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Oleic Acid,which is found in Olive Oil, is an anti cancer fatty acid that blocks the cancer causing agent, HER-2/neu. Dr. Javier Menendez,of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and his colleagues in the U.S. and Spain,studied the impact of oleic acid in laboratory studies of breast cancer cells. “We are able to demonstarate that the main component of olive oil, oleic acid, is able to down-regulate the most important oncogene in breast cancer,” Menendez explained. Menendez and a research scientist with Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute said, “to our knowledge this is the first report that a dietary monounsaturated fatty acid previously suggested to be protective against breast cancer significantly downregulates the expression of HER-2/neu, cutting it by up to 46%.
”We have something now that is able to explain why the Mediterranean diet is so healthy,” Menendez told Reuters. Doctors and researchers had been aware that eating a Mediterranean diet, reduces the risk of breast cancer and other illnesses such as heart disease, and promotes the production of antioxidants.
The other anti cancer nutrients Olive Oil contains are, selenium, gluta thione, fiber, polyphenols, vitamins E and C, and omega 6,3.
Sources:
1. European Journal of Cancer, Volume 42, Issue 15, pages 2425-2432
J.Mendez, A.Papadimitropoulou, L.Vellon, R.Lupu
http://www.ejcancer.info/article/S0959-8049(05)00935-4/abstract
2. Patricia Reaney,”Oleic Acid Key to Olive Oil’s Anti Cancer Effect”, Reuters 1/09/05
With Prostate Cancer being the second leading cancer related deaths of American males, studies have shown that the consumption of pomegranate juice has slowed down the progression of the disease and had reduced the tumour cell growth. This special fruit contains very high levels of antioxidants,more than red wine,acai juice, and Green Tea,and also contains anti-inflammatory properties. The reason why antioxidants are so important because they neutralize harmful free radicals. “Free radicals are atoms or molecules in the body with an unpaired electron·making them highly unstable. Because electrons normally come in pairs, the free radicals collide with other molecules in an attempt to steal an electron, and may start a chain reaction, damaging DNA and cells. Emerging science suggests this free radical damage may be linked to disease. Free radical scavengers, or antioxidants, bind with the free radicals before they can do their damage (POM WONDERFUL Glossary)”. The damaging effect of these free radicals is to referred to as oxidative stress. You get exposed to free radicals daily, from the junk food you eat, what you drink (especially alcohol), smoking, pollution,drugs… Stress is also poison to your body. Statistics show that most sickness and diseases are stress related. That is something to think about. This goes to show how important antioxidants are for everyone.
“…among the potentially explanatory hypotheses is the role of inflammation in cancer and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of pomegranate polyphenols. Chronic inflammation has been linked to the incidence of many cancers, incuding that of the prostate” (Weitzman SA, Gordon LI. Inflammation and cancer: role of phagocyte-generated oxidants in carcinogeneses.Blood 1990;76:655-63). “Studies investigating of human tissues have shown that epithelial cell proliferation is increased by inflammation. An increased risk of cancer is associated with inflammatory mechanisms,as about %15 of all cancers can be related to chronic inflammation. Epidemiologic studies have found an increased risk for prostate cancer in men who have a prior history of sexually transmitted disease or prostatitis” (Kuper H. Adami HO, Trichopoulos D. Infections as a major preventable cause of human cancer. J Intern Med 2000;248:171-83).
There have been a number of studies on the effect pomegranate has to prostate cancer cells, and the results are amazing. The results of one particular study was presented at the American Urological Associations 104th Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago. There was a study that started in 2003, with 48 men over the age of 60, who had localized prostate cancer (cancer that hasn’t spread),who’s Prostate-Specific-Antigen (P.S.A.)levels were rising after they have undergone surgery and radiation to stop the cancer from spreading. The study was funded by POM Wonderful, and the patients were required to drink 8oz. of the juice per day. After much follow up, the researchers found that the pomegranate juice slowed down the P.S.A. levels/doubling times, and reduced tumour cell growth. “This study suggests that pomegranate juice may effectively slow the progression of prostate cancer after unsuccessful treatment,” said Christopher Amling, MD, spokesperson for the AUA.“This finding and other ongoing research might one day reveal that pomegranate juice is an effective prostate cancer preventative agent as well.”
