Healthy Lifestyle During Menopause May Decrease Breast Cancer Risk Later On

Main Category: Menopause
Also Included In: Breast Cancer;  Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 30 Dec 2012 - 0:00 PST Current ratings for:
Healthy Lifestyle During Menopause May Decrease Breast Cancer Risk Later On

Obese, postmenopausal women are at greater risk for developing breast cancer and their cancers tend to be more aggressive than those in lean counterparts. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the December issue of the journal Cancer Research shows how this risk might be prevented.

"By using nutrient tracers for fat and sugar, we tracked where the body stored excess calories. In lean models, excess fat and glucose were taken up by the liver, mammary and skeletal tissues. In obese models, excess fat and glucose were taken up by tumors, fueling their growth," says Erin Giles, PhD, postdoctoral researcher at the CU Cancer Center and the paper's lead author.

In short, if you are lean, excess calories go to healthy tissue. If you are obese, excess calories feed the tumor.

"This implies that the menopausal window may be an opportunity for women to control their breast cancer risk through weight management," Giles says.

In this study, Giles worked with a team of scientists including postdoctoral fellows Elizabeth Wellberg and Sonali Jindal, as well as faculty members Steve Anderson, Pepper Schedin, Ann Thor and Paul Maclean. Their study also showed that tumors from obese animals had increased levels of the progesterone receptor, and this receptor appears to give tumors a metabolic advantage for growth. To extend their findings to humans, they recruited gene analysis experts David Astling and Aik-Choon Tan who analyzed 585 human breast cancers and found that human tumors expressing the progesterone receptor had the same metabolic advantage.

"Basically, we saw an abnormal metabolic response to fat and sugar in the obese that, in many ways, mirrors the response to fat and sugar in Type II diabetes," Giles says. Noticing this similarity, the group tested the use of the common Type II diabetes drug, Metformin, in their model of postmenopausal breast cancer.

"With treatment, tumor size was dramatically decreased in the obese, and tumors showed reduced expression of the progesterone receptor," Giles says.

Using a pre-clinical model, the investigators found that weight gain during menopause is particularly bad for those who are obese when entering menopause. Together, the results of this study suggest that the combination of obesity and weight gain during menopause can impact breast cancer in two ways. First, tumors that arise in obese women appear to have a metabolic advantage, and second, the inability to store excess calories in healthy tissues may further fuel tumor growth.

"While drugs may be useful in controlling breast cancer risk in obese, postmenopausal women, our results imply that a combination of diet and exercise may be equally if not more beneficial," Giles says.

The group's ongoing studies are testing whether interventions such as diet and exercise, during the period of menopausal weight gain, can improve tumor outcomes.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our menopause section for the latest news on this subject. This work was primarily supported by the Komen Foundation (KG081323), Cancer League of Colorado, American Institute for Cancer Research, and Colorado Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC) pilot award (NIH DK048520).

University of Colorado Denver

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Temple Researcher Shows Diabetes, Blood Pressure Link To Colon Cancer Recurrence, Survival

Main Category: Colorectal Cancer
Also Included In: Diabetes;  Hypertension
Article Date: 24 Dec 2012 - 1:00 PST Current ratings for:
Temple Researcher Shows Diabetes, Blood Pressure Link To Colon Cancer Recurrence, Survival

By all accounts, a combination of colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure can be a recipe for medical disaster. Now, a new study led by a surgical oncologist and researcher at Temple University School of Medicine and Fox Chase Cancer Center has shown just how deadly this mix can be. In a retrospective analysis of more than 36,000 patients with colon cancer, investigators showed that those with early stage disease and diabetes or high blood pressure - two components of metabolic syndrome - have a greater risk for the cancer returning after treatment and of dying compared to patients with colon cancer who do not have either condition.

