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New research indicates that green tea stops the development of breast cancer tumors’ crucial feeder systems, blood vessels that allow for the spread of the cancer. This work echoes earlier studies showing that green tea can halt cancer growth in lung cancers.

University of Mississippi researchers announced this month that they found a 68 percent reduction in the weight of breast tumors in mice given a daily dose of the green tea extract EGCG. Green tea extracts have also been shown to encourage weight loss and protect against degenerative changes such as those seen in Alzheimer’s.

The study was published in Experimental Biology 2008.

Even advanced prostate cancer prospects may to be improved by dietary intake of Vitamin K-2, according to a recent European study. Advanced prostate cancer patients were found to have a decreased risk factor of 63 percent, while in general population the nutrient provided a still impressive 35 percent decrease in prostate cancer risk.

The German Cancer Research Center, where the study was conducted, found that Vitamin K-1 did not offer the same benefit. Vitamin K-1 has been shown to have a very short half life in the body, while K-2 remains present in the body for up to three days, and has affinity for specific tissues such as the prostate and the arterial wall.

Vitamin K-1 is found in leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli. K-1 represents about 90 percent of the Vitamin K in the western diet.

Significantly, Vitamin K-2 is synthesized in the intestinal tract by beneficial bacteria, which could indicate that probiotics, either in supplements or from dietary sources, such as natto, yogurt, and soured fermented foods, would also be beneficial.

The research was published in the April 08 issue of thee American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.