subject: Ginger Dietary Supplements- Possible Cancer Cure? [print this page] Colon cancer cure remains a favorite theme for most medical studies. Suzanna M. Zick, N.D., M.P.H. made a breakthrough in her study on the health effects of ginger supplements to the colon after the findings revealed that ginger is a potential anti- colon cancer agent.
Zick, assistant professor in the field of research at the University of Michigan Medical School, emphasized in her study the anti-inflammatory property of ginger in the colon. Her research did not directly claim ginger supplements as cancer cure but as preventive treatment against carcinogenesis. The findings of her study revealed that the amount of inflammatory marker in the colon is reduced for those subjects who were given with ginger supplements while there are no significant changes on the subjects who were given with placebo. The National Cancer Institute funded Zicks research on the relationship of ginger supplements and colon cancer. It was published in a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research known as Cancer Prevention Research. However, the limited number of subjects in her research (30 individuals) made medical experts demand for further studies on a larger group.
Looking back at the risk factors of colon malignant diseases, health professionals pointed out colon inflammatory conditions (colitis, colon polyps, etc.) as precursors of colon cancer. Medical researchers reinforced that inhibiting colon cancer risk factors also reduces the percentage of developing such malignant condition. In certain studies, researchers identified zingabain as the enzyme present in ginger that aids in preventing colon cancer by its ability to reduce and prevent inflammation in the gut. Aside from this, ginger can also fight colon infection caused by bacteria and parasites.
As mentioned earlier, there are only limited studies on the anti- colon cancer effects of ginger supplements. There might be promising results like the findings of Prof. Zick in her study, but certain limitations made the public discontented. However, the efficiency of ginger in maintaining good health has long been remarkable in most Asian countries like India and China.
Asian people often consume ginger as part of their daily food intake, either as tea, food flavoring and alike. Eventually, this regular ginger consumption has always been associated with the low incident of colon cancer in Asia. Meanwhile, western countries that seldom consume ginger have higher rate of colon malignant cases. Thus, taking in ginger supplement is promoted by some medical experts because they believed that it has no adverse effects as it is consist of natural products; unless used inappropriately.
Moreover, evidence-based studies are becoming more popular these days, particularly when the subject is health- related. Majority of the public become more particular with health authority approval on certain health products including supplements. This health awareness is mostly associated with the controversial failure of some health products during clinical trials. Overall, there might be limitations on certain colon cancer studies including Professor Zicks work. However, it cannot be denied that her research presented evidences that ginger supplements can be a potential solution to the global issue on colon cancer cure. However, always ask for guidance from medical professionals before taking various health products such as ginger supplement. Remember that sufficient information and supervision regarding the proper use, health benefits and corresponding side effects of a particular health product is always essential to ensure health safety.
