Asbestos cancer, also known as mesothelioma, is a lethal disease of the lining of the lungs, heart and abdominal cavity. The prognosis of this disease is grim; except for some remission cases, patients do not live beyond a year following diagnosis.
There are several options for treatment, including conventional therapies like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, alternative therapies like acupuncture and holistic regimen, or a combination of both.
Research into treatment of this aggressive cancer has recently focused on various natural compounds that seem effective in combating asbestos cancer. The most promising compounds seem to come from garlic, selenium and the ABM mushroom.
Garlic Contains Compounds that Suppress Tumor Growth
According to Surviving Mesothelioma, garlic contains antioxidant compounds that can reduce the cancer-creating ability of asbestos. Garlic contains allicin which has powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal powers. It also has sulfur compounds that can reduce the rate at which cancer cells divide, eventually contributing to their death.
Another compound is diallyl disulfide, which is known to inhibit cancer cell growth. One study revealed that the right concentrations of diallyl sulfide "protects mesothelial cells against asbestos induced genotoxicity."
In another study, garlic extract was found to "reduce the carcinogenetic potential of chrysotile asbestos in human blood lymphocites." It is interesting to note as well that garlic has been touted for its medicinal properties for thousands of years.
Selenite in Selenium Causes the Death of Mesothelial Cells
The most water-soluble form of selenium, known as sodium selenite, contains a compound that can kill mesothelial cells in laboratory cultures.
According to Surviving Mesothelioma ,a study done in Sweden shows that selenite kills two types of mesothelial cells – the epitheloid, which is the most common form of asbestos cancer and the sacromatoid, the least common but most deadly form.
Researchers emphasized the following observations.
- After 24 hours of treatment, cell death in the epithelioid cells was 25%, 30% in the sacromatoid cells;
- Death triggered by selenite alone accounted for 15% of sacromatoid cells, 8% of epithelioid cells.
- Even a protein that masterminds cell death which increased in the mesothelial cells after the selenite treatment,is de-activated by the selenite.
- The action of selenite seems to take multiple pathways, suggesting that a "variety of mechanisms are involved," hence increasing its effectiveness.
While selenite seems promising, there is still a great deal of research that needs to be done before its safety and effectiveness can be confirmed.
ABM Mushroom Extract Has Anticancer Properties
An elderly Japanese man , who was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, was given partial surgery and chemotherapy in 2003. In 2004, his cancer returned, at which point he turned to alternative therapies – the extract from the Agracius blazei Murill mushroom also known as ABM and an acupuncture treatment that stimulated the parasympathetic nerves.
He experienced remission of his asbestos cancer within four months. Even though the tumor returned three years later, it took a slow growing form that came under the control of the patient's continued use of alternative therapies.
An edible mushroom, ABM has been used to treat cancer, diabetes, hepatitis and arterioscerlosis. Studies have revealed that ABM releases tumor killing agents – factor-alpha and interleukin-8.
Despite the fact that there are, as yet, no scientific studies validating its effectiveness as a cancer cure, new research is under way in several countries.
While garlic, selenium and the ABM mushroom seem promising in their release of natural compounds that combat asbestos cancer, their use needs to be regulated by a professional and licensed health practitioner.
Garlic is a natural blood thinner and should not be used without supervision by anyone taking a blood thinner prescription. Selenium and selenium salt are also toxic in large amounts and dosage regulation is necessary. More research and information is also needed regarding the use of the ABM mushroom.
Mary Desaulniers - I am a retired teacher and grandmother looking forward to the next 30 or more years with great relish and enthusiasm. My passions are ...
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