US scientists engineer corn to boost protein

US scientists have found a way to genetically engineer corn to produce an amino acid contained in meat, boosting the nutritional value of one of the world's most important crops.

Posted on 10 October 2017 - 03:20pm

Corn, a staple crop for much of the world, could become even more beneficial
with the addition of more nutrients. — AFP

The process involved inserting a bacterial gene that causes corn to make methionine, a crucial nutrient for the health of skin, nail and hair.

Researchers said the discovery could benefit millions of people in the developing world who depend on corn as a staple, and could reduce animal feed costs, according to the report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed US journal.

"We improved the nutritional value of corn, the largest commodity crop grown on Earth," said co-author Thomas Leustek, professor in the Department of Plant Biology at Rutgers University.

"Most corn is used for animal feed, but it lacks methionine — a key amino acid — and we found an effective way to add it."

The sulfur in methionine "protects cells from pollutants, slows cell aging and is essential for absorbing selenium and zinc," the PNAS report said.

Already, industries spend billions adding synthetic methionine to field corn seed, which does not naturally contain this amino acid, in order to help livestock grow.

Co-author Joachim Messing, a professor who directs the Waksman Institute of Microbiology, said this is a "costly, energy-consuming process."

The new method involved inserting an E. coli bacterial gene into the corn plant's genome.

The E. coli enzyme caused methionine production in the plant's leaves, and methionine in corn kernels increased by 57, the study said.

The process did not affect plant growth.

Scientists fed the genetically engineered corn to chickens at Rutgers University and found it was nutritious for them, Messing said.

Leustek told AFP that "in principle, the technology could be quickly deployed, within a couple of years."

"The transgene that we developed can easily be inserted into commercial corn varieties," he said in an email.

"The major obstacle would be regulatory hurdles because it is a transgenic technology."

Food and animal feeds containing genetically modified organisms are highly controversial in the European Union, amid public suspicions that they carry a health risk.

A sweeping review in 2016 of the available scientific literature by the US National Academies of Science found no evidence that genetically modified crops are unsafe to eat.

Leustek said researchers also found that it might be possible to grow corn that contains this amino acid without using genetic engineering.

"For example, by feeding plants with different sources of sulfur nutrients as fertilizer," he said.

"Of course, this will require additional work and the outcome is not guaranteed. But our results strongly suggest that changes in use of fertilizers could also achieve the desired result." — AFP Relaxnews

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/10/10/us-scientists-engineer-corn-boost-protein

10 natural ways to battle toxin exposure

In the U.S. alone, more than 60,000 chemicals are used in industry, agriculture and household products, none of which require real safety testing. Despite their widespread use, these chemicals pose real harm, and none of us are immune…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

In the U.S. alone, more than 60,000 different chemicals are used in industry, agriculture and household products, none of which require real safety testing. These include flame retardants, pesticides and hydrocarbons and many other everyday pollutants, including byproducts of industrial processes, believed to be responsible for adverse neurodevelopmental conditions.

Despite their widespread use and assumed safety, independent research demonstrates that these chemicals pose real harm, particularly to vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, babies and children. But none of us are immune…

Common culprits

Here are some of the more common chemicals linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD (autism spectrum disorder), ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, and other developmental disorders:

• Phthalates, found in plastics
• Organophosphate (OP) pesticides
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) flame retardants, found in furniture, electronics, household dust
• Combustion-related air pollutants
• Lead
• Mercury
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• Many others…

If we want to support health against this constant barrage of harmful chemicals and pollutants, we need strategies to safely remove toxins and heavy metals from our bodies, and prevent their re-accumulation.

Improving our natural detox functions

While cells and certain organs are actually quite good at removing toxins, they simply can’t handle the kind of toxic load we face today. Despite the best efforts of our organs of elimination including the liver, kidneys, skin, immune system, lungs and GI tract, many toxins remain lodged in the body.

In my practice, detoxification is a starting point in the treatment of numerous chronic illnesses, including cancer, Lyme disease, heart disease, autoimmune disease and many others. Gently removing toxins from the circulation and digestion first is a key strategy.

