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Grape seed extract forces cancer cells to self-destruct
Rashid Razaq30.12.08
A SUPPLEMENT made from grape seeds can destroy leukaemia cells, say scientists.
In laboratory experiments, commercially available grape seed extract forced the cancer cells to commit suicide.
Within 24 hours, 76 per cent of leukaemia cells exposed to the extract died through a process of natural self-destruction called apoptosis. Healthy cells were unharmed.
The US researchers believe the discovery could open the door to promising new treatments.
But they warn it is too early to justify recommending that people eat grapes or take grape seed extract to stave off cancer.
Grape seeds contain a number of antioxidant plant chemicals including resveratrol, which is known to have anti-cancer properties.
Previous research has shown that grape seed extract has an effect on skin, breast, bowel, lung, stomach and prostate cancer cells in the laboratory. It can also reduce the size of breast tumours in rats and skin tumours in mice. It has never before been tested on a blood cancer.
Professor Xianglin Shi, from the University of Kentucky in Philadelphia, who led the research, said: "What everyone seeks is an agent that has an effect on cancer cells but leaves normal cells alone, and this shows that grape seed extract fits into this category."
Reader views (4)
and can we get grapes with seeds in ? not very easily, nearly all supermarket grapes are seedless its about time we had natural grapes and not the less healthy seedless types, please please please supermarkets bring back grapes with seeds in
- Sean O'Leary, Walthamstow London
I agree with Ralph. The drug companies are aware of a great number of effective non-chemo drug treatments for cancer, but they will not fund research or clinical trials.
- Clive Allen, Brighton, UK
Hey, good stuff, Ralph is on the ball and spitting fire. His comments are spot on. For instance, Laetrile, which comes from Apricot seeds, apple seeds and many other natural fruit seeds, which was part of our grand-parents diets, decades ago, when cancer was virtually non-existant, is poo-poo'd nowadays. Major drug companies cant make a bean out of this 'natural' in the public domain prevention. They cant patent something that is freely available and therefore cant make money out of it, so its benefits are suppressed and powerful patented drugs that have horrendous sideaffects are promoted for profit. Dont you think that God hadnt already worked this one out at the point of creation ?
- Bondy, London
Grape Seed extract is one of many natural ingredients that can safely and successfully attack cancer cells without harming healthy cells, besides having many health enhancing benefits. BY creating the right environment these ingredients can individually halt blood supply to the cancer (angeogenisis), cause cancer cells to revert to normal (differentiation), cause cancer cells to self destruct (apoptosis), halt the spread of cancer responsible for 80% of deaths (metastasis). Alkalinise the body with Green Barley Grass to a pH level of 7.4 because cancer cells thrive on an acid environment; Halt all food to the cancer derived from sugar/refined carbohydrates because cancer cells can only survive on sugar/glucose whereas healthy cells survive on oxygen. Oxygenate the cells because oxygen kills cancer cells.
Since war was declared on cancer in 1971, with a spend of over $3 trillion, there has been a 3% improvement. Yes, only 3%. Slash, burn and poison remain the mainstay in the UK and USA. The success rate for Chemo therapy is only 2.5%, yes only 2.5%. Oncologists still persist in poisoning patients even though they know full well it will not prolong life. It is estimated that 80% of patients die from the treatment as against the cancer. There are about 9 cancer types where chemo has a higher rate such as Hodgkin's at 42%. The success rate for 80% plus tumours is Zero. How can so-called experts say it is too early to justify recommending natural ingredients. Do or die
- Ralph, London, UK
