by Alan Tillotson, Ph.D.

Following are lists of the many foods and nutritional supplements that have been shown by scientific research to work as cancer preventive or treatment agents. While not proven to be cancer cures by themselves, all of them have shown the ability to influence the cancer process in ways beneficial to the patient. It is almost certain that compounding several of these nutrients can create superior effects, due to combined action. In fact, combinations such as this have been and are being used by herbal doctors from around the world to successfully reverse some cancers.

Because many of these agents are foods or spices, I personally like to incorporate as many of them as I can into my daily regimen. I favor the food agents and rotate the nutritional supplements. Considering that so many people do not eat adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables, I believe that reading this information is a graphic way of demonstrating the great importance of vegetable foods for our health. The original references and review papers used here are listed at the end.

• Foods that researchers believe can help prevent or treat cancer include apples, beans (including soybeans), beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, citrus fruits, cumin, flaxseed oil, garlic, grapes, green vegetables, kale, olive oil, onions, parsley, pineapple (bromelain), raspberries, red pepper, soybean products, squash, tangerines, tomatoes (lycopene), yogurt (and probiotics), strawberries, and wheat bran (Wildman EC, 2001; Meydani and Ha, 2000; de Roos and Katan, 2000; reported in Yance, 1999; Macrae, 1999; reported in Murray, 1996; reported in Duke, 1997; Gann, et al., 1999; Newmark, 1999; Eckert, 1999; Kapadia GJ et al., 1996; Seeger, 1967). Most of the research focuses on specific phytochemicals such as flavonoids, isoprenoids and carotenoids.
• Broad-spectrum multi-vitamins and multi-minerals. Free radicals damage our DNA, so foods, vitamins and herbs that neutralize free radicals are important preventive agents. There are numerous studies on the protective effects of the major anti-oxidants found in multiple-vitamins. These nutrients are therefore essential in any cancer prevention program. For example, we know that selenium, at a dose of 200 mcg. per day, reduces prostate cancer rates by two thirds, and can help lymphocytes to destroy tumor cells. (Kiremidjian-Schumacher et al., 2000; Christen et al., 2000; Maxwell, 1999; Cravo et al., 1998; Yoshizawa K et al., 1998; Bostick, 1997; Buiatti E et al., 1996; Schrauzer et al., 1985).
• Cellular antioxidants. Glutathione peroxidase, catalase, methionine reductase and SOD help protect against cancer vis antioxidant and cell growth regulatory effects, and by helping in DNA repair (Cascinu et al., 1995; Smyth et al., 1997). Glutathione is especially important, and is found in wheat sprouts. Flavonoids found in fruits and plants (especially anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, proanthocyanins and proanthocyanidins) help to recirculate and keep glutathione in circulation, as well as having many other anti-cancer effects (reported in Yance, 1999).
• Digestive enzymes or herbs that strenghten digestion are important in both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Originally thought to "break up mucus," or "strengthen the vital force," there is emerging evidence that they help to degrade tumors. This is emphasized in the work of Dr. Nicholas Gonzales in New York, who uses porcine digestive enzymes as his main therapy (reported in Yance 1999; Long and Mong, 1992; Batkin S et al., 1988; Bajracharya, 1987).
• Lipoic acid. This unique water/fat soluble anti-oxidant has shown evidence of inhibiting NF kappa-B from activating cancer-causing oncogenes. Use 100-200 mg per day in divided doses (reported in Yance 1999; Sen, 1998; Baur et al., 1991).
• Chinese herbal medicines have been shown in numerous studies to exhibit a wide variety of anti-cancer and chemotherapy protection effects, including increased remission rates, slowing progression, anti-oxidant effects, and immune system enhancement (Thatte U et al., 2000; Duda RB et al., 1999; reported in Huang, 1999; Kupin VI et al. 1986; Long & Mong, 1992; reported in Dharmananda, 1988; Lee YS et al., 1997; Murayama T et al., 1992; Park HJ et al., 1998; Rui H., 1997; Zhao KS et al., 1990; Yun, 1999).
• In an article appearing in the journal Carcinogenesis, the combination of an antiobiotic (ampicillin) and Minor Bupleurum Decoction, (bupleurum root, scute root, pinellia tuber, ginger root, ginseng root and jujube fruit) was tested for its effect on lung cancer formation in rats given a cancer-causing chemical. The combination was found to inhibit cancer formation completely (Tsutsumi et al., 2000).
• N-acetylcysteine (NAC). This nutrient is currently under investigation by the National Cancer Institute because it has the ability to significantly decrease the incidence of cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions induced by several chemical carcinogens in rodents. Benefits were shown for lesions in the colon, lung, liver, bladder, skin and breasts (De Flora et al., 1995). It has also shown potential as an inhibitor of metastasis (Albini et al., 1995).
