The #1 Caffeine Products Website

The health sciences cafeteria makes half-decent coffee, but it’s not wonderful or anything. The aforementioned cafeteria is closed on the weekends, and the hospital attached to the university has coffee that is worse than bathwater, so the answer to this caffeine deprivation has been mainly vending machine coffee, and occasionally biking 20 minutes to the nearest Starbucks… that is, until last weekend. Carissa and I made a wonderful discovery: the children’s hospital, which is attached via overpass to the library, has a Starbucks! This is a double edged sword however, as the [four dollar] coffee is excellent, but unless I’m planning on paying the Barista’s tuition as well as my own, I’m going to have to switch back to [85 cent]vending machine coffee. (Source: I’m Not Anti-Social, I’m Just Pre-Med)

The original source

Caffeine Products

We’ve talked previously about the health benefits of coffee and the antioxidant compounds responsible for it’s bitterness. To add to the “perks” of coffee consumption, a recent report in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention suggests that caffeine protects against breast cancer in women that have a BRCA1 gene mutation.
What is BRCA1? The acronym stands for breast cancer 1, early onset. The BRCA1 gene encodes a protein that plays a role in maintaining genomic stability and acts as a tumor suppressor. Approximately 5%-10% of breast cancer and ovarian cancer is hereditary and 30%-50% of these are due to DNA mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 [1]. Women age 35-40 that carry the BRCA1 mutation are particularly susceptible with a risk between 45%-60% of developing breast cancer [1]. The absolute risk of cancer by age 70 is reported to be between 45% and 87% [2-3].
The authors of the report had previously evaluated the association between coffee consumption and the risk of breast cancer among women who had detrimental mutations in either BRCA1 or BRCA2. They observed a statistically significant reduction in the risk of breast cancer among women who consumed six or more cups of coffee per day compared to those who never drank coffee [4]. The association was only observed for BRCA1 and for caffeinated coffee.
Ninety-five percent of caffeine is metabolized in the human body by a member of the cytochrome P450 family of enzymes, CYP1A2, which stands for cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 2. The cytochrome P450 proteins catalyze many reactions involved in drug metabolism and the synthesis of cholesterol, steroids and other lipids. CYP1A2 also metabolizes acetaminophen (Tylenol) and caffeine. Decreased enzyme activation and impaired caffeine metabolism is associated with a common A to C polymorphism in the CYP1A2 gene (meaning a genetic variation in an individual’s DNA sequence, in this case a specific A to C basepair substitution that alters the function of CYP1A2) [5].
In the present study, the authors examined whether the CYP1A2 genotype (meaning a person’s genetic makeup, in this case the difference in the CYP1A2 DNA sequence between individuals) modifies the association between a history of coffee consumption and the risk of breast cancer. A total of 411 BRCA1 mutation carriers (170 cases and 241 controls) and their coffee consumption habits were evaluated. The CYP1A2 genotype did not affect breast cancer risk. However, among women with at least one variant C allele (meaning an alternative DNA coding sequence) in CYP1A2, specifically the CYP1A2*1F allele (an A to C basebair substitution at a specific location in one or both copies of the DNA coding sequence for CYP1A2), those who drank coffee had nearly a 3-fold decrease in the risk of breast cancer compared with women who never drank coffee.
The authors suggest that mechanisms other than induction of CYP1A2 may account for the influence of caffeine on breast cancer risk. Coffee contains a number of biochemically active compounds including caffeine, phytoestrogens (including flavonoids) and other phytonutrients (including tocopherols). However, caffeine is the only major compound in coffee known to be metabolized by CYP1A2. Thus the authors attribute the decrease in breast cancer risk to prolonged caffeine exposure among individuals that are “slow metabolizers”.
Coffee is a major contributor to the total in vitro antioxidant capacity of the diet. An investigation of the quality of vitamin and polyphenolic antioxidants in beverages found that black tea contained the highest concentration of high-quality antioxidants, followed by coffee [6]. Here’s the breakdown:

black tea > coffee > prune juice = beer > green tea > orange juice > red wine > tangerine juice > red grape juice > white grape juice > grapefruit juice

This may be particularly relevant for women who carry the BRCA1 mutation as a decrease in the expression of genes involved in the antioxidant response has been shown for BRCA1-deficient cells [7].
A separate hospital-based, case-control study done last year evaluating the role of coffee in breast cancer etiology found among premenopausal women that consumption of caffeinated coffee was associated with a decrease in breast cancer risk [8]. The study included 1,932 women with primary, incident breast cancer and 1,895 controls. Women who consumed four or more cups of coffee per day experienced a 40% reduction in breast cancer risk. Although this study didn’t examine individual genetics, it is one of many demonstrating coffee’s protective effects against breast cancer.
It’s fascinating that impairment of caffeine metabolism coupled with high coffee consumption can result in a reduction in breast cancer risk for women who have an otherwise increased risk due to a BRCA1 gene mutation. The BRCA1 variant C allele isn’t common; in their previous study, the authors indicate that >95% of the mutations identified weren’t pathogenic [4]. Nevertheless, these results underscore the importance of addressing individual genetic variability in the metabolism when evaluating diet-disease associations.
References