"Although metabolic syndrome has been linked to colon cancer, the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., previous work looking at its effect on mortality has not adequately accounted for cancer stage or treatment," said senior author Nestor Esnaola, MD, MPH, MBA, Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology, Professor of Vice-Chair of Clinical and Academic Affairs in the Department of Surgery at Temple University School of Medicine. "Our results suggest that patients with early stage colon cancer who also have diabetes or hypertension may need to be followed more closely for recurrence and could potentially benefit from broader use of adjuvant chemotherapy." Dr. Esnaola and his team reported their findings December 20, 2012 in an early online publication in the journal CANCER.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that affects one in five American adults and which can include diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, low levels of good cholesterol and high amounts of lipids in the blood.

To better understand the effect of metabolic syndrome on colon cancer outcomes, Dr. Esnaola and his team linked data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, a large population-based database, to Medicare data from 1998 to 2006 on 36,079 patients with colon cancer, including 7,024 patients (19.5 percent) who were identified as having metabolic syndrome. They analyzed the effect of metabolic syndrome and its components on colon cancer recurrence and overall survival, controlling for various sociodemographic factors, tumor factors, other medical conditions and cancer treatment received.

"Metabolic syndrome as a whole had no apparent effect on colon cancer recurrence or survival," said Dr. Esnaola, who is also an attending surgeon at Fox Chase Cancer Center. "When we teased out and analyzed the effect of each of its components, however, the data told a different story."

The researchers found that among patients with early stage disease, patients with diabetes or high blood pressure had a significantly greater risk of cancer recurrence rate and death after treatment. For example, 47.7 percent of patients who did not have diabetes were still alive five years after diagnosis compared to only 41.3 percent of patients with diabetes. When the researchers looked more closely, they also found that cancer recurrence rates at five years were approximately 8 percent higher in patients with diabetes or hypertension.

In contrast, the analysis showed that patients with abnormally high levels of lipids in the blood had a lower risk of recurrence and death from colon cancer. Overall, 39 percent of patients with normal lipid levels were still alive after five years, compared to 52.7 percent of patients with abnormal levels. Cancer recurrence rates were approximately 11 percentage points lower in patients with abnormal lipid levels.

"Although we did not have data on medication for these patients, we suspect that the higher survival and lower recurrence rates observed in patients with high lipid levels in our study group were likely due to the protective effects of statins," Dr. Esnaola said. Statins are drugs that are widely used to lower cholesterol and lipid levels and have been shown to lower the risk of developing colon cancer in people.

"To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date controlling for cancer stage and treatment that has analyzed the effect of metabolic syndrome and its components on colon cancer recurrence and survival," said Dr. Esnaola. "The adverse effects of diabetes and hypertension in early stage patients and apparent protective effect of high blood lipids observed in our cohort suggest that when it comes to metabolic syndrome and cancer outcomes, the devil is in the details."

Dr. Esnaola currently is investigating the effect of metabolic syndrome and its components on other cancer types, and plans to confirm these results in a larger set of data that contains information on cancer stage, treatment and medication. "In the interim, our results underscore the need for clinical trials to define the true benefits of (the diabetes drug) metformin and statins in patients with early stage colon cancer," he said.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our colorectal cancer section for the latest news on this subject. Other investigators contributing to this research include: Yang Yang and Baorui Liu, Comprehensive Cancer Center of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; and Patrick D. Mauldin, Myla Ebeling, Thomas C. Hulsey, Melanie B. Thomas, and E. Ramsey Camp, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.

This research was supported in part by the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Health, Education, and Research Foundation.

Temple University Health System

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Ganoderma - Could It Help In The Treatment Of Cancer?

By definition, Ganoderma is a "mushroom" from the green and vibrant Mycetes plant kingdom where short and tiny fungi that are unable to manufacture their own food like green plants--through photosynthesis--thrive. Within the plant kingdom, Ganoderma Lucidum belongs to a superior grade. Of all the many edible fungi in the kingdom, the Ganoderma mushroom stands out in its significant medicinal values.

Although Ganoderma may seem trivial to most people for it leads a parasitic life by breaking down and surviving on nutrients of other plants and animals, there is more to this mushroom than meets the eye. Known as the "superior herb," Ganoderma Lucidum is a rare variety of mushroom credited with the highest medicinal qualities in the Ancient China and is also a subject of many researches by various universities and organizations in the modern times. Also known as "Linghzi" in China--which is considered as an auspicious medicine because of its medical efficacy--and "Reishi" in Japan--which is called, the 'God's Herb', Ganoderma's worldwide popularity as a powerful medicinal herb continues to increase and is now mass-produced to help combat one of the dreaded diseases of today--cancer.

