Werner Pilniok is a cancer survivor. Shortly after Pilniok, now 71, was diagnosed with a malignant lung tumor in 1999, he went against his doctor's advice and embarked upon an aggressive nutritional supplement regimen to combat the cancer. Pilniok attributes several nutrients, among them vitamin C and the amino acids L-lysine and L-proline, to his success. After seven months of this self-prescribed therapy, Pilniok's tumor vanished.
His recovery is a compelling example of the curative powers of vitamins and other essential nutrients. And Pilniok's story is becoming more commonplace as natural therapies take their place in the mainstream. Scientific papers that offer a solid basis for the use of natural therapies in cancer treatment are being published with regularity. That consumers have confidence in the efficacy of alternative and natural therapies is evidenced by the fact that they spent an estimated $34.4 billion on these in 1997.
But more important, clinical research has confirmed that natural therapies for cancer can and do work.
Each day some 1,500 people lose their lives to cancer, and the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 1.2 million people will develop the disease this year. Thirty years after the war on cancer was declared, some of the most brilliant scientific and medical minds have yet to fully unravel this enigmatic killer.
What is understood is that cancer cells' ability to metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body is what makes them so deadly. Cancer cells produce excessive levels of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to digest the extracellular matrix surrounding tissue. This allows cancer cells to spread and invade new organs. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation cannot prevent metastasis, and the side effects are often physically and emotionally devastating. This frustrating reality has led to a rise in the number of people turning to natural therapies.
A study of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with different types of cancer was published in the July 2000 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. That study found that 63% of cancer patients had used vitamins and herbs as part of their cancer treatment. And now, groundbreaking natural health research by one company has uncovered a group of natural compounds that, in the laboratory, have stopped cold the spread of cancer cells. A scientific breakthrough made by one of Europe's foremost medical pioneers, Matthias Rath, M.D., provides new evidence that the spread of cancer cells can be inhibited with specific nutrients.
The research of Dr. Rath and his team of biomedical scientist at Matthias Rath, Inc., an international nutritional research and development company with state-of-the art laboraory facilities in Santa Clara, CA, offers compelling confirmation that the spread of many forms of cancer can be stopped by the combined nutrient synergy of vitamin C, the amino acids L-lysine and L-proline, and Epigallocatechin Gallate (a high-potency polyphenol extract from green tea). Together, these nutrients support connective tissue integrity and inhibit the activity of MMPs, which facilitates cancer metastasis.
In research at Matthias Rath, Inc., this synergistic nutrient combination was successful in blocking the spread of 100% of breast and skin cancer cells, as well as 91% of colon cancer cells. Dr. Rath and his colleagues presented the exciting results of their work at the 19th Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference earlier this year, and at several professional conferences and public lectures held around the country. The company's research has been well-received by physicians, many who have stated that they would be introducing Dr. Rath's natural approach in their own practices. The natural therapy that has resulted from the research of Dr. Rath and his team holds tremendous promise for cancer patients, and their nutrient combination is currently being tested in clinical pilot studies.
The use of natural substances in the treatment of cancer will not only lessen the tremendous financial burden of this disease, but will also eliminate the harsh side effects of conventional therapies. Matthias Rath, Inc. has taken the lead in conducting innovative research that will aid in the treatment of some of the world's most devastating medical conditions, including cancer. The company is committed to developing natural therapies that will revolutionize how people manage their health.
Before beginning any nutritional supplement program patients should consult their doctors. The information contained in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
Recent clinical research confirms that the following nutrients are effective inhibitors of cancer cell spread and growth.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C in its lipid soluble form, ascorbyl palmitate, has been shown to be effective in eliminating abnormal cells in the body while protecting normal cells.
L-Lysine and L-Proline
These amino acids form the building blocks of collagen and elastin fibers. L-lysine prevents digestion of the extracellular matrix by inhibiting the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and strengthens connective tissue.
Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)
Green tea polyphenols such as Epigallocatechin Gallate exert antimutagenic, antiproliferative, and antineoplastic properties. In addition, EGCG is a powerful antioxidant capable of neutralizing free radicals and preventing cell damage.
Arginine
Arginine functions to enhance the immune system and inhibit cellular replication of tumors.
For a free copy of the Matthias Rath, Inc. cancer research abstract and accompanying video explaining the company's important breakthrough, please call (800) 624-2442.