Purslane

just Ed wrote:
:: Juhana Harju wrote:
::: just Ed wrote:
::
::::: Can you resonably dismiss these hazards, Juhana?
::::: Ed
:::::
::::: High concentration of (-)-noradrenaline in Portulaca oleracea L.
::::: Nature. 1961 Sep 9;191:1108.
::::: PMID: 13698823
:::::
::::: Hypoglycemic action of Portulaca homogenates.
::::: Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem. 1962 May 4;327:274-5. German.
::::: PMID: 13913362
::::: (perhaps a benefit to some, but a hazard to an unsuspecting Type
::::: 1)

The latter is a different plant.

::: I think that you are just overcautious, Ed. Have you got any reason
::: to doubt that a small amount of dietary noradrenaline as in
::: purslane would do any harm? Any studies or references?
::
:: You know that it is "a small amount"? The study I posted says
:: "High concentration of (-)-noradrenaline in Portulaca oleracea L."

Well, that high is relative.

:: I don't think there's much doubt that noradrenaline, dopamine can
:: kill.
::
:: There seem to plenty of such references on the web in the conduct of
:: research. It seems to be taken as a point of fact rather than a
:: question.
::
:: The question remains, how much noradrenaline, dopamine etc is there
:: in purslane?
::
::: Purslane is a classic salad vegetable used
::: in the whole Eastern Mediterranean area.
::
:: and that proves that it isn't responsible for unneccessary deaths?
::
:: At one time, opium was a classic smoke in parts of Asia, tobacco
:: remains popular today. By your 'logic' that makes these something
:: to recommend?
::
::: I think that for most of people a small amount of dopamine and
::: noradrenaline in purslane is just beneficial as they are mood
::: enhancing neurotransmitters.
::
:: Do you have any reason to think that?
::
:: If there's enough to have a measureable beneficial effect for some,
:: then its likely to be a problem for others. I find it odd to think
:: it is "just beneficial". Is this some kind of herbal magic where its
:: friendly spirit stops absorption in individuals who would be harmed?
::
:: While dopamine and noradrenaline clearly can do other things.
:: dopamine from purslane does not reach the brain (see below)
:: so it will not effect mood, it can raise BP if there's a
:: sig. amount there.
::
:: Purslane contains excitory neurotransmitter chemicals.
:: Those who might be sensitive ought start with a small 'dose'.
:: Those on MAOI drugs ought to avoid it entirely per my first
:: reference link below.

Ed, while your detailed knowledge about those substances might be correct in
itself I think that your reductionist approach has led you astray (which is
very common in nutrition sciences). It is important to see the wood for the
trees.

Below is a journal article about purslane. Noradrenaline or dopamine are not
even mentioned. The lead author Simopoulos is an experienced and respected
scientist.

Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 11, Issue 4 374-382.

Common purslane: a source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
A. P. Simopoulos, H. A. Norman, J. E. Gillaspy and J. A. Duke
Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health, Washington, DC 20009.

omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and
glutathione determined in leaves of purslane (Portulaca oleracea), grown in
both a controlled growth chamber and in the wild, were compared in
composition to spinach. Leaves from both samples of purslane contained
higher amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3w3) than did leaves of spinach.
Chamber-grown purslane contained the highest amount of 18:3w3. Samples from
the two kinds of purslane contained higher leaves of alpha-tocopherol,
ascorbic acid and glutathione than did spinach. Chamber-grown purslane was
richer in all three and the amount of alpha-tocopherol was seven times
higher than that found in spinach, whereas spinach was slightly higher in
beta-carotene. One hundred grams of fresh purslane leaves (one serving)
contain about 300-400 mg of 18:3w3; 12.2 mg of alpha-tocopherol; 26.6 mg of
ascorbic acid; 1.9 mg of beta-carotene; and 14.8 mg of glutathione. We
confirm that purslane is a nutritious food rich in omega-3 fatty acids and
antioxidants.

http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374

::: (Evidently President Clinton was trying to get rid of the Italian
::: professor Romano Prodi by offering him a dinner containg "salad of
::: purslane and young greens".
:::
::: http://clinton4.nara.gov/WH/EOP/First_Lady/html/050698.html
::
:: I know that you are being flip but there's a point or two here:
::
:: Fava beans (part of that same meal) are another middle eastern
:: functional food. Heavy on levadopa which is a dopamine precursor
:: (which you ingest directly from purslane), favas are considered a
:: "treatment for Parkinson's but they are also dangerous to some.
:: Benefit and danger described here:
:: http://www.parkinson.org/site/pp.asp?c=9dJFJLPwB&b=100110

I was aware of the high content of levadopa in fava beans but I did not know
about these adverse effects. Thanks for providing the information and
reminding me about that.

