Posted 2/5/2008

Smokers, overweight persons can participate in
antioxidant study

University of South Carolina researchers are seeking participants for a study to measure the effectiveness of an over-the-counter dietary supplement in reducing chronic inflammation.

Dr. Lorne Hofseth

Principal investigator is Dr. Lorne Hofseth, an assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy. He is collaborating with Dr. James Hebert, director of the Arnold School's Cancer Prevention and Control Program.

The focus of the study is Juice Plus+ a non-prescription antioxidant containing concentrated fruit and vegetable juice extracts fortified with vitamins and nutrients.

Antioxidants, found naturally in fresh fruits and vegetables, have been promoted for their ability to enhance health. The study will test whether antioxidants also lower inflammation, which can lead to cancer, heart disease and diabetes over time.

"Chronic inflammation often has no symptoms—you can have an inflammatory load and not feel it—but it's a risk factor for many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart disease," Hofseth said. "A lot of people are turning to complementary and alternative medicines; our lab is looking at the molecular level to see what these drugs actually do."

Project Coordinator Brook Harmon said researchers want to recruit 150 healthy men and women, including those who smoke or are overweight. Interested persons ages 22 to 55 are invited to ask about their eligibility to participate.

"We are looking for men and women who do not currently have any inflammatory conditions, heart disease, arthritis, a diagnosis of cancer, etc," she said. "We are currently recruiting for our last wave, which will occur March-May 2008."

Those who join the study will receive $50 in gift cards, a four-month supply of supplements ($150 value), and their results of the two-month study.

For more information about the study, call 803-734-4432 or 0226; e-mail antioxidant@gwm.sc.edu.