These chemical extracts from fruits and vegetables are becoming the latest fad in prevention. Basically, they are the biologically active, non-nutritive substances, found in plants that give them their flavor , color , odor , and provides them with their natural defense system against diseases. Simply put, these are not nutrients, nor vitamins, or minerals, just chemical compounds that exist in fruits and vegetables. Their new name in many publications are " Nutriceuticals " . They have been known to exist for years, but never received much press or attention until recent studies started linking them to cancer prevention in labatory animals.

Studies reguarding phytochemicals are presently being conducted by numerous agencies and universities including The National Cancer Society and The National Academy of Science. Phytochemicals are presently showing results in animals, arresting cancer in all stages of cellular development. Exactly what phytochemicals will be benificial to humans and in what type of cancer will take years to answer.

We have always known that whole grains, fruits, and vegetables should be consumed in adequate amounts on a daily basis for optimum health, and that cancer was not as prevalent in the early part of the century as it is today. The possible explanation is that our grandparents ate a healthier diet with more unprocessed foods and more fruits and vegetables. The naturally occuring compounds in these foods provided a degree of "naural" protection.

Cancer has only become more prevalent since the 1940's when we learned how to process foods, can them, use chemicals more efficiently in our foods and heat them until almost all the nutrients were either lost or biochemically altered. Phytochemicals may, however, be one answer to reducing the incidence of cancer.

One very important factor is that phytochemicals are not destroyed by cooking or processing to any great degree. The problem is that we just don't eat enough of them. If that is the case then we really need to adjust our eating habits.  

Studies are continuing in all major countries regarding the use of shark cartilage and its use in the prevention of cancer. Most studies are finding that there is an ingredient that seems to reduce the growth of cancer tumors. The following results were taken from a small study on a group of only 21 patients.

1. 61 percent had a reduction in tumor size.

2. 87 percent stated that they had improved their quality of life.

3. 100 percent of prostrate cancer patients had a lower PSA level.

Carotenoids

Fruits and vegetables contain over 500 carotenoids. Carotenoids is a pigment that gives vegetables their color. About 10 percent of the carotenoids will convert to vitamin A and provide 25 % of the bodies usable vitamin A. Studies are continuing and the future may show that carotenoids are more effective when taken together as a potent antioxicant.

Beta-carotene may not be the " magic bullet " to slow down or stop a cancer cell from replicating, however a combination of carotenoids may provide the protection we are looking for. One of the more interesting findings is that carotenoids improve communications between premalignant cells and normal cells.

Animal studies have shown that when a combination of carotenoids were given there was a large decrease in the number of cancer cells.

A recent study showed that people eating cooked carrots and spinach actually have twice the blood levels of carotenoids than people who ate the two vegetables raw. Many vegetables do not release their carotenoids until they are processed and cooked.