantageous dietary strategy in cancer prevention," says Ding, who is a member of the division of radiobiology, department of radiology.
Avocados are chock-full of beneficial antioxidants and phytonutrients, including vitamin C, folate, vitamin E, fiber and unsaturated fats. They are naturally sodium-free, contain no trans fats and are low in saturated fat, making them a healthy addition to any diet, D'Ambrosio says.
"The future is ripe for identifying fruits and vegetables and individual phytonutrients with cancer preventing activity," writes D'Ambrosio in the journal's editorial. "As we identify the molecular mechanisms and targets by which individual phytonutrients prevent cancer, we may be able to improve upon nature by formulating phytonutrient cocktails for specific cancers and individual susceptibility and risk."
Other Ohio State researchers involved in the study are Young-Won Chin in the College of Pharmacy and A. Douglas Kinghorn in the Comprehensive Cancer Center. The California Avocado Commission provided the Hass avocados for the research.
Ohio State University
The findings are published online in the journal Seminars in Cancer Biology.
Lead author Steven M. D'Ambrosio, a member of the molecular carcinogenesis and chemoprevention program at Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center, also wrote an accompanying editorial for the journal, discussing the cancer-fighting potential of fruits and vegetables. D'Ambrosio collaborated with Haiming Ding in Ohio State's College of Medicine.
Studies have long associated the consumption of fruits and vegetables with a reduced risk for various types of human cancer. The protective effect is attributed to the high levels of phytonutrients or phytochemicals - plant compounds thought to have health-protecting qualities - that are often found in dark colored fruits and vegetables.
"As far as we know, this is the first study of avocados and oral cancer," says D'Ambrosio. "We think these phytochemicals either stop the growth of precancerous cells in the body or they kill the precancerous cells without affecting normal cells. Our study focuses on oral cancer, but the findings might have implications for other types of cancer. These are preliminary findings, and more research is needed."
D'Ambrosio, who collaborated with researchers in Ohio State's College of Pharmacy, found that phytochemicals extracted from avocados target multiple signaling pathways and increase the amount of reactive oxygen within the cells, leading to cell death in pre-cancerous cell lines. But the phytochemicals did not harm normal cells.
"These studies suggest that individual and a combination of phytochemicals from the avocado fruit may offer an advantageous dietary strategy in cancer prevention," says Ding, who is a member of the division of radiobiology, department of radiology.
Avocados are chock-full of beneficial antioxidants and phytonutrients, including vitamin C, folate, vitamin E, fiber and unsaturated fats. They are naturally sodium-free, contain no trans fats and are low in saturated fat, making them a healthy addition to any diet, D'Ambrosio says.
"The future is ripe for identifying fruits and vegetables and individual phytonutrients with cancer preventing activity," writes D'Ambrosio in the journal's editorial. "As we identify the molecular mechanisms and targets by which individual phytonutrients prevent cancer, we may be able to improve upon nature by formulating phytonutrient cocktails for specific cancers and individual susceptibility and risk."
Other Ohio State researchers involved in the study are Young-Won Chin in the College of Pharmacy and A. Douglas Kinghorn in the Comprehensive Cancer Center. The California Avocado Commission provided the Hass avocados for the research.
Ohio State University
Avocado Current Events and Avocado News RSSPlant fossils give first real picture of earliest Neotropical rainforests
A team of researchers including a University of Florida paleontologist has used a rich cache of plant fossils discovered in Colombia to provide the first reliable evidence of how Neotropical rainforests looked 58 million years ago.
Holy Guacamole: NC State Researcher Tracks Invasive Beetle Threatening Florida's Avocados
A researcher at North Carolina State University is tracking the movement of the Redbay Ambrosia beetle, an invasive insect that, if it spreads to southeast Florida, may severely affect the production of avocados, a $15 million to $30 million industry in the state.
Tree-Killing Fungus Officially Named by Scientists
The USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) today announced that an SRS scientist and other researchers have officially named the fungus responsible for killing redbay and other trees in the coastal plains of northeastern Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Watermelon May Have Viagra-Effect
A cold slice of watermelon has long been a Fourth of July holiday staple. But according to recent studies, the juicy fruit may be better suited for Valentine's Day.
Laurel Wilt of Redbay and Sassafras: Will Avocados be Next?
Scientists with the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS), Iowa State University, and the Florida Division of Forestry have provided the first description of a fungus responsible for the wilt of redbay trees along the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Rise in California temperatures likely to affect crops
Increasing temperatures in California during the next 45 years could negatively affect the amount of almonds, walnuts, oranges, avocados and table grapes that Americans put on their tables.
Genome info from 'plant destroyers' could save trees, beans and chocolate
An international team of scientists has published the first two genome sequences from a destructive group of plant pathogens called Phytophthora-a name that literally means "plant destroyer."