Ferla et al. Founder mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Ann Oncol. 2007 Jun;18 Suppl 6:vi93-8.
View abstract

Antoniou et al. Risk models for familial ovarian and breast cancer. Genet Epidemiol. 2000 Feb;18(2):173-90.
View abstract

Ford et al. Risks of cancer in BRCA1-mutation carriers. Breast Cancer Linkage Consortium. Lancet. 1994 Mar 19;343(8899):692-5.
View abstract

Nkondjock et al. Coffee consumption and breast cancer risk among BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Int J Cancer. 2006 Jan 1;118(1):103-7.
View abstract

Sachse et al. Functional significance of a C–>A polymorphism in intron 1 of the cytochrome P450 CYP1A2 gene tested with caffeine. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1999 Apr;47(4):445-9.
View abstract

Vinson et al. Vitamins and especially flavonoids in common beverages are powerful in vitro antioxidants which enrich lower density lipoproteins and increase their oxidative resistance after ex vivo spiking in human plasma. J Agric Food Chem. 1999 Jul;47(7):2502-4.
View abstract

Bae et al. BRCA1 induces antioxidant gene expression and resistance to oxidative stress. Cancer Res. 2004 Nov 1;64(21):7893-909.
View abstract

Baker et al. Associations between black tea and coffee consumption and risk of lung cancer among current and former smokers. Nutr Cancer. 2005;52(1):15-21.
View abstract

brca1, breast cancer, caffeine, cancer, coffee, cyp1a2, individual genetics, polymorphism, polyphenolsBookmark or Share
Thank you for subscribing by email / RSS. I work hard to make the articles on Highlight HEALTH engaging and I truly appreciate your interest!
This article was published on Highlight HEALTH. (Source: Highlight HEALTH)

The original source

Caffeine Products

Quote of the day: “Yeah, we can treat N. Meningitidis with penicillin, or with third generation cephalosporins.”- Me!! I can’t believe that actually came out of my mouth! That means that I must actually be learning something, yippee! (And yes, I forgot to mention chloramphenicol, but I’m terrible with antibiotic names so I’m still quite impressed). I’m on hour 6 of studying today, and my brain is starting to be rather uncooperative. The plan is to study for another hour or two here at the library, and then bike to Starbucks and study there for awhile. I’m really anxious to try the peppermint frapuccino recommended by Frectis, and I think the bike might do me some good in terms of regaining some brain functioning. Anyways, I have a TON of work left to do, so I’ll go memorize some more vaccines. Happy weekend to those of you who still have such things! (Source: I’m Not Anti-Social, I’m Just Pre-Med)

The original source

Caffeine Products

I quit drinking coffee exactly 11 days ago. Following a massive two-day headache while my body detoxified, I actually felt pretty good. Less tired, more energetic, a couple of extra dollars in my pocket.Then I see articles like this and break like a skinny little twig. I’m happily sipping my first cup since then.At least it packs a bit more punch than it used to. Maybe my brief hiatus downregulated my adenosine receptors. I remain, however, a caffeine-sensitive individual. (Source: The Anterior Commissure)

The original source

Caffeine Products

Filed under: Diet, Products, Men Heart HealthEver wondered what would happen if you overdosed on Red Bull? Answer: your heart could stop ticking. I am not kidding.Australian man, Matthew Penbross (28), found that out recently after drinking eight of the super-highly caffeinated beverages during a five hour period. I guess eight is his unlucky number, because after downing that last one he collapsed. An ambulance was called and the first aid crew found Penbross having a heart attack. Realizing his heart had stopped, they had to use a defibrillator to get his heart pumping again. The obvious question: why was he drinking so much darn Red Bull?? Answer: he was competing in a motocross (motorcycle racing) event and wanted to get his adrenalin pumping. “It was to get a bit of a buzz and keep down my reaction time,” says Penbross.Penbross has gone public since his unfortunate RB-related incident. He says the product should sport a decent warning label. He says that current labels, which warn against consuming more than two cans per day, are inadequate. I guess a brush with death is more of a jolt than he was looking for… Here’s the thing: Penbross admits that prior to the heart attack he’d routinely drink four cans of Red Bull daily, which is twice the recommended maximum. Not only that: he also admits he continued to drink it even after experiencing chest pains. C’mon! I have no sympathy for the guy.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cardio Blog)

The original source

Caffeine Products