Let’s talk about “Cancer Cell Suicide”
DEFINITION:
Apoptosis: A programmed cell death process which begins when a cell receives an internal or external signal. This means a genetically directed process of cell self destruction.
Early on at the beginning of this Blog, I told you about the book my daughter Denise ordered for me called Anti Cancer – A new way of life by David Servin – Schreiber, MD,PhD. I’ve read the book over and over and I still constantly use it as a reference. Recently I learned of a friend of mine that has has been introduced to Mr TAZ. Whew!
After some positive conversations with my friend about things she can do to hopefully minimize the impact, I told her about the book.
In the mean time I typed a couple of pages for her. It’s a list of recommended foods that I felt she should look at right away. Then I got to thinking about how everyone might benefit from this list, so I’ve included it as one of my “Eye of the Day” features.
For what it’s worth, I hope all of my readers find it useful. Don’t let the big words scare you, plenty of useful and clear information between them.
GREEN TEA
Rich in polyphenols, including catechins (and particularly epigallocatechin gallate-3, or EGCG), which reduce the growth of the new vessels needed for tumor growth and metastases. It is also a powerful antioxidant and detoxifier (activating enzymes in the liver that eliminate toxins from the body), and it facilitates the death of cancer cells by apoptosis. In the laboratory, it enhances the effects of radiotherapy on cancer cells.
OLIVES AND OLIVE OIL
Olives and olive oil contain particularly high concentrations of phenolic antioxidants. They are ideal health foods.
TURMERIC AND CURRY
Turmeric (the yellow powder that is one from the components of yellow curry) is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory identified today. It also helps stimulate apoptosis in cancer cells and inhibit angiogenesis. In the laboratory, it enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduces tumor growth.
Take note: to be assimilated by the body, turmeric must be mixed with black pepper (not simply with peppers). Ideally, is must also be dissolved in oil (olive, canola, or linseed oil, preferably). In Store-bought curry mixes, turmeric represents only 20 percent of the total. So it’s better to obtain turmeric powder directly.
Recommendations for use: Mix ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder with ½ tablespoon of olive oil and a generous pinch of black pepper. Add to vegetables, soups and salad dressing. A few drops of agave nector can remove the slightly bitter taste.
GINGER
Ginger root also acts as a powerful anti inflammatory and an antioxidant (more effective than vitamin E, for example) and has protective effects. It acts against certain cancer cells. Moreover, it helps reduce the creation of new blood vessels. A ginger infusion tea also helps alleviate nausea from chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
CRUCIFORM VEGETABLES
Cabbages (Brussels sprouts bok choy, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) contain sulforaphane and indole-3- carbinols (I3Cs), which are powerful anticancer molecules. Sulforaphane and I3Cs are acceptable of detoxifying certain carcinogenic substances. They prevent precancerous cells from developing into malignant tumors. They also promote the suicide of cancer cells and block angiogenesis. Avoid boiling cabbage and broccoli. Boiling risks destroying sulforaphan and I3Cs. Cover and steam briefly or stir fry rapidly in a wok with a little olive oil.
GARLIC, ONION, LEEKS, SHALLOW, CHIVES
Garlic is one of the oldest medicinal herbs (prescriptions for garlic are found on Sumerian tablets from 3000 b.c.) The sulfur compounds of this family (the “alliaceous” family reduce the carcinogenic effects of nitrosamines and N-nitroso compounds, which are created in over-grilled meat and during tobacco combustion. They promote apoptosis (cell death) in colon, breast, lung, and prostate cancer, as well as in leukemia.
VEGETABLES AND FRUITS RICH IN CAROTENOIDS
Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkins, certain varieties of potimarron squash (also known as Hokkaido squash), tomatoes, persimmins, apricots, beets and all the bright-colored (orange, red, yellow, green) fruits and vegetables contain vitamin A and lycopene, which have the proven capacity to inhibit the growth of cells of several cancer lines, including brain gliomas.
Lutein, lycopene, phytoene, and canthaxanthin stimulate the growth of immune cells and increase their capacity to attach tumor cells. They make NK cells more aggressive.
