Is there a natural cure for cancer? Mr CabbageHead examines claims regarding five possible natural cures for cancer.

Pau d’arco (Tabebuia impetiginosa)

Pau d’arco is a legendary herb from the Amazon rainforest that is claimed to be a proven cancer killer, especially of childhood leukemia. It has been used in South America for an enormous number of illnesses since the time of the Incas.

Andreas Moritz, a respected healer, tells this story of a 5 year-old girl who suffered from leukemia, and who was about to die. Her parents, in desperation, took her to the clinic of a Doctor Ruiz, who treated the girl with pau d’arco tea. In just 6 days, she had improved noticeably. Six weeks later, the little girl walked out of the clinic completely cured.

Graviola (Annona muricata and Annona montana)

Graviola sounds like some kind of Italian food, but it’s another claimed cancer-killer from the Amazon rainforest. Graviola is 10,000 times more toxic to colon cancer cells than chemotherapy and unlike chemotherapy, graviola has no harmful side effects.

In the early 1990s, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in America began a massive research program to see if they could synthesize the cancer-killing ingredients in graviola and create a synthetic version. Why? Because you can’t patent an herb; you can only patent your own synthetic version of naturally occurring chemicals in the herb. This company tried for seven years, but they couldn’t come up with a chemical isolate of graviola that was effective. However, the evidence they accumulated during those seven years proved beyond a doubt that graviola, the herb, was a miraculous cancer-killer.

Did they let the world know that? No, they didn’t. Instead, the directors of the giant pharmaceutical company swore all its scientists to secrecy, and destroyed all the information they’d learned. It would still be a secret if one man, the only one with a conscience, hadn’t broken the story to the media — most of whom ignored it.

Tayuya (Cayaponia tayuya)

Novel antioxidant chemicals have been discovered in tayuya and named cayaponosides (24 distinct cayaponosides have been discovered thus far). These phytochemicals have been documented to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and, more recently, to have anticancerous potential. The National Cancer Center Research Institute in Tokyo, Japan reported that five cayaponosides in tayuya exhibited significant anti-tumor-promoter activity in screening tests.

Tayuya is used in Brazil and Peru as a blood cleanser and general tonic.

Barbed skullcap (Scutellaria barbata)

Tea made from barbed skullcap has been used for a variety of purposes, including the treatment of cervical, glandular, liver, lung, and rectal cancer. Brian Wong, PhD, of Union College in Lincoln, Neb., tried giving it to a strain of mice bred to develop prostate cancer. Normally, these mice quickly develop fatal prostate tumors. Those who received barbed skullcap had much slower tumor growth.

By attacking the tumor’s blood supply, scutellaria may help to starve tumors to death by blocking their supply of oxygen and nutrients. Conventional treatments target tumor cells but also the normal cells. This causes a lot of side effects. Scutellaria is so selective for just tumor vessels it does not attack normal blood vessels.

“Researchers have been looking for something like this for years and we think that our findings look very promising — our research shows this should destroy all types of cancer” (Camber 2004).

Zeolite

Zeolite is a unique volcanic mineral that is claimed to be highly effective at destroying cancer cells. Results have been so impressive, anyone fighting cancer or wishing to prevent cancer should be using zeolite. It comes in two basic forms, a liquid zeolite, and a powdered micronized zeolite.

Part of what zeolite does is to work on a couple of the basic issues in cancer. It is a powerful detoxifier, and improves the alkalinity of your body. More importantly though, zeolite is a cancer killer as it can, when pulled into cancer cells, activate a gene which tells the cancer cell to die, or literally destroy the nucleus of cancerous cells.

Zeolite works exceptionally well at fighting cancer as an informal 14 month study several years ago showed. 65 people with mostly stage 4 cancer, who had a prognosis of about 2 months to live, were given a type of liquid zeolite. At the end of the study, 51 people were cancer free and six more were alive, but still fighting cancer. This is a 78% cure rate for terminal cancer, and an incredible 89% survival rate.

Note, that a variety of zeolite based products are available. Some have been proven effective, others are ineffective.

Zeolite has a more day to day use - as a very effective cleanser. Mr CabbageHead has found zeolite to be very effective in removing toxins from the body.

Warning

If you have a serious illness, seek professional advice. There may be a natural cure for cancer, but we must wait for proven scientific test results.

