Asparagus Officinalis Fights Cancer

Asparagus has No Fat, contains No Cholesterol and is low in Sodium. Asparagus is a nutrient-dense food which in high in Folic Acid and is a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C, and thiamin.

A biochemist have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, asparagus fits in better with the latest theories about cancer. Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, asparagus can be said to contain a substance that he call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and inacting as a general body tonic.

It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body’s most potent anti carcinogens and antioxidants.

Asparagus Remedy for Curing Cancer

Asparagus has proven to be helpful in curing cancer of different kinds like Hodgkin’s disease which is cancer of the lymph glands, bladder cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer.

The biochemist and his wife also ate the pureed asparagus every day. Asparagus is harmless and been reported for 2000 years to be beneficial for curing cancer. “There are lots of advertisments about asparagus extracts. I have no proof whether the extracts are beneficial. Fresh asparagus are delicious to eat. We eat fresh asparagus and lemon grass frequently because of the reports of the benefits.”

Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. discovered asparagus that might cure cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, one of the body’s most potent cancer fighters. Additionally, asparagus is high in rutin, which is valuable in strengthening the blood vessels. Avocado and walnuts are also particularly rich in dietary sources of glutathione.

Glutathione is a small protein composed of three amino acids; cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. Glutathione is involved in detoxification. It binds to fat-soluble toxins, such as heavy metals, solvents, and pesticides.

Dietary glutathione intake from food sources such as asparagus has been associated with protection against certain forms of cancer in addition to potent anti-viral properties. Researchers at the Institute for Cancer Prevention found in preliminary studies that asparagus, the food with the highest glutathione concentration, is a potentially effective means of enhancing the body’s defense systems and preventing cancer development.

Tests conducted which indicate that asparagus from Washington contain 70mg/100g of glutathione, a small protein composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine which bind to fat-soluble toxins–more than twice the amount in any other common food.

Moreover, scientists have identified a number of antioxidant substances in asparagus that may play a role in combating malignancies. The most popular plant chemical in Asparagus officinalis is glutathione, a free radical fighter that is thought to interfere with the establishment and promotion of cancer.However, there are many other anti-cancer components in this super food as well.

• Ferulic Acid: The cell walls of asparagus spears contain this potent antioxidant that is chemically similar to curcumin, another phytochemical with a long track record of anti-cancer activity. Ferulic acid is believed to inhibit angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that can spur tumor growth by shuttling nutrients and oxygen to malignancies and promote the spread of cancer to neighboring tissue.
• Quercetin and Rutin: Several laboratory tests have identified these flavonoids in asparagus. Preliminary research conducted mostly in animals and test tubes suggest that quercetin and rutin possess cytotoxic (cell destroying) properties in relation to a variety of cancers. Some scientists propose that these flavonoids may effectively slow the proliferation of abnormal (cancerous) cells and the death of existing malignant cells (apoptosis).
• Steroidal Saponins: A study published in the April 2009 issue of the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications reports that a steroidal saponin extracted from asparagus (asparanin A) is capable of halting the growth of liver (HepG2) cancer cells and promoting their selective death. The authors of that research concluded that, “These data indicate that asparanin A shows promise as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent against human hepatoma”. Previous studies have looked at numerous steroids from asparagus and determined similar cytotoxic activity versus other forms of cancer as well. It’s also important to note that a group of Chinese scientists recently discovered a new steroidal saponin in asparagus – yamogenin II. Only time will tell what this and future discoveries may hold in terms of the natural management of cancer.

