Cancer Blog

(This article first appeared in Health Today magazine - http://www.healthtoday.net)

Lowering your cancer risk has never been this refreshing. More and more studies suggest that tea, tomato juice, carrot juice, red wine and soymilk contain compounds that can fight certain types of cancer.

TEA TIME

Tea contains polyphenols, which are natural plant antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown to prevent free radical damage to DNA and other molecules. Polyphenols may prevent cancer by reducing abnormal cell growth and inflammation.

Green tea is very rich in polyphenols and has been associated with protection against lung cancer, stomach cancer, and its pre-cancerous condition, gastritis. A study in Japan found that regular consumption of green tea (more than three cups a day) might protect the body against recurrence of early-stage breast cancer.

Laboratory animals given different tea extracts, tea polyphenol mixtures, purified tea components and tea infusions exhibited lower incidence rates of cancer of the colon, esophagus, liver, stomach, lung, breast, pancreas and skin.

YOU’LL LIKE LYCOPENE

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a natural pigment that gives tomatoes their red color. Lycopene has potent antioxidant properties, and is believed to be the key to the tomato’s cancer-fighting powers.

Research shows that lycopene in tomatoes is absorbed more efficiently by the body if processed into juice, sauce, paste and ketchup. Temperature changes in the processing of tomatoes convert lycopene into a more absorbable form.

In the body, lycopene is deposited in the liver, lungs, prostate gland, colon and skin. Its concentration in body tissues tends to be higher than all other carotenoids, a class of natural fat-soluble pigments that give veggies and fruits their various hues (orange, red and yellow).

Studies have shown that people with a high intake of tomatoes or a high serum level of lycopene have a significantly lower risk of certain types of cancer, like prostate, lung and stomach cancers.

There is also evidence suggesting a lowered risk for cancers of the pancreas, colon and rectum, esophagus, oral cavity, breast and cervix.

In a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (March 2002), researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) found that eating tomatoes and tomato products may help men reduce their risk of prostate cancer. Men with higher levels of lycopene in their blood had statistically significant lower rates of cancer than did men with lower blood levels of lycopene.

“Previous studies have shown a relationship between tomato consumption and risk of cancer,” according to study lead author Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Sc.D. of BWH and HSPH. “This study, in which we carefully examined the full diet of study participants, provides us further evidence that increased consumption of tomatoes is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer.”

WHAT’S UP, DOC?

Carrot contains the pigment beta carotene. Beta carotene has powerful antioxidant properties and can be converted to vitamin A. Both beta carotene and vitamin A are rich sources of antioxidants.

If you’re an urban dweller, regular consumption of carrot juice may be good for you. Some studies show that carrots protect the lungs from environmental pollutants. Carrot juice is also recommended for those living in polluted cities or those whose work exposes them to toxic fumes (e.g., metal workers, those handling chemicals, cleaners, etc.) as well as smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke.

A word of caution, though: Excessive intake of beta carotene can turn the skin and whites of the eyes to an orange-yellow color.

CHEERS TO GOOD HEALTH

Red wine contains a strong anticancer agent known as quercetin, a flavonoid found in fruits, flowers and vegetables. Flavonoids have antioxidant properties that help protect against disease, inflammation and allergic reactions.

Quercetin may be beneficial in the treatment of skin cancer and may help prevent other cancers such as those of the ovary. Red wine is one of the primary dietary sources of quercetin. Research on quercetin and its purported health benefits continues.

Remember: Drink moderately.

SOY GOOD

Soy comes from soybean, a legume native to China. The health benefits of soy come, in part, from a group of compounds known as isoflavones. Soy isoflavones are plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). Similar in chemical structure to human estrogen, they bind to estrogen receptors around the body. However, soy phytoestrogens are much weaker, which is why scientists believe soy foods may help prevent breast cancer. One prominent isoflavone is genistein, which is believed to inhibit cancer cell and tumor growth.

A diet rich in soy is also linked to a lowered risk of prostate cancer.

