Someone one once asked me “What do carrots do?” I absolutely couldn’t answer, other than providing vitamins for the eyes and vitamin A I had no idea of what carrots do!
Since then I’ve learned that there are three compounds found in carrots: falcarinol, luteolin, and beta-carotene, can all cause apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. Luteolin and beta-carotene are very anti-angiogenic, which means they help stop blood vessels supply to tumors.
Luteolin upregulates the tumor supressor gene p53 that is normally downregulated in cancer. It also down regulates the WNT-beta catenin, which is normally over-expressed in many cancers.
Luteolin downregulates P13k pathway. P13k regulates cell survival, proliferation and increased expression is associated with tumor progression. When over expressed it reduces apoptosis (cell death) and allows proliferation.
Luteolin downregulates MUC1; a sticky protein that coats cancer cells in a protective layer, making it difficult for anti-cancer substances and medicines to permeate the cancer cell.
Luteolin activates AMPK . AMPK inhibits MTOR another pathway related to cancer progression.
Luteolin and Beta-carotene downregulate VEGF pathways that are over expressed in many cancers. VEGF pathway stimulates cancer cell growth.
Luteolin and Beta-carotene enhance insulin sensitivity!
Beta Carotene, luteolin, and falcarinol help repair normal function to the PPAR pathway, which regulates how certain genes are expressed and how fats and glucose are used in the body. It plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation and tumor growth.
Beta-carotene and luteolin down regulate MMP. MMP (matrix metalloproteinases) contributes to angiogenesis or blood supply to the tumor.
Falcarinol, betacarotene and lycopene lower inflammatory pathways by effecting TNF-A, IL-1, IL 6, and Cox-2.
Falcarinol suppresses the Notch pathway and shows the potent antiproliferative activity by selectively killing colorectal cancer cells and repressing tumor growth, without affecting normal colon epithelial cells! The study can be found here!
Falcarinol is a POTENT immune stimulator. Beta carotene and luteolin also stimulate the immune system.
Falcarinol, Luteolin activates PTEN, a major tumor suppressor gene.
Falcarinol induced a gut bacteria change in rats that led to a decrease in chemically induced neoplasms. Study here!
Falcarinol is antifungal and antibacterial!
Here’s a great article on retinoids in carrots potently repairing common dysregulated pathways in colorectal cancer, even the APC “genetic” polyp disorder associated with some colorectal cancers!
Endocannabinoid system- THC binds with CB1, so does carrots! Study here!
Carrots and terpenes. Carrots have 31 terpenoids! Terpenoids have been shown to potently inhibit cancer!
Carrots are high in pectin surprisingly! Pectins make it hard for cancer cells to adhere therefore, carrots help prevent metastasis. Pectins can also cause direct cancer cell death for some types of cancer. If you want more pectin, Modified Citrus Pectin is a supplement some people take.
If you’ve made it all the way through this article to ask “What about all that sugar?” A friend’s fasting blood sugar was pre-diabetic at 110 prior to diet change. Averaging about five pounds of carrots a day plus a fruit smoothie, it’s now around 70 NON-FASTING! Natural sugar is processed differently and each molecule of fruit/veggie sugar contains a plethera of anti-cancer substances!
If you’re interested in learning more about carrots and cancer, I highly recommend the book Killing Cancer with Carrots!
