Papaya
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
found 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. Let's ensure a slice of papaya every day in our diet. Papaya juice will be great. . Have a great day.....along with a slice of papaya.
Do share with everyone whom you know…………………………….
Do share with everyone whom you know…………………………….
