Walnut may offer protection against radiation exposure
Researchers suggest that walnut may protect against radiation by removing heavy metals and free radicals from the body. CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes.
CAN eating walnuts or rubbing tincture of black walnut protect humans from the dangers of radiation exposure, following the Japan nuclear plant meltdown?
Recent reports suggest that tincture of black walnut may be effective against radiation exposure. Some unpublished trials showed that the patients who had been “painted” with black walnut or iodine tinctures were just as protected against radiation exposure as the patients who took potassium iodide.
Researchers attribute walnut’s ability to protect against radiation exposure to its chelating ability and high content of antioxidants.
Chelation therapy is the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal intoxication, those involving lead, arsenic or mercury, the standard of care in the United States dictates the use of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). Other chelating agents, such as 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA), are used in conventional and alternative medicine.
Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Many experts believe this damage is a factor in the development of blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis), cancer, and other conditions.
The African walnut botanically known as Tetracarpidium conophorum belongs to the plant family Euphorbiaceae. It is known as ukpa in Ibo and awusa or asala in Yoruba.
Tetracarpidium conophorum is an economic plant widely cultivated for the production of nuts and is used as delicacies. T. conophorum is used as a male-fertility agent. Walnut serves as an edible nut eaten between meals. Two isolectins, Agglutin I and Agglutin II were characterized from the seed extract of the plant. Also, the presence of oxalates, phytates, tannins as well as proteins fibres, oil and carbohydrate in Tetracarpidium conophorum has been reported.
The leaf extract of T. conophorum possesses antibacterial and antifungal activities. The root extract of the plant also displays antibacterial activity. Walnuts extract possess anticancer property and reduce diabetic complications. Walnut contains phytosterols, polyphenols, phytoestrogens and omega-3 fatty acid. The carbohydrate binding specificity of Tetracarpidium conophorum lectin shows preference for simple and unbranched oligosaccharides. Phenolics are characterised by at least one aromatic ring (C6) bearing one or more hydroxyl groups.
Chelation of metal ions and quenching of singlet oxygen are the major characteristics of antioxidant activity. Studies have shown that specialised phenol storing cells occur in several plant species. A major disorder associated with iron overload is thalassemia. Thalassemia usually result in under production of normal globin proteins, often through mutations in regulatory genes.
Nigerian researchers in a study published in International Journal of Applied Research in Natural Products have provided explanation on how walnut can protect against radiation exposure.
The study, titled “Evaluation of chelating ability of aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) in vitro” was conducted by researchers at Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ladoke Akintola, University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; Break New Frontier Research Communication, Aba Aroje, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; and Department of Biochemistry, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.
The researchers wrote: “In this work, there is overwhelming evidence that the aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) shows high chelating ability in vitro. The maximum in vitro chelating ability of the plant extract is 97.4 per cent at 2 per cent concentration while the minimum in vitro chelating ability is 77.4 per cent at 10 per cent concentration. T. conophorum has more than 70 per cent chelating ability on ferrous ion (500uM). Chelation property may afford protection against oxidative damage and iron-overload. Chelating ability of the plant extract investigate in the present work is dose-dependent. Chelating ability of plant extract provides a strategy to avoid free-radical generation and iron-overload by chelation of metal ion.
“Antioxidant action of phenolic compounds is due to their high tendency to chelate metals. Phenolics possess hydroxyl group, able to particularly iron and copper.
This work also reveals that the aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum possesses high antioxidant activity in vitro. The maximum antioxidant activity is 71 per cent at 8 per cent concentration in vitro. Historically, natural products have been the most successful source of new drugs. Antioxidant activity of many plants is useful in unravelling its bioactivity. Sources of natural antioxidants are primarily plant phenolics, which may occur in virtually all parts of plants.
“The aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum demonstrates dose-dependent decrease in chelating ability in vitro and that the positive correlations between chelating ability, antioxidant activity and total phenolics concentration depend on the dose of the plant extract used.”
The researchers concluded: “The aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum could be used in the treatment of iron-overload disorders due to its high chelating ability in vitro at low doses. Tetracarpidium conophorum extract may be explored in the industrial production of iron chelators due to its high chelating ability in vitro at low doses, which will be of clinical relevance in the treatment of iron-overload disorders such as thalassemia, a group of genetically inherited blood disorders characterised by defective globin chain of haemoglobin and iron overload. Iron chelators from the plant extract will decrease iron availability in the blood circulation of thalassemic patients.”
