Superfood in fight against cancer

It's the first whole food supplement to be scientifically tested and proven to boost the body's defence against cancer.

Called Pomi-T, it was the subject of a UK national scientific study by the National Cancer Research Network. In the ground-breaking study led by Professor Robert Thomas, a consultant oncologist at Bedford Hospital and Addenbrooke's Cambridge University Hospital, 203 men with prostate cancer had their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels checked and received orally a capsule of either Pomi-T or a placebo twice a day.

PSA is the amount of protein produced by the prostate gland which is an indicator of abnormal growth in prostate cells.

Pomi-T is formulated by Prof Thomas based on scientific studies into the properties of pomegranate, turmeric, green tea and broccoli. In the study to evaluate Pomi-T's effectiveness, the supplement was proven to lower levels of PSA and slow cancer progression.

At the end of the six-month trial, the PSA levels were 63 per cent lower in the Pomi-T group than those in the placebo group. Due to the lower PSA levels among those given Pomi-T, fewer men proceeded for further treatment such as radiotherapy or surgery than those in the placebo group.

The supplement, which is now available in Singapore, contains purified green tea, pomegranate seed extract, broccoli extract and turmeric. These foods rich in polyphenols contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Diets rich in polyphenols, the natural plant-based phytochemicals found in healthy foods, have been linked with lower risk of chronic illnesses such as dementia, high cholesterol, arthritis, heart disease, skin ageing and macular degeneration that results in loss of vision.

Research has also linked their regular intake with lower risks of many cancers including breast, pancreatic, oesophagel, ovarian, prostate and skin cancer. Studies have shown that breast cancer survivors eating polyphenol-rich fruit, vegetables, soy and green tea were found to have lower relapse rates.

"Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating healthily is the main way of helping to slow down the development of cancer. However, consumers can now also turn to Pomi-T, a whole food supplement rich in polyphenols, which has been proven effective in combating the onset of cancer," said Prof Thomas.

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