Several animal studies have shown that soy isoflavones reduce the growth of prostate tumors.

To incorporate more soy into your diet, substitute soymilk for cow’s milk by the glass (8 ounces of soy milk contains 20 mg of isoflavones) or mix soy protein power into milk, juices, shakes and smoothies.

MAKE PREVENTION DELICIOUS

Fighting cancer can be delicious, fun and inexpensive. We recommend a good blender or mixer and a hefty stock of fresh tomatoes and carrots. Start looking for recipes that let you experiment with other fruits or vegetables. If you want to make your own soymilk, check out your local appliance stores for soymilk makers. In fighting cancer, prevention is still the key. “Prevention and early detection are still the most important and effective weapons in the battle against cancer,” says Nenette Umali, senior clinical dietitian at the St. Luke’s Medical Center. With these healthful thirst quenchers, cancer prevention can certainly be a refreshing undertaking.

Cancer is a scary word. Many people do not realize that there are things that can be added to your everyday diet to prevent cancer and stall the development of cancer.

Green Tea

Green Tea is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize mutations within the DNA that could lead to the formation of a tumor. Green tea prevents cancer cells from reproducing.

Researchers at the University of Murcia in Spain (UMU) and the John Innes Center (JIC) in Norwich, England have shown that a compound called EGCG in green tea prevents cancer cells from growing by binding to a specific enzyme.

We have shown for the first time that EGCG, which is present in green tea at relatively high concentrations, inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), which is a recognized, established target for anti-cancer drugs, ” Professor Roger Thorneley, of JIC, told Reuters.

Green Tea In Cancer

Scientists have found that certain cancers, such a pancreatic, rectal, breast, skin and stomach cancer are lower in people who consume green tea regularly than those who don’t.

A study in the Journal Biofactors 2000 concluded that supplemental green tea can successfully suppress oxidative DNA damage in both the liver and pancreas. This is good news for anyone fighting cancer.

Studies suggest that 3 cups of green tea daily may provide protection against cancer. Green tea supplements are manufactured for people who do not want to consume large amounts of tea daily. You can often find these supplements at the health food store.

Green tea can be purchased in bags or as loose tea at your grocery store, health food store or online. Why not start drinking some green tea today?

Please note that this natural health guide does not replace the advice of your doctor or health practioner.

Sara spends much of her summer near the beach. She lives in a mild climate and is very athletic. She loves to swim, bike and play games outdoors. Sara knows the dangers of the sun and so she opts for tanning salons to get her ‘golden glow’ while being sure to apply sunscreen every day before heading out.

Joseph lives in a cooler, northern climate. The summers can be very humid, but most of the year is mild or even below freezing during the harshest winter months. The beach has never been much of a draw for him and he spends most of his time doing indoor activities or at his job. Joseph doesn’t worry about sunscreen and only had one sunburn that he can remember and that was when he was a child.

Which of these examples do you most associate yourself with? Did you know that Sara and Joseph are both at risk of developing skin cancer? We have all heard the warnings about the dangers of sun exposure. We know all about the importance of wearing sunscreen and hats. But are YOU protected from skin cancer? Consider these myths and facts:

MYTH ONE: Tanning Beds are Safer than the Sun

20 minutes of exposure in a tanning bed is roughly equivalent to four hours in the sun. Although sun beds use UVA rather than UVB rays, ‘The Skin Cancer Answer’ states that “UV-A penetrates more deeply into the skin than UV-B, can cause skin cancer, and may suppress the immune system.”

MYTH TWO: Wearing Sunscreen at the Beach is Protection

85 percent of UV rays can even make it through on cloudy days. That means you are equally at risk in the car, walking the dog or letting your children out to play at any time of year, even when you’re not at the beach. Of course, you are usually less attired at the beach and so covering up is recommended even when wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen also wears off with sweat and water and should always be applied every two hours or after getting wet.

