Recent animal experiments suggested that an ingredient in beer may actually help prevent prostate cancer in men and lower the risk of developing breast cancer in women.
Scientists are saying that the bitter polyphenol flavoring agent in beer know as Xanthohumol may actually help prevent prostate cancer in men and also help reduce the risk of breast cancer in women. News of the potential miracle ingredient made headlines after its findings were first presented at a December 9th conference held by the American Association for Cancer Research in Houston, TX.
Xanthohumol is referred to as a flavonoid. In men, the flavonoid compound binds with the testosterone receptors and blocks the effects of the male sex hormone known as testosterone, which plays a large role in the development of prostate cancer. In women the effect is similar, except instead of affecting testosterone, the xanthohumol inhibits the effects of the female sex hormone estrogen. Like testosterone in men, estrogen has also been found to play a significant role in the development of breast cancer in women.
Many men and women are unaware that our hormones, namely estrogen and testosterone play such a large role in the development of cancer. Hormonal imbalance has been linked to the onset of an array of diseases and conditions. When men and women hit age 35, their hormones begin to decline. In menopausal women the decline is much more abrupt than seen in men going though andropause (the male menopause). When this decline occurs, metabolic fluctuations and hormonal imbalance manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, the symptoms that surface such as hot flashes, weight gain, depression, low libido and mood swings are only the beginning of a turbulent cycle.
Although hormonal imbalance is not a disease and has not been directly related to the development of cancer, hormonal imbalance has however been proven to cause inflammation, a known catalyst for nearly all forms of cancer. One thing is for certain, you can significantly reduce inflammation by balancing your hormones and by reducing inflammation you’re also lowering your risk of developing cancer.