B: 12- olate, also called folic acid or folacin, is a compli vitamin that is needed to allow for complete develop ment of red blood cells More importantly, folic acid helps to prevent the development of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood If homocysteine is not held in check, heart attacks and stroke may result Folic acid prevents the build up of ho mocysteine , particularly in overweight individuals. It is a simple way to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease As the average person continues to eat to excess and excercise less, in- creased intake of foods rich in folate like asparagus are neces sary to prevent development of coronary artery disease and various other cardiovascular maladies Folate is a general term for the various forms of the B vitamin, the parent which is folic acid It is most publicized for prevention of pregnancy defects involving the develop ment of the neural tube Folic acid aids in the prevention of neural tube defects such as spina bifida [a potentially crippling defect in which the spinal cord is improperly en cased in bone) and anencepahly (failure of brain development). Women are encouraged by their doctors to build up their folate stores at least 28 days before becoming pregnant Plant foods with high levels of folacin such as asparagus, orange juice and pulses such as beans and peas should be consumed particularly in the first weeks of pregnancy to safeguard the fetus The recommended daily allowance(RDA) for folate is 400 micrograms per day Preg nant women are encouraged to consume at least this amount in their daily nutrition. Asparagus Glutathione The new Cancer Fighter Dietary glutathione intake from food sources such as asparagus has been associated with protection against certain forms of cancer in addition to potent anti-viral properties. Research that is now in progress at the Institute for Cancer Prevention(lCP), formerly American Health Foundation, in Valhalla, NY is demonstrating that asparagus, the food with the highest glutathione concentration, is a potentially effective means of enhancing the body's defense systems and preventing cancer development The ICP study examines the bioavailabihty of asparagus along with the antioxidant status in human blood and oral mucosa. Preliminary results are positive along with glutathione levels in asparagus measuring much higher than original benchmarks Tests conducted in June of 2002 indicate that asparagus from Washington State contain of 70mg/100g of glutathione— -more than twice the amount in any other common food item The ICP study, under the direction of Dr. Despina Komninou will provide the basis for a major grant underwriting to the National Institute of Health (NIH) The proposed clinical study will investigate the powerful cancer preventive properties of normal consumption of asparagus The promise of glutathione from asparagus as the leading whole foods source is now in the early phases of research Clinical trials will determine if indeed asparagus, as the lead ing source of glutathione, may be the ultimate disease preven tion food to eat SPARAGUS Asparagus is Food Sources of Folat ist vegetable source of folate with 262mcg in a one cup serving. Asparagus, 1 cup boiled Asparagus, lOOgraw Papaya, 1 medium Orange Juice, 1 cup micrograms Spinach. 1 cup raw 108 262 Green Peas, 1 cup boiled 101 128 Wheat germ, 1/4 cup 80 115 Broccoli, 1 cup boiled 78 110 O range, 1 medium 40 There are creative ways to include rich sources of folate in your diet without pillaging the erudite plate Here is a quick, tasty combination of asparagus and orange juice for a booster of folate in your diet Serve as a side dish for dinner or centerplate for lunch Sesame Orange Asparagus Ingredients Cook asparagus covered in a small amount of boding water (or in microwave) for 4 to 6 minutes (For frozen, cook according to package directions) Dram water Heat olive oil in skillet Add grated carrot and sesame seeds Cook to toast sesame seeds 2 3 minutes Add oiange juice and sesame oil Bring to bod and immediately reduce to simmer Stir in asparagus, tossing to coat and heat through Serve with orange slices Makes 4 servings Folic Acid may be the Trojan Perhaps we will soon eat folate-rich foods like asparagus or a supplement to sneak can cer-fighting drugs directly into tumor cells A team of Purdue University researchers lead by Dr. Philip Low have discovered that cancer cells possess a voracious appetite for folate. They gobble up the B vitamin to support rapid cell division. Cancer cells express a protein called a folate receptor to capture folate moi c effectively than normal cells. Dr. Low's researchers are now exploiting cancer cells' craving for folate by using folate as a therapeutic "Trojan Horse" to secretly deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly to tumor cells. They are essen tially slipping medicine in with cancer's favorite food. Once the folate food or supplement attaches itself to the folate receptor, it can enter the cell with an anticancer agent to wreak havoc on the cancer cell. 1 pound Washington Asparagus (thee dui/’ottalh m 2 inch ptftet) 10 oz package Frozen Cut Asparagus 2 tablespoon Olive Oil 3 tablespoon Grated Carrot 1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds 1/2 cup Orange Juice 1/2 tsp Sesame oil Horse against Cancer
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