:: Note the widely varying levadopa content in the beans.
::
:: more on benefit and danger of levodopa and carbidopa at:
:: http://www.lef.org/anti-aging/chap9.html
::
:: purslane will not improve mood since the dopamine dosn't cross
:: the BB-barrier (except to cause nausea & vomiting if you can get
:: that much), it will affect the heart. (ref the lef link)
::
:: purslane will help you tolerate fava, (ref the lef link)
:: clever menu planning at the white house!
::
:: Clearly, foods can be dangerous despite being popular
:: in some parts of the world.

I agree. But it is also important which foods are *omitted*. Alfa-linolenic
acid rich foods are clearly lacking in the Western diets. Purslane would be
a good addtional source of that fatty acid.

:: Tangential point:
:: You don't really think that Billy Bob had some part in
:: planning the meal? I suppose he selected opera for the
:: entertainment.

Who knows. My reference to the dinner was meant to liven up the serious
discussion. But there is also a grain of truth hidden there: if a certain
food is served as part of a diplomatic meal it should not be toxic,
obviously.

--
Juhana

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 10:46:27 +0300, Juhana Harju wrote in
<news:[email hidden]> on
sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs :

Quoted message said:

:: Fava beans (part of that same meal) are another middle eastern
:: functional food. Heavy on levadopa which is a dopamine precursor
:: (which you ingest directly from purslane), favas are considered a
:: "treatment for Parkinson's but they are also dangerous to some.
:: Benefit and danger described here:
:: http://www.parkinson.org/site/pp.asp?c=9dJFJLPwB&b=100110

I was aware of the high content of levadopa in fava beans but I did not know
about these adverse effects. Thanks for providing the information and
reminding me about that.

Here in Italy, when fresh fava beans are sold in a shop, shopkeepers must
warn customers with a sign, just because some customers may be affected by
favism.

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3397
Definition of Favism

Favism: A condition characterized by hemolytic anemia (breakup of red blood
cells) after eating fava beans (Vicia fava) or being exposed to the pollen
of the fava plant. This dangerous reaction occurs exclusively in people
with a deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD),
an X-linked genetic trait. However, not all G6PD-deficient families appear
at risk for favism, indicating the additional need for a single autosomal
(not X-linked) gene to create the susceptibility to favism of
G6PD-deficient persons. The active hemolytic principle in fava beans is >
likely DOPA-quinone. Differences in susceptibility to favism may be related
to differences in the enzymatic system that converts L-DOPA to
DOPA-quinone.

=============================================

X'Posted to: sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs

Enrico C wrote:
:: Juhana Harju wrote:
:::: just Ed wrote:

::::: Fava beans (part of that same meal) are another middle eastern
::::: functional food. Heavy on levadopa which is a dopamine precursor
::::: (which you ingest directly from purslane), favas are considered a
::::: "treatment for Parkinson's but they are also dangerous to some.
::::: Benefit and danger described here:
::::: http://www.parkinson.org/site/pp.asp?c=9dJFJLPwB&b=100110
:::
::: I was aware of the high content of levadopa in fava beans but I did
::: not know about these adverse effects. Thanks for providing the
::: information and reminding me about that.
::
:: Here in Italy, when fresh fava beans are sold in a shop, shopkeepers
:: must warn customers with a sign, just because some customers may be
:: affected by favism.
::
:: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3397
:: Definition of Favism
::
:: Favism: A condition characterized by hemolytic anemia (breakup of
:: red blood cells) after eating fava beans (Vicia fava) or being
:: exposed to the pollen of the fava plant. This dangerous reaction
:: occurs exclusively in people with a deficiency of the enzyme
:: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), an X-linked genetic trait.
:: However, not all G6PD-deficient families appear at risk for favism,
:: indicating the additional need for a single autosomal (not X-linked)
:: gene to create the susceptibility to favism of G6PD-deficient
:: persons. The active hemolytic principle in fava beans is > likely
:: DOPA-quinone. Differences in susceptibility to favism may be related
:: to differences in the enzymatic system that converts L-DOPA to
:: DOPA-quinone.

