We have heard how good broccoli and garlic are for us. There is more promising news that broccoli and garlic can fight cancer.
Cancers such as melanoma, prostate cancer, and some types of leukemia weaken the body by over-driving the immune system.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen discovered that selenium, a nutrient found in broccoli and garlic slows down the immune system over-activity caused by these cancers. Thus, Broccoli and garlic may be able to fight cancer.
The research team is hoping that this may improve cancer treatment in the long term. The study was published in theJournal of Biological Chemistry.
The immune system is designed to remove things that don’t belong in the body. Therefore, cells that are changing as a precursor to cancer are usually identified and removed.
However, some cancer cells block the immune system from identifying them, and are allowed to continue developing and spreading.
Some cancer cells overdrive the immune system, which has a negative impact:
You can say that the stimulating molecules over-activate the immune system and cause it to collapse, and we are, of course, interested in blocking this mechanism. We have now shown that certain selenium compounds, which are naturally found in, e.g., garlic and broccoli, effectively block the special immunostimulatory molecule that plays a serious role for aggressive cancers such as melanoma, prostate cancer and certain types of leukemia,” says Professor Søren Skov, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen.
The researchers focused mainly on NGK2D ligands. There are eight different types of variants, and one in particular caught the team’s attention, because it assumes liquid form, and affects the entire blood stream:
“Molecules are found both on the surface of the cancer cells and dissolved in the blood of the affected person. We are now able to show that selenium compounds appear to have a very beneficial effect when it comes to neutralising the special variant of the NGK2D ligand — both in soluble form and when the molecule is placed on the cell surface,” says Professor Søren Skov.
Scientists are constantly learning more about the mechanisms that cause aggressive cancers in the skin, blood and reproductive organs:
“The overexpression seen in cancers such as melanoma, prostate cancer and certain types of leukemia significantly impairs the immune system. If we can find ways to slow down the over-stimulation, we are on the right track. The new results are yet another small step towards better cancer drugs with fewer adverse effects,” says Søren Skov.
AS ALWAYS: Check with your health practitioner before you change your diet. These organic foods are not meant to replace any treatment or drugs you are taking.
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1. “Selenium Compounds Boost Immune System to Fight against Cancer.” University of Copenhagen. University of Copenhagen, 24 Nov. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
2. “The Selenium Metabolite Methylselenol Regulates the Expression of Ligands That Trigger Immune Activation through the Lymphocyte Receptor NKG2D*.” The Journal of Biological Chemistry. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 25 Sept. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
