miércoles, 12 de febrero de 2014

An anticancer compound

Why is important the Ellagic Acid?

Ellagic acid is directly related with cancer prevention and with treatments in alternative therapies against cancer.
This acid is present in fruits as raspberry, strawberry, sour cranberry and pomegranate. Several studies have demonstrated that this acid helps avoiding mutations in the DNA, neutralizing the toxic agents that cause cancer and prevents tumor growth. This acid has the ability to inhibit genetic damages that start cancer process.

Why does cancer happen?

Our cells have a gene called p53 that plays a key role in the control of the cell cycle and the cell death (apoptosis). This gene is a tumor suppressor gene. When there is DNA damage in a cell this gene is activated, calling the machinery for reparation. If it is not possible to repair, this gene starts a program for cell suicide, in order to avoid a bigger damage in the whole body. In cells where p53 is missing or doesn’t work correctly, ellagic acid can play a similar role, in a very efficient manner, helping to restore the damaged cells that p53 has not been able to repair (because is missing).

If damaged cells are not repaired, they become precancerous and cancerous, becoming “immortal” cells, growing and spreading without control. This is how tumors start.

Pomegranate. A healing fruit.
Pomegranate is a light fruit, low in calories. Its composition, per 100 grams is the following:
  • Calories: 31.2 Kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 7.5 gr
  • Vitamin C: 5.7 mg
  • Fiber: 0.2 g
  • Provitamin A: 3.5 mg
  • Potassium: 275 mg
  • Magnesium: 3 mg
  • Calcium: 8 mg
It is becoming a widely used product in patients with cancer.
It presents ellagic acid, so it is a very good complement in cancer treatment.
In breast cancer this acid inhibits an enzyme (aromatase) that transforms androgens in estrogens, playing a key role in the tumor growth inhibition.

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