Herbs for Cancer

[Guest guest]

Berry Good Health

By

Susan Thorpe-Vargas Ph.D.

Multiple studies have discovered that phytonutrients found in raspberries

can protect us from cancer and can even shrink some types of cancer tumors.

These substances can also act as an antibacterial and as an antiviral agent.

Does this sound too good to be true? One particular substance found in this

natural “medicine chestâ€, is a series of compounds called ellagitannins.

The

highest levels are found in raspberries, but the ellagitannins are also in

certain types of grapes, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and some nuts

too. Recent work (2001), published by Dr. Gary Stoner at Ohio State

University, showed that components in the seeds and berry, but particularly

ellagitannins, inhibited the initiation and promotion/progression stages of

esophageal

cancer. This is an extremely important finding, considering the potential

benefits .In addition, edible berries, including raspberries also inhibit

angiogenesis. This is a term used to describe the development of blood vessels

needed for tumor growth.

We do not as yet know all of the functions of the ellagitannins in terms of

cancer. A study at Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South

Carolina has shown one of the ways they work is to " turn on " a normal cellular

process called apoptosis. Apoptosis is " science speak " for something called

programmed cell death. This natural cell death is just one of several ways

our body protects us from cancer. As we age, cellular replication mistakes can

occur. Cancer cells somehow become immune to the signals that cause cells to

self-destruct, so they become virtually immortal and reproduce indefinitely.

The disease with a thousand faces

Cancer is not just one disease but is the general name for more than 200

different types of malignancies. Cancers are classified by the tissue type

from

which they arise. To illustrate:

· osteosarcoma-bone cancer

· melanoma-skin cancer

· lymphoma-cancer of lymph nodes

· leukemia – blood cancer

Every cellular type has its own form of cancer. The one thing all cancers

share in common is uncontrolled growth. Cancer occurs when cells lose control

over critical checkpoints during the process of one cell splitting and

becoming two cells. This control over cellular replication is in the hands of

several specific types of genes.

Two classes of genes are suspected of being associated with the occurrence

of cancer. A mutation in a tumor suppressor gene is like having faulty

brakes in your car. Just as their name implies, tumor suppressor genes

function

by making sure there are no mistakes in the genes that are replicated prior to

one cell becoming two. In this " quality control " process, if errors are

detected, the cell is instructed not to divide. Thus, tumor suppressor genes

put

the brakes on cellular division. The other class of genes thought to be

involved with preventing cancer is called proto-oncogenes. Researchers have

found that these genes " code " for proteins involved in mechanisms that regulate

the social behavior of cells. Signals from those cells in the immediate

environment induce their neighbors to divide, differentiate and even undergo

apoptosis. So, this type of gene is involved in promoting the normal growth

and

division of cells and could be likened to your car's accelerator. A change in

the genetic message - a mutation, can turn the proto-oncogene into an

oncogene and cause your accelerator to become stuck, thus initiating " runaway "

cellular replication. Nevertheless, there seem to be no pattern to these

mutations. What is so frustrating for both researchers and clinicians alike is

that

different combinations of mutations are found in different types of cancer

and even in cancers of supposedly the same type in different patients. What is

most important to remember is that cancer begins as a single abnormal cell

that somehow is able to hide from the body’s defense system and begins to

multiply out of control.

So, what causes most mutations?

We live in a polluted environment. For instance, the outgassing from asphalt

on a hot summer day produces the deadly carcinogen benzo{a}pyrene, the same

chemical found on meat that has been charcoal broiled. This is just but one

example. Exposure to such chemicals in the environment can cause the

mutations in our genetic material that lead to cancer. Even normal metabolic

processes like breathing and exercise produce free radicals that can wreak

havoc on

our cellular DNA. We can protect ourselves from mutations caused by

environmental toxins and free radicals by taking antioxidants. Guess what?

Ellagitannins are also very good antioxidants and chemoprotective agents.

Researchers

at Wayne State University have a theory about how ellagitannins might work.

The liver produces enzymes that rid the body of toxins. These enzymes break

down or chemically change toxic substances we ingest or inhale so that they

can be excreted. During this detox process, the breakdown products, called

metabolites, are frequently more damaging then the original substance. It

appears that ellagitannins are able to safeguard the liver from damage caused

by

these breakdown products. Another theory held by some investigators is that

ellagitannins are able to protect our genetic material from certain types of

chemical reactions that lead to misreading of damaged DNA.

Why does chemotherapy and radiation eventually stop working?

It is becoming clear that normal therapeutic cancer treatment works by

turning on apoptosis. We used to think that chemotherapy and radiation killed

rapidly dividing cells, which is why these procedures were able to shrink

tumors.

However, at some point these treatments begin to lose their effectiveness.

Why is that? Scott Lowe, a research scientist at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

may have found the answer. Instead of killing these cells, chemotherapy and

radiation damage their cellular DNA. This alerts the cellular watchdogs that

control the cell cycle that something is wrong and tells the cell to stop

dividing or to commit suicide. Therefore, chemotherapy and radiation act

somewhat like a " vaccination " that works by helping the body help itself. The

evidence for Dr. Lowe's theory is pretty convincing, because when these

treatments

start to fail, researchers have found that the genes that control apoptosis

are no longer functioning.

