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Time of India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
THIS common ingredient found in foods and supplements is linked to Blood Cancer
A concerning study reveals that taurine, a common amino acid found in food and supplements, may fuel the growth of leukemia cells. Researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute discovered that leukemia cells readily absorb taurine, promoting glycolysis and cancer progression. Global cancer cases are predicted to rise by 35 million in 2050, which is a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Amid this alarming projection, new research has revealed an unsuspected driver behind one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. The study found that an amino acid, found commonly in the food we eat, and supplements we take, could cause leukemia , one of the most aggressive forms of blood cancer . A recent study by researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute has found that taurine, which is made naturally in the body and consumed through some foods, is a key regulator of myeloid cancers such as leukemia. The study is published in the journal Nature. In the preclinical research, the scientists were able to block the growth of leukemia in mouse models and in human leukemia cell samples by using genetic tools to prevent taurine from entering cancer cells. 'We are very excited about these studies because they demonstrate that targeting uptake by myeloid leukemia cells may be a possible new avenue for treatment of these aggressive diseases,' Jeevisha Bajaj, PhD, lead researcher and an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics and a member of Wilmot's Cancer Microenvironment research program said in a statement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo King Charles' Cancer Secret REVEALED | Royal Whisper EXPOSES Private Health Bombshell | WATCH They also found that leukemia cells drink up taurine, which promotes glycolysis (a breakdown of glucose to produce energy) to feed cancer growth. Previous researchers have never looked at the cancer-promoting role of taurine. Leukemia has several subtypes, and the survival rates vary. This study found that taurine transporter expression is essential for the growth of multiple subtypes, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which all originate from blood stem cells in the bone marrow. Taurine is a non-essential amino acid found naturally in the bone marrow and also in the brain, heart, and muscles. Foods such as meats, fish, and eggs also contain taurine. It is also a key ingredient in some energy drinks and protein powders, and has been used by cancer patients anecdotally. 'Dr. Bajaj's work shows that local levels of taurine in bone marrow may enhance leukemia growth, suggesting caution in use of high-dose taurine supplementation,' Jane Liesveld, MD, a Wilmot oncologist who treats leukemia patients, said. She also noted that scientists still have a lot to learn about how leukemia cells are reprogrammed and draw energy to thrive and resist treatments. 'Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, and we are at the very beginning of understanding metabolic effects on leukemia cells. The prior focus has been on genetic changes, but the focus is expanding to understanding how leukemia cells are able to hijack various metabolic pathways for their own survival,' she added. In conclusion, the Wilmot team states in its Nature paper: 'Since taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks and is often provided as a supplement to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the benefits of supplemental taurine in leukemia patients.' The researcher noted that future studies are required to investigate levels of taurine in people with leukemia. 'Our current data suggest that it would be helpful to develop stable and effective ways to block taurine from entering leukemia cells,' she said. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Warning issued for common energy drink ingredient that elevates risk of blood cancer
A recent study published in Nature has raised concerns about taurine, a widely used amino acid in energy drinks such as Red Bull and Celsius, indicating it may increase the risk of blood cancers. Researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute discovered that leukemia cells absorb taurine, which develops in bone marrow, using it to fuel their growth through a process called glycolysis. This is the process where cells break down glucose to produce energy, which cancer cells use to grow. While taurine is naturally produced in the human body and found in foods such as meat and fish, it is also added to many energy drinks for its purported benefits, such as improving mental performance and reducing inflammation. It has also been used to alleviate chemotherapy side effects in leukemia patients. However, the study suggests that the excessive intake of taurine, particularly through supplements and energy drinks, could exacerbate leukemia by providing additional fuel for cancer cells. The study looked at mice with a special gene called SLC6A6, which helps move