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Like atherosclerosis,
cancer involves inappropriate cell growth. Specifically,
cancerous cells escape the control of the genetic commands
that regulate programmed cell death (apoptosis). This
mutation of the genes that normally control the division
leads to the uncontrolled replication of the cancerous
cells, which replication then proceeds on an exponential
basis.
Cancer,
like atheroscierosis, is also a multi-step process. Bellow
is a brief overview of the process of carcinogenesis:
Step
1: Initiation
All of
the trillions of cells that make up the human body contain
DNA in their nucleus. All the genes that govern every
body function are contained in these DNA strands. Exposed
to free radical "hits" (over 10,000 per day per cell),
carcinogenic substances (such as food additives and
by-products of cooking) and irradiation (sunlight),
this genetic material is subject to many types of mutation.
When
a gene has mutated, it continues to govern celular function,
but does so in an abnormal manner. Once transformed
through mutation, those damaged genes which govern subsequent
cancerous changes are called oncogenes.
At this
point in the initiation process, the mutations which
have occurred can still be repaired and the damaged
gene restored to normal function. Experiments with mangosteen
phytonutrients in laboratories have shown that they
can protect the DNA from damage in the first place.
And in some instances, they can assist the body in repairing
DNA when damage has occurred.These protective uses of
the phytonutrients are termed "chemoprotective."
Additionally,
it has been shown that some of the mangosteen's phytonutrients
can deactivate carcínogens (cancer-causing agents) or
bind with them so that they cannot enter cells to damage
the DNA.
Step
2: Promotion
The second
step in carcinogenesis, called promotion, takes place
in the cell itself in the cell membrane and cytoplasm
(the gel like substance that
fills cells).
These
changes come about under the control of the mutated
genes that have become oncogenes (cancer genes). In
addition, there are anti-oncogenes, a sort of guardian
gene, which normally protect
the cell from becoming malignant. However, should these
cells themselves be damaged or undergo mutation, they
can also contribute to cancerous change.
Some
of the dysfunction that occurs during the promotion
stage of carcinogenesis involves the inappropriate production
of growth factors, which facilitate the growth of cancerous
cells.
Pro-inflammatory
chemicals produced when inflammation exists in the body
are often involved in cancer
promotion activities as well. Mangosteen phytonutrients,
again acting in a chemoprotective manner, have been
shown in preclinical studies to interfere with cancer
promotion by blocking the
production of the proinflammatory chemicals
that promote cancer.
They
could also be potentially used by the body to block
the production of growth factors, which support
the tumor's expansion. However, even after the initiation
and promotion steps have occurred, cancer cells do not
necessarily proliferate rapidly. Rapid, uncontrolled
growth requires a third and final step-progression.
Step
3: Progression
Progression
is not well understood, but it is believed that the
"out of-control" metabolism of cancer cells begins to
produce large amounts of growth factors.
Such
a phenomenon is problematic because, for example, these
growth factors can stimulate the rapid growth of blood
vessels in the area of the cancer so that new cancer
cells can be supplied more effectively with nutrient.
Remember,
a normal cell produces two cells when it divides, one
of which dies a programmed death called apoptosis, and
the other replicates.
In cancer,
both cells born from cell division
divide again and again and do not die. In this sense,
cancer cells become eternal.
Normal
cells, except for blood cells, remain attached to their
neighbors. They neither thrust in between neighboring
cells (invasion) nor break loose and move to other parts
of the body (metastasis). Cancer cells produce proteolytic
chemicals that dissolve the attachments between cells.
As a
result, cancer cells develop the ability to both invade
other cells territories and to break off to travel in
the circulation to distant organs where they seed new
cancerous tumors called metastases.
Thus,
advanced cancer often becomes "metastetic
cancer" These activities also constitute part of progression.
The
mangosteen phytonutrients have demonstrated in preclinical
studies that they can be used by the body to interfere
with the excess production of growth factors. The
body may also use them to help restrain the production
of protein-dissolving substances that facilitate invasion
and metastetic travel by cancer
cells.
In addition,
several studies have shown that these same nutrients
may allow the body to restore normal function to cancerous
cells, which then commit suicide like normal cells
do (apoptosis) at the end of their programmed lifespan.
Thus, we
see that the mangosteen phytonutrients have been observed
in preclinical studies assisting in the suppression of
the initiation, progression and the promotion stages of
cancer.
Consequently,
it is not unreasonable to suggest that these nutrients
may prove to be useful to the body in the battle against
cancer. As I have previously stated elsewhere, there is
no cure for cancer.
Mangosteen
phyteceuticals, proven to possess
anti-cancer benefits in preclinical trials, may be able
to help the body fight against or protect itself from
cancer. This, however, has not been clearly proven and
therefore no cancer victim or person seeking to prevent
cancer should ignore other beneficial actions or treatments
in favor of using the mangosteen.
The mangosteen
can be safely used with all other cancer interventions.
Well-intentioned but skeptical physicians may counsel
patients not to use natural products during standard cancer
treatment (chemotherapy or radiation). I would refer cancer
patients who have been given such advice to the internet,
where searching the subject "cancer chemotherapy and antioxidants"
will provide all the evidence necessary to learn the facts.
Do not
let the unfounded fears of others, even experts, determine
what you do. Please inform yourself and make your own
decisions when it comes to natural products and cancer.
Catechin
research in the area of cancer has revealed:
-
Protection
of DNA from damage by free radicais and other
mutagens
-
Repair
of damaged DNA before cancer begins
-
Inibition
of the inappropriate production of growth factors
while promote cancer
-
Inibition
of the proteolytic enzymes, which cancerous cells
produce to invade normal tissue and to metastasize
-
Protection
of skin from UV damage
-
Inibition
of the production of pro-inflammatory mediators
which promote cancer growth
-
Chemoprotection
(by unclucidated mechanisms) from many different types
of cancer
-
Anti-tumor
effect by the induction of apoptosis or cell death
in cancer cells
Xanthone
research in the area
of cancer has revealed:
-
Protection
of DNA from damage by free radicals
-
Induction
of apoptosis (cell suicide) in tumor cells of several
types of cancer
-
Anti-tumor
efficacy (in vitro) of garcinone E (a mangosteen xanthone),
surpassing the effects of five commonly utllized
chemotherapy agents
Proanthocyanidin
research in the area of cancer has shown:
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