Several compounds are involved in garlic's possible anticancer effects. Garlic contains allyl sulfur and other compounds that slow or prevent the growth of tumor cells. Allyl sulfur compounds, which occur naturally in garlic and onions, make cells vulnerable to the stress created by products of cell division. Because cancer cells divide very quickly, they generate more stressors than most normal cells. Thus, cancer cells are damaged by the presence of allyl sufur compounds to a much greater extent than normal cells.
Dr. Carlotta Galeone,Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacologic Research in Milan, Italy, found that older adults with the highest onion and garlic intakes had the lowest risks of a number of cancers -- including colon, ovarian and throat cancers, in an analysis of eight studies from Italy and Switzerland.
Some studies have shown that garlic and tomatoes may have "synergistic" cancer-fighting effects.
Onions, garlic linked to lower cancer risks Reuters, Fri Dec 1, 12:34 PM ET
GARLIC AND ONIONS AS CANCER 'CURE'New York Post December 2, 2006
