Power of Purple
Thank you for sharing some of this information Dr. Jonathan V. Wright, MD.
Photo by @ketrinadrawsalot
You don’t have to be a one-eyed, one-horn, flying purple people eater, when you can just be a purple eater (skip eating the people) to avoid COLON CANCER (and reverse heart disease).
Just include in your diet purple foods. Purple is the color associated with royalty, power and wealth for centuries. Just as Dr. DeAnna Minich suggests eating a rainbow diet, don’t forget about the color purple (which is not part of the rainbow) in your diet.
What’s so magical about the color purple in these foods? They contain anthocyanin and this substance is shown to have beneficial effects upon our health. Cocoplum’s anthocyanins possess cancer-cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities in both inflamed colon and colon cancer cells.(1)
Pomegranate exhibits strong anti-oxidant and is a rich source of anthocyanins, ellagitannins, and hydrolysable tannins. The fruit, as well as its juice, extract, and oil exert anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-tumorigenic properties…”(2) Pomegranate has a role in the treatment and prevention of skin, breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers.(2) In fact, the pro-atherogenic effects (plaque) from blood flow in stress points ( disturbed areas of blood flow in branching areas of vessels in the heart and elsewhere) create atherosclerosis can be reversed by chronic administration of pomegranate fruit extract or juice.(3,4,5) Anthocyanins are preventative substances and inhibit colon cancer cell growth by causing rupture of cancer cells. (6,7)
Purple majesty potatoes contain the pigment anthocyanin which inhibits colon cancer stem cells. “The purple-fleshed potatoes can be a healthier choice for consumers as they possess greater levels of bioactive compounds and anticancer properties even after processing as compared with their white- and yellow-fleshed counterparts.” (8)
Finally, Drs. Wright and Dr. Michael Holick, agree, having high levels of Vitamin D3 for prevention of many cancers. Dr. Wright suggests having a level between 60-100 ng/dL. Dr. Holick’s preferred range is up to 60ng/dL. I suggest optimal is between 60- 80ng/dL. (9)
References:
1) VP Venancio, PA Cipriano, H Kim, et al. Cocoplum anthocyanins exert anti-inflammatory activity in human colon cancer and non-malignant colon cells. Food Funct. 2017 Jan 25;8(1): 307-314.
2) P Sharma, SF McClees, F Afaq. Pomegranate for prevention and treatment of cancer: An update. Molecules 2017 Jan24;22(1):177.
3) F deNigris, S Williams-Ignarro, V Sica, et al. Effects of a pomegranate fruit extract rich in punicalagin on oxidation- sensitive genes and eNOS activity at sites of perturbed shear stress and atherogenesis. Cardiovasc Res 2007 Jan 15;73(2):414-23
4) L Nimri, C Grajeda-Iglesias, N Volkova, et al. Pro-atherogenic and pro-oxidant crosstalk between adiposites and macrophages. Eu J Nutr. 2019 Mar;58(2):879-893.
5) F deNigris, S Williams-Ignarro, L Lerman, et al. Beneficial effects of pomegranate juice on oxidation-sensitive genes and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity at sites of perturbed shear stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2005 Mar 29;102(13):4896-901.
6) X Zhao, P Feng, W He, et al. The prevention and inhibition effect of anthocyanins on colorectal cancer. Curr Pharm Des. 2019;25(46):4919-4927.
7) X Wang, D-Y Yang, L-Q Yang, et al. Anthocyanin consumption and risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies. J Am Coll Nutr. 2019 Jul;38(5):440-447.
8) G P Madiwale, L Reddivari, M Stone, et al. Combined effects of storage and processing on the bioactive compounds and pro=apoptotic properties of color-fleshed potatoes in human colon cancer cells.
9) There are currently (as of December 4, 2021) 1,148 articles published on Pub Med on the topic, “Vitamin D3 and cancer prevention”. Do your own deep dive to come up with your own best (optimal) Vitamin D3 level.