MYTH THREE: Taking Care Of Your Skin Now Will Protect You

Sadly, skin cancer can take 20 or more years to develop. The Skin Cancer Foundation states that most people receive about 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood is estimated to double the risk of melanoma later in life. Taking better care now will reduce the risk, but not eliminate the damage already done.

MYTH FOUR: Having a Tan Means You’re More Protected

Dark skinned individuals are less likely to develop cancer, but tanned skin is actually damaged skin. Repeated tanning injures the skin and increases the risk of skin cancer.

So how do you plan to protect your family this year? Some suggestions are to limit exposure to the sun, especially for infants. Examine your skin for early signs of damage. Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and apply it at least 30 minutes before exposure and every two hours after that. Teach your children good safety habits and be sure you and they are covered up when outdoors. Have fun and be safe.

Doesn’t it seem like almost every day we hear of yet another person who just got the terrible news: “You’ve got cancer.”

It’s scary, isn’t it? And heartbreaking.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t bear the thought of my children, family, or dear friends getting cancer. In fact, I can’t wrap my brain around me getting it either—it’s just too upsetting.

Maybe because we don’t think about it much, that’s why we all respond the same way when it does happen to us, “I just didn’t think it would happen to me.”

Somehow cancer doesn’t seem real until you, or someone you love, is its next victim and then reality and you have a head-on collision.

The result: your world gets jolted upside-down out of your control, and your life is changed forever.

The ironic part is, any one of us could have cancer growing out of control, building momentum, right this very second and not know it. Cancer is very sneaky like that.

Perhaps it would make sense to take care of our bodies now and not wait for a war with cancer, or another disease like heart disease or diabetes, to invade our lives and snatch away our health, fitness, and well-being.

What can you do right now to build up an army of healthy cell warriors so it can search and destroy renegade cancer cells, which may be secretly gathering to attack?

I know you know. The question remains, however, do you actually “do” what you “know?”

That’s the tricky part—the “doing,” not the “knowing.”

In other words, how hard is it to know that whole, fresh fruits and vegetables prevent cancer, build health, and even promote weight loss? That’s a no-brainer.

But how hard is it to make the shift from the standard American favorites of meat, cheese, brown-colored white bread, boxed cereals, white pasta, and sugary and salty goodies to a day and a life packed with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables?

Yes, that’s one gigantic leap, but it’s doable, one conscious step at a time.

It’s not only doable, but it’s a must if you want to sidestep a face-off with the mistress cancer herself, or one of her equally wicked buddies.

I don’t know about you, but speaking for myself, I would rather go through the effort and inconvenience of change now than go through the pain of regret.

Lucky us—we have the freedom of choice.

Your choice. Your life.

Remember, your life does make a difference—to all those whose lives you touch.

Doctor appointments are critical to make sure you’re staying in proper health. However, exposure to asbestos presents an added urgency for routine appointments. Because asbestos related diseases take decades to form, early detection is critical for proper treatment. People who have jobs in industries like construction, shipbuilding and manufacturing are particularly susceptible of contracting these conditions.

Even the best doctors in the world mistake early symptoms of asbestos related diseases with lesser conditions. Detection of mesothelioma relies mostly on associating proper symptoms with proper diagnosis because it is so subtle. If you have had exposure to asbestos, then you should alert your doctor of your medical history so they know what tests to look for and what tests to use.

Usually, the first test run by a doctor will use a device called a thorascope. The procedure is called thorascopy and is done by creating a small incision in the chest, and taking a sample of lung tissue to see if it’s cancerous or not. This procedure is performed at a hospital using local anesthesia and will cause a small amount of pain. There will also be a check for an excess amount of fluid which may be drained to ease the pressure and reduce pain.

If these tests are inconclusive, there will be more advanced test performed such as a Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scan to give doctors a 3D X-ray of the tissues. This will allow the doctors to analyze the potentially damaged areas. Another option is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging scan). An MRI will take cross-section pictures of internal structures to separate healthy tissues from malignant ones. These two scans will allow doctors to be able and see potential dangers long before the patient feels any symptoms.

