For immediate release

16 July 2004

Training clinicians on disease fighting chemicals in food

The Institute of Food Research is opening its doors to Norfolk GPs and other health professionals in a seminar to provide access to cutting edge nutrition science. The seminar, a collaboration with “5-A-Day Norfolk”, will focus on compounds in fruits and vegetables that provide a defence against cancer and heart disease, the two main causes of death in the UK.

Nutrition is not traditionally a major component of current medical training. However, evidence for the benefits of chronic disease prevention through diet is compelling. Around a third of all cancers could be prevented through dietary interventions.

Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, Dr Ian Gibson MP, will open the seminar by outlining the role of government in healthy eating strategies. He said, “The science of cancer prevention could ultimately save the NHS millions of pounds as well as many lives. To take the latest science straight out of the lab and apply it where its needed most, you need to make it available to GPs and other health professionals”.

IFR scientists will present the latest research on natural plant chemicals and their role in halting tumour formation. For example, a recent study has shown that compounds released during the preparation and eating of brassica vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage and mustard sabotage the uncontrolled cell division of colon cancer cells.

Dr Liz Lund of the IFR said, “Our research has shown that plant chemicals created during the preparation of some vegetables could kill colon cancer cells in a similar way to some cancer drugs. By giving clinicians access to the latest laboratory research, this fact could translate into helpful nutritional advice for patients”.

Professor Martin Wiseman, Medical and Scientific Adviser to the World Cancer Research Fund, which is helping to fund the seminar, said, “The links between food and health are complex and often poorly understood. This is a unique opportunity for new findings on the links between diet and cancer to reach the frontline through clinicians”.

Coronary heart disease is the major cause of premature death in the UK despite the fact that is it largely preventable. Jane Landon from the National Heart Forum will outline how diet and other lifestyle factors can moderate the risk of getting the disease.

The half-day seminar is on 21 September 2004. It will provide clinicians with greater insights into the hard science behind the 5 A DAY message and introduce them to the role of phytochemicals in protecting the body against chronic diseases. It is open to local general practitioners, practice nurses, dentists, health visitor team leaders, chief executives, directors of public health, prescribing leads and those in leadership positions in their field in Norfolk. Please contact 5-A-DAY Norfolk Coordinator Alison Mackway if you would like to attend: 01603-307191 / alison.mackway@norfolk.nhs.uk

Notes to editors

• Please contact Zoe Dunford for more information, images and interviews: 01603 255111 / zoe.dunford@ifr.ac.uk
• The mission of the Institute of Food Research (www.ifr.ac.uk) is to carry out independent basic, and strategic research on food safety, quality, nutrition and health. It is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status, grant aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
• The seminar is part of a wider initiative to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in Norfolk. This event is the result of a partnership between IFR and 5-A DAY-Norfolk (www.fiveadaynorfolk.org) and IFR. 5-A-DAY Norfolk is funded by the New Opportunities Fund and supported by the six Norfolk NHS Primary Care Trusts.
• World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) is committed to supporting educational projects such as this Norfolk seminar to highlight its key message that many cancers can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyle choices such as consuming more vegetables and fruits, maintaining a healthy body weight and being physically active. Our projects are based on the findings of the AICR/WCRF 1997 Expert Report, Food, Nutrition and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective. Visit the website: www.wcrf-uk.org for more details.

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