Can manuka honey prevent cancer?

Saturday, July 27, 2013 by: Sandeep Godiyal
Tags: manuka honey, cancer, natural health

(NaturalNews) The 5-year study by a group of researchers from the UAE University in Al Ain reveals the use of Manuka honey for cancer treatment. In a recent study that was published in PLOS ONE, a scientific journal, Manuka honey was proven to contain properties that can inhibit the growth of tumors in the breasts, colon, and skin.

Keep reading to know more about manuka honey:

Information on manuka honey

Manuka honey is native to New Zealand. It is called such because it is produced by bees that feed on the manuka bush. It has been known for centuries to treat wound infections and other medical conditions. Honey in general has also been found to have anti-bacterial properties. Manuka honey specifically has hydrogen peroxide which helps fight bacteria.

Medical uses of manuka honey

• Treatment for diabetes
• Treatment for systemic inflammation
• Reduces high cholesterol levels
• Treats gastrointestinal problems
• Treatment for infections
  

Professor Basel Al Ramadi, the lead researcher and head of the Microbiology and Immunology Department at UAE University recently discovered that Manuka honey can be used to inhibit the growth of several types of cancer cells.

This is the first time that a study has been made to investigate Manuka honey's potency in the treatment of cancer. Researchers have discovered that regular consumption of even very small amounts of Manuka honey can actually stop the growth of cancer cells.

A series of tests and experiments were further conducted to see the extent of the extract's ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Their findings show Manuka honey directly induces apoptosis or programmed cell death. This is a physiological process that is used by multicellular organisms in order to balance cell regeneration with the release of old, dead cells.

In adult tissues, the death of old cells will balance cell division; this is why it is important that apoptosis is regulated. A slight change in the process will have varying effects. Excessive apoptosis will result in tissue atrophy while a decrease will cause uncontrolled cell production, like what happens when a person contracts cancer.

How manuka honey can help

Manuka honey works in the elimination of cancer cells by inducing the very same physiological process that the body uses in maintaining the balance in numbers of cell tissues.

The research also discovered three types of cancer cells that the administration of Manuka honey tends to inhibit.

Aside from the inhibition of the growth of cancer cells, their findings reveal that the extract can help reduce the toxic side effects associated with one of the most common cancer treatments: chemotherapy.

As a result of these findings, there is a huge demand for the extract and beekeepers in the United States have started cultivating the plant.

The researchers further concluded that Manuka honey is indeed a feasible treatment for cancer.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.zest.co.uk

http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au

http://www.emirates247.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Sandeep has written many health field articles for both Internet and print publication. He currently writing for insurancetips4u.co.

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