Could Dried Plums Protect Against Radiation Induced Bone Loss?

Could dried plums protect against bone loss caused by ionizing radiation in astronauts, radiation workers, victims of nuclear accidents and cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy? A new study suggests that this might very well be the case.

Dr. Nancy Turner, from the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at Texas A&M University, was the study’s coauthor and says that her and her colleagues findings may have be of huge importance for people that have been heavily exposed to ionizing radiation.

A main concern for those exposed to ionizing radiation is the possibility of bone loss, leading to impaired skeletal integrity and fragility, including the disease osteoporosis (in which ones bones become so brittle and fragile they are severely prone to breakage.) Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 8.9 million fractures worldwide each year.

The study involved researchers investigating a number of strategies that they believe could take down the mechanisms that originally contribute to ionizing radiation bone damage – like radiation induced oxidative stress.

When researchers tried different antioxidant and anti inflammatory interventions of mice that were exposed to ionizing radiation and then studied the effects the interventions had on the expression of genes linked to the breakdown of bone (including their effects on bone loss,) they found that dried plum was the most effective of the five different antioxidants they used. (Others included were ascorbic acid, ibuprofen, and vitamin E.)

The dried plum was the most successful in reducing expression of the genes which are related to the breakdown of bone. Dried plum was also attributed to preventing later bone loss caused by ionizing radiation.

As of right now, the researchers are not able to explain the exact reasons why dried plum works so well on protecting bones, they do note that the fruit contains a number of polyphenols that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Dr. Turner said that "Dried plums contain biologically active components that may provide effective interventions for loss of structural integrity caused by radiotherapy or unavoidable exposure to space radiation incurred over long-duration spaceflight," she then added that "From this study, we can conclude that inclusion of dried plums in the diet may prevent the skeletal effects of radiation exposures either in space or here on Earth."

Dr. Turner also conducted a study last year on dried plums and their link to lowering the risk of colon cancer. The way I see it, adding a couple to your morning oatmeal definitely wouldn’t hurt!

ClermontRadiology.com