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Cancer and Biological Terrain |
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(READING TIPS: For fast reading, scan through the topic headings in BOLD BLACK, important conclusions in BOLD BLUE, and " Must Know " in BOLD RED. To jump to specific sections in this article, click on the respective LINKS in the Contents.)
| Before You Begin Information presented here is for general educational purposes only. Each one of us is biochemically and metabolically different. If you have a specific health concern and wish my personalized nutritional recommendation, write to me by clicking here. |
Contents
Ways to Balance
Internal Terrain
1. Pancreatic enzymes
2. Probiotics
3. "Green Foods"
4. Fiber Supplementation
Our internal biological terrain determines the environment upon which cancer
cells grow. An acidic environment is pro-cancer,
while an alkaline environment is anti-cancer. The terrain is
also influenced by the amount of friendly bacteria present and the transit
time of food through the gut.
Maintaining a healthy alkaline biological terrain is an important component of any cancer therapy program.
Ways to Balance Internal Terrain
1.
Pancreatic enzymes. A modern
day diet high in fat and sugar is devoid of most enzymes. Furthermore, a
high protein diet common in the developed world consumes most enzymes secreted
by our pancreas, leaving little left over for anticancer activity.
A heavy dose of proteolytic pancreatic enzyme
is an important part of part of
any comprehensive anti-cancer program. These enzymes:
· Attack the coating on tumor cells which disguise them from recognition
by the immune system to that the antigens are exposed.
· Digest the protein coating that protects cancer cells from being
destroyed by our immune system.
· Stimulates various components of the immune system such as Natural
Killer cells, T-cells and Tumor Necrosis factor.
· Remove the "sticky" coating on cancer cells that allow them to
adhere to other parts of the body, in effect, lessening the chances of metastases.
· Enter cancer cells during their reproductive phase when they are
not yet formed and destroy them. Vitamin A increases this effect. In Germany,
it is injected directly into tumors causing them to dissolve.
· Help ensure that large, potential allergy-triggering food particles
do not enter the blood circulation through a leaky gut.
· Reduce the acidity of the internal terrain.
Dose: Start with 1 tablet 3-4 times a day, increasing gradually every
5 days by one till 5 tablets 4 times a day is reached. Total: 15-20
tablets a day.
2. Probiotics
Optimal gastrointestinal health depends on the balance of microscopic interplay
between billions of beneficial ("good") and pathogenic ("bad") bacteria.
Both are needed for normal bowel functions. A well-maintained balance between
these opposing microorganisms is essential for a properly functioning
digestive tract and prevent toxins from building up
Many scientists at the forefront of probiotics research believe that
the toxins secreted from the pathogens rather than the pathogens are responsible
for diseases. Although this is not a widely recognized fact among the
traditional medical establishment, this statement has been proven without
doubt. In fact, It is now well established
that infection and toxins from infectious bacteria, fungi, and viruses cause
cancer. For example, human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause cervical
cancer, H. pylori can cause stomach cancer, hepatitis can cause liver cancer,
and HIV virus can cause Kaposi sarcoma. Fungi toxin such as aflatoxins can
cause primary liver cancer.
About 400 species of these "good bugs" inhabit the intestines. Their total
population is about 100 times the number of cells in your body. Remarkably,
these microorganisms coexist peacefully in a carefully balanced internal
ecosystem. As long as they flourish, they prevent pathogenic (disease-causing)
bacteria and fungi from colonizing. In this way, beneficial bacteria help
keep you healthy. If the delicate intestinal environment is a disrupted,
pathogenic bacterium, parasites and fungi such as clostridia, salmonella,
staphylococcus, Blastocystis hominis and Candida albicans often move in,
multiply and attack the beneficial bacteria.
Research has shown that the "good" bacteria
or otherwise known as probiotics, help defend our bodies from the pathogenic
species of bacteria and detoxify toxic chemicals. They also produce
valuable vitamins including biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid,
riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and vitamin K. The bacteria
assist in breaking down dietary proteins into amino acids, which are then
reconfigured into "new" proteins that are useful for the body. "Good" bacteria
also ensure that toxins are excreted from the bowels (via the stool) rather
than absorbed into the bloodstream.
One such "good" bacterium is acidophilus.
They stimulate activity in the thymus and spleen (both are key immune system
glands). They prompt your body to manufacture natural antibodies. Certain
acidophilus strains even protect against the formation of tumors and promote
production of interferon, a hormone that protects against cancer. When probiotics
are present, they secrete mediators in which the pathogenic forms cannot
grow. However, when the micro-organic forms take over, they will exclude
the probiotics with their toxins. Replacing our natural flora is vital to
prevent any disease and to keep our bowels healthy and populated with probiotics.
