Three independent researches conducted between 2004 and 2009
identified green tea, turmeric, and tomato and broccoli combined as the top
"superfoods" against prostate cancer. Wisconsin researchers, headed
by Vagar Mustafa Adhami, offered substantial evidence that polyphenols from
green tea are effective in the prevention and treatment of cancer of the
prostate. Meanwhile, researchers from Kentucky, led by Damodaran Chendil,
disclosed the efficacy of curcumin, the main component of turmeric, as a
radiosensitizer. Likewise, Kristie Canene-Adams and her team of scientists from
Illinois and Ohio documented the effectiveness of the tomato-broccoli
combination against the disease dreaded by men.
Check these top "superfoods" against prostate
cancer:
Green Tea Polyphenols
The glyco-protein secreted by the prostate gland, called
prostate-specific antigen (PSA), is the most clinically used marker in the
detection of prostate cancer. The level of PSA serum is reduced by agents that
lower the level of testosterone. Such agents include leutenizing
hormone-releasing hormone agonists, antagonists and anti-androgens, as well as
5a-reductase inhibitors.
Green tea is considered a "superfood" against this
type of cancer, because its polyphenol content is capable of decreasing PSA
levels in human prostate cancer cells in a culture medium. The effect of the
moderately water-soluble polyphenols on PSA levels is dose-dependent.
Additionally, its constituent, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), also
contributes to its efficacy against prostate and other forms of cancer.
Curcumin in Turmeric
Curcumin is a natural carotenoid and polyphenol which may be
isolated from Curcuma longa or turmeric, a rhizome. Owing to their structure,
carotenoids are scavengers of free radicals, which make them great
anti-oxidants and boosters of the immune system of vertebrates, humans
included. Curcumin is also an effective anti-bacterial and anti-carcinogenic.
Studies have demonstrated that curcumin inhibits the growth of a number of
tumors when used in combination with radiation therapy. In prostate cancer,
curcumin overcomes the effect of prosurvival gene expression induced by the
exposure of cancer cells to radiation.
Tomato and Broccoli: The Phytochemical-Polyphenol Tandem
Although the Canene-Adams, et al. study was performed in
rats, the results are encouraging, because tomato alone and broccoli alone
reduced the tumor growth by only 34% and 42%, respectively. However, when
tomato and broccoli were combined in diet, proliferation of tumor decreased by
52%. This finding provided scaffold to earlier recommendations from public
health authorities to increase their intake of nutrients from a variety of
plant sources. In this respect, combining tomato and broccoli produced a
synergistic effect in combating prostate cancer.
Nature's Way Saves the Day