H.S. What Is Going On With ACS
Hey folks,
I have pointed out to you in the past all the confusing information that contentiously come out of the “We Know What IS Best For You” crowd. One day these foods are good for you. One day they are bad. I told you I’ll eat what I want. I still will.
Cancer is an important topic and VERY important to those that contract it. The hunt for a cure continues. We are being told on a daily bases that we need to watch what we eat, and do, to try to avoid cancer all together. But then if you get it, they are working hard at finding a cure. Just give them more money. {Smile}
Then you have those that have done research on foods and drinks that are best for you and your body, in prevention and help in curing the disease if you do get it. But then with all the mixed information, what do you believe?
Just back on May 6, H.S. Coffee Update, I told you that they were saying that COFFEE was good at preventing some cancers. That’s great news for me. Today, Boca Java’s Tropical Kiss {Chocolate coffee with a smooch of coconut}
I grew up loving and believing that Italian food was good for you. The tomatoes, garlic, and vegies were healthy and would help prevent cancer. Today? Well, according to ACS -FDA: Tomatoes Unlikely to Lower Cancer Risk Wed Jul 11, 8:00 PM ET
The US Food and Drug Administration is explaining its stance on the cancer-fighting potential of tomatoes and lycopene, the compound that gives tomatoes their red color. The agency says there is "no credible evidence" that lycopene reduces the risk of cancer, and only "very limited credible evidence" that tomatoes and tomato sauce do.
That doesn't mean you should take tomatoes off your shopping list, though. The American Cancer Society still recommends eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day, and tomatoes definitely fit that bill, says Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, American Cancer Society director of nutrition and physical activity.
Rather, the FDA judgments affect the cancer-related claims that food or supplement companies can put on their products. None are allowed for lycopene, and only a few carefully worded claims are allowed for tomatoes and tomato products.
So let’s say that these are good for you, as they tell you, do not take them off your menu. Why would you NOT want people to know the possibility that these foods can help PREVENT cancer? Does this make sense to you?
In a report published in this week's Journal of the National Cancer Institute, agency scientists describe how they came to their conclusions.
Scores of Studies Considered -- and Rejected
The FDA review was prompted by requests the agency received in 2004 from companies that wanted to put cancer-related health claims on their tomato or lycopene products. The companies asked the FDA to review the evidence linking these compounds to lower risks of several cancers including prostate, lung, colorectal, stomach, breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.
Numerous studies have examined the issue. The FDA considered scores of these studies -- and rejected most of them.
The rejected studies were not included in the evidence review because the FDA found flaws in the design or because the studies did not provide enough information for FDA scientists to draw conclusions.
That is a BROAD spectrum of reasoning. In other words, if it did not meet with the approval of or further the agenda of the FDA, they rejected it.Listen to some of these excuses.
Of 81 studies of lycopene and cancer, all were excluded from the review for these reasons. One major problem the FDA cited: In studies of diet, it's too difficult to determine the effect of a single nutrient -- in this case lycopene -- when so many others may also be at play. As a result, the agency determined there was no credible evidence to support a link between lycopene in any form (as a supplement or as part of food) and a lower risk of any of the cancers it considered.
Of 64 studies on tomatoes or tomato products and cancer, only 39 were deemed strong enough to be included in the FDA review. The agency found no credible evidence, based on these studies, to support the idea that tomatoes or tomato products lower the risk of lung, breast, colorectal, endometrial, or cervical cancer.
Why?
The FDA found what it called "very limited credible evidence" linking these foods to lower risk of pancreatic, ovarian, and stomach cancer. The evidence was so sparse, however, that the agency says it's unlikely that eating tomatoes can lower the risk of ovarian and stomach cancer, and highly unlikely that the food affects pancreatic cancer risk.
The evidence for prostate cancer was slightly better, but still "limited," the JNCI report says. The agency identified 2 large, prospective studies that did show a reduced risk, but also several smaller studies that had mixed results. The agency therefore decided that there is a "very low level of comfort that a relationship exists between the consumption of tomatoes and/or tomato sauce and prostate cancer risk."
But WAIT!! Do not stop eating them. Then they go on to tell you the same thing they HAVE been telling you.