Ganoderma works best in the treatment of cancer because it helps cleanse the entire body from toxins while it strengthens immunity. It also contributes to the improvement of liver function while it stimulates the regeneration of liver cells--providing a very important supplement for those people who have liver cancer. Aside enhancing liver detoxification, the anti-cancer agents in Ganoderma which include Germanium and polysaccharides. The polysaccharide fraction of Ganoderma is responsible for its anti-tumor efficacy.

The indications for Ganoderma use in cancer include supplementation to reduce side-effects during radiotherapy or chemotherapy, to prolong survival, to improve quality of life, and to prevent occurrence or recurrence. While Ganoderma is used as a supplement during chemotherapy or radiotherapy to reduce side-effects such as loss of appetite, fatigue, hair loss, and risk of infection, it can also reduce the toxic and lessen the pains during the sessions particularly to cancer patients at terminal stages. Aside from helping the immune and endocrine system to prevent tumors, help improve the circulation and eliminate harmful free radicals, other qualities of Ganoderma that help in the treatment of cancer include the inhibition of DNA synthesis of the cancer cells, destroying the terminal enzyme activity of the tumor cells and restrain the spread of cancer cells.

Still, while Ganoderma has been recognized traditionally and scientifically as potentially useful in the treatment of cancer, there is still a notable discrepancy whether it can totally cure the Big "C" because of the lack of clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy. Despite these controversies, studies still suggest that though Ganoderma and its derivatives are not pharmaceuticals and have not undergone rigorous clinical trials to be tested against the disease, there are indirect clinical evidences to support its supplemental use in cancer.

Aside from being the biggest potential in curing cancer, the need to take Ganoderma is still indispensable for many illnesses are caused by the imbalance of body functions due to the accumulated toxins in the body.

Apart from removing the build-up of toxins, Ganoderma also protects and detoxifies the liver, prevents and cures heart diseases while it slows the aging process. It also has positive effect on insomnia, being a cure for high blood pressure and as effective treat diabetes. While it serves as a treatment for chronic bronchitis and asthma, Ganoderma also has effect on hyper susceptibility and is used as a beauty care medicine for the skin.

Terry Dunn is Webmaster of http://www.Ganoderma-Online.com - a Informational Resource about Ganoderma

Diabetes Drug Pioglitazone Associated With Bladder Cancer Risk

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology;  Diabetes
Article Date: 01 Jun 2012 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
'Diabetes Drug Pioglitazone Associated With Bladder Cancer Risk'

According to a study published in British Medical Journal (BMJ), a drug for treating type 2 diabetes called Pioglitazone is linked to a higher risk of bladder cancer and taking the drug continuously for longer than two years doubles the risk. The researchers stress, however, that the risk in absolute terms is relatively low with up to 137 extra cases per 100,000 person years.

Rosiglitazone, which is a similar drug, showed no increased risk. Both pioglitazone and rosiglitazone are thiazolidinediones, which help control blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and are known to increase the risk of heart failure, yet following a safety review, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) decided to keep pioglitazone on the market. ??

A Canadian team of researchers decided to investigate if pioglitazone was linked to a higher risk of bladder cancer in people with type 2 diabetes and after obtaining data from the General Practice Research Database (GPRD), they evaluated 115,727 patients who initiated diabetes therapy from 1988 to 2009. The GPRD contains anonymous patient records from over 600 UK GPs. The team identified cases of bladder cancer and matched them to up to 20 healthy control patients. ??

The results revealed that from 376 cases that were matched against 6,699 controls, 470 patients were diagnosed with bladder cancer during the average 4.6 years of follow-up, which translates to a rate of 89 per 100,000 person years, whilst the rate of bladder cancer in the general UK population aged 65 years and above is 73 per 100,000 person years. ??

