Berry Protocol

“Berries and other richly colored plants possess supercharged antioxidant power, allowing you to dramatically boost your levels of antioxidant protection. By stoking up your bodies defenses against damaging free radicals, berries and other richly colored foods provide unprecedented protective effects.” Life Extension

“Powerful antioxidants flavonoids are linked with health benefits that include protection from cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes and stroke.” Cao et al, American J of clinical Nutrition 1998 Nov

“Studies suggest a high blueberry diet helps protect one of the body’s most important blood vessels the aorta. Blueberry is known for its ability to protect against age-related deterioration of memory and brain function.” Life Extension

“Old lab rats fed a diet supplemented with a compound from berries and grapes called pterostilbene performed better in mental challenges than their un-supplemented counterparts, The results indicated that in aging rats, pterostilbene was effective in reversing the decline in cognitive function that occurs naturally with age, and that precedes diseases such as Alzheimer's. The results also showed an improvement in the working memory of the animals.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 56(3):636-641, 2008

"Research shows that ellagic acid a compound found in berries, nuts and other fruits might help prevent wrinkles and repair skin damage caused by the sun." Ellagic acid shown sun damage protective

“This is where strawberries have a one-two punch. They reduce LDL and reduce its oxidation. Berries in general are just jam-packed with God-made phytochemicals that protect your body. This is not limited to strawberries, but most all berries. I grow raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. If you can't grow them, Costco has come to the rescue. It now carries frozen organic blueberries. Organic strawberries may be next, especially if you ask. Please add lots and lots of berries to your diet. Your eyes, heart, blood vessels — and taste buds will be most grateful.” Doctor Robert Rowen MD

"In Dr. Joseph's studies, oxidative stress markers were only modestly reduced by these antioxidant rich foods. The polyphenols in berry fruit like strawberries may be responsible for other mechanisms including enhanced neuronal communication and reduced stress signals due to enhanced neuroprotective stress shock proteins. According to Dr. Joseph, you can protect yourself against the two major villains of aging, oxidation and inflammation, by including the following foods in your diet regularly: Strawberries, Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, Walnuts. Fish , Turmeric.” Polyphenols slow aging

"Overwhelming evidence suggests that edible small and soft-fleshed berry fruits may have beneficial effects against several types of human cancers. The anticancer potential of berries has been related, at least in part, to a multitude of bioactive phytochemicals that these colorful fruits contain, including polyphenols (flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, ellagitannins, gallotannins, phenolic acids), stilbenoids, lignans, and triterpenoids." Life Extension

"Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) is rich in phenolic antioxidants, especially flavonoids from the anthocyanin subclass. AMFJ significantly decreased the streptozotocin-induced abnormalities in blood glucose and TG in diabetic rats and might be useful in prevention and control of diabetes mellitus and diabetes-associated complications." Life Extension

"Nutritional interventions, in this case, increasing dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, can retard and even reverse age-related declines in brain function and in cognitive and motor performance in rats. Our lab has shown that as Fischer 344 rats age their brains are increasingly vulnerable to oxidative stress. Dietary supplementation with fruit or vegetable extracts high in antioxidants (e.g., blueberry, BB, spinach, respectively) can decrease this vulnerability to oxidative stress." Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 Apr;959:128-32

"Previously, we showed that blueberry (BB) supplementation reversed the deleterious effects of aging on motor behavior and neuronal signaling in senescent rodents. We now report that BB-fed (from 4 months of age) APP + PS1 transgenic mice showed no deficits in Y-maze performance (at 12 months of age) with no alterations in amyloid beta burden. It appeared that the protective mechanisms are derived from BB-induced enhancement of memory-associated neuronal signaling (e.g. extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and alterations in neutral sphingomyelin-specific phospholipase C activity. Thus, our data indicate for the first time that it may be possible to overcome genetic predispositions to Alzheimer disease through diet." Nutr Neurosci. 2003 Jun;6(3):153-62, Note in extension this study has PROFOUND implications for blueberries and ALL supplementation. It is becoming more and more clear what we do can be far more important in many aspects than what we were born with

"Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in the impairment of nitric oxide-mediated vascular functions and overall pathogenesis associated with cardiovascular disease. Plant pigment anthocyanins are exceptionally potent oxygen radical scavengers that produce beneficial effects in diseases outside the cardiovascular system." J Applied Physiol. 2006 Apr;100(4):1164-70, Note the deep blue-black colored berries are rich in anthocyanins

