Onions, garlic linked to lower cancer risks

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who flavor their diets with plenty of onions and garlic might have lower odds of several types of cancer, a new study suggests. In an analysis of eight studies from Italy and Switzerland, researchers found that older adults with the highest onion and garlic intakes had the lowest risks of a number of cancers -- including colon, ovarian and throat cancers.

The findings, which appear in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, are in line with some past research. But those studies were mainly conducted in China, and it is unclear if the results are different in Western countries.

Dietary habits are substantially different in China, with garlic intake, in particular, being far higher, Dr. Carlotta Galeone, the lead author of the new study, told Reuters Health.
These latest findings suggest the anti-cancer benefit of these vegetables extend to Western populations, according to Galeone, a researcher at the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacologic Research in Milan, Italy.

They note, animal studies and lab experiments with cancer cells have found that certain compounds in onions and garlic may inhibit the growth of tumors. Sulfur compounds found in garlic and antioxidant flavonoids in onions are among the potentially protective substances.

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Happy Valentine's Day

From our Relay for Life team to everyone that visit's our blog we would like to wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day. We hope you enjoy this day with the ones you love or by yourself; whatever your heart desires.

Kids cancer fundraiser a close shave

According to the Rocky Mountain News the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is issuing a "Be Brave, Get Bald" challenge featuring head-shaving events to raise funds for childhood cancer research.

The Denver event is at Fado’s Irish Pub, 1835 19th St., on Friday from 6 a.m. to noon and is one of 300 head-shaving fundraisers being held nationwide this year.

St. Baldrick’s began in 2000 when three executives from New York City turned their St. Patrick’s Day party into a fundraiser by shaving their heads in an act of solidarity to children with cancer. They combined "Patrick" and "bald" to form "Baldrick."

It has grown into the world’s largest fundraising event for childhood cancer, so far having raised more than $20 million. Worldwide, 160,000 youngsters are diagnosed with cancer each year making it the No. 1 disease killer of children in the U.S. and Canada.

All of the foundation’s donations are generated by "shavees," organizers, volunteers, staff and board members. None comes from government grants or through mass mailings or telemarketing.

Visit the foundation at www.GuideStar.org or call 888-899-BALD.