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| photo credit: herbs-info.com |
Okra is a flowering plant with edible green pods containing seeds. It is also known as ladies’ fingers, bhindi, bamia, or gumbo.It is usually grown in tropical, subtropical and warmer more temperate regions around the world. It is a popular health food as it is a rich source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, calcium and folates. It is also very high in anti-oxidants.
Okra has already become a well-known super food against diabetes but few people know that it also fights at least three different types of cancer. The research on okra for cancer is still very young.
Recent research in Brazil has shown exciting results with regard to a newly discovered lectin and pectin in okra. Lectins are carb-binding proteins and are present in both plants and animals. Lectins support a variety of immunological functions within those plants and animals.
Researchers found that in in-vitro tests on human breast cancer cells (MCF7) , lectin killed 72% of the cells by causing apoptosis (programmed cell death). In addition, it also slowed down the growth of the cells by 63%. Researchers have also observed in lab studies that pectin potently inhibits highly metastatic mouse melanoma cells. A population study has revealed that men eating okra as part of a Southern eating pattern experienced 40% less prostate cancer.
Okra kills 72% of human breast cancer cells in vitro
Lectin is found in okra seeds, and researchers in this study obtained their lectin by water extraction from okra seed meal. This anti-cancer lectin was only discovered in 2012, and interestingly, also possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive (pain relieving) properties which makes it a very interesting compound for future research. The researchers in this study noted that the lectin compound is a “potential therapeutic to combat human breast cancer.” since it was found to be able to kill up to 72% of human breast cancer cells (MCF7) in vitro, mostly by inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis) and also slow the growth of the breast cancer cells by 63%.
Okra pectin inhibits 75% of highly metastatic melanoma cells in vitro
Okra pectin is found just under the skin of the pods, so don't ever think of scraping out only the seeds! Pectins are are found in and around the cell walls of plants, and helps to bind those cells together. Scientists have discovered it contains very unique compounds (highly branched rhamnogalacturonans) which have never before been observed in other pectins. Perhaps it is the newly discovered compounds that are responsible for the effectiveness of the pectin against melanoma.
In a recent study conducted by French and Dutch researchers, the pectin inhibited the proliferation of highly metastatic mouse melanoma cells (B16F10) by 75% after 48 hours of treatment and also increased the rate of programmed cell death (apoptosis) by nearly 23-fold. The researchers also discovered that the pectin triggered apoptosis by interacting with Galectin-3. This is a similar mechanism to what is observed with the well-known compound Modified Citrus Pectin, and it is very interesting that okra pectin does not have to be modified in any way to have this effect.
Men who eat okra (Southern diet) have 40% less prostate cancer
The two studies above show clearly that two different components of okra (pectin and lectin) have potent anticancer properties. There’s more. A particularly interesting population study found that men in the United States who consumed a typical Southern diet, including okra, on a regular basis were 40 percent less likely to get prostate cancer than their non-okra-eating peers. This is fascinating considering the down-home Southern diet, which is heavy in red meat and bacon, isn’t known for its health benefits. Although the result bordered on statistical significance, this was a fair-sized study which followed nearly 3,800 men for ten years.Of course, there may be other Southern eating habits besides okra that provide prostate protection. This now leaves with the question, Was okra the key anti-cancer factor in the Southern eating pattern? Only future research will tell!
In the meantime, okra is a healthy food which has significant amount of Vitamin A and potassium, and is low in calories. Fresh pods are especially rich in those B vitamins called folates, providing around 22 percent of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) per 100 grams. It may help in treating diabetes, and now latest research tells us it may give protection from at least three different cancers. Okra may therefore be a very important part of a well-balanced healthy diet, which should already contain a wide variety of vegetables - and plenty of them.
Reference:
Okra kills 72% of human breast cancer cells in vitro:
http://www.edenprescription.com/Okra.html
Okra pectin contains unique structures never seen before:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19195648
Men who eat okra (Southern diet) have 40% less prostate cancer
http://www.cancerdefeated.com/a-favorite-food-of-the-american-south-zaps-breast-cancer-cells/2832/
DISCLAIMER: All information found in this article, is for information purposes only and is not meant as a recommendation to buy or use any healthcare product or service of any type. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision and advice from an appropriately licensed medical practitioner.
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