Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have uncovered the biochemical mechanism by which functional foods fight cancer. Considering nearly 180 people every hour are diagnosed with cancer in the United States, and the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be over 1.3 million new cases of cancer in 2005 alone, that's important news.
According to researchers, one method of preventing cancer may be to eat certain foods rich in cancer-preventing compounds such as sulforaphane in broccoli and resveratrol in wine. Such compounds signal the body to boost the production of proteins capable of preventing DNA damage.
How does the signal work?
Two key proteins are involved in triggering the defense against cancer when disease-preventing foods are consumed: Keap1 and Nrf2.
Keap1, the sensor protein:
Detects the presence of dietary compounds like sulforaphane when they link with its cysteine residues, one of the amino acids that compose proteins.
Binds to Nrf2, the messenger that turns on the genes for the protective proteins, preventing DNA damage.
And while earlier studies in mice suggested that natural cancer-fighting compounds worked by cutting the tie between Keap1 and Nrf2 -- freeing Nrf2 to take action -- researchers found that, in humans, the link between the two proteins is not broken.
Most importantly, however, is the modification of cysteines in Keap1.
One cysteine in particular was among the most likely to be altered in the interaction with cancer-preventing compounds. Consequently, researchers are proposing that the alteration of this one amino acid in Keap1 is the crucial step that triggers higher levels of the messenger Nrf2 and, as a result, heightened production of the protective proteins.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences July 8, 2005
UIC News Release July 8, 2005
Based on studies of human remains ranging from 5300 B.C. to the mid-19th century, we know that cancer used to be quite rare. Cancer is becoming a far more common problem in our culture. Earlier this year cancer passed heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States. We are now up to 180 people EVERY HOUR being diagnosed with cancer and another 65 that are actually dying from cancer.
Considering how important this issue is for nearly everyone you know, it might be a good one to forward to your friends and relatives. You can easily do this by using the E-mail to a friend button in the upper right hand section of this page, just under the search box. You can make a larger impact if you write them a personal message in the e-mail as to why they should seriously consider the advice -- and why they may want to subscribe to the newsletter.
What innovative medicines, technologies and strategies are suggested by the Cancer Society to slow the spread of cancer by an amazing 62 percent? Doing nothing more than making some simple lifestyle changes.
The American Cancer Society is as traditional as medical organizations come. It is reassuring that even their conservative researchers now suggest a 62 percent reduction with simple lifestyle changes.
Like many of you out there I have had some challenges with my father, but one of the skills he drilled into me from early childhood was to never settle for second best. For the most part I haven't, and I would encourage you to follow that advice when it comes to cancer prevention. Why would you settle for a meager 62 percent reduction? I believe you can VIRTUALLY ELIMINATE your cancer risk if you follow risk reduction strategies that have not been formally "proven" yet by conservative researchers.
Why do you want to wait another 20 or 30 years for these to be proven and risk falling into the group of 180 Americans that are being diagnosed with cancer every hour? In 25 years another 15 million will die from cancer. I suggest you get with the program now and save you and your family a cancer diagnosis.
So what can you do to virtually eliminate your cancer risk?
The following are my major recommendations:
Control your insulin levels: Make certain that you limit your intake of processed foods and sugars as much as possible.
Get appropriate amounts of animal-based omega-3 fats and make sure you use cod liver oil if you don't have regular access to sun exposure.
Get appropriate exercise. One of the primary reasons exercise works is that it drives your insulin levels down. Controlling insulin levels is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your cancer risks.
Normalize your vitamin D levels with safe amounts of sun exposure. This works primarily by optimizing your vitamin D level. If you have regular access to sun exposure then you should use fish oil, not cod liver oil, as your primary source of omega-3 fats. Ideally, it would be best to monitor your vitamin D levels.
Eat according to your nutritional type. The potent anti-cancer effects of this principle are very much underappreciated. When we treat cancer patients in our clinic this is one of the most powerful anti-cancer strategies we have.
Have a tool to permanently erase the neurological short-circuiting that can activate cancer genes. Even the CDC states that 85 percent of disease is caused by emotions. It is likely that this factor may be more important than all the other physical ones listed here, so make sure this is addressed. Energy psychology seems to be one of the best approaches and my particular favorite tool, as you may know, is the Emotional Freedom Technique.
Only 25 percent of people eat enough vegetables, so by all means eat as many vegetables as you are comfortable with. Ideally, they should be fresh and organic. However, please understand that, frequently, fresh conventionally grown vegetables are healthier than organic ones that are older and wilted in the grocery store. They are certainly better than no vegetables at all, so don't use that as an excuse. If you are a carb nutritional type you may need up to 300 percent more vegetables than a protein nutritional type.
Make sure you are not in the two-thirds of the population who are overweight and maintain an ideal body weight.
Get enough high-quality sleep.
Reduce your exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, household chemical cleaners, synthetic air fresheners and air pollution.
Boil, poach or steam your foods, rather than frying or charbroiling them.
Related Articles:
Broccoli (Sprouts or Extract) May Halt Growth of Breast Cancer Cells Can You Fight Cancer With Ketchup? A Spicy Twist to Preventing and Treating Cancer
Broccoli (Sprouts or Extract) May Halt Growth of Breast Cancer Cells
Can You Fight Cancer With Ketchup?
A Spicy Twist to Preventing and Treating Cancer