Chelation therapy is used as a treatment for acute mercury, iron (including in cases of thalassemia), arsenic, lead, uranium, plutonium and other forms of toxic metal poisoning. The chelating agent may be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or orally, depending on the agent and the type of poisoning.
One example of successful chelation therapy is the case of Harold McCluskey, a nuclear worker who became badly contaminated with americium in 1976. He was treated with diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) over many years, removing 41 MBq (1.1 mCi) of americium from his body. His death, 11 years later, was from unrelated causes.
Researchers last week reported that walnuts have a combination of more healthful antioxidants and higher quality antioxidants than any other nut. The study was published in American Chemical Society (ACS) journal.
ACS researchers said in the study that nuts contain plenty of high-quality protein that can substitute for meat, vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, and are dairy and gluten free.
According to the study, nuts contain healthful polyunsaturated and monosaturated fats rather than artery-clogging saturated fat.
The researchers based their conclusion on analysis of antioxidants in nine different types of nuts: walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, macadamias and pecans.
They found that walnuts have the highest levels of antioxidants, with plenty of high-quality protein that can substitute for meat, vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, and are dairy and gluten free.
The latest study adds more evidence that walnuts are top nuts for heart-healthy antioxidants, the researchers said.
Previous studies showed that regular consumption of small amounts of nuts or peanut butter can decrease the risk of heart disease, certain kinds of cancer, gallstones, Type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.
But the latest study is the first to compare both the amount and quality of antioxidants found in different nuts.
Dr. Joe Vinson, who led the latest study “Walnuts rank above peanuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios and other nuts,” said: “A handful of walnuts contains almost twice as much antioxidants as an equivalent amount of any other commonly consumed nut. But unfortunately, people don’t eat a lot of them. This study suggests that consumers should eat more walnuts as part of a healthy diet.”
In his blog, master herbalist, Dr. Richard Schulze mentions using black walnut tincture with his students during the Chernobyl nuclear power plant meltdown. Schulze says he suggested that patients be wiped down with iodine tincture or black walnut tincture. The iodine in the two tinctures was absorbed into the body through the skin. Testing later showed that the patients who had been “painted” with black walnut or iodine tinctures were just as protected against radiation exposure as the patients who took potassium iodide (SSKI).
Simply wiping a small amount of black walnut or iodine tincture on a knee-cap or the palm of one hand was enough to meet the body’s need for iodine, according to Schulze.
Recent reports suggest that tincture of black walnut may be effective against radiation exposure. Some unpublished trials showed that the patients who had been “painted” with black walnut or iodine tinctures were just as protected against radiation exposure as the patients who took potassium iodide.
Researchers attribute walnut’s ability to protect against radiation exposure to its chelating ability and high content of antioxidants.
Chelation therapy is the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal intoxication, those involving lead, arsenic or mercury, the standard of care in the United States dictates the use of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). Other chelating agents, such as 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA), are used in conventional and alternative medicine.
Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Many experts believe this damage is a factor in the development of blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis), cancer, and other conditions.
The African walnut botanically known as Tetracarpidium conophorum belongs to the plant family Euphorbiaceae. It is known as ukpa in Ibo and awusa or asala in Yoruba.
Tetracarpidium conophorum is an economic plant widely cultivated for the production of nuts and is used as delicacies. T. conophorum is used as a male-fertility agent. Walnut serves as an edible nut eaten between meals. Two isolectins, Agglutin I and Agglutin II were characterized from the seed extract of the plant. Also, the presence of oxalates, phytates, tannins as well as proteins fibres, oil and carbohydrate in Tetracarpidium conophorum has been reported.
The leaf extract of T. conophorum possesses antibacterial and antifungal activities. The root extract of the plant also displays antibacterial activity. Walnuts extract possess anticancer property and reduce diabetic complications. Walnut contains phytosterols, polyphenols, phytoestrogens and omega-3 fatty acid. The carbohydrate binding specificity of Tetracarpidium conophorum lectin shows preference for simple and unbranched oligosaccharides. Phenolics are characterised by at least one aromatic ring (C6) bearing one or more hydroxyl groups.
Chelation of metal ions and quenching of singlet oxygen are the major characteristics of antioxidant activity. Studies have shown that specialised phenol storing cells occur in several plant species. A major disorder associated with iron overload is thalassemia. Thalassemia usually result in under production of normal globin proteins, often through mutations in regulatory genes.
Nigerian researchers in a study published in International Journal of Applied Research in Natural Products have provided explanation on how walnut can protect against radiation exposure.