Thanks, Enrico. It is good to learn new things. Fava beans are eaten so
rarely here in Finland that I didn't know that.

--
Juhana

Juhana Harju a écrit dans le message <[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Enrico C wrote:
:: Juhana Harju wrote:
:::: just Ed wrote:

::::: Fava beans (part of that same meal) are another middle eastern
::::: functional food. Heavy on levadopa which is a dopamine precursor
::::: (SNIP
Thanks, Enrico. It is good to learn new things. Fava beans are eaten so
rarely here in Finland that I didn't know that.

--
Juhana

Lettuce "iceberg" ,broccoli, and kale are all better sources for
alpha-linolenic acid and other omega 3 "fatty acids" than purslane. As are
fish such as salmon and many of the oils used for cooking and salads.
One would have to have an odd diet indeed not to get much more of the
"omega-3
fatty acids" than needed.

As far as a salad food purslane falls into the category of desperation food.
That is
if nothing better is found use it.

JL

top-posting Stacy said:

Why are you talking about this? This thread is about Purslane.

| "Fava bean cultivation is widespread, especially throughout the
| circum-Mediterranean region

you expanded it to foods routinely consumed (in the middle
east yet) with:

Quoted message said:

How many over there in the Eastern Mediterranean area have died from
routinely consuming this plant on almost a daily basis?

thus the fava example (this also came up in Juhana's white house
menu, if you had read that you would have known).

foods high in dopamine, like purslane, can bring about a dangerous,
and sometimes fatal, increase in blood pressure if taken with MAOIs.
(per the www.parkinson.org I ref'ed before, I know you didn't read it)

your rule seems to be that you can expand the subject at will, if
anyone else even uses your expansion they're out of line.

Quoted message said:

I'm still going by "Stacy". I found that someone else once had that email
address and I didn't want any confusion so I added some 999s. Still not
using that email. I don't want spam. What's your problem with that? And just
how am I now trolling? "trolling ways" as you put it?

| | congratulations on the new email address you're using now 'stacy'.
| That should hide your trolling ways from some.

No, that was you in the posts I looked at where you used other aliases.
Your language wasn't so smooth when you bothered to use the
UK spelling to vent at them and their 'arses'. Actually
there are quite a few of those, I see now.

Quoted message said:

Seems if someone doesn't agree with you & your mainstream medicine friends,
they are a "loon", an "idiot", in need of therapy or a "troll". Do I have
that right?

trolling is what you do per your earlier email's trail.
You demonstrate it here since I never suggested anything
like 'a "loon", an "idiot", in need of therapy'.

If I have mainstream medicine friends, I'd like to hear from them.

I'm not sure what is the point of your rant. Are SBH (hardly
mainstream) and I trying to keep you and Kevin Trudeau from learning
the secrets that he doesn't reveal when you buy his book?
now you've got me doing it!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

How many over there in the Eastern Mediterranean area have died from
routinely consuming this plant on almost a daily basis?
This is really laughable.

|Who said that? Certainly I did not.

Well, let's see: among other things you said:
| "and that proves that it isn't responsible for unneccessary deaths?"

Didn't you imply it in that remark??

No, you made that up and it's rude to take my comment out
of context as you did here.

People on MAOIs likely wouldn't eat much purslane for long.
Those eating it routinely must be healthy.

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 14:17:16 +0200, maison.mousse wrote in
<news:[email hidden]> on
sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs :

Quoted message said:

Lettuce "iceberg" ,broccoli, and kale are all better sources for
alpha-linolenic acid and other omega 3 "fatty acids" than purslane.

How come?