Why don't ellagitannins induce normal cells to commit suicide?

As we know, cancer cells become immortal; this means that they are able to

replicate themselves after something called the Hayflick limit has been

reached. The Hayflick limit is the number of " allowed " cellular replications.

Each

cell type has its own limit. Human cancer studies show that mutations in the

tumor suppressor gene called p53 account for many of the tumors found. One of

the functions of this gene is that it normally prevents cells with damaged

DNA from proceeding through the cell cycle. The presence of the protein

product encoded by p53 turns on the waf-1 gene. The waf-1 gene produces a

protein

that normally inhibits the activity of several similar cellular proteins

called kinases. These proteins are involved in stopping cell cycle progression.

A

mutation in either the p53 or waf-1 gene can cause the loss of that " emergency

brake " function and allow uncontrolled growth. However, only " damaged " cells

are induced to commit suicide and so normal cells are not affected.

Other Phytochemicals found in raspberries

Besides ellagitannins, the short list of other beneficial compounds found in

red raspberries includes anthocyanins, salicylic acid, quercitin and

catechins. Some recent work has shown that these anthocyanins are more

effective

then Vitamin E and equivalent to ibuprofen and naproxen in inhibiting the COX-1

and COX-2 enzymes. Both Cox-1 and Cox-2 are associated with the pain of

arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, and Cox-2 inhibition is positively

linked to preventing breast cancer. Besides their anticancer properties,

anthocyanins provide many other health benefits. Among these are controlling

diabetes, improving circulation and aiding the retention of motor skills and

preventing the loss of memory due to aging. Salicylic acid may have the same

effects as aspirin in protecting us from cancer and the progression of

atherosclerosis. Both quercitin and catechins are flavonals that are known to

have

antioxidant benefits including cancer prevention, and quercitin may act as an

antihistamine also. Besides the anticancer properties of ellagitannins they can

protect us against infections.

An Antibacterial and an Antiviral agent

Ellagitannins can act as antibacterial agents and as antiviral agents too,

and now we know how. Think of the genetic material of bacteria as a rubber

band that is all twisted up. In order to replicate, the DNA must untwist

itself through a process requiring the enzyme gyrase. Ellagitannins inhibits

gyrase activity so replication of the bacterial DNA is restricted. More

importantly, bacteria cannot easily become resistant to this type of

antibacterial

action. Resistance to antibiotics has become a real concern to the

international

medical community. A federal government task force noted that antibiotic

resistance was “a growing menace to all people†but children, the elderly

and

those with weakened immune systems are especially at risk.

Besides its antibacterial action, ellagitannins have antiviral activity

also. Viruses do not have the ability to replicate themselves. Instead they

must

" hijack " the host cell and insert their own DNA into the host cell genome.

This requires several enzymes and ellagitannins inhibit these enzymes also. It

especially helpful with the retroviruses, like HID, as it inhibits reverse

transcriptase specifically.

Diabetes and the Protective effects of ellagic acid

New data shows that ellagic acid is very effective in preventing damage to

the eyes, kidneys, heart and the small capillaries of the feet and hands that

occur with high glucose levels. It does this by inhibiting an enzyme called

aldose reductase. This enzyme is responsible for the production of

protein-sugar products called AGE (Avanced Glycation End-Products). These end

products

cause the damage of small blood vessels that leads to the blindness, kidney

damage, stroke and heart attacks and loss of limbs associated with both forms

of diabetes. In addition, ellagic acid, as well as several other constituents

in raspberry seed powder, enhance insulin action, decrease insulin resistance

and lower blood sugar, and have multiple anti-inflammatory effects and

decrease oxidative stress as well as lower blood pressure.

Citizen: Heal Thyself. (With apologies to Mr. Hippocrates)

People are turning to alternative forms of medical treatment and prevention.

Not only is the medical delivery system failing but, our costs for health

services are rising at an astronomical rate. What this means for the medical

consumer is that we need to be more responsible for our own health. We need to

look at prevention instead of always looking to health care providers to

" fix " what exposure to a toxic environment and/or years of unhealthy lifestyle

practices have wrought. The quality of medical care is uneven at best. Too

often, our insurance providers do not cover necessary tests and procedures,

especially those of a preventative nature. However, we can become involved in

our

own health care. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is a good start

towards preventing disease. Unfortunately, current tests show that our soil is

severely lacking in many minerals or electrolytes and other components that

are essential for proper nutrition. It is necessary to sometimes take

supplements as it may not be physically or economically possible to eat enough

food

to get the proper nutrition. In addition, the cost of fresh fruits and

vegetables can be prohibitive. For instance, unless you grow your own

raspberries,

the cost of the American Cancer Institute’s recommended daily bowl of the

whole berries could run as high as $300 a month. Not only that, but research

has

shown that the ellagitannin content is much higher in the seeds then in the

fruit. In addition, the powdered seed may be much more bioavailable then the

whole fruit, especially so for the short carnivorous gut of the cat or dog.

