PAPAYA IS A STOREHOUSE OF CANCER-FIGHTING LYCOPENE

PAPAYA IS A STOREHOUSE OF CANCER-FIGHTING LYCOPENE     The gorgeous Fruit Papaya.... Make sure that you have some as often as  possible. Read all about it.   Papaya was the only studied food found to halt breast cancer. Scientists  studied 14 plant foods commonly consumed in Mexico to determine their  ability to halt breast cancer cell growth. These included avocado, black  sapodilla, guava, mango, prickly pear cactus (nopal), pineapple, grapes,  tomato, and papaya. They also evaluated beta-carotene, total plant  phenolics, and gallic acid contents and antioxidant capacity. They found  that only papaya had a significant effect on stopping breast cancer cell  growth. (International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, May issue).  Papaya is a store-house of cancer-fighting lycopene. The intense  orangey-pink  colour of papaya means it is chock full of cancer fighting  carotenoids. Not only beta carotene, but lycopene is found in abundance.  The construction of lycopene makes it highly reactive towards oxygen and free  radicals. Scientists at the University of Illinois think this  anti-oxidant activity contributes to its effectiveness as a cancer fighting agent.  Epidemiological studies have indicated an inverse relationship between  lycopene intake and prostate cancer risk. They showed that oral lycopene  is highly bio available, accumulates in prostate tissue, and is localised in  the nucleus of prostate epithelial cells. In addition to antioxidant activity, other experiments have indicated that lycopene induces cancer cell  death, anti-metastatic activity, and the up-regulation of protective  enzymes. Phase I and II studies have established the safety of lycopene  supplementation. (Cancer Letter, October 8, 2008).  Prostate cancer was the subject of a study in Australia that looked at  130 prostate cancer patients and 274 hospitalized controls. The scientists  foun that men who consumed the most lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables such as papaya were 82% less likely to have prostate cancer. In this study, green tea also exerted a powerful anti-cancer effect. When lycopene-rich foods  were consumed with green tea, the combination was even more effective, an  outcome the researchers credited to their synergy. ( Asia Pacific Journal  of Clinical Nutrition, 2007).  Isothiocyanates found in papaya restore the cell cycle to eliminate  cancer. Organo-sulphur compounds called isothiocyanates are found in papaya. In animal experiments, isothiocyanates protected against cancers of the breast, lung, colon, pancreas, prostate, as well as leukaemia, and they have the potential to prevent cancer in humans. Isothiocyanates have shown  themselves capable of inhibiting both the formation and development of cancer cells through multiple pathways and mechanisms. (International Journal of  Oncology, October, 2008).  Researchers in Japan clarified the mechanisms of action in a type of  isothiocyanate found in papaya known as BITC, which underlies the  relationship between cell cycle regulation and appropriate cell death.  When cancerous cells die on schedule, they are no longer a problem.  The researchers established that BITC exerted cancer cell killing effects  that were greater in the proliferating cells than in the quiescent cells.  Cancer cells that are proliferating are much more dangerous than cancer  cells that are in a state of dormancy. (Forum of Nutrition, 2009).  Enzymes from papaya digest proteins including those that protect tumours.  The fruit and other parts of the papaya tree, also known as the paw paw  tree, contain papain and chymopapain, powerful proteolytic enzymes that  facilitate chemical reactions in the body. They promote digestion by  helping to break down proteins from food into amino acids that can be  recombined to produce protein useable by humans. Proteolytic enzymes  protect the body from inflammation and help heal burns. They do a good  job of digesting unwanted scar tissue both on the skin and under its surface. Being a proteolytic enzyme, papain is able to destroy intestinal parasites, which are composed mostly of protein. To rid the body of intestinal parasites, half a cup of papaya juice can be alternated each hour for twelve consecutive hours  with the same amount of cucumber or green bean juice. ****  Research has shown that the physical and mental health of people is  highly dependent on their ability to produce proteins they can use  effectively. However, as people age, they produce less of the enzymes needed to effectively digest proteins from food and free needed amino acids. They  are left with excessive amounts of undigested protein which can lead to  overgrowth of unwanted bacteria in the intestinal tract, and a lack of  available amino acids. Eating papaya after a meal promotes digestion, and  helps prevent bloating, gas production, and indigestion. It is quite  helpful after antibiotic use to replenish friendly intestinal bacteria  that were the casualties in the war against the unwanted bacteria. When the intestinal tract is well populated with friendly bacteria, the immune system  is strengthened, and can protect better against flu and cancer. ****  Papaya contains fibrin, another useful compound not readily found in the  plant kingdom. Fibrin reduces the risk of blood clots and improves the  quality of blood cells, optimising the ability of blood to flow through  the circulatory system. Fibrin is also important in  preventing stokes.  Proteolytic enzymes containing fibrin are a good idea for long plane  rides to minimize the potential of blood clots in the legs. People who  sit at a desk all day might want to use proteolytic enzymes too.  Proteolytic enzymes are able to digest and destroy the defence shields of  viruses, tumours, allergens, yeasts, and various forms of fungus. Once  the shield is destroyed, tumours and invading organisms are extremely  vulnerable and easily taken care of by the immune system. Undigested  proteins can penetrate the gut and wind up in the bloodstream where they  are treated by the immune system as invaders. If too many undigested  proteins are floating around, the immune system becomes overburdened and unable to attend to the other tasks it was meant to do. Proteolytic  enzymes can digest these rogue proteins, freeing up the immune system.