On September 26, 2005, the University of Winsconsin Medical School, informed the public that they found out that the higher dose of pomegranate extract used on the prostate cancer cells, the more of them died. Another team of researchers in 2007, actually made their own juice from the fruit and after testing, the results were that the juice slowed down the growth of the tumors. This study remains ongoing by researchers world wide.
Source:
1. Journal of Urology-American Urological Association
2009, Volume 181, issue 4, Page 295
2. POM WONDERFUL
3. Clin Cancer Res 2006: 12 (13) July 1,2006
Some things in life may be out of our control,but getting sick can be naturally avoided. Our bodies need proper nutrition and T.L.C., which should consist of proper nutrition and plenty of rest. Vitamins have an important part keeping our bodies defence system/ immune system strong, which can be found in our everyday food.
Vitamin D is a powerful immune system builder (5,000 IU daily for adults).Besides getting the best source of this vitamin from the sun, it is very high in pure Cod liver oil ,Salmon,Mackerel,Tuna,and Sardines. Milk/breast milk also carries this vitamin,but not as high as the fish.
Breastfed babies also are protected in varying degrees from a number of illnesses, and when they do getsick, their illnesses are likely to be less severe and they recover quicker.
Probiotics which can be found in yogurt (Kefir)and breast milk,is the good bacteria known to not only aid digestion, but also boosts the immune system. I absolutely love the Kefir with strawberries…Combining probiotics and Vitamin D can cut your risk of flu by 50% or more, and that includes the H1N1 flu!
Yogurt kills bacteria, and also helps your body to produce more antibodies that will kill any invading organisms.So make sure you are eating plenty of it
Lemon has always been very popular because of it’s high vitamin c content and it’s ability to help the body expel toxins. Putting lemon juice in your hot tea with honey is a very traditional way to go. Honey as we all know can help a sore throat. Besides the tea, I like to incorporate lemon juice in my salads. It can be any kind of salad. Just add a little lemon juice, a tiny amount of olive oil, and a little salt,and mix. Strawberries, cantaloupe,guava,red sweet pepper,green sweet pepper,grapefruit,kiwi,oranges and Brussels prouts are also richly packed with vitamin c.
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS:
We all tend to lean towards hot drinks to warm us when it’s cold outside. Hyssop in your tea is a great way to support your immune system, along with the popular echinacea,which is actually an antibiotic. Add lemon juice and honey to improve the taste, in place of sugar.
We all know to wash our hands frequently and always have anti bacterial wipes or liquid hand sanitizers. Clean your hands after you touch money,shake peoples hands,open public doors etc. Do not share food, especially drinks.This is for the ladies…do not, I repeat do not share any kind of make up! What we do in our family is use paper towels all year round to dry our hands, and I change my dish washing sponge once a month…which reminds me…please don’t use your dish washing sponge to clean anything else but your dishes. When wiping anything down,especially a counter top, you want to use a paper towel because it can be thrown away. A sponge spreads germs around and is disgusting…A great cleaner to use is the Clorox Anywhere spray that kills 99.9% of germs and is safe to use around your children, pets, and food.
I also recommend changing your tooth brush frequently, especially after getting sick,or getting a cold sore. It is unbelievable how many germs are on a toothbrush.
When going outside,make sure your head is covered when it’s cold. Your hat will prevent heat from escaping your body, and please do not, I repeat do not go outside with wet hair! The other essentials are obvious…warm coat,gloves,scarves…Avoid crowded places during the sick season,especially if you have kids.Shopping can be done online these days.
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