"Choose fruits and vegetables with the most color, like broccoli, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and deep green leafy vegetables like kale," Doyle advises. "These are packed with nutrients and other plant chemicals that have been associated with a lower risk of cancer and other diseases."
Huh? I thought the,, Never mind.
Then you have this story, also from the ACS -Study: Loading Up on Fruits and Veggies Won't Lower Breast Cancer Recurrence Thu Jul 19, 8:00 PM ET
A long-term study of breast cancer survivors shows that eating more than the recommended 5 daily servings of vegetables and fruit has no effect on breast cancer recurrence or deaths. Although researchers are disappointed by the finding, they say women should still strive to fit plenty of these healthy foods into their diet because they have other benefits.
"There are many reasons women should eat a healthy diet, but for breast cancer, there's little evidence that the foods you eat impact risk," says Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, director of nutrition and physical activity at ACS. "What is important is how much you eat, because being overweight is an established risk factor for developing postmenopausal breast cancer, and it also increases the risk of recurrence. That's the message we want breast cancer survivors to know: Watching your weight is really important."
Is it just me, or does Dr. Doyle seems to be having a hard time with these studies?
The study, called the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Trial, was led by a team from the University of California, San Diego, and included researchers from 7 other institutions. The participants were more than 3,000 women (pre- and post-menopause) who had been treated for stage I, II, or III breast cancer.
The women were randomly assigned to 2 diet groups: The control group was told to follow US dietary guidelines, which recommend eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, more than 20 grams of fiber, and no more than 30% of calories from fat.
The second group was told to boost their fruit and veggie intake to include 5 vegetables, 3 fruits, 16 ounces of vegetable juice, and 30 grams of fiber each day. They were also supposed to cut their fat intake to 15%-20% of total calories. The women in this group got periodic telephone counseling, cooking classes, and newsletters aimed at helping them stick with this eating plan.
Researchers tracked the women's progress for more than 7 years on average. They saw clear differences in the amount of fruits and vegetables the women in the 2 groups ate, although after year 4 of the study, the gap between the 2 groups tended to narrow. On average, the women in the second group never achieved their goal of getting only 15%-20% of their calories from fat; in fact, by year 6, they were eating a higher percentage of fat than at the beginning of the study.
Despite the difference in fruit and vegetable consumption, the 2 groups had very similar cancer experiences during the 7 years. About 17% of women in each group had a recurrence during the study period, and about 10% of women in each group died.
"I was really surprised and, frankly, a little disappointed by the results," says the study's senior author Marcia Stefanick, PhD, professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention and Research Center at Stanford University School of Medicine. Stefanick and colleagues had hoped that doubling the amount of fruits and vegetables, along with increased fiber and reduced fat, would make a difference when it came to recurrence.
But it may be that diet is important in the context of weight control. For instance, Doyle says, the recent Women's Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS) also looked at dietary factors -- fat intake, in particular -- although in a slightly different group of breast cancer survivors. Early results showed that a low-fat diet seemed to result in benefits, especially for women with estrogen receptor-negative tumors. However, most of the women on the low-fat diet also experienced significant weight loss. While the studies aren’t directly comparable, the difference in weight loss may contribute to the different findings in the WINS and the WHEL studies, as women in the WHEL study actually experienced a small increase in weight.
But then again.
Eating Your Vegetables (and Fruits) Still a Great Idea
So if loading up on fruits and vegetables does not affect breast cancer recurrence, is there any reason for a survivor to go out of her way to incorporate them into her diet?
"Absolutely!" Doyle stresses. "Fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients and low in calories -- and more evidence suggests they can help with weight control. That's great news for all of us!"
So why this sudden change? What is going on with the American Cancer Society? With the FDA? Could it be as simple as the answer to the question I posed before? Let’s say cancer was gone tomorrow. The cure was found to be natural. What would happen to the profits of all the drug companies, Doctors, Techs, physical therapists, psychologists, and all those other’s PROFITS?
Folks, I eat what I want. I know what is good and not so good for me. I understand the need to take care of yourself. I say, eat, exercise, and take care of yourself. If you live your life listening to these types of “experts,” chances are, all you are going to do is get confused.
