ANTI CANCER HERBS AND SPICES: 3 FAMILIES OF PREVENTATIVE HERBS & SPICES
78SPICES AND HERBS HAVE ANTI CANCER PROPERTIES
THE THREE FACES OF ANTI-CANCER HERBS AND SPICES
HERBS AND SPICES COMMONLY USED IN THE KITCHEN, HAVE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS THAT HELP PREVENT THE GROWTH AND SPREAD OF CANCER IN A NUMBER OF WAYS (COOKING WITH FOODS THAT FIGHT CANCER, Richard Beliveau, Ph.D., and Denis Gingras, Ph.D.). The three anti-cancer families of spices and herbs are the zingiberaceae family, the lamiaceae family, and the apiaceae family.
The zingiberaceae family includes turmeric and ginger. These spices come from Southeast Asia, particularly China and India. While these roots are very different, and have very different tastes, they are similar in their ability to reduce inflammation, closely related to cancer cell growth. Responsible for the molecules that have very powerful anti-inflammatory effects are the curcumin in turmeric and gingerol, in ginger. These substances have been found to reduce cox-2 production, when added to lab grown cancer cells in lab studies. Cox-2 is the principal enzyme used by cancer cells to cause inflammation.
Curcumin and gingerol may also inhibit the development of cancerous tumors through the direct action of causing them to self destruct through apoptosis. Apoptosis refers to the suicide of cells, in this case, cancerous cells. In addition, these substances may also interfere with the production of new blood vessels by cancerous tumors, necessary for their growth and spread. Cancer cells require the formulation of a supply of blood vessels in order to receive oxygen and nutrients for their survival. When these supply lines are blocked by turmeric or ginger, cancer cells cannot grow or spread to additional body organs.
THE LAMIACEAE FAMILY
The lamiaceae family includes mint, thyme, marjoram, oregano, basil, and rosemary, and comes from the shores of the Mediterranean. Essential oils in abundance, coming from the terpene family, cause these plants to have very fragrant leaves. Terpenes block the function of many oncogenes inolved in cancer cell growth, as demonstrated in lab tests where they effectively reduced the proliferation of cancer cells, and in certain cases, led to their death. In the case of rosemary, a terpene found within this spice, prevented the development of colon cancer in mice who were genetically predisposed to suffer from the disease, when added to their diet in lab experiments. In fact the terpene prevented colon cancer by repairing the intestinal cell defects that cause the disease.
Ursolic acid, an anti-cancer molecule also found in this family, can actually directly attack cancer cells, prevent angiogenesis (the forming of their new blood vessels), and block the production of cox-2, thus reducing inflammation. Luteolin, a polyphenol abundant in thyme and mint, is a strong inhibitor of angiogenesis, through its ability to prevent the recruitment of cells needed for new blood vessel formation. It has been noted also, that luteolin is capable of these anti-cancer properties, even in very low supplies.
THE APIACEAE FAMILY
The apiaceae family includes herbs such as parsley, coriander, chervil, fennel, and cumin, and also includes some vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, and celery. In the laboratory, the high content of apigenin in these plants, inhibited the growth of breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and prostrate cancer. Very different in many respects from some of the spices discussed earlier, it delivers some similar anti cancer benefits. These include the reduction of inflammation, the inhibiting of angiogenisis, and the direct attack on cancer cells in the body.
CONCLUSION
Most of the anti-cancer benefits of spices and herbs are found in their ability to block inflammation by reducing the production of cox-2. The remarkable part of this, is that we can consume these spices and herbs with no fear of side effects, since they have been part of the human diet for many many generations. The wonderful part of this fact is that we can actually reduce our risk of cancer through enhancing the flavor of our meals.
TO VIEW A RECIPE USING ANTI CANCER SPICES, CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
http://hubpages.com/_2pvzhao591xs4/hub/INDIAN-STYLE-CUMIN-AND-TURMERIC-EGG-BRUNCH-RECIPE
CLICK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CANCER PREVENTION:
http://hubpages.com/_2pvzhao591xs4/hub/PREVENT-CANCER-THROUGH-DIET
CommentsLoading...
katiem2, Thanks. You might find some info on organic gardening. I'm sure many of these could be grown in your own garden, but you'd have to check for info on how and what season to do it.
...need to take note of this, I'll tell my mother about these herbs and spices! thank you very much for this healthful hub! ^.^
This is interesting - I've learnt some new things. I didn't realise there were all those families - would lavander be part of the lamiaceae family as well? I'm after some lavander essential oil because I wanted to make my own perfume...? I don't suppose you have a hub on essential oils, do you?
Hello Apricot, I wrote one on essential oils back when I wrote for demand Studios, but haven't added one to this site. I was very focused on anti cancer foods for a while, and that is most of what is on here about spices and herbs. I probably have my notes on that somewhere. Perhaps I will revisit them soon.
Very Informative! thanks for the herb hub!
You have an interestng screen name, wooden spice rack. I take it spices and herbs are your thing. I don't use them as much as I should during the summer in this Georgia heat, but maybe I'll do better when cool weather comes around again. Thanks for responding to my site. (:v
HI Valerie...
can dogs eat these herbs as well? I know they can't have garlic and onions...are
the herbs ok?
karemuse
karemuse, You should probably ask your vet. (:v
Thanks for the valuable information. I have both turmeric and ginger in my kitchen. I will use them more. Diet has a lot to do with lessening the chances of getting cancer. Voted up.
Thanks 2bsure. I appreciate your reading my site and leaving feedback. (:v
It is a please to read quality writing!
What I like about this advice is that it not only adds flavor to our foods...but if it also is healthy for us and can help prevent cancer...then why not incorporate them into our daily diets. This has much credence from other things that I have been reading. Voted up and useful!
I had cancer in 2009. I read so much and was overwhelmed. I stopped eating soy as much as I could, dairy except some eggs. I stopped coffee and sugar. But in 2010 I had a little and my cancer is back and in another place as well. But the doctor said some of the cancer cells are dead. Will they come back to life again.
What are some fast kill and stop cancer foods. We are eating more cauliflower,broccoli and added brussel sprouts. We eat granny apples and one or two oranges a month. I do not eat much bread and we eat less and less potatoes.
Dear Sharen, I would suggest that you read "Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life" written by David Schruber, MD. He recommends a number of foods and makes reference to some men who have published anti cancer cookbooks. The diet he recommends calls for many vegetables and fruits and very little sugar and processed foods. I would suggest you read the book and become very familiar with the diet. also vigerous exercise six days a week for thirty minutes or more is important because over weight and body fat are closely related to a high glycemic index which is also closely related to cancer. I've made many changes in my life after reading the book, and while I sometimes cheat, I don't do it that often. (:v
great useful article - I've published about amount of apigenin
katiem2 2 years ago
I can't wait to use the recipes, I love working with spices, herbs and thought, hum could I raise some of my own in the garden this summer? Great and informative report on Anti Cancer Herbs and Spices, all of us are smarter than one of us and your research adds greatly :) Thanks and Peace :)