Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death all over the world, including the United States, and been responsible for 160,000 deaths every year, indicates University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Standard therapy includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. A healthy diet that includes nutrient-rich herbs such as parsley may also help improve your overall health. Myristicin, a compound found in abundance in parsley, showed some benefits for lung cancer. Talk to a health care provider to learn more about the benefits of parsley and other healthy foods that you can incorporate into your daily diet.
About Parsley Juice
Parsley has a strong flavor, so most parsley-based juices contain other vegetables as well, mixed in a juicer. By combining parsley with other vegetables you will obtain a delicious juice with a variety of nutrients.
For example a bunch of parsley is combined with a bunch of spinach, three or four carrots, and couple of celery stalks, one red beet and 1 cup of water. Parsley leaves are rich in nutrients such as vitamins A and C, folic acid, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. Two plant compounds, myristicin and apiol ,are the key active ingredients of parsley oil, which is found in leaves, seeds and roots of this herb.
Parsley and Lung Cancer
According to the results of a study featured in October 1992 issue of "Carcinogenesis," myristicin from parsley has anticancer qualities. This study was conducted in animals, and myristicin showed a 31 percent inhibition of lung cancer tumors in the subjects who were fed with parsley leaves. The authors believe that myristicin can be an effective agent in preventing and managing lung cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Healthy Diet For Lung Cancer
Parsley is only one herb that is healthy because of its content of vitamins and nutrients that can be added to your diet. The UMMC suggests eating fresh fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, tomatoes, cherries, bell pepper, squash and dark leafy vegetables. You should also reduce refined pasta, bread, sugar, processed foods and fried foods and increase consumption of whole grains and lean meats. You should also try to eliminate possible foods allergens such as dairy products, gluten and artificial preservatives. Avoid coffee, tobacco and alcohol; drink plenty of water; and exercise daily.
Considerations
Consult a qualified health care provider to find out optimal diet and supplements that may help your condition. Parsley juice that combines parsley with other vegetables may also be incorporated in your daily diet. Keep in mind that juices do not replace and should not be used to replace any conventional anticancer drugs.
References
- Univeristy of Maryland, Medical Center
- "Carcinogenesis"; Inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene-induced tumorigenesis by myristicin, a volatile aroma constituent of parsley leaf oil.; GQ.Zhen et al; October, 1992
- Drugs.com: Parsley
- "Juicing For The Health of It"; Siegfried Gursche; Alive Books; 2002