Peter
Sources:
ASC -Study: Loading Up on Fruits and Veggies Won't Lower Breast Cancer Recurrence
ACS -FDA: Tomatoes Unlikely to Lower Cancer Risk
OPNTalk -H.S. Coffee Update
Hey folks,
I have pointed out to you in the past all the confusing information that contentiously come out of the “We Know What IS Best For You” crowd. One day these foods are good for you. One day they are bad. I told you I’ll eat what I want. I still will.
Cancer is an important topic and VERY important to those that contract it. The hunt for a cure continues. We are being told on a daily bases that we need to watch what we eat, and do, to try to avoid cancer all together. But then if you get it, they are working hard at finding a cure. Just give them more money. {Smile}
Then you have those that have done research on foods and drinks that are best for you and your body, in prevention and help in curing the disease if you do get it. But then with all the mixed information, what do you believe?Just back on May 6, H.S. Coffee Update, I told you that they were saying that COFFEE was good at preventing some cancers. That’s great news for me. Today, Boca Java’s Tropical Kiss {Chocolate coffee with a smooch of coconut}
I grew up loving and believing that Italian food was good for you. The tomatoes, garlic, and vegies were healthy and would help prevent cancer. Today? Well, according to ACS -FDA: Tomatoes Unlikely to Lower Cancer Risk Wed Jul 11, 8:00 PM ET
The US Food and Drug Administration is explaining its stance on the cancer-fighting potential of tomatoes and lycopene, the compound that gives tomatoes their red color. The agency says there is "no credible evidence" that lycopene reduces the risk of cancer, and only "very limited credible evidence" that tomatoes and tomato sauce do.
That doesn't mean you should take tomatoes off your shopping list, though. The American Cancer Society still recommends eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day, and tomatoes definitely fit that bill, says Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, American Cancer Society director of nutrition and physical activity.
Rather, the FDA judgments affect the cancer-related claims that food or supplement companies can put on their products. None are allowed for lycopene, and only a few carefully worded claims are allowed for tomatoes and tomato products.
So let’s say that these are good for you, as they tell you, do not take them off your menu. Why would you NOT want people to know the possibility that these foods can help PREVENT cancer? Does this make sense to you?
In a report published in this week's Journal of the National Cancer Institute, agency scientists describe how they came to their conclusions.
Scores of Studies Considered -- and Rejected
The FDA review was prompted by requests the agency received in 2004 from companies that wanted to put cancer-related health claims on their tomato or lycopene products. The companies asked the FDA to review the evidence linking these compounds to lower risks of several cancers including prostate, lung, colorectal, stomach, breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.Numerous studies have examined the issue. The FDA considered scores of these studies -- and rejected most of them.
The rejected studies were not included in the evidence review because the FDA found flaws in the design or because the studies did not provide enough information for FDA scientists to draw conclusions.
That is a BROAD spectrum of reasoning. In other words, if it did not meet with the approval of or further the agenda of the FDA, they rejected it.Listen to some of these excuses.
Of 81 studies of lycopene and cancer, all were excluded from the review for these reasons. One major problem the FDA cited: In studies of diet, it's too difficult to determine the effect of a single nutrient -- in this case lycopene -- when so many others may also be at play. As a result, the agency determined there was no credible evidence to support a link between lycopene in any form (as a supplement or as part of food) and a lower risk of any of the cancers it considered.
Of 64 studies on tomatoes or tomato products and cancer, only 39 were deemed strong enough to be included in the FDA review. The agency found no credible evidence, based on these studies, to support the idea that tomatoes or tomato products lower the risk of lung, breast, colorectal, endometrial, or cervical cancer.
Why?
The FDA found what it called "very limited credible evidence" linking these foods to lower risk of pancreatic, ovarian, and stomach cancer. The evidence was so sparse, however, that the agency says it's unlikely that eating tomatoes can lower the risk of ovarian and stomach cancer, and highly unlikely that the food affects pancreatic cancer risk.
The evidence for prostate cancer was slightly better, but still "limited," the JNCI report says. The agency identified 2 large, prospective studies that did show a reduced risk, but also several smaller studies that had mixed results. The agency therefore decided that there is a "very low level of comfort that a relationship exists between the consumption of tomatoes and/or tomato sauce and prostate cancer risk."
But WAIT!! Do not stop eating them. Then they go on to tell you the same thing they HAVE been telling you.
"Choose fruits and vegetables with the most color, like broccoli, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and deep green leafy vegetables like kale," Doyle advises. "These are packed with nutrients and other plant chemicals that have been associated with a lower risk of cancer and other diseases."Huh? I thought the,, Never mind.