According to the USDA data base,
"iceberg" lettuce has 52 mg of 18:3 per 100g,
"broccoli, flower clusters" 21 mg,
"broccoli leaves" 129 mg,
kale 180 mg

http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374
"One hundred grams of fresh purslane leaves (one serving) contain about
300-400 mg of 18:3w3"

X'Posted to: sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs

Enrico C wrote:
:: On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 14:17:16 +0200, maison.mousse wrote:
::
::: Lettuce "iceberg" ,broccoli, and kale are all better sources for
::: alpha-linolenic acid and other omega 3 "fatty acids" than purslane.
::
:: How come?
::
:: According to the USDA data base,
:: "iceberg" lettuce has 52 mg of 18:3 per 100g,
:: "broccoli, flower clusters" 21 mg,
:: "broccoli leaves" 129 mg,
:: kale 180 mg
::
:: http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374
:: "One hundred grams of fresh purslane leaves (one serving) contain
:: about 300-400 mg of 18:3w3"

Enrico, ignore Maison Mousse, she does not know a thing.

--
Juhana

Enrico C a écrit dans le message
<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 14:17:16 +0200, maison.mousse wrote in
<news:[email hidden]> on
sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs :

Quoted message said:

Lettuce "iceberg" ,broccoli, and kale are all better sources for
alpha-linolenic acid and other omega 3 "fatty acids" than purslane.

How come?

According to the USDA data base,
"iceberg" lettuce has 52 mg of 18:3 per 100g,
"broccoli, flower clusters" 21 mg,
"broccoli leaves" 129 mg,
kale 180 mg

http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374
"One hundred grams of fresh purslane leaves (one serving) contain about
300-400 mg of 18:3w3"

Why do you cite the USDA figures for every thing except
purslane?

The figures you cite for pruslane leaves are false!!!

JL

Okay, Just Ed, here is the entire thread:
-------

Juhana Harju said:

just Ed wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

:: Can you resonably dismiss these hazards, Juhana?
:: Ed
::
:: High concentration of (-)-noradrenaline in Portulaca oleracea L.
:: Nature. 1961 Sep 9;191:1108.
:: PMID: 13698823
::
:: Hypoglycemic action of Portulaca homogenates.
:: Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem. 1962 May 4;327:274-5. German.
:: PMID: 13913362
:: (perhaps a benefit to some, but a hazard to an unsuspecting Type 1)

I think that you are just overcautious, Ed. Have you got any reason to
doubt
that a small amount of dietary noradrenaline as in purslane would do any
harm? Any studies or references?

You know that it is "a small amount"? The study I posted says
"High concentration of (-)-noradrenaline in Portulaca oleracea L."

I don't think there's much doubt that noradrenaline, dopamine can kill.

There seem to plenty of such references on the web in the conduct of
research. It seems to be taken as a point of fact rather than a
question.

The question remains, how much noradrenaline, dopamine etc is there in
purslane?

Quoted message said:

Purslane is a classic salad vegetable used
in the whole Eastern Mediterranean area.

*and that proves that it isn't responsible for unneccessary deaths?*
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay there is the complete thread leading up to your comment. I surely
wasn't trying to be "rude". Please excuse me if I broke some netiquette
rule.

But you are talking of purslane there and "unneccessary deaths" there aren't
you??

|
| No, you made that up and it's rude to take my comment out
| of context as you did here.
|
| <snip>

|Your language wasn't so smooth when you bothered to use the
|UK spelling to vent at them and their 'arses'.

I'm afraid you have me confused with someone else. I did not vent at anyone
and their 'arses'. Have never even used that word. And I really don't know
what you're talking about. In any case, I know of the UK site you're talking
of. If you knew about that UK site, then you'd know they would not allow
venting and if someone did vent, the thread would be deleted. It is
moderated.

May Peace & Love go out to you Just Ed.

