These 2 Grapefruit Compounds May Act Through DNA to Stop Cancer

Now more than ever it’s essential to look for ways to maintain the integrity of our biological makeup known as DNA to halt illness and disease. Researchers have documented that one of these ways is by adding grapefruit to your diet on a daily basis.

Your DNA is your individual code. It’s what makes you the unique individual that you are. It is therefore your most priceless possession and should be safeguarded at all costs. Today, everyone’s DNA and gene expression is increasingly under siege by the unhealthy and the unnatural that is constantly being created by people who put money above all else.

What happens when DNA damage occurs? The body tries to repair it, but that repair is seldom 100% of the original. As an example, think about a nice new car. As the years go by and that car keeps rolling down the road, each repair becomes less and less effective and eventually that car has little resemblance to the nice new one. In humans, such damage can be replicated and passed on to subsequent cell generations, and those less than 100% DNA repairs can eventually add up to chronic diseases such as cancer.

How Grapefruit May Act Through DNA to Stop Cancer

Just in the past few years, scientists have discovered that two compounds found in grapefruit can aid in repairing DNA damage, possibly bringing it closer to the 100% mark. Naringenin is a bioflavonoid found in all citrus fruits in very small amounts, but grapefruit is the only source of substantial amounts.

In 2006, the ability of naringenin to help repair damaged DNA was first established in a study with human prostate cancer cells. This study concluded that naringenin was able to aid in restoring health to damaged DNA through the induction of two enzymes that work during the cell replication stage. Most importantly, this worked with an amount of naringenin that is physiologically achievable in tissues.

The study suggested that because prostate cancer as well as many other forms of cancer can take a considerable amount of time to become detectable, consuming grapefruit regularly may be an excellent way to stop it. This study has been followed by several other investigations into the protective workings of naringenin, and momentum is building because of their positive results.

In April of this year naringenin was found to inhibit both human colorectal and breast cancer cell growth in a dose and time dependent manner through its actions on the cell cycle and its ability to make sure that planned cell death occurs on schedule. It was also found to alter the expression of cell cycle regulatory genes to down regulate cancer cells. In addition, naringenin enhanced the sensitivity of colorectal and breast cancer cells to DNA-acting drugs.

Apigenin is another bioflavonoid found in high amounts in grapefruit, and also in parsley, onions, and chamomile tea. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as anti-tumor properties. Apigenin has been studied intently in the last few years too.

In a study completed in 2014, apigenin inhibited DNA synthesis in a panel of human breast cancer cell lines. This resulted in decreased cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest. Researchers concluded that low-dose apigenin has the potential to slow or prevent breast cancer progression.

Check It: The Health Benefits of Grapefruit

Boost Vitamin C and Lycopene Levels with Grapefruit

Besides helping to protect DNA, eating half a pink grapefruit for breakfast provides 59% of the daily value for vitamin C. This vitamin has recently been shown to protect against high blood pressure and the blood vessel changes that precede heart disease. Scientists suspect that vitamin C can also keep asthma away, and promote normalization of blood sugar levels in diabetics. And don’t forget the legendary effects of this vitamin on the immune system.

In the past few years, researchers have begun to document that adequate levels of vitamin C are essential for optimal functioning of the brain, in addition to reducing the buildup of arterial plaque.

Pink grapefruit gets its pinkness from lycopene, a carotenoid with a long list of health benefits that most recently include the slowing of skin aging by stabilizing the DNA structure in the nucleus of skin cells and inhibiting enzymes involved in collagen destruction.

Lycopene plays a healthy role in the prostate. Researchers have concluded that the powerful carotenoid works in other ways than just though its antioxidant action.

Eating grapefruit doesn’t have to be confined to breakfast. Pink grapefruit is sweet, juicy, and has a tangy taste that blends well in green salads. It can also be combined with chili peppers and cilantro for a tasty and different salsa. For a real summer treat, combine chopped grapefruit with cold shrimp and avocado, served on a bed of romaine lettuce.