IP6 For Potential Cancer Treatment and Prevention

More than 500,000 Americans died from cancer in- inflammation
2008, and millions more lost their battles against- free radical production.
cancer worldwide despite decades of research andMetastasis is the spread of a disease from one organ
billions of dollars invested. It would seem with suchor part of an organ to another non-adjacent organ or
overwhelming figures that all hope for a cure is lost,part of the body. IP6 stops this spread by preventing
and that cancer is too powerful an opponent to bethe adhesion of these cells to extra-cellular matrix
matched. That was until a seemingly ordinary scientistproteins. Inflammation levels are one key indicator
from the University of Maryland, Dr. Abulkalamused in predicting the survival rate for a cancer
Shamsuddin, emerged with an interesting set ofpatient. If too much inflammation occurs, the cells in
hypotheses.the body will ultimately become too mutated and
Shamsuddin believed that there may be, in fact, adamaged to survive. By maintaining proper stability
biomolecule that could be effective in fighting cancer,and inter-cell communication, IP6 halts this production.
particularly in the colon. This molecule, InositolLastly, free radicals work to damage DNA strands,
Hexophosphate (IP6), quickly gained following in thewhich allows for a greater rate of cell mutation.
holistic medicine community. However, it gained littleWorking as a powerful antioxidant, IP6 binds with the
traction in the mainstream markets, believed to befree radicals rendering them harmless.
too simplistic to have such a drastic impact. However,Specifically in the prostate, researchers found that
recent studies done by Shamsuddin and his team atIP6 inhibited the progression of the cancer cells in the
the Department of Medical and Research Technologyarea and was highly effective in reducing
and Department of Pathology at the University ofadenocarcinoma. 95% of all prostate cancers are
Maryland School of Medicine suggest otherwise. Aadenocarcinoma-based, meaning the cancer has
separate team at the University of Colorado Cancerdeveloped in the lining or inner surface of the gland.
Center sought to see if they could provide moreWith a greatly reduced adenocarcinoma rate, the
evidence to support or disprove Shamsuddin's nowcancer is much less likely to develop and spread.
15-year-old beliefs.In one of the studies, primary early testing was
Remarkably, each team found that IP6, especiallycompleted on rats. Rats were divided into five
when combined with Inositol, can help reduce andgroups and fed a diet that contained 0 percent, 5
prevent cancer growth.percent, 10 percent or 20 percent Kelloggs' All-Bran
IP6 is classified as a polyphosphorylated carbohydratecereal; a fifth group received 0.4 percent IP6 in their
present in almost all plant and mammalian cells. It isdrinking water; an amount equal to 20 percent bran.
used primarily for regulating vital cellular functions andAfter 29 weeks, they found that in the 5 to 20
acts as an intracellular messenger for many primarypercent bran cereal groups, tumor incidence
cellular activities. Again, seemingly unremarkable anddecreased 11 to 17 percent. However, rats that were
ordinary, IP6 is found in particular high concentrationsgiven IP6 in their water had an even lower incidence
in traditional food items such as cereal and legumes,of tumor formation. In fact, drinking IP6 seemed to
as just one-half cup of whole kernel corn contains awork twice as well as eating the high-bran foods.
whopping 650 mgs of IP6. Thus, because it is derivedIP6 is not just a cancer preventative-- it has other
from food and not chemically engineered, IP6 has nobeneficial health benefits such as inhibiting kidney
toxic effects in the body, even at high doses.stone formation and reducing the risk of developing
- Scientists had previously found that IP6 increasedcardiovascular disease. In addition, further research
the activity of genes that control proteins in humanhas shown its potential for treatment of diabetes,
prostate cancer cells lacking functional p53, the genedepression, osteoporosis, heart disease, and even
that provides much cancer protection. The twoParkinson's disease. Further studies confirm that the
recent studies at the University of Maryland and thecombination of IP-6 with Inositol yields much greater
University of Colorado, expanded on these findingseffects than IP-6 alone.
and discovered that IP6 works as a cancerWhile the molecular mechanisms underlying this
preventative on several different levels.anticancer action are not still fully understood, these
- IP6 helps to normalize the rate of cell growth andtwo studies further show the potentially life-changing
cell physiology which helps limit malicious geneeffects IP6 can offer. Even Dr. Shamsuddin admits
mutations and reestablish control within the cell, thusthat more research needs to be done before more
slowing cancerous growth and existence.specific dosage recommendations are given, but he
- IP6 also helps enhance white blood cells in the body,stresses the importance of consuming a sufficient
whose primary function is to boost the naturaldaily dose of IP6 through a combination of
immune system and kill any potential threats.supplements and cereals, rice, wheat bran, and other
Additionally, IP6 affects two other primary celllegumes.
functions, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Apoptosis isDosages suggested by Dr. Shamsuddin:
the orderly programmed process by which cells die- Individuals with greater risk for cancer should take
off naturally, a process that cancerous cells try toat least 4 grams daily as a preventative measure.
resist. IP6 enhances this ability, which helps the body- If you have already been diagnosed with cancer, a
in its fight to maintain healthy surrounding tissues.recommended dosage is a minimum 8 grams daily.
Angiogenesis, instead, is the process by whichThis will not only give you the benefits explained
tumors set up their own blood supply, to assureearlier, but can prove to be even more effective
themselves of receiving enough nutrients necessarywhen used in combination with other treatment
to grow. This assurance allows them to flourish andoptions such as chemotherapy.
spread the cancer throughout the body. IP6 has beenWhile cancer remains a major health problem in the
shown to inhibit this process and by starving theUnited States and in other developed countries, with
cancerous cells, subsequently forces their death.the emergence of IP6, a hope for a cure may be
Furthermore, IP6 inhibits three harmful processes:closer than we think.
- metastasis