Patients who had taken pioglitazone at any time were found to have a 83% higher risk of bladder cancer, which translates into 74 per 100,000 person years. The figures increased to 88 per 100,000 person years for those who had taken the drug for two years or longer and increased even further, to 137 per 100,000 person years those who had taken 28,000mg or more. ??

The researchers cross-checked the results in several further analyses, but the results remained consistent, and "provide evidence that pioglitazone is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, whereas no increased risk was observed with the thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone."??

They believe that these links may have been underestimated during earlier observational studies and comment that doctors, patients and regulatory agencies "should be aware of this association when assessing the overall risks and benefits of this therapy."??

Dominique Hillaire-Buys and Jean-Luc Faillie from the Department of Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology in Montpellier, France comment in a linked editorial: "It can confidently be assumed that pioglitazone increases the risk of bladder cancer. It also seems that this association could have been predicted earlier."

They continue saying that in view of pioglitazone's benefits of reducing cardiovascular events being questionable, they remark that, "prescribers who are ultimately responsible for therapeutic choices can legitimately question whether the benefit-risk ratio of pioglitazone is still acceptable for their patients with diabetes."

Written By Petra Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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Reishi Tea May Be a Potent and Viable Cancer Fighter, Studies Show

The Reishi mushroom has long held a distinct place in the annals of traditional Chinese medicine as being a potent herb for the achievement of overall well-being and longevity. The mushroom is increasingly being mentioned as one of the herbs with a potential to be considered a viable anti-tumor and anti-cancer fighter in the modern age.

Known by its official name of ganoderma lucidum and its Chinese name of lingzhi, the Reishi mushroom is mentioned in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic - one of the most celebrated and monumental works in Chinese medicine - as being the top-ranked of all herbs in the superior category. The superior category is reserved for herbs that are effective for multiple diseases, are responsible for the maintenance and restoration of the body's balance, and can be taken for long periods of time without serious side effects. By virtue of it being picked as the most superior of all the herbs, it has enjoyed special reverence amongst practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine

The reishi mushroom has a rich content of organic polysaccharides and triterpenes (known as ganoderic acid). These natural nutrients have been proven to enhance the body's immune functions and hold the potential for the treatment and prevention of many types of cancer.

Studies of reishi in cancer research have been largely conducted in Japan and China . In 1986, Dr. Fukumi Morishige, M.D., Ph.D, a renowned Japanese surgeon and a member of the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, found that reishi may be used as part of cancer treatment for cases given up as hopeless. He found that the active anti-cancer constituent in this mushroom is a polysaccharide called beta-D-glucan, which is thought to stimulate or modulate the immune system by activating immune cells, as well as enhance the immunoglobin levels to produce a heightened response to foreign cells.

Meanwhile, two successive studies by Chinese scientists in 2008 found that reishi mushrooms, combined with green tea, results in synergetic effects that inhibited the growth of tumors and delayed the time of death in mice with sarcomas.

As studies mount that show Reishi mushrooms may be potentially viable in the treatment for cancer, it won't be far-fetched to conceive of a future where even Western cancer medicine may come to embrace this ancient herb. The process may have already begun as Reishi has recently been added to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium. However, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved the use of Reishi as a form of medical treatment. Observers note that it may take several more years for the requisite tests and trials to be completed before the herb is approved for medical use. But certainly, more than 2 millennia's worth of knowledge gained from human observations would have a profound impact on any course of action that the authorities of Western medicine may take as regards this highly exalted herb.

And who knows, the Reishi tea infusion or decoction might even approach the popularity of green tea, black tea or oolong tea as more people discover the healing anti-cancer properties of the mushroom. As mushrooms possess chitin, a polymer that locks up the medicinal constituents, preparations of the Reishi are unlikely to be medicinally active unless there has been a prolonged extraction in hot water. As such, taking Reishi tea is a recommended method upon which to derive the health benefits of the mushroom. To make Reishi tea, add a handful of thinly sliced or pulverized Reishi (either fresh or dried) to a pot of boiling water. Let the mix simmer for about two hours. The resulting reishi tea should be fairly bitter in taste but packs in it a wallop in terms of health benefits, especially ones that fight tumors and cancers.

http://www.teabenefits.com is your complete guide to the health benefits of tea.

