We conclude that: 1) Iron nutrition of the host affects tumor growth; tumors grow better in an iron-rich environment This should be taken into consideration when treating cancer patients, and senior citizens who have a high risk of developing cancer, 2) Iron chelation with deferoxamine may be a useful tool for cancer treatment. https://www.cancerprev.org/Journal/Issues/17/1/43/1434
Iron is essential for life and growth. While it is well known that iron deficiency can lead to anaemia it is generally not appreciated that iron is critical for the growth of all cells, particularly cancer cells. The Iron Metabolism and Chelation Program is concerned with understanding the basic processes of how tumour cells utilise and transport iron. This knowledge will lead to the development of therapies that can selectively starve tumour cells of iron and inhibit their growth. In addition, we are studying the mechanisms
involved in iron loading in the inherited diseases �-thalassaemia and Friedreich's ataxia.
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CHAPEL HILL -- Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have found that people with gene mutations associated with abnormally high iron levels are 40 percent more likely than others to develop colon cancer.
A report of the research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute today (Jan. 15) found the cancer risk greater in mutation carriers who are older or who consume high quantities of iron.
"Our findings are consistent with the view that taking in too much iron may be an environmental risk factor for colon cancer in some people," said study lead author Dr. Nicholas J. Shaheen, assistant professor of medicine and assistant professor of epidemiology in the UNC School of Public Health.
Iron is a pro-oxidant, thus high iron levels can lead to free radical formation and DNA damage, said Shaheen and co-authors. The authors added that iron is an essential element for tumor cell growth and proliferation.
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PURPOSE Transferring saturation of more than 60% has been identified as a cancer risk factor. It is unclear whether dietary iron intake increases the risk of cancer among individuals with transferring saturation of less than 60%. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of dietary iron intake and the risk of cancer among adults with increased transferring saturation.
full article at: https://www.annfammed.org/cgi/content/full/3/2/131
Re: Iron nutrition of the host affects tumor growth
This is an excellent article. It illustrates the reality of the minimal, optimal, and maximal concepts of biological process and intake of
substances required for life. The min is for an effect to start to appear, the opt for best results of the effect and max where adding more doesn't help and can be counter effective. As it says, iron is an absolute must for life and with a min we can have anemia and with levels in the normal range opt and with levels because of genetic disorders or overconsumption of iron in the max and self defeating range. Thanks for this post which illustrates this so well.
First, let me say that IP6 should always be taken on an empty stomach. This will limit it's impact on the absorption of other minerals.
Secondly, I would suggest taking an iron-free multi-mineral/vitamin supplement (at a seperate time of the day) along with the IP6. This will help replace any loss (due to the IP6) of the minerals other than iron.
Having said all that, it appears that IP6 may have a minimal effect on zinc and copper at least:
Personally, I take IP6 (along with some plain old inositol and a green/white tea extract) regularly in the way I described above. The reason for the added inositol and green/white tea is that there is some evidence of a synergistic effect when combined.
Be well,
HH
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If, according to Sardi, IP6 is supposed to lower iron levels, why in his article does he say: "when IP6 was added to the diet of mice it did not affect their absorption of iron or calcium"? It is getting late--past my bedtime--so maybe I am missing something??
I'm not sure if this will be a satisfactory answer but, in that same article, Mr. Sardi states that:
"IP6 attaches to heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium, as well as loose iron, copper and calcium. [J Agriculture Food Chemistry 47: 4714-17, 999] IP6 is a selective chelator -- it does not attach to potassium, sodium or magnesium, important electrolyte minerals required for heart rhythm. IP6 does not remove calcium from bones or iron from red blood cells. Once chelated (attached), these excess minerals are excreted via the urinary tract. [Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 35:495-508, 1995]"
Perhaps the aim of the study (that you quoted) was only to detect how IP6 affected the absorption of iron and calcium from dietary sources. In other words, IP6 may not impact the uptake of iron and calcium (from foods) but it may still manage to chelate with such minerals (elsewhere in the body) and allow for them to be excreted.
