Pancreatic cancer affects the gland that produces insulin, the hormone that converts glucose into energy. Although the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unclear, risk factors may include a history of pancreatitis, smoking and exposure to industrial chemicals. Pancreatic cancer is commonly treated by surgically removing cancerous tissue, but chemotherapy or radiotherapy may also be required. However, survival rates are usually poor. Some herbs may support conventional cancer treatment but must never be used in place of medical treatments. Consult your doctor before including herbs in your treatment plan.
Green Tea and Garlic
Green tea and garlic may play a role in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, according to the A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research. A popular beverage in various parts of the world, green tea contains compounds that might cut off the energy supply to cancer cells preventing them from proliferating. Garlic is more commonly used to flavor foods, but is also sometimes used as a complementary remedy for a variety of ailments including cardiovascular disease, hypertension and skin infections. It might play a role in the prevention and treatment for cancer, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Effectiveness
Few clinical studies have evaluated the efficacy of garlic and green tea as a pancreatic cancer treatments. However, the results of a study in patients with advanced cancer published in the "Journal of Nutrition" in March 2006 show that aged garlic extract increases the number of natural killer cells, a type of white blood cell that induce cancer cell death. The results of a laboratory study published in the January 2010 issue of the "Journal of Biomedicine & Biotechnology" show that compounds found in green tea might inhibit pancreatic cancer cell growth.
Side Effects
Green tea is likely safe for most adults, according to MedlinePlus, but drinking more than five cups daily may cause side effects including headache, nausea, insomnia and tremor due to its caffeine content. Garlic is also likely safe, states MedlinePlus, although it may cause bad breath, body odor and heartburn. It may also increase the risk of bleeding.
Contraindications
Green tea is contraindicated in several conditions including bleeding disorders, heart conditions, glaucoma and osteoporosis. It might also interact with other medicines you may be taking including birth control medicine, antibiotics and some cancer drugs. Don't use garlic if you have a bleeding disorder or stomach problems. Like green tea, garlic may interact with other drugs, for example, HIV medicines and anticoagulants.
References
- BBC Health: Pancreatic Cancer; Dr Rob Hick; January 2010
- A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research: Pancreatic Cancer
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Garlic
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Aged Garlic Extract Prevents a Decline of NK Cell Number and Activity in Patients With Advanced Cancer; H. Ishikawa, et al.; March 2010
- "Journal of Biomedicine & Biotechnology" ; Green Tea Epigallocatechin Gallate Exhibits Anticancer Effect in Human Pancreatic Carcinoma Cells Via the Inhibition of Both Focal Adhesion Kinase and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Receptor; H.A. Vu, et al.; January 2010
- MedlinePlus: Green Tea