"Juhana Harju" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
<snip>
|
| Below is a journal article about purslane. Noradrenaline or dopamine are
not
| even mentioned. The lead author Simopoulos is an experienced and respected
| scientist.
|
| Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 11, Issue 4 374-382.
|
| Common purslane: a source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
| A. P. Simopoulos, H. A. Norman, J. E. Gillaspy and J. A. Duke
| Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health, Washington, DC 20009.
|
| omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and
| glutathione determined in leaves of purslane (Portulaca oleracea), grown
in
| both a controlled growth chamber and in the wild, were compared in
| composition to spinach. Leaves from both samples of purslane contained
| higher amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3w3) than did leaves of
spinach.
| Chamber-grown purslane contained the highest amount of 18:3w3. Samples
from
| the two kinds of purslane contained higher leaves of alpha-tocopherol,
| ascorbic acid and glutathione than did spinach. Chamber-grown purslane was
| richer in all three and the amount of alpha-tocopherol was seven times
| higher than that found in spinach, whereas spinach was slightly higher in
| beta-carotene. One hundred grams of fresh purslane leaves (one serving)
| contain about 300-400 mg of 18:3w3; 12.2 mg of alpha-tocopherol; 26.6 mg
of
| ascorbic acid; 1.9 mg of beta-carotene; and 14.8 mg of glutathione. We
| confirm that purslane is a nutritious food rich in omega-3 fatty acids and
| antioxidants.
|
| http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374

Thank you for posting this Juhana.

<snip>

"Enrico C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
| On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 14:17:16 +0200, maison.mousse wrote in
| <news:[email hidden]> on
| sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs :
|
| > Lettuce "iceberg" ,broccoli, and kale are all better sources for
| > alpha-linolenic acid and other omega 3 "fatty acids" than purslane.
|
| How come?
|
| According to the USDA data base,
| "iceberg" lettuce has 52 mg of 18:3 per 100g,
| "broccoli, flower clusters" 21 mg,
| "broccoli leaves" 129 mg,
| kale 180 mg
|
| http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374
| "One hundred grams of fresh purslane leaves (one serving) contain about
| 300-400 mg of 18:3w3"
|
| X'Posted to: sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs

Thanks for this Enrico. It is nice to have this comparison.

(And I thought almost everyone knew that iceberg lettuce was one of the most
useless of salad makings. But apparently not.)

Negatives of purslane

First of all, purslane is 90% water.

Its high ratio of water and oxalic acid to its alpha-linolenic acid
(ALA) content makes purslane's value as a source of omega-3's in your
diet laughable, if not down right toxic due to its poisonous oxalic
content. It should be regarded as a herb rather than a primary food
source.
http://www.lightforce2.com/catalog.htm#pur

Compare purslane to flaxseeds.

"Flaxseed is the best source of omega-3s in the vegetable kingdom. One
rounded tablespoon of milled flaxseed (or one teaspoon of flaxseed oil)
supplies 2000 mg of the omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the
essential fatty acid that humans cannot make. Flaxseed also contains
valuable cancer-fighting lignans (although the oil does not)."
http://www.supplementquality.com/news/omega3.html

However, flaxseeds contain cyanogenic glucosides toxins, which release
toxic hydrogen cyanide in the presence of water, which are partially
destroyed by cooking.
http://www.gaiaresearch.co.za/flaxseed.html#Cyanogenic Glycosides

Stacy wrote:
:: "Enrico C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:: news:[email hidden]...
::: On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 14:17:16 +0200, maison.mousse wrote in
::: <news:[email hidden]> on
::: sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs :
:::
:::: Lettuce "iceberg" ,broccoli, and kale are all better sources for
:::: alpha-linolenic acid and other omega 3 "fatty acids" than
:::: purslane.
:::
::: How come?
:::
::: According to the USDA data base,
::: "iceberg" lettuce has 52 mg of 18:3 per 100g,
::: "broccoli, flower clusters" 21 mg,
::: "broccoli leaves" 129 mg,
::: kale 180 mg
:::
::: http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374
::: "One hundred grams of fresh purslane leaves (one serving) contain
::: about 300-400 mg of 18:3w3"
:::
::: X'Posted to: sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs
::
:: Thanks for this Enrico. It is nice to have this comparison.
::
:: (And I thought almost everyone knew that iceberg lettuce was one of
:: the most useless of salad makings. But apparently not.)

These should not be taken at face value, Stacy and Enrico. I have noticed
previously that USDA data base is not reliable when it comes to fatty acids.
I prefer romaine lettuce to iceberg lettuce as the former is high in lutein
and folic acid. And might be higher in (alpha-)linolenic acid (18:3) as
well.

