Papaya was the only studied
food found to halt breast cancer
Scientists studied 14 plant
foods commonly consumed in Mexico to
determine their ability to halt breast cancer cell growth. These included
avocado, black sapote, fuava, mango, prickly pear cactus (nopal), pineapple,
grapes, tomato, and papaya. They also evaluated beta-carotene, total plant
phenolics, and gallic acid contents and antioxidant capacity. They found that
only papaya had a significant effect on stopping breast cancer cell growth.
(International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, May)
Papaya is a store-house of cancer fighting lycopene
The intense orangey-pink color of papaya means it is chock full of cancer
fighting carotenoids. Not only beta carotene, but lycopene is found in
abundance. The construction of lycopene makes it highly reactive toward oxygen
and free radicals.
Scientists at the University
of Illinois
think this anti-oxidant activity contributes to its effectiveness as a cancer
fighting agent.Epidemiologic al studies have indicated an inverse relationship
between lycopene intake and prostate cancer risk. They showed that oral
lycopene is highly bioavailable, accumulates in prostate tissue, and is
localized in the nucleus of prostate epithelial cells.
In addition to antioxidant activity, other experiments have indicated that
lycopene induces cancer cell death, anti-metastatic activity, and the up-regulation
of protective enzymes. Phase I and II studies have established the safety of
lycopene supplementation. (Cancer Letter, October 8, 2008)
Prostate cancer was the subject of a study in Australia
that looked at 130 prostate cancer patients and 274 hospitalized controls
The scientists found that men who consumed the most lycopene-rich fruits and
vegetables such as papaya were 82% less likely to have prostate cancer. In this
study, green tea also exerted a powerful anti-cancer effect. When lycopene-rich
foods were consumed with green tea, the combination was even more effective, an
outcome the researchers credited to their synergy. ( Asia
Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007)
Isothiocyanates found in papaya restore the cell cycle to eliminate cancer
Organo-sulfur compounds called isothiocyanates are found in papaya. In animal
experiments, isothiocyanates protected against cancers of the breast, lung,
colon pancreas, and prostate, as well as leukemia, and they have the potential
to prevent cancer in humans. Isothiocyanates have shown themselves capable of
inhibiting both the formation and development of cancer cells through multiple
pathways and mechanisms. (International Journal of Oncology), October, 2008).
Researchers in Japan
clarified the mechanisms of action in a type of isothiocyanate found in papaya
known as BITC, that underlies the relationship between cell cycle regulation
and appropriate cell death. When cancerous cells die on schedule, they are no
longer a problem. The researchers established that BITC exerted cancer cell
killing effects that were greater in the proliferating cells than in the
quiescent cells. Cancer cells that are proliferating are much more dangerous
than cancer cells that are in a state of dormancy. (Forum of Nutrition, 2009)
Enzymes from papaya digest proteins including those that protect tumors
The fruit and other parts of the papaya tree, also known as the paw paw tree,
contain papain and chymopapain, powerful proteolytic enzymes that facilitate
chemical reactions in the body. They promote digestion by helping to break down
proteins from food into amino acids that can be recombined to produce protein
useable by humans. Proteolytic enzymes protect the body from inflammation and
help heal burns. They do a good job of digesting unwanted scar tissue both on
the skin and under its surface.
Research has shown that the physical and mental health of people is highly
dependent on their ability to produce proteins they can use effectively.
However, as people age, they produce less of the enzymes needed to effectively
digest proteins from food and free needed amino acids. They are left with
excessive amounts of undigested protein which can lead to overgrowth of
unwanted bacteria in the intestinal tract, and a lack of available amino acids.
Eating papaya after a meal promotes digestion, and helps prevent bloating, gas
production, and indigestion
It is quite helpful after antibiotic use to replenish friendly intestinal
bacteria that were the casualties in the war against the unwanted bacteria.
When the intestinal tract is well populated with friendly bacteria, the immune
system is strengthened, and can better protect against flu and cancer.
Being a proteolytic enzyme, papain is able to destroy intestinal parasites,
which are composed mostly of protein. To rid the body of intestinal parasites,
half a cup of papaya juice can be alternated each hour for twelve consecutive
hours with the same amount of cucumber or green bean juice.
Papaya contains fibrin,
another useful compound not readily found in the plant kingdom. Fibrin reduces
the risk of blood clots and improves the quality of blood cells, optimizing the
ability of blood to flow through the circulatory system. Fibrin is also
important in preventing stokes. Proteolytic enzymes containing fibrin are a
good idea for long plane rides to minimize the potential of blood clots in the
legs. People who sit at a desk all day might want to use proteolytic enzymes
too.
Proteolytic enzymes are able to digest and destroy the defence shields of viruses, tumours, allergens, yeasts, and various forms of fungus. Once the shield is destroyed, tumours and invading organisms are extremely vulnerable and easily taken care of by the immune system. Undigested proteins can penetrate the gut and wind up in the bloodstream where they are treated by the immune system as invaders. If too many undigested proteins are floating around, the immune system becomes overburdened and unable to attend to the other tasks it was meant to do. Proteolytic enzymes can digest these rogue proteins, freeing up the immune system.
A word of caution - too much of papaya would
make you look yellow, and if you are a man, you might lose your libido!