| Breast cancer, the number-two cancer killer in | | | | muscle ache, fatigue, joint pain, bone fractures, and |
| women, behind only lung cancer, has been studied for | | | | hot flashes. |
| years, and yet no sure cure or prevention is known. | | | | Of course, more research is needed to determine |
| Of course, research is complicated by the fact that | | | | which specific components of the pomegranate fruit |
| there are several types of breast cancer, each of | | | | provide the strongest protection, and against which |
| which responds differently to treatment, as do the | | | | cancers it is most effective. However, preliminary |
| individuals involved. Some of the cancerous tumors | | | | research indicates it may be a substance called |
| are termed estrogen sensitive - that is, they utilize | | | | Urolithin B. In 2006, a PubMed.gov publication entitled |
| the naturally-produced estrogen in a person's body to | | | | "Urolithins, ellagic acid-derived metabolites produced |
| assist in their growth. | | | | by human colonic microflora, exhibit estrogenic and |
| The classic treatments for estrogen-dependent | | | | antiestrogenic activities" explored the potential |
| breast tumors has been a class of drugs known as | | | | benefits that various phytoestrogens had on cancer |
| aromatase inhibitors, or AI drugs, which block the | | | | cell proliferations. While the five researchers found |
| body's ability to produce estrogen. Trade names | | | | various benefits depending upon which |
| include Arimidex, Femara, and Aromasin. Aromatase | | | | phytoestrogen was studied, they noticed that these |
| inhibitors have demonstrated proven ability to slow or | | | | varying effects were produced without |
| even stop the progress of certain breast cancers. | | | | antiproliferative or toxic effects. This could be a |
| But there may now be a more natural way to | | | | tremendous advantage to any anti-cancer |
| strengthen your body against estrogen-dependent | | | | medications produced from the fruit; side effects to |
| breast cancers: pomegranates. Pomegranates contain | | | | most anti-cancer drugs can vary from uncomfortable |
| phytochemicals, substances proven to provide | | | | to devastating depending upon the individual. |
| benefits like antioxidant protection, hormone and | | | | Especially for those with a family history of breast |
| enzyme actions, and anti-bacterial benefits. Many | | | | cancer, and specifically estrogen sensitive cancers, |
| fruits and vegetables contain high levels of these | | | | eating pomegranates and drinking pomegranate juice |
| phytochemicals. Echinacea, soy and tea are among | | | | may be a simple, inexpensive and delicious way to |
| the more well-known plants to contain these | | | | arm your body against the disease. The potential |
| beneficial ingredients. | | | | disease-fighting benefits of pomegranates and other |
| Pomegranates contain ellagitannins, a variety of | | | | phytochemical-rich foods are just beginning to be |
| phytochemicals that work in a similar fashion to | | | | explored, but since there are few, if any, potential |
| aromatase inhibitors. In fact, the January, 2010 issue | | | | negative side effects, this would seem a logical step |
| of Cancer Prevention Research includes a published | | | | for those who feel they might be at risk. The fruit |
| research studies linking the benefits of ellagitannins to | | | | and juice of pomegranates can be included in recipes |
| the effects of aromatase inhibitors. The benefit? | | | | from main dishes to sweet desserts. Protecting |
| Pomegranates have not been shown to have any of | | | | yourself from the threat of breast cancer has never |
| the side effects of AI drugs. Those side effects can | | | | been easier. |
| include an increased risk of heart disease, headache, | | | | |