As we discussed in our previous blog, the headlines last week were warning cancer patients about the potential problems with taking antioxidants while undergoing chemotherapy treatment. These headlines were generated from a recent study by a group of Swedish researchers, who used two antioxidants in studying mouse tumors. The antioxidants were n-acetyl cysteine (often called … Continued
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer (that affects both men and women) in the United States, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Though family history can increase one’s risk of colon cancer, the majority of people who are diagnosed have no family history … Continued
Keith I. Block, MD Scientists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory are criticizing antioxidants again. As you may recall, about 18 months ago, Nobel Prize winner James Watson published a paper saying antioxidants are bad for cancer patients, and that antioxidant-rich blueberries amount to nothing more than a natural “junk food” that are OK to eat … Continued
We recently had several inquiries from people asking if matcha tea should be avoided during chemotherapy and thought it a good question to address on our blog. For those of you not familiar with matcha tea, it’s a type of finely ground green tea powder. The leaves used for this tea are usually covered as … Continued
The use of high-dose intravenous vitamin C dates back to the work of Dr. Linus Pauling in the 1970s. After his seminal work on the nature of the chemical bond between molecules, which won him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954, Pauling turned to biochemistry, and eventually to the area of nutritional supplements, where … Continued
Tea is the world’s second favorite beverage, following closely on the heels of water, and actually outdoing coffee, in spite of America’s obsession with the popular beverage. In fact, hot and iced teas are a $90 billion business worldwide. Last fall Starbucks opened its first “tea bar,” a rival to its coffee shops, inside one … Continued
When is an antioxidant not an antioxidant? This curious question was explored in a scientific poster that Dr. Block presented at the 10th International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO), held October 20-22 of this year. The answer to the question was suggested in the title of the poster, “Antioxidants as pro-oxidants in … Continued
The Block Center will be giving four presentations at the upcoming Society for Integrative Oncology’s (SIO) 10th Annual Conference, October 20-22, in Vancouver, BC. The mission of the Society is to advance evidence-based, comprehensive, integrative healthcare to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. Dr. Block has been a member of the Society since … Continued
As an excellent source of vitamins C, E, K, beta-carotene and the mineral manganese, and a good source of the mineral zinc, Swiss Chard offers an outstanding variety of conventional antioxidants. Dark leafy greens also contain calcium to support bone health.* What to do with Swiss Chard: Eat fresh in a salad Add leaves to … Continued