Ashitaba Green and Cancer

We use oxygen from the air to oxidize our food to provide the energy we need for our cells to function. Sometimes, however, those oxidation reactions release uncontrolled reactants called free radicals. Free radicals can and will react with many different important molecules, including lipids, proteins and DNA, damaging them in the process. When, a cell's DNA gets damaged, it can lead to mutations which in turn can bring about cancer.

Normally functioning cells process oxidative free radicals appropriately, Sometimes the body's immune system's cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also cause the body to spawn free radicals and if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, then even a healthy system can become overwhelmed. Of particular importance is that free radical damage accumulates with age.

Toxins tend to concentrate in the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

When the gastrointestinal tract (digestive system) becomes sluggish, over-acid, and toxic it becomes less and less efficient and therefore unable to supply the necessary nutrients to feed the heart, lungs, brain, muscles, etc. This can reduce metabolic activity, drain the body of energy and make one more susceptible to disease and infection and less able to rid oneself of toxins - creating an ever declining state of health.

The FDA has shown that a diet high in fiber can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 40% and this is why it now recommends the minimum of five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Okinawans eat at least seven servings of vegetables daily (including ashitaba) and boast the highest percentage of centenarians anywhere. "heart disease rates are low: 80% fewer heart attacks than Americans, and Okinawans who have heart attacks are more likely to survive. Breast and prostate cancer are so rare as to be unheard of among the older population. Obesity is equally rare." (Okinawan food guide)
Ashitaba Green being a whole food product is high in fiber and being a green food, it can help lower acidity. Insoluble fiber is necessary for elimination in the digestive system.

When the liver becomes sluggish and weak, toxins accumulate in the blood and reduce the capability of the blood to absorb and transport oxygen to the tissues of the body. Without oxygen, we are devitalized, and according to some theories, the tissues go into a morbid state in which they can survive on fermentation rather than oxygenation. This is what is referred to as anaerobic and it is believed, by such persons as Nobel laureate Prof. Otto Warburg, that cancer thrives in such oxygen deficient conditions.

Ashitaba has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to strengthen the liver and kidneys.

To prevent diseases like cancer it is necessary for us to cleanse, nourish and heal our bodies (see Dr Christopher's message) on a daily basis so as to restore our cells and protect them from damage.

Ashitaba has been shown to have anticarcinogenic, antitumor, antimetastatic and antimitotic properties.

Testimonials

Dear Linda, (excerpted, emphasis added)

In April of 2007, Corky, our 6-year young Labrador Retriever had surgery to remove and biopsy a strange small growth along the gum line of her lower jaw. Later … identified as a plasmacytoma. The vet told us that he could not remove the whole tumor due to its location Corky also started showing signs of depression, lack of energy, and pain.
…the tumor was coming back. It had actually quadrupled in size and was ulcerated at this point. We … were told that we had two options: 1) remove a large section of her lower jaw bone, or 2) start focalized radiation therapy (20 visits approx.). … Here we are today, 3 months later, and Corky has no signs of this cancerous growth! Amazingly it has disappeared! In addition, her energy has returned, she has a sparkle in her eyes and a beautiful coat.
I would like to have you use this information in order to help other people and animals that are impacted by cancer.
By the way, my boyfriend and I have also noticed the benefits of Ashitaba Green! We couldn’t be happier! I tell everyone I know about your product and everyone that I pass it on to calls to thank me.We are forever indebted to you for providing Ashitaba Green which saved Corky’s life!
Warmest regards, Dawn 09/12/2007

Research on Ashitaba and Cancer:

In vitro induction of the anticarcinogenic marker enzyme, quinone reductase, in human hepatoma cells by food extracts. Hashimoto K, Kawamata S, Usui N, Tanaka A, Uda Y. Cancer Lett. 2002 Jun 6;180(1):1-5.

Anti-tumor-promotion by principles obtained from Angelica keiskei. Okuyama T, Takata M, Takayasu J, Hasegawa T, Tokuda H, Nishino A, Nishino H, Iwashima A. Planta Med. 1991 Jun;57(3):242-6.

Potent antimitotic and cell growth inhibitory properties of substituted chalcones, S. Ducki, R. Forrest, et al.,. Med. Chem. Lett., 1998, 8, 1051.

Ashitaba Helps to Inhibit Cancer: Linked Parallel Synthesis and MTT Bioassay Screening of Substituted Chalcones, N. J. Lawrence, D. Rennison, A. T. et al., Chem., 2001, 3, in press.

The Interaction of Chalcones with Tubulin, N. J. Lawrence, A. T. McGown, S. Ducki and J. A. Hadfield, Anticancer Drug Design, 2000, 15, 135.

Effect of naturally occurring coumarins on the formation of epidermal DNA adducts and skin tumors induced by benzo[a]pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in SENCAR mice. Cai Y, Kleiner H, Johnston D, Dubowski A, Bostic S, Ivie W, DiGiovanni J.

Isobavachalcone, a Chalcone Constituent of Angelica keiskei, Induces Apoptosis in Neuroblastoma. Nishimura R, Tabata K, Arakawa M, Ito Y, Kimura Y, Akihisa T, Nagai H, Sakuma A, Kohno H, Suzuki T. Biol Pharm Bull. 2007 Oct;30(10):1878-83.

Xanthoangelol, a major chalcone constituent of Angelica keiskei, induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma and leukemia cells. Tabata K, Motani K, Takayanagi N, Nishimura R, Asami S, Kimura Y, Ukiya M, Hasegawa D, Akihisa T, Suzuki T. Biol Pharm Bull. 2005 Aug;28(8):1404-7. PMID: 16079483 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Antitumor and antimetastatic activities of 4-hydroxyderricin isolated from Angelica keiskei roots.Kimura Y, Taniguchi M, Baba K. Planta Med. 2004 Mar;70(3):211-9. PMID: 15114497 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Chalcones and other compounds from the exudates of Angelica keiskei and their cancer chemopreventive effects. Akihisa T, Tokuda H, Hasegawa D, Ukiya M, Kimura Y, Enjo F, Suzuki T, Nishino H. J Nat Prod. 2006 Jan;69(1):38-42 - - inhibitory effects on the induction of Epstein-Barr virus, - - inhibitory effects on skin tumor promotion

Chalcones, coumarins, and flavanones from the exudate of Angelica keiskei and their chemopreventive effects. Akihisa T, Tokuda H, Ukiya M, Iizuka M, Schneider S, Ogasawara K, Mukainaka T, Iwatsuki K, Suzuki T, Nishino H. Cancer Lett. 2003 Nov 25;201(2):133-7 - - antitumor-promoters