13) Cancer Fighting Supplements - IP6

Over time, abundant research has shown that IP6 can be very effective against cancer, including Prostate Cancer. The good news is that most of us eat it every day. Every time we enjoy dried beans, whole grains, nut, seeds, rice, wheat germ, corn, or sesame we are consuming some small amount of IP6. An interest study between the Danes and the Finns provides an example of the natural benefits of IP6. The Danes eat nearly twice as much fiber as the Finns, but their form of fiber does not include IP6. The Finns eat a lot of porridge with abundant IP6. The Danes experience nearly two times more cancer than the Finns.

Also know as inositol hexophosphate or phytic acid, IP6 is a sugar molecule with six phosphate groups. When normally consumed in food, IP6 is protein-bound and not as effectively absorbed or used as well by our body as when taken directly in the form of a supplement. It is also more effective when taken with Inositol. The two together form IP3 that more easily enters cancer cells.

IP6 was first discovered in 1855 and in addition to cancer treatment; it has been used for treating diabetes, depression, osteoporosis, heart disease, kidney stones, and boosting the immune system. In relation to cancer treatment it has been shown to slow or normalize the rate at which cancer cells divide; facilitate the repair of DNA; increase p53 gene activity by up to 17 times thereby preventing cancer cells from growing; reduce inflammation thereby reducing the cytokines that assist in cancer cell growth; enhance the normal death of cancer cells; inhibit the process wherein tumors setup their own blood supply resulting in the starvation of cancer cells; and reduce the adhesion of cancer cells to proteins thereby reducing cancer cell migration.

Though there have been several human studies showing that IP6 stops the growth of Prostate Cancer cells, much of the work with IP6 comes from Lab Studies with Mice using human Prostate Cancer cells. During the time of these studies the mice that were fed IP6 had their prostate cancer tumors reduced by 44% to 62% over the control groups along with around a 3.5 fold increase in the death of their cancer cells. Another study found that IP6 activated the p21 and p27 genes that played an important role in cancer cell death.  Additional work has been done with IP6 and iron chelation from cancer cells, thus limiting tumor growth. It is believed that tumor cells utilize iron as a necessary growth factor. Drugs such as desferrioxamine, doxorubicin, and deferiprone are thought to treat cancer by removing iron from cancer cells, but also have a poor ability to get inside the cancer cells or are toxic to normal cells including the heart. IP6 on the other hand is found in every cell in the body. It does not remove iron from red blood cells, and healthy cells are not affected by IP6 with its low to no toxicity. Because it so effectively penetrates cancer cells removing their iron, and is non-toxic, it is an obvious choice to treat cancer.

Purchased in powder form on-line or at any supplement store, suggested dosage for cancer prevention is around 1g to 2g daily. When treating Prostate Cancer suggested dosage for IP6 is 4g to 8g per day combined with 1.5g to 2g of Inositol. This should be taken on an empty stomach and mixes very well in warm water. I combine IP6, Inositol, and Pectasol-C with very warm water first thing in the morning about 30-45 minutes before breakfast. Though IP6 and Inositol have low toxicity, have shown no side effects, and are felt safe by most, there is some evidence that they slow blood clotting so be sure to mention their use to your doctor before surgery. Also since IP6 removes iron from the body, check on this if you are being treated for anemia. Finally as with many supplements, it is generally a good rule to take a few day break from consuming IP6 once a month for a few days to let the body rest.

My research has shown that the IP6/Inositol combination is an effective part of my process to release my Prostate Cancer. My hope is that more human studies will occur in the future with this inexpensive, readily available, effective supplement to fight cancer. Certainly there have been enough scientists and medical professionals who would agree that IP6 should be considered as a clinically effective part of the process to Release Prostate Cancer. 

Next Installment: Cancer Fighting Supplements - CoQ10