• Medicinal Mushrooms. Many of the medicinal mushrooms, including chaga mushroom, maitake mushroom, ganoderma mushroom and cordyceps mushroom contain cancer-preventive and cancer-fighting actions. Research has focussed on the polysaccharides with beta 1,3 glucan linkages (Fulda S et al., 1997; Ross GD et al. 1999; Kurashige S, et al., 1997; Lieu CW et al., 1992; Nanba H, et al., 1997; Okai Y et al. 1997; Wang SY et al. 1997).
• Cruciferous vegetables. Indole-3-carbinol and DIM are nutrients found in large quantities in cruciferous vegetables. They are potent antagonists of breast, cervical and uterine cancers, by reducing formation of certain estrogens (16-hydroxy) that are believed to initiate and stimulate cancer cell progression. A controlled clinical trial using 300 mg. per day on 60 women confirmed it as a promising breast cancer prevention agent (Bradlow HL et al., 1999; Wong GY et al., 1997). Dr. James Duke suggests that women with breast or uterine cancers eat about 1/2 cup (approximately 100 grams) of brocolli or cauliflower per day, varying the crucifers from day to day. For example, use a side order of cole slaw with olive oil and vinegar instead of mayonnaise, or perhaps some sauer kraut (Duke, 2000).
• Turmeric root. Studies show that curcumin (active ingredient) inhibits cancer cell proliferation in a variety of ways, and helps induce programmed cell death, or apoptosis (Lin JK et al., 1999; Antony et al., 1999; Kawamori T, 1999).
• Coenzyme Q10. Numerous holistic physicians are reporting a benefit in preventing and treating breast cancer. The preventive dose is 50 mg. per day, while for cancer treatment the dose is 200 mg. three times per day. According to one report, "overt complete regression of the tumors in two cases of breast cancer . . . (and) numerous metastases in the liver of a 44-year-old patient 'disappeared,' and no signs of metastases were found elsewhere" (Lockwood et al., 1995; Lockwood et al., 1994).
• Milk thistle seed. The milk thistle extract silymarin has shown an anticarcinogenic effect in human breast cancer cells, arresting cell cycle progression. Use from 140-250 mg standardized silymarin extract one to three times per day (Lahiri-Chatterjee M, et al., 1999; Zhao J et al., 1999; Zi X et al., 1998).
• Soybean extracts. Scientists have demonstrated the protective effects of soybean components, via a variety of mechanisms, on breast cancer, prostate cancer and urinary tract cancer (Aronson et al., 1999; Su SJ et al., 2000; reported by Hellerstein, 2000; Balabhadrapathruni et al., 2000). The component called genistein has been shown not only to prevent cancer, but also to impede proliferation and induce differentiation. (Choi YH, 2000). Chinese women and men use soybean products about twice per week, so this appears to be a good level for protection. In response to concerns about promotion of cancer in women with estrogen-dependent tumors, the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada did a controlled clinical study and concluded that soy consumption did not increase the risk for hormone-dependent cancers (Jenkins DJ, 2000).
• Tangerines. Dr. William Mitchell, ND reported evidence that bioflavonoids found in the peel of tangerine can strengthen epithelial cells in such a way as to inhibit metastasis of cancer. This bioflavonoid, called tangeritin, increases the functional integrity of E-cadherin, a cell-to-cell adhesive protein. Tangerines can therefore be used as a preventative (Mitchell, 1998; Eckert K et al., 1999). The recommended dose is one tangerine per day, making sure to eat the juice as well as the white parts behind the rind (scrape them off with your teeth). If the peel is organic, save it, dry it in the oven and grind it up. You can add it to food, thus making use of the whole fruit. The recommended dose of dried peel is one to two teaspoons per day.
• Ayurvedic herbs and herbal formulas. Ayurvedic tonic herbs have a long historical background of use in cancer, and a few recent studies have shown extraordinary anti-oxidant effects (Jeena KJ, et al., 1999; Nandi P, et al., 1997; Bajracharya, 1987; Prashar R et al., 1998; Fields et al., 1991; Rao AR, 1981).
• Garlic bulb. Numerous studies have shown immunological benefits, and a few studies indicate benefits for oral and prostate cancers (Lamm and Riggs, 2000, Tang Z et al. 1997).
• Guggul gum. This herb, used commonly for cholesterol reduction, has a long historical record of use by Ayurvedic doctors in treating cancer (Bajracharya, 1987).
• Green tea. Numerous studies indicate preventive and anti-cancer effects via several mechanisms, including protection against chemical carcinogens, inhibition of tumor promoting substances, inhibiting cell division, and inducing apoptosis. Drink two to three cups of tea per day (Fujiki H, 1999; Aucamp J et al., 1997; Brown MD, 1999; Hirose M et al., 1994; Katiyar SK, et al 1997; Kuroda Y, et al., 1999; L'Allemain G., 1999; Wang ZY et al., 1994).
• Transfer factor. Transfer factor is an extract from bovine colostrum which has an impressive 40 year record of boosting NK cell activity, with over 80 placebo-controlled blinded studies available on Medline. It works synergistically with other herbal medicines to create major boosts in immune system activity.