--
Juhana

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 14:58:45 +0200, maison.mousse wrote in
<news:[email hidden]> on
sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs :

Quoted message said:

Enrico C a écrit dans le message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374
"One hundred grams of fresh purslane leaves (one serving) contain about
300-400 mg of 18:3w3"

[...]

Quoted message said:

The figures you cite for pruslane leaves are false!!!

What are your data?

X'Posted to: sci.med.nutrition,alt.folklore.herbs

--
Enrico C

Well, you have apparently studied up on this.
Could you also list the positives of purslane?

So you're suggesting we should not eat milled flaxseed either?

"Mr-Natural-Health" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...
| Negatives of purslane
|
| First of all, purslane is 90% water.
|
| Its high ratio of water and oxalic acid to its alpha-linolenic acid
| (ALA) content makes purslane's value as a source of omega-3's in your
| diet laughable, if not down right toxic due to its poisonous oxalic
| content. It should be regarded as a herb rather than a primary food
| source.
| http://www.lightforce2.com/catalog.htm#pur
|
| Compare purslane to flaxseeds.
|
| "Flaxseed is the best source of omega-3s in the vegetable kingdom. One
| rounded tablespoon of milled flaxseed (or one teaspoon of flaxseed oil)
| supplies 2000 mg of the omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the
| essential fatty acid that humans cannot make. Flaxseed also contains
| valuable cancer-fighting lignans (although the oil does not)."
| http://www.supplementquality.com/news/omega3.html
|
| However, flaxseeds contain cyanogenic glucosides toxins, which release
| toxic hydrogen cyanide in the presence of water, which are partially
| destroyed by cooking.
| http://www.gaiaresearch.co.za/flaxseed.html#Cyanogenic Glycosides
|

Stacy wrote:
:: "Juhana Harju" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:: news:[email hidden]...
:: <snip>
:::
::: Below is a journal article about purslane. Noradrenaline or
::: dopamine are not even mentioned. The lead author Simopoulos is an
::: experienced and respected scientist.
:::
::: Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 11, Issue 4
::: 374-382.
:::
::: Common purslane: a source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
::: A. P. Simopoulos [...]
:::
::: http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374
::
:: Thank you for posting this Juhana.

I found a site which might be of interest to some. At this site there are
excerpts from /The Omega Plan/ by Artemis Simopoulos where she writes
extensively about omega-3 fatty acids. She also makes the notice that in the
United States purslane is considered as a noxious weed, but she seems to
dismiss the fact - which is quite telling to me.

http://www.geocities.com/food_powerful_drug/index2.html

--
Juhana

Juhana Harju wrote:
:: Stacy wrote:
:::: "Juhana Harju" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:::: news:[email hidden]...
:::: <snip>
:::::
::::: Below is a journal article about purslane. Noradrenaline or
::::: dopamine are not even mentioned. The lead author Simopoulos is an
::::: experienced and respected scientist.
:::::
::::: Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 11, Issue 4
::::: 374-382.
:::::
::::: Common purslane: a source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
::::: A. P. Simopoulos [...]
:::::
::::: http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374
::::
:::: Thank you for posting this Juhana.
::
:: I found a site which might be of interest to some. At this site
:: there are excerpts from /The Omega Plan/ by Artemis Simopoulos where
:: she writes extensively about omega-3 fatty acids. She also makes the
:: notice that in the United States purslane is considered as a noxious
:: weed, but she seems to dismiss the fact - which is quite telling to
:: me.
::
:: http://www.geocities.com/food_powerful_drug/index2.html
::

In this study de Lorgeril recommends purslane as one good source of
alpha-linolenic acid:

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2004 Jun;14(3):162-9.

Alpha-linolenic acid and coronary heart disease.

de Lorgeril M, Salen P.