Even with the best screening techniques available today mesothelioma often can escape diagnosis. The best thing to do is get screened early and consistently, especially if you had exposure to asbestos. Medical technology has breakthroughs every day and eventually a cure will be found. However, until then, the victims of mesothelioma should take action against those responsible. Contact a lawyer in your state today so you can receive compensation for your suffering.

One of the stories that has been bantered around after John Waynes death from Cancer was that at his autopsy they removed over 35 pounds of impacted fecal matter from his colon.

It is hard to discern if this is urban legend or fact. However, if this is true you can certainly understand how this waste could have adversely affected his health.

How much undigested food and waste material is being held in your colon?

When we think of cleansing we have to keep in mind that the body has seven channels of elimination. Just like you would clean your entire house you should also undertake a regimen of cleansing all of your channels of elimination. These channels are the liver, lungs, lymphatic system, blood, skin, colon and kidneys. A cleanse which focuses on only one of the channels of elimination is akin to deciding that you are only going to clean the closets in your house.

A constipated colon is one in which the transit time of food is more than 24 hours. Transit time is the length of time it takes for food to enter the mouth and exit the rectum. The basic principle of good digestive health is that you should put food in and wihin 24 hours that food should come out as waste.

The naturopathic perspective is that the longer the transit time of food, the longer these toxins stay in our digestive tract which permits proteins to putrefy, fats to get rancid, and carbohydrates to ferment.

Regardless how you look at it this cannot be healthy for your body. The longer your body is exposed to these toxins in your intestines, the greater the risk of developing disease.

Stop and think about this.

If you have only one bowel movement per day, you will have all of the other meals that you ate over the last 24 hours putrefying in your intestines. This is called intoxification. It is poisoning from within. The inability to purge toxins from our systems.

What we all need to understand is that the reason why constipation is dangerous to our health is that our bodies are designed to absorb whatever is in the digestive tract. If you put good healthy nutrition there the body will absorb it. Likewise, if you put putrefying, toxic waste there the body will absorb that as well.

The best way to start a cleansing program is by cleansing your colon. After you begin your colon cleansing program you might also want to consider maintenance program with colon hydrotherapy.

Talk to your Doctor for guidance and suggestions on things you can do to maintain optimal health.

This story-article will open your eyes to the danger you might presently be living with and not know plus, the legal option open to you as a redress.

John has been sick for months, he has finally been diagnosed to have a rare cancer disease medically know as mesothelioma. He is about being hospitalised for a possible cure of the disease on his lungs, heart and abdominal cavities.

If you come down with mesothelioma, chemotherapy, usually the first option open to doctors as part of cancer analysis will be your first treatment experience, after which you might be subjected to radiation therapy, immuno-augmentative therapy or surgery as the last resort. You sure don’t want John’s condition, do you?

Most victims do not know that they had contracted this very rare cancer. Mesothelioma may silently damage cells of the affected organs for as long as 40 years before health problem symptoms become noticeable. Worse is that symptoms usually happen in retirement when your income, most likely, would have dropped below your expenditure.

From all indications, John is very sick and obviously his well being has been greatly impaired, which must have shortened his life span. His income now barely meets his basic needs due to lost work-hours as a result of mesothelioma. He is in a dilemma regarding how to handle his condition.

But unknown to John, he has a legal right to file for compensation against his former employers. Majority of the articles on mesothelioma, victims and compensation on the internet are unequivocal that anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma having been exposed to asbestos, the chief cause of this rare cancer, is entitled to compensation.

Aside from the inconveniences of illness, their life span has been shortened considerably by the disease contracted in circumstances that did not make the inherent danger of asbestos known to the victim. Using this argument experienced mesothelioma lawyers win claims for their clients, basically pleading the invariable loss of health and active life associated with the rare cancer.

Companies that produced or whose raw material were or still asbestos cannot hoodwink the law on the fact that they knew how dangerous asbestos was to health, but deliberately did not inform their employees as a policy.

