| | Nutritional Medicine: Action Plan Against Cancer -- What to Do | |
The previous sections of this book were designed to prepare you for this
chapter--the battle plan. Now that you know the strategy, or the "why"
of the plan, you are ready for the "what to do". There are literally
hundreds of nutritional products and programs that have at least anecdotal
evidence of effectiveness against cancer. You cannot take all the pills
and try all the diets. For many people there is the problem of convenience,
or ability to swallow pills, or swallow anything when you are feeling nauseated.
Then there is the obvious dilemma of cost. Insurance companies are still
reluctant to reimburse for these relatively inexpensive and non-toxic nutritional
supplements. Hence, the patient is left with some very tough decisions:
"If I can't take them all, then which ones are most important?"
For these people, I have rated the following supplements based upon the
available scientific and clinical information.
1. BEST (THREE STARS***) are relatively inexpensive and easy to administer
and are most likely to help all cancer patients.
2. VERY GOOD (TWO STARS**) may be very costly or inconvenient to
administer, but may help many cancer patients. Use these if you have the
money, inclination and time.
3. GOOD (ONE STAR*) means there is very limited data supporting the
use of these products against cancer. Use them if you are willing to spend
the money and time for what may constitute a "long shot" for most
cancer patients.
Diet
WORLD CLASS GOURMET HEALTH FOOD CUISINE, delicious for most patients and
acceptable for all. See the chapter with menu plan for examples. Calorie
distribution:
- 20% fat (low in omega 6, saturated & hydrogenated; high in omega
3 from fish, canola, flaxseed oils and olive oil)
- 50-60% carbohydrate (low in sugar, high in fiber & vegetables)
- 20-30% protein (low in fat, beef & dairy; high in soy & whey)
Food extracts
Daily blending (use the Vitamix, 800-848-2649) for juicing of fresh carrots,
cabbage, or other fruit and vegetables: 2 eight ounce glasses to be taken
with meals to avoid elevations in blood glucose levels. Mix 4 ounces of
pureed veggies with 4 ounces of purified water for a pleasant meal time
beverage.
Garlic: Kyolic 12 capsules, powder, or liquid equivalent. For a tasty and
convenient way to eat more fresh garlic; place 6 garlic cloves unpeeled
in 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and cover. Microwave for 20-30 seconds. Cloves
easily slide out of their peeling and taste somewhat like cashews. Eat garlic
often or take garlic supplements.
Shark cartilage (Cartilage Technology 914-939-9000). 60-80 grams powder
(1-1.5 gm/kg body wt) either mixed in food or taken as retention enema.
For those who would like to take orally, mix 20 grams of powdered shark
cartilage in yogurt, apple sauce, pureed vegetable drink, or such. Do this
3 to 4 times daily, depending on your body weight and tumor size. For retention
enema: mix 20 grams of shark cartilage powder in blender with 4 ounces of
lukewarm water. Add to rectal syringe bottle (available at pharmacy). Lie
on left side in bed with bed pan nearby. Follow directions from rectal syringe
placing bottle higher and allowing gravity feed of solution into anus. The
idea is to keep this solution in the colon for full absorption, which takes
about 30 minutes. Try taking a nap. This procedure takes some adjusting,
but the early data on shark cartilage is very encouraging.
Shark oil (alkylglycerols) as Ecomer. 2 caps three times daily for patients
undergoing radiation therapy. Provides protection against radiation damage.
Begin 2 weeks before radiation therapy and continue throughout therapy.
Greens: 2 tablespoons powder daily. The powdered essence of young green
plants can be found in a number of products at your health food store. May
be added as powder to your "Dragon-Slayer" shake in the morning
or taken as pills. Chlorophyll, beta-carotene, potassium, glutathione and
other nutrients are jammed into this wonder food.
Asparagus: 2 tablespoons powder
Mushroom extract: 6-12 capsules daily of Maitake (800-747-7418)
Soybeans: 1/2 cup daily of soy products like tempeh, or Haelan Soy Product
851 (504-885-2776) or Lumen Soy Products (800-256-2253)
Spirulina: 2 tablespoons powder, may be added to "Dragon-Slayer"
shake in morning for protein component.
Royal bee jelly: 500 mg
Enzymes: Enzymes should be taken with a meal if the desire is to improve
digestion, or on an empty stomach if the desire is to help fight cancer.
For cancer support, take 15 Wobenzym (800-899-4499) first thing in the morning
at least 1 hour before mealtime. Take 15 more Wobenzym last thing at night
at least two hours after the last meal. Megazyme (5 pills in morning &
5 before bed) from Enzymatic Therapy is not enterically coated nor clinically
tested on cancer patients, like Wobenzym, but is more concentrated. Bromelain
is a vegetarian source of enzymes.
Rice bran, pressure cooked (rich in tocotrienols), 2-3 tablespoons daily
or as much as you can eat.
Sea vegetables in soups and stews on a daily basis, or kelp tablets 6-12
daily depending on your thyroid function
Aloe vera extract, contains active immune stimulant ace mannan. Drink as
liquid. Can be used instead of fruit juice for "Dragon-Slayer"
shake, 2-6 cups daily from Royal Body Care (800-722-0444), which is one
of the few companies that has painstakingly preserved the active ingredient.
Intestinal microflora. If you use the Perfect 7 product as outlined
for the "Dragon-Slayer" shake, then you may not need these other
items. Options include:
Broad spectrum Kyodophilus (lactobacillus, bifidus, streptococcus faecium)
from Tyson (800-367-7744)
Milk-free lactobacillus from Klaire Labs (800-533-7255)
Perque Product from Seraphim (800-525-7372)
Intestinal cleansing/detoxification. Many aspects of cancer therapy,
including chemo and radiation therapy, pain killers and sedatives, will
reduce muscular contractions in the intestines, which then cause constipation.
These detox and herbal purgative formulas will help most patients, but for
some people, there may be a need for physical assistance. Using the flat
side of your fist, create a gentle but deep massaging rocking motion from
top to bottom that moves laterally across your intestines, pushing in about
1-2 inches. This method helps many people who are losing the muscle tone
of youth that moves food through the intestines. Sick and older people often
have weak or sedated muscles throughout the body, including the intestines.
This massaging technique really helps.
Perfect 7: combined herbal GI cleanser, 2 teaspoons in "Dragon-Slayer"
shake; contains psyllium seed, alfalfa, cascara sagrada, rose hips, buckthorn
bark, lactopriv/B (a special non-dairy lactobacillus), bentonite, garlic,
golden seal, capsicum.
Homemade fiber combination. Sesame seeds ground with flax seeds to form
a "nut butter". Use as a sandwich spread or to season soups.
High fiber supplement. Matol Fibre Sonic containing fiber from soy, gum
arabic, cellulose gel, cellulose gum, apple, pea, corn bran, guar gum, locust
bean gum, psyllium seed, rice bran, wheat bran, oat bran, rye, superbeet,
xanthum bean gum, tofu (soybean), citrus pectin, prune, cellulose, barley,
fig, beet, malted grain, pear, soy lecithin. 3 gm protein, 3 gm fat, 11
gm fiber per 8 ounce serving. From Matol, a network marketing group.
Broad Spectrum Food Supplement
For patients who cannot consume adequate calories via food, use 2-3 "Dragon-Slayer"
shakes" per day as described in the recipe chapter.
Supplements
Broad spectrum vitamin & mineral coverage. This is critical,
since so many cancer patients experience a wide array of nutrient deficiencies,
it is impossible to take a separate pill for each vitamin and mineral. Hence,
this product is the "core" of the vitamin and mineral program,
with additional supplements providing therapeutic doses of other nutrients.
Find a multiple vitamin and mineral that is in capsule form, for enhanced
bioavailability. Tablets are often compressed under 200 pounds per square
inch of pressure, with a resulting "rock" that dissolves poorly
or not at all in the GI tract. Match the following formula as closely as
possible, or use one of the following multiples:
Immuno Max from Optimal Nutrition Labs (800-795-9579)
VM-2000 or VM-75 from Solgar (800-645-2246)
Perque 2 from Seraphim (800-525-7372)
Nutrients Amount
Vitamins
A palmitate 5000 iu
A beta carotene 15,000 iu
D 400 iu
E succinate 300 iu
K 1000 mcg
C 250 mg
B-1 (thiamin) 25 mg
B-2 (riboflavin) 25 mg
B-3 (niacin) 100 mg
B-5 (pantothenate) 100 mg
B-6 (pyridoxine) 25 mg
B-6 (P-5-P) 5 mg
B-12 100 mcg
folic acid 800 mcg
biotin 300 mcg
bioflavonoids 100 mg
Minerals
calcium (citrate) 250 mg
magnesium (citrate) 200 mg
iron (glycinate) 18 mg
zinc (picolinate) 30 mg
copper (gluconate) 3 mg
manganese (gluconate) 5 mg
molybdenum 100 mcg
iodine 150 mcg
chromium (picolinate) 200 mcg
selenium (methionine) 400 mcg
tin 10 mcg
silicon 10 mcg
vanadium 10 mcg
nickel 10 mcg
Vitamins
Fat soluble
A: retinyl palmitate 300,000 iu. While vitamin A can be valuable for many
cancer patients, it is also one of the more potentially toxic nutrients.
There are clinics in Europe and Mexico that use 1.5 million iu of vitamin
A daily, though I do not recommend these levels without medical supervision.
Dry skin, headache or weak hand shake is an early warning that vitamin A
toxicity is being reached. There is some preliminary data showing that vitamin
A toxicity can be reduced when taking high doses of vitamin E at the same
time. The theory is that peroxides, or "rusted" versions of vitamin
A create the toxicity, not normal vitamin A. Taking 3200 iu of vitamin Ewith the 300,000 iu of vitamin A would lower the risks for toxicity of A.
Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize the potential for toxicity in
this nutrient and to have continuous medical monitoring if you are using
it. Normal fat soluble vitamin A is quickly removed from lymphatic circulation
and stored in the liver. Yet emulsified vitamin A will make several passes
through the bloodstream in its water soluble form before being removed by
the liver. Emulsified A (from Naturally 800-899-4499) is more likely to
benefit the cancer patient.
Beta-carotene: 100,000 to 500,000 iu of liquid beta-carotene in soft gelatin
capsule from Betatene of Australia. This product is based on a blue green
ocean algae (Duneliela) and has been shown to be selectively toxic to tumor
cells in animal studies.
E: Mixed natural tocopherols (to stimulate immune functions) at 400 iu per
40 pounds of body weight. Hence, a 160 pound person would need 1600 iu.
E succinate (to selectively kill cancer cells). Take 1600-3200 iu per day,
based upon body size and aggressiveness of tumor. Total vitamin E intake
should not exceed 5000 iu per day.
K: 25-75 mg K-1 in liquid form from Scientific Botanicals (206-527-5521).
This nutrient is particularly valuable when taken in conjunction with high
dose vitamin C (10-20 grams) two weeks prior to beginning chemo or radiation
therapy. K seems to potentiate the tumor kill rate from chemo and radiation.
D: 400-1000 iu orally. There is some encouraging evidence that topically
applied vitamin D as 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol may soon become a potent
cancer fighter. This product has shown promise, but must be used judiciously
by experienced physicians due to possible toxicity.
Coenzyme Q-10: at 200 mg from Biotics (800-231-5777), Metabolic Maintenance
(800-772-PURE), or Seraphim (800-525-7372). Cancer is clearly an anaerobic
cell growth. CoQ augments aerobic metabolism and immune function. CoQ also
blunts the toxicity on the heart from various chemo agents.
Water Soluble
C: 12-20 grams of potassium ascorbate as Emergen-C from Alacer (800-854-0249),
or buffered C from Seraphim (800-525-7372), or C with bioflavonoids from
Bronson (800-235-3200).
A special note on vitamin C, since this nutrient was one of the first nutrients
suspected of altering cancer outcome. Below you will find a chart that neatly
describes the functions, toxicity, deficiency symptoms and intake levels
for C as part of cancer treatment.
