Cranberry May Have More Uses Than Just Bladder Infections
The effects of cranberry on bladder and other urinary tract
infections are well known. The infections are caused by a
bacterium, Escherichia coli, known to most people as E. coli that
attaches to the wall of the bladder or the urinary tract, and is
very difficult to dislodge with antibiotics once it is there.
Cranberry contains a glycoprotein that prevents the E. coli from
doing this, and so acts by preventing, not the invasion of the
bacterium itself, but the mechanism by which it causes the disease.
Drinking cranberry juice on a regular basis can prevent cystitis
occurring in women, or at least reduce the frequency of
incidences.
Now, however, there is a growing body of evidence that cranberry
may have more uses than just for bladder infections. It is known to
help prevent gum disease by the same mechanism: the bacteria are
prevented from sticking to the teeth and gums by means of the same
glycoprotein that is effective with E. coli and urinary tract
infections
There is also evidence that cranberry juice can be helpful in
resolving ear and respiratory infections. A study of a group of
children in 2002 has indicated that cranberry juice can inhibit the
adhesion to red blood cells of certain strains of the bacterium
Haemophilus influenza that might cause a large proportion of middle
ear infections. It seems to have an effect on the hair-like pili,
by which bacteria stick to surfaces. This has been supported by
results that indicated no effect on the bacteria strains that lack
these pili.
These tests, however, were carried out experimentally in test
tubes, but it is worth keeping in mind that such studies are under
way, and that the results are looking very promising. However, they
have not yet reached the stage where they can be stated to have
been proved, though there is no reason why you should not try
cranberry juice if any of your family is prone to such infections,
especially of the middle ear.
Yet another study has established that cranberry might be effective
in reducing the risk of heart disease by reducing the oxidation of
blood cholesterol that makes it very sticky. There are two type of
cholesterol, LDL cholesterol that carried the cholesterol from the
liver through the blood to areas of your arteries that need repair.
Your blood also contains high density lipoproteins (HDL) that carry
excess cholesterol back to the liver for destruction and ejection
from the body – that is the so-called ‘good’ cholesterol.
The LDL cholesterol works much like putty, covering the cracks in
arterial walls, and without it you could have even more severe
problems than with high levels of LDL cholesterol. However, when
the LDL cholesterol gets oxidized by, for example, free radicals in
the blood, then it becomes sticky and too much of it gets laid down
on the artery walls.
Free radicals are produced through many agents, but the most common
are smoking, environmental pollution and pesticides. These sticky
coatings tend to build up after a time and lead to a condition
known as atherosclerosis whereby the build up of coating can
severely restrict the artery. This causes high blood pressure and
can even lead to the artery becoming completely blocked. This can
lead to serious heart problems and, if the artery is in the brain,
even strokes.
In the study, a group taking one, two then three glasses of 27%
cranberry juice daily for a month at a time were found have a 40%
reduced risk of heart disease at the end on month three due to a
10% increase in the good HDL cholesterol. This was due to the
antioxidant effect of the cranberry juice preventing the oxidation
of the LDL cholesterol which causes the problems. Antioxidants mop
up free radicals before they can do any damage.
Cranberries contain a high polyphenol content, and it is
believed that it is these antioxidants that are responsible, though
this has still to be proved. This antioxidant effect can also
reduce the risk of cancer, render you less liable to inflammatory
conditions and also give your immune system a boost by helping to
clear up the free radicals that are one of your body’s worst
enemies. However, that is not all that cranberries can do. There
are even more exciting new developments that could have an impact
on women suffering from ovarian cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention record that ovarian
cancer is the 7th most common type of cancer in the USA, and the
5th most common cause of cancer deaths amongst women. The general
treatment for ovarian cancer is by chemotherapy using the platinum
drugs Paraplatin and Cisplatin. The problem with these drugs is
that cancer cells can become resistant to them, and if higher doses
are used it can lead to side effects including renal failure and
nerve damage.
Tests were carried out using ovarian cancer cells and a 27%
solution of cranberry juice, a common commercially available
concentration. The cells were then treated with Paraplatin. It was
found that the Paraplatin was six times more effective at killing
the ovarian cancer cells than when the cells had not come into
contact with the cranberry juice. This is a considerable
difference. The rate of spread and growth of some of the other
cancer cells were also reduced.
The reason that the cranberry was used was due to its wide range of
potential health benefits in fighting stomach ulcers, cystitis and
some other cancers. It is believed that the effect is due to very
powerful antioxidants known as A-type proanthocyanidins, which are
found only in cranberries. Other studies have found this chemical
to have had an effect in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in
lung cancer, colon cancer and leukemia, all involving different
types of cancer cell. Other antioxidants such as flavenoids and
querticin in cranberry juice might also contribute, but the
proanthocyanadin is believed to be the principal active agent due
it being found only in cranberries.
The researchers temper their results with the caution that these
are tests only, but that theoretically a cranberry supplement could
be used as a part of a chemotherapy course. Animal studies are
commencing shortly though it will be some time before a new therapy
has been developed. It is possible; however, that the therapy could
consist of a simple oral dose of cranberry juice taken during the
course, but you should consult your physician for the most
appropriate treatment for you.
However, what is certain is that cranberry may have more uses than
just bladder infections.
About the Author
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