Cancer Prevention Nutrients Are Available in
Healthy Food
Written by: Eddie Lim -
Dec 2009
Cancer is a
very challenging affair that modern medical science is still struggling to
overcome. Despite the trillions of R&D funds poured into various institutes
of research, there is still no known “CURE’ for cancer. There are numerous
reports that Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy do not help cancer patients at
all. In fact, patients die faster if they undergo such conventional therapies.
Cancer
prevention on the other hand, if viewed from a pharmaceutical angle, is also
off the track as it is based on the assumption that every illness is caused by
a “pathogen”, or a virus. Drugs are tweaked to KILL that specific virus. Common
sense will tell you that this has side effects as normal cells are also
sacrificed in the treatment process.
Numerous
reports had attested to cancer preventive properties of nutrients contained in
natural food. Big pharmaceutical companies do not want the facts known as they
cannot “patent” food. It boils down to financial interests. Again, there
shouldn’t be any judgments made as it is our own responsibility to seek the
proper medical cures. Again, the word “medical” has certain implications as
Natural and Alternative treatments are not classified “medical”.
Proper
nutrients can be obtained with the right selection of food that we eat daily.
We cannot survive or depend on pharmaceutical drugs to survive any disease,
without basic food and nutrients to sustain our bodies!
Our body is
very complex and it has the capability to repair itself if given the right
assistance.
The
following is a compilation of phytonutrients with known anti-cancer properties.
These nutrients can be found in certain types of food that we eat and by adding
the pure substance in the form of supplements, we can increase the effects of
the anti-cancer prosperities by many folds.
Many
“Nutraceuticals” (Nutritional Pharmaceuticals) have cancer prevention and
suppression properties. Many of us will not come across them if we do not do
our own in-depth research about their scientific literature. Pharmaceutical
companies have tons of information of natural substances that they know can
treat any diseases, but we will not hear about them until they can duplicate
the healing properties of the molecules to get a patent on their “research”.
Their job is to make money. Period. Nothing right or wrong about that.
The terms
“Phytochemical” and “Phytonutrient” are currently used commonly to describe the
compounds in plants that are thought to have health and healing properties. These
immune boosters, anti-oxidants and other health properties in the plant
compounds are constantly being researched. In common usage however, their
definition is limited. Phytonutrients are used to refer to the compounds active
in plants that are not needed for normal bodily functions, but nevertheless
have an active role in the healing of diseases. Hence, they are not the same as
the traditional nutrients because they are not a necessity for normal body
functions. We will not die or fall sick just because we do not have them.
There is no
doubt that phytonutrients have many beneficial health properties. For instance,
they can improve the immune system, react against germs and viruses, and reduce
inflammation, assist in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases,
cancers (which is the focus of this article), and other health threatening
problems.
Anthocyanins are powerful phytonutrients,
and foods containing them are distinguished by their strength of colour,
specifically dark red, blue or purple. Many scientific studies, have shown
the ability of anthocyanins as powerful antioxidants to protect cells from
the oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Blueberries, cranberries,
blackberries, blackcurrants, red currants, cherries, and purple
grapes provide the richest sources of anthocyanins. Cheaper versions are
aubergines and red cabbage. A 2004 study by the Michigan State
University showed that
anthocyanins caused the normal cells to release peroxides that can destroy
cancer cells.
Allyl Sulfides are found in the ONION family of food. They
suppress tumor cells growth and cause the cells to die naturally. Allyl
Sulfides also encourages the excretion of cancer causing chemicals. They
decrease colon and stomach cancers and are great for influenza, inflammations,
blood circulation, hypertension, diabetes and arteriosclerosis, fatigue and
insomnia.
Catechin, found in green tea, is a
powerful, water soluble polyphenol and antioxidant that is easily oxidized. Catechin
prevents viruses from adhering and causing harm. It reacts with toxins created
by harmful bacteria (many of which belong to the protein family) and harmful
metals such as lead, mercury, chrome, and cadmium. According to Norman
Hollenberg, professor of medicine at Harvard
Medical School,
catechin can reduce the risk of four of the major health problems: stroke,
heart failure, cancer and diabetes. Catechin helps protect the skin from UV
radiation-induced damage and tumor formation.
Chlorophyll is the main
biochemical for all respiration and life in plants. It is well known that wheat
grass juice is good for people with anaemia. Found in all plants, like
spirulina, chlorella, barley grass and in green vegetables, it is a strong
detoxification agent that protects genes against biochemical damages that lead
to cancer development.
