How to Reduce Your Exposure to Harmful Microplastics (YouTube link)
The study in [1] discovered that microplastics (MPs) are present in both para-tumor and tumor tissues of the human prostate, with higher concentrations of PS, PE, and PVC MPs in tumor tissues. Additionally, a correlation was found between the abundance of MPs and the frequency of takeout food consumption. Researchers utilized LDIR and Py–GC/MS techniques to identify and quantify MPs in the prostate samples.
Summary
The findings suggest that MPs may accumulate in the prostate and could be associated with prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms and processes responsible for the presence of MPs in human tumor systems remain unknown. Future studies are necessary to better understand the dynamic interplay and potential causal connections between MPs and prostate health over time.
5 Foods That Help Fight Against Cancer & Repair The Body (YouTube link)
5 Cancer-Fighting Foods
In the video above, Dr. William Li explores five foods that may have cancer-fighting potential:
Green tea: Contains catechins, which can lower inflammation and cut off the blood supply to tumors.
Brassicas: Vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, rich in sulforaphane, which can boost the immune system and inhibit tumor growth.
Papaya: Contains carotenoids, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties.
Purple potatoes: Rich in anthocyanins, which can lower inflammation and target cancer stem cells.
Pomegranate: Contains ellagitannins, which can inhibit tumor growth and support gut health.
Consuming a variety of whole, unprocessed foods rich in bioactive compounds like catechins, sulforaphane, carotenoids, and ellagitannins as part of a balanced diet can contribute to overall health and cancer prevention, but it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and to address any underlying health concerns.
Leah Phillips was just 43 years old when she was diagnosed with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with an EGFR Exon-19 mutation. Despite her initial shock and a frustrating series of misdiagnoses, Leah’s determination and advocacy led to proper treatment.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletion (E19del) mutations are a type of in-frame deletion that occur in the kinase domain of the EGFR receptor. They are a common activating mutation in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and are associated with increased sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). E19del mutations account for about 60% of EGFR mutations associated with lung cancer and are made up of a heterogeneous group of variants.
In her cancer vlog (YouTube link), Leah recounts her journey from the first symptoms, through the relentless search for answers, to her current treatment with Tagrisso. She shares how she balances life as a mother of three, the impact of her diagnosis, and her advice on the importance of seeking second opinions and being your own advocate.
The news segment highlights the alarmingly high rates of lung cancer among Asian American women who never smoked. A Bay Area study, FANS, is investigating this health disparity. The report features individuals affected by the disease and their experiences, emphasizing the importance of early detection, advocacy, and support networks.
In a recent study, researchers found that 57% of Asian American women diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked. The FANS study will look at possible causes of lung cancer including secondhand smoke, genetics, and cultural factors.
A popularity-based ranking of herbs and supplements listed on MedlinePlus[3] (a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health) has shown that Zinc maybe is one of the most important nutrients that our body needs.
Let me explain my methodology used in coming up with the ranking first. On MedlinePlus, it lists most of the popular herbs and supplements that have been studied by scientists. For each herb or supplement, it provides a grade which reflects the level of available scientific evidence in support of the efficacy of a given therapy for a specific indication. For example, zinc supplement is used to treat malnourished children with acute diarrhea in multiple studies and it shows that zinc supplement may reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea with strong evidence. Therefore, an evidence grade "A" is assigned to zinc in treating diarrhea among malnourished children.
For each use of herb or supplement in a specific therapy, a grade is given based on an objective criteria. There are 6 grades in the evaluation as shown in the following table:
Level of Evidence Grade
Criteria
A (Strong Scientific Evidence)
Statistically significant evidence of benefit from >2 properly randomized trials ( RCTs ), OR evidence from one properly conducted RCT AND one properly conducted meta-analysis, OR evidence from multiple RCTs with a clear majority of the properly conducted trials showing statistically significant evidence of benefit AND with supporting evidence in basic science, animal studies, or theory.
B (Good Scientific Evidence)
Statistically significant evidence of benefit from 1-2 properly randomized trials, OR evidence of benefit from > 1 properly conducted meta-analysis OR evidence of benefit from >1 cohort/case-control/non-randomized trials AND with supporting evidence in basic science, animal studies, or theory.
C(Unclear or conflicting scientific evidence)
Evidence of benefit from > 1 small RCT (s) without adequate size, power, statistical significance, or quality of design by objective criteria,* OR conflicting evidence from multiple RCTs without a clear majority of the properly conducted trials showing evidence of benefit or ineffectiveness, OR evidence of benefit from > 1 cohort/case-control/non-randomized trials AND without supporting evidence in basic science, animal studies, or theory, OR evidence of efficacy only from basic science, animal studies, or theory.
D (Fair Negative Scientific Evidence)
Statistically significant negative evidence (i.e., lack of evidence of benefit) from cohort/case-control/non-randomized trials, AND evidence in basic science, animal studies, or theory suggesting a lack of benefit.
F(Strong Negative Scientific Evidence)
Statistically significant negative evidence (i.e. lack of evidence of benefit) from > 1 properly randomized adequately powered trial(s) of high-quality design by objective criteria.
Lack of Evidence
Unable to evaluate efficacy due to lack of adequate available human data.
