Ever since we were kids, we are told to eat a healthy diet. When we were young- cereals and other grains made up the foundation of the food pyramid. Since then, the food pyramid changed and the recommendations on portions has also changed. One thing is constant- eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is good for you. But what about other carbohydrates and LFS? Our bodies need carbohydrates and carbohydrates are not all created equal. Processed sugar is merely sucrose, sugar cane or beets that have been processed down to their sweetest element. Simple sugars feed cancers while providing our bodies with no nutrition or defenses. Natural sugar is created by photosynthesis and feeds cells- not only that sweet element of energy but nutrients and minerals that help all of our body processes and repair damage. Recently, a nutrition and diet trend began referring to carbs as grains and most basically breads or products with high sugar content. They are so much more and our body needs carbohydrates. At the basic level a CARB o Hydrate is a carbon molecule(C) attached to a water molecule(H20). Different carbohydrates have different numbers of carbons and water groups.
Most foods have carbs. One type of carbohydrate is called Inositol Hexaphosphate. It occurs naturally and is contained in almost all mammalian cells and is found in many fruits, beans and grains. It is a carbohydrate that has phosphate attached to it and our bodies can make also it during the breakdown of sugars. IP-6 has many roles as an antioxidant, helping the immune system, preventing kidney stones, and lowering cholesterol. It has also been recently found to have a significant role in cancer prevention and this has been shown in several studies. Clinical Trials are not underway specifically for p53, but it is being used with prostate and colon cancer. How does this relate to LFS? Well Ip-6(Inositol) plays a role in the modulation of p53. Besides slowing down how fast cells grow, it helps malignant cells return to normal. One study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology indicates their data shows that IP-6 actually increased healthy p53 while decreasing the activity of mutant p53 in colon cancer. The article can be read Here. Another highly positive finding is that IP-6 appears to enhance the anticancer effects of conventional chemotherapy, helps control spread of cancer and overall improves the quality of life. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has a wonderful database on herbs and botanicals that summarizes their use, indications and precautions, it can be found Here.
FOODS THAT CONTAIN IP-6 Inositol
Cantaloupe
Non processed cereals(brown rice)
Citrus Fruits(grapefruit)
Non processed whole grains
Legumes(lima beans are a good source)
The best way to give our bodies the nutrients it needs are through fresh , minimally processed foods. Sometimes we can not get all of the nutrients we need through diet and that is when supplements become important. Dieticians are professionals who can help you find nutrition that can help you feel your best. Naturopathic doctors are trained to combine medical science and natural healing remedies in what's called Integrated Medicine. More can be read about ND's Here. You should never supplement more than a required daily allowance of any nutrient without consulting a doctor. Just because something is marked "natural" does not mean it's good for you or will help you. Oil is natural but not good to eat in any great quantity. You want to give your body the best fighting chance, but everything in moderation. There is no magic bullet, no one nutrient that can beat cancer. Just as cancer is a multi-step process, so is preventing it and treating it. There are no long term studies on IP-6 and there are only preliminary studies with promising results. So if you can- eat some brown rice, beans and a little extra grapefruit.
References
American Cancer Society- Inositol hexaphosphate
IP-6 Adjuvant to Breast Cancer Treatment
