Dr. Paul 18

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How blueberries help to kill cancer cells

By Honor Whiteman

Blueberries are sometimes branded a “superfood,” and for good reason; they are packed full of antioxidants that offer a wealth of health benefits. Now, a new study has uncovered another use for these little berries: helping to treat cancer. blueberries Blueberry extract could help in the fight against cancer, say researchers.

By studying human cervical cancer cell lines, a team of researchers discovered that adding blueberry extract to radiation therapy can significantly improve treatment efficacy.

Lead study author Dr. Yujiang Fang, who works in the School of Medicine at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and colleagues recently reported their results in Pathology and Oncology Research.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), around 12,820 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, and more than 4,200 women are expected to die from the disease.

Radiation therapy remains a primary treatment for cervical cancer. It involves using high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells.

“For some cancers, such as late stage cervical cancer, radiation is a good treatment option,” says Dr. Fang. “However, collateral damage to healthy cells always occurs.”

For their study, the researchers set out to determine whether or not blueberry extract could be used as a radiosensitizer, which is a compound that makes cancer cells more vulnerable to radiation therapy. Blueberry extract ‘tricks’ cancer cells

In previous research, Dr. Fang and colleagues revealed that resveratrol — a compound present in grapes and red wine — helped to sensitize prostate cancer cells to radiation therapy.

The researchers note that blueberries also contain resveratrol, as well as flavonoids. “Flavonoids,” notes Dr. Fang, “are chemicals that may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.”

Live your Best life in a Natural Way

The team tested blueberry extract on human cancer cell lines for their latest study. The extract was tested both alone and in combination with radiation therapy. These effects were compared with those of radiation therapy alone.

While radiation therapy alone reduced the number of cancer cells by 20 percent, the blueberry extract alone led to a 25 percent reduction in cancer cells.

However, when the blueberry extract and radiation therapy were combined, the number of human cervical cancer cells fell by around 70 percent.

The researchers explain that the blueberry extract does not only make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation, but it also reduces the abnormal cell growth that fuels cancer development.

“Cancer cells avoid death by remodeling themselves,” continues Dr. Fang. “Along with reducing cell proliferation, the extract also ‘tricks’ cancer cells into dying. So it inhibits the birth and promotes the death of cancer cells.”

While further studies are needed, the researchers say that their findings indicate that blueberries may be a promising treatment strategy for cervical cancer and other cancer types.

“Blueberries are very common and found all over the world. They are readily accessible and inexpensive. As a natural treatment option for boosting the effectiveness of existing therapies, I feel they would be enthusiastically accepted.”

Dr. Yujiang Fang

Unicorn Coconut Breakfast Recipe

Ingredients

Pink “Nice” Cream: 2 frozen bananas, chopped 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, or raspberries 2 Tbsps coconut milk or water

Blue “Nice” Cream: 2 frozen bananas, chopped 1/4 tsp butterfly pea powder (organic food dye, available on Amazon) 2 Tbsps coconut milk or water

Chia Seed Pudding: 1.5 cups coconut water 1/3 cup chia seeds

Magical Topping Ideas: frozen berries unsweetened, dried coconut Instructions

Make the chia pudding base by mixing coconut water and chia seeds in a jar. Stir very well until everything blends perfectly. Refrigerate for up to 2 hours. Blend all the ingredients for the Pink nice cream in a high speed blender, or food processor. Place the mixture in a container and keep it in the freezer while you blend the Blue nice cream, the same way. Add spoonfuls of the blue and pink nice cream on top op your chia pudding base and gently swirl. Top with frozen berries and sprinkle with coconut.

cleanfoodcrush.com By Rachel

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats (gluten-free if necessary) 1 cup almond meal ⅓ cup dried shredded coconut ½ cup coconut sugar 1 tsp baking soda ½ tsp sea salt ¼ cup raw honey ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted 1/2 cup coconut milk 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 Tbsp chia seeds 3 Tbsp water 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350F, and line a small pan (8×8 or 9x9 or 10x8) with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine chia seeds with water and set aside until gel forms (about 3-5 minutes). In medium bowl combine oats, almond meal, shredded coconut, baking soda, chocolate chips and salt. Stir to combine. In large bowl, whisk the softened coconut oil and coconut sugar, about 1-2 minutes. Add in honey, vanilla, coconut milk, chia seed/water, and mix until well combined. Add dry ingredients to the large bowl of wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Press mixture into prepared pan and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until edges have slightly browned. Let it cool in the pan for about 1 hour before removing. Carefully remove with parchment paper from pan. Using a large, sharp knife cut into squares.

Avocado + Black Bean Salad Recipe

Hello! I’m Rachel and I’m a mother of 4. My passion is sharing real food ideas that are fun, simple and delicious.

Ingredients

3 medium-large avocados, diced 4 roma tomatoes, diced 2 yellow, or orange tomatoes, diced 1 English cucumber, seeded and sliced 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 15-ounces black beans, rinsed and drained of using canned 2 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil 1 fresh lemon, juiced 1/4 cup sunflower seeds sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to your taste Instructions

In a large glass bowl, gently combine the diced avocados, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and beans. In a small glass jar or bowl, whisk the olive oil and lemon juice together. Drizzle this evenly over your salad, then season with sea salt and pepper to your taste. Toss the salad very gently, then sprinkle with sunflower seeds.

CLEAN FRESH FUN !

ULTIMATE Shrimp Cobb salad + Fresh Lemon-Chive Salad Dressing

Ingredients

1.5 lbs. large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 Tbsp avocado oil 4 boiled eggs cooked and peeled 6 slices of cooked nitrate-free bacon, diced 1 cup of organic corn kernels, either fresh or frozen - thawed 1 large avocado, diced 1/2 cup crumbed cheese of choice, feta or blue cheese are both great on this 6 packed cups chopped romaine lettuce

Fresh Lemon-Chive Salad Dressing: 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 fresh lemon, juiced 1 fresh garlic clove 4 fresh chives sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste Instructions

In a blender or food processor, pulse all Salad Dressing ingredients until creamy. Taste, adjust seasonings to your liking. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to use. Heat 1 Tbsp of oil in a large skillet over med-high heat; Add in shrimp and cook for about 4-5 minutes or until pink and just cooked through. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper then set aside. Arrange all salad ingredients on a platter or a large salad bowl nicely as shown, and when ready to serve, drizzle with dressing and gently toss to combine.