From this list it should be obvious why nutrition is so important in cancer prevention and treatment. Everyone should have lots of these nutrients in their daily diet. Of course, prevention is far more than nutrients and herbs. Things such as cutting back on sugar, exercise, avoiding excess sun and wearing sunglasses (for skin cancers), using air filters etc. all qualify as important preventive measures.

The effects of preventive herbal medicine treatments are easier to measure when studies are done of precancerous lesions. If such lesion can be made to regress, it is a clear sign of the cancer preventive power of the treatment:

• The Beijing Academy of TCM used the classic rehmannia six formula to treat patients with precancerous lesions of the esophagus. After five years, 8.4% of the treated group developed esophageal cancer, as compared to 25.5% of the untreated controls (Long & Mong, 1992).

• In a similar study of 648 cases done by the Hebei Cancer Institute, using cang dou pills, after two years 4.2% of the untreated controls developed esophageal cancer, as compared to were 1.5% of the treated group (Hou & Yan, 1992).

• Beta-Carotene was shown to produce regressions in patients with premalignant oral lesions in a multicenter, double-blind, controlled trial. Subjects were given beta-carotene, 60 mg/d, for 6 months, or placebo. 52% of the beta-carotene treated patients responded with regressions (Garewal et al., 1999).

• 400 i.u. of Vitamin E was shown to regress small intestinal metaplasia (precancerous tissue changes) in a controlled blinded clinical trial. After 12 months 10 of 14 patients (71%) showed no signs of metaplasia (Bukin et al., 1997).

Albini A, D'Agostini F, Giunciuglio D, Paglieri I, Balansky R, De Flora S. Inhibition of invasion, gelatinase activity, tumor take and metastasis of malignant cells by N-acetylcysteine. Int J Cancer. 1995 Mar 29;61(1):121-9.

Antony S, Kuttan R, Kuttan G. Immunomodulatory activity of curcumin. Immunol Invest. 1999 Sep-Dec;28(5-6):291-303.

Aronson WJ, Tymchuk CN, Elashoff RM, McBride WH, McLean C, Wang H, Heber D. Decreased growth of human prostate LNCaP tumors in SCID mice fed a low-fat, soy protein diet with isoflavones.Nutr Cancer. 1999;35(2):130-6.

Aucamp J, Gaspar A, Hara Y, Apostolides Z. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by catechins from tea (Camellia sinensis). Anticancer Res. 1997 Nov-Dec;17(6D):4381-5.

Bajracharya, MB. The Ayurvedic Records of Cancer Treatment. Belaju; Jore Ganesh Press, 1987.

Balabhadrapathruni S, Thomas TJ, Yurkow EJ, Amenta PS, Thomas T. Effects of genistein and structurally related phytoestrogens on cell cycle kinetics and apoptosis in MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cells. Oncol Rep. 2000 Jan-Feb;7(1):3-12.

Batkin S, Taussig SJ, Szekerezes J. Antimetastatic effect of bromelain with or without its proteolytic and anticoagulant activity. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 1988;114(5):507-8.

Baur A, Harrer T, Peukert M, Jahn G, Kalden JR, Fleckenstein B. Alpha-lipoic acid is an effective inhibitor of human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV-1) replication. Klin Wochenschr. 1991 Oct 2;69(15):722-4.

Blumenfeld AJ, Fleshner N, Casselman B, Trachtenberg J. Nutritional aspects of prostate cancer: a review. Can J Urol. 2000 Feb;7(1):927-935.

Bostick RM. Human studies of calcium supplementation and colorectal epithelial cell proliferation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1997 Nov;6(11):971-80. Review.

Bradlow HL, Sepkovic DW, Telang NT, Osborne MP. Multifunctional aspects of the action of indole-3-carbinol as an antitumor agent. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1999;889:204-13. Review.

Brown MD. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract and its possible role in the prevention of cancer. Altern Med Rev. 1999 Oct;4(5):360-70.

Buiatti E, Munoz N, Kato I, Vivas J, Muggli R, Plummer M, Benz M, Franceschi S, Oliver W. Determinants of plasma anti-oxidant vitamin levels in a population at high risk for stomach cancer. Int J Cancer. 1996 Jan 26;65(3):317-22.

Bukin YV, Draudin-Krylenko VA, Kuvshinov YP, Poddubniy BK, Shabanov MA. Decrease of ornithine decarboxylase activity in premalignant gastric mucosa and regression of small intestinal metaplasia in patients supplemented with high doses of vitamin E. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1997 Jul;6(7):543-6.

