Circulating the e-mail circuit is an article about cancer and asparagus. Snopes gives a list of case histories of cancer patients using a asparagus puree on a twice daily basis, to get rid of cancer.
http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/asparagus.asp
Until I checked my email this morning, I had not heard of the asparagus therapy, but according to Paul Pitchford, author of Healing with Whole Foods, in a lecture I heard in spring of 2007 at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition "cancer, arthritis, and most diseases cannot exist in an alkaline medium". I checked the Food and Chemical Effects on Acid/Alkaline Body chart by Dr. Russell Jaffe. Asparagus is the "more alkaline" column, so it has that going for it, too. The American diet is heavily acidic: beer, soda, sugar, cocoa, processed cheese, ice cream, beef, and processed flour all are in the "most acid" column according to Jaffe.
Caveats: 1) Asparagus, a purine-rich food, can contribute to gout. If you are at risk for gout, maintain a diet low in purines at all times. Purines contribute to uric acid formation.
2) Asparagus treats many kidney problems but should not be used when there is inflammation. Too much asparagus can irritate the kidneys.
You may want to try the asparagus therapy and see how it goes. But remember, there is no one diet that is perfect for everyone. The foods best for your body are unique to you, and they are going to change through such variants as the seasons, your locality, your genetics, your activity level, and your stress level, to name a few. That is why it is helpful to take some time and learn about food -- the stuff your cells are made of -- because food is amazing and has incredible abilities to support your body (or harm it if you eat too much sugar, alcohol, or foods that just aren't right for you.) So I encourage you to work with an holistic health counselor who knows about the energetics of food, the ying / yang of food, and tha alkaline/acidic properties of food, and a lot more!
There is very little money to be made by a cancer cure that comes from asparagus. So do not be surprised if the pharmaceutical companies do everything possible to "disprove" the use of any natural substance that helps people make cancer disappear from their bodies. They will call these supposed cures "anecdotes" as if we should not listen to anything so "unscientific". Personally, I find stories useful. It gives the scientists -- unbiased ones, please -- something to check out! Meanwhile, remember it is your body that you need to become or stay healthy. Further, it is still a free country, and you can decide for yourself what is best for your health, and act on it. I say vote with your choice of groceries for a healthier you and don't rely on the miracles of modern medicine to do it all for you!
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