By taking probiotics containing Lactobacillus
acidophilus and Bifidus, they can help us to detoxify the internal terrain.
Numerous studies have been conducted to understand the mechanism of how
probiotics work. Many amazing facts have been established concerning the
beneficial and therapeutic aspects of probiotics including:
1. Increased enzyme production such as proteases that digest proteins and
lipases that digest fats.
2. Improved bowel transit time and texture of the fecal matter.
3. Increases synthesis of immune antibodies and augmentation of gamma-interferon
production.
4. Reduction of lactose intolerance caused by a deficiency of the enzyme
lactase which leads to reduced bloating, gas formation and stomach discomfort
after milk consumption.
5. Act as an anti-toxin with anti-carcinogenic and anti-tumor agent.
6. Relief of dermatitis and other skin disorders by improving gastrointestinal
bacteria balance.
Probiotics also have another benefit, if the intestines are not inhabitable
for the malevolent microorganisms:
They help reduce the amount of toxic chemicals in the
body, namely pathogenic bacteria and fungi that produce their own toxins.
At a local level, this minimizes the risk
of colon cancer, protects the entire
body and improves overall health on a larger scale. Opportunistic infections
are common in weakened cancer patients. Having an abundance of healthy flora
in the digestive tract will enhance the breakdown of food, resulting in
a more alkaline environment that is dreaded
by the cancer cell. Anti-fungal drugs are effective against cancer
because it can induce apoptosis and deregulate the immune system,
Regular supplementation with probiotics such as acidophilus repopulates
your intestinal tract with benevolent bugs. These microorganisms restore
and maintain balance within your internal ecosystem while displacing noxious
bacteria and fungi at the same time. They also increase the acidity of the
intestinal environment that "useful" bugs thrive in (acidophilus literally
means "love of acid") and harmful bugs detest.
In addition to probiotics, it is important to consider the role
of fungus in cancer. There are 400,000 species of fungi,
out of which 400 are pathogens. Its job is to decay matters into fundamental
components. Maitake mushroom, a medical and anti-cancer mushroom, contains
beta 1,3 glucan that induces apoptosis in cancer cell. It is interesting
to note that certain chemotherapeutic agent employ the same principal and
contain beta 1,3 glucan as well. As our vitality goes down, fungus (yeast)
steps in as the undertaker of our body to start its degradation work. Most end stage cancer patients have yeast infections.
Dose: Acidophilus supplements are widely available in health food stores
and drugstores. Selecting from among the numerous "something-dophilus"
products may appear a daunting task. Examine the labels and you will discover
a variety of "useful" bugs including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium
bifidum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus faecium. Some products
may contain fructo-oligosaccharides, which are sugars that nourish beneficial
bacteria to make them colonize faster. All of these "ingredients" are acceptable
and any combination of them works well.
Remember that acidophilus supplements contain living organisms so freshness is critical. Purchase a product well before
its expiry date, which should be clearly displayed. Once the supplements
are opened, keep them refrigerated. Discard any supplements that are more
than six months old. Dosage varies from one product to another. It is best
to refer to the instructions on the label.
3. "Green Foods"
There
are 3 algae and 2 cereal grasses that are commonly classified as "Green
Foods". The algae are chlorella, spirulina and green blue algae (aphanizomenon
flas-aquae). The grasses are wheat grass and barley grass. Of
the five, chlorella is probably the best. All green food, in addition
to being highly nutritious, alkalinizes the body and prevent cancer growth.
Chlorella is a unique single-celled fresh water green algae. It contains
amino acids (protein), enzymes (including pepsin for digestion), vitamins,
minerals and carbohydrates. It is a self-contained whole food. It is a complete
protein source. It contains 18 of the 22 known amino acids, include the
8 essential amino acids. Compare to others, chlorella contain 50-60 percent
protein, spirulina 73%, blue green algae 56%, barley grass 14% and wheat
grass 18%.
Chlorella also has the highest content of chlorophyll
of any plant. In fact, it has 5 to 10 times the chlorophyll content
of spirulina, wheat grass and barley grass. It is also higher in chlorophyll
than blue green algae.
The anti-cancer properties of Chlorella are many, including the following:
· Chlorella stimulates Interferon, our body's natural defense against
cancer. Chlorella's unique cell wall is unique in its ability
to mediate interferon production and fight cancer and sets it apart from
other sets "green" foods. Chlorella's tough cell wall makes it a far superior
nutrient compare to the other algae or grasses. Its cell wall has been shown
to eliminate toxins, pesticides, and heavy metals from the body. It also
induces interferon production in the body, which is important to immune
function.
· The nucleus of chlorella contains a substance
called chlorella growth factor (CGF). CGF improves resistance to abdominal
tumors while increasing the number of immune cells in the abdominal cavity.
Laboratory mice fed chlorella have obtained life span increases of over
30%. Many researchers feel the CGF is responsible for this increase.
· Chlorella Increases T-Cells and B-Cells lymphocytes.
Mice that were injected with cancer cells showed a higher resistance to
this challenge if they had been fed chlorella.
· Chlorella improves fatigue often associated
with chemotherapy. White blood cell count is often improved.
Taking chlorella by itself is not easy. Consider
blending the chlorella with vegetable juice or water and take with meals.
Fruit juice is not recommended due to its high sugar content and lack of
fiber. Chlorella enhances the reproduction rate of our normal gastrointestinal
flora that enhances the breakdown of food. Some people who begin to take
chlorella for the first time may go through cleansing reactions, sometimes
referred to as a "healing crisis". This cleansing reaction comes in the
form of intestinal activity such as gas, cramping, constipation or diarrhea.
Some may feel a "toxic release" during the initial course of intake, especially
if the previous diet is one of high fat and refined sugar. Very sensitive
individuals may want to start with as little as 300 mg a day and gradually
increase the dose by 500 mg every 3-5 days.
Dose: Preventive Dose: 3 grams a day; Therapeutic
dosage ranges from 10-30 grams a day. Average intake: 5-10 grams a day.
Chlorella can be taken at any time of the day. It can be taken
all at once or it can be taken in small dosages throughout the day, which
is preferable. There is no established toxic dose for chlorella. It is a
whole food, not a concentrate or extract, therefore you cannot take too
much of it because of its detoxifying abilities.
| Attention Because of tremendous individual variation, the use of nutritionals should therefore be personalized for your body. One person’s nutrient can be another person’s toxin. If you have a specific health concern and wish my personalized nutritional recommendation, write to me by clicking here. |
4. Fiber Supplementation.
The average American diet is low in fiber (5-15
grams). For optimal bowel health, 25-30 grams
of fiber is needed. This can be achieved by taking in half a
cup of bran, one cup of legume, 2 cups of vegetables, 3 fruits, whole grain
bread and cereal on a daily basis. If you are not, consider fiber supplementation
together with digestive enzymes and higher intake of water to enhance gastrointestinal
health. All fiber supplements are best taken one hour before a meal so as
not to interfere with absorption of nutrients.
There are two types of fibers - soluble and insoluble. Many take
soluble fiber such as Psyllium to lower cholesterol. Soluble fibers are
found abundant in fruits, oat bran, legumes, apple pectin, and guar gum.
If you are currently on soluble fiber for cholesterol control, there is
no reason to stop for the simple reason that soluble fiber does lower cholesterol
and helps transit time.
For cancer treatment specifically, take additional
vegetables and whole grain products such as wheat bran that will provide
you with insoluble fiber, the key to preventing cancer. A number
of factors may contribute to this protective effect. By speeding food through
the intestines, fiber reduces the time the intestinal lining is exposed
to any cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) that may be present in the
food. Fiber attracts water to the stool, which dilutes the carcinogens and
reduces their cancer-causing 
potential.
Fiber may also alter the normal bacteria and
acidity in the digestive system, reducing the production of carcinogens.
Regardless of whether you are taking soluble or insoluble fiber, do remember
to make sure your water intake is at least 8-10 glasses a day and use pancreatic enzymes.
Fiber alkalinizes the body and at the same
time it detoxifies. All cancer patients should have an optimized digestive
track and an alkaline internal terrain. Taking fiber is one sure way
to achieve that.
Dose: 15- 35 grams of fiber a day is
needed as the minimum amount to enhance digestive health and promote smooth
transit time.
| Message from Dr. Lam I hope you have enjoyed reading this article. If you have areas you don’t understand, comments (good or bad), or if you have a specific health concern, feel free to write to me by clicking here. |
About The Author
Michael Lam, M.D., M.P.H., A.B.A.A.M. is a specialist in Preventive and Anti-Aging Medicine. He is currently the Director of Medical Education at the Academy of Anti-Aging Research, U.S.A. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, California. He also holds a Masters of Public Health degree and is Board Certification in Anti-aging Medicine by the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. Dr. Lam pioneered the formulation of the three clinical phases of aging as well as the concept of diagnosis and treatment of sub-clinical age related degenerative diseases to deter the aging process. Dr. Lam has been published extensively in this field. He is the author of The Five Proven Secrets to Longevity (available on-line). He also serves as editor of the Journal of Anti-Aging Research.
For More Information
For the latest anti-aging related health issues, visit Dr. Lam
at www.LamMD.com. Feel free to email
Dr. Lam at dr@LamMD.com if you have any questions.
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©2002 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
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