"Consumption of pomegranate juice which is rich in tannins, possess anti-atherosclerotic properties which could be related to its potent anti-oxidative characteristics. As some antioxidants were recently shown to reduce blood pressure, we studied the effect of pomegranate juice consumption (50 ml, 1.5mmol of total polyphenols per day, for 2 weeks) by hypertensive patients on their blood pressure and on serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity. A 36% decrement in serum ACE activity and a 5% reduction in systolic blood pressure were noted. Similar dose-dependent inhibitory effect (31%) of pomegranate juice on serum ACE activity was observed also in vitro. As reduction in serum ACE activity, even with no decrement in blood pressure, was previously shown to attenuate atherosclerosis, pomegranate juice can offer a wide protection against cardiovascular diseases which could be related to its inhibitory effect on oxidative stress and on serum ACE activity." Atherosclerosis. 2001 Sep;158(1):195-8

"The objective of the present study was to explore the bone protective role of blueberry in an ovariectomized rat model. Thirty 6-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham) or ovariectomized (Ovx) and divided into three groups. In summary, our findings indicate that blueberry can prevent bone loss as seen by the increases in BMD and favorable changes in biomarkers of bone metabolism." J Nutr Biochem. 2008 Mar 5

"Aronia; his colorful fruit native to North America is found in red, black, and purple varieties. Studies of the antioxidant capacity of aronia berries have yielded some of the highest ORAC values ever recorded. Aronia extracts have been shown to have a protective effect on the coronary arteries of pigs, to reduce experimentally induced inflammation of the eye, and inhibit biological markers of colon cancer in rats. Aronia juice has been shown to protect the liver20 and defend against the development of gastric ulcers in rats. It can also help return blood levels of glucose and cholesterol to normal levels in rats suffering from diabetes." Life Extension

"It's common knowledge that certain berries are nutritional powerhouses, but when it comes to fighting a vast array of diseases and health problems few berries stack up to the strawberry in terms of sheer health potency. From combating inflammation and controlling diabetes to protecting cognitive function and improving heart health strawberries can bolster your body's health in countless ways." Life Extension, Note we must balance this with the fact that strawberries are one of the most heavily pesticide drenched fruit. Try to buy organic or Homegrown. Wild black berries are IMO the best.

"What makes berries so special is a compound called ellagic acid which is believed to help prevent changes that can lead to cancer. Berries are also very high in vitamin C." Prevention, Note vitamin C itself has anti-cancer properties as do all anti-oxidants

"A growing body of scientific evidence shows the berry polyphenols' antioxidant capacity powerfully targets numerous degenerative diseases, form cancer and CVD to impaired glucose control and blood lipid abnormalities." Life Extension

"The class of polyphenols known as anthocyanins composed of deep red, blue and purple pigments possess powerful antioxidant properties. Fruits and vegetables of these colors blueberries, cranberries, pomegranates, black currents beets and acai are especially rich in anthocyanins. They are highly bioavailable and can significantly increase levels of other beneficial polyphenols in the blood." Life Extension

“California is about to sign off on an insane plan that would allow farmers to use one of the world's most dangerous chemicals as a pesticide on strawberry plants. It's called methyl iodide, and even some chemists won't go near it. It's such a powerful and reliable carcinogen that researchers use it to induce cancer in lab animals. But go ahead, take a bite. California says it's OK -- and never mind the five Nobel-winning chemists and dozens of other experts who've written a letter begging the EPA to keep this poison out of strawberry fields, forever.” Doctor William Douglass MD, Note strawberries are on of the most pesticide laden crops. IMO try to buy local.

"Berries aren’t just sweet treats; they’re also loaded with pain-relieving and healing power. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and cherries are nature’s richest sources of anthocyanins, a group of antioxidant flavonoids with exceptional anti-inflammatory properties. A mere half-cup of berries has more antioxidant activity than five servings of broccoli, a powerful arthritis healer in its own right. Anthocyanins also support the production of healthy collagen, the infrastructure of all connective tissue, especially in your joints.” Doctor Steven Sinatra MD

“Extracts of the summer fruit kill stomach and colon cancer cells. In a preliminary study, 90 per cent of these cells were destroyed when exposed to an extract of red Meeker raspberries, a popular variety in the U.S.. Antioxidants in the fruit were also shown to kill breast cancer cells. “ Berries and Cancer

See the high ORAC values of Berries

Berries a Powerhouse of Goodness

"A wealth of scientific studies have demonstrated that the natural pigments that give fruits and vegetables their vibrant hues offer remarkable health benefits. A major class of compounds in this category is the flavonoids. Powerful antioxidants, flavonoids are linked with health benefits that include protection from cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes, and stroke, to name just a few." Life Extension

