Chug! Chug! Chug!

Corvallis, Oregon, June 12, 2006:

A main ingredient in beer may help prevent prostate cancer and enlargement, according to a new study.

Oregon State University researchers say the compound xanthohumol, found in hops, inhibits a specific protein in the cells along the surface of the prostate gland.

The protein acts like a signal switch that turns on a variety of animal and human cancers, including prostate cancer.

Cancer typically results from uncontrolled cell reproduction and growth. Xanthohumol belongs to a group of plant compounds called flavonoids, which can trigger the programmed cell death that controls growth, researchers say.

Having heard the news at Ronatarian Party Headquaters (Jersey City, NJ), Ron quickly went out and purchased a 30-pack of Busch Light.

But researchers say don't rush out to stock the refrigerator because the ingredient is present in such small amounts that a person would have to drink more than 17 beers to benefit.

"Seventeen beers is nothing, man," Ron said while downing brews in a lawn chair in his front yard. "I'm fighting cancer."

Xanthohumol was first discovered in hops in 1913, but its health effects were not known until about 10 years ago, when it was first studied by Fred Stevens, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry at OSU's College of Pharmacy.

Last fall, Stevens published an update on xanthohumol in the journal Phytochemistry that drew international attention.

Stevens says it possible for drug companies to develop pills containing concentrated doses of the flavonoid found in the hops used to brew beer.

He also says researchers could work to increase the xanthohumol content of hops.

There are already a number of food supplements on the market containing hops, and scientists in Germany have developed a beer that contains 10 times the amount of xanthohumol as traditional brews. The drink is being marketed as a healthy beer, but research is still under way to determine if it has any effect against cancer.

Ron is expected to incorporate the results into his healthcare platform -- which mainly concerns the many benefits of alcohol, but none of the shortcomings.

Posted by Bittle at June 12, 2006 10:06 AM