Watercress Packs a Punch Against Breast Cancer!
On Sep. 14, 2010 from the University of Southampton a newly published study has shown that a plant compound found in watercress may have the ability to stop breast cancer growth by ‘shutting down’ a signal in the body. This process starves the growing tumor of essential oxygen and blood. The research showed that the vegetable watercress is able to interfere with cancer development.
As tumors grow they rapidly need a greater blood supply so they send out signals which makes normal tissues in the area grow new blood vessels. These new blood vessels feed the tumor which gives them nutrients and oxygen for further growth.
Professor Graham Packham of the University of Southampton, showed that the plant compound – called phenylethyl isothiocyanate – found in watercress can block this process.
Professor Packham, a molecular oncologist at the University of Southampton, stated: “This research takes a big step towards understanding the health benefits of watercress It shows that consuming watercress may disrupt the pathway that has already been strongly linked to cancer growth.
“Recognizing the risk factors for cancer is an important goal and studies on diet are a key part of this. But, relatively little research is being conducted in the United Kingdom on the relationship between the foods we consume and cancer growth.”
Barbara Parry a Senior Research Dietician at the Winchester and Andover Breast Cancer Unit and Professor Packham conducted a studies in which a small group of breast cancer survivors, underwent a period of fasting before ingesting 80g of watercress (about a cereal bowl full) and then gave blood samples over the following 24 hours.
The British Journal of Nutrition and Biochemical Pharmacology published the two studies which provides new insight into the potent anti-cancer effects of watercress.
Dr Steve Rothwell, a member of the Watercress Alliance states: “We are very excited by the outcome of Professor Packham’s work, which builds on the research which supports the idea that watercress has an important role to play in limiting cancer growth.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the western world. It currently affects approximately 1 in 9 women during their lifetime.
For information about breast cancer diet treatments which can make an excellent complimentary approach to conventional medicine call Dr. Robert @ 201.618.3534 or click on the link below to be taken to his contact page.