It seems that our pets are particularly at risk for cancer because they

interact so closely with the environment (unless of course you lick your paws

after

crossing the street). Cancer is epidemic in dogs and pandemic in cats.

So nutraceutical supplements appear to be the answer. Raspberry seeds

contain many more times the ellagic acid than the fruit at one-tenth the cost.

It’s

your choice, whatever form you may decide to use- the take home message is: “

Eat your ellagitannins!â€

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

This is a great description of cancer, and helps me explain it better to

other people.

 

Thank you,

 

Anne

 

justmeno1001 wrote:

 

> Malignant tumor is a great threat to human health and life after

> cardiac and encephalon disease, which bring much pain and burden to

> social, families and patients self. So, the prevention and treating

> of cancer are hot research field for both Chinese medicine and

> Western medicine. In Chinese, the word ¡°tumor¡± appeared as early

> as 16th¡ª11th century B.C. Ancient doctor described tumor as mass or

> something like stone because of their hardness, and they could kill

> people quickly. These conform to modern recognition.

> TCM believe that cancer is caused by heat poison, phlegm, qi

> stagnation, blood stasis, etc. But first of all, patient¡¯s qi is

> dysfunction, which means bad immunity. For qi is insufficient, the

> outside poisonous factors can easily invade body and stay inside,

> ruining body continuously, years after years, it triggers serially

> changing of body, causing phlegm, blood stasis and qi stagnation.

> They accumulate together and form mass. On the other hand,

> insufficient of qi can make qi stagnating, blood stasis, and fluid

> stopping run, all these would let the outside poisonous factors can

> easily invade body and stay inside. In a word, they can affect each

> other. When the mass form and our immunity system can not recognize

> and clear it, it would turn into cancer at last. When this happen,

> the mass like worms multiplying itself at a fantasy speed, consuming

> large number of energy and nutrition, destroying organs and tissues,

> and immigrating to other parts of body far from its originating

> place, or growing like grass in spring after we kill it, and at last

> it snatches away the life. The diagnosis of cancer is usually

> according to symptoms, examination, especially imagination evidence,

> but pathology is the golden standard. Some cancer¡¯s therapy are

> related with the types of pathology, while some are not, but once

> the diagnosis are confirmed, action should be taken.

> Tumor increased quickly in the early of nineteen century, and at

> that time, oncology was formed. Later, cancer became the first death

> cause of in the western. WHO predicted that tumor would still

> increase in 2025. The effectiveness of medicine have carried to a

> new and higher level by scientists effort, and now we have more and

> more choices, but, there are often side effect and poisonous.

> Chinese herb is also strong and good method to treat cancer. It can

> not only kill cancer cells, but also decrease side effect and

> poisonous caused by western medicine. It has been proved years and

> years.

> Chinese has explored ways for cancer with herbs for many years.

> First we tried single herb or single formula, but most of them had

> little effective, although some of them could take effective on

> laboratory, then we diagnose and treat based on an overall analysis

> of signs and symptoms, and we began to found this work well.

> According TCM theory, there are about seven method, eliminating heat

> and toxin, promoting diuresis and resolving dampness, qi regulating

> and invigorating blood, phlegm resolving and soften hardness,

> disperse mass, killing worms, restoratives, etc. We don¡¯t use one

> method for one patient along, but change formulas according the

> disease progress. Only this conforms to the principle of TCM. When

> we followed this, the survival rate went up. Now we have done lots

> of research of herbs with modern scientific technology, and in

> combination with modern medicine, we learn more and more the

> mechanism of herbs treating cancer. It is complex and has multi

> effect on body. Some of them can enhance our immunity system, some

> of them can improve our blood vessel, some of them can kill cancer

> cell directly, protect marrow and elevate its function, and prevent

> gene from mutating and stop cancer from happening. We believe, in

> the future, we would have more success on this work and bring more

> hope to patients.

>

> any question, please mail to easterntcm

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

People historically have used herbs to help in the fight against free

radicals (cancer being one consequence of free radicals not being held

in check by the immune system). I do dried blood cell anaylsis to

view how one's body is donig against the fight of free radicals, which

we all have.

 

Since no one is God, we cannot say that a certain herb can cure

anything but we can use what others have used to support our immune

system's efforts to fight it. I have a class I teach on this.

 

There is a CD with a protocol for cancer that if anyone wants to order

at the Tree of Light Institute website at www.treelite.com

 

E-tea (Essaic) is used as well as red clover and I've had alot of

success with NSP's Pau D'Arco tea, which has shrunk tumors in folks to

the point where they are no longer on x-ray. NSP's paw paw cell

regulator is wonderful too. Paw Paw is not to prevent cancer; it

is only used when diagnosed with it. It helps to convince cells to

commit suicide so a protease enzyme must also be used to clean up the

waste plus other supplements. There is a whole program. You

cannot just take paw paw alone.

 

If you order the CD from Tree of Light Institute, the items they talk

about are found at www.mynsp.com/herbal

 

 

Everyone's constitution is different, so mind and body must be helped.

 

Carol Hartwell

Health & Healing

email: nathlth