The method of cutting off blood supply to cancer cells. Unlike healthy vessels, tumor vessels are abnormal and poorly constructed and because of that, they're highly vulnerable to treatments that target them, Dr. Li explains.
Obesity is also dependent on angiogenesis because like tumor cells, fat cells grow when capillaries grow.
Dr. Li points out that there are about a dozen anti-angiogenesis cancer drugs that have significantly increased the survival rates of patients. But what is more exciting and promising about angiogenic research is not just making better drugs to fight cancer; it's in preventing cancer from occurring in the first place, Dr. Mercola points out.
There are a large number of fruits, herbs and vegetables that are natural angiogenesis inhibitors. According to Dr. Li, anti-angiogenesis foods include:
• Artichokes
• Berries – blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries
• Cherries
• Garlic
• Green tea
• Kale
• Maitake
mushrooms
• Parsley
• Red Grapes
Different foods have different levels of potent anti-angiogenic compounds. But it is interesting to note that when researchers evaluated a combination of two of the least potent teas, they found that the combination tea had greater potency than any given tea by itself. This means that there's synergy.
Synergy is what makes fresh, whole foods nutritious. Because the sum is greater than the individual parts, Dr. Mercola believes that it's far more important to focus on eating a diet of whole, organic foods, than putting much attention on individual nutrients.
Foods will soon be scored according to their anti-angiogenetic, cancer-preventive properties. But why wait for this rating system when you're already aware that optimal health hinges on a healthy diet based on a wide variety of whole, organic foods. In the same way that a single food contains synergistic compounds, and a combination of foods can work together synergistically, a healthy diet will help you prevent cancer and other diseases in more ways than one.
Tags: Dr Mercola
