Study Finds Link Between Grapefruit and Breast Cancer

The grapefruit, formally abused in crash diets, has been put to the test by researchers from the University of Southern California. Kristine R. Monroe, PhD headed the study that tracked the lifestyle of 46,080 women from 1993 to 2002. The data showed that the women who ate around 1/4 of a grapefruit a day, or 1/2 everyother day, had a 30% higher risk of developing breast cancer. Just another reason not to go on the Grapefruit Diet! Monroe agrees more research needs to be conducted on the possible connection and hopes others in the science community will examine the bitter fruit more carefully.

Apparently, grapefruit has a potent effect on one’s metabolism when it comes to medications and drugs. It interacts with many perscription drugs, allowing more of the given medicine to circulate in the bloodstream. And what a surprise…it’s widely known to interact with Estrogen, known as the hormone that fuels most breast cancer. While there are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding this correlation, there are many foods you can and should eat everyday that will help stave off cancer. Take a look at the brightside…

With all the research on cancer now days many of us (especially health nuts like me) are well aware of foods rich in antioxidants that are shown to help prevent cancer. From berries, to spinach, to tomatoes, the list grows more everyday. Here are a couple of great articles on the top 10 cancer fighting foods recommended in the West.

In the East they have taken it a step further. With cultures rich in a diet consisting of mainly food harvested from the sea, it’s no surprise algae is advised to prevent cancer in the East.

1. Algae (kelp and seaweeds): Have been used as remedies for treatment of cancer in various Eastern and Western cultures for thousands of years. Researchers today are justifying these old traditions and people are definitely taking notice. For example, the Chinese use seaweeds to soften and reduce hardened masses in the body. It’s understood that seaweeds contain “the range of minerals, including trace minerals, often deficient in people with degenerative diseases. Without minerals, vitamins and enzymes in the body serve no function.” Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd Edition).
2. Micro-Algae ( Spirulina, Chlorella, and Wild Blue-Green): Have been shown to prevent and treat cancers while boosting the immune system. These wonder algae’s provide cell protection with their remarkable amounts of beta carotene and chlorophyll.

   To reap all of the benefits of these awesome algae’s, plus a nice helping of wheat and barley grasses, I drink Odwalla’s SuperFood every few days. Don’t be put off by its green tinge…believe me it’s delicious! Oh ya and stay tuned for some fabulous seaweed salad recipes.