AIM: To summarize our present knowledge about vegetable omega-3 fatty acids.
DATA SYNTHESIS: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is one of the two essential fatty
acids in humans. Epidemiological studies and dietary trials strongly suggest
that this fatty acid is important in relation with the pathogenesis (and
prevention) of coronary heart disease. Like other n-3 fatty acids from
marine origin, it may prevent cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
The optimal dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid seems to be about 2 g per
day or 0.6 to 1% of total energy intake. Obtaining an optimal ratio of the
two essential fatty acids, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids--ie a ratio of
less than 4 to 1 in the diet--is a major issue. The main sources of
alpha-linolenic acid for the European population should be canola oil (and
canola-oil based margarine if available), nuts (English walnut), ground
linseeds and green leafy vegetables such as purslane. CONCLUSIONS:
Epidemiological studies and dietary trials in humans suggest that
alpha-linolenic acid is a major cardio-protective nutrient. PMID: 15330276

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15330276&query_hl=7

--
Juhana

Juhana Harju said:

just Ed wrote:
:: Juhana Harju wrote:
::: just Ed wrote:
::
::::: Can you resonably dismiss these hazards, Juhana?
::::: Ed
:::::
::::: High concentration of (-)-noradrenaline in Portulaca oleracea L.
::::: Nature. 1961 Sep 9;191:1108.
::::: PMID: 13698823
:::::
::::: Hypoglycemic action of Portulaca homogenates.
::::: Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem. 1962 May 4;327:274-5. German.
::::: PMID: 13913362
::::: (perhaps a benefit to some, but a hazard to an unsuspecting Type
::::: 1)

The latter is a different plant.

PMID: 15452401, 11453797, 8146099, 1354675, 11043602
identify purslane as Portulaca oleracea.

homogenates:
Material subjected to homogenization, as tissue that is finely shredded
and mixed.
per http://www.ndif.org/Terms/homogenates.html

I think its the same stuff.

Quoted message said:

::: I think that you are just overcautious, Ed. Have you got any reason
::: to doubt that a small amount of dietary noradrenaline as in
::: purslane would do any harm? Any studies or references?
::
:: You know that it is "a small amount"? The study I posted says
:: "High concentration of (-)-noradrenaline in Portulaca oleracea L."

Well, that high is relative.

Hey, I found it in PMID: 15881360 says the average contents of NE
and DA in Portulaca oleracea L. were 0.015% and 0.20%, respectively.
YMMV, of course.

Quoted message said:

:: I don't think there's much doubt that noradrenaline, dopamine can
:: kill.
::
:: There seem to plenty of such references on the web in the conduct of
:: research. It seems to be taken as a point of fact rather than a
:: question.
::
:: The question remains, how much noradrenaline, dopamine etc is there
:: in purslane?
::
::: Purslane is a classic salad vegetable used
::: in the whole Eastern Mediterranean area.
::
:: and that proves that it isn't responsible for unneccessary deaths?
::
:: At one time, opium was a classic smoke in parts of Asia, tobacco
:: remains popular today. By your 'logic' that makes these something
:: to recommend?
::
::: I think that for most of people a small amount of dopamine and
::: noradrenaline in purslane is just beneficial as they are mood
::: enhancing neurotransmitters.
::
:: Do you have any reason to think that?
::
:: If there's enough to have a measureable beneficial effect for some,
:: then its likely to be a problem for others. I find it odd to think
:: it is "just beneficial". Is this some kind of herbal magic where its
:: friendly spirit stops absorption in individuals who would be harmed?
::
:: While dopamine and noradrenaline clearly can do other things.
:: dopamine from purslane does not reach the brain (see below)
:: so it will not effect mood, it can raise BP if there's a
:: sig. amount there.
::
:: Purslane contains excitory neurotransmitter chemicals.
:: Those who might be sensitive ought start with a small 'dose'.
:: Those on MAOI drugs ought to avoid it entirely per my first
:: reference link below.

Ed, while your detailed knowledge about those substances might be correct in
itself I think that your reductionist approach has led you astray (which is
very common in nutrition sciences). It is important to see the wood for the
trees.

Below is a journal article about purslane. Noradrenaline or dopamine are not
even mentioned. The lead author Simopoulos is an experienced and respected
scientist.

Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 11, Issue 4 374-382.

