Graviola Not Recommended For Dog Cancer
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: April 13th, 2021
Graviola (Annona muricata) is a tropical tree that has been touted as a useful cancer supplement. It is also called corossol or soursop. Graviola does have medical potential and is used as a medicine in certain parts of the world. The fruit is also commonly eaten.
The problem is that Graviola contains both medical compounds and substances that, when taken over long periods, may be toxic.
It is true that there are some interesting molecules in the tree, bark, fruit and leaves that show some limited evidence for being active against cancers.
Different Graviola compounds showed activity against human hepatoma cells, ovarian cancer cells, mammary cancer cells, pancreatic carcinoma cells, colon adenocarcinoma cells, prostate cancer cells, mammary cancer cells, lung cancer cells, and others.
On top of this, substances in the tree appear to have antiviral , anti-leishmania, and anti-malaria properties.
On first blush, this plant does indeed seem to have good things going for it. However, there is more to the story. There are some possible dangers that should be recognized before buying and using Graviola supplements for dog cancer.
The main issue at this time is Graviola may be associated with a brain syndrome that is similar to Parkinson’s disease in humans. Several studies indicate a link. You may find them here, here, here and here…among others.
This brain syndrome in humans causes muscle rigidity, tremors, slowed movement, and difficulty keeping balance. Of the toxins in Graviola, annonacin may be the more potent toxin, as it was shown that very small amounts may be capable of being toxic to the nervous system.
As a matter of fact, the very thing that makes Graviola have medical potential seems to be that which carries danger. The chemicals in Graviola are capable of disrupting a small structure in cells called the mitochondria. These act like little energy generators in the cell.
When mitochondria in microbes or cancer cells are disrupted by Graviola, these disease-causing agents are damaged. However, it appears that the same thing happens in brain cells, which may explain why this brain syndrome is seen so frequently in regions where the people consume a lot of soursop, the Graviola fruit.
Until we are able to more clearly understand the complex nature of Graviola, it should not be used as a dog cancer supplement.
If you would like more clarification on dog cancer supplements, look into The Dog Cancer Survival Guide.
Best,
Dr D
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
My 9 year old Yorkie had surgery last year to spay and remove 2 mammary tumors (one was benign and one was precancerous) and just this week she had another surgery to remove 2 more mammary tumors that have emerged recently. I haven’t received the histology report yet. What can I give her to prevent tumor growth?
My dog has lung cancer
I am a animal love ,and although my dog has not been diagnosed with cancer yet she has gotten many legends forming in her neck and legs and breasts at age 8 she became allergic to everthing lost almost all her hair was loosing weight and dealing with severe ear infections .
I thought she was done ! 2 vets could not do anything and what ever the issue was any meds would work short term then have averse reaction on 3rd use ,her along with us stopped all processed foods went totally organic ad well as preparation was all done by us,fermented foods were implemented for the hole family and small amounts to our dog milk kifer made the biggest difference in her life vet said she would only make it to 10 in her condition, she is now coming on 15 granted i never solved her servire ear issues ,shes now def and a small amount of coconut oil in ears once a week sooths the ache along with gentle cleaning 18000 in meds and treatment and surgery yielded no fix ,we cant solve everthing at end its up to God and good comman faith in the creater ..
I am not a vet ,i am in the medical field .finding out how to eat right and what to eat saved my life ! I am a heart attack serviver on collateral circulation.blood work is perfect, my wifes life tumers on her spine meds didnt work ,right food did!
And my dog meds worked short term ,
Feed the right foods and for the most part she has made it to 15 and still going strong .
Has all her hair tumers are nil and hood blood work from 5 years ago off total failer and obvise death.
Any thoughts on the ear issues would be great no meds work any longer ottamax was the last atrempt ,still has a black waxy discharge no matter how clean ears are kept and ears get swollen and she tares them up if not mantianed with cocanut oils. Tests show no results to why not bacteria, not viruses, not mit ty God bless all
Awesome article.
Anthony, More information please… what is the diagnosis? And why does the vet not want to operate?
I was thinking of applying a spagyric tincture (from Mare Maia) to a growth on our Labrador as the vet does not want to operate. I was going to apply it topically. Any thoughts?
Ivelisee, There must be some confusion. We haven’t deleted anything, we just cannot always answer all the posts immediately. I hope you see the reply.
Hello Ivelisse,
I’m sorry to hear about your lab’s diagnosis. However, there is a lot you can do. I hope you check out The Dog Cancer Survival Guide (www.dogcancerbook.com) and The Dog Cancer Diet which is in the book, and you can get a free download of most of it on the main page of the blog.
Regarding Tumexal; Dr. Dressler has reviewed the information the company will release, and unfortunately there just isn’t enough data.
They don’t divulge the ingredients, and
the information concerning efficacy, particularly related to the ingredients, and how it engages p53 is lacking both in the slides as well as in the narrative. They have given research on a well-known gene yet not provided evidence that the constituents act on this gene or its products. Until they are more forthcoming with the active constituents, how they work together, and the research on the active ingredients themselves, we cannot comment for or against it.
The company does publish promising testimonials, three is just not enough published research .
Give your lab a cuddle from me please. And take care of yourself through this.
All the best, Susan