Since it takes too long before mesothelioma symptoms begin to appear, tens of thousands of people in the United States may have died of this disease without being recorded as mesothelioma victims. Recorded deaths associated with mesothelioma are also in tens of thousands too.

Asbestos factories, Building and Construction works are among the frequently mentioned culprits for this scenario. And most victims never even know that they were or are mesothelioma positive till it is too late.

The symptoms that John came down with are; shortness of breath, chest pain, abdominal pain, coughing and exhaustion . And I have also read that soon his immune system will become overworked and weakened fighting mesothelioma.

Now, if like John, you or anyone you know had worked or works with asbestos, then inform them, and hurry up to a medical check up. If you test positive, look for a mesothelioma lawyer who can defend your claim.

A competent mesothelioma lawyer must be abreast of the symptoms of the disease to be able to win your claim for you, so ask him questions about the disease to test his knowledge before hiring him.

In January, 2005 it was reported that cancer has surpassed heart disease – for the first time – as the top killer of Americans younger than 85. In 2002, the most recent year for which information is available, 476,009 Americans younger than 85 died of cancer, compared with 450,637 who died of heart disease. An estimated 1,372,910 new cancer cases and 570,260 cancer deaths are expected this year.

Paclitaxel, a preferred treatment for lung and breast cancers, has a cancer-promoting risk as well….

Lung cancer remains the biggest cancer killer, projected to claim 163,510 lives this year. Paclitaxel will be used in the attempt to save the lives of many of these patients. However, one little-known effect of Paclitaxel is that in a subset of these patients there will be up to a fivefold increase in the production of Interleukin – 8 (IL – a cellular communication molecule that initiates the growth of new blood vessels to feed the growing cancer. In other words, if you fall into this subset of patients, treatment using Paclitaxel alone may not be effective at preventing recurrence.

NF-kB blockade enhances cancer killing ability of Paclitaxel! IL-8 is under the control of an inflammatory regulating protein called nuclear factor-kappa Beta (NF-kB). When the activation of NF-kB is blocked, IL-8 dries up, much like a faucet that has been turned off. Thus, blocking NF-kB activation enhances the cancer killing ability of Paclitaxel. These results were seen with many types of cancer cells, including lung and esophageal cancer cells.

Paclitaxel is NOT the Only Drug that Promotes Excessive NF-kB

Paclitaxel is but one of a group of drugs that has this unwanted side-effect of activating NF-kB. Other drugs in this group include Doxorubicin, 5-Fluorouracil, Cisplatin, VP-16 (Etoposide), ARA-C, and Methotrexate. In addition, research demonstrates that excessive NF-kB activity contributes to cancer development in the following types of cancers: non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic, primary liver, head and neck cancer, prostate, breast, esophageal, stomach, colon, Hodgkin’s disease, and multiple myeloma.

Supportive treatment that improves chemotherapy effectiveness…..

Paclitaxel, along with the other NF-kB activating chemotherapeutic drugs, is approved for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. It appears likely that they will continue to be used for the foreseeable future. If you are on (or considering using) Paclitaxel or one of the other drugs in this group to treat cancer, there is a supportive treatment that you need to know about that improves the effectiveness of these drugs and reduces your risk of having a cancer recurrence.

We have a Multi-Dimensional Approach to Reducing Inflammation that Complements and Enhances the Impact of these Drugs!

At the Center for Learning about Healing in Ann Arbor, MI where I practice integrative medicine and behavioral oncology, I focus on multi-dimensional ways to empower patients to evaluate and change patterns of eating, behaving, thinking, and coping that are known to contribute to inflammatory reactions in the body. These methods complement the cancer killing effects of Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin, 5-FU, and other such drugs.