TOMATOES AND TOMATO SAUCE
It has been concluded that lycopene in tomatoes leads to longer survival for prostate cancer patients (men in the study consumed tomato sauce in at least two meals a week). Tomatoes also contain a whole series of anticancer nutrients whose combined action is more effective lycopene on its own. Tomatoes must be cooked in order to release these nutrients. Moreover, olive oil improves their assimilation.
SOY
Soy isoflavones (including genistein, daidzein, and glycitein) block the stimulation of cancer cells by sex hormones (such as estrogens and testosterone). They also intervene by block angiogenesis.
MUSHROOMS
Shiitake, maitake, enokidake, cremini, protobello, oyster, and thistle oyster mushrooms all contain polysaccharides and lentinian, which stimulate the reproduction of activity of immune cells. These mushrooms are often used in Japan as a complement to chemotherapy to support the immune system.
HERBS AND SPICES
Cooking herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil and mint are very rich in essential oils of the terpene family to which they owe their fragrance. They promote apoptosis in cancer cells and reduce their spread by blocking the enzymes they need to invade neighboring tissues. Parsley and celery contain apigenin, and anti-inflammatory that promotes apoptosis and blocks angiogenesis.
SEAWEED
Several varieties of seaweed commonly eaten in Asia contain molecules that slow cancer growth, especially that of breast, prostate, skin and colon cancer. It’s a carotenoid (from the same family as lycopene in tomatoes) even more effective that its cousin lycpene in its capacity to inhibit cell growth in prostate cancer.
BERRIES
Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries contain ellagic acid and a large number of polyphenols. They stimulate the mechanisms of elimination of carcinogenic substances and inhibit angiogenesis. Anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins also promote apoptosis in cancer cells.
PLUM, PEACHES & NECTARINES
Oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruit contain anti-inflammatory flavonoids. They also stimulate the detoxification of carcinognics by the liver.
POMEGRANATE JUICE
Pomegranate juice has been used in Persian medicine for thousands of years. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have already been confirmed as well as it capacity to substantially reduce the development of prostate cancer (among others), even in its most aggressive forms. In humans, daily consumption of pomegranate juice slows the spread of an established prostate cancer by 67 percent.
RED WIND
Red wine contains many polyphenols, including the celebrated resveratrol. These polyphenols are extracted by fermentation; hence, their concentration, is much greated in wine than in grape juice. Since they come from the skin and seeds of the grape, there are not nearly as many in white wine. Resveratrol acts on genes (called sirtuines) that are known to protect healghy cells against aging. It can also slow the three stages of cancer development-initiation, promotion and progression – by clocking the action of NJ-kappa B. Recommendations for use: one glass of red wine a day. (More than one glass daily should be avoided, since it may lead to an increase in cancer.
DARK CHOCOLATE
Cark chocolate (more than 70 percent cocoa) contains a number of antioxidants, proanthocyanidins, and many polyphenols ( a square of chocolate contains as many as a glass of red wine and almost as many as a cup of green tea properly steeped. These molecules slow the growth of cancer cells and limit angiogenesis. Mixing dairy products with chocolate cancels the beneficial effects of the molecules of cocoa. Avoid milk chocolate.
Recommendations for use: Eat a few squares of dark chocolate instead of dessert at the end of a meal (with green tea). Or melt dark chocolate in a double boiler, then pour it over pears or any fruit combination. It is also delicious with grated ginger or grated tangerine peels.
VITAMIN D
(The information in this section was long and complex, so please just consult with your doctor.)
OMEGA-3s
Long-chair omega-3s found in fatty fish (or in high-quality purified fish oil supplements) reduce inflammation. In cell cultures, they reduce cancer cell growth in a large number of tumors (lung, breast, colon, prostate, kidney etc.). They also act to reduce the spread of tumors in the form of metastases.
PROBIOTICS
The intestines ordinarily contain “friendly” bacteria, which help digestion and facilitate regular bowel movements. They also play an important stabilizing role for the immune system. Among the most common of these bacteria are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bifidus. It has been demonstrated that these probiotics inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells. Certain foods are prebiotics, which means they contain polymers of fructose, which stimulate the growth of probiotic bacteria. Examples are garlic, onions, tomatoes, asparagus, bananas, and wheat.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates