Papaya: A Sweet Treat For Cancer Prevention

Papaya can assist in a holistic cancer treatment. Papaya will not cure cancer alone but in combination with other herbs, juices and therapies, papaya will boost cancer treatment effectiveness.

Papaya’s other names include Mikana, Milikana, Papaia, Fruta Bomba, Mamón. Some treatments using herbal and vegetables are strong and pungent for the tastebuds. There are fruits that are tasty, sweet and contain vitamins, and nutrients that are good for the body. There are fruits that can be a treatment for cancer, like the papaya.

Historical Medical Usage

Papayas have been used for centuries by native Indians as a remedy for indigestion and digestive problems. Its content in papain seems to reduce the symptoms of inflammation and speed up the recovery.

Papaya has an effective anti-ulcer property. Knowledge of this action comes from Taiwan, where papaya is used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Recently, a Taiwanese research team verified these folklore claims.

Papaya’s Medicinal and Health Benefits

It’s also called the paw paw tree. Papaya as referred by Christopher Columbus as the “fruit of the angels” because of its sweet, succulent, and fine taste. Inspite of its taste the papaya contains a nutrition of life once it is sliced. A fruit which is a source of anti-oxidant nutrients like beta-carotene ( the orange color) vitamin A and C and flavonoids,folate, B vitamins and pantothenic acid. It also carries small quantities of minerals calcium, chlorine, iron, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and sodium.

The ripe papaya is filled with plenty of energy-boosting natural sugars. Papay also contains papain, a proteolytic enzyme that assists our body’s own enzymes in assimilating the maximum nutritional value from the food we consume. Papain can be used as a home remedy for jellyfish stings or other wounds such as surgical wounds or wounds from hurts. Papaya also protects lung and joint health, revitalizes the body, and boosts energy levels. Papaya is a potent cancer fighter that is highly effective against hormone related cancers as well as other cancers. New research shows papaya can stop the growth of breast cancer cells, halt metastasis, and normalize the cell cycle.

Other Ailments Where Papaya Is Beneficial

• Blood clots
• Indigestion
• Infertility
• Ringworm
• Worms
• Abscesses
• Arthritis
• Blood clots
• Bronchitis
• Burns
• Circulatory problems
• Constipation
• Depression
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Eye inflammation
• Gallbladder problems
• Gas
• Hardening of the arteries
• Heart disease
• Hematoma
• Hemorrhoids
• Hodgkin’s disease
• Infections
• Infertility
• Inflammation
• Neurasthenia
• Oral inflammation
• Pancreatic inflammation
• Parasitic infections
• Phlebitis
• Psoriasis
• Rectal disease
• Respiratory disease
• Sore throat
• Stomach disease
• Tissue swelling
• Tumors
• Ulcers
• Urethritis
• Uterine inflammation
• Vaginal disease
• Varicose veins
• Water retention
• Wounds
• Yeast infections

Papaya’s Lycopene as Cancer Fighter

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. Epidemiological 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.

Papaya and Cancer Research

University of Florida researcher Nam Dang, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues in Japan have documented papaya’s dramatic anticancer effect against a broad range of lab-grown tumors, including cancers of the cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreas. The researchers used an extract made from dried papaya leaves, and the anticancer effects were stronger when cells received larger doses of the tea. Researchers in Japan clarified the mechanisms of action in a type of isothiocyanate found in papaya known as BITC (Benzyl isothiocyanate) that underlies the relationship between cell cycle regulation and appropriate cell death.

Papaya’s Preparation

Papayas can be eaten raw or cooked and make a good addition to fruit salads, but for the raw papaya it must not be eaten much according to Dr. Brostoff, a food intolerance researcher, advises that papaya must be cooked to inactivate the papaya enzymes, because papaya enzyme increases intestinal permeability, which could cause food intolerances. The papaya enzyme in papaya tea is probably not cooked enough to inactivate it. The ripe papayas can be juiced and can be mixed with other fruits as well. As for the leaves it can be made into tea.

Papaya’s Recommended Dosage

• 10 to 50 milligrams of papain
• 1 to 3 tsps of papaya juice
• 1 to 2 tsps of dried papaya leaves in a cup of hot water
• 1 to 2 tbsps. of fresh papaya, or ½ to 1 tsp of juice of papaya daily.
• In case of intestinal worms and other parasites, munch on a dozen or so papaya seeds.

Papaya Carrot Juice

Ingredients

• 8 Large Fresh Cleaned Carrots
• 2 Large Fresh Deseeded Skinless Papaya
• 1 Large Fresh Mint Sprig (Optional Garnish)
• 1 Fresh Cut Lemon Wedge (Optional Garnish)

Papaya Juice Preparation Instructions
This fresh tropical blend juice recipe is excellent as a breakfast or dessert beverage. To being this recipe, you will need to take out your juicer. Give the machine a quick inspection, and then remove any dust or debris. Next thoroughly scrub and rinse your eight carrots under cool running tap water. Moving along, next wash and rinse your papaya, then remove the seeds and tough outer skin from the fruit. You are now ready begin juicing, so place a tall glass under your juice spout, turn the machine on, and begin feeding the fruits and veggies into the juicer one by one.

Papaya Precautions

Papaya must not be used during pregnancy. If the woman becomes pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Papaya Products

Papaya supplements can be bought online. Search for papaya products in Google.

Papaya Research Links

Papaya Extract Thwarts Growth of Cancer Cells in Lab Tests.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309182449.htm
Papain, a compound found in papaya fruit trees, may serve as a useful supplementary therapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
http://www.myelomabeacon.com/news/2010/01/11/papayas-papain-and-multiple-myeloma-a-potential-adjunct-therapy-that-requires-further-evaluation/