Delicious health tips in Dr. Moondust’s chapter in oncology text book
Top tips on health coming out of Dr. Moondust’s findings in her clinical oncology studies help improve your well-being and even longevity and are yummy choices for your daily diet. Imagine, ingredients you can easily find at your grocer, noted in the science in the chapter she contributed to a text book for medical students. Read on to learn more or to see the full video interview.
Let’s find out more, shall we in this interview with Dr. Moondust posted this week on the Moondust Cosmetics® YouTube channel.
Q. I understand that Moondust Cosmetics® is sharing some interesting news to the collection of informative papers on the website.
A. Yes, it’s really quite exciting. This year, I was invited to contribute a chapter to a clinical cancer textbook for medical students.
Q. Oh, that’s quite prestigious – and impressive. What can you tell us about its content and your part in it?
A. Well, the title of the book is “Comprehensive Clinical Oncology”.
And, although natural products have been used to treat chronic diseases including cancer since ancient times, there is a real current interest in the use of natural compounds for human populations since there are many unpleasant side-effects associated with cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In fact, you probably have a friend or relative who has experienced this.
Q. Oh, yes and it is often a distressing situation.
A. I can’t tell you how many people I have seen suffer through chemotherapy and radiation therapy and the results are not always life-reaffirming. Quite honestly, at times, it simply seems like torture. So, that’s why I decided to write this chapter.
It is mainly about a plant product called “resveratrol” with some potent anti-cancer properties; Resveratrol belongs to a class of phytochemical compounds known as polyphenols and it is found in many edible plants including grape skins, hops, peanuts, pines, and numerous berries (blackberries, black currants, blueberries, mulberries, and cranberries).
In addition to resveratrol, some other phytochemicals of interest include procyanidins derived from grape seeds, which induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in human prostate carcinoma cells; polyphenols derived from black and green teas, which display apoptotic activity in UV-induced mouse skin tumours (Lu); and Chinese bee propolis, which has anti-proliferative activity in colon cancer cells.
Q. Ok, many of us have heard of resveratrol as it has been popularly promoted as being good for our health, our skin and found in a fun product – wine for example.
And of course the enjoyment of the many health benefits written about what’s in our cup of tea.
A. So, at this point, I think we’re going to need to review a little cancer theory –
Historically, cancer theory has mostly evolved in animal models and is based on application of an Initiator (or “incomplete carcinogen”), which can cause mutations in cells, followed by a Promoter, which stimulates cell division and can potentially expand the mutant cell population.
However, it does not adequately explain the action of “complete carcinogens” like ultraviolet light, which can cause cancer on their own. A different model is required in this case.
Some very exciting new research has shown that simply increasing the rate of cell death or “apoptosis” in mouse cells can cause skin cancer in mice. We might dub this an “alternate theory of carcinogenesis”. This is the cancer theory that my scientific work centers around.
Q. Oh, now, isn’t that a novel idea! So, you just need one trigger compound that kills your cells?
A. That’s right. We’re talking about uranium, electromagnetic radiation, chemicals, etc.
The first successful pre-clinical study with resveratrol was reported in a two-stage model with a chemical Initiator and Promoter – it inhibited tumour formation in this mouse skin cancer model.
And, actually, there is a human corollary to this; UV radiation can act as a complete carcinogen in those people who suffer from sunburn, but, then, it can also act as an incomplete carcinogen in those people who tan – there are certain suntan lotions which contain tumour promoters.
Q. Oh, my goodness! That’s very scary!
A. It certainly is and I don’t know why the FDA doesn’t put an end to this dangerous practice.
Other similar studies followed confirming that topical resveratrol treatment reduced tumour incidence, multiplicity, and volume while delaying the onset of tumours in mice.
One of the most notable set of studies was conducted in SKH-1 hairless mice, which are susceptible to ultraviolet radiation-induced skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a complete carcinogen in this particular mouse model and DNA damage caused by the radiation directly stimulates cell death. It is the repeated activation of apoptosis in skin cells by ultraviolet rays that appears to be directly linked to tumour formation in this model. It has been demonstrated that resveratrol protects against UVB-mediated skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 hairless mice by selectively inducing apoptosis/cell death in premalignant and malignant cells.
