This morning I read a very interesting summary of a study dealing with the effects of dried plums and dried apples on postmenopausal women. I’ll give you the links to the summary (=I don’t have access to the full study) AND to the study abstract.
Study summary: http://goo.gl/VJNrX
Abstract: http://goo.gl/JM5J3
The most interesting part for me was that, after 12 months, the women in the apple group had lowered their C-reactive protein levels by 32% (!). THIRTY-TWO PERCENT!!! Wow. I mean, as we know, C-reactive protein (= CRP) is one of our important myeloma markers, so this is exxxxxxcellent news. And even in the plum group, CRP levels went down rather significantly (17% after 3 months). A very good bit of news!
In the summary, you can also read about the significant effects of dried apples on cholesterol levels. Interesting, I must say, although my own (high, inherited) high cholesterol levels have now gone down quite a bit, 50 points or so, after all my years on curcumin. Aaaaah, speaking of which!, I’d like to point out that I’ve now been “smoldering” for EIGHT FULL YEARS…Not bad, not bad at all, especially since myeloma hasn’t stopped me from doing whatever I please (trekking, bird watching, etc. etc. etc.). So I’d like to share my joy with you just for a second: YAAAAAAAAY!!! 🙂
Getting back to the summary…it also reminds us of the results of a 2011 study by the same group of researchers…hmmm, I vaguely recall that I commented on it here on the blog…Yes, I’m almost positive about that. At any rate, in that study, dried plums had a positive effect on the BONE DENSITY of postmenopausal women. Compared to the dried apple “control” group, the women in the prune group experienced a significant increase in their bone density…in their ulna and spine, in particular. No kidding. This study’s full text can be found online, free of charge: http://goo.gl/37chO (= this is the link to the abstract. All you have to do is click on “View PDF” to download the full text).
I confess I’ve never eaten a dried apple, but I’m going to look into it now…for sure! By the way, can anyone recommend a few recipes for dried apples? 😉
Uhm…just had an afterthought…a super dumb question, undoubtedly, but I’m going to ask it anyway: why do the apples have to be “dry”? I mean, why wouldn’t regular apples work as well…? Hmmm. Well, I’m sure there’s a really good scientific answer for that…No time to do any research now, though…I must get back to my translationsighsighsigh…Ciao! 🙂
Hi Margaret,
look here:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/403812-is-dried-fruit-healthier-than-fresh-fruit/
I love dried apple slices (organic of course) with a slice of goat cheddar cheese for snack in the afternoon, very satisfying, The Best to You
See Margaret’s “Dried Prunes” post Nov 14,2011. My comment with link to a problem with IGF-1. My wife did take the dose mentioned in the Japanese study. Afterwards she had a DEXA bone scan which showed normal for her age. Not bad for having MM for years. Since she was on REV/DEX at the time and routinely getting blood tests, I saw no reason not to try it for a time. She did discontinue taking them. Perhaps another go at it for the time and amount specified in the study from time to time. As long as she continues to be stable.
Sorry, It wasn’t the Japanese study. That Study was about post-menapausal women increasing bone density by taking 45mg/day of vitamin K2-MK4.
Other than just munching on them, I’m sure you can soak them a little and add them to a muffin recipe.
I read that eating approx 1/4 cup daily of regular prunes will help postmenapausal women with osteopeonia, osteoporesis. I enjoy an occasional 2 prunes a day..Interesting article..Thanks Margaret.
A BIG CONGRATS ON 8 YRS SMOLDERING..SO HAPPY 4U