Foods high in quercetin, like apples, onions, garlic, peppers, grapes and tomatoes may slow the reproduction of prostate cancer cells.

·  Apples Researchers at the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, reported that quercetin - a plant based nutrient found in apples - may provide a new method for preventing or treating prostate cancer.

The researchers found in a lab study that quercetin reduced or prevented the growth of human prostate cancer cells by blocking activity of androgen hormones.  Previous research has linked androgens to prostate cancer's progression.

"By blocking androgen activity, the growth of prostate cancer cells can be prevented or stopped," said Nainzeng Xing, Ph.D., the Mayo Clinic's lead researcher on the project.  "Our study suggests quercetin may be a potential non-hormonal approach to preventing or treating prostate cancer."

The Mayo Clinic research is hopeful news in the battle against prostate cancer, a serious threat to male health.

Broccoli prostate cancer – may be prevented and possibly treated by something as easy as eating certain vegetables, like broccoli and the curry spice turmeric, says a new study. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale -- known in the veggie world as cruciferous -- do seem to fight cancer. A new study finds that those vegetables contain chemicals that block the growth of human prostate cancer cells, and could aid in cancer prevention.

·  Cabbage Broccoli and Cabbage Slash Prostate Cancer Risks By Half

A new study from the US National Cancer Institute in Maryland says that eating cauliflower and broccoli twice a week can almost halve a man's chances of developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Between them, cauliflower can cut the chances of developing the cancer by 52 per cent, while broccoli can reduce the risk by as much as 45 per cent, say researchers. Although the two vegetables have long been thought to protect against the disease, this is the first study to show they are particularly good at preventing dangerous forms of prostate cancer.

·  Cherries In addition to the antioxidants, cherries are rich in two important flavonoids - isoqueritrin and queritrin. According to leading researchers, queritrin is one of the most potent anticancer agents ever discovered. Consuming it in foods, such as cherries, is like unleashing inside your body an entire army of agents that are adept at neutralizing cancer-causing agent

·  Garlic ******** it must be aged not fresh^Aged garlic extract kills prostate cancer cells
NEW YORK, NY. A team of research scientists from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Cornell University report that certain extracts from aged garlicis highly effective in halting the growth and proliferation of human prostate cancer cells in vitro. Human prostate cancer cells (LNCaP cells) were cultured for 24 hours and then exposed to a saline solution containing 50 ppm of either S-allylcysteine or S-allylmercaptocysteine. Both of these water-soluble garliccomponents are found in crushed garlicthat has been aged for at least a year; they are not present in fresh garlic

·  Grapes, table  Note the type of grape The latest research released on August 31, 2007, from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a division of the of the National Institutes of Health shows that an extract that is made from the skin of muscadine grapes has the ability to slow down the growth of

Muscadine Grapes Show Potential to Treat Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer cells in laboratory experiments. This is significant due to the fact that muscadine grape skin extract does not contain any significant amounts of resveratrol. Resveratrol is a component in other grape skins and it has been shown in other studies that it was responsible for preventing prostate cancer growth.

The researchers used a series of human prostate cancer cells that were taken at different stages of the disease. The results showed that muscadine grape skin extract does have a significant impact on inhibiting the growth of cancerous prostate cells, but it does not interfere with normal cells. The way it works is through a process called apoptosis, programmed cell death.

·  Onions Researchers have known for some time that onions may help fight cancer, but the current study is believed to be the first to compare cancer-fighting abilities among commonly consumed onion varieties. The new study will appear in the Nov. 3 print issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society.

Liu and his associates analyzed 10 common onion varieties and shallots for total antioxidant activity and their ability to fight the growth of cancer in human cell lines. Although shallots resemble onions, they are actually a separate, distinctive species. Fresh, uncooked samples were used, with extracts taken from the bulbs with the outer skin removed.

Shallots and onion varieties with the strongest flavor — Western Yellow, New York Bold and Northern Red — had the highest total antioxidant activity, an indication that they may have a stronger ability to destroy charged molecules called free radicals, an excess of which are thought to increase the risk of disease, particularly cancer, the researcher says.

Onion varieties with the mildest flavor — Empire Sweet, Western White

·  Peppers, Bell

Pepper 'kills prostate cancer'
Jalapeno peppers are used to flavor chili The ingredient which makes jalapeno peppers hot also makes prostate cancer cells commit suicide, a study suggests. Tests showed that capsaicin triggered 80% of the cells to start the process leading to cell death. The US research in the journal Cancer Research also found tumors treated with capsaicin were smaller. UK prostate experts say capsaicin could be the basis of a future drug but warned eating too many hot peppers has been linked to stomach cancer.

·  Tomatoes Worried About Prostate Cancer? Tomato-broccoli Combo Shown To Be Effective****** eat together

ScienceDaily (Jan. 16, 2007) — A new University of Illinois study shows that tomatoes and broccoli--two vegetables known for their cancer-fighting qualities--are better at shrinking prostate tumors when both are part of the daily diet than when they're eaten alone.

·  Walnuts  are rich in compounds called tocopherols, which are thought to protect against prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease.

· Watermelons a high dietary intake of tomato products has been shown in multiple studies to lower the rate of prostate cancer by 35%-50%. Heating tomatoes, such as in sauce or paste, concentrates the lycopene and enhances the protective effect. Recent studies also show that red watermelon has 40 % more lycopene than tomatoes, and does not require heat treatment to provide similar blood lycopene levels. Seedless varieties have the highest amount. About ¾ cup of tomato sauce, or 1 ½ cups of diced watermelon is all that is required to achieve the beneficial blood levels of lycopene

Drinks that Help

Tea

·         The antioxidants found in tea--called catechins--may selectively inhibit the growth of cancer (see Question 1).

·         In laboratory studies using animals, catechins scavenged oxidants before cell damage occurred, reduced the number and size of tumors, and inhibited the growth of cancer cells

·         Green tea is a beverage that is great for fighting off infections (antibacterial), viruses (antiviral), weight loss, and even cancer. It’s a great alternative to coffee or other high sugar beverages.

Read more: "Green Tea May Help Prevent Prostate Cancer: Drink Tea for a Healthier Prostate | Suite101.com" - http://herbal-properties.suite101.com/article.cfm/green_tea_may_help_prevent_prostate_cancer#ixzz0Gmsj5PSW&A

Pomegranate juice could slow prostate cancer growth

By Stephen Daniells, 03-Jul-2006

Related topics: Research, Antioxidants, carotenoids, Cancer risk reduction

Drinking a glass of pomegranate juice every day could slow the growth of prostate cancer, researchers have reported for the first time.

The researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, suggest that men diagnosed with prostate cancer and having already had preliminary treatment, may benefit from a daily dose of pomegranate juice by suppressing further growth and delaying the need for further therapies.

"In older men 65 to 70 who have been treated for prostate cancer, we can give them pomegranate juice and it may be possible for them to outlive their risk of dying from their cancer," said lead author Dr Allan Pantuck, Jonsson Cancer Center, UCLA.

The fruit, a rich source of antioxidants, has been linked to improved heart health, but other varied claims have been made including protecting against prostate cancer and slowing cartilage loss in arthritis.

It is these antioxidants, and particularly compounds like punicalagin, which accounts for about half of the fruit's antioxidant ability, that are behind the proposed anti-cancer effects observed in this new study.

 other helpful information on eating healthy can be found in my book "The Food Contrarian" in The dens bookstore                                                                                          (C) Tuchy Palmieri 2009     www.healing-habits.com