"I strongly suggest a diet rich in any and all edible berries for cancer. A German colleague of mine revealed the likely secret behind berries' cancer fighting ability. For the normal cells, these chemicals are powerful antioxidants, protecting them from everyday damage. But cancer cells are highly reduced. To them, these chemicals are actually oxidants. Moving the oxidation/reduction potential of a cancer cell toward normal is a great way to induce it to commit apoptosis (cell suicide). If you have cancer, or are at risk, this is important information. I don't think that you can overdose on berries. Eat as many as you can.” Doctor Robert Rowen MD

We are lucky to be surrounded by berries of all types. Berries are some of the best fruits you can eat; their seeds chock full of the anti-cancer vitamin B17, flavonoids and polyphenols charge your body with antioxidants and more.

It requires about ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables to obtain the level of antioxidant protection recommended by USDA. Berries and other richly colored plants allow you to boost your levels of antioxidant and other protection provided by the berries rich flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins and other constituents of their colorful high ORAC pigments. The more deeply pigmented a fruit or vegetable is, the more nutritional value it has as a rule.

Eat as close to WILD as Possible

"Today only wild fruit contain the Vitamin B17, in the process of hybridization it has been removed. The fruit that we eat today is the product of years of manipulation and cultivation for lushness and abundance and so forth, so the meat to that fruit is free of Vitamin B17. To meet our indwelling needs of Vitamin B17 we must either eat the fruit seed in reasonable quantity or begin supplementing our diet with Vitamin B17 tablets. We can't of course, do that at present, but we hope to see before very long Vitamin B17 available so that we can prevent cancer in the same way we prevent scurvy." Doctor Ernst Krebs on Cancer

IMO WILD food is the most nutritious food available. Often while in the woods you will run across some wild fruit including berries. Please take the opportunity to load up on the goodness these plants offer. Often the wild fruit is NOT as sweet as it's cultivated brethren. This is GOOD; often sugar is bred in as the polyphenols and the goodies are bred out.

Many wild or close to wild berries are resistant to disease and pests and require little care. They require little care because they can take care of themselves. Their powerful antioxidants and other protective substances DEFEAT the bugs and other pests. These same substances will fight the bad guys inside your body.

Buy or transplant inexpensive plants such as aronia, blackberry, crabapple and elderberry in your yard or close to your house. They are nice friends to have around.

Maximize Your Berry intake by Home Freezing

Be sure to maximize your year around intake of berries. I pick/buy them in season and freeze them by the gallons to feast on year around. I don't process the fruit in any way other than making sure it is dirt free. Home freezing when you do not destroy the enzymes as is done in commercial freezing with a heating process, retains over 90% of the berries non-light nutrition. Of course eating berries off the vine CANNOT be beat for FULL nutrition.

Vitamin B17, Amygdalin in Berries

Amygdalin, often referred to as vitamin B17, is found in usually small amounts in over 1000 foods including cherry pits as well as apricot, peach, plum and prune pits and apple seeds. Wild berries also provide a good source of amygdalin. As you will see vitamin B17 is one vitamin you do not want to be without if you wish to avoid cancer.

Berries

Acai (See Acai Protocol)
Aronia
Bilberry (See Bilberry Protocol)
Blackcurrant
Blackberry
Blueberry (See Blueberry Protocol)
Cranberry (See Cranberry Protocol)
Cherry sweet and tart (See Cherry Protocol)
Current
Elderberry
Grape (See Grape Protocol)
Goose Berry IMO get used to this bitter berry
Red Current
Pomegranate (See Pomegranate Protocol)
Prune
Raspberry
Strawberry

The-Disease-Fighting-Power-of-Berries

This site was last updated on: 18 April 2012 09:08 PM

The information provided throughout this site should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any illness. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. A licensed integrative physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all illnesses you can not handle yourself. You and your doctor should reach an informed consensus on diagnosis and treatment. It is incumbent on YOU to know enough about your illness to do this. Blindly following some doctors orders will in the end sink you IMO. Links to other sites are provided for the targeted information indicated and links should not be regarded as an endorsement of all additional information that those other sites may provide although these sites are in general very good to excellent or I would not use them. Trust but verify. Trust government at your own risk. IMO toxic depopulation politics is the cause of MOST of our health and MANY of our death problems. Trust yourself because YOU have become knowledgeable enough to trust. YOU are the ONLY one responsible for your life and health; once you realize this your life will get MUCH better and also in ways other than your health.