Parsley & Celery Fight Against Breast Cancer!

Parsley, Celery Contain Key Substance Called Apigenin

To Fight Against Breast Cancer...

A University of Missouri researcher has found that an important compound in parsley and other plant products, including fruits and nuts, known as apigenin can stop certain breast cancer tumor cells from multiplying and growing. The study was published recently in Cancer Prevention Research.

"Six to 10 million women in the United States receive hormone replacement therapy (HRT)," researcher sssaid. "We know that certain synthetic hormones used in HRT accelerate breast tumor development. In the study, we exposed laboratory subjects to one of the chemicals used in the most common HRTs received in the United States, a progestin called medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) which also happens to be the same synthetic hormone that accelerates breast tumor development."

When tumor cells develop in the breast in response to MPA, they encourage new blood vessels to form within tumors. The blood vessels then supply needed nutrients for the tumors to grow and multiply. The scientists found that apigenin blocked new blood vessel formation, thereby delaying, and sometimes stopping, the development of the tumors. They also found that the compound reduced the overall number of tumors. However, while apigenin did delay tumor growth, it did not stop the initial formation of cancer cells within the breast.

Apigenin is most prevalent in parsley and celery, but can also be found in apples, oranges, nuts and other plant products. However, apigenin is not efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream, so scientists are unsure of how much can or should be ingested."We don't have specific dosage for humans yet," the researchers said. "However, it appears that keeping a minimal level of apigenin in the bloodstream
is important to delay the onset of breast cancer that progresses in response to progestins such as MPA. They recommend eating a little parsley and some fruit every day to ensure the minimal amount. However, you can also find this compound in parsley dietary supplements.

Story Source:
University of Missouri-Columbia.