Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, and Retired Pharmacist.

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum. They are commonly used as a cooking spice and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Clove, a spice native to Indonesia's Maluku Islands, has been esteemed for centuries in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Historically, it has been utilized to address many ailments, including dental pain, digestive issues, respiratory conditions, and reproductive health concerns. The therapeutic properties of clove are attributed mainly to its rich phytochemical composition, notably eugenol, eugenol acetate, and β-caryophyllene, which confer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant effects.[i]

In traditional practices, cloves were commonly employed to alleviate toothaches and oral infections, owing to their potent analgesic and antis...

Nuts and Cancer

Nuts may be considered a cancer superfood because they contain additive and/or synergistic properties that contribute to reduced cancer risk.

Nuts are a rich source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, antioxidant polyphenols, fiber, prebiotics, vegetable protein, minerals, and vitamins. The fiber and prebiotics can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria gut microbiome.[i] 

Nuts can decrease glucose, insulin, and inflammation levels.[ii] [iii] All of which can increase the risk or even stimulate cancer if elevated.

A human genetic study of women with breast cancer found consuming 2 oz (60 grams) of walnuts a day for 2 weeks improved 456 cancer prevention and cancer growth genetic pathways. Analysis of the data showed activation of pathways that promote apoptosis (normal cancer cell death), helped keep cancer cells in place and inhibited the pathways that promote activation of pathways that promote proliferation and migration. In summa...