CancerCompass message board discussion started by K. C. on 12/16/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,18916,0.htm Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Good Afternoon Cath;I attached the following article from CancerCompass' home page on nutrition and was curious as to know whether you, being a fellow Australian, can provide any input on this manufacturer or their products?I know photog speaks highly of curcumin and that's listed as an ingredient. But this sells for $40.00 a bottle! Have you ever tried any of their products?I appreciate your help.KevinBlueberry Drink Can Hit Cancer Cells HardDaily Post December 7, 2007Commercially available blueberry and grape fruit punch delivers a bruising blow to prostate cancer, scientists have found. In mice with a human version of the disease it reduced the growth of tumours by 25% in just two weeks. Researchers believe the drink, Blueberry Punch, could have a similar effect in humans and want to see it tested in patients. Blueberry Punch, produced in Australia and sold online by Dr Red Nutraceuticals, is made from blueberry, red grape, elderberry and raspberry fruit concentrates, and extracts from a range of plant sources including grape skin and seeds, green tea and olive leaves. Other ingredients include the herb tarragon and spices turmeric and ginger. Green tea contains the powerful antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), while the anti-inflammatory agent curcumin is found in the curry spice turmeric. Dr Jas Singh, who conducted the research at the University of Sydney in Australia, said: "We have undertaken efficacy studies on individual components of Blueberry Punch, such as curcumin, resveratrol and EGCG, in the same laboratory setting and found these effective in suppressing cell growth in culture. "While individual phytochemicals are successful in killing cancer cells, we reasoned that synergistic or additive effects are likely to be achieved when they are combined." Dr Singh looked at the effect of Blueberry Punch on both cancer cell cultures in the laboratory and genetically engineered mice with human prostate tumours. Mice fed a 10% solution of the punch for two weeks had tumours 25% smaller than mice given tap water over the same period. (C) 2007 Daily Post. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved K. C. Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi Kevin! Hi Kevin! I have never heard of Blueberry Punch nor have I ever seen it in stores, however that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist here. Initially I would be a bit sceptical because real Australian medical doctors are not as eager as those in other parts of the world to endorse any products making these sorts of claims unless there is a mountain of scientific data to support it -- and even then they are generally reluctant with endorsements. I will have a look today in both the local supermarkets as well as the health food shops and see what I can find out.  The latest trend down here seems to be red gojo berries -- tablets and drinks.  They too, are very expensive and to be honest I haven't tried them because of the lack of real data to verify their efficacy.  Certainly the blurb for this Punch sounds good, but then spin doctors can make one believe anything!  I'll talk to you tonight and let you know if/what I can find.  Tomorrow is our local Cancer Support Group meeting and I will also ask the other members if they know of the Punch.Catch you later, Cath poppy/cath Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT OOPS Kevin -- sorry, but it's not gojo berry, but rather Goji Berries and apparently the best ones are grown in the Himilayan mountains! People seem to swing from one 'natural' product to the next, staying with them for a couple of months then trying the next one depending on how frequently they are having blood tests and what the results are showing.  I haven't reached that situation yet for the medical treatment that I am receiving (Revlimid) is still managing to keep my paraprotein down and my other blood results in a near normal state.  I'm not really sure what I will try when/if this situation changes, but being aware of what is out there is the first step!I'm off now -- its a perfectly lovely day here today and I've still got a bit of Christmas shopping to finish!!  Talk to you tonight, Cath poppy/cath Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Dear Cath;For U.S.A. customers we need to purchase 6 bottles and s/h totaling $240.00! That's a sizeable investment if the punch is GOOD! Even more expensive if I have to pour it down the kitchen drain!  I was more curious regarding the flavor than the therapeutic value.Now you local islanders, you get to imbibe on medicinal red wine. And you only have to purchase one. Kevin K. C. Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi Kevin!Back from shopping!  They have never heard of Blueberry Punch or Dr. Red in the health food section of the local (big) supermarket.The comprehensive little health food shop carries Dr. Red juices - two types - and has Blueberry Punch on order.  They have never sold it before and would have been happy to put my name on a waiting list for one of the 50 bottles that they have ordered -- slight hitch is that they have no idea when they will receive them!  So, it is probably new to the Dr. Red. stable of products, but I will follow up with our group tomorrow as there should be over 30 present because it is a Christmas Luncheon/Meeting and usually the best attendence meeting of the year!  I'll be sure to ask about taste and theraputic values if anyone has tried it!  Take good care, until tomorrow, Cath poppy/cath Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT The ingredients look good. The two questions would be 1) are they at high enough levels to be therapeutic and 2) are they bioavailable. Getting results in "culture" is step 1 and in mice step 2. Getting these substances through the digestive system and all the way to the cancer cell can be a difficult path, but it's worth a try. At the very least it can really help build the strength of the body to also fight the cancer and/or reduce side effects of chemo.Regards,Craig  photog Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi Kevin and Craig~~I asked everyone at our Christmas party today and no one had ever heard of Dr. Red or any of their products.  Several mentioned the nutritional value of blueberry's and raspberries, but they are eating rather than juicing them.  I take Craigs point in just how arduous the journey is for these things to be 'proven', but on the face of it if the juice is pure blueberry, with no additives and preservatives, then it probably isn't harmful and could possibly do some good.  However, their claims are very strong and I am very wary, particularly as I am doing well at the moment -- I don't want to add something into the mix and risk upsetting the balance.  Sorry I can't be of more use down here -- but if I see anything in the news or hear of anyone who is using it -- I will be sure to let you know.  Best wishes, Cath poppy/cath Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Good Evening Cath;I appreciate your help in searching this out.Perhaps next years Christmans party you'll be able put this punch in the punch bowl.Take care;Kevin K. C. Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi Kevin~~ Still no news regarding the Blueberry, but I have taken up the oppportunity to start on the Goji Juice.  Have you heard of anyone on it?  Any info gratefully appreciated!  The taste is quite pleasant, the dose quite small, the cost fairly high -- but a large bottle was given to me as a gift!  Its quite refreshing on a day like today -- 40C in the shade!!  Stay warm over there in the snow -- I'm thinking of you!  Cath poppy/cath Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT