The biological role of bioactive compounds from plants, bacteria, and bee-products in cancer prevention and therapy

Abstract

According to World Health Organization about one in six deaths is due to cancer and more or less one third of deaths
from cancer are due to obesity and low consumption of vegetables and fruits. Plant-based food may help to lower the risk of
cancer since they are the natural sources of nutrients and health enhancing biologically active compounds. Beside plants,
food items from animals like milk, meat, egg, honey and other bee-products also have the potential to hamper tumor cell
growth and metastasis due to the presence of bioactive compounds. This paper discusses about the consumption of natural
food products for cancer prevention since they are an excellent source of secondary metabolites. Prevention is the most
economically extended strategy for the control of cancer by making the people aware and providing them with the
information they need to adopt healthy lifestyle. The natural food sources possess multiple secondary metabolites that have
exhibited anticancer properties by modulating metabolic processes in the body, which results in improving well-being. Even
though, the evidence is insufficient, yet modern research recommends natural food to reduce the risk of cancer.
Phytochemicals in the food work synergistically in lowering cancer risk. Some help to regulate hormones and other slow
cancer cell growth. The potential health benefiting properties of secondary metabolites may call for development of these
health-promoting compounds into future therapeutic agents.