antioxidants help

[jackD]

Interesting article.

jackD

SAN FRANCISCO-In a series of studies designed to define the role of dietary
macronutrients in the initiation of arterial inflammation that predisposes a
person to atherosclerosis, University at Buffalo researchers have found that
a high intake of glucose, or eating a high-fat, high-calorie fast-food meal
causes an increase in the blood's inflammatory components.
However, they also have shown that the antioxidant vitamins E and C can
nullify this inflammatory response.


Results of the research were presented here today (June 16, 2002) at the
annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association.


"A meal high in calories and fat caused an increase in inflammatory markers
that lasted three to four hours," said Paresh Dandona, M.D., professor of
medicine, head of the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences'
Division of Endocrinology, and senior author on the studies.


"We think the influx of macronutrients may alter cell behavior and that
genes are activated to produce more powerful enzymes and mediators that are
potentially more damaging to the lining of blood vessels. Obese persons may
have an ongoing abnormality of the white blood cells and the lining of blood
vessels." (Calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates and water, the major
components of any food, are considered macronutrients.)


"On the other hand, we found that one way to render an 'unsafe' meal 'safe'
is to include antioxidant vitamins," Dandona said. "The proinflammatory
effect of glucose is stopped if right at the outset you give vitamins E and
C."


The "meal" study was conducted with nine normal subjects who ate a
900-calorie breakfast-an egg-and-ham sandwich and hash browns from a
fast-food restaurant-after an overnight fast. Blood samples were taken
before eating and at one, two and three hours after eating to determine the
concentration of oxygen free radicals, which can begin the inflammation
cascade by injuring blood vessel linings, and of several blood mediators of
inflammation.


Results showed a mean increase of free radicals over baseline of 129
percent, 175 percent and 138 percent at the three sampling times,
respectively. Levels of several proinflammatory indicators also increased
significantly, while the level of a factor that inhibits inflammation was
reduced.


Four additional studies further defined the proinflammatory cascade
initiated by an influx of glucose alone and of an infusion of fatty acids.
These studies also showed that both sugar and fat caused a reduction in the
ability of vessels to expand and contract in response to changes in blood
flow, actions crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure and blood flow
to vital organs.


In yet another study, eight subjects took 1,200 I.U. of vitamin E and 500
mg. of vitamin C before a glucose challenge, and on a subsequent occasion,
took only glucose. Blood samples were taken before the challenges and at
one, two and three hours after.


Results showed that levels of oxygen free radicals and two proinflammatory
markers increased when glucose was taken alone, but did not increase when
accompanied by the two antioxidant vitamins.


Additional researchers on these studies, all from the UB Department of
Medicine, were Ahmad Alijada, Ph.D.; Husam Ghanim, a graduate student; Priya
Mohanty, M.D.; Deborah Hofmeyer; Devjit Tripathy, M.D.; Tufail Syed, M.D.;
Toufic Abdo, M.D., and Ajay Chaudhuri, M.D.

[jackD]

Those double cheeseburgers with bacon will kill **anybody** but MS folks should
really avoid them because...


Researchers in the Netherlands gave volunteers the liquid caloric equivalent
of a fast-food hamburger and fries. Then ran blood tests to check for two
substances that fight bacteria and viruses. Six hours after the meal, levels
of Interferon Gamma, which combats cold viruses, rose fourfold. There was
little rise, however in Interleukin-4 levels, which battles fever-causing
bacterial infections. But after overnight fasting, Interleukin-4 levels went
up fourfold. Meanwhile the Interferon Gamma fell 83% of its normal level.
Scientists need to learn more about immune response to food. But for now it
may help to FEED A COLD AND STARVE A FEVER

jackD

[jackD]

Here are some GOOD FULL TEXT on FLAVONOIDS that I have found.

http://home.ix.netcom.com/~jdalton/Flavonoids%20MS.pdf

http://home.ix.netcom.com/~jdalton/OxStress-03.pdf

http://home.ix.netcom.com/~jdalton/OxStress-01.pdf

I take lots of flavonoid supplements and eat lots of berries/fruits.

I cannot evaluate the VALUE of all this. I just "do-it" because it makes so much sense based upon these studies.

Only certain flavonoids with certain structures seem to help.

Here is the FDA database of selected foods from 2003 if you want to get some from your diet.

http://home.ix.netcom.com/~jdalton/flav.pdf


jackD

[NHE]

Here are some GOOD FULL TEXT on FLAVONOIDS that I have found.

Jack,
Thanks for the papers. I like the structure function study.

NHE