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Showing posts with label antiviral. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antiviral. Show all posts

Friday, March 4, 2011

White Tea Fights Cancer


White tea extract increased a specific type of cell death in laboratory cultures of two different types of non-small cell lung cancer cells, indicating that the tea may have an anti-cancer effect, according to a study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research. Although white tea comes from the same plant as green and black teas (Camellia sinensis),white tea goes through much less processing, resulting in a higher concentration of polyphenols. While this study builds on previous laboratory research suggesting that tea—in particular, green tea—may have anti-tumor effects for certain cancers, there is no evidence yet that this laboratory research can be extended to treatments in people.
Researchers from the University of New Mexico, the University of California Los Angeles, and Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, California, treated two types of non-small cell lung cancer cells with white tea extract. This caused changes in both cell lines that led to cell death (apoptosis), and did so in a dose-dependent manner. Previous laboratory research has linked carcinogenesis (the process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells) to inflammatory events involving the ways in which cells chemically communicate. This study, for the first time, showed the roles of the PPAR-gamma and 15-LOX signaling pathways in white tea-induced apoptosis. (A reduction in PPAR-gamma in a tumor is linked to poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer.) The researchers also compared green tea extract with white tea extract and found that white tea extract was significantly more effective in increasing certain RNA transcripts (e.g., PPAR-gamma) that play a critical role in cell death. However, the components in white tea extract that may be responsible for this outcome are not yet known.
The researchers suggest that further studies of white tea extract are needed to better determine if there are micronutrients or other substances in the tea that have not yet been characterized. They noted that the findings from this preliminary study provide an important basis for more investigation of the anti-cancer properties of white tea extract and whether it may help prevent the development of lung cancer.

White Tea Antioxidants

Antioxidants are nutrients that protect the body from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are nasty things that go around wreaking havoc on your body, damaging DNA and accelerating aging. Antioxidants scoop them up and neutralize them. White tea is loaded with these protective nutrients.

Cancer Prevention

White tea may have profound power against cancer-causing cells and against many different types of cancer, such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent the development of new ones. In some cases, white tea has been found to work as well as prescription drugs, but without the side effects.

White Tea and Colon Cancer

Medicine Without Side Effects: A 2003 white tea and colon cancer study found that it outperforms clinical drugs and green tea.
A 2003 study conducted by Oregon State University found that white tea treats colon cancer in mice. The scientists compared white tea, green tea and sundalic in preventing colon cancer. Sundalic belongs to a family of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), of which aspirin is a member.
NSAID drugs are increasingly prescribed for treating cancer and heart disease. They are effective, but have been known to cause severe side effects such as bleeding, ulcers and even death.
In the study, mice prone to developing tumours in their intestines were given either white tea, green tea or sundalic to drink. After 12 weeks, untreated mice developed 30 tumours. Mice that drank green tea and white tea developed 17 and 13 tumours respectively.
The best result went to mice that drank both white tea and sundalic; they developed the lowest number of tumours – 6. “The use of tea in combination with NSAIDs may allow for the use of lower, less toxic doses of NSAIDs,” said Dr Gayle Orner. “Therefore, this widely consumed beverage may be useful in the prevention of intestinal cancer in genetically predisposed individuals.”

White Tea Health Benefits

White Tea Lower Blood Pressure

Studies show that white tea can thin the blood and improve artery function. It helps lower high blood pressure and maintain a healthy one. By promoting strong and healthy blood vessels, white tea guards against the ravages of stroke.

White Tea Lower Cholesterol

Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been found to reduce cholesterol, and white tea is teeming with them. Cholesterol is a special type of fat and is necessary for health. There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, and white tea increases the good while decreasing the bad. This helps prevent hardening of the arteries and blockage of blood flow.

White Tea for Heart Protection

By thinning the blood, lowering blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol, white tea protects the heart and the entire circulatory system. Researchers have also discovered that people who drink 2 or more cups of tea a day are almost 50% less likely to die after suffering a heart attack. White tea is truly a remarkable heart tonic.