Common purslane: a source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
A. P. Simopoulos, H. A. Norman, J. E. Gillaspy and J. A. Duke
Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health, Washington, DC 20009.

omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and
glutathione determined in leaves of purslane (Portulaca oleracea), grown in
both a controlled growth chamber and in the wild, were compared in
composition to spinach. Leaves from both samples of purslane contained
higher amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3w3) than did leaves of spinach.
Chamber-grown purslane contained the highest amount of 18:3w3. Samples from
the two kinds of purslane contained higher leaves of alpha-tocopherol,
ascorbic acid and glutathione than did spinach. Chamber-grown purslane was
richer in all three and the amount of alpha-tocopherol was seven times
higher than that found in spinach, whereas spinach was slightly higher in
beta-carotene. One hundred grams of fresh purslane leaves (one serving)
contain about 300-400 mg of 18:3w3; 12.2 mg of alpha-tocopherol; 26.6 mg of
ascorbic acid; 1.9 mg of beta-carotene; and 14.8 mg of glutathione. We
confirm that purslane is a nutritious food rich in omega-3 fatty acids and
antioxidants.

http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/374

This is not at all at odds with there being dopamine and noradrenaline
in purslane. They set out to confirm w-3 content and they did so.

Had they measured dopamine and noradrenaline and found none you
would have had a point against the other studies which found it
and PMID: 15881360 which even quantifies it. your abstract is
off the mark entirely.

there are uses of its extracts documented in pubmed.
PMID: 15182905 is a human study which found that Portulaca oleracea
extract is a bronchodilator (ephedra does that also, I recall )

Quoted message said:

::: (Evidently President Clinton was trying to get rid of the Italian
::: professor Romano Prodi by offering him a dinner containg "salad of
::: purslane and young greens".
:::
::: http://clinton4.nara.gov/WH/EOP/First_Lady/html/050698.html
::
:: I know that you are being flip but there's a point or two here:
::
:: Fava beans (part of that same meal) are another middle eastern
:: functional food. Heavy on levadopa which is a dopamine precursor
:: (which you ingest directly from purslane), favas are considered a
:: "treatment for Parkinson's but they are also dangerous to some.
:: Benefit and danger described here:
:: http://www.parkinson.org/site/pp.asp?c=9dJFJLPwB&b=100110

I was aware of the high content of levadopa in fava beans but I did not know
about these adverse effects. Thanks for providing the information and
reminding me about that.

:: Note the widely varying levadopa content in the beans.
::
:: more on benefit and danger of levodopa and carbidopa at:
:: http://www.lef.org/anti-aging/chap9.html
::
:: purslane will not improve mood since the dopamine dosn't cross
:: the BB-barrier (except to cause nausea & vomiting if you can get
:: that much), it will affect the heart. (ref the lef link)
::
:: purslane will help you tolerate fava, (ref the lef link)
:: clever menu planning at the white house!
::
:: Clearly, foods can be dangerous despite being popular
:: in some parts of the world.

I agree. But it is also important which foods are *omitted*. Alfa-linolenic
acid rich foods are clearly lacking in the Western diets. Purslane would be
a good addtional source of that fatty acid.

yes, there are too few. As long as you're healthy it ought to
help you stay that way.

There's probably little alternative w-3 available to many.
Its probaby a good choice for them.

Quoted message said:

:: Tangential point:
:: You don't really think that Billy Bob had some part in
:: planning the meal? I suppose he selected opera for the
:: entertainment.

Who knows. My reference to the dinner was meant to liven up the serious
discussion. But there is also a grain of truth hidden there: if a certain
food is served as part of a diplomatic meal it should not be toxic,
obviously.

I wouldn't look to white house chefs for nutrition guidance. I
wouldn't expect that their nutrition training or interest extends
beyond that of your average MD.

Mr-Natural-Health said:

Negatives of purslane

First of all, purslane is 90% water.

Its high ratio of water and oxalic acid to its alpha-linolenic acid
(ALA) content makes purslane's value as a source of omega-3's in your
diet laughable, if not down right toxic due to its poisonous oxalic
content. It should be regarded as a herb rather than a primary food
source.
http://www.lightforce2.com/catalog.htm#pur

A primary food source!? I think of it as a salad green. I can't imagine it
being worse than the oh so popular iceberg lettuce.

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Stacy said:

Now why JG, would you offer all this information on how to ...

Why or why are some people so bloody stupid?

Why or why are so many females so bloody stupid?

Time to stop worrying about what motivates people. Why don't you
simply try reading the printed page for a change, and start using the
brain that god gave you?

Just my opinion, but I am right as usual.