Be well,
HH
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The study quoted says: "IP6 does not remove calcium from bones or iron from red blood cells." Good, but I am wondering to what extent it removes the calcium which would otherwise be actually needed for the bones. Will it remove iron that would be necessary for the blood cells?
I am wondering if it would not be better to pay to have one's levels of iron checked first--as well as levels of other toxic metals--before paying to take a supplement which could potentially interfere with mineral balance. I think I would want to know my iron status before consuming IP6.
The Weston Price folks, I think, would tend to agree: "The industry will sell anything they can separate from a plant, including phytic acid (often sold as �IP6�). Phytic acid may have some benefit in the short term as a chelator of heavy metals, but you don�t want to be constantly consuming a compound that blocks the absorption of important minerals. The Hebrew custom of eating unleavened bread for a brief period during Passover provides a good model. They used properly leavened bread most of the year but for a brief period ate unleavened bread, which is high in phytic acid."
I tend to agree with you. It would be ideal to test your iron (and other minerals/nutrient) levels when taking IP6 (and many other supplements). It's also not a bad idea to do this when making significant changes in your diet or lifestyle.
You probably already read this but Bill Sardi recommends that IP6 be used for relatively short period of time (usually a month) a few to several times a year.
By the way, if excess iron is a concern, donating blood regularly should probably be the first-line treatment. It's even cheaper than IP6 and you'll even get the blood tests for free ... as they test your iron levels prior to your blood donation. Also, it could potentially be helpful for others who need the donation.
In regard to the Weston Price comment, keep in mind that the "blocking the absorption of important minerals" would most likely only occur if the IP6 is taken in the presence of those nutrients. In other words, don't take IP6 with food.
Be well,
HH
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Harry wrote: "... donating blood regularly should probably be the first-line treatment."
Good idea. Here's another one if levels of iron are too high: If one is mega-dosing with vitamin C, cutting back to reasonable intakes could reduce iron absorption by a factor of four.
I think that this would also be a good thing to do if there are any inflammatory conditions involved. As I recall, in such cases, large amounts of vitamin C can apparently increase the release of a particularly dangerous form of iron.
Harry, I try to listen to Dennis Prager every day, but I particularly enjoy his "Happiness Hour" on Fridays. Don't mean to gossip, but I guess Dennis wasn't particularly happy in his second marriage.
Hola, Ruby. Thanks for the link. I also do my best to listen to Dennis whenever I can - though work typically makes this impossible. Maybe that's why I didn't know about this news.
I must say that the news of their divorce is somewhat disheartening to me. If I am to be "intellectually honest", I must say that it does somewhat tarnish his reputation in my book.
I'll continue to listen to his show and read his columns because I find his commentary and analysis to be quite insightful and different than almost anything else I've come across.
At this moment, I guess the thing that stands out in my mind is that while Dennis is a religious man, I think his belief and the way he lives is not as strongly rooted in faith as some other religious people that I know. I would describe him as a religious pragmatist.
In other words, worldly matters often trump faith in his philosophical view. If you listen to him closely, this is abundantly clear (in my opinion at least). I'm not saying this is a bad thing. In fact, I think it's probably a good thing in many instances.
But, the fact remains that certain seriously devout Christians (that I know) would and do consider divorce to be a failure and would therefore do WHATEVER it takes to work through their marital issues ... even if it's an arduous process.
Please understand that I'm not saying that I'm better than Dennis or that Christians are better than Jews or whoever. Heck, I don't even practice any formal religion and I'm far from perfect. I'm just sharing some thoughts that occurred to me as I was reading the article.
One last note ... even though Dennis (and presumably his wife) were not happy towards the end of their marriage ... it doesn't necessarily mean that he's not a happy person. There are some people who manage to remain happy even while in the midst of horrible circumstances. I suspect this is the case here because I don't recall any change in Dennis' demeanor - on the air at least. And, I guess that's saying something.
Be well,
HH
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I didn't notice any change in his demeanor, either, Harry. I, too, was sorry to hear that his marriage wasn't really fulfilling, because he gave every indication that it was (when he talked about it, at least).
Iron nutrition of the host affects tumor growth
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