As you can see that grade "A", "B", "C" have been assigned to a herb or supplement for its benefit of a given therapy with the strongest to the weakest positive scientific evidence. In my tabulation, I have counted total number of therapies using a herb or supplement listed on MedlinePlus with a grade "A", "B", or "C". The higher the count is, the more popular that herb or supplement is in the eyes of scientists. Based on the counting, zinc comes up to the top as shown in the following table:
Zinc is necessary for the functioning of more than 300 different enzymes and plays a vital role in an enormous number of biological processes. For example, Zinc
Is a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase
Is in a number of enzymatic reactions involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism
Plays a critical role in regulating how neurons communicate with one another, and could affect how memories form and how we learn[2]
May lead to symptoms of night blindness[4]
Without the proper amount of zinc, vitamin A may not be absorbed as well as it should be
Zinc has gained popularity for its use in the prevention of the common cold. However, we need zinc in only tiny amounts. Most of people eating a zinc-rich diet may not need a supplement. Who needs zinc? Pregnant and breast-feeding women must ensure they are getting adequate supplies of zinc from their diet and/or from supplements, as a lack of this mineral could lead to fetal abnormalities and stunted growth in their babies. Finally, be warned that too much zinc has been linked to a suppression of the immune response.
As I always advocate for getting important nutrients from natural sources — whole foods, not supplements, I'll conclude this article by listing foods that are rich sources of zinc.
Other data from the government also show that: Approximately 50% of the U.S. population consume less than the required amount of magnesium for health[6, 7]. This inadequate intake applies to all Americans – regardless of age, gender, race, education or economic status. Because magnesium is vital to so many functions in the body, this suboptimal intake of magnesium has many scientists and healthcare professionals concerned[7, 8].
Health Benefits of Magnesium
Magnesium, a vital element abundantly present in daily meals, is crucial for DNA and RNA synthesis, cell growth, and protein production, ranking as the human body’s fourth most important mineral.[25,26]Approximately 50% of total body magnesium is found in bone. The other half is found predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs. Only 1% of magnesium is found in blood, but the body works very hard to keep blood levels of magnesium constant[8,16].
Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve[5] function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure[13], and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis[17,18]. There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Dietary magnesium is absorbed in the small intestines. Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys[16-19].
Additional benefits of Mg include:
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
A study analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found a significant link between increased magnesium consumption and reduced PID risk.[24].
Constipation
Magnesium is needed for normal muscle function, including intestinal muscles. One recent study examined the intake of magnesium with constipation in 3835 women. Low magnesium intake was associated with constipation[12].
Anti-stress mineral[20]
Relaxes your muscles, including the heart.
Used for poor sleep, anxiety, menstrual cramps, muscle cramps or spasms, high blood pressure[13], asthma attacks, and abnormal heartbeats.
Diabetes
Magnesium plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. It may influence the release and activity of insulin[21].
In older adults, correcting magnesium depletion may improve insulin response and action[22].
In the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals' Follow-up Study (HFS), it shows that: Over time, the risk for developing type 2 diabetes was greater in men and women with a lower magnesium intake[23].
Overall, magnesium is essential for optimum health[3-5].
What are magnesium sources?
Food sources (preferred)
Green leafy vegetables, legumes (beans and peas), nuts, whole unrefined grains, soy foods, seeds and dried fruits, such as figs, apricots, and dates are good sources of Mg.
However, the modernization of food has led to a decrease of magnesium, making it important to eat these foods on a consistent basis[9, 10].
Supplements
For those who are falling short in their diet, Mg supplementation may be recommended to fill in the nutrient gaps[8].
The best supplements are probably magnesium glycinate or other amino acid chelates.
These supplements are best taken with food and spread out in divided doses over the day, with meals. For example, you might take 120 milligrams of magnesium glycinate with each meal.
Intravenous (i.e. by IV) magnesium replacement
When blood levels of magnesium are very low, intravenous (i.e. by IV) magnesium replacement is usually recommended[8].
Warning
Struvite, or infected, stones are among the most difficult and dangerous problems in stone disease because of the potential of life-threatening complications from infection[15]. Struvite stones form readily in the urine of patients that are infected with ammonia-producing organisms. They are potentiated by alkaline urine and high magnesium excretion (high magnesium/plant-based diets). Other facts include:
10% kidney stones contain struvite stones.
These stones are found mainly in women with recurring urinary infections, paralyzed patients, and patients with abnormal urinary tracts.
Struvite stones are often called triple phosphate stones because they contain 3 different elements:
Rude RK, Shils ME. Magnesium. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:223-247.
Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Magnesium. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. Washington D.C.: National Academy Press; 1997:190-249.
What We Eat in America. NHANES 2005-2006; usual nutrient intakes from food and water compared to 1997 dietary reference intakes for Vitamin D, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Magnesium. U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center Food Surveys Research Group. July 2009.
Rosanoff, A., C. Weaver, et al. 2012. “Suboptimal Magnesium Status in the United States: Are the Health Consequences Underestimated?” Nutrition Reviews 70(3): 153–64.
Rude RK. Magnesium deficiency: A cause of heterogeneous disease in humans. J Bone Miner Res 1998;13:749-58.
Wester PO. Magnesium. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;45:1305-12. [PubMed abstract]
Saris NE, Mervaala E, Karppanen H, Khawaja JA, Lewenstam A. Magnesium: an update on physiological, clinical, and analytical aspects. Clinica Chimica Acta 2000;294:1-26.
Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. National Academy Press. Washington, DC, 1999.
Magnesium: The Anti-Stress Nutrient By Christopher Hobbs and Elson Haas fromVitamins For Dummies
Kobrin SM and Goldfarb S. Magnesium Deficiency. Semin Nephrol 1990;10:525-35.
Paolisso G, Sgambato S, Gambardella A, Pizza G, Tesauro P, Varricchio H, D'Onofrio F. Daily magnesium supplements improve glucose handling in elderly subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;55:1161-7.
Lopez-Ridaura R, Willett WC, Rimm EB, Liu S, Stampfer MJ, Manson JE, Hu FB. Magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in men and women. Diabetes Care 2004;27:134-40.
