ELLAGIC ACID
What Is It Anyway?
Ellagic acid is a compound found in red raspberries. Research in animal and laboratory models has found that ellagic acid inhibits the growth of tumors caused by certain carcinogens. A number of double blind studies of humans are underway to determine the effect of long-term daily consumption of concentrated raspberry extract on cancer cell activity in the human colon, prostate, and breast.
A new publication called the "American Cancer Society's Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Methods" has documented that Ellagic Acid is a very promising natural supplement, because it causes apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells in the lab tests, with no change to normal healthy cells.
How does Ellagic Acid work?
Healthy cells have a normal life cycle of approximately 120 days before they die. This process is called apoptosis (natural cell death). The body replaces these dying cells with healthy cells. Conversely, cancer cells do not die. They multiply by division, making 2 cancer cells, then 4, 8, 16, 32 and so on. In lab tests, Ellagic Acid caused the cancer cells to go through the normal apoptosis process without damaging healthy cells. Chemotherapy, radiation, and most conventional treatments cause the death of cancer cells and healthy cells indiscriminately, possibly destroying the immune system in the process. Ellagic acid may have promise.
Clinical Studies - Ellagic Acid
Ellagic Acid - Breakthrough Cancer Prevention?
