While we all need to focus on nutrition, sometimes there are special cases, such as when Manuka honey shows promise in treating estrogen positive breast cancer. Studies like this demonstrate how the food we ingest daily can have a profound impact on our health. Apparently, besides its potential for infection fighting, something in Manuka can reduce tumor growth and downregulate signaling pathways in cancer cells.
Manuka honey originates from New Zealand and Australia from bees pollinating the native tea tree (https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/manuka-honey-medicinal-uses). Many studies demonstrate benefits for fighting infections as well as lower inflammation. It is thought that the majority of its antimicrobial effect comes from a chemical called methylglyoxal. (https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/manuka-honey-medicinal-uses)
In this study, researchers fed mice with breast cancer manuka honey. The mice likely enjoyed this study versus others with less tasty therapeutics. For these mice, the tumor growth was significantly slowed.
Just to be clear however, the tumors did not disappear nor were the mice cured. This is just a first step to understand how the Manuka altered the growth of the tumors, with the hope that future identification of the active chemicals might enable researchers to better attack the cancers. No one should depend on daily Manuka honey to save their lives from breast cancer at this point.
Helping patients live healthier, more abundant lives requires good nutrition. Sometimes that nutrition advice fits everyone. Sometimes it is more specific to a particular patient or a particular condition. Every patient is unique, we take the time to individualize what each patient needs to live that healthier life.
Original article:
Diana C. Márquez-Garbán, Cristian D. Yanes, Gabriela Llarena, David Elashoff, Nalo Hamilton, Mary Hardy, Madhuri Wadehra, Susan A. McCloskey, Richard J. Pietras. Manuka Honey Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Progression in Preclinical Models. Nutrients, 2024; 16 (14): 2369 DOI: 10.3390/nu16142369
Thanks to Science Daily:
University of California – Los Angeles Health Sciences. “Preliminary study shows potential of Manuka honey as a nutraceutical for breast cancer.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 August 2024. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240819130530.htm>.
Medical Disclaimer:
This article is intended for educational purposes only. I have attempted to confirm the accuracy of these statements but with time, some currently true statements may be proven incorrect. Before making any medical decisions, you should consult your medical provider. I am not a lawyer nor am I a remediator and cannot provide definitive answers in either category. Discuss legal and remediation decisions with appropriate professionals. Sanctuary is not responsible for decisions you make based on this article.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.