Asparagus consumption has also been linked to a few key processes that may discourage the formation of cancer via:

• an antimutagenic effect: preventing genetic mutations which can directly precede the earliest stages of cancer development
• the promotion of “cellular phase II detoxifying enzymes” which “facilitate the removal of drugs and xenobiotic compounds” that are carcinogenic and supporting overall liver function
• synergistically enhancing the antioxidant activity of other plant foods
• the inhibition of chronic inflammation (cycooxygenase-2 suppression) which is thought to play a role in tumor development
• the promotion of healthier digestion and immune function thanks to its natural, prebiotic content

The color of asparagus may also play a role in its therapeutic potential. I would suggest sticking with the green or purple stalked varieties. A class of phytochemicals known as anthocyanins are what gives “purple passion asparagus” its distinctive color. These substances, similar to those found in berries and red wine, possess a potent oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and may play a role in protecting against many age related and chronic conditions ranging from arthritis to dementia. They’ve also been associated with considerable anti-cancer activity based on animal, human and test tube investigations. Green asparagus do not contain anthocyanins but they’re loaded with several varieties of carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenoids have likewise been correlated with a reduced risk of cancer in population studies that have examined the dietary consumption of these plant pigments in relation to cancer incidence.

Asparagus Officinalis Health Benefits

• Helps prevent birth defects such as spina bifida because it is high in folic acid: Especially if you’re thinking about becoming pregnant or are in the early stages of pregnancy, make asparagus a frequent addition to your meals. A cup of asparagus supplies approximately 263 mcg of folate, a B-vitamin essential for proper cellular division because it is necessary in DNA synthesis.
• Great for your heart: Folate is essential for a healthy cardiovascular system.
• Helps menstrual cramps with fertility problems
• Great for your gastrointestinal tract and your colon
• Help treat depression
• Increase the success rate of chemo therapy
• Best for arthritis, asthma rheumatism, and even water retention, PMS: it is diuretic which is good anti-inflammatory
• Help get rid of warts
• Helps detoxify your body
• Lowers cholesterol
• Great for nursing mothers stimulating milk production
• Has antioxidant agents that prevents the effects of aging
• Has antifungal and antiviral qualities
• Great for your kidneys for cleansing your body by stimulating urination and preventing kidney stones
• Helps prevent bladder and urinary tract infections
• Use to be used as an a aphrodisiac to increase sexual and comforting feelings
• Helps with treating HIV
• Helps prevent multiple sclerosis
• Helps prevent scurvy
• Asparagus has anti-cancer agents, especially lung cancer
• Helps fight chronic fatigue syndrome
• Helps fight off high blood pressure
• If you bruise easily: eat more asparagus
• Is considered a laxative: good for diarrhea and constipation
• Prevents varicose veins
• Great for your eyes preventing cataracts
• Good for hair loss
• Helps treat toothaches

Selecting Asparagus

• Asparagus stalks should be rounded, and neither fat nor twisted.
• Look for firm, thin stems with deep green or purplish closed tips.
• The cut ends should not be too woody, although a little woodiness at the base prevents the stalk from drying out.
• Once trimmed and cooked, asparagus loses about half its total weight.
• Occasionally, white asparagus that has a milder flavor than green asparagus is available. White asparagus is buried under soil to block chlorophyll production, thus resulting in a white plant. Some markets also offer purple asparagus, which has a fruitier flavor than green or white asparagus.
• Use asparagus within a day or two after purchasing for best flavor.
• Store in the refrigerator with the ends wrapped in a damp paper towel, and be sure to place the asparagus in the back of the refrigerator away from any light, since folate is destroyed by exposure to air, heat or light.

Asparagus Preparation

• To preserve the nutrients and offer the most glutathione addition for the body, asparagus is best served lightly steamed. Cooking the vegetable destroys many of the nutrients. Asparagus can be steamed in a steamer and served with a small amount of butter and lemon.
• Boiling to a tender crisp state is another serving option. Individuals consuming a low carbohydrate diet may find asparagus to be a filling vegetable for the low number of carbohydrates. A half cup of asparagus contains less than 3 carbs and a high portion of those are fiber.
• Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening.
• Patients usually show some improvement in 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases.Healty Recipes

Cranberries For Cancer Cure

The name cranberry derives from “craneberry”, first named by early European settlers in America who felt the expanding flower, stem, calyx, and petals resembled the neck, head, and bill of a crane. Cranberries does not only cure diseases but it can be a cure for cancer as well.

