Spirulina is a blue alga that contains various minerals, vitamins and essential aminoacids and has been researched for its benefits for breast cancer sufferers. Some positive results have been recorded, although more studies are needed to fully confirm the role of these algae in preventing breast cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and consider taking spirulina for this condition, talk to your doctor first.
Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer is a form of cancer that affects breast tissue and is more common in women. The risk of developing breast cancer rises with age. According to the National Center Institute, the number of new cases of breast cancer in the United States in 2010 was more than 200,000 in women and almost 2,000 in men. Conventional treatment includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
May Prevent Breast Cancer
Spirulina have been found to have anticancer activity specifically against human breast cancer, according to a study published in October 2009 issue of "Biomedicne and Pharmacotherapy" by a research team from China led by T. Chen. During the study an extract of Spirulina plantesis was used in combination with the mineral selenium. The authors suggest that both selenium and spirulina may have potential in preventing human breast cancer.
Protects Kidneys from Chemo Drugs
Some forms of cancer required chemotherapy, in addition to surgery. Cisplatin is a drug used for different forms of cancer and one possible side effect of this drug is kidney toxicity. Cisplatin was found to be effective when other drugs were not in breast cancer sufferers, according to Leif W. Ellisen and his team from Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Boston in an article published in "Medical News Today" on April 2007. In animal models, giving spirulina supplement before treatment with cisplatin prevented kidney damage caused by this particular anti-cancer drug, say I.K. Mohan and colleagues. Their study was published in December 2006 issue of "Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology." The daily dosage of spirulina in this study was 1 g per kilogram of body weight and was administered four days before and four days after using cisplatin. The authors also noted that in human studies spirulina did not interfere with the efficacy of cisplatin to kill cancer cells.
Considerations
Consult a qualified health care provider to find out optimal dosage of daily intake of spirulina, possible side effects and drug interactions. Keep in mind that this supplements does not replace any conventional drug you are currently on. Spirulina is not approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat breast cancer or any other medical condition.
References
- National Center Institute: Breast Cancer
- Biomedicne and Pharmacotherapy: Induction of G1 cell cycle arrest and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells by selenium-enriched Spirulina extract.
- Medical News Today: Why Cisplatin Kills Breast Cancer Cells When Other Drugs Fail
- Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology: Protection against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by Spirulina in rats.