Genomic Testing Can Clarify Your Specific Inflammatory Molecular Mechanisms that Sustain Your Cancer

Inflammation is present before, and during the life of a cancer. In cancer, inflammation is a pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cellular and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. However, inflammation is also essential for tissue repair and tissue rebuilding. Genomic testing (easily performed with saliva or blood samples) allows us to create a personalized map of your inflammatory tendencies based on your genomic predispositions. This method is revolutionary because it allows you to regulate your genomic capabilities to your advantage, which then allows you to reduce the expression of your inflammation-related genes.

What Cancer Patients Need to DO is Reduce the Expression of Inflammation-Related Genes

Once you know your specific genomic blueprint for excessive inflammation, we work together to develop the tools you need to re-set the expression of your inflammation blueprint. These tools must be unique to you, precisely because your genomic expression capabilities are unique to you. These tools include anti-inflammatory diets supported by oral and intravenous nutrients that block and down-regulate NF-kB. Remember, it is this protein that is responsible for the abnormal rise in IL-8 during Paclitaxel administration. By measuring markers of cellular inflammation before, during, and after chemotherapy treatment, and using your unique tools, we compile a personalized treatment record of inflammatory responses (normal and abnormal) that serves as a benchmark for your risk of cancer recurrence after chemotherapy treatment.

With these personalized guidelines, you will have insider knowledge about choices of foods, behaviors, and interpersonal relationships that will be conducive to keeping your inflammation-related genes quiet. Patients with high inflammatory markers during chemotherapy are at higher risk for recurrence, and thus need to more closely monitor and modulate their NF-kB expression after the chemotherapy ends.

What is important to understand is that: - There is an optimal amount of expression of NF-kB consistent with health;

- Excessive expression contributes to diseases like cancer recurrence, especially when NF-kB is turned on continuously; and

- You will have the power and the tools needed to regulate NF-kB’s expression.

Become the Captain of Your Healing Team!

As your physician-coach, I recommend that you become the captain of your healing team, and let me and my team partner with you to clarify the specific molecular mechanisms driving your specific cancer. We coach you to learn the skills and to master the tools needed to reduce the collective contribution of foods, emotions, and behaviors to the excessive expression of inflammation-related genes. By working together, you learn to modulate your inflammation blueprint by modulating the expressive capacity of NF-kB. Modulating your expression of NF-kB is the inner game of self-discovery, consciousness expansion, forgiveness, and cell (self) renewal that is what allows healing to occur. (To view diagrams describing NF-kB in health and in disease, visit our website at http://www.arond-thomasonline.com!)

Learn More about How You Can Improve Your Chances of Not Having a Cancer Recurrence…

You or a loved one can learn more about how you can improve the effectiveness of your cancer treatments and improve your chances of not having a recurrence. at http://www.1CancerCoach.com.

Colon is one of the important parts of our digestive system. Growth of malignant tissue in colon is termed as colon cancer. Colon cancer can really harm our digestive system and colon cancer is one of the more dreaded cancers.

Causes of colon cancer

Colon related diseases and incorrect eating habits are said to increase the risk of colon cancer. High fiber diet (i.e. vegetables and fruits) can help in reducing the risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer is also linked to genes and there are theories that suggest that people with family history of colon cancer are at greater risk of developing colon cancer. However, colon cancer is generally found in older people i.e. people who are above the age of 50. Frankly speaking, the exact and specific causes of colon cancer are still not known and there is a lot of research underway to find the same.

Symptoms and diagnosis of colon cancer

Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, blood spots in stool or any unusual bowel related activity/uneasiness can be a symptom of colon cancer. However, these are not conclusive symptoms of colon cancer since these could be just normal digestion related problems. In any case, you should get the advice of a qualified doctor and tell him all the symptoms properly in order to facilitate fast and correct diagnosis. The doctor may prescribe certain tests/ examinations for proper diagnosis of colon cancer. Most colon cancer tests require empty bowel, so you need to do a bit of preparation before going for the tests. Special kind of x-ray tests and colonoscopy (that uses a fiber-optic camera or colon scope) is used to diagnose colon cancer. These tests can be a bit painful since they require insertion of instruments/ substances through your anus to your colon. Biopsy is also used as a technique for detecting colon cancer.

