New study finds Manuka honey to be a potential natural option for breast cancer treatment

Recent research from UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has revealed promising possibilities for using Manuka honey as a natural option to help prevent and treat breast cancer. 

The study was conducted as a series of experiments on mice who were given oral administration of Manuka honey. The results indicated that Manuka honey could have a particularly beneficial impact on estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells, which make up 70 - 80% of all breast cancer cases. This discovery could be especially important given how common this type of breast cancer is.

Manuka honey slowed tumor growth without harming healthy cells

One of the most important findings of the study was that Manuka honey significantly reduced tumor growth in mice with ER-positive breast cancer cells. Tumor growth dropped by 84% after being given Manuka honey. Additionally, it was discovered that higher concentrations of Manuka honey resulted in a greater reduction in cancer cell growth.

Even more encouraging, healthy breast cells were not affected, suggesting that Manuka honey may specifically target cancer cells without damaging normal tissue.

This could be a key breakthrough, as many conventional cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, often harm both cancerous and healthy cells, leading to serious side effects. The possibility that Manuka honey can fight cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed opens up promising opportunities for further research.

How Manuka honey could potentially combat cancer

The study also looked at how Manuka honey works at a deeper level. It was found to reduce the activity of several pathways in the body that are connected to cancer growth. 

These pathways help cancer cells grow, survive, and resist treatment. By disrupting these processes, Manuka honey not only slows the growth of cancer cells but also triggers apoptosis - programmed cell death - of cancerous cells.

Manuka honey, with its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and compounds such as flavonoids and phytochemicals, could help block the signals that allow cancer cells to multiply and spread, making it a powerful natural tool in cancer prevention.

Benefits of using Manuka honey to complement current breast cancer treatments

The UCLA study also found that Manuka honey could make existing breast cancer treatments, like tamoxifen, even more effective. Tamoxifen is a commonly used drug to treat ER-positive breast cancer. 

When combined with Manuka honey, the honey further reduced the growth of cancer cells. This combination could potentially address the problem of endocrine resistance (which is a major cause of breast cancer-related deaths), where cancer cells stop responding to hormone treatments over time.

A natural, less toxic option

As cancer treatment research progresses, there is a growing demand for therapies that are effective yet less toxic. The findings from this study suggest that Manuka honey could be developed into a natural supplement or possibly even a standalone treatment for breast cancer. Its lack of severe side effects and its potential to target cancer cells could make it an appealing alternative for patients seeking gentler, natural therapies. 

While more research is needed to fully understand how Manuka honey works and to test its effectiveness in human clinical trials, these findings lay a strong foundation for its future use in cancer prevention and recovery. 

Read more about Manuka Honey Benefits for Cancer Recovery.