White Tea for Stronger Bones

Studies have found that people who drank tea regularly had greater bone density and strength than non-drinkers. White tea may also have beneficial effects for sufferers of arthritis and osteoporosis.

White Tea for Antibacterial & Antiviral

White tea is a natural killer of bacteria and viruses. The antioxidants so abundant in white tea tone the entire immune system, providing protection against a variety of invaders and a wide range of diseases. Its helps guard against the common cold and flu, and can ease the symptoms of HIV.

White Tea for Healthy Teeth & Gums

White tea contains small amounts of fluoride and other nutrients which keeps the teeth strong and healthy. It also kills the bacteria which causes plaque, tooth decay, and bad breath.

White Tea for Healthy Skin

Free radicals from staying out in the sun too long, stress, and a poor diet can damage the skin and cause it to prematurely age. By scavenging these free radicals, white tea protects the skin and helps to reverse some of the damage. Drinking white tea promotes healthy and radiant skin.
White tea has many other benefits to offer. It may reduce blood sugar and help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of diabetes. It reduces stress and increases energy.
White tea may or may not aid in weight-loss. Studies suggest tea may increase metabolism and encourage the body to burn more fat, but a balanced diet and regular exercise are more likely to produce results. Still, adding white tea to your weight-loss plan can’t hurt.

White Tea Preparation

Buy High-Quality Loose-Leaf White Tea
The best white teas come in loose-leaf form. They have far superior quality and flavor than bagged tea, which usually comes from dust at the bottom of the tea bin.
Brew 3-5 Minutes In Very Hot Water
Like green tea, white tea is best brewed with pure water that is very hot, but not boiling. For stronger flavor, steep for a few minutes longer. Use 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per cup.
Drink 2-4 Cups Of White Tea Daily
Studies show that 2-4 cups of white tea a day yield greater health benefits than only one cup. To stretch your tea supply and your money, simply resteep the leaves once or twice to extract all the nutrients.
Dr. Orner prefers people drinking white tea than taking concentrated polyphenol supplements. Here is her advice: “If you choose to use polyphenol supplements instead, I’d recommend not exceeding the amount present in 6 to 8 cups of tea.”
When reusing tea leaves, brew for several minutes longer than the first steeping.
Create Your Own Daily Tea Ritual
Set aside a few minutes every day for your own Tea Ritual. Spend a few quiet moments just relaxing and enjoying your tea. Not only are you getting health benefits from the tea, but also from the stress relief. It’s one of the favorite parts of our day and a great way to enjoy white tea.
Try New Varieties Of White Tea
It’s good to try new things. The world of tea offers a vast range of choices. If possible, try the higher grade white teas, like the Silver Needle. Try a new tea or new variety every month, or every 2 or 3 months. Set aside a certain amount per month for “Tea Exploration”.
Good Tea is a journey for a lifetime. Explore. Experiment. Be Bold.

White Tea Varieties

There are four main varieties of white tea: Silver Needle, White Peony, Long Life Eyebrow, and Tribute Eyebrow.
  • Silver Needle (Baihao Yinzhen): The finest white tea, made only of silvery white buds. Beautiful to behold and delightful to drink. It is the most famous white tea, with a delicate, light, and slightly sweet flavor.
  • White Peony (Bai Mudan): Next highest in quality, White Peony consists of buds and leaves. The best White Peony has both bud and leaf covered in silvery white hair. It tends to have a stronger taste and darker color than Silver Needle.
  • Long Life Eyebrow (Shou Mei): A lower rank white tea, Long Life Eyebrow is made from leaves left over after the Silver Needle and White Peony harvest.
  • Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei): Another lesser white tea, Tribute Eyebrow is made from a special tea bush and is processed in a slightly different way than other white teas.
There are a number of other white tea varieties, some named after the region of origin, others for special ingredients added to the leaves and buds. Fruits are a popular addition and add extra sweetness to the flavor. Every variety has something to offer, experiment and find your own favorites.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

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