Cascinu S, Cordella L, Del Ferro E, Fronzoni M, Catalano G. Neuroprotective effect of reduced glutathione on cisplatin-based chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Oncol. 1995 Jan;13(1):26-32.

Choi YH, Lee WH, Park KY, Zhang L. p53-independent induction of p21 (WAF1/CIP1), reduction of cyclin B1 and G2/M arrest by the isoflavone genistein in human prostate carcinoma cells. Jpn J Cancer Res. 2000 Feb;91(2):164-73.

Christen WG, Gaziano JM, Hennekens CH. Design of Physicians' Health Study II--a randomized trial of beta-carotene, vitamins E and C, and multivitamins, in prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and eye disease, and review of results of completed trials. Ann Epidemiol. 2000 Feb;10(2):125-34. Review.

Cravo ML, Pinto AG, Chaves P, Cruz JA, Lage P, Nobre Leitao C, Costa Mira F. Effect of folate supplementation on DNA methylation of rectal mucosa in patients with colonic adenomas: correlation with nutrient intake. Clin Nutr. 1998 Apr;17(2):45-9.

De Flora S, Cesarone CF, Balansky RM, Albini A, D'Agostini F, Bennicelli C, Bagnasco M, Camoirano A, Scatolini L, Rovida A, et al. Chemopreventive properties and mechanisms of N-Acetylcysteine. The experimental background. J Cell Biochem Suppl. 1995;22:33-41. Review.

de Roos NM, Katan MB. Effects of probiotic bacteria on diarrhea, lipid metabolism, and carcinogenesis: a review of papers published between 1988 and 1998. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Feb;71(2):405-11. Review.

Dharmananda, S. Chinese Herbal Therapies for Immune Disorders, Portland, Institute of Traditional Medicine, 1988.

Duda RB, Zhong Y, Navas V, Li MZ, Toy BR, Alavarez JG. American ginseng and breast cancer therapeutic agents synergistically inhibit MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth. J Surg Oncol. 1999 Dec;72(4):230-9.

Duke, J. The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus: Rodale press, 1997.

Duke, J. Personal communication, December 2000.

Eckert K, Grabowska E, Stange R, Schneider U, Eschmann K, Maurer HR. Effects of oral bromelain administration on the impaired immunocytotoxicity of mononuclear cells from mammary tumor patients. Oncol Rep. 1999 Nov-Dec;6(6):1191-9.

Fields, JZ, Eftekhari, E, Hagen, JF, Wichlinski, LJ, Schneider, RH. Anti-Aging and Oxygen Free Radical (OFR) Scavenging Effects of an Anti-Carcinogenic Natural Product, Maharishi Amrit Kalash (MAK). Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 1991 5(5), March, Abstract 7926.

Fujiki H, Yoshizawa S, Horiuchi T, et al. Anticarcinogenic effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate. Prev Med 21:503-509; 1992.

Fujiki H. Two stages of cancer prevention with green tea. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 1999 Nov;125(11):589-97.

Fulda S, et al., Betulinic acid triggers CD95 (APO-1/Fas)- and p53-independent apoptosis via activation of caspases in neuroectodermal tumors. Cancer Res 1997 Nov 1;57(21):4956-4964.

Gann PH, Ma J, Giovannucci E, Willett W, Sacks FM, Hennekens CH, Stampfer MJ. Lower prostate cancer risk in men with elevated plasma lycopene levels: results of a prospective analysis. Cancer Res. 1999 Mar 15;59(6):1225-30.

Garewal HS, Katz RV, Meyskens F, Pitcock J, Morse D, Friedman S, Peng Y, Pendrys DG, Mayne S, Alberts D, Kiersch T, Graver E. Beta-carotene produces sustained remissions in patients with oral leukoplakia: results of a multicenter prospective trial. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1999 Dec;125(12):1305-10.

Hellerstein M. Antimitotic peptide characterized from soybean: role in protection from cancer? Nutr Rev. 1999 Nov;57(11):359-61. Review.

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Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Garsetti M, Rosenberg-Zand RS, Jackson CJ, Agarwal S, Rao AV, Diamandis EP, Parker T, Faulkner D, Vuksan V, Vidgen E. Effect of soy protein foods on low-density lipoprotein oxidation and ex vivo sex hormone receptor activity--a controlled crossover trial. Metabolism. 2000 Apr;49(4):537-43.

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Note: For more information, I highly recommend that all cancer patients get a copy of these two books:

Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer, by Donald Yance, C.N., AHG.

This book by an experienced practitioner outlines many successful treatments of cancer using herbs and nutrients.

Beating Cancer With Nutrition, by Patrick and Noreen Quillin.

Dr. Quillin's book, in addition to its excellent content, has a comprehensive list of holistic doctors listed by zip code.