To Your Health
August, 2024 (Vol. 18, Issue 08) |
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Honey for Breast Cancer?
By Editorial Staff
With approximately one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, prevention and treatment options are essential; particularly treatment options that don't further compromise a woman's health (i.e., chemo- or radiation therapy). Honey to the rescue?
Preliminary research suggests Manuka honey, a type of honey known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties compared to regular honey, may play an important treatment role once a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer – particularly the most common subtype, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer.
Oral administration of Manuka honey reduced tumor growth and cancer cell growth, induced apoptosis (cell death) of breast cancer cells, and increased the effectiveness of existing treatments; all without affecting normal breast cells.
So, what's Manuka honey? In the research team's own words: "Manuka honey (MH) is a monofloral honey that is produced from the nectar collected by honey bees (Apis Mellifera) when they pollinate the Manuka tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium). This honey was originally unique to New Zealand and some parts of Australia; however, it is now produced in many regions around the world."
With conventional cancer treatment often damaging the body as much as the cancer itself, it's encouraging to see the potential for a natural treatment to help women fight this horrible disease. Stay tuned – and in the meantime, find Manuka honey in your local health food store and enjoy the health benefits noted above.