References:

Anon. Anti-tumor-promoter activity of natural substances and related compounds. Annual Report 1995. National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan, 1996.

Betancur-Galvis, L., et al. Antitumor and antiviral activity of Colombian medicinal plant extracts. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 1999; 94(4): 531-35.

Camber, Rebecca. Mint hope for cancer cure. Manchester News. July 5, 2004.

Ducki S, et al. Isolation of trans 4-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-one from Scutellaria barbata. Planta Medica, 1996, 62, 185.

Gonzales, G. F., et al. Medicinal plants from Peru: a review of plants as potential agents against cancer. Anticancer Agents Med, Chem. 2006 Sep; 6(5) :429-44.

Hadfield JA, Ducki S, Hirst N, McGown AT. Tubulin and microtubules as targets for anticancer drugs. Prog Cell Cycle Res. 2003;5:309-25. Review.

Sun, X., et al. Selective induction of necrotic cell death in cancer cells by beta-lapachone through activation of DNA damage response pathway. Cell Cycle. 2006 Sep; 5(17): 2029-35.

Used in Japan for years, spirulina is a microalgae grown in alkaline, warm-water lakes. Spirulina’s green colour is due to its chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll acts as an antioxidant and may have medicinal benefits against cancer. Spirulina is also rich in phycocyanin, a pigment with anti-cancer properties.

Studies show the anti-cancer properties of spirulina.

Beta carotene is one of the most effective substances for deactivating free radicals, which damage cells, leading to cancer. Spirulina is the richest beta carotene food known, having over ten times more beta carotene than any other food, including carrots. Studies show that vitamin A and beta carotene inhibit the development of various cancers and tumors. Beta carotene (and not the preformed Vitamin A from animal sources) correlated with lower cancer rates.

A 1987 Israeli study demonstrated natural beta carotene is more effective than synthetic beta carotene. Natural beta carotene is better assimilated by the body because it contains the 9-cis carotenoid isomer which is lacking in synthetic carotene molecules. This means that beta carotene in algae and vegetables has a greater antioxidant power than synthetic beta carotene.

An Indian study found that spirulina inhibits the growth of oral tumors: “We evaluated the chemopreventive activity of Spirulina fusiformis (SF) (1 g/day for 12 mos) in reversing oral leukoplakia in pan tobacco chewers in Kerala, India. Complete regression of lesions was observed in 20 of 44 (45%) of subjects supplemented with SF, as opposed to 3 of 43 (7%) in the placebo arm.”

The Harvard University School of Dental Medicine reduced oral cancer cells with spirulina extracts. A beta carotene solution applied to cancerous tumours in mouths of hamsters reduced the number and size of tumours or caused them to disappear. When a beta carotene extract was fed to 20 hamsters pre-treated to develop mouth cancer, none developed the disease. Tissue samples contained an immune stimulating substance believed to have destroyed cancer cells before they could multiply.

Spirulina as a supplement

A traditional food source in parts of Africa and Mexico, spirulina is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and protein, GLA (essential fatty acid) and one of the few vegetable sources of vitamin B12. AS well as its potential anti-cancer properties, spirulina is a good supplement with many benefits.

References:

Amotz, B.A. Presentation to Polysaccharides from microalgae workshop. Duke University, 1987.

Balch, P.A. and Balch, J.F. Prescription For Nutritional Healing.

Mathew B, Sankaranarayanan R, Nair PP, Varghese C, Somanathan T, Amma BP, Amma NS, Nair MK. Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with spirulina fusiformis. Nutrition and Cancer 1995; 24(2):197-202.

Menkes, et al. Serum beta carotene, vitamins A and E, selenium, and the risk of lung cancer. N.E. Journal of Medicine, Nov. 1986, p. 1250.

Pitchford P. Healing with Whole Foods.

Schwartz, J., Scklar, G., Suda, D. Inhibition of experimental oral carcinogenesis by topical beta carotene. Harvard School of Dental Med. Carcinogenesis, May 1986, 7(5) 711-715.

Shekelle,R.B.etal. DietaryVitaminA and risk of cancer in Western Electric study. Lancet,1981,8257:1185-1189.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats in human nutrition and cannot be manufactured by the body, and must be consumed in the diet. The two main biologically active omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found in fish oil. There is also alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is found in vegetable oils.

