Skin Deep You might say that a variety of fruits were on the "menu" at a recent Phoenix conference titled (take a deep breath) the American Association for Cancer Research Second Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research. (Whew!) Three different research projects exploring natural methods for treating skin cancer were presented at the conference. Two of the studies were conducted on mice, and the third was a laboratory study using human skin cells. But each of the studies had one thing in common: the active agents that were tested all came from fruits. One study showed the skin cancer-fighting effectiveness of perillyl alcohol, a compound found in tart cherries and the peel of citrus fruits; another study demonstrated how the polyphenol, resveratrol, found in grapes might limit skin cancer growth; and the third study indicated that the polyphenols in pomegranate fruit extract may be effective against the disease as well. Of course, each of these studies is preliminary and requires further research before anyone can reasonably suggest that we should start rubbing down our skin with pomegranate juice and orange peels. Fortunately, however, we already know about one natural botanical treatment that shows great potential in addressing a common condition that often leads to skin cancer.
More than a million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. And by some estimates, nearly everyone who reaches their "golden" years will experience keratoses; those patches of scaly, sun-damaged skin that often become cancerous. But if your doctor should tell you that your have skin cancer, don't assume the worst. The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, both of which appear on the skin as small lumps or sore spots that don't heal properly. These are superficial and non-life-threatening cancers unless allowed to advance over many years. And the removal of squamous and basal lesions is one of the most common outpatient surgeries performed today. But before basal or squamous cells develop, there may be a way to head these conditions off by treating keratoses.
Glycoalkaloids are chemical compounds found in an Australian botanical called the devil's apple plant. Historically, the use of glycoalkaloid-rich plants (members of the Solanum family) in addressing skin conditions goes back to the second century A.D. As a treatment for keratoses, glycoalkaloids are thought to work by exploiting structural differences between healthy and sun-damaged skin cells. As skin cells become damaged, the cell walls become more permeable, allowing glycoalkoloids to penetrate into abnormal cells. Once inside the cell walls, glycoalkaloids release enzymes that apparently break down the cells from the inside out. As the abnormal cells die, they're replaced by healthy skin cells, which don't absorb the glycoalkaloids, thus avoiding their destructive effects. In a therapy of this kind, the ideal is a "targeted therapy" - one that attacks abnormal cells while sparing healthy cells. And that appears to be what glycoalkaloids may be able to do when applied to sun-damaged skin.
For more information about using glycoalkaloids for keratoses, there are several Internet sources that sell glycoalkaloid products; just search using the phrase "sun-damaged" along with "glycoalkaloids." I've also seen it on the shelf in my local health food store. And you probably won't be surprised to learn that there's a thread currently on the HSI Forum titled "Skin Answer" in which HSI members tell about their experiences with various exfoliate therapies for keratoses, including a member named John who has had success with a simple application of oil of oregano. In whatever way you may choose to address sun-damaged skin, the important thing is to treat it early. So if you're concerned about rough or flaky spots on your skin, talk to your doctor to come up with a plan to treat those spots before they turn into more serious problems. And one last note: I've purposely focused on keratoses and the highly treatable skin cancers that follow that condition. Of far greater concern is the skin cancer called melanoma. This is a very dangerous cancer, especially when it's not diagnosed early. Melanoma is usually associated with moles, so if you experience any irregularity in a mole -such as changing shape, color, or size - call your doctor immediately. Melanoma cannot be reversed with any of the extracts I've mentioned here today. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute Sources: "Fruits Offer Powerful Protection From Skin Cancer" AmericanAssociation for Cancer Research, Science Daily, 10/30/03, sciencedaily.com "Study: Fruit Ingredients Affect Skin Cancer in Mice" Reuters,10/29/03, reuters.com The Skin Cancer Foundation, skincancer.org
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