Foods to stop Cancer

A diet rich in beans, nuts and cereals could be a way to prevent cancer. Scientists have discovered that these everyday foods contain a potent anti-cancer compound. This blocks a key enzyme involved in tumor growth. Scientists have been exploring specific enzymes as a target for cancer treatment for some time but inhibitors have been difficult to develop because of problems with chemical stability and toxicity.

Researchers have discovered that a natural compound, called inositol pentakisphosphate, which is found in most legumes as well as in wheat bran and nuts, blocks the activity of the enzyme. When they tested its action in mice with ovarian and lung cancer they found it not only blocked tumor growth but also enhanced the effect of other cancer-killing drugs. It also appeared to be non-toxic, unlike conventional chemotherapy agents.

It is always encouraging when a newly discovered chemical is shown to have anti-cancer activity in the laboratory, especially when it occurs naturally in foods like beans and peas. A diet that includes at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer.

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