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce mortality

Swiss researchers published results of clinical trials in the April 2005 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine showing decreased risk of mortality using omega-3 fish oil. The trials also included statin drugs. The results combine 10,000 clinical trials from 1965 to 2003 which included 275,000 subjects.

In the trials statin drugs reduced overall mortality by 13 percent. Statin drugs advocated by conventional medicine to reduce cholesterol have side effects such as muscle pain, muscle loss, memory loss, liver failure, and fatigue. Omega-3 fatty acids reduced overall mortality by 23 percent.

Cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is bad cholesterol that can lead to heart disease. HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol. Low HDL cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease.

Not only do omega-3 fatty acids reduce the bad LDL cholesterol, they also increase the good HDL cholesterol.

Sources of omega-3 fatty acids

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed, walnuts, and soybean oil. Cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines have high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids. To maintain the heart-healthy benefits of fish, bake or grill it. If dietary intake is insufficient, take fish oil capsules.

Other factors

Many other contribute to cholesterol levels and overall health. Maintain a normal body weight, avoid smoking and eat healthy food.

References:

Studer M, Briel M, Leimenstoll B, Glass T, Bucher H. Effect of Different Antilipidemic Agents and Diets on Mortality: A Systemic Review. Archives of Internal Medicine 2005 April 11; 165(7):725-30.

The American Diabetes Association states: ‘The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.’ Where is the mystery? It would be interesting to know the incidence of diabetes before the introduction of sugar and refined carbohydrates to the western diet.

Diabetes is a condition where the body either fails to produce insulin or fails to properly utilise the insulin produced. Insulin is produced by the pancreas. So what is affecting the pancreas? Let’s look at some common ingredients of the American diet, which is unfortunately becoming popular in many other countries.

Soft drinks. Many contain more than 10 teaspoons of sugar per can. What about the so-called diet soft drinks where a chemical is used instead of sugar? Aspartane is used as an artificial sweetener, but this chemical has been linked to an increased incidence of brain cancer and symptoms including: severe headaches, nausea, vertigo, insomnia, loss of control of limbs, blurred vision, blindness, memory loss, slurred speech, hyperactivity, gastrointestinal disorders, seizures, skin lesions, rashes, anxiety attacks, muscle and joint pain, numbness, mood changes, loss of energy, menstrual cramps out of cycle, hearing loss or ringing in the ears.

Refined white flour. Pancakes, doughnuts, cakes, biscuits, bread and so on. Not only is refined white flour lacking in nutrients, it often contains a chemical called alloxan. Alloxan damages the beta cells of the pancreas. Scientists use alloxan to induce diabetes in lab animals for their research.

Bacon. Bacon contains sodium nitrate which becomes a carcinogenic chemical in the body with damaging effects on the pancreas and other organs.

Bottled fruit juice. This often has a high glycemic index and may contain sugar and various chemicals.

The above ‘foods’ are not only high in sugar but they are low in essential vitamins, minerals and fibre. It is obvious that diet is a major factor in causing diabetes, but can a change in diet cure diabetes? In a clinical trial at UCLA, 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes were able to cure themselves of diabetes in three weeks by altering their food intake. “The study shows, contrary to common belief, that Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome can be reversed solely through lifestyle changes,” according to lead researcher Christian Roberts of University of California, Los Angeles. The diet used in the study was low in fat, moderate in protein and high in unrefined carbohydrates: whole grains (5 serves a day), vegetables (4 or more serves), fruit (3 or more serves), soy, beans, nuts, low fat diary with small amounts of fish and chicken.

So, will you remove all sugar and refined carbohydrates from your diet?

References:

American Diabetes Association website. www.diabetes.org

Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drink

“Effect of a diet and exercise intervention on oxidative stress, inflammation, MMP-9, and monocyte chemotactic activity in men with metabolic syndrome factors,” by Christian K. Roberts, Dean Won, Sandeep Pruthi, Silvia Kurtovic, and R. James Barnard, of the Department of Physiological Science at UCLA; Ram K. Sindhu of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine at Charles R. Drew University, Los Angeles; and Nosratola D. Vaziri of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine at University of California, Irvine is in the online issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology published by the American Physiological Society.