Science a GoGo's Home Page Forums General Discussion General Science Discussion Forum Grapefruit=Cancer, or Not?

Its happened before, and it will happen again, two opposing conflicting medical views regarding the efficiancy of certain foods.

Under the Scienceagogo microscope we have Grapefruit juice

Back in 1997, just ten years ago, it was stated that two new studies found that Orange and Grapefruit juice significantly delayed the growth of breast cancer cells and reducing LDL, or "bad" cholesterol.
"These implications are potentially enormous, because a powerful weapon against breast cancer and high cholesterol may be as close as your kitchen," said Dr. Kenneth Carroll, director of the Centre for Human Nutrition.

The study showed that test animals fed orange juice had their LDL cholesterol reduced by 43 percent, while those fed grapefruit juice had their LDL cholesterol reduced by 32 percent.

Mice that received orange juice or grapefruit juice in place of drinking water had 50 percent fewer tumours and metastases.

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=36523

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But today, July 2007, Its all Change.

Apparently drinking Grapefruit juice significantly raises the risk of developing Breast Cancer by almost 1/3rd
A study of 50,000 post-menopausal women found eating just a quarter of a grapefruit daily raised the risk by up to 30%.

Women who ate one quarter of a grapefruit or more every day had a higher risk of breast cancer than those who did not eat the fruit at all.
Researchers did warn that more research was needed to confirm the findings which may have been affected because they only took into account intake of the fruit, but not grapefruit juice.

But studies have shown that a molecule called cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is involved in metabolising oestrogen hormones.
And grapefruit may boost blood oestrogen levels by inhibiting this molecule, allowing the hormones to build up.

The researchers found that in women who ate at least a quarter of a grapefruit daily, levels of oestrogen were higher.
They said: "It is well established that oestrogen is associated with breast cancer risk.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6900482.stm

*****Thoughts.
The above is interesting because I happen to know that many UK Hospitals do not serve patients Grapefruit juice,
nor allow it to be sold in the 'hospital shop', because it has been shown to upset the oestrogen level in women who were recieving sub-cutaneous anti pregnancy therapy

I think these two Universitys should contact each other and get their act together.
Just what should we believe?
A few years ago it was....'Forget Butter, use Margerine'
But now its back to Butter.....what a mess.

We aren't given a detailed description of the physiology involved.

"Researchers did warn that more research was needed to confirm the findings"

- that's an important line, which suggests that the physiology is not fully understood, and that the findings, while interesting, simply provide a direction for further research.

I think a major part of the problem is that the media tend to jump on such preliminary findings with a little too much enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm yes, plus the fact that Cancer holds everyones attention.
Not least the drug companys who continuosly research and
update their anti-cancer drugs, thus keeping their shareholders and the company financialy solvent.

Found another 'snippet' of info. Again mentioning Grapefruit juice.

Can the right food cut the cost of Cancer Pills?


We can use drug interactions to our advantage, said Dr. Ezra Cohen, a cancer drug expert at the University of Chicago Cohen, whose work appears in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

He and colleague Mark Ratain analyzed data from a recent clinical trial showing how food affected GlaxoSmithKline's new breast cancer pill Tykerb.
The drug is supposed to be taken on an empty stomach. But taking it after a full meal would boost the amount of the drug circulating in the body by 167 percent, and taking it after a high-fat meal would boost it by 325 percent, the researchers found.
After washing it down with Grapefruit juice might allow patients to use as much as 80 percent less, they said. That could reduce the recommended dosage from the current five, 250 mg pills on an empty stomach to just one pill with a full meal and Grapefruit juice chaser, they said.
The first word of caution is 'do not try this at home.' The last thing we want is to have patients take their drug with food or change the dose on their own.

Cohen and Ratain are currently studying the effect of Grapefruit juice, which is known to delay the breakdown of many drugs.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKN1633295320070716?pageNumber=1

Mike: "Enthusiasm yes, plus the fact that Cancer holds everyones attention."

Yes, and for that reason a more subdued and cautious media would be welcome. I've wondered before how researchers feel when they reach such a point. They have a possible lead, rather as a detective might have. It offers a route for further investigation. Yet the media rush in and present it to the public, often with much fanfare, as though the villain were about to be arrested! When the lead proves false, the detectives are castigated for incompetence - by the very same media that did all the flag waving in the first place.

The media would do better to make the position clear, such as, "In this ongoing investigation, a number of sources continue to assist police with there enquiries"

Perhaps it's not always the fault of the media, but it's well within their infamous modus operandi.