Using ice cream to combat side effects of chemo

WELLINGTON (Reuters Life!) - New Zealand scientists are developing an ice cream that is so good for you, it could come with a doctor's prescription.

Researchers at the University of Auckland are working with dairy giant Fonterra to create a "medical dessert" which has shown encouraging signs in combating the side effects of chemotherapy in cancer sufferers.

The ice cream, called ReCharge, is using active ingredients from dairy products to relieve diarrhoea, anemia and lack of appetite in people undergoing chemotherapy.

Participants in a trial have been eating a 100 gram tub of the strawberry-flavoured ice cream each day.

"The two bio-active milk components developed for ReCharge have the unique potential to assist the body in coping with the side effects of chemotherapy," Fonterra's chief technology office Jeremy Hill said in a statement.

Copyright © 2009 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.