Are you interested in a particular type of tea, we tell you its healing properties. Do you have an ailment? We'll tell you what tea may be used for its treatment.

Visit us now at http://www.teabenefits.com

Chinese Herbs - Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) to Boost Immune System and Prevent Cancer

The interest of the modern Western world on the wisdom of the ancient eastern Chinese herbal remedy as a complementary or alternative therapy is rising and gaining popularity because of its holistic approach, emphasis on quality of life and prevention of illness by strengthening and restoring the body's immune system.

Building a strong immune system is critical for the body to recognize and eliminate cancerous cells. Cancer is a disease resulting from uncontrolled defective cell division from damaged genes from any parts of the body. A weaker or impaired immunity will increase your susceptibility to various bacterial and virus infection, allergies, eczema, chronic fatigue, sickness and aging prematurely also.

Modern advanced technology and scientific research have helped to unlock the many preventive and healing secrets in Chinese herbs.

History of Ancient Herbal Remedy

Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) - is a mushroom commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Japanese medicine. In Japan it is called Mannetake meaning 'thousand year mushroom'.

Its Chinese name is Lingzhi which means "herb of the spirit". It was a very rare and precious Chinese herb in ancient time and Emperors of the great Chinese dynasties and Japanese royalty drank teas and concoctions of Lingzhi for vitality and long life.

For over 2000 years Reishi mushroom has been the most cherished and sought after medicinal herb in Asia and rated as one of the superior herbs in the "Seng Nong's Herbal Classic", a 2000-year old medicinal Chinese book for:


its efficacy for multiple diseases
maintaining and restoring balance to the body's interdependent systems
safety in long-term consumption with no unfavorable side-effects
natural resistance of the body and longevity


The dried powder of reishi was popular as a cancer chemotherapy agent in ancient China. Research has shown that reishi clearly demonstrated anticancer activity with cancer cells and has possible therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement for an alternative therapy for breast and prostate cancer.

Medicinal mushrooms such as Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) and Cordyceps have well been documented in many recent scientific studies to be potent medicine to enhance and support the body's immune function from certain compounds in them such as polysaccharides which increase the activity of the body's natural killer cells(lymphocytes) that are vital to eliminate foreign cells(such as cancer cells).

Supporting research reports published in the Journal of Alternative Complement Med. 2003, Journal of Cancer Integrative Medicine 2004, International Journal of Oncology 2004, FASEB 2004 showed that reishi clearly:


demonstrates anticancer activity in experiments with cancer cells
protects the liver and improves liver functions
has possible therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement for an alternative therapy for breast and prostate cancer

Health Benefits of Reishi(Ganoderma Lucidum):


supports the body's own immune system by promoting the activity of antibodies
improves the body's resistance to stress and infections
balances stress response
reduces allergies
promotes healthy liver function
enhances the body's detoxifying process to off load toxins
inhibits invasiveness of breast and prostate cancer cells
supports a normal, restful sleep
enhances vitality and energy

Tips to select the Best Reishi


choose red reishi - it has the highest quality extract and has most scientific evaluations
choose those with cracked spores - which release the medicinal benefits and better absorbed by body
solid wood log cultivation - this determines the potency of the resulting fungus
look for Good Manufacturing Practice(GMP) standards - this ensures the stability of reishi active bio-components harvested
standardization of active constituents - the effectiveness of reishi lies in its polysaccharides and triterpenes contents

Many commercial preparations are available, such as extracts, dietary supplement, tinctures, dried fruiting bodies, teas and teabags, tonics and pills.

Elena Leong is a health enthusiast and adviser in holistic health, a certified Aromatherapist by International Federation of Aromatherapy UK(IFA) and the founder of http://www.1Menopause.com ? a website for women going through menopause. She has helped many to restore their health and vitality through holistic therapy and herbal nutrition supplement.