There is a great deal of confusion regarding the efficacy of vitamin C for
cancer patients. Max Gerson, MD used high doses of vitamin C in the 1950s
to treat cancer patients. Ewan Cameron, MD and Linus Pauling, PhD published
several studies in the 1970s showing that therapeutic supplements of C provided
improvement in the quality and quantity of life for cancer patients. Then
Charles Moertel, MD of the Mayo Clinic conducted a study which found that
vitamin C did not help cancer patients. Unfortunately, with all the prevailing
evidence in favor of using C, this one study by Moertel sticks in the minds
of physicians, who consider the case closed. Actually, the case is quite
open and encouraging.
The chart below shows the bulk of data pointing toward C as both protective
and therapeutic against cancer. This chart also summarizes the conflict
between Drs. Pauling and Moertel. Moertel did not replicate Pauling's study.
Pauling's cancer patients were on 10 grams of vitamin C for up to 12 years,
while Moertel's patients were on 7.5 grams of C for only 2.5 months, during
which no cancer patient died until the C was stopped. The average intake
of vitamin C in the "control" group for Moertel's study was 2.5
grams, since end-stage cancer patients were unwilling to be the placebo
group. In Pauling's study, cancer patients on high dose C lived an average
of 257 days beyond the point of being "untreatable". None of Moertel's
patients, who were all heavily pre-treated with chemo and radiation and
considered "end-stage, terminal", died while on the vitamin C
therapy.
Since this controversy, Pauling and Hoffer have shown a dramatic improvement
in quality and quantity of life with cancer patients who received a good
diet coupled with therapeutic levels of various nutrients, including 12
grams of vitamin C. A 1990 symposium on vitamin C and cancer held at the
National Institutes of Health further exonerates vitamin C as a true champion
in the war on cancer.
Bioflavonoids: 1 gram daily of quercetin (with bromelain for absorption)
from Allergy Research (800-545-9960), or from Enzymatic Therapy (800-783-2286),
or BioQuercetin from Seraphim (800-525-7372).
Anti-oxidant formula from Enzymatic Therapy (800-783-2286), including 1
gram potassium ascorbate, 400 iu vit. E acetate, 20,000 iu beta-carotene,
400 mcg selenium (from selenomethionine), 30 mg zinc (from picolinate),
12 mg riboflavin, 30 mg manganese, 200 mg N-acetyl cysteine, 200 mg curcumin,
100 mg procyanolic oligomers (bioflavonoids), 200 mg green tea extracts,
200 mg cabbage extract, 200 mg deodorized garlic extract, 200 mg Klamath
blue green algae, 200 mg ginger extract
B-3: niacin 2 grams from niacinamide, or inositol hexaniacinate from Enzymatic
Therapy, KAL or Twin Labs
B-6: pyridoxal with pyridoxal-5-pyrophosphate (P-5-P), total 250 mg. May
be particularly helpful in reducing damage from radiation therapy and slowing
cancer growth from polyamine synthesis of the tumor. Becomes a three star
for melanoma patients who need to apply a B-6 ointment to their surface
tumor as well as consume 250-1000 mg orally.
B-12: 3-5 mg as sub-lingual tablets or nasal gel form at your health food
store, or B-12 hydroxycobalamin from Seraphim (800-525-7372). B-12 dramatically
augments the tumor kill of vitamin C.
Minerals
Potassium & magnesium. Potassium and magnesium are among the
more crucial minerals for cancer recovery. Magnesium helps to stabilize
cell membranes and elevate immune activity while potassium plays a critical
role in membrane permeability.
Liquid K Plus with 99 mg potassium and 100 mg magnesium per teaspoon from
Twin Labs (800-645-5626). Take one tablespoon per day.
Herbal K from Enzymatic Therapy with 718 mg potassium per 2 tablespoons.
Take 2 tablespoons daily.
KM from Matol with 585 mg potassium per 2 tablespoons. Take 2 tbsp. daily.
Magnesium: get 400-800 mg daily as aspartate, citrate or orotate
Zinc: 30-100 mg zinc picolinate
Selenium intake should not exceed 2500 micrograms (2.5 milligrams) per day.
Immuno Max contains 400 mcg. Take additional selenium as sodium selenite
liquid from Allergy Research (800-545-9960) or selenomethionine from Metabolic
(800-772-PURE)
Selenium merits a footnote since it helps beat cancer on many different
fronts: bolsters immune function, improves detoxification, directly toxic
to tumor cells and may be a valuable anti-proliferative factor. Below you
will find the functions, toxicity symptoms, deficiency symptoms and intake
levels for selenium along with a separate chart summarizing the many links
between selenium and cancer, including 10 years of unpublished clinical
work by R.C. Donaldsen, MD of the VA Hospital in St. Louis. Throughout the
1970s, Dr. Donaldsen used varying levels of oral selenium supplements to
improve the outcome of most types of cancer. Selenium is on the "first
assault team" in my cancer battle plan.
Chromium as picolinate, an additional 400-800 mcg.
The other relevant essential minerals are already found in therapeutic doses
in the multiple vitamin and mineral formula described above.
Fatty acids (as liquid or capsule)
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from fish oil has been well proven to slow metastasis.
Take up to 6 grams in conjunction with GLA in a 5:1 EPA to GLA ratio. Make
sure that you take adequate vitamin E (at least 1000 iu) to prevent the
formation of "rusted fat" or lipid peroxides from the fish oil.
Best form is OmegaSyn liquid as mentioned in the "Dragon-Slayer"
shake, or Omega Syn capsules (6 per day) from BioSyn (800-346-2703). Remember
the intricate "dance" between fatty acids and hormones. Control
blood sugar and less of these fatty acids become far more potent against
cancer.
Gamma linolenic acid (GLA): up to 1.5 grams. Taken separately as oil from
borage, evening primrose (plants native to cold climates) or black current
seed.
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) from flaxseed oil. Use cold-pressed flaxseed
oil that is in the refrigerator section of your health food store. Take
1-2 tsp. daily.
Wheat germ oil. Use cold-pressed oil from refrigerator section of health
food store. Take 1-2 tsp. daily.
Organ replacement
Natural dessicated thyroid, 2-5 grains as a prescription item, if morning
basal temperature is below 97.8 F. If you need thyroid, then this is a crucial
supplement and becomes . You may try "jump starting" your thyroid
gland with non-prescription nutrition factors first: including 6 tablets
of dried ocean kelp, or Liquid Kelp from Hickey Chemist (800-724-5566),
or Thyroid Herbal Tonic from Natural Herbal Extracts (718-638-7889). Other
nutrition factors that help to elevate basal metabolism include MCT oil,
chromium picolinate (400-600 mcg), L-carnitine (200-1500 mg), certain herbal
combinations (like Escalation from Enzymatic Therapy 800-558-7372), exercise
and exposing skin surface.
Thymus 1-2 tablets from Enzymatic Therapy or Thymex from Standard Process
Labs. The thymus organ is considered the master gland of the immune system
and often atrophies with age. Thymic extract has been shown to help people
with hepatitis viral infections through "jump starting" the immune
system. Prevents leukopenia atrophy from chemo and radiation. Initially,
you may need to take much larger (up to 20 tablets daily) amounts of thymus
to get a therapeutic effect.
Amino acids
L-Arginine as pill or powder (very bitter flavor) up to 12 grams daily.
Patients who are subject to herpes simplex should note that arginine may
accelerate cold sore growth.
L-Glutamine: up to 5 grams. Most likely to help patients who have GI problems,
like diarrhea or cramping.
L-Carnitine: up to 1.5 grams. Most likely to help patients who are on a
lipid-based parenteral formula to help prevent fatty build-up in the liver.
N-acetylcysteine 1-2 grams or 200 mg glutathione to bolster glutathione
peroxidase (GSH) activity. Most likely to help relieve the toxicity of chemo
and radiation therapy when taken one week prior to and during therapy.
Herbs are best if used in standardized herbal concentration. Enzymatic
Therapy (800-783-2286), Eclectic Institute (800-332-4372) or Min Tong (800-562-5777)
are reputable manufacturers.
Astragalus (radix), **Echinecea (augustifolia), *goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis),
and **liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) are immune stimulants that can be taken
as dried root in tea (1-2 grams/day), or freeze dried root (500-1000 mg),
or tincture (4-6 ml or 1-1.5 tsp), or powdered solid extract 250-500 mg
daily. Super-Immuno Comp from Enzymatic Therapy is a combination herbal
product.
Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosis) is an adaptogen, which helps
to rectify abnormal cellular metabolism. Daily intake of 2-4 grams of dried
root, or 10-20 ml (2.5-5 tsp) tincture, or 100-200 mg pills in greater than
1% concentration.
Ginkgo biloba at 120 mg daily has been shown to dramatically improve peripheral
circulation, and hence may slow cancer through oxygenation.
Milk thistle (silybum marianum) is a potent liver protector and detoxifier.
Take 70-210 mg silymarin concentrate as pills 2-3 times daily.
Pau D'Arco (LaPacho or Tabebuia Avellanedae) is a likely cancer fighter
with initial favorable studies from the National Cancer Institute. LaPacho
has an ingredient, a quinone, that is similar in structure to vitamin K
and may well attack the tumor in a similar fashion to K. Take as 1 cup of
bark boiled into decoction and taken 2-8 times daily, or more precise lapachol
content (active ingredient) at 1.5-2.0 grams daily from pills or powder.
Australian tea tree oil (Leptaspermum and Melaleuca) is showing early promise
as an anti-fungal agent for the common fungal infections that coat the mouth,
teeth and probably other areas of cancer patients. Remember that half of
all fatal infections in cancer patients are caused by fungus. Take 1-2 drops
of concentrated oil in a small glass of apple juice, rinse around the mouth
and swallow.
Japanese Green Tea from Tyson (800-367-7744).
Topical application of herbal combination. Use as an escharotic,
or corrosive ointment to burn away unwanted skin, as in basal cell, or squamous
cell carcinoma or melanoma. Use Cansema from Applied Botanical Research
(800-256-2253)
Enteral Formulas
hen the GI tract is working but the patient is not voluntarily eating, then
enteral formulas may solve the riddle of getting adequate nourishment into
the patient. Patient tolerance varies widely when nasogastric tubes are
inserted into the nose and down the esophagus. Impact, available from your
pharmacist, is the best formula, but has an awful taste that must be disguised
(see suggestions below) and is very expensive.
Impact is fortified with fish oil, arginine, and nucleic acids for enhanced
wound healing and immune stimulation. Good studies on animals and early
work with humans shows an anti-cancer activity. Can be used in an oral drink
flavored as follows. Recipes created by Alfred Hinga, chef. Full therapeutic
benefit obtained at 6 cans per day.
Orange Impact:
4 ounces Impact (1/2 can)
8 ounces orange concentrate or 3 whole peeled oranges
1 teaspoon lemon extract (hides fish flavor)
emulsifier to bind water & fat soluble fractions together (1 teaspoon
of lecithin), or Thicken Up from Sandoz
Combine ingredients (except lecithin) and mix in electric blender for
one minute, then slowly add lecithin.
Pineapple Impact
4 ounces Impact
8 ounces diced fresh pineapple, plus pineapple extract if desired
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Follow same directions as above, combining lecithin last and slowly.
Raspberry Impact
4 ounces Impact
8 ounces organic raspberry popsickle or 6 ounces cranberry juice
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon lecithin
ImmunAid, by Kendall McGaw, is fortified with gamma linolenic acid, glutamine
and protein. May help the cancer patient without the tolerance problems
of arginine and fish oil that are found in Impact.
Parenteral Formulas
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) should be reserved for clinically malnourished
patients and must be administered by a physician. For less severity in cachexia,
use oral "shakes" or enteral formulas, or J tube (into jejunum)
enteral feedings. The TPN formula must be disease-specific to fight cancer:
- High in protein (at least 100 grams/day); >30% kcal
- Little or no dextrose; 0-40% of kcal
- Balance of calories from fat, preferably monounsaturated oleic acid
and medium chain triglycerides (MCT); >30% kcal. Take L-carnitine orally
(1-2 grams) to help minimize fatty accumulation in the liver.
- 10-50 grams of buffered ascorbate intravenously, whatever intake is
necessary to achieve 50-80 mg/dl serum C concentration
- High dose of broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplementation, given at
4 times RDA levels.
- 400 mcg selenium
- 4-5 grams L-glutamine taken orally to reduce bacteria crossing the intestinal
barrier to create infections in the blood, called bacterial translocation.
- 1-2 grams L-carnitine to augment fat metabolism
- Flow rate (cc/hour) varies according to patient tolerance, beginning
at 75 cc and progressing up to 160 cc/hour. Start slowly, build up to 160
cc if possible, then gradually reduce flow before disconnecting.
- Daily blood values need to be monitored and changes made in formula
to reflect deviations in pH, blood urea nitrogen or blood ammonia values.
Healing the Mind & Spirit
Ventilate emotions and forgive. Some people may need professional
help for purging deep seated negative emotions of anger, hurt, depression
and low self-esteem.
Healing the "child within". A suppressed immune system
can stem from the trauma of an abusive or neglected childhood. There are
programs to help people recover from these fundamental emotional problems;
including PRIMAL THERAPY (Janov), MAKING PEACE WITH YOUR PARENTS (Bloomfield)
and HOMECOMING (Bradshaw).
Guided imagery to assist the immune system in attacking the tumor.
Picture your immune factors as sharks, white knights or Rambos zapping cancer
cells. See CREATIVE VISUALIZATION (Gawain) or YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE (Hay).
Spend some time daily in play therapy or right brain fun time, including
clay sculpting, artwork, photography, music, singing, kite flying, etc.
See THE HEALING JOURNEY (Simonton).
Be here now. Live for today. "Suck the marrow out of life"
said David Thoreau.
Self analysis. Since few people have spent time introspectively,
this exercise is designed to help the individual better understand his or
her goals, priorities, fears, limitations, etc. Keep a journal.
Establish a link between yourself and a Higher Power. This pursuit
can be non-denominational and outside of organized religion. Hans Selye,
MD, father of the theories of stress, found that humans have a need to rely
on a Higher Power. Spiritually based people are happier and healthier than
their non-spiritual counterparts. Humans are created with a God-shaped void
which needs filling.
Fighting spirit. Dr. Bernie Siegel found that cancer patients who
are assertive and determined to "beat this thing" have a better
chance of recovery. It is the uncooperative patient, not the docile patient,
who does better in fighting cancer.
Bereavement. While most cultures around the world accept death as
a part of life, Americans have become emotionally constipated about grieving.
Grief unexpressed will result in some mental or physical malady. Many people
are chronically depressed since they have not expressed the grief of losing
a loved one, a job, a home, a phase of life, etc. Find coaching in fulfilling
the needs of the grieving process.
Be yourself. Too many of us in modern society bend to the pressure
of others and spend our lives in "quiet desperation" to quote
David Thoreau. What would you like to do if you had only 6 months to live?
Do it! Dr. Bernie Siegel has found too many cancer patients who enjoyed
doing one thing, but entered a completely different profession to please
a mate or parents or to make more money--and their health suffered for it.
Dr. Siegel asked a young breast cancer patient: "What have you always
wanted to do?" She replied, "Be a violinist. I went into law to
please my family." She quit law, became a concert violinist, and lost
75% of her income along with her cancer.
A similar story comes from the files of Yosemite National Park. Galen Clark
came to Yosemite Park at age 42 in 1856 to die. Coughing up blood from end-stage
tuberculosis, Clark first carved his own tombstone, then proceeded to protect
and beautify this valley that he loved so much. Death did not come 6 months
later, as the doctors had predicted, but rather 54 years later when he was
just shy of his 96th birthday. If your life is a lie, then it will probably
be shorter and less enjoyable. Make your life a masterpiece painting, and
you will probably get more life in your years and more years in your life.
Dr. Michael Partipillo, both a psychologist for cancer patients and a cancer
victor himself, says that he views cancer "as a starting point--not
the beginning of the end." For more inspirational and educational books
on the spiritual aspect of cancer, see the appendix.
Breathing
Lie on your back on the floor with a book on your stomach. Begin inhaling
by trying to push the book up with your stomach muscles. Once you have fully
oxygenated the lower lungs with diaphragm breathing, then finish inhaling
by expanding your chest fully. Hold your breath for a count of 5, then slowly
exhale and give a final "puff" as you breathe out that last air.
This deep breathing method will help to fully oxygenate your tissue, even
if you cannot do any exercise.
Exercise
Whatever you can do will be helpful. Our hospital has an indoor track where
we take patients to walk laps accompanied by their IV chemo poles. Exercise
elevates immune functions, stabilizes blood sugar levels, oxygenates tissue
and improves mental functions.
Detoxification
Stop taking in toxins by drinking purified water and getting organic produce
or thoroughly washing your produce. If the air in your area is questionable,
then you may need to seal up your house and install a special air filter
system--or move to a cleaner area.
Help the body to purge accumulated poisons by:
- drinking enough water that your urine is light in color and odor
- eating enough fiber and plant purgatives to maintain regularity and
discharge poisons through the colon. Enemas may help some cancer patients.
- soak for 20 minutes in a hot tub each day, then cleanse the skin with
a natural sponge and soap.
Spinal Alignment
All organs and glands are very dependent on nerve stimulation. All nerves
throughout the body radiate from the spine. Yet, due to sedentary lives,
poor posture, the constant pull of gravity, and lack of muscle development
to keep spinal vertebra in alignment, many people suffer indirect illness
as a consequence of back problems. Doctors of chiropractic (DC) or osteopathy
(DO) have been trained to restore spinal alignment, which can oftentimes
boost immune functions.
PARTING COMMENTS
By reading this far, you have already empowered yourself to make a difference
in your cancer outcome. You are the pro-active and assertive cancer victor.
You have been through some or all of the phases that come with the disease:
anger, denial, rejection, isolation, withdrawal and more. While the bulk
of this book is spent providing nutritional facts to change the biochemistry
of your body, my final parting comments are directed more at your soul.
Because cancer is a disease of the mind, body and spirit.
I believe that cancer is far more than an individual physical disease that
can be expunged from the body with strong drugs, surgery or radiation. Cancer
is also a symptom of modern society that is organically unsound; that needs
metabolic healing. In every era, we try to identify the outside enemy. But
we have met the enemy-and it is us. Today, we wage full scale chemical warfare
on ourselves with potent agricultural and industrial carcinogens, while
stripping our once benevolent food supply of any vestige of nutritional
value. We are subjected to intolerable stress from work and dissolving family
structures, thousands of murders per year on TV and movies, and an endless
procession of gut-wrenching stories on the nightly news.
This book is written for you, the cancer patient and soon-to-be victor.
But it goes one step further. Since you are reading this section, we can
safely assume that you have a mission on earth that is not yet accomplished.
Once you beat your own personal cancer, you may find a strong sense of purpose
in spreading what you have learned or even addressing the "cancers"
in society.
From my cancer patients I have learned of the incredible tenacity of the
human body and spirit; of the immeasurable dignity and generosity that is
waiting to be expressed by all of us; of the undying passion and commitment
shown by a dedicated mate when a loved one is failing; and above all-of
the preciousness of life. In our increasingly callous world, it is easy
to drift away from the true pleasures in life: love, enthusiasm, laughter,
freedom, meaningful work, skills developed, helping one another and savoring
the beauty in this emerald paradise planet. For many people, cancer has
become the ultimate "truth serum" in helping to establish real
priorities.
Nourish your body, mind and spirit. Take every opportunity to say: "I
love you". Give away smiles with wreckless abandon. Practice random
acts of kindness and beauty. Savor each day as though it may be your last,
because the same holds true for all of us. You have the opportunity to be
born again with a renewed vigor and purpose in life.
My prayer for you is the same thought that began this book; that you will
soon be able to say: "Cancer is the best thing that ever happened to
me." Since you have cancer, you might as well turn this ultimate challenge
into the ultimate victory: to make your life and that of others into a masterpiece
painting.
(Excerpted from Beating Cancer with Nutrition: Clinically Proven and Easy-To-Follow Strategies to Dramatically Improve Quality and Quantity of L ISBN: 0963837281)
 | Dr. Patrick Quillin, an internationally respected expert in the area of nutrition and cancer, has served as the Director of Nutrition for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (800-577-1255) for the past ten years.......more |
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