Your cells normally grow and divide at a controlled rate, making new cells to replace aged or damaged ones. However, when cells are abnormal and begin to divide at a high, uncontrolled rate, they become cancerous and can form malignant tumors or spread through blood or lymph to other parts of your body. Noni juice is a traditional remedy that may help lower your risk of developing cancer or improve the outcome if you already have the disease. Discuss Noni juice with your doctor to decide if it is appropriate for you.
Noni
The Noni tree, or Morinda citrifolia, is also called Indian mulberry or wild pine. It is a small evergreen that grows naturally throughout Polynesia and bears white tubular flowers. When mature, its fruit is yellow to white, soft, fleshy and about the size and shape of a potato. The pulp of ripe Noni fruit has an unpleasant, cheese-like odor. Its juice is somewhat bitter and is usually consumed fresh or may sometimes be fermented.
Properties and Uses
Noni juice has been part of herbal medicine throughout Polynesia for thousands of years. Traditional healers recommend Noni as a general health tonic and a treatment for aches and pains, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and various types of infections. Noni juice contains many different phytochemicals, including compounds called anthraquinones, polyphenols, organic acids and alkaloids Modern investigation into the properties of Noni suggests it has medicinal value as an anti-fungal agent, in lowering cholesterol and to enhance immune function. In addition, Noni is a powerful antioxidant and has natural, anti-cancer properties.
Cancer Effects
Noni may prevent cancer through several mechanisms. It increases production by immune cells of chemicals called cytokines that slow division of cancer cells and it stimulates immune cells called macrophages to engulf and destroy tumor cells. Compounds in Noni also block growth of cancer directly, as shown in laboratory studies summarized by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. These studies reported increased life span in laboratory animals with cancer that were fed Noni compounds and blockage of carcinogen-induced changes in cultured cells. In a clinical study published in "Nutrition and Cancer" in 2009, 200 human subjects who smoke consumed Noni juice for one month and, at the end of that time, had reduced DNA changes in their lung cells that suggested their risk of lung cancer was lessened. These promising results still need to be extended with larger clinical trials of Noni juice and different types of cancer.
Recommendations
Noni juice is available from health food or specialty stores. The usual recommended dose of juice is 30 ml daily. Although Noni is generally considered safe, it is high in potassium and may pose a risk if you have kidney disease or if you take diuretics or certain high blood pressure medications. Some Noni products are high in sugar; check labels and avoid these products if you have diabetes. Discuss Noni juice in detail with your doctor before adding it to your regimen.
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