Q. Wait a second – this might be getting a bit confusing, now. First, you say that apoptosis or cell death can cause skin cancer and, then, you say that resveratrol can cause cell death?
A. Ok. So the key word is that resveratrol can “selectively” cause cell death in cancer cells. So, it’s not affecting normal cells at all, it’s selectively killing cancer cells, while a carcinogen can kill all your cells – normal and abnormal. So, to continue –
Naturally, it cannot always be assumed that test results obtained in animals will hold true in humans due to significant differences in their biochemistry. Since it’s really the results in humans that we’re after, I’ve never conducted animal experiments myself and have always used cultured human cells or human models.
Q. Is that the only reason?
A. Well, there are also personal and ethical reasons, as well, since I’m a vegetarian.
So, Resveratrol has already been shown to display selective apoptosis by inducing programmed cell death in pre-cancer and cancer cells in a mouse skin carcinogenesis model.
Similarly, a comparable cancer model in humans involving susceptibility to apoptotic sunburn can result in abnormal growth or “tumour” formation and/or skin cancer without proper sunscreen protection, as we have discussed before.
Q. You took quite a direct and personal route in your research in this case.
Since we’re really looking for results in humans, one summer I decided to conduct an experiment on myself being highly susceptible to apoptotic sunburn involving cell death and peeling – I had absolutely no idea what would happen. Usually, I hardly ever go out in the summer sun due to my susceptibility, but for 3 months I regularly exposed myself to sunlight during controlled periods of the day and experienced repeated sunburn and peeling on my nose. At the end of 8 months, I developed a “tumour” or abnormal growth on the tip of my nose.
Following daily topical application of a resveratrol ointment {50 mg/ml} in an aloe base, considerable regression of this growth induced by UVA/UVB radiation was observed within 10 days. Moreover, with the diligent application of a zinc oxide sunscreen formulation previously reported to block UV-induced apoptosis, there was complete remission and there has been no recurrence of the lesion since. This same sunscreen also contained bee propolis, which may have played a healing role in the whole process.
Q. So, what does this mean?
A. Although no malignancy was demonstrated in the growth on my nose, this may represent an effective chemopreventive post-sun exposure strategy in the minimization of skin cancer risk for individuals who are susceptible to apoptotic sunburn and, therefore, to skin cancer.
Q. Where does SPP fit into this, then?
A. Moondust products like SPP can help to prevent apoptosis & skin cancer because, as we saw in the mouse model, simply increasing the rate of cell death in skin cells can cause cancer. That is why we call it “Apoptosis Protection Factor” and apoptosis is directly linked to skin cancer.
Q. Have you ever recommended resveratrol to any cancer patients?
A. Yes, in fact I have recommended a combination of Resveratrol and Matcha (a green tea powder) to a few cancer patients (even those undergoing chemotherapy) and there have always been positive results. However, you should discuss it with your oncologist if undergoing chemo.
Q. What is an average daily dose of Resveratrol [RSV]?
A. So, here’s a bottle of resveratrol and each capsule contains 250 mg, which is an average daily dose. As for the matcha (green tea), I always say drink as much as you can. Health professionals are so focused on the pandemic, right now, that certain cancer patients may not be getting the medical attention they need. These supplements are totally safe to take and may help. [Notable exceptions include: multiple myeloma patients and, possibly, procyanidins may be more suitable for prostate cancer patients; although, positive research also exists for RSV]
Q. Ok, well thank you Dr. Moondust…
It seems in your many fascinating points are practical everyday choices we can make to help ourselves to better health in relation to resveratrol and also protection during sun exposure. Just two of these are:
Resveratrol can be considered like any natural supplement like our vitamins and minerals we might want to add to our health regimen.
Apoptosis, or cell death resulting from the human sunburn cycle, is central to your work in cancer studies as well as the protective purpose behind your formulation of Moondust Cosmetics® primary product SPP or Skin Protector Plus.
You’ll find more articles on the science, and the art of sun care and skin protection posted on the website.
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