Cranberry Historical Medical Usage
By the beginning of the 18th century, the tart red berries were already being exported to England by the colonists. Cranberries were also used by the Indians decoratively, as a source of red dye, and medicinally, as a poultice for wounds since not only do their astringent tannins contract tissues and help stop bleeding, but we now also know that compounds in cranberries have antibiotic effects. Cranberry fruits and leaves were used for a variety of problems, such as wounds, urinary disorders, diarrhea, diabetes, stomach ailments, and liver problems.

Cranberry Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

In the case of the gums, the anti-inflammatory properties of cranberry can help us lower our risk of periodontal disease. Chronic, excessive levels of inflammation around our gums can damage the tissues that support our teeth. It’s exactly this kind of inflammation that gets triggered by ongoing overproduction of certain cytokines. (Cytokines are messaging molecules, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines tell our cells to mount an inflammatory response. As messages are sent more frequently and more constantly, the inflammatory response becomes greater.) Phytonutrients in cranberry help reduce this inflammatory cascade of events precisely at the cytokine level. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin 6 (IL-6) and RANTES (Regulated on NCCAM is funding studies of cranberry, primarily to better understand its effects on urinary tract infection. The Office of Dietary Supplements and other NIH agencies are also supporting cranberry research; for example, the National Institute on Aging is funding a laboratory study of potential anti-aging effects.

For the cardiovascular system and for many parts of the digestive tract (including the mouth and gums, stomach, and colon) cranberry has been shown to provide important anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s the phytonutrients in cranberry that are especially effective in lowering our risk of unwanted inflammation, and virtually all of the phytonutrient categories represented in cranberry are now known to play a role. These phytonutrient categories include proanthocyanidins (PACs), anthocyanins (the flavonoid pigments that give cranberries their amazing shades of red), flavonols like quercetin, and phenolic acid (like hydroxycinnamic acids).

Cranberry Health Benefits

• The health benefit most often attributed to the cranberry is its role in maintaining urinary tract health.
• Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs) and other polyphenols that help to prevent free radical damage.
• Cranberries may have a potential role in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease by delaying and suppressing LDL oxidation in a dose-dependent manner.
  Results from laboratory and animal studies have shown that extracts from cranberries inhibit the growth and proliferation of breast, colon, prostate, lung and esophageal tumor cells.
• The unusual PACs found in cranberries have an A-type linkage structure that sets them apart from most other vegetable and fruit PACs, and is responsible for their anti-adhesion properties.
• By reducing H. pylori levels in infected subjects, cranberries may help reduce the risk of stomach ulcers. According to the American Cancer Society, H. pylori is also a major risk factor for stomach cancer.
• Several studies show that the total antioxidant capacity of the cranberry consistently ranks higher than most other berries and commonly consumed fruits.
  Cranberry PACs help ward off urinary tract infections by preventing E. coli from adhering to the walls of the bladder and multiplying. Instead, the bacteria get flushed out in the urine and the risk of an infection is reduced.
• Naturally fat-free and with very little sodium, cranberries easily fit within the Dietary Guidelines.
• One cup of cranberries has 4 grams of fiber, 65 mg of potassium and 20% of the Daily Value for vitamin C.

Cranberry Anti-Cancer Benefits

One exciting discovery is that the compounds found in cranberries are capable of both slowing the growth of cancerous cells and even of killing them. This is brilliant news. The discoveries are particularly relevant to cancers of the colon and lung as well as with leukemia. But liver and breast cancer cells were also challenged by these cranberry compounds.

