Innovations: Ugandans to grow 14 crops and process food supplements
Sep 28, 2011
UGANDA has been chosen among African countries to grow 14 crops that will manufacture medical supplements, Dr. Troy Chestnut, the United States of America Vrdur Foundation managing director, has said.
By John Kasozi
UGANDA has been chosen among African countries to grow 14 crops that will manufacture medical supplements, Dr. Troy Chestnut, the United States of America Vrdur Foundation managing director, has said.
Chestnut said the crops, which are herbs and spices, have been earmarked to be grown in Uganda. “These crops will also be processed and packaged in Uganda, and distributed to other African countries.â€
Speaking to farmers at Imperial Royale Hotel, Chestnut noted that the supplements will improve the health of HIV/AIDS and cancer patients. While in Bahamas, he saw Uganda as a good starting country in Africa because of its fertile soils.
Milton Frary, the executive director Vrdur Foundation, said they were also looking at sustainable crop production as they undertake the project.
The 14 crops to be grown are fruits like blueberries, cranberries, grape, grape fruit and strawberries. Then the herbs are basil, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, fennel, fenugreek, flax, garlic, ginger, green tea, mace, oregano, rosemary, sage, tomato and turmeric.
“These herbs and spices ingredients make a balanced supplement (combination therapy). Every bit of ingredient has something that helps in recovery of the patient,†said Frary former governor 2003-2004 district 1040 rotary club of Castleford, UK. They observed that the supplements are free of charge.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that roughly, one-third of all cancer deaths may be diet-related. Many of the common foods found in grocery stores or organic markets contain cancer-fighting properties, from the antioxidants that neutralise the damage caused by free radicals to the powerful phytochemicals that scientists are just beginning to explore.
Health benefits of some of the crops to be grown
Flax
Flax contains lignans, which may have an antioxidant effect and block or suppress cancerous changes. Flax is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to protect against colon cancer and heart disease.
Garlic
It has immune-enhancing allium compounds (dialyl sultides) that appear to increase the activity of immune cells that fight cancer and indirectly help break down cancer causing substances.
Diallyl sulfide, a component of garlic oil, has also been shown to render carcinogens in the liver inactive. Studies have linked garlic as well as onions, leeks, and chives to lower risk of stomach and colon cancer.
Grapefruits
Like oranges and other citrus fruits, grapefruits contain monoterpenes, believed to help prevent cancer by sweeping carcinogens out of the body. Some studies show that grapefruit may inhibit the proliferation of breast-cancer cells in vitro.
Grapes are also a rich source of resveratrol, which inhibits the enzymes that can stimulate cancer-cell growth and suppress immune response.
Rosemary
Rosemary may help increase the activity of detoxification enzymes. Carnosol, an extract from rosemary, has inhibited the development of both breast and skin tumours in animals. Rosemary can be used as a seasoning. It can also be consumed as a tea.
Teas
There are benefits from green tea and black tea which contains certain antioxidants known as polyphenols (catechins) which appear to prevent cancer cells from dividing.
Tomatoes
These contain lycopene, an antioxidant that attacks roaming oxygen molecules, known as free radicals that trigger cancer. It appears that the hotter the weather, the more lycopene tomatoes produce. Scientists in Israel have shown that lycopene can kill mouth cancer cells. An increased intake of lycopene has already been linked to a reduced risk of breast, prostate, pancreas and colorectal cancer.
UGANDA has been chosen among African countries to grow 14 crops that will manufacture medical supplements, Dr. Troy Chestnut, the United States of America Vrdur Foundation managing director, has said.
Chestnut said the crops, which are herbs and spices, have been earmarked to be grown in Uganda. “These crops will also be processed and packaged in Uganda, and distributed to other African countries.â€
Speaking to farmers at Imperial Royale Hotel, Chestnut noted that the supplements will improve the health of HIV/AIDS and cancer patients. While in Bahamas, he saw Uganda as a good starting country in Africa because of its fertile soils.
Milton Frary, the executive director Vrdur Foundation, said they were also looking at sustainable crop production as they undertake the project.
The 14 crops to be grown are fruits like blueberries, cranberries, grape, grape fruit and strawberries. Then the herbs are basil, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, fennel, fenugreek, flax, garlic, ginger, green tea, mace, oregano, rosemary, sage, tomato and turmeric.
“These herbs and spices ingredients make a balanced supplement (combination therapy). Every bit of ingredient has something that helps in recovery of the patient,†said Frary former governor 2003-2004 district 1040 rotary club of Castleford, UK. They observed that the supplements are free of charge.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that roughly, one-third of all cancer deaths may be diet-related. Many of the common foods found in grocery stores or organic markets contain cancer-fighting properties, from the antioxidants that neutralise the damage caused by free radicals to the powerful phytochemicals that scientists are just beginning to explore.
Health benefits of some of the crops to be grown
Flax
Flax contains lignans, which may have an antioxidant effect and block or suppress cancerous changes. Flax is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to protect against colon cancer and heart disease.
Garlic
It has immune-enhancing allium compounds (dialyl sultides) that appear to increase the activity of immune cells that fight cancer and indirectly help break down cancer causing substances.
Diallyl sulfide, a component of garlic oil, has also been shown to render carcinogens in the liver inactive. Studies have linked garlic as well as onions, leeks, and chives to lower risk of stomach and colon cancer.
Grapefruits
Like oranges and other citrus fruits, grapefruits contain monoterpenes, believed to help prevent cancer by sweeping carcinogens out of the body. Some studies show that grapefruit may inhibit the proliferation of breast-cancer cells in vitro.
Grapes are also a rich source of resveratrol, which inhibits the enzymes that can stimulate cancer-cell growth and suppress immune response.
Rosemary
Rosemary may help increase the activity of detoxification enzymes. Carnosol, an extract from rosemary, has inhibited the development of both breast and skin tumours in animals. Rosemary can be used as a seasoning. It can also be consumed as a tea.
Teas
There are benefits from green tea and black tea which contains certain antioxidants known as polyphenols (catechins) which appear to prevent cancer cells from dividing.
Tomatoes
These contain lycopene, an antioxidant that attacks roaming oxygen molecules, known as free radicals that trigger cancer. It appears that the hotter the weather, the more lycopene tomatoes produce. Scientists in Israel have shown that lycopene can kill mouth cancer cells. An increased intake of lycopene has already been linked to a reduced risk of breast, prostate, pancreas and colorectal cancer.