Posted on 06/12/2006 6:40:02 AM PDT by presidio9
A main ingredient in beer may help prevent prostate cancer and enlargement, according to a new study. But researchers say don't rush out to stock the refrigerator because the ingredient is present in such small amounts that a person would have to drink more than 17 beers to benefit.
Oregon State University researchers say the compound xanthohumol, found in hops, inhibits a specific protein in the cells along the surface of the prostate gland.
The protein acts like a signal switch that turns on a variety of animal and human cancers, including prostate cancer.
Cancer typically results from uncontrolled cell reproduction and growth. Xanthohumol belongs to a group of plant compounds called flavonoids, which can trigger the programmed cell death that controls growth, researchers say.
Xanthohumol was first discovered in hops in 1913, but its health effects were not known until about 10 years ago, when it was first studied by Fred Stevens, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry at OSU's College of Pharmacy.
Last fall, Stevens published an update on xanthohumol in the journal Phytochemistry that drew international attention.
Stevens says it possible for drug companies to develop pills containing concentrated doses of the flavonoid found in the hops used to brew beer.
He also says researchers could work to increase the xanthohumol content of hops.
There are already a number of food supplements on the market containing hops, and scientists in Germany have developed a beer that contains 10 times the amount of xanthohumol as traditional brews. The drink is being marketed as a healthy beer, but research is still under way to determine if it has any effect against cancer.
The latest Oregon State University research was published in a recent issue of Cancer Letters.
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Yum, pop a Sam.
I can't believe you can get such a powerful anti-cancer benefit from only 17 beers a day.
I toldja Marge, I wuz out workin' on my health!
Wow a butt lite?
Well, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do....
Works for me.
17 beers to get the effect? No Problemo, I read the contraindications, and I can live with blurry vision, inability to operate heavy equipment, headache, nausea, vomiting and diahrea.
Beer Rules. That is all.
"...drink more than 17 beers to benefit..."
At one sitting? Burrrrrp!
To your health!
Good news everyone!
WOW. I usually have hops around, though I don't use them in tea much except for treating sick people and really gotta order more. Plus Hubby and me both like to pop a cold one after a long day. Now there's HEALTH benefits! :-)
And don't forget the benefits of a healthy beer fart.
That's a Saturday night...
Does this mean that beer can now be deducted as a medical expense on tax returns?
ONLY 17?..........
17 a day? Cool, I should be fine.
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