No area of cranberry research has been more intriguing in the past 10 years than research on cranberry and cancer, even though the majority of studies in this area have involved lab studies on human cancer cells or animal experiments. On a virtual year-by-year basis, scientists continue to identify new mechanisms that establish cranberries as anti-cancer agents. These mechanisms are now known to include: blocked expression of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases); inhibition of ODC (ornithine decarboxylase enzymes); stimulation of QRs (quinone reductase enzymes); inhibition of CYP2C9s (Phase I detoxification enzymes); and triggering of apoptosis (programmed cell death) in tumor cells. It’s important to point out that this amazing list of anti-cancer properties in cranberry is not sufficient to establish cranberry as a food to be used in the treatment of cancer. However, it is a list that appears consistent with other studies of cranberry and cancer showing dietary intake of this food to help prevent cancer occurrence. These cancer-preventive benefits of cranberry are especially likely in the case of breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer.

None of the cancer-related benefits of cranberries should be surprising, since cranberry is loaded with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Chronic excessive oxidative stress (from lack of sufficient antioxidant support) and chronic excessive inflammation (from lack of sufficient anti-inflammatory compounds) are two key risk factors promoting increased likelihood of cancer. With its unique array of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, cranberry seems ideally positioned to help us lower our risk of cancer development.

Researchers at Cornell University tested extracts from cranberries on human breast cancer cells to see what effect they would have on cell proliferation. In small doses over 4 hours, some of the cancer cells began to die. When the dose of cranberry extract was increased for the same number of cancer cells, 25% more of those cells died. The researchers kept increasing the extract dose, and also the time that the cells were marinating in the extract. Larger doses and more time resulted in greater numbers of cancer cells dying at a fairly early stage in the natural life cycle of the cell. Since there are many different types of breast cancer, it’s unclear whether cranberry extracts would affect any case of breast cancer as effectively as these did in the lab studies. But taking advantage of the phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins in cranberries isn’t a bad idea.

Cranberry Juice Health Benefits

Prevents and helps in healing urinary tract infection. Cranberry juice is a popular health drink for the prevention and healing of UTI. It cleanses E.Coli bacteria, which is the main cause of urinary tract infections. Cranberry juice is a powerful antioxidant and contains lots of phytochemicals, which fights cancer and other disorders.

Prevents the formation of kidney stones. Cranberries contain quinic acid, which according to experts is beneficial when it comes to preventing the development of kidney stones.

Makes the teeth cleaner and stronger. Cranberry juice reduces the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, lessening the chances of developing plaque. Drink the unsweetened variety to make your teeth stronger and your breath fresher.

Helps fight the herpes virus. Laboratory studies have shown that a phytonutrient found in cranberries is effective in fighting the herpes simples virus, which is the cause of genital herpes. The antiviral compound in cranberries inhibits the penetration and attachment of the herpes virus in the system.

Helps decrease cholesterol levels. Studies showed that the antioxidants found in cranberries can lessen total cholesterol levels in the body, particularly the LDL (low density or bad cholesterol).

Cranberry Dosage

• Recommended dosage of cranberry juice (not cocktail) as a preventative of urinary tract infections (UTIs), is 12 to 32 fluid ounces (360 to 960 ml).
• A daily dietary supplement capsule containing 300-400 mg of cranberry extract has been recommended.
• For a healthy person the recommended daily dose for cranberry juice is 150-300 ml of high-quality juice.
• Cranberry tincture can be taken three times daily at doses of 4-5 ml.

Cranberry Precaution

Patients with diabetes or glucose intolerance may want to drink sugar-free cranberry juice to avoid a high sugar intake. High doses of cranberry may cause stomach distress and diarrhea, or may increase the risk of kidney stones in people with a history of oxalate stones. Some commercially available products are high in calories. On average, six ounces of cranberry juice contains approximately 100 calories. One study showed the possibility for occurrence of vaginal yeast infections in those women who often consume cranberry juice, although this has not been proven. Use cautiously if taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin, medications that affect the liver, or aspirin.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Safety has not been determined in pregnancy and breastfeeding, although cranberry juice is believed to be safe in amounts commonly found in foods. Many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided during pregnancy.

Cranberry Products

Cranberry comes in juice, supplements and capsules. Search cranberry products in Google.Healty Recipes inside