Avocado: A superfood with cancer-fighting potential

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 Avocados have gotten massive amounts of attention in the press in recent years. In the news, on social media sites and health food blogs, people all over the country have been talking about how good avocados are for the body. For one thing, they are loaded with monounsaturated fats (also known as MUFAs) which improve heart health by lowering the blood pressure and by improving cholesterol levels, two major risk factors for cardiac disease. They are a great source of fiber, which can improve the function and overall health of the digestive system. But what many people don't know about avocados is that one of their biggest health benefits is their ability to ward off cancer or to help treat it once it has developed. Read on to find out more about the many ways in which avocados help to reduce cancer risk.

Kills off cancer stem cells
The fats in avocado contain a compound known as avocatin B. This compound has been studied for its anti-cancer benefits and researchers later published a paper in the journal Cancer Research which reported that, during their study, it was found that avocatin B was able to kill off leukemia stem cells that are the main cause of AML, a form of leukemia which traditionally has a very poor prognosis. It was also found that this compound did not harm the healthy tissues around the cancer cells themselves.

Provides carotenoids
Many of the avocado's anti-cancer benefits stem from the fact that this fruit is loaded with carotenoids. Carotenoids are bio-active compounds that have powerful anti-oxidant properties. In many studies, high levels of carotenoids have been shown not only to help prevent age-related illnesses like macular degeneration (a condition of the eyes which can lead to blindness) but also many forms of cancer.

Decreases inflammation
Increasingly, studies are revealing that chronic, low-level inflammation throughout the body is a major risk factor for cancer development. Regular consumption of avocados appears to help prevent this situation, however. In one study, those who consumed avocados on a regular basis had lower levels of interleukin 6, an indicator of inflammation.

Helps the body shed excess fat
Avocados are also a great food for those who are wanting to achieve a healthy body weight. The high fiber helps to curb the appetite naturally and increase the efficiency of the digestive system, while the healthy fats lead to a feeling of fullness, help the body absorb certain nutrients and boost the metabolism so that the body can burn fat more efficiently. Studies have shown that weight loss is a great way to reduce the risk of developing some forms of cancer.

So when choosing a shrimp-and-avocado salad or a side dish of guacamole, eat up without feeling guilty about it! Regular consumption of this amazing fruit can not only benefit the heart, it can also significantly reduce the risk of cancer development.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/050529_avocados_cancer_superfood.html#ixzz3gzpGK76T