There are a number of important botanicals that support this process, such as modified citrus pectin (MCP) and sodium alginates. These are gentle agents that support the body’s ability to remove toxic metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic, as well as environmental toxins such as certain pesticides. This combination has been clinically shown to safely remove toxic metals without affecting essential minerals as so many other detox agents do.

For deeper detoxification, I recommend additional botanicals and nutrients to support the liver, kidneys, skin and other detox organs. The goal is to enhance the body’s natural detox mechanisms, including the critical process of methylation, and encourage antioxidant activity to help neutralize free radicals generated by toxic body burden. We also want to support the body’s vitality so that we have enough energy during detox.

Here are some ingredients that can support these actions:

1. Milk thistle seed extract
2. Dandelion leaf
3. Cilantro leaf
4. Astragalus root
5. Goldenrod
6. Chinese salvia
7. N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
8. Alpha Lipoic Acid
9. L-Methionine
10. Calcium D-glucarate

Of course, an organic diet emphasizing whole, unprocessed foods, lots of green vegetables, and plenty of filtered water and herbal teas also provides critical detox support and supplies important phytonutrients to protect the body’s vital systems.

Regular exercise is another key modality that most of us overlook with our busy schedules. A 20 minute walk everyday can do wonders for your health, and is critical during detox to prevent toxins from getting stuck in transit.

There are also a number of therapies that can help clear the body’s detox channels and support overall health. Infrared saunas or regular saunas encourage sweating, one of our most important detox pathways. Acupuncture can help support the liver and other detox organs. Lymphatic massage is also helpful to get the lymph moving and increase blood flow, important when toxic burden, chronic inflammation or illness cause sluggish lymphatic drainage.

Today, environmental toxicity has become an immediate problem that requires an urgent solution. Yes, we absolutely need more aggressive regulations and protections for consumers. But we also need to regularly support the body’s abilities to eliminate toxins, safely and naturally.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

http://easyhealthoptions.com/10-natural-ways-battle-toxin-exposure/#

Methionine Restriction: An Anti-Cancer Diet

Danica Collins

Healthwise

Did You Know…that restricting your intake of this essential amino acid can starve cancer cells and increase your lifespan?

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.  They provide structure to our cells, assist in wound healing and tissue repair, help store and transport nutrients, and impact virtually all of our bodily functions.  There is one amino acid, however, that may be doing more harm than good when it is consumed in abundance.  Methionine, one of the eight essential amino acids, has been shown to play an active part in cancer cell proliferation and malignant tumor growth.  Methionine restriction may be the key to stopping cancer in its tracks and adding many more healthy years to your life!

Starve Cancer Cells with a Low Methionine Diet 

A little over 40 years ago scientists discovered that cancers, including breast, colon, ovary, prostate, and skin cancers, depend on methionine to survive.  When cells grown in a petri dish were deprived of methionine, normal, healthy cells thrived, while cancer cells died, leading researchers to surmise that cancer cells need methionine to persist.

Testing this theory on fresh tumors removed from cancer patients yielded the same results—many cancers that don’t respond well to traditional chemotherapy seem to have a biochemical defect that renders them methionine dependent.  Researchers from Bayor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas showed that methionine restriction offers promise as a treatment for advanced cancers of the prostate, lung, and gastrointestinal tract.

Eat a Low Methionine Diet You can easily lower your intake of methionine by choosing the right foods.  It appears that plant-based diets are the most supportive, as animal-based foods such as chicken and fish contain the highest levels of methionine.  Milk, red meat, and eggs fare a bit better, with fruits, nuts, veggies, legumes, and grains the lowest in methionine.  A vegan diet, however, is not entirely protective, as certain nuts and beans are deceptively high in methionine. Avoid Brazil nuts, soy beans, and wheat germ, and opt for lentils and almonds instead.

Want to practice methionine restriction?  Remember, methionine is an essential amino acid that we need for protein building, so don’t go overboard.  Animal studies have shown that without methionine the body is susceptible to fatty liver disease, anemia, and drastic and life-threatening weight loss. 

Go to Healthwise for more articles

http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/methionine-restriction-an-anti-cancer-diet