AVEMAR...sounds good

Here's interesting info on Avemar....this was in a health newsletter...(not an advertisement and they were not selling it).

Sounds good..What do you think?????

"All Natural, Genuine, Cancer Helper"

As you know, I'm always on the lookout for new, interesting information on alternative or integrative treatments for health conditions, but my "quackwatch" antennae are always up to make sure something that sounds too good to be true isn't a scam. That's why, when I read a report in the highly respected newsletter Alternatives about a new adjunct treatment for cancer called Avemar, I decided to check it out.

BACKGROUND ON AVEMAR

First, a bit of background. A defining characteristic of cancer is its uncontrolled metabolism and rampant cell division. Cancer cells really have only one function -- proliferation. In the 1950s, a Nobel Prize-winning Hungarian scientist (named Albert Szent-Györgyi) made great strides in cancer research by examining how naturally occuring compounds could help control metabolism in cells, which in turn controls cell profileration.



Another Hungarian doctor built on Szent-Györgyi's work in the 1990s by showing that fermented wheat germ extract could achieve this effect. Avemar is a fermented wheat germ product.


AVEMAR'S EFFECTIVENESS

Avemar appears to have extraordinary abilities against cancer cells. "The pedigree on this stuff is pretty impressive," said Daily Health News contributing editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND. "As of now there are more than 18 published studies in peer-reviewed journals, nearly all of them showing positive results. Research at UCLA has demonstrated that Avemar reduces glucose flow into cancer cells which inhibits their ability to reproduce."

Now understand this -- no one is saying Avemar is a cure for cancer. It has been used as an adjunct to traditional therapies. It seems to be especially effective at reducing metastasis, or the spreading of the cancer to other sites throughout the body. "It seems that Avemar boosts immune system function sufficiently to allow the natural process of the body routinely killing cells to succeed much more effectively, " Dr. Rubman told me. "It's conceivable that its ability to boost the immune system is the reason it is so effective at reducing the spread of cancer."

Avemar is now being tested on patients with autoimmune conditions.

In Hungary, Avemar is an over-the-counter dietary supplement that is used by cancer patients in conjunction with other drugs. "In one pilot study in Budapest," Dr. Rubman told me, "a group of patients with advanced colorectal cancer were given Avemar and had no disease progression over nine months." And David Williams, MD, editor of Alternatives, has been quoted as saying, "There's absolutely no reason that Avemar shouldn't be used with every single cancer patient -- particularly in those with severely impaired immune systems and those who are undergoing conventional therapies."

Avemar isn't cheap, but its benefits seem substantial. It's available in this country under the name of Ave, and contains Avemar. It's sold through The Harmony Company, P.O. Box 93, Northvale, New Jersey 07647 at 800-422-5518 or on the Web at www.theharmonyco.com. It comes in packets and is taken as a drink once per day or as prescribed by your oncology team. Of course, don't take Avemar without your doctor's consent.

With such great immune-boosting benefits, can non-cancer patients benefit from Avemar, or even just plain wheat germ? Dr. Rubman concurs that eating wheat germ as a general immune booster can be good for many. As for taking Avemar prophylactically, if your health-care adviser believes that your immune system could stand improved function, Avemar may be a reasonable choice.