taurine around the body. Scientists also gave these mice human leukemia cells to see how they would react. They discovered that healthy bone marrow cells produce taurine, which the SLC6A6 gene then transports to the leukemia cells, potentially helping them grow. The researchers emphasized the need to weigh the risks and benefits of extra taurine for leukemia patients and energy drink consumers, given its widespread availability. Although the study is still early, researchers are hopeful that blocking taurine in leukemia cells could lead to new treatment options. The study is part of a larger effort to find whether taurine may also contribute to the spike of other cancers, such as colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society projects that over 192,000 Americans will receive a diagnosis of blood cancer in 2025. This includes an estimated 66,890 new leukemia cases, 89,070 new lymphoma cases, and 36,110 new myeloma cases.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Common energy drink ingredient linked to leukemia cell growth, study says
A new study has identified taurine, a naturally occurring amino acid, as a critical factor in the growth of certain types of leukemia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] It was published on May 14 in the journal Nature. They said the findings could lead to new treatments of myeloid cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), according to researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute. These blood cancers all start in the bone marrow, and the research shows that cancer cells depend on taurine from their environment to grow and survive. TRENDING STORIES: Coroner IDs human remains found in woods as missing Ohio man since 2022 Mother, daughter killed, 5-year-old missing after being hit by train in Ohio 4 men arrested during local prostitution sting Our sister station in Seattle, KIRO TV, says the Wilmot team discovered that leukemia cells cannot produce taurine on their own. Instead, they use a transporter to absorb taurine from the surrounding bone marrow microenvironment. Scientists could stop leukemia growth by using genetic tools to block this uptake in both mouse models and human cell samples, KIRO TV reports. 'We are very excited about these studies because they demonstrate that targeting uptake by myeloid leukemia cells may be a possible new avenue for treatment of these aggressive diseases,' said Jeevisha Bajaj, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics and a member of Wilmot's Cancer Microenvironment research program. The study also says that there is growing metabolism, how cancer gets energy, is just as important as genetic mutations in driving cancer. KIRO TV reports that researchers discovered that once inside leukemia cells, taurine promotes glycolysis. That is a process that breaks down glucose for energy and supports cancer progression. 'This study is one of the first to show that taurine may actually help drive cancer growth,' Bajaj said. 'Leukemia cells hijack taurine to fuel their survival.' Jane Liesvaeld, M.D., a Wilmot oncologist and co-author of the study, has urged caution when it comes to taurine supplements. The amino acid is a common ingredient in energy drinks, protein powders, and certain foods. This includes meat, fish, and eggs. The amino acid is also found in the brain, heart, and muscles. KIRO TV adds that cancer patients sometimes take it to ease chemotherapy side effects. 'Dr. Bajaj's work shows that local levels of taurine in bone marrow may enhance leukemia growth, suggesting caution in the use of high-dose taurine supplementation,' Liesveld said. Researchers said more work needs to be done to understand what role taurine plays in cancer development and resistance to treatment. Bajaj said one of the next steps is to study taurine levels in leukemia patients. Then, develop methods for safely blocking taurine from entering cancer cells. 'Since taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks and is often provided as a supplement to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the benefits of supplemental taurine in leukemia patients,' the authors wrote in their conclusion. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
Chicago dust storm • Illinois' wealthiest counties • Ice cream recall
CHICAGO - High winds and dry fields kicked up a dangerous dust storm across parts of the Chicago area on Friday; a new report analyzed the wealthiest counties in Illinois; and a voluntary recall of over a dozen ice cream varieties has been issued. These are the top stories in Fox 32's Week in Review. High winds and dry fields kicked up dangerous dust across parts of Chicagoland Friday night, prompting a dust storm warning and reducing visibility for drivers. FULL STORY Lake County leads Illinois in wealth, according to a new report from SmartAsset, which analyzed income, home values, and investment income across all U.S. counties. The annual study used a combination of three financial metrics—median income, investment income, and median home value—to produce a "Wealth Index" score for each county. FULL STORY A common ingredient in some foods and drinks has been linked to