@ ONIONS AND TEARS

One small feather, a fraction of an ounce of pressure, yet the net result of hundreds of these ‘changes’ is the saving of a life? Or the improvement of the quality of one’s life?

What is the effect of hundreds of small changes like this, of one feather? A cumulative effect that can change a world…or just one single life.

Onions, yellow, red, white, vidalia, scallions, chives, leeks, ramps. An essential of any cuisine, there are few households without an onion kicking around somewhere.

Did you know that not all onions are created equal? Also did you know that a number of epidemiological studies (population studies) have shown that there is a direct relationship between consumption of onions and cancer? Can you guess what that relationship is?

My initial “raw” research notes appear below, more detailed discussion of the supporting studies will have to come later.

–they are rich in THIOSULFINATES, SULFIDES, SULFOXIDES, QUERCETIN
–in central Georgia where ONIONS are grown, mortality rates from stomach cancer are about 1/2 the average occurrence for the rest of the US.
–milder ONIONS like vidalias and western whites have the the lowest levels of phytonutrients.
–ONION leaves highest total FLAVONOID content:
1497.5 mg/kg QUERCETIN
391 mg/kg LUTEOLIN
832 mg/kg KAEMPHEROL
–studies show an inhibitory effect in animals and cell cultures of several ALLIUM derived compounds. Results of these case control studies confirms relevance for human cancers.
–Chinese studies confirm relevance for prostate and stomach cancers
— a large data set from Southern European populations shows an inverse relationship between use of ALLIUM vegetables and the risk of several cancers.
–“regular consumption of garlic and onion may prevent prostate cancer. Organosulphoric compounds deemed responsible
–strongest risk reduction factors for prostate cancer mortality were ONIONS, cereals/grains, beans, fruits and vegetables.. (worst: meat and dairy products)
–while LYCOPENE and tomatoes have gotten much of the “publicity” and research one scientist noted that ALLIUM family vegetables may be “much more effective in reducing the risk of prostate cancer”
–study: ONIONS and GARLIC significantly related to lower risk of colorectal adenoma. Dark green vegetables , fruit, and deep yellow vegetables were also associated as well with “moderate” risk reduction.
–the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition: 519,978 subjects in ten European countries…consumption of ONIONS and GARLIC “probably reduces the risk of intestinal and stomach cancer but is probably not associated with lung prostate and breast. (This result may seem puzzling but until I can read the full study and not just extrapolate from an abstract, I have to assume that this may mean either of two things: 1) ONIONS and GARLIC have NO effect on those cancers or 2) that they have NO deleterious effects on those cancers. I am inclined to believe the second because it is already clear from the research on GARLIC, posted here, that GARLIC does have a clear and definite favorable effect on a number of cancers and I know from my own research that the case for ONIONS is really quite clear and favorable. Sometimes it does seem to have significance with researchers that a compound or herb or food does not CAUSE cancer…or in other words “is not associated with” certain cancers.)
–QUERCETIN induces apoptosis in cancer cells (compound found in onions)
–study: prostate cancer rates in 71 countries were compared with per capita food intake rates for 38 foods
the study found …correlated strongly with decreasing prostate cancer morality..ONIONS
–study: inhibition of proteosome activity by …APPLES GRAPES ONIONS…may explain the preventative effects.
–study: found moderate protective role of ALLIUM vegetables in inhibiting endometrial cancer
–ONIONS contain APIGENIN ..shown to possess anti-inflamatory, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. “abundantly present in ..PARSLEY..ONIONS..ORANGES..TEA..CHAMOMILE”

Just one small feather, one more small change
the value of a healthy life, a few ONIONS.
martin