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International columnist, political analyst and senior journalist Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui’s articles are published across Asia, Africa and Europe. He writes for The Moroccan Times, The Tunis Times, India Tomorrow, Kohram News, The Etemaad Urdu Daily and for news papers published from Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. You can follow him on Twitter at: @journopolana[/symple_box]
Muscat, Oman—The Lord Almighty has created disease and also the cure. The world is coming to terms with the curative power of the olive oil, a staple diet in many Arab and Mediterranean countries. The Noble Quran mentions olive in many chapters. In the verse quoted above, the Almighty swears by the Fig and the Olive. The blessed nature of the olive is highlighted here that the creator of this extraordinary universe Himself swears by this little green fruit. The blessed verses of the Quran stress the importance of olive in different chapters like – An-Noor, Yusuf, An Nahl and Al Muminoon. Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) instructed the Ummah to eat olive because it is blessed and cures many diseases. Modern science is confirming the blessed nature of olive in curing different diseases. According to latest findings by a team of researchers from Rutgers University, an ingredient found in extra-virgin olive oil called oleocanthal, a compound, is capable of killing a variety of cancer cells within 30 minutes to one hour, while leaving the healthy cells unharmed.
Prof. Paul Breslin of Rutgers – an American University, who specializes in nutritional sciences, thought that oleocanthal killed the cancer cells by targeting a key protein [in cancer cells] that triggers apoptosis – a process by which dangerous or damaged cells self-destruct by upsetting the balance of ions in the cell membranes. Prof Paul Breslin teamed up with David Foster and Onica LeGendre – two cancer biologists from New York City’s Hunter College to further examine the process closely.
The scientists were surprised to see how quickly the oleocanthal destroyed the cancer cells. While apoptosis requires between 16 and 24 hours, the oleocanthal was killing the cancer cells within 30 minutes to one hour! They discovered that the oleocanthal was piercing the cancer cells vesicles, the containers that store the cell’s waste. It punctures these ‘dumsters’ to create an outpouring of enzymes that then cause the cell to die. The testing was carried out in the lab. Now, the scientists plan to establish the effects of oleocanthal on cancer cells in living animals.
According to the Cancer Fact Sheet (updated February 2015) of the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer figures among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality world wide. There are approximately 14 million new cases. There were 8.2 million cancer related deaths in 2012. More than 60% of the world’s total new cases occur in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. These regions accounted for about 70% of the cancer related deaths. It is expected that annual cancer cases will rise from 14 million in 2012 to 22 million within the next 20 years due to various factors.
The latest research gives hope of a cancer cure in the years to come. Millions of patients and their families will find relief in the event of a sure shot cure from the deadly disease which is snuffing out even young lives as it strikes in all age groups and age, colour, sex is no bar! Many bread winners succumb to the disease leaving poor orphans behind. The human magnitude of cancer baffles the human mind filling the minds with curiosity and hearts with despair.