Treatment of colon cancer

Effectiveness of the treatment of colon cancer is governed by how early it is detected/ diagnosed. There are various ways of treating colon cancer and researchers are always looking for newer and better ways of treating colon cancer. However, as of now, surgical procedures are one of the prime treatments for colon cancer. The objective is to remove all the cancerous tissues and hence prevent the cancer from spreading. Other treatments of cancer include application of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Cancer is one of our country’s most frightening diseases. One million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and about 300 people will die from it each and every day. Scientists continue scrambling for understanding into what causes cancer, so that we can prevent it. In addition, work is ongoing to find effective ways of treating this disease.

In recent years, there have been quite a few studies on green tea and its cancer preventing characteristics. These studies are fueled by examination of Asian cultures, where green tea is part of everyday life, and where the incidences of heart disease, stroke and cancer are far lower than here in the US. Asian cultures have understood for many years that green tea is effective in slowing down the aging process and preventing and treating disease.

All tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant; white tea, green tea and black tea all come from this same source. The differences are a result of how the tea is processed. Green and white tea is not fermented during processing, but black tea is fermented. This fermentation process chemically changes the natural anti-oxidants that tea contains.

While even after fermentation, tea is quite healthy; it is the anti-oxidants in their most natural form that seem to have the best anti-aging and disease fighting qualities. In particular, the catechins EGCG is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants you can consume.

Anti-oxidants are important to us because they combat free radicals that are naturally created by our body during the digestion process. These free radicals must be eliminated or they will damage our cells and our DNA. A deficiency in anti-oxidants allows these free radicals to rule, causing us to age more quickly and develop diseases like cancer and heart disease.

So, a diet rich in anti-oxidants has been shown effective in preventing cancer and heart disease, lowering cholesterol and reducing your risk of having a stroke. Doctors recommend that we eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables for their anti-oxidant effects; however, we are now learning that one of the best ways to get your daily dose of anti-oxidants is through drinking green tea.

As great as this news is for the prospects of preventing cancer, there is even more exciting news. There is evidence to suggest that not only might green tea prevent cancer, but might also be an effective treatment for cancer. Recent studies have shown that tea – green and black – appear to slow the progression of cancer cells.

This particular study was done on prostate and pancreatic cancer cells. The cells were treated in vitro with extracts from green and black tea. The cells were exposed to tea extracts for a period of 24 hours. The growth of the cancer cells was inhibited by as much as 90% during the period of exposure to the tea.

In addition to these exciting results, this study also suggested that green and black tea may inhibit the expression of the gene known as MDR-1. MDR-1 stands for multi-drug resistant gene. This gene expresses a drug resistant substance into the tumor cells that diminishes the effect that treatment has on the cells.

This study found that during the 24 hour period when the cells were exposed to the tea extracts, the amount of MDR-1 expressed by the cancer cells was decreased. This leads us to the conclusion that using green tea in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments may increase the effectiveness of the cancer drugs. There have been other studies, as well, that have indicated that cancer drugs are more effective when they are administered along with green tea.

Of course, as with many other findings, more research is needed before we fully understand the benefits that might be gained from using tea to prevent and treat cancer. Most importantly, many of these studies that have only been conducted on mice or in test tubes need human trials. Only then will we truly understand how lab findings might translate into real treatment and prevention options.

One thing’s for sure, though; there is no downside to incorporating tea into your diet. Green tea, in particular, is refreshing, healthy and filled with anti-oxidants. It is a healthier alternative to that morning cup of coffee, because it has a high anti-oxidant level and because it is significantly lower in caffeine than coffee.

Green tea is a wonderful way to help prevent aging and disease. Adding green tea to your diet is a simple and effective way to improve your health and chances of living to a ripe old age. As the research evolves, there’s no doubt that we’ll gain greater insight into exactly how green tea works and how we can best use its power. But, in the meantime, you can be assured that drinking green tea every day is a healthy habit.