Health Benefits May Result from Simple Foods
Grape seeds, chives, and Korean pine nut oil have more in common than their ability to add zest to meals - they may boost health and fight disease as well, say researchers at the American Chemical Society meeting.
The three studies highlight, respectively, grape seed extract's ability to lower blood pressure; chives' capacity to protect against salmonella and other food-borne illnesses; and pine nut oil's power to suppress appetite.
Although the results are preliminary, they point the way to more in-depth studies, the researchers say.
"I am very optimistic about our research," says chive study lead researcher Salam A. Ibrahim, Ph.D., from the department of food science and nutrition at North Carolina A&T State University.
Dr. Ibrahim and his colleagues note that although many plant, herb, and mushroom extracts demonstrate antimicrobial properties, chives seem to have the most potent effect against 38 strains of salmonella - the most common bacterial food-borne illness.
The researchers purchased chives from a local Greensboro store and cut, blended, and mixed down the food to obtain chive extract.
Lab tests with various quantities of the extract revealed that, in sufficient quantities, chives can inhibit salmonella activity without the need for additional irradiation or chemical preservatives.
However, when the chive extract was heated above 121 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes the antibacterial effect was completely lost.
Dr. Ibrahim notes that the 800 microliters of chive extract needed to produce a 100 percent protective effect against salmonella was much higher than most people would find appetizing.
One solution to the problem might be through combining of chives with other natural and/or chemical preservatives.
"We have a formula that looks very promising and has no effect on flavor, while at the same time protecting against salmonella," remarks Dr. Ibrahim.
In the meantime, adding chives to everyday foods should still be considered a healthy move, he says.
Grape seed extract may have its own health benefits, another study shows.
The study involved 24 men and women diagnosed with "metabolic syndrome," a condition characterized by cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and obesity.
After four weeks, persons who had consumed either 150 milligrams or 300 milligrams of grape seed extract a day experienced a significant drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while those taking a placebo (inactive substance) underwent no change.
"I think this is not going to be a standard treatment for high blood pressure, I want to make that clear," says researcher Dr. G. Tissa Kappagoda, of the department of internal medicine at the University of California at Davis.
"But it may be a potential tool for people who are prehypertensive, as part of a lifestyle management routine that includes weight management and exercise," says Dr. Kappagoda. "In that context, grape seed extract may prove useful."
The third study was led by Jennifer L. Causey, Ph.D., of Lipid Nutrition Co. Her work focused on Korean pine nuts and their potential effect on weight loss.
Dr. Causey explains that the nuts contain a high amount of an oil called pinolenic acid, which has been shown in labs to stimulate the release of two appetite-suppressing hormones, CCK and GLP1.
The study involved 18 overweight women. In the four-hour period following consumption of 3 grams of pinolenic acid in gel capsule form, hormone levels were found to rise, and the women's appetites fell by approximately one-third.
These fatty acids have been found to impact satiety, or the feeling of fullness, and may be beneficial as part of a weight-loss program that includes diet and exercise, Dr. Causey says.
The results are exciting from a consumer perspective, since they show scientific evidence for a satiety effect, she says.
Dr. Causey adds that more studies are currently in the works.
Dr. Ken Fujioka, director of the department of nutrition and metabolism at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego, expresses support for the preliminary findings.
"All [these foods] certainly have the possibility to do what the researchers saw," he says. "The pine nut, in particular, has been noted before as an appetite-controller, so their finding makes sense.
"The question would be, 'Is it enough to make a clinical difference?' And it could very well do that," he notes. "The chives finding is not surprising either ... and could be a great idea to help cope with a meal that maybe we shouldn't have eaten.
"And many blood pressure medications - particularly the earlier ones - started off from natural plant sources," continues Dr. Fujioka. "So, all of these findings seem reasonable."
While agreeing that the research holds considerable promise, Lona Sandon, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, cautions that the use of food to alleviate medical concerns is not always as simple as it seems.
"For example, they've been looking at grapes for years, so it's not that surprising, but I'm concerned that the extract alone is not the best choice," says Sandon, who is also assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
"There are so many components in the grape that act together synergistically to give you the biggest bang for your buck, that if you take one out you may not be getting the full benefit for your health," explains Sandon.
"And although I'm not that familiar with the pine nut research," adds Sandon, "I would want to know how much you would have to eat to get this result, because if it's a lot then you're taking in a lot of fat and calories to get the appetite-suppressing effect.
"As well, while adding chives might be an organic way to protect produce, it's not a replacement for what we do in the kitchen: washing hands, proper storing of food at proper temperatures, and the need to cook foods at proper temperatures," remarks Sandon.
Always consult your physician for more information.
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Herbal supplements are products made from plants for use in the treatment and management of disease and certain medical conditions.
Many prescription medications and over-the-counter medications also are made from plant derivatives, but these products contain only purified ingredients and are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Herbal supplements may contain entire plants or plant parts; moreover, they are considered foods, not medications, by the FDA and, therefore, are not subject to the same regulations as traditional medications.
Herbal supplements come in all forms: dried, chopped, powdered, capsule, or liquid, and can be used in various ways, including:
The practice of using herbal supplements dates back thousands of years.
Today, there is a resurgence in the use of herbal supplements among American consumers.
However, herbal supplements are not for everyone. Because they are not subject to close scrutiny by the FDA, or other governing agencies, the use of herbal supplements remains controversial.
It is best to consult your physician about any symptoms or conditions you are experiencing and to discuss the use of herbal supplements.
Until 1994, the FDA had disallowed health claims of any kind on herbal supplements. The passage of the federal Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act (DSHEA) in late 1994 started to reverse this trend.
Healthcare providers routinely ask patients if they are taking any health supplements prior to surgery.
When responding, be sure to mention all prescription medications, and remember to add all herbal supplements, dietary supplements, and over-the-counter products that you are taking, as well.
Failure to do so could present health hazards.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), you should take charge of your health by being an informed consumer. Find out what scientific studies have been done on the safety and effectiveness of the complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) treatment in which you are interested.
Decisions about medical care and treatment should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider and based on the condition and needs of each person, recommends NCCAM.
Discuss information on CAM with your health care provider before making any decisions about treatment or care.
If you use any CAM therapy, inform your primary health care provider. This is for your safety and so your health care provider can develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
Always consult your physician for more information.
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