an increased risk of blood cancers. Taurine — a non-essential amino acid that also occurs naturally in the bone marrow, brain, heart and muscles — was found to promote the growth of leukemia cells, according to a study by Wilmot Cancer Institute investigators at the University of Rochester in New York. FULL STORY Wells Enterprises, the parent company of popular ice cream brands such as Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pops, Blue Ribbon classic ice cream treats and the Cheesecake Factory, has issued a voluntary recall of over a dozen ice cream varieties. FULL STORY One person was critically injured in a home explosion in unincorporated Cary Sunday afternoon. Doors and windows had been blown off the front and back of the house, and smoke was coming from several areas, according to a statement from the Cary Fire Protection District. FULL STORY A Chicago police dispatcher has been reported missing, and her family is asking for help in finding her. Sana Bell, 31, was last seen Thursday afternoon after dropping off a rental car near 1313 East 60th Street in the Woodlawn neighborhood. FULL STORY Authorities responded to a South Side elementary school Tuesday afternoon after 22 children ingested marijuana edibles, according to Chicago police and school officials. Officers said the children of various ages had ingested an unidentified substance—later identified as cannabis in the form of edibles, school officials said. FULL STORY A 15-year-old Michigan boy who went missing after school last week has been spotted in Chicago, prompting a shift in the investigation across state lines. Glenn Lee Brown was reported missing on May 7 after he left Pennfield High School in Calhoun County, Michigan. FULL STORY The City of Chicago has reached a $15.5 million settlement with Chicago Parking Meters, LLC, ending years of legal disputes over its contentious parking meter lease agreement. City officials said the deal, finalized after extensive negotiations, is significantly less than the $322 million originally sought by the private operator. FULL STORY Eleven new automated speed cameras will begin issuing tickets in Chicago starting in June, according to the city's Department of Transportation. The move is part of an ongoing effort to improve traffic safety near schools and parks. FULL STORY
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
This popular drink may increase the risk of blood cancer, warn doctors
A hidden ingredient in popular energy drinks like Red Bull and Celsius may be fueling blood cancers, a new study published in Nature cautions. Taurine, long hailed as a performance-boosting ingredient in many common energy drinks, is now under fresh scientific scrutiny as a new study has raised red flags about its potential link to blood cancers, particularly leukemia. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute explained that leukemia cells may exploit taurine, which develops in bone marrow, to fuel their growth through a process called glycolysis. The process enables cells to break down glucose to produce energy, which cancer cells use to grow. This new finding has prompted urgent questions about the safety of excessive taurine intake through supplements and beverages. Taurine is usually found in animal proteins, specifically meat, seafood, and dairy products. In energy drinks, it is added to improve mental performance and reduce inflammation. It is also used to relieve chemotherapy side effects in leukemia patients. According to a study published in the Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutic, 'taurine supplementation could be a protection against chemotherapy-induced toxicities probably by its antioxidant capacity. ' While in moderation, this compound is useful, its excessive intake, whether through supplements or energy drinks could increase leukemia risk by way of fueling the cancer cells. How the study was conducted The study focused on mice with a specific gene called SLC6A6, which plays a key role in transporting taurine throughout the body. Researchers introduced human leukemia cells into these mice to observe how they would respond. They found that healthy bone marrow cells naturally produce taurine, and the SLC6A6 gene helps move this taurine to the leukemia cells, potentially aiding their growth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Given how commonly taurine is consumed through energy drinks and supplements, the researchers stressed the importance of carefully weighing the potential risks and benefits, especially for leukemia patients and regular energy drink users. Researchers are of the view that blocking taurine in leukemia cells could lead to development of new treatment options. The researchers eventually also want to find out whether taurine can also contribute to the spike of other cancers, such as colorectal cancer. 'As taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks, and is often provided as a supplement to mitigate the side-effects of chemotherapy our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the benefits of supplemental taurine in patients with leukaemia," researchers wrote in Nature. Drinking coffee may cut womb cancer risk
