Taking Sauropus androgynus (katuk), a traditional Malaysian food, to reduce weight began as a fad in Taiwan in 1994. Some advocates of this fad developed pulmonary dysfunction. Consumption of S androgynus can result in moderate to severe obstructive ventilatory defect within 7 months, and the disorder was irreversible in the observation period for 22 months.
From July 1995 to November 1995, researchers investigated 104 nonsmoking patients (one male and 103 females) with chest roentgenography, pulmonary function, test, and Technetium 99m-labeled diethylene triamine penta-acetate (Tc-99m DTPA) radioaerosol inhalation lung scintigraphy.
Among the 90 patients receiving Tc-99m DTPA inhalation lung scan, 46 (51.1%) patients had increased clearance of Tc-99m DTPA from lung and 20 (22.2%) patients had inhomogeneous deposition of the submicronic radioaerosol. Eighteen (18/100) patients had obstructive ventilatory impairment in pulmonary function test. Analyzing the results, we found that the patients with respiratory symptoms (n = 42) took more vegetables (p = 0.016), had increased clearance of Tc-99m DTPA and had lower FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75, VC and DLCO than the patients without respiratory symptoms (n = 62). FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were significantly reduced in patients with severe impairment of alveolar permeability. The cumulative dosage and duration of exposure were significantly associated with the reduction of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC.
The lung injury after taking Sauropus androgynus involves alveoli and/or small airways and is manifest as obstructive ventilatory impairment with inhomogeneous aerosol distribution and increased lung epithelial permeability.
Papaverine has been previously identified in this vegetable but is unlikely to be responsible for the full range of toxicity seen.
References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9140317
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8632498
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24120153
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9440571
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/145/9/842.long
http://www.ticotimes.net/2009/06/19/katuk-a-hardy-spinach-substitute
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/01/12/0000019289
Showing posts with label Katuk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katuk. Show all posts
Katuk - "Tropical Asparagus" - Star Gooseberry - Sauropus androgynus
Sauropus androgynus, also known as katuk, star gooseberry, or sweet leaf, is a shrub grown in tropical regions as a leaf vegetable. Sauropus androgynus. (SAW row-puss an-DROG-ah-nus) has a meaning - androgynus, in the plant world, means having flowers that are either male or female. Sauropus means “lizard-foot.” By the way: Change the ending of Sauropus to Saururus and you have Lizard Tail, a different plant species with medicinal qualities.
Its multiple upright stems can reach 2.5 meters high and bear dark green oval leaves 5–6 cm long.
It is one of the most popular leaf vegetables in South Asia and is notable for high yields and palatability. The shoot tips have been sold as "tropical asparagus".
Culinary use
Katuk has a peanut-like taste when eaten raw and the cooked leaves taste as spinach.
In Vietnam, the locals cook it with crab meat, minced pork or dried shrimp to make soup. In Malaysia, it is commonly stir-fried with egg or dried anchovies. The flowers and small purplish fruits of the plant have also be eaten.
Caution
A study has suggested that excessive consumption of juiced Katuk leaves (due to its popularity for body weight control in Taiwan in the mid '90s) can cause bronchiolitis obliterans lung damage, due to its high concentrations of the alkaloid papaverine. It is not clear if this if practical concern with the consumption of the plant in Florida at this time.
Edible trees and bushes in Florida: moringa, katuk and chaya. They are very easy to grow. Video: http://bit.ly/1w7vf9h
Where to buy
Katuk plants and seeds are available from Amazon and eBay: http://ebay.to/1sZpxEV
References:
Sauropus androgynus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://bit.ly/1sZpl8y
Katuk leaf, in addition to the benefits, be aware of side effects | Pelem Sewu http://bit.ly/1sZpAR3
Katuk Kontroversy | Eat The Weeds and other things, too http://bit.ly/1sZpDw7
Garden Adventures: Katuk (Sauropus androgynus) http://buff.ly/1OqRiGj
Katuk - Hedonista http://buff.ly/1QWvDFF
Katuk - Echo - VEGETABLES AND SMALL FRUITS IN THE TROPICS http://buff.ly/1Sc4TiW
Its multiple upright stems can reach 2.5 meters high and bear dark green oval leaves 5–6 cm long.
It is one of the most popular leaf vegetables in South Asia and is notable for high yields and palatability. The shoot tips have been sold as "tropical asparagus".
Culinary use
Katuk has a peanut-like taste when eaten raw and the cooked leaves taste as spinach.
In Vietnam, the locals cook it with crab meat, minced pork or dried shrimp to make soup. In Malaysia, it is commonly stir-fried with egg or dried anchovies. The flowers and small purplish fruits of the plant have also be eaten.
Caution
A study has suggested that excessive consumption of juiced Katuk leaves (due to its popularity for body weight control in Taiwan in the mid '90s) can cause bronchiolitis obliterans lung damage, due to its high concentrations of the alkaloid papaverine. It is not clear if this if practical concern with the consumption of the plant in Florida at this time.
Edible trees and bushes in Florida: moringa, katuk and chaya. They are very easy to grow. Video: http://bit.ly/1w7vf9h
Where to buy
Katuk plants and seeds are available from Amazon and eBay: http://ebay.to/1sZpxEV
References:
Sauropus androgynus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://bit.ly/1sZpl8y
Katuk leaf, in addition to the benefits, be aware of side effects | Pelem Sewu http://bit.ly/1sZpAR3
Katuk Kontroversy | Eat The Weeds and other things, too http://bit.ly/1sZpDw7
Garden Adventures: Katuk (Sauropus androgynus) http://buff.ly/1OqRiGj
Katuk - Hedonista http://buff.ly/1QWvDFF
Katuk - Echo - VEGETABLES AND SMALL FRUITS IN THE TROPICS http://buff.ly/1Sc4TiW
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