The study, titled “Evaluation of chelating ability of aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) in vitro” was conducted by researchers at Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ladoke Akintola, University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; Break New Frontier Research Communication, Aba Aroje, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; and Department of Biochemistry, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.
The researchers wrote: “In this work, there is overwhelming evidence that the aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) shows high chelating ability in vitro. The maximum in vitro chelating ability of the plant extract is 97.4 per cent at 2 per cent concentration while the minimum in vitro chelating ability is 77.4 per cent at 10 per cent concentration. T. conophorum has more than 70 per cent chelating ability on ferrous ion (500uM). Chelation property may afford protection against oxidative damage and iron-overload. Chelating ability of the plant extract investigate in the present work is dose-dependent. Chelating ability of plant extract provides a strategy to avoid free-radical generation and iron-overload by chelation of metal ion.
“Antioxidant action of phenolic compounds is due to their high tendency to chelate metals. Phenolics possess hydroxyl group, able to particularly iron and copper.
This work also reveals that the aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum possesses high antioxidant activity in vitro. The maximum antioxidant activity is 71 per cent at 8 per cent concentration in vitro. Historically, natural products have been the most successful source of new drugs. Antioxidant activity of many plants is useful in unravelling its bioactivity. Sources of natural antioxidants are primarily plant phenolics, which may occur in virtually all parts of plants.
“The aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum demonstrates dose-dependent decrease in chelating ability in vitro and that the positive correlations between chelating ability, antioxidant activity and total phenolics concentration depend on the dose of the plant extract used.”
The researchers concluded: “The aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum could be used in the treatment of iron-overload disorders due to its high chelating ability in vitro at low doses. Tetracarpidium conophorum extract may be explored in the industrial production of iron chelators due to its high chelating ability in vitro at low doses, which will be of clinical relevance in the treatment of iron-overload disorders such as thalassemia, a group of genetically inherited blood disorders characterised by defective globin chain of haemoglobin and iron overload. Iron chelators from the plant extract will decrease iron availability in the blood circulation of thalassemic patients.”
Chelation therapy is used as a treatment for acute mercury, iron (including in cases of thalassemia), arsenic, lead, uranium, plutonium and other forms of toxic metal poisoning. The chelating agent may be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or orally, depending on the agent and the type of poisoning.
One example of successful chelation therapy is the case of Harold McCluskey, a nuclear worker who became badly contaminated with americium in 1976. He was treated with diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) over many years, removing 41 MBq (1.1 mCi) of americium from his body. His death, 11 years later, was from unrelated causes.
Researchers last week reported that walnuts have a combination of more healthful antioxidants and higher quality antioxidants than any other nut. The study was published in American Chemical Society (ACS) journal.
ACS researchers said in the study that nuts contain plenty of high-quality protein that can substitute for meat, vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, and are dairy and gluten free.
According to the study, nuts contain healthful polyunsaturated and monosaturated fats rather than artery-clogging saturated fat.
The researchers based their conclusion on analysis of antioxidants in nine different types of nuts: walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, macadamias and pecans.
They found that walnuts have the highest levels of antioxidants, with plenty of high-quality protein that can substitute for meat, vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, and are dairy and gluten free.
The latest study adds more evidence that walnuts are top nuts for heart-healthy antioxidants, the researchers said.
Previous studies showed that regular consumption of small amounts of nuts or peanut butter can decrease the risk of heart disease, certain kinds of cancer, gallstones, Type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.
But the latest study is the first to compare both the amount and quality of antioxidants found in different nuts.
Dr. Joe Vinson, who led the latest study “Walnuts rank above peanuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios and other nuts,” said: “A handful of walnuts contains almost twice as much antioxidants as an equivalent amount of any other commonly consumed nut. But unfortunately, people don’t eat a lot of them. This study suggests that consumers should eat more walnuts as part of a healthy diet.”
In his blog, master herbalist, Dr. Richard Schulze mentions using black walnut tincture with his students during the Chernobyl nuclear power plant meltdown. Schulze says he suggested that patients be wiped down with iodine tincture or black walnut tincture. The iodine in the two tinctures was absorbed into the body through the skin. Testing later showed that the patients who had been “painted” with black walnut or iodine tinctures were just as protected against radiation exposure as the patients who took potassium iodide (SSKI).
Simply wiping a small amount of black walnut or iodine tincture on a knee-cap or the palm of one hand was enough to meet the body’s need for iodine, according to Schulze.
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