Abstract

"Fruits and vegetables consumption has been heralded for its ability to decrease the overall risk of developing cancer and other diseases. Mounting evidence support the beneficial nature of antioxidants, carotenoids, and other phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables. One proposed mechanism of antioxidant protection is the shielding of cellular DNA from oxidative damage and therefore mutations. This may be especially helpful in older populations. We tested the concept that a daily regimen of supplementation with fruit and vegetable extracts would reduce the amount of DNA damage in the peripheral lymphocytes of the elderly. In a blind study, a group of twenty elderly volunteers (mean age=68) were given supplements twice daily for 80 days with blood samples drawn before and after intervention. These samples were compared using the comet assay, a technique that quantifies DNA damage to individual nuclei. Each sample was tested in triplicate, and tail moment data was collected from over 200 comets per sample. In this initial study, we conclude that a daily course of fruit and vegetable extract supplementation may reduce the level of DNA damage found in the peripheral lymphocytes of seniors.

Supplements used

"The fruit and vegetable extract used consisted of dried fruit and vegetable powders. Briefly, fruit supplements contained 850mg fruit powder per capsule and contained extracts from apples, oranges, pineapples, papaya, cranberries, and peaches. Vegetable supplements contained around 750mg vegetable powder per capsule and contained extracts from carrots, parsley, beets, broccoli, kale, cabbage, spinach, and tomatoes. For 80 days each subject was instructed to consume 2 fruit and 2 vegetable capsules each day, the fruit in the morning with 8 ounces of water and the vegetable capsules in the evening with 8 ounces of water.

Discussion

"Following intervention with these fruit and vegetable extracts, the amount of DNA damage found in the peripheral lymphocytes of test subjects was substantially reduced. Further, the beneficial effects did not appear to follow indicators like age, sex, and smoking status. Although the response to treatment was not uniform, it seemed to be helpful for the majority of the test group (one notable exception) without regard to the aforementioned factors. Such a broad range of action may underscore the potential usefulness of these extracts in the elderly, although these results must be regarded as tentative and only mildly inferential until further scientific evidence becomes available.

This study suggest that supplementation with fruit and vegetable extracts may decrease the amount of DNA damage in a population of elderly subjects. Indeed, it exhibits positive results without apparent influences from age, sex, or smoking status. However, the size of the sample and the lack of a placebo control group limits the number and strength of conclusions that can be drawn from the data, but further investigation into a long-term effects may be warranted.

Comments: With a lack of good nutrition prevalent, a good supplement consisting of fruit and vegetable extracts may be the ideal solution until dietary habits and the quality of food choices can be improved,

DISCLAIMER: Please consult your physician when beginning any weight loss or exercise program.