ASPARAGUS AND CANCER

[Colliemom]

Got this from my cousin today and thought I would share it with you. Interesting.

Asparagus -- Who knew ?
From a friend –
My Mom had been taking the full-stalk canned style
asparagus that she pureed and she took 4 tablespoons in
the morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day. She did
this for over a month. She is on chemo pills for Stage 3
lung cancer in the pleural area and her cancer cell
count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week.
Her oncologist said she does not need to see him for 3
months.

THE ARTICLE:
Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a
friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy
of an article, entitled, Asparagus for cancer 'printed in
Cancer News Journal, December 1979. I will share it
here, just as it was shared with me: I am a
biochemist, and have specialized in the relation of diet
to health or over 50 years. Several years ago, I learned
of the discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that
asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked
with him on his project We have accumulated a number
of favorable case histories. Here are a few examples:

Case No. 1, A man with an almost hopeless case
of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who
was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting
the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to
detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a
schedule of strenuous exercise.
Case No. 2, a successful businessman 68 years old
who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years.
After years of medical treatments, including radiation
without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3
months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor
had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.

Case No. 3, a man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he
was put on the operating table where they found
lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable.
The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case
hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the Asparagus
therapy and immediately started taking it By August,
x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had
disappeared..
He is back at his regular business routine.

Case No. 4, a woman who was troubled for a number of
years with skin cancer. She finally developed different
skin cancers which were diagnosed by the acting
specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting
on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin
looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman
reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her
kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10
operations for kidney stones, and was receiving
government disability payments for an inoperable,
terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of
this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.

I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of
materia medica', edited in1854 by a Professor at the
University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was
used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even
referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of
asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates!
We would have other case histories but the medical
establishment has interfered with our obtaining some
of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to
spread this good news and help us to gather a large
number of case histories that will overwhelm the
medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and
natural remedy.

For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked
before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just
as good as fresh. I have corresponded with the two
leading canners of asparagus, Giant and Stokely, and I
am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or
preservatives.
Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to
make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the
patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and
evening. Patients usually show some improvement in
2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a
cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on
present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do
no harm and may be needed in some cases. As a
biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what
cures can prevent.' Based on this theory, my wife and I
have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with
our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to
suit our taste with breakfast and with dinner. I take
mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold. For years we
have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as
part of our regular checkups. The last blood survey,
taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the
nutritional approach to health, showed substantial
improvements in all categories over the last one, and
we can attribute these improvements to nothing but
the asparagus drink.
As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all
aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a
result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better
with the latest theories about cancer.

Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called
histones, which are believed to be active in controlling
cell growth.. For that reason, I believe asparagus can
be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth
normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and
in acting as a general body tonic. In any event,
regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is
a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you
from using it and it may do you much good. It has
been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that
asparagus is the highest tested food containing
glutathione, which is considered one of the body's
most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.

Please send this article to everyone in your Address Book.
The most unselfish act one can ever do is paying forward
all the kindness one has received, even to the most
undeserved person.

[Echo]

Now that is really interesting!! Thanks for sharing!

[sharon]

Maybe or maybe not. I tend to believe that you are what you eat. I did a ton of investigation when my DH got cancer and I don't remember this ever coming up....altho read a lot about plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and lay off the sugar and carbs as that seems to feed the cancer cells. Anyway, I would take the article with a large grain of salt. I did have the hospice nurse tell me that she doubted if we would ever have a cure for cancer....pharmaceutical companies are making waaaay to much money to allow it. DH was taking chemo 3X a week at 3500 a pop, 18 chairs in the office, filled from 7AM til 7PM....you do the math.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/asparagus.asp

[AlmostThere]

I have heard that asparagus is a good liver cleanser. My DD always has fresh, organic blanched asparagus and broccoli in the fridge and her and the girls eat it like candy.

[Bethers]

My favorite quote from Snopes:

As for the notion that asparagus (or any other food) can actually help cure cancer, however, the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center noted:

"According to our experts, a poor diet and obesity associated with a poor diet is a risk factor for the development of cancer. However, there is no evidence that certain foods alter the environment of an existing cancer, at the cellular level, and cause it to either die or grow."

Jean and I were eating lots of asparagus last winter - it was inexpensive and is so good. I do believe asparagus is good for us. As are most vegies. Just on one of the dr shows this week was talk that we should eat 1/2 an onion a day - as good against some cancers. I believe we need to simply eat better foods, less fats and fried foods (and boy, what I should do and what I do do - not always the same). I am lucky that I love vegies tho, and eat lots of them.

[flick4411]

I love asparagus in all forms, white and green, fresh, canned, steamed...I love it. But I always have to check with Snopes on things like this. All fresh vegetables are good, but based on the linked Snopes.com response, asparagus isn't necessarily able to cure cancer. I'm really sorry to hear this info isn't totally true as it would be wonderrful to know that a cancer cure were available in a can. But I also hate it when anyone I care about ( like all of you) reads something that is only vaguely accurate. http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/asparagus.asp

On edit I note I'm not the only Snopes reader...sorry for the duplication...guess I should read all the way down before posting, eh????