More Avocado Current Events and Avocado News Articles
 |
The Dud Avocado (New York Review Books Classics) by Elaine Dundy (Author), Terry Teachout (Introduction) The Dud Avocado follows the romantic and comedic adventures of a young American who heads overseas to conquer Paris in the late 1950s. Edith Wharton and Henry James wrote about the American girl abroad, but it was Elaine Dundy’s Sally Jay Gorce who told us what she was really thinking. Charming, sexy, and hilarious, The Dud Avocado gained instant cult status when it was first published and it remains a timeless portrait of a woman hell-bent on living. “I had to tell someone how much I enjoyed The Dud Avocado. It made me laugh, scream, and guffaw (which, incidentally, is a great name for a law firm).” –Groucho Marx "[The Dud Avocado] is one of the best novels about growing up fast..." -The Guardian |
 |
Amco Avocado Slicer and Pitter by Amco Avocados taste great, they're healthy and… unfortunately, they're messy to prepare. Say goodbye to the hassle and mess with Amco's avocado slicer and pitter. The avocado slicer and pitter easily pits and slices avocados. The nylon loop end removes the pit without damaging the fruit and the wire end slices and scoops the fruit. By Amco. With unique, patented kitchen products Amco's devotion to innovation has driven new industry standards and redefined categories. They continue to revolutionize the market with ingenious gadgets that simplify and enhance the culinary experience. With a team of in-house designers whose sole purpose is to conceptualize and design new kitchen tools, Amco continues to be at the forefront of innovative, efficient and timeless kitchenware products. |
 |
Absolutely Avocado (Cook West) by Geraldine Duncann (Author) Avocados—they're not just for salads anymore. Take your taste buds beyond the ordinary with more than 50 recipes featuring the buttery smoothness of this favorite fruit. Soothe your palate with the delicate flavors of Avocado Crab Puffs. Warm up a cold winter's night with Avocado and Almond Soup or impress your friends with your zesty Guacamole with Attitude. 24 color photos. About the Cook West Series: Savor the flavors of the West. Each book in the Cook West Series celebrates the tastes, colors, aromas, and ingredients that create the food of the American West. Home cooks and industry professionals alike will welcome these single-ingredient cookbooks into their kitchens. Each title in the Cook West Series offers 50 original recipes and helpful tips to impress, inspire,... |
 |
Tovolo Standz Avocado Slicer, Green by Tovolo This handy Tovolo STANDZ Avocado Slicer makes slicing avocados a cinch. Simply slide the tool against the inside of the skin and through the avocado, creating perfectly consistent slices. This STANDZ tool features a unique handle with a graduated base that allows it to stand upright on the counter. This prevents the transfer of food particles or germs between countertop and tool. The easy-grip handle is done in a handsome gray, while the tool head is a cheery green. Get a handle on countertop mess with the Tovolo STANDZ line of kitchen gadgets. |
 |
AVOCADO-HASS by El Capitan Avocados Freshly picked, Hass Avocados, grown on the Southern California Coast. Perfect growing environment makes for the best tasting avocados with a nutty, buttery taste. |
 |
Avocado: Botany, Production and Uses by A. W. Whiley (Editor), B. Schaffer (Editor), B. Wolstenholme (Editor) This is the first volume to provide a comprehensive review of this increasingly important crop. It covers research and production practices from around the world, including all of the major avocado growing regions. Topics include history and distribution; botany and taxonomy; climate and soil requirements; genetics, breeding, and biotechnology; cultivars and rootstocks; flowering, pollination, fruit set and development; pests and diseases; and harvest and postharvest technology. |
 |
Harold Import Company Avo Saver by Harold Import Company, Inc. The Avo Saver is an indispensible kitchen gadget for anyone who uses avocados. Even though avocados are such a culinary delight they are also quite expensive and have a short life, once cut. Save money, time and aggravation with this truly innovative gadget. The Avo Saver is easy to use and will reduce a cut avocado’s exposure to air, greatly slowing the destructive oxidization process. Unit is top-shelf, dishwasher safe. |
 |
Sex and the Avocado: Recipes and Tips from Centuries of Loving by Rose Barajas (Author) Thousands of years ago, the Mayans, Aztecs and Incans believed the Avocado to be an aphrodisiac, and nubile princesses ate them as part of a fertility ritual to enhance their sexually desirability. With its gracious curves, large flesh-colored pit and soft buttery meat, the Avocado represented the intimate joining of a man and a woman to these ancient cultures. Using recipes handed down to her through generations of her own central-American family, author Rose Barajas unlocks the sensual nature of the Avocado for her readers with easy-to-prepare recipes. What makes them so unique, is that they highlight the natural sensuality of the avocado by combining it with other aphrodisiac-like ingredients, such as garlic, ginger, oysters and hot cayenne pepper. ... |
 |
La Tourangelle Avocado Oil, 16.9-Ounce Tins (Pack of 2) by La Tourangelle La Tourangelle Avocado Oil is 100% pure, all-natural and handcrafted from fresh premium avocados. The avacado pulp is first expeller-pressed in a manner similar to extra virgin olive oil, then lightly filtered. The result is a bautiful, emerald green oi |
 |
Guac Off! by Nathan Myers (Author) Nathan Myers is a guacamole master. His recipes will have guac fans forgoing the chips and digging in with a spoon. With 30 recipes for classic, exotic, and extreme guacamoles, there is a guac to suit every occasion, from the green chile-enhanced Brooktown Classic to the ultra-spicy Scarface Guac. Following the tenets of Sun Tzu's Art of War, Myers sets the rules for holding a guac-off the ultimate contest to see who reigns supreme in the world of guacamole culminating in the victor being bestowed with a bottle of tequila. Guac Off! includes prize-winning recipes from past showdowns, a history of avocados, plus a healthy dose of fun. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |