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"At present we have overwhelming evidence…(that) none of the risk factors for cancer is…more significant than diet and nutrition."
— B. Reddy, Committee on Diet, Nutrition and Cancer, 1992
Dozens of large-scale studies have disclosed evidence that eating vegetables rich in beta-carotene reduces the risks of cancer. 173-176 It is important to note, however, that isolated beta-carotene (sold as a supplement on its own or in multivitamin formulas) does not provide the same benefits. In fact, the large-scale study referred to as "CARET" (Carotenoid and Retinol Efficacy Trial) found that synthetic beta-carotene supplements were correlated with increased—not decreased—morbidity and mortality from cancer. 15
Because microalgae are the foods richest in natural beta-carotene, several species, notably Dunaliella and Spirulina, have been extensively tested for anticancer effects and these effects have been well documented. 177-185
Researchers at the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine demonstrated that algal extracts rich in beta-carotene applied to cancerous tumors in the mouths of hamsters reduced the number and size of tumors or caused them to disappear. 186 In a further study, when an algal extract was administered to 20 hamsters pre-treated to develop mouth cancer, none of the animals developed the disease. By comparison, two pretreatedcontrol groups that did not receive any algal extract (40 animals) all developed mouth cancer. Interestingly, when beta-carotene alone was given (provided by Sigma Chemical Company) fully half the animals developed cancer. 187 This research team has continued to replicate these effects, repeatedly demonstrating the ability of blue-green algal extracts to inhibit and prevent tumor growth and cancer. 188-190
Powerful Anticancer Properties
Beta-carotene is not the only cancer-protective substance to be found in microalgae. Cancer researchers at the University of Hawaii isolated a blue-green algal pigment, called cryptophycin, that demonstrates powerful anticancer properties—especially useful in the chemotherapy of drug-resistant tumors. 192, 193 Other new algal protein compounds have also exhibited "multidrug-resistance reversing activities" that may be useful in the treatment of difficult, drug-resistant tumors. 194-196
In some cases the survival rates of algae-treated mice increased nearly 80% over control groups. 214 Such findings suggest that presurgical treatment with extracts of microalgae might decrease or prevent metastasis or tumor progression. 215
"In research in Japan, phycocyanin (the blue pigment of blue-green algae) was extracted and…[given] orally…[to] mice with liver cancer. The survival rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than the control group not given phycocyanin. After five weeks, 90% of the phycocyanin group survived, but only 25% of the control group were still alive. After eight weeks, 25% of the phycocyanin group still survived, yet none of the control group was alive. This suggests eating phycocyanin may increase the survival rate of cancer stricken organisms." 218
"Whole body irradiation" animal studies suggest there may be a potential benefit for cancer patients given algal beta-carotene before and after radiation treatments to protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals induced from irradiation. 222 Additionally, Japanese researchers using an animal model found that components of unicellular algae may be beneficial in the alleviation of cancer chemotherapy side effects (e.g., immune suppression) while supporting the anti-tumor activity of the chemotherapeutic agents. 223
