JANUARY FEBRUARY 2009 Wellness.indd - Cancer Support ...

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WELLNESS
“The world is
full of suffering,
it is also full of
overcoming it”
Helen Keller
January/February 2009
What is IP6?
IP6, also known as inositol hexophosphate
or phytic acid, is a sugar molecule with six
phosphate groups attached. It is composed
of inositol (one of the B vitamins) bound
with six molecules of phosphorous. IP6
was fi rst identifi ed in 1855, but has only
recently been researched as a preventative
and cure for cancer as well as heart and
liver diseases, kidney stones, Parkinson’s
disease, and more. It is also a powerful
antioxidant, immune system enhancer,
and booster of natural killer cells. Foods
that are signifi cant sources of IP6 include
dried beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds,
rice, wheat germ, corn and sesame.
Dr. Abulkalam Shamsuddin, a scientist
at the University of Maryland School
of medicine has been the pioneer
researcher of IP6, beginning his work
on the compound in the late 1980’s. He
discovered the ability of IP6 to control
the rate of abnormal cell division even
when administered long after cancer
was induced. He then proved that IP6
normalised the sugar production of
cancerous cells, thereby altering the gene
expression toward a more healthful state.
This proven ability to change cancer cell
physiology had major implications, since
cancer cells that are well behaved have far
less negative impact on health.
Although IP6 has been proven to boost
Natural Killer (NK) cell activity, for
Shamsuddin the value of IP6 lies not
in its ability to augment the immune
system, but rather its ability to directly
aff ect the physiology of cancerous cells.
Whereas most cancer research has focused
on killing or destroying cancer cells,
Shamsuddin’s research focused on taming
or controlling the condition to the point
where normality could be restored.
www.cancersupportwa.org.au
IP6 Shines Brightly
as an Alternative Cancer
Treatment & Preventive
The anticancer eff ects of IP6 are turning out to be nothing short
of astounding. Research is showing that besides reducing cell
proliferation and increasing the diff erentiation of malignant cells,
IP6 can often restore cancerous cells to normality.
By Barbara L. Minton
How IP6 works to Protect Against Cancer
Here are several ways IP6 is known to prevent and fight against cancer. IP6 is a very common
intracellular messenger, meaning that it controls and influences many cellular activities:
NORMALIZES THE RATE OF CELL GROWTH – Cancer cells lose their control
mechanisms and typically divide too rapidly, resulting in great numbers of cells that have a
devastating impact on health. IP6 slows or normalizes the rate at which cancer cells divide.
It reestablishes control in cells that by definition have lost their control mechanisms due to
gene mutation.
HELPS TO NORMALIZE CELL PHYSIOLOGY – How a cancer cell expresses itself largely
determines how threatening it is. Experiments have shown that IP6 normalizes several aspects
of cell physiology in spite of the fact that these cells have altered DNA. In many instances,
DNA repair is achieved.
ENHANCES NK CELLS – NK cells are white blood cells that help to protect against virally
infected or cancerous cells. Researchers believe that the higher the NK activity, the lower the
incidence of some cancers. The healthy human produces 500 to 1000 cancer cells daily. NK
cells and programmed cell death (apoptosis) result in the vast majority of these cells being
destroyed and removed. During time of stress, NK activity is compromised, and this is why
there is a link between stress levels and cancer. IP6 is able to increase NK cells during these
periods. Although many supplements claim to increase NK activity, for IP6 these claims
have been documented and proven.
INCREASES TUMOUR SUPPRESSOR P53 GENE ACTIVITY - DNA contains tumour
suppressor genes that inhibit pathways or processes that allow cells to become cancerous.
The p53 gene acts as a control to preventing genetically damaged or cancerous cells from
growing and propagating. If the p53 gene becomes damaged or compromised, cancers can
establish themselves more readily. IP6 has been shown to greatly increase the amount of
p53 gene activity, up to 17 times. When augmented by IP6, “standard of care” treatments
become more effective due to this increase in p53 gene activity.
INHIBITS INFLAMMATION – The level of systemic inflammation is an important
indicator in determining cancer survival prognosis. Inflammation results in the release of
cytokines, chemical messengers that trigger reactions that enable normal cells to grow and
repair themselves. Cytokines can also cause cancer cells to grow. IP6 has been shown to
significantly inhibit inflammation.
EXHIBITS POTENT ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY – Antioxidants are known to protect
against various disease states and aging in general. Oxidative damage to DNA leaves cells
susceptible to mutation that can result in cancerous cells being produced. IP6 has been shown
to be a significantly more potent antioxidant than green tea.
ENHANCES APOPTOSIS (PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH) – Programmed cell death is
orderly and results in the removal of individual cells without affecting the surrounding cells.
It is a normal part of growth and the maintenance of healthy tissues. It removes unwanted
cells so that inflammation or immunological reactions do not result. Cancerous cells are
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