Fwd: Asparagus and Cancer - worth a read!!

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Margaret ,

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Asparagus and Cancer -

Asparagus vs. Cancer

Claim:   Asparagus has miraculous cancer-fighting properties. 

UNDETERMINED

Example:   [Collected via e-mail, March 2009] 

Asparagus/Cancer 

Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He

gave me a photocopied copy of an article, entitled, 'Asparagus for cancer'

printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979. 

I will share it here, just as it was shared with me: 'I am a biochemist, and

have specialized in the relation of diet to health for over 50 years. Several

years ago, I learned of the discovery of R. Vensal, D.D.S. that

asparagus might cure cancer. 

Since then, I have worked with him on his project. We have accumulated a number

of favourable case histories. 

Here are a few examples: 

Case No. 1,

A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph

glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the

asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he

was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise. 

Case No. 2,

A successful businessman 68 years old who suffered from cancer of the bladder

for 16 years. After years of medical treatments, including radiation without

improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that

his bladder tumor had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal. 

Case No. 3,

a man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he was put on the operating table

where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The

surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about

the asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it. By August, x-ray

pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared. He is back at

his regular business routine. 

Case No. 4,

A woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally

developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by asking specialist as

advanced. Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said

that her skin looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the

asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had

over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability

payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure

of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus. 

I was not surprised at this result, as 'The elements of Materia Medica', edited

in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, stated that asparagus

was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments,

in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones. 

We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered

with our obtaining some of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to

spread this good news and help us to gather a large number of case histories

that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and

natural remedy. For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before using, and

therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh. 

I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Green Giant and

Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or

preservatives. 

PROCEDURE:

1) Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree, and

store in the refrigerator. 

2) Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening. 

Patients usually show some improvement in from 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with

water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present

experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in

some cases. 

As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that 'what cures can prevent'.

Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a

beverage with our meals. 

We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste with breakfast and with

dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold. 

For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our

regular checkups. 

The last blood survey, taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the

nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements in all

categories over the last one, and we can attribute these improvements to nothing

but the asparagus drink... 

As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and

all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in

better with the latest theories about cancer. Asparagus contains a good supply

of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell

growth. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance

that I call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and

in acting as a general body tonic. In any event, regardless of theory,asparagus

used as we suggest, is a harmless substance. 

The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good.. It has

been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest

tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most

potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants. 

Please spread the news... 

....the most unselfish act one can ever do is paying forward all the kindness one

has received even to the most undeserved person.

 

Origins:   This item has been bruited about the Internet since October 2006,

and there is even a Spanish translation of it in circulation. While it claims to

draw its information from a piece titled " Asparagus for Cancer " printed in

Cancer News Journal in

December 1979, we've as yet been unable to locate a copy of that article or find

information about either the e-mail's unnamed biochemist narrator or the

article's purported authority, R. Vensal, D.D.S. (It isn't clear what

the " D.D.S. " stands for — that abbreviation is typically the short form for

Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Science, degrees one would not

think would position their holders to perform groundbreaking work in the field

of oncology.) It should go without saying that until far more is known about the

1979 " Asparagus for Cancer " article, that its purported miraculous tales of

serious bouts of cancer overcome by asparagus therapy cannot be confirmed and

thus should not be regarded as anything other than lore. 

However, that article's provenance aside, asparagus might indeed have certain

anti-cancer properties. In addition to this vegetable's many other nutritional

benefits (only 25 calories per stalk, high in folic acid, plus a good source of

vitamins A, B6 and C, calcium, iron, thiamin, potassium and fiber), it is high

in the micronutrient glutathione, an antioxidant. Glutathione is said to defend

the body against viruses, certain types of cancer, and boosts immune cells. 

Antioxidants have long been touted as one of the keys to preventing cancer.

However, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) says of that conviction:

Considerable laboratory evidence from chemical, cell culture, and animal studies

indicates that antioxidants may slow or possibly prevent the development of

cancer. However, information from recent clinical trials is less clear. In

recent years, large-scale, randomized clinical trials reached inconsistent

conclusions.

In other words, antioxidants may or may not be the potent cancer-fighters

they're widely believed to be — the medical jury is still out on that

subject. 

Barbara " stalk talk " Mikkelson 

Additional information: 

    

  Asparagus Basics 

  (Washington Asparagus Commission)

    

  Fruit of the Month: Asparagus 

  (CDC)

    

  Asparagus and Health 

  (Washington Asparagus Commission)

Last updated:   5 April 2009 

The URL for this page is http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/asparagus.asp

Sources:

    Demontis, Rita.   " All About Asparagus. "

    The Toronto Sun.   12 May 2004   (p. 44).

    Marter, Marilynn, Rita.   " Splendid Stalks, Asparagus. "

    The Philadelphia Inquirer.   5 April 2000   (p. F1).

    Mounts, Samia.   " Asparagus: King of Spring Vegetables. "

    The Korea Herald.   21 April 2007.

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T.

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