Xianzhilou Ganoderma Lucidum in Adjuvant Treatment of Cancer

Xianzhilou Ganoderma Lucidum also known as reishi or lingzhi, belongs to the Polyporaceae group of the Fungi family. It is said to be more powerful than Ginseng. Known as the "Miraculous King of Herbs", is listed as a Superior Herb in Sheng Nong"s Pharmacopeia, an ancient Chinese Herbal Text dating back over 2,000 years.

Xianzhilou Ganoderma lucidum works in the treatment of cancer because it helps cleanse the body from toxins and it helps strengthen the immune system. It enhances liver detoxification, thus improving liver function and stimulating the regeneration of liver cells - making it a very important supplement for those who have liver cancer.

The anti-cancer agents in Xianzhilou Ganoderma Lucidum are the polysaccharides and Germanium. The polyshaccharide fraction of Ganoderma is largely responsible for its anti-tumor efficacy. Indications for Ganoderma use in cancer include supplementation a) to reduce side-effects during chemotherapy or radiotherapy, b) to prolonging survival and minimize metastasis, c) to improve quality of life, and d) to prevent occurrence or recurrence.

Xianzhilou Ganoderma can be used as a supplement during chemotherapy or radiotherapy to reduce side-effects such as fatigue, loss of appetite, hair loss, bone marrow suppression and risk of infection. It can also reduce the toxic and side effects and mitigate the pains during chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in particular to cancer patients at terminal stages for prolonging their lives and improving their living quality.

Qualities of Xianzhilou Ganoderma Lucidum that help in the adjuvant treatment of cancer include:

1) It enhances and helps regulate the immune and endocrine system, prevent tumors, improving the circulation and eliminating harmful free radicals.

2) Inhibits DNA synthesis of the cancer cells, destroys the terminal enzyme activity of the tumor cells, promotes macrophages and regulates T and B lymphocytes, thus restraining the spread of cancer cells.

3) It can also reduce the toxic and side effects and mitigate the pains during chemotherapy and radiotherapy

4) Enhances liver detoxification, thus improving liver function and stimulating the regeneration of liver cells.

5) Helps with cancerous ascites, increases appetite and help relieve the pain of late stage cancer.

6) It is especially effective with kidney diseases.

Chinese medicine http://en.xianzhilou.com

Ganoderma Lucidum - Natural Products for Fighting Cancer

Ganoderma Lucidum is an edible mushroom, although, because of its wooden structure is not used in a raw diet. It commonly grows on trees: the oak, maple and chestnut; their fallen leaves are used as a nutrition source. Ganoderma lucidum grows in all meridians, mostly on the Asian continent (China, Japan, and Korea).

Ganoderma Lucidum is a well-known for its healing properties for thousands of years. Used in traditional Chinese medicine as the fountain of youth and longevity, it was considered to be a "privileged food". As a medical treatment it was put to use for many diseases: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, viral infections, allergies, bronchitis, arthritis, nephritis, cancer and many other conditions. Interest in Ganoderma lucidum over the years is growing. The effects of Ganoderma are examined around the world, in vivo and in vitro. There are numerous Ganoderma Lucidum preparations with different levels of efficiency and effectiveness. The highest quality products are extracted from mushrooms, raised in environmentally-preserved areas, where uncontaminated samples are selected.

The special technology used is based on laser cutters and super-critical CO2 oxidation. In this way the oily extract of Ganoderma lucidum is obtained in high concentration (more than 1000 higher), with all bio-active components preserved. The active components of Ganoderma Lucidum are tested and mechanisms of their effect are well known and proven. Active chemical compounds important for anti-tumor activity are: polysaccharides, proteoglycans, cerebrosides, triterpenes, triterpenoids and phenols. In addition, Ganoderma lucidum contains nucleosides, adenosine, and organic germanium (Ge- 132) with a high antioxidant potential. Polysaccharides demonstrated anti-tumor activity in experimental animals and cell cultures. The component with highest anti-tumor activity was demonstrated to be beta-D-glucan. The same effect is demonstrated by glucuronolactone, manogalactone, arabinolactone and glucogalactone. These polysaccharides have proven capability of oncogenesis; prevention in tumor metastasis. The prevention of metastasis is further enhanced by activating the immune response (the cells activated in the work of the immune system -NK cells, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes). The cytokines synthesis: interleukin (IL) 1 beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interleukin (IL) 6 and interferon (IF) gamma is stimulated. These cytokines suppress the activity of enzyme systems in cells that are responsible for the proliferation of tumor cells and their colonization. In this way the body recognizes the tumor cells and activates its natural mechanisms to fight and destroy them.

