Fresh Isn't Necessarily Best

Canned fruits and veggies might not look as appealing as fresh, but when it comes to nutrition, they're far from second-rate.

"Canning makes nutrients like beta-carotene and lycopene more available," said Dr. Janice Stuff, a registered dietitian with the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine. "And although some heat-sensitive and water-soluble nutrients leach out during canning, most can be reclaimed by using the canning liquid."

Canned fruits and vegetables may also be the better choice for people who tend to allow fresh produce to languish in the crisper for days after purchase.

"Fresh produce continues to lose sensitive nutrients until consumed, while the nutritional content of canned remains stable for up to two years" Dr. Stuff explained.

Although canned fruits and vegetables may offer nutritional advantage, they also tend to be high in sodium and added sugar.

"Look for low-sodium and juice-packed versions," Dr. Stuff advised.

- Courtesy of Baylor College of Medicine

Place of Wellness Turns Two

Recently, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's Place of Wellness, a multidisciplinary center offering complementary therapies to help patients live with cancer, will celebrate its second anniversary. The first site of its kind to be located on the campus of a comprehensive cancer center, Place of Wellness provides an environment where all persons touched by cancer, not just M. D. Anderson patients, may enhance their quality of life through programs that complement medical care and focus on the mind, body and spirit. Some of the programs offered include: yoga, tai chi, journaling, support groups, meditation, humor sessions and guided imagery.

- Courtesy of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

Building a Better Mouse Model

Mouse models that mimic human cancer of the breast and prostate are being created at Baylor College of Medicine to help scientists better understand how different types of cancers develop and respond to treatment. The effort is part of the National Cancer Institute's new Mouse Models of Human Cancers Consortium.

"We hope to develop a mouse model that allows us to turn on or turn off a specific gene associated with breast cancer at specific times, such as pre-puberty, post-puberty or during the late stage of the disease," said Dr. Daniel Medina, professor of molecular and cellular biology.

A mouse model of this type would enable Medina to study a normal cell as it evolves into a malignant cell and to analyze how the cell is affected by hormones.

"Many of the traditional mouse models for prostate cancer cannot be used to test strategies for prevention," said Dr. Norman Greenberg, professor of molecular and cellular biology and urology. "Our research involves building genetically engineered mouse models in which the cells are preprogrammed to develop cancer spontaneously. This allows us to test whether drug or gene therapies can prevent tumors from developing."

- Courtesy of Baylor College of Medicine

Diet Tricks Boost Iron Absorption

Ironing out a few dietary wrinkles can help you get the most out of the healthy foods you're already eating.

"Iron absorption can be increased or decreased, depending on the foods you eat together," said Dr. Debby Demory-Luce, a registered dietitian with the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine.

She recommends the following dietary tricks to improve iron absorption:

* Include a little meat when dining on iron-rich vegetables. The iron-containing compound in meat helps boost the absorption of iron form less-available plant forms.

* Add a good source of vitamin C to every meal. Top oatmeal with sliced strawberries, toss red pepper strips into a whole-grain pasta dish or eat broccoli salad with a peanut-butter sandwich to pump up iron absorption.

* Don't overdo tea and coffee. Compounds called tannins found in tea and coffee tie up iron, reducing how much is absorbed.

- Courtesy of Baylor College of Medicine

Octophonic Sound Study Opens

Researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center want to know if music and nature can decrease distress and increase feelings of well-being in patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The Octophonic Sound Study utilizes octophonic sound, a new technology that creates a three-dimensional sound field. Eight speakers are placed in four corners of the treatment room on the ceiling and floor levels, providing a very real sound that can be sensed from different directions. Conducted by Dr. Charles Cleeland, director of M.D. Anderson's Pain Research Group in collaboration with the Yamaha Corporation of Japan, the first phase of the study is taking place in M.D. Anderson's ambulatory treatment area. Patients undergoing chemotherapy may select from four sounds - classical music, calm sea, music and nature, or nature only.

- Courtesy of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

Cardiomyopathy Gene Identified

A new gene responsible for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a common heart muscle disease, has been identified by Baylor College of Medicine researchers. DCM is the leading cause of heart failure in children and adults.

"This finding could help us diagnose patients before they become sick, treat them earlier and improve survival," said Dr. Jeffrey A. Towbin, a professor of pediatrics and director of the Heart Failure and Transplantation Unit at Texas Children's Hospital.

Baylor researchers believe their study identifies the portion of the heart at greatest risk for DCM and suggests that studying this "final common pathway" might help identify the other genes that would cause the disease. In addition, patients with DCM should by evaluated for muscle function, and neurologists who care for patients with muscle disease should be aware of the potential for heart muscle disease.

- Courtesy of Baylor College of Medicine

Eating Ethnic and Healthy

Ethnic diets are not always healthy, but knowing what to order when eating out can keep you from falling into a fat trap.

"Ethnic restaurants tend to Americanize traditional dishes by adding fatty ingredients like cheese and nuts," said Lynne Scott, a registered dietician and director of the Diet Modification Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine. "With so many unfamiliar ingredients found in ethnic cuisine, it can be difficult to identify low-fat foods."

Scott recommends the following tips when ethnic food is on the menu:

* Request that creamy dressings and sauces be served on the side.

* Forgo deep-fried appetizers and side orders.

* When ordering Chinese meals, order steamed instead of fried rice.

* Choose chicken instead of beef fajitas and corn instead of flour tortillas.

* Order plain, steamed or grilled vegetables, fish and chicken.

- Courtesy of Baylor College of Medicine

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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