Natural Remedies: Soursop vs. Cancer



What is Soursop?

Soursop, also known as graviola, custard apple, and guyabano is a fruit of a tree that originates in the forests of Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. In the science world, it is called "Annona muricata." According to Cancer Research UK, native people in these regions used the soursop fruit to treat illnesses and diseases. During the latter part of the 20th century, soursop managed to garner so much publicity is because of the claim that it has the potential to cure cancer. It is only now that the world has come to know about its health benefits. A cure for cancer has always been a huge topic of research the world over, and the discovery of soursop as a potential cure is said to be a breakthrough in this field. Although not marketed by physicians, you can easily find extracts of the fruit online to purchase and consume.  


Can Soursop Cure Cancer?

Whether soursop can cure cancer is still debatable, but there have been studies conducted to confirm this claim. Studies to check for the effect of Soursop on cancer cells began sometime around in the 1970s. It was the National Cancer Institute that conducted the first ever scientific research study on this subject in the year 1976. Results of this research showed that Soursop's leaves and stems were found quite effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells. Likewise, it has been claimed that since the same year, Soursop was proven to be a potent killer of cancer cells in over twenty different laboratory tests and studies that were undertaken.

A study published in the Journal of Natural Products following a recent study conducted at the Catholic University of South Korea indicated that a certain chemical found in Soursop can selectively kill colon cancer cells at almost 'ten thousand times the potency of Adriamycin'. (Adriamycin is the drug commonly used as a part of chemotherapy). Another remarkable fact regarding its healing power is that Soursop selectively targets only the harmful cancer cells, while it leaves behind healthy cells of the body unscathed. Hence, unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately kills all cells (especially the superficial ones, like hair cells) in the affected region, Soursop does not harm the healthy cells. It also spares the person in question of the side effects of chemotherapy like hair loss, weight loss, severe nausea, and deforming skin changes.

Some studies even claim that soursop can aim and help in the treatment of nearly 12 different types of cancers including breast, colon, lung, prostate, and pancreatic cancer; the extracts of Soursop are also known to kill certain cancer cells of the liver which can't be destroyed through chemotherapy. It is also claimed that during the course of chemotherapy, Soursop manages to protect the immune system by preventing it from getting harmed by the effects of chemotherapy.

Being a healthy citrus fruit, there are numerous benefits offered by Soursop. Curing cancer may or may not be one of those benefits. The fact is that chemotherapy and radiation can only do so much to help in treating cancer, but not curing it. Therefore, any natural way of at least alleviating, if not curing, the effects or slowing down the progression of this deadly disease are always welcome. Obviously, one needs to be cautious of taking in excess Soursop in the name of alternative treatment. This is because it has been detected that soursop in excess leads to neurological damage that closely resembles Parkinson's disease. It is always advisable to consult your health care provider before trying out this supposed natural remedy for cancer.

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