More than 100 highly active triterpenes with proven cytotoxic activity were isolated. The ganoderic acids A and C, have demonstrated capability to inhibit the enzyme responsible for activating Ras oncoprotein that leads to transformation of healthy cells in the tumor. Other isolated triterpenes also have cytotoxic effects. Triterpenoid compounds inhibit tumor metastasis; inhibit the growth of secondary tumors in the liver and spleen, as shown in animal models. They also inhibit the growth of new blood vessels around the tumor tissue and thus prevented delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the tumor cells. Phenols isolated from Ganoderma lucidum have strong antioxidant activity, and inhibit lipid peroxidation. The isolated proteoglycans induce activation and proliferation of B lymphocytes, leading to increased secretion of interleukin 2. The cerebrosides inhibit the enzyme DNA polymerase, and thereby prevent the replication of DNA, which prevents the growth of tumors. Aminopolysaccharide fraction from Ganoderma lucidum is proven to reduce oxidative damage to DNA. It has chemo-preventive action; preventing the deterioration of blood cells.

The total effect of all these isolated bioactive substances and their anti-tumor activity is resulting in an inhibition or activation of specific mechanisms and pathways that prevent the transformation of healthy cells in the tumor. These effects are indirectly mediated by enhancing the body's immune response and cytokine secretion by stimulation. Or directly, by targeting cancer cells under the influence of these bioactive compounds by influencing the behavior of tumor cells, preventing them from multiplying and spreading, this leads to their destruction.

There is a great interest in Ganoderma lucidum and its benefits in the treatment of cancer. The clinical trials have been shown to reduce the side effects of chemo and radio therapy. That medical mushroom makes it possible to continually implement standard therapy, prevents anemia and leucopenia, and improves quality of life for patients with cancer. The knowledge of the most important medical fungus indicates and justifies its use in the treatment of cancer, and in the prevention of this terrible disease.

http://www.gd100.net/studies.php

Reishi - Ganoderma Lucidum - An Alternative Cancer Treatment

Reishi, or Lingzhi, also known as Ganoderma Lucidum to western cultures; in simple terms, is a species of Mushroom. Well known in ancient Asian cultures and used in the maintenance of general health and wellbeing. Growing in densely wooded mountains, Reishi prefers humid climates with low light.

As documented in an ancient Chinese pharmacopoeia (book of medicine), Reishi was declared a "superior" medicine, the highest of three categories outlined in this book. Reishi took it's place at the very top of the "superior" category, and was therefore referred to as "God's Herbs"; promoting perpetual youth and excellent longevity, these were the medicines of the "legendary wizards".

Now that we know a bit about Reishi's history, let's look at what it can do for us today. Modern living has us eating more and more frozen and processed foods containing emulsifiers and preservatives, to a point where it's almost unavoidable. Combine dietary factors with the general pace of life today and the energy we exude on a daily basis and you'll understand why a lot of people are almost constantly in a state of "pre-illness", just waiting for something to take hold. Dealing with an illness and indeed recovering from it can be long and slow. This is where Reishi can help.

Reishi offers many benefits in terms of our health and wellbeing, both as a preventative treatment and a cure. Reishi promotes vigor and vitality, longevity, good blood circulation and it assists in eliminating thrombi in blood streams. Ongoing research is finding more and more amazing benefits from the use of Reishi. Such medicinal uses include treatment of cholesterosis, hyper and hypo tension, nervous tension, neurosis, bronchitis and hepatitis to name just a few. This is truly "God's Medicine"!

I welcome all to my website to discuss the benefits of the use of Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) in the prevention and treatment of Cancer and many other health and well-being issues. Join us, share your thoughts on Reishi and its benefits and tell us about your experiences. Learn more about Reishi and discuss it with others so they too may benefit from your experience, and you from theirs.