Then you have this story, also from the ACS -Study: Loading Up on Fruits and Veggies Won't Lower Breast Cancer Recurrence Thu Jul 19, 8:00 PM ET
A long-term study of breast cancer survivors shows that eating more than the recommended 5 daily servings of vegetables and fruit has no effect on breast cancer recurrence or deaths. Although researchers are disappointed by the finding, they say women should still strive to fit plenty of these healthy foods into their diet because they have other benefits.
"There are many reasons women should eat a healthy diet, but for breast cancer, there's little evidence that the foods you eat impact risk," says Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, director of nutrition and physical activity at ACS. "What is important is how much you eat, because being overweight is an established risk factor for developing postmenopausal breast cancer, and it also increases the risk of recurrence. That's the message we want breast cancer survivors to know: Watching your weight is really important."
Is it just me, or does Dr. Doyle seems to be having a hard time with these studies?
The study, called the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Trial, was led by a team from the University of California, San Diego, and included researchers from 7 other institutions. The participants were more than 3,000 women (pre- and post-menopause) who had been treated for stage I, II, or III breast cancer.
The women were randomly assigned to 2 diet groups: The control group was told to follow US dietary guidelines, which recommend eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, more than 20 grams of fiber, and no more than 30% of calories from fat.
The second group was told to boost their fruit and veggie intake to include 5 vegetables, 3 fruits, 16 ounces of vegetable juice, and 30 grams of fiber each day. They were also supposed to cut their fat intake to 15%-20% of total calories. The women in this group got periodic telephone counseling, cooking classes, and newsletters aimed at helping them stick with this eating plan.
Researchers tracked the women's progress for more than 7 years on average. They saw clear differences in the amount of fruits and vegetables the women in the 2 groups ate, although after year 4 of the study, the gap between the 2 groups tended to narrow. On average, the women in the second group never achieved their goal of getting only 15%-20% of their calories from fat; in fact, by year 6, they were eating a higher percentage of fat than at the beginning of the study.
Despite the difference in fruit and vegetable consumption, the 2 groups had very similar cancer experiences during the 7 years. About 17% of women in each group had a recurrence during the study period, and about 10% of women in each group died.
"I was really surprised and, frankly, a little disappointed by the results," says the study's senior author Marcia Stefanick, PhD, professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention and Research Center at Stanford University School of Medicine. Stefanick and colleagues had hoped that doubling the amount of fruits and vegetables, along with increased fiber and reduced fat, would make a difference when it came to recurrence.
But it may be that diet is important in the context of weight control. For instance, Doyle says, the recent Women's Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS) also looked at dietary factors -- fat intake, in particular -- although in a slightly different group of breast cancer survivors. Early results showed that a low-fat diet seemed to result in benefits, especially for women with estrogen receptor-negative tumors. However, most of the women on the low-fat diet also experienced significant weight loss. While the studies aren’t directly comparable, the difference in weight loss may contribute to the different findings in the WINS and the WHEL studies, as women in the WHEL study actually experienced a small increase in weight.
But then again.
Eating Your Vegetables (and Fruits) Still a Great Idea
So if loading up on fruits and vegetables does not affect breast cancer recurrence, is there any reason for a survivor to go out of her way to incorporate them into her diet?
"Absolutely!" Doyle stresses. "Fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients and low in calories -- and more evidence suggests they can help with weight control. That's great news for all of us!"
So why this sudden change? What is going on with the American Cancer Society? With the FDA? Could it be as simple as the answer to the question I posed before? Let’s say cancer was gone tomorrow. The cure was found to be natural. What would happen to the profits of all the drug companies, Doctors, Techs, physical therapists, psychologists, and all those other’s PROFITS?
Folks, I eat what I want. I know what is good and not so good for me. I understand the need to take care of yourself. I say, eat, exercise, and take care of yourself. If you live your life listening to these types of “experts,” chances are, all you are going to do is get confused.
Peter
Sources:
ASC -Study: Loading Up on Fruits and Veggies Won't Lower Breast Cancer Recurrence
ACS -FDA: Tomatoes Unlikely to Lower Cancer Risk
OPNTalk -H.S. Coffee Update
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