Genistein is a powerful isoflavone that may stop the spread of some forms of cancer at its earliest stages and may even help prevent heart disease. It is found in concentrated forms in soybeans and soy products. Research is being done on it as a treatment for prostate cancer. Genistein does not not only inhibits cancer cell growth but also causes the cancer cell to differentiate, that is, return to normal cell status. It does not affect normal cells – only abnormal ones. For tumors to grow, they need oxygen and nutrients from the blood vessels, but genistein inhibits the process.
Glucosamine is an amino acid sugar resulting from the hydrolysis of chitin (which is the principal constituent of the shells of arthropods and shards of beetles and found in certain fungi). It occurs in various mammalian polysaccharides, including heparin, hyaluronic acid, and several bacterial polysaccharides. It has proven to be an effective analgesic and seems to repair arthritic joints by stimulating growth of new cartilage.
Gliadin is an incomplete protein found in barley, oats, rye, spelt, and wheat, lacking in the amino acid lysine. When these flours are moistened and kneaded hard, gliadin combines with glutenin, a second protein, and together they form gluten, a third protein that is more sturdy and pliable. Gliadin alone is a syrupy substance while glutenin is rubbery. There are actually four types of gliadin found in gluten.
Wheat is a common intestinal irritant attributed to gliadin. A small amount is usually tolerated, but most people are consuming it more than three times a day. Gliadin adheres to the intestinal tract, eventually wearing down the villi, leading to such conditions as celiac disease. This can also happen with the milk protein, casein. In a study of digestive problems with wheat, 66 people abstained from it for six weeks. All 66 craved bread, but 90% had improvements in all digestive symptoms with 6% having 75-100% improvement in all symptoms. In addition, they displayed a dramatic reduction in constipation, gas, bloating, cravings, lack of energy, and mood swings.
Growth Factors are poorly understood compounds in foods that are known to play a role in the development of some animal species, but requirements in human nutrition are unconfirmed. Some growth factors include: asparagine, bifidus factor, biopterin, chelating agents, cholesterol, coenzyme Q (ubiquinones), hematin, lecithin, lipoic or thioctic acid, nerve growth factors, p-aminobenzoic acid, various peptides and proteins, pimelic acid, and pteridines.
