Phytonutrients and the Grape Cure for Cancer!

Today, phytochemicals are the often viewed as the hottest new discoveries in health science, but in the 1920's, a South African woman was already demonstrating that they were a viable cure for disease, though at the time she didn't know what she had.

In 1925, Johanna Brandt left South Africa to come to New York and to teach Americans how she cured herself of cancer by eating grapes.

She accidentally discovered the grape's miraculous effect on her condition after three weeks of fasting, drinking only pure water, and laying in the morning sun.

Not wanting to undo the benefits derived from her fast by eating more of the "dead foods" she thought had caused the cancer, she decided to eat grapes, and only grapes, then work up to other fruits, vegetables, and foods as her health improved.

Her conclusion was that something that could cure cancer could possibly cure any other disease, and quite possibly, be effective in preventing "cancer and almost every other disease."

She did not know what they were but she had discovered, for herself, the amazing healing effects of antioxidants and phytochemicals, the Proanthocyanidins in the seeds and Resveratrol in the skins of the grape!

(You may remember the talk of powerful new antioxidants in the mid 1990's, including grape seed extract. And later on, the stories about the antioxidant effects of red wine and why the French, quite possibly, had a lower incidence of cancer and heart disease than Americans despite a heavy meat diet.)

While experimenting on herself, she noticed other positive effects: senses becoming more acute, complexion clearing, eyes brightening, hair taking on a new gloss, voice becoming vibrant and magnetic.

The story of her discovery first appeared in the Magazine Section of the New York "Evening Graphic" on January 21st, 1928. And she personally taught her methods to doctors and cancer patients in New York, as well. They were later published in a book called "The Grape Cure."

Antioxidants, of course, are now known to be common substances in fruits and vegetables and you probably hear new stories about them fairly regularly. By binding with the "free radicals" that slowly break down our systems, they have the capacity to extend life, improve health, and prevent disease. No diet would be complete without them.

Johanna injected some of her own philosophy into the "The Grape Cure." Some of her conclusions might seem laughable in light of what we know today (she attributed the cure's success to the grape's sugar) but here are a few of her thoughts worth considering:

"Every kitchen stove is a laboratory on which the living essence [of food] is converted into dead matter."

"No surgeons, no medical laws can compel you to submit to the dreaded scalpel. Too often an operation is the first resort and you are rushed to the hospital in a dazed and panic-stricken state. It should be the last resort. Every other method should have been employed before you permit the delicate nerves and tissues of your body to be severed."

(It's important to note that in the 'roaring twenties' "every other method" did not include radiation and chemotherapy. She was speaking of the natural therapies derived from fasting, diet, rest, and even sunshine.)

"There are seven doctors of nature: Fasting, Air, Water, Sunlight, Exercise, Food, Mind. We put mind at the end because it is the most important."

(Off the top of my head, I would add Rest.)

Of course, we've learned a lot about the need for antioxidants and phytochemicals over the past 10 years or so. For one thing, there are many of them. For another, they don't all work in the same way.

Antioxidants tend to be "specialists" with different ones working best on different body systems or different free radicals; for example, lutein for the eyes, lycopene for prostate health, and proathanols to neutralize free radicals released during physical exertion.

If you're interested in reading The Grape Cure you can find it at Amazon.com. There is also an annotated, electronic version of The Grape Cure available for immediate download, online.

As for the ability of whole foods to combat cancer, Dr. Daniel Nixon, former Vice President of the American Cancer Society and President of the American Health Foundation, has been studying the effects of red raspberries on cancer cells since 1993. His studies have shown that the equivalent of one cup of raw raspberries per day can reverse many cancers.

Why?

Ellagic acid, found in nuts and berries such as walnuts, pecans, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, is deadly to cancer cells.

The natural life cycle of most cells is about 120 days. Cancer forms when cells lose their ability to die and continue to duplicate themselves as immortal cells. So the cancer grows and spreads.

But when Dr. Nixon's subjects consumed the equivalent of one cup of raw raspberries per day, natural cell death, or apoptosis reoccurred in the cells, and tumors shrank.

Since most of the ellagic acid is in the seeds, subjects received raspberries served as a puree. Ellagic acid supplements from finally ground raspberry seed flour are now available.

Lawrence Stepanowicz, ND

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Reprinted from Practical Health. For a
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Copyright Lawrence Stepanowicz, ND