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ElIagic Acid hailed as the most potent way to fight cancer
Ellagic acid is a naturally occurring phenolic constituent in certain
fruits and nuts. With highest concentrations in red raspberries, ellagic
acid has been proven an effective anti-mutagen, anti-carcinogen, and
inhibitor of cancer. Research at the Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston,
SC indicate that ellagic acid slows the growth of abnormal colon ceils in
humans, prevents the development of cells infected with human papilloma
virus (HPV) which is linked to cervical cancer, and promotes apoptotic
growth (natural death) of prostate cancer cells. The apoptotic process
triggered by this antioxidant also has beneficial effects on breast, lung,
esophageal, and skin cancer (melanoma). Medical findings in Europe further
show that ellagic acid reduces the incidence of birth defects, promotes
wound healing, reduces and reverses chemically induced liver fibrosis, and
is helpful in the fight against heart disease. How Does it Work? Ellagic
acid is a phenolic compound that has become known as a potent
anti-carcinogenic/anti-mutagenic compound. It also has anti-bacterial and
anti-viral properties. Ellagic acid itself is not thought to be naturally
present in plants. Instead, polymers of garlic acid and
hexahydroxydipenoyl (HHDP) are linked to glucose centers to form the class
of compounds known as ellagitannins. When two garlic acid groups become
linked side by side within a tannin molecule an HHDP group is formed.
Eliagic acid is the result when the HHDP group is cleaved from the tannin
molecule and spontaneously rearranges. It is the ellagitannins that are
present in red raspberries. Some articles in which ellagitannins are
quantified refer to ellagic acid because quantitation of ellagitannins is
done by breaking them down into ellagic subunits and quantifying the
subunits. The Meeker red raspberry is the best source of ellagic acid
followed by Chillwak and Willamette. The Meeker variety is specific to the
Pacific Northwest--grown primarily for commercial use in Washington State.
The availability to the body of ellagic acid from dietary sources has only
beer confirmed with red raspberries. Other foods such as
strawberries, pomegranates, and walnuts contain far lesser amounts of
ellagic acid yet the bioavailability has not been confirmed. Ellagic Acid
Reduces the Incidence of Cancer Ellagic acid acts as a scavenger to
"bind" cancer-causing chemicals, making them inactive. It
inhibits the ability of other chemicals to cause mutations in bacteria. In
addition, ellagic acid from red raspberries prevents binding of
carcinogens to DNA, and reduces the incidence of cancer in cultured human
cells exposed to carcinogens.
Clinical tests conducted at the Hollings Cancer Institute at the Medical
University of South Carolina (MUSC) show that ellagic acid, a naturally
occurring plant phenol with highest concentrations in red raspberries, may
be the most potent way to prevent cancer, inhibit the growth of cancer
cells, and arrest the growth of cancer in Dersons with a genetic
predisposition for the disease. Dr. Daniel Nixon, MUSC, began studying the
ellagic acid in red raspberries in 1993. His recently published results
show: · Cervical Cancer Cells—HPV (human papilloma virus) exposed to
ellagic acid from red raspberries experienced apoptosis (normal cell
death). · Ellagic acid leads to G1 arrest of cancer cells, thus
inhibiting and stopping mitosis (cancer cell division). · Ellagic acid
from red raspberries prevents destruction of the P53 gene by cancer cells.
P53 is regarded as the safeguard of mutagenic activity in cervical cells.
· Tests reveal similar results for breast, pancreas, esophageal, skin,
colon, and prostate cancer cells. · Consuming one cup (150 grams) of red
raspberries per day prevents the development of cancer cells. Additional
studies suggest that one of the mechanisms by which ellagic acid inhibits
mutagenesis and carcinogenesis is by forming adducts with DNA, thus
masking binding sites to be occupied by the mutagen or carcinogen. 21 st
Century Nutriceuticals recently announced the development of its
Ellagic.Red21 product. President and CEO of the company, Wayne B. Watson,
declares, "The recently released studies from the Medical University
of South Carolina demonstrating that ellagic acid promotes natural death
of prostate cell, and other studies confirming that breast, colon, lung,
esophageal, and skin cancer (melanoma) may benefit from the apoptotic
process triggered by the acid is a major brealthrough in the baffle
against the insidious disease called cancer. European medical studies also
demonstrate that ellagic acid is known to lower the incidence of birth
defects. promote wound healing, reduce heart disease, and may reduce or
reverse chemically induced liver fibrosis."
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