D'oh Canada!

[Guest guest]

" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch

HSI e-Alert - D'oh Canada!

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 08:39:53 -0400

HSI e-Alert - D'oh Canada!

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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July 26, 2005

 

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

A pineapple displayed on a gatepost once indicated that a sailor had

returned from an ocean voyage. This was back in pre-industrial times

when pineapples were still quite exotic to many landlubbers but fairly

common to international sailors who were responsible for the worldwide

proliferation of the fruit from its native South America.

 

The seafaring attraction to the fruit is easily explained: Pineapples

are abundant in vitamin C - a perfect food for preventing scurvy on

long voyages. But there's another important component in pineapples

called bromelain that provides several health benefits. New research

from Australia reveals that bromelain may turn out to be much more

significant than previously imagined.

 

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One-two punch

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In the e-Alert " Rolling With the Breaks " (7/7/04), I told you about

bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme that has been shown to break

down fibrin, a protein that promotes the blood clotting that can

obstruct circulation. In addition, bromelain reduces inflammation,

swelling and joint pain, making it a safe alternative to

over-the-counter pain-killers.

 

Previous animal research has shown that bromelain appears to reduce

some types of cancer tumors while also helping prevent metastasis: the

spread of cancer to other parts of the body. The mechanisms that

produce these results may have been discovered by researchers at the

Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) in Brisbane, Australia.

 

The scientists looked at two molecules found in bromelain. One, called

CCS, appears to block a protein that is defective in nearly a third of

all cancers. The other, called CCZ, activates specific immune cells

that are prompted to recognize and kill cancer cells. In animal

studies conducted by the QIMR team, the one-two punch of CCS and CCZ

was found to be effective in controlling four cancer types: lung,

breast, ovarian and bowel.

 

In an interview with abc.net, team leader Tracey Mynott, M.D., stated

that tumor growth may be inhibited by as much as 70 percent, " and

what's more important was that there was no evidence of any toxicity

in these animals at all. "

 

Much more research will be necessary to determine the effects of these

bromelain proteins on cancer patients. Meanwhile, Dr. Mynott and her

QIMR associates have already received funding for a new study that

they hope will advance this research one step closer to clinical

trials with human subjects.

 

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The enzyme multi-tasker

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We first told HSI members about bromelain in the June 1999 Members

Alert, highlighting the enzyme's effectiveness as an alternative to

both acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

And because bromelain helps relieve joint pain for some arthritis

patients, it provides another option for patients who previously used

Vioxx or one of the other COX-2 inhibitors.

 

Bromelain can be easily found in many dietary supplement shops and

through Internet sources. And although most people don't experience

adverse side effects, some people are allergic to bromelain, and ulcer

patients are cautioned to avoid using it. A dose of 500 mg, taken

three times each day, is typical for general pain management. But

before starting a bromelain regimen, you should consult your doctor or

a healthcare professional.

 

In most cases dietary supplements are best absorbed when taken with

meals. But bromelain is the exception to that rule. In the e-Alert

" Water Works " (9/16/03), I told you about an important bromelain tip

from HSI Panelist Dr. Richard Cohan, D.D.S., M.B.A.

 

Dr. Cohan wrote, " I believe that it is important that you draw the

distinction between bromelain's activity as a digestive aid when

consumed with a meal, and its effectiveness as a pain modulator when

consumed before a meal or three hours thereafter (depending how much

fat was consumed and therefore how long digestive juices are present

in the stomach). It apparently has no effect on pain when consumed

with a meal. "

 

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....and another thing

 

File this one under: What the heck are they thinking?

 

America's favorite drug supplier (that would be Canada) may soon put

Vioxx back on the shelves.

 

For anyone who has just returned from Mars: Vioxx is the prescription

painkiller that was pulled from the market by executives at Merck &

Co. (the maker of Vioxx) last fall after a study showed that heart

attack and stroke risk were doubled when taking the drug.

 

Since then, Merck honchos have opened discussions with the FDA with an

eye towards bringing Vioxx back on the market.

 

Now a panel of " experts " convened by Health Canada (their counterpart

to our FDA) has voted 12-1 to recommend that HC should put Vioxx back

on the market. A Merck spokesman told the Associated Press (AP) that

no decision has been made yet about how to proceed with Vioxx in Canada.

 

The panel stated that Vioxx and other COX-2 inhibitors pose risks

similar to NSAIDs. But I'll bet that Curt Furberg, M.D., might not

agree with that. Dr. Furberg was a member of a similar panel here in

the U.S. that filed a recommendation for the FDA similar to the HC

recommendation. But Dr. Furberg was a dissenting voice. Speaking to

the New York Times, he estimated that as many as 50 people may die

each day as a result of taking the COX-2 inhibitors.

 

Dr. Furberg added that he didn't feel comfortable with " the

Pfizer-friendly undertone " on the panel's deliberations. (Pfizer makes

two COX-2 inhibitors: Celebrex and Bextra.)

 

Maybe a similar " undertone " would provide a clue for answering the

question: What the heck are they thinking?

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

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Sources:

 

" Hidden Powers of the Pineapple " Queensland Institute of Medical

Research, 7/7/05, qimr.edu.au

" Pineapple Stems May Bring New Hope in Fight Against Cancer " Stacey

Lloyd, 7/6/05, lungdiseases.about.com

" Canadian Panel Recommends Sale of Vioxx " Associated Press, 7/7/05,

federalnewsradio.com

 

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