THE PHARMACY BIN 

Some time ago one of these columns pointed out that so much was happening with nutritional education that a book outlining the benefits of eating properly became a best seller. The book was The Food Pharmacy, by Jean Carper and published by Bantam. We in general, endorsed the author's comments. The findings seemed to indicate that one day the grocer may replace the pharmacist.

Other medical researchers are finding that such common, off-thegrocery-shelf products as soybeans, broccoli, garlic, grapefruit, celery and flaxseed have hitherto unknown abilities to retard or reduce cholesterol and cancer. Everyday foods are said to have potentials above those known previously. We are learning more about chemical compounds stored in plants and how they work within our bodies once we ingest them. Health food aficionados have been telling us this, but because some were so shrill and pushy about their recently-acquired beliefs, some of us were put off even testing their theories.

++Broccoli, apparently is bursting out all over with indole carbinol, a substance that disintegrates estrogen before it can promote certain breast tumors. A group of 50 women are now being studied following results that showed a pronounced beneficial effect on mice. Bete carotene, another ingredient in broccoli, may protect lungs, throat and bladder against cancer as well as reducing risk of heart attacks. At Harvard Medical School people fed beta carotene supplements had half as many heart seizures as the control group not receiving the supplement.

++Celery, the dieter's staple now may be just the thing for the heart. Rats at the University of Chicago exhibited a 12 to 14 percent drop in blood pressure and a drop in cholesterol after 28 days on a small injectable extract of the popular crunchie. The same amount for humans would amount to four large stalks daily, although the high salt content might not be suitable in all cases. The basic helpful compound in celery, called phthalide, is also a mild sedative.

++Flaxseed, long used in European and Canadian cereals and bread, has not been popular in the U.S., probably because it hasn't been introduced widely enough to capture the market. The fatty acid found in flaxseed is not unlike that found in fish oil. Called linolenic acid, this compound is capable of inhibiting tumor growth as well as being helpful against asthma, arthritis and psoriasis. Animal trials have shown additional possibilities. ++Garlic, Natural garlic has quite an odor but now a German company is offering a scent-free tablet form. Other German studies show that garlic could lower blood pressure and minimize blood clotting as well as reduced blood fats for those who eat the equivalent of a clove a day. "A garlic clove a day", etc." Note of caution: high heat or deep frying could destroy active ingredients.

++Grapefruit, the pig squad at the University of Florida reduced blood fat by eating the peel and white membrane of citrus pulp. Researchers there think pectin, the gelling agent in grapefruit, is responsible. It also shows promise in treating clogged arteries. It did take quite a bit of fruit to get the result; the human equivalent would be two to three grapefruit daily.

++Soybeans, long known and eaten in great quantities in Asia, soybeans are widely available boiled and canned and are processed as tofu (bean curd). According to researchers at the Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, lecithin from soybeans should help alcoholics suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. Isoflavones from soybeans break down toxic agents thereby preventing cancer in animals. Note of caution: soy contains protease inhibitors which have been associated with pancreatic cancer.

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