Wonderful Papaya.

No need to cry about scarcity of blueberries, strawberries, etc in SINGAPORE .  We
have our wonderful payayas, pineapples and bananas, and durians and mangoes are affordable.
   Papaya was the only studied    food found to
halt breast cancer
Scientists studied 14 plant foods commonly consumed in Mexico to determine their
ability to halt breast cancer cell growth. These included avocado, black sapote,
fuava, mango, prickly pear cactus (nopal), pineapple, grapes, tomato, and papaya.
They also evaluated beta-carotene, total plant phenolics, and gallic acid contents
and antioxidant capacity. They found that only papaya had a significant effect on
stopping breast cancer cell growth. (International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition,
May)
Papaya is a store-house of cancer fighting lycopene
The intense orangey-pink color of papaya means it is chock full of cancer fighting
carotenoids. Not only beta carotene, but lycopene is found in abundance. The construction
of lycopene makes it highly reactive toward oxygen and free radicals.
Scientists at the University of Illinois think this anti-oxidant activity contributes
to its effectiveness as a cancer fighting agent. Epidemiological studies have indicated
an inverse relationship between lycopene intake and prostate cancer risk. They showed
that oral lycopene is highly bioavailable, accumulates in prostate tissue, and is
localized in the nucleus of prostate epithelial cells.
In addition to antioxidant activity, other experiments have indicated that lycopene
induces cancer cell death, anti-metastatic activity, and the up-regulation of protective
enzymes. Phase I and II studies have established the safety of lycopene supplementation.
(Cancer Letter, October 8, 2008)
Prostate cancer was the subject of a study in Australia that looked at 130 prostate
cancer patients and 274 hospitalized controls
. The scientists found that men who consumed the most lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables
such as papaya were 82% less likely to have prostate cancer. In this study, green
tea also exerted a powerful anti-cancer effect. When lycopene-rich foods were consumed
with green tea, the combination was even more effective, an outcome the researchers
credited to their synergy. ( Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007)
Isothiocyanates found in papaya restore the cell cycle to eliminate cancer
Organo-sulfur compounds called isothiocyanates are found in papaya. In animal experiments,
isothiocyanates protected against cancers of the breast, lung, colon pancreas, and
prostate, as well as leukemia, and they have the potential to prevent cancer in humans.
Isothiocyanates have shown themselves capable of inhibiting both the formation and
development of cancer cells through multiple pathways and mechanisms. (International
Journal of Oncology), October, 2008)
Researchers in Japan clarified the mechanisms of action in a type of isothiocyanate
found in papaya known as BITC, that underlies the relationship between cell cycle
regulation and appropriate cell death. When cancerous cells die on schedule, they
are no longer a problem. The researchers established that BITC exerted cancer cell
killing effects that were greater in the proliferating cells than in the quiescent
cells. Cancer cells that are proliferating are much more dangerous than cancer cells
that are in a state of dormancy. (Forum of Nutrition, 2009)
Enzymes from papaya digest proteins including those that protect tumors
The fruit and other parts of the papaya tree, also known as the paw paw tree, contain
papain and chymopapain, powerful proteolytic enzymes that facilitate chemical reactions
in the body. They promote digestion by helping to break down proteins from food into
amino acids that can be recombined to produce protein useable by humans. Proteolytic
enzymes protect the body from inflammation and help heal burns. They do a good job
of digesting unwanted scar tissue both on the skin and under its surface.
Research has shown that the physical and mental health of people is highly dependent
on their ability to produce proteins they can use effectively. However, as people
age, they produce less of the enzymes needed to effectively digest proteins from
food and free needed amino acids. They are left with excessive amounts of undigested
protein which can lead to overgrowth of unwanted bacteria in the intestinal tract,
and a lack of available amino acids.
Eating papaya after a meal promotes digestion, and helps prevent bloating, gas production,
and indigestion.
  It is quite helpful after antibiotic use to replenish friendly intestinal bacteria
that were the casualties in the war against the unwanted bacteria. When the intestinal
tract is well populated with friendly bacteria, the immune system is strengthened,
and can better protect against flu and cancer.
Being a proteolytic enzyme, papain is able to destroy intestinal parasites, which
are composed mostly of protein. To rid the body of intestinal parasites, half a cup
of papaya juice can be alternated each hour for twelve consecutive hours with the
same amount of cucumber or green bean juice.
Papaya contains fibrin, another useful compound not readily found in the plant kingdom.
Fibrin reduces the risk of blood clots and improves the quality of blood cells, optimizing
the ability of blood to flow through the circulatory system. Fibrin is also important
in preventing stokes. Proteolytic enzymes containing fibrin are a good idea for long
plane rides to minimize the potential of blood clots in the legs. People who sit
at a desk all day might want to use proteolytic enzymes too.
Proteolytic enzymes are able to digest and destroy the defense shields of viruses,
tumors, allergens, yeasts, and various forms of fungus. Once the shield is destroyed,
tumors and invading organisms are extremely vulnerable and easily taken care of by
the immune system.
Undigested proteins can penetrate the gut and wind up in the bloodstream where they
are treated by the immune system as invaders. If too many undigested proteins are
floating around, the immune system becomes overburdened and unable to attend to the
other tasks it was meant to do. Proteolytic enzymes can digest these rogue proteins,
freeing up the immune system.
Let's ensure a slice of papaya every day in our diet.
Papaya juice will be great.