A2 Ghee and cancer protection
There has often been a debate on whether ghee is good for health or not. Well guess what? Ghee, often accused of being harmful for the heart, actually has no debilitating effect on cardiac health, provided the fat intake is limited to the prescribed amount. In fact ghee has many cancer-fighting properties that have been proven in studies and research conducted in India and abroad.
Ghee is a powerful agent with protective elements that fight cancer. A powerful compound called conjugated linoleic acid, (CLA) found in ghee acts as an antioxidant. This helps bring down inflammatory compounds and makes cancer cells to self-destruct (a process known as apoptosis).
Conjugated linoleic acid or CLA is higher in milk products that are made of milk produced by grass-fed cows. And that is why when you choose butter to make ghee, it is advisable that the butter is coming from milk of grass-fed cows.As per studies, ghee made from grass-fed cows’ butter, is higher in CLA and reduces inflammation, and lowers body fat.
Study on effects of ghee on cancer cells
As per a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, the fatty acids in ghee enhance the anti-tumor effects of CLA. This was a study conducted on mice implanted with breast cancer cells. One group of mice were fed a diet with a high level of corn oil, the second group received standard food in addition to CLA, and one final group received CLA combined with ghee.
As per the findings, the group which consumed ghee in addition to CLA had far fewer areas where cancer had taken hold (metastases). The ghee also brought down the amount of level of CLA to a level that was necessary to have an effect. In effect, ghee enhanced the beneficial cancer-fighting effects of CLA.
Apart from CLA, ghee is also a great source of butyric acid; a short chain fatty acid that is good for our gut. Butyric acid antiviral and anti-cancer properties and also aids in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s.
Study on effects of ghee on cancer cells
As per a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, the fatty acids in ghee enhance the anti-tumor effects of CLA. This was a study conducted on mice implanted with breast cancer cells. One group of mice were fed a diet with a high level of corn oil, the second group received standard food in addition to CLA, and one final group received CLA combined with ghee.
As per the findings, the group which consumed ghee in addition to CLA had far fewer areas where cancer had taken hold (metastases). The ghee also brought down the amount of level of CLA to a level that was necessary to have an effect. In effect, ghee enhanced the beneficial cancer-fighting effects of CLA.
Apart from CLA, ghee is also a great source of butyric acid; a short chain fatty acid that is good for our gut. Butyric acid antiviral and anti-cancer properties and also aids in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s.
Ghee enhances enzymes that detoxify cancer causing substances
In a recent issue of the Indian Journal of Medical Research, scientists from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) have reported that cow ghee enhances the availability of those enzymes that contribute to detoxification of cancer-causing substances. Ghee also reduces availability of those enzymes that are known to activate carcinogens. However that does not mean that you can go overboard in your consumption of ghee. You must take care that the intake of total fat (including ghee) should not exceed the prescribed limit of fat consumption.
Ghee and Omega 3 fatty acids
A new study by researchers at the University Hospitals of Leicester in the United Kingdom has shown that adding omega-3 fatty acids to anti-tumor medications can improve treatment response for cancer patients.
In this study patients with advanced pancreatic cancer patients were given 100 g of omega-3 rich lipid emulsion for three weeks followed by a rest week. This was continued for up to six cycles.It was found that there was evidence of activity in response and disease stabilization rates and a reduction in liver metastasis volume.
Now ghee is a rich source of omega 3 and omega 9 fatty acids. When ghee is prepared from pure butter made of milk of grass-fed cows through traditional methods, it contains a higher amount of Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Apart from acting as a cancer fighting agent, these fatty acids are a major component of retinal and brain tissues.
So we need to understand the value of our traditional foods as they have life enhancing qualities. Ghee, made of pure butter, is a proven ayurvedic superfood that can help fight cancer. Go ahead and add the protection of ghee to your food.
