ANTI-ANGEOGENESIS INHIBITORS  

      Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, the chief of medical oncology at the Strang Cancer Prevention Center in New York City, had a very good understanding about cancer when he completed his cancer specialty at Cornell University, but admitted he had a poor understanding in regards to diet and nutrition and their significance in the prevention and treatment of degenerative disease. 

     Cancer is a specific cluster of cells undergoing uncontrolled cell division and multiplication.  It is the ultimate example of a degenerative disease in progress. Cancer cells are essentially parasitic and immortal. They fail to develop specific functions, they develop their own blood vessel network to siphon nourishment away from normal cells, and grow to such a state of abnormality that they kill their host. Cancer cells are not encapsulated by fiber and thus may invade nearby normal cells.  If they do not invade, the cancerous growth is considered to be localized; if they spread to other body parts, the malignancy is labeled metastasized.  

     The concept of angiogenesis was discovered 40 years ago by the late Dr. Judah Folkman. Angiogenesis means sourcing out nutriments through the growth of blood vessels. William Li presented a new way of battling cancer--anti-angiogenesis through the food we eat. An angiogenesis inhibitor is a substance that inhibits angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels). It can be endogenous or come from outside as a drug or a dietary component. Every solid tumor (in contrast to liquid tumors like leukemia) needs to generate blood vessels to keep it alive once it reaches a certain size. Usually, blood vessels are not built elsewhere in an adult body unless tissue repair is actively in process.      More than 60 years ago, Max Gerson, M.D. (1881-1959) introduced the Gerson Therapy--a revolutionary dietary program that was far advanced for its time. There was no scientific rationale available to explain why it produced reversal of chronic and infectious diseases.  The therapy was successful in curing advanced tuberculosis, diabetes, migraines, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, skin disorders, and other life-threatening disorders.

     The underlining nutritional concept of Dr. Max Gerson was that an oxygen deficiency in the blood contributes to degenerative diseases and treatment must invariably bring a doubling of circulatory oxygenation for the patient to heal.  The therapy also stimulates metabolism, eliminates toxins, restores sluggish waste-removal functions of the liver and kidneys. "Thus, by using liberal amounts of high-quality nutrition (8 oz. of fresh, organic raw juice 13 times a day on the hour) in conjunction with natural medications and enemas the body can regenerate and heal even advanced cancer.  "Thus by using liberal amounts, increasing a patient's oxygen availability, reinvigorating the entire organism with a well-functioning metabolism, and improving cellular detoxification, one's suppressed immune system, imperfect physiology, muddled mind, and dysfunctional brain and other essential organs are encouraged to regenerate toward homeostasis once again." The Gerson Therapy, p. 2.

     Statistically, "chemotherapy boasts an overall remission rate on average of 12 percent (seven percent for colon cancer and one percent for pancreatic cancer), but the Gerson Therapy offers total remission success on average for up to 42% participating, largely terminal cancer patients." Ibid.

      Hippocrates said: "Leave the drugs in the chemist's pots if you can heal your patients with food." Whole food and juicing programs like Gerson's make sure the patient's body is also flooded with key nutrients in nature's most perfect form for absorption. Elevated levels of minerals, enzymes, beta carotene, Vitamins A and C, and other antioxidants from produce that is free from all pesticide and fungicides are fed to the patients. Dr. Gerson believed that patients suffered from a severe imbalance of sodium and potassium. Potassium-rich juices, with added potassium iodine and compounds, are fed to the patient's to reestablish sodium/potassium balance. 

      Science and research have substantiated that plant substances called phytochemicals play a significant role in defending our cells against free radicals and stimulating our immune system.  Sulforaphane, a chemical in cruciferous vegetables, boosts the body's production of phase II enzymes that cart off dangerous residues of procarcinogens, those cancer-causing precursors capable of damaging cellular DNA. Sulforaphane has been shown to have anti-tumor activity.  Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale all contain sulforaphane.

     Phase II enzymes are important antioxidants produced in the body and sulforaphane turns them on.  Phase II enzymes detoxify carcinogens and turn them into water-soluble substances that can be excreted by the cell. According to Dr. Dr. Bob Arnot, "Scientists have long known that all phase II enzymes are important and that the loss of even one can raise your risk of cancer.

      GSTP1, or glutathione S-transferase, is a Phase II enzyme that is universally absent in prostate cancer cells but present in normal prostate tissue. GSTP1 is very good at detoxifying carcinogens. However, prostate cancers, breast cancers, and liver cancers all seem to inactivate GSTP1, says William Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., oncologist and antioxidation expert at John Hopkins University.

      There is a lot of evidence that you can turn on Phase II enzymes All indications are that sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, is the most potent compound for turning on Phase II enzymes.  Medical experts believe that if we can raise the level of Phase II enzymes, you would establish a resistance to cancer.  

   Here is an impressive lecture promoting phytochemical- and antioxidant-rich foods that can slow down angiogenesis. Yes, we can prevent and starve cancer! Enjoy the presentation by William li on ANTIANGEOGENESIS. 

To be continued.   

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