Ellagic Acid is a
proven anti-carcinogen, anti-mutagen, and anticancer initiator. It is used in
alternative medicine to prevent cancer. Ellagic Acid is a polyphenol
antioxidant common in fruits and vegetables like raspberries, strawberries,
cranberries, walnuts, pecans, pomegranates and other plant foods. The Hollings
Cancer Institute at the University of South Carolina conducted a double blind
study on a group of 500 cervical cancer patients for Nine years have shown that
Ellagic Acid causes G-arrest within 48 hours (inhibiting and stopping
mitosis-cancer cell division), and apoptosis (normal cell death) within 72
hours, for breast, pancreas, esophageal, skin, colon and prostate cancer cells.
Limonene is a
hydrocarbon, and is found in lemons and noni fruits. Studies have shown that
limonene have anti- cancer effects. Limonene increases the levels of liver
enzymes involved in detoxifying carcinogens. Limonene seems to promote the GST
system in the liver and small bowel, thereby decreasing the damaging effects of
carcinogens. Animal studies demonstrated that dietary limonene reduced mammary
tumour growth.
Lutein is one of
over 600 known naturally occurring carotenoids. It is found in egg yolk and
many plants and vegetables, including red peppers, mustard, broccoli, zucchini,
corn, garden peas, spinach, leek, collard greens and kale. Lutein is
responsible for the colouring of many fruits and vegetables. Studies indicate
that foods rich in carotenoids - lutein, may have protective benefits against
breast cancer risk. For cardiovascular health, lutein’s presence in blood
serum may help reduce arterial wall thickening, (atherosclerosis). Lutein also
plays a role in eye health, specifically its role in reducing the risk of Age
Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Like our eyes, lutein is deposited
throughout our skin via the food we eat. Research suggests 10 mg of
lutein daily from food or dietary supplements increased skin hydration,
elasticity and skin lipid content. This is the first research to show
improvement in skin health through lutein supplementation alone.
Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomato products, watermelon, pink
grapefruit, rosehip, pink guava and papaya. It prevents oxidation of low
density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and reduces the risk of developing
atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Ongoing research suggests that
lycopene can reduce the risk of prostate cancer and cancers of the lung,
bladder, cervix and skin. It is also known to be beneficial for diabetes,
osteoporosis and male infertility.
Quercetin is a plant derived flavonoid with
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Quercetin also has an
antihistamine action which may help to relieve allergic symptoms and asthma
symptoms. The British Journal of Cancer
reported that when quercetin and ultrasound were used to treat skin and
prostate cancers, 90% of cancer sells die within 48hrs with no effect on normal
cells. Quercetin has been used to treat cancer, cataracts, cardiovascular
disease, prostatitis and respiratory diseases like bronchitis and asthma; it
may also help reduce symptoms like fatigue, depression and anxiety. It is found in onions, tea, apples, grapes,
broccoli, leafy green vegetables, cherries, turmeric and cranberries.
Resveratrol is a
polyphenolic compound found in grapes, red wine, purple grape juice, peanuts,
and some berries. It can cause apoptosis or cancer cell deaths.. Studies have
shown that Resveratrol have anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-aging,
anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and life-prolonging effects. Resveratrol has
been found to inhibit the proliferation of a variety of human cancer cell
lines, including those from breast, prostate, stomach, colon, pancreatic, and
thyroid cancers. Oral administration of resveratrol inhibited the development
of esophageal, intestinal, and mammary (breast) cancer induced by chemical
carcinogens in animals. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine
whether resveratrol might be beneficial in cancer treatment. This biochemical
has also shown hope in longevity studies and athletic performances of all
kinds.
Sulforaphane is an organosulfur
compound that exhibits anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial
properties. It is found in broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale.
Sulforaphane is an antioxidant and stimulators of natural detoxifying enzymes.
Sulforaphane can reduce the risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer. The
antioxidant action of sulforaphane helps to fight high blood pressure.
This short compilation shows that there is no single
nutrient that can be claimed to be the BEST cancer cure. If we combine all
available methods and products as a holistic treatment, it is definitely a
better choice than conventional medical cancer treatments.
For more details about our special concoction of Phytonutrients specifically for Cancers and Cardiovascular Diseases management, Please CLICK HERE.
Anti-Cancer Supplements
