Ellagic Acid
and
Cancer

Daniel Nixon, M.D., Oncologist, Hematologist,
President of the American Health Foundation,
Past Vice President of the American Cancer Society

THE "SCIENCE" OF ELLAGIC ACID
CONSUMPTION IN CANCER PREVENTION

Dr. Daniel Nixon is one of the leaders in cancer research. Dr. Nixon's laboratory at the Hollings Cancer Center in the Medical University of South Carolina has examined the ability of Ellagic Acid to prevent colon and cervical cancers from developing. Evidence generated by his team of researchers has indicated that Ellagic Acid can slow the proliferation of both human colon and cervical cancer cells grown in experimental systems outside the body. Clinical studies are in progress at the Medical University of South Carolina. The colon trial will measure Ellagic Acid's ability to prevent the formation of colon polyps (which are considered to be precursors to colon cancer) and/or slow the growth of rapidly proliferating cells infected with human papilloma virus, which is responsible for this disease. Clinical evaluations are to be conducted at the Medical University of SC and the University of Madrid Medical School in Madrid, Spain.

Some of the data published by Dr. Nixon and his team at the Medical University of South Carolina is presented here.

Following exposure to Ellagic Acid from red raspberries, human cervical cancer cells infected with human papilloma virus (HPV) die within several days due to the process termed apoptosis.

Ellagic Acid from red raspberries causes growth cycle arrest of cancer cells, thus inhibiting cell division (mitosis) and cellular proliferation.

Ellagic Acid from red raspberries prevents destruction of a cell regulatory gene by HPV oncogenes (genes responsible for cancer induction) in cervical cells, which gene is regarded as the safeguard of normal cellular division, and which when inactivated results in abnormal cell division/proliferation.

Similar protective effects were observed in breast, pancreas, esophageal, skin, colon, and prostate cancer cells when exposed to Ellagic acid.

Consumption of 150 grams of red raspberries (equivalent of 40 milligrams of ellagic acid) resulted in the appearance of circulating levels of ellagic acid in the serum one hour after ingestion. However, eating raspberries is not an effective way to get high enough levels of Ellagic Acid because the ellagitannins which create the ellagic acid are mostly contained in the seeds which pass through the body undigested.

The data from Dr. Nixon's laboratory and other investigations indicates that ellagic acid:

1. Activates detoxifying enzymes in the liver resulting in the clearing of cancer-causing chemicals (mutagens) in the serum 2. Prevents the binding of carcinogens to cellular DNA 3. Serves as an antioxidant in the scavenging and clearing of highly destructive oxygen free radicals 4. Induces apoptosis (programmed natural cell death) in cancerous cells 5. Stimulates the immune system for the destruction of cancerous cells

These attributes were found to be important in reducing the incidence of cancer in experimental models.

Research performed in Europe indicates that Ellagic Acid may also be helpful in reducing the incidence of birth defects, promoting wound healing, and limiting chemically induced liver fibrosis. Some investigators are now convinced that Ellagic Acid may be useful in the prevention of heart disease.

Food Sources of Ellagic Acid mg/gm/dry weight:

Red Raspberries - 1500 Strawberries - 630 Walnuts - 590 Pecans - 330 Cranberries - 120

A Woman's Chance of Getting Breast Cancer:

By Age 30 - 1 in 2,212 By Age 40 - 1 in 235 By Age 50 - 1 in 54 By Age 60 - 1 in 23 By Age 70 - 1 in 14 By Age 80 - 1 in 10

In 1880, 1 in 30 people developed cancer in their lifetime. Today, it is 1 in 2!

 

 

 

 

 

© Charles Martin Simon

 

 

 

This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease.