I don't have any questions, I just wanted to thank you for bringing life back to me.
I was so sick and now I am feeling as good as I did twenty years ago! It has been a long battle: no energy, aches and pains going from one
Dr. to the next. They told me it was anything from arthritis to depression; they had me on steroids for three years... All behind me now!
I just don't know how to thank you. I think it would be wonderful if you could just be everywhere with your caring heart. Information and the
real reason behind all of the bad, sick days that so many of us have had.
Sincerely, Jessica...@telusplanet.net
More
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 Table of Contents.
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.
Part 1 of 6
The War On Cancer - Who Is Winning?
Over
the past 80 years, the war on cancer was fought with 3 tools: surgery (cut),
radiation therapy (burn), and chemotherapy (poison). Over the same period,
there had been rapid improvements in technology and medical science. As
such, one would expect medical treatments and success rates for cancer to
rise steadily. But has it? The answer is an emphatic "no".
Unfortunately, the overall cancer incidence has increased by 44% since
1950, with breast cancer and male colon cancer increasing by 60% and
prostate cancer increasing by 100%. Furthermore, 44% of Americans are expected
to develop cancer in the near future.
For many decades, the 5-year survival term has remained constant for
non-localized breast cancer at 18% and lung cancer at 13%. Overall, the
average cancer patient today has a 50% chance of living another 5 years,
which is exactly the same odds he or she had way back in 1971.
The war on cancer seems to be a dismal failure considering the 45 billion
dollars spent over the past few decades on cancer research. While the
National Cancer Institute (NCI) claims that the 5 year survival rates (definition
of a cure) have increased from 20% from the year 1930 to 53% in adults and
70% in children today, critics of the NCI claim that this increase has more
to do with earlier diagnosis alone and not the therapeutic modalities used.
Between the years of 1973 to 1987, melanoma increased by 83%, non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma by 51% and lung cancer by 32%. The 30-year trend (1960-62 to 1990-92)
for death resulting from lung cancer is 85% higher for men and 438% higher
for women, 29% higher for prostate cancer, 4% higher for breast cancer,
and 12% higher for female pancreatic cancer. However, over this same period,
the rate of death has dropped for cancer of the colon and rectum by 9%,
male leukemia by 9%, and ovarian cancer by 8%. Overall, the cancer death
rate, after adjusting changes in the size and composition of the population
with respect to age has increased by 7% between the years of 1975 and 1990.
Spokesman for conventional therapies often boost the 5-year survival rate
as an indication of progress and money well spent. Let us take a closer
look.
Between the years 1974 to 1976 and 1981
to 1987, the 5-year-survival rates only increased by 2%, from 49% to 51%
on an overall basis. The 5-year survival rates for cancer of
the liver, lung, pancreas, bone and breast has remained the same as they
were in 1965. Due to advanced diagnostic modalities, survival time seems
longer than in the past probably because of earlier diagnosis and not successful
treatments. For example, a woman whose breast cancer is diagnosed 3 years
earlier because of mammography may live for another 7 years after diagnosis.
In 1985, using older diagnostic and treatment tools, this same women would
have appeared to live only 4 years. We
have improved on screening tools, but the majority of advances are not in
curing tools.
Let us look at some additional hard statistics on common cancers.
The 5-year survival rate (all stages) using conventional treatment for bladder
cancer is 80.7%, 83.2% for breast cancer, 61% for colorectal cancer, 57%
for kidney cancer, 68% for leukemia, 13% for lung cancer, 86% for melanoma,
51% for non-hodgkin's lymphoma, 44% for ovarian cancer, 3.6% for pancreatic
cancer, 85% for prostate cancer, and 68% for uterine cancer. Based on these
statistics, you may feel pretty good. This is assuming that after 5 years,
your chances of survival is the same based on a straight line curve going
up.
Looking at things from a long-term aspect, the numbers become scarier. For
example, the
extended survival rate (beyond 5
years) for breast cancer is less then
50%. For prostate cancer, the future is not much better, with a 5-year-survival
rate of about 70%, and 10-year survival rate of around 35%.
The question to ask is - Did cancer ever exist on earth before the advent
of modern medicine? Of course! Then, how did people treat cancer over the
past 5,000 years? Did they simply die? No, of course not. Through the centuries,
natural therapies have been available and were used by emperors and kings
alike to combat cancer. Unfortunately, their use has been suppressed the
past century and been labeled as "quackery" by today's modern
medicine.
Part 2 of 6
Cancer According To Natural MedicinePart 3 of 6
Integrating
Natural and Conventional Therapy Part 4 of 6
Know Your Enemy
Human and animal studies have shown successful results when combining chemotherapeutic
agents and natural compounds.
The objectives and rationale behind combining
conventional therapies with natural treatments are as follows:
A. To reduce the negative side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
so that a more effective and safer dose can be given.
High success rates have been reported in this aspect. Antioxidants such
as vitamin C, melatonin, and vitamin E have protected animals from drug-induced
toxicity without interfering with the drug's anti-tumor effect. It not only
protects normal tissues from free radicals caused by chemotherapy but also
acts as an immunity booster and produces healthier cells that need a high
concentration of antioxidants to function in optimum form.
B. To help normal cells resist chemotherapy and radiotherapy or increase
drug accumulation in cancer cells.
Cancer cells adapt to stress more readily than normal cells. They are much
stronger after being exposed to chemotherapy. Natural compounds will destroy
the heat-shock proteins that protect the cancer cell. As a result, drug
resistance will be lowered.
C. Additive or synergistic cytotoxic effect with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
When natural compounds are combined with chemotherapeutic drugs, the cytotoxic
effect is additive. Natural compounds and chemotherapy drugs may destroy
the cancer cells through different but complementary pathways.
Selenium, a natural supplement has been proven to reduce both the adverse
effects of cisplatin and multi-drug resistance induced by cisplatin. Two
grams of vitamin C can enhance the effects of doxorubicin, cisplatin, and
paclitaxel against breast cancer cells. In another study, mushroom polysaccharides
PSK or PSP has prolonged the lives of tumor-bearing rodents and protected
them from the adverse effects caused by chemotherapy.
Natural compound glutamine reduces adverse
effects caused by chemotherapy in gastrointestinal-related disease.
Proteolytic enzymes help in absorption
and tissue diffusion of drugs, including antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs.
Quercetin
and genistein act synergistically with many chemotherapy drugs, including
cisplatin. In addition, Green tea, emodin, and ginseng also have synergistic
effects. However, the dosage administered is often quite high.
Vitamin A in the form of retinyl palmitate
works synergistically with many different chemotherapy agents. Vitamin E
enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy against cancer cells and protects
the normal cells.
In a study conducted, Vitamin A in the form of retinyl
palmitate was used with vitamin C, vitamin E, and other minerals in patients
with small-cell lung cancer. The consummation of these vitamins
actually prolonged the lives of these patients. Their two-year survival
rate was increased to 33 percent, compared with 15 percent otherwise.
Another natural agent melatonin acts as
an antioxidant and reduces the adverse effects of chemotherapy without lessening
its anti-tumor actions.
The first lesson in war is to "know thy enemy". Here
are 10 cancer characteristics you must know in order to fight the cancer
battle and win.
1. Mitochondria. Cancer
cells prefer sugar as a source of fuel as compared to normal cells, which
favor oxygen. This is an inefficient pathway of energy generation. This
process drains the body of the much-needed energy at a time when the body
is weak. As a result, most cancer patients are weak and tired. The mitochondria
are the energy factories of the cell. Fortification
of mitrochondraial function will help cellular energy generation.
2.
Free Radicals. Free radicals
are generated as a result of environmental toxins, stress, processed foods,
and pollution. Free radicals are a direct cause of cellular mutation and
cancer. An optimum blend of therapeutic antioxidants
is a cornerstone for any anti-cancer program.
3.
Matrix. Cancer cells are usually benign and exist throughout
the human body. Such benign tumors are encapsulated by fiber and are insulated
from the body and their toxic effects. Cancer cells spread locally by secreting
enzymes that eats into the interstitial collagen that forms the intercellular
matrix. Reinforcement of this matrix
is akin to building a strong wall and preventing the cancer cells from advancing.
4.
Temperature Sensitive. Cancer cells are more sensitive
to heat and less able to tolerate high temperatures as compared to normal
cells. Hyperthermia should be used, including
metabolic hyperthermia at the cellular level, to kill cancer cells.
5.
Angiogenesis. Cancer cells spread to distant sites by angiogenesis
(formation of new blood vessel). Masses of cancer cells become like parasites,
developing their own network of blood vessels and siphoning key nutrients
from the body. Certain non-toxic compounds
have proven to retard this process.
6.
Toxins. Many cancers come on because of excessive toxins
and an ineffective toxin clearance mechanism. Detoxification
is a key to cancer control and prevention. The liver, skin, kidney,
and lungs are major detoxification centers of the body.
7.
Internal Terrain. Our body is an internal closed ecosystem. The
proper balance of this internal terrain is to maintain optimum
acid and base balance to prevent unwanted bacteria, fungus, and
protein (prions) in the body.
8.
Immune. Our body's first line of defense against foreign insult
is our immune system. Those who are immunologically
strong have a longer survival time.
9.
Hormones. Most cancers have a hormonal component. Hormonal imbalance
is a major cause of many cancers, including breast and prostate cancer.
Modulation and correction of hormonal
imbalance naturally will correct the systemic dysfunction upon
which hormonal sensitive cancer is kept under control.
10.
Inflammation. Infections, poor dietary habits, or high sugar
and trans-fat intake are potential carcinogens that lead to mutational changes
and an exaggerated inflammatory response that may be out of control. Some
side effects of inflammatory response
include atherosclerosis, diabetes, stroke, and hypertension.
Is
Natural Medicine For Me?
There are 3 steps you should take to make this critical decision. No one
should embark on a natural medicine program without understanding what it
is all about. It is not an easy route to take, but it has its rewards.
Step
1: Face the Reality
Accept the fact that you have cancer. We all have cancer, to some degree.
You probably just have it more than others.
Cancer can be beaten. It is not the end of the world. Do not be afraid.
Death is a natural consequence of living. Everyone has to die someday. What
is more important is the quality of life you live. You should pause for
a moment to focus on the more important aspects of life:
Relationships you cherish
Your goals and missions in life
Nature and its beauty
Peace with God
Cleanse your heart and mind from negative thoughts. Cherish the life
you have and learn to give thanks in all circumstances. The fact that you
can read this is a thanksgiving item. Remember that there are many people
who are less fortunate than you.
Do you wish to beat cancer? There are thousands of people beating it
each day. Those who have the strongest will to live have the best odds
of beating cancer. You must tell yourself "I refuse to die!" and
list out the reasons why you want to live. Perhaps it is your wish to be
with your loved ones, or you have an unfulfilled mission. Whatever the reasons
may be, list them out. Without these reasons and objectives, you cannot
conquer cancer. Until your objectives for fighting the war on cancer are
clear, do not proceed.
The road to beating cancer may require a change of lifestyle. Are you prepared
to change and make sacrifices? Are you prepared to admit the wrongs you
have done to your body in the past and take steps to correct them?
If you have decided that you want to beat cancer, make a commitment and
join a support group (perhaps your family or close friends). Make known
your intentions, and you are ready to move on. Incidentally, research has
shown that cancer patients who participate actively in a support group live
on the average 18 months longer.
Step
2: Do Your Homework
Fighting a war requires a battle plan together with a general that you can
trust. Before you can have a plan and appoint your general, you must understand
your battle in detail, the desired end results, and the price you are prepared
to pay.
Discuss with your doctor; get the official
medical diagnosis, the staging, and any variances. Search the
internet for as much information as possible, both from a conventional and
alternative approach. Verify that the prognosis and treatment plan proposed
by your oncologist conforms to the established protocol. Jot down the questions
you may have on your cancer.
You will need a general and a good team to fight this war. Who should they
be? Do you feel comfortable with your current doctor? Do you require a second
opinion? Do you need other supporting health care professionals such as
nutritionists and psychotherapists to assist you? There are many professionals
out there who are more than willing to help you.
Step
3: Make the Decision
Does the concept of natural medicine make sense scientifically? Natural
medicine is about life-style changes. It is about taking non-toxic food
based supplements in quantity. It is a new perspective of medicine and will
be quite different from what you have been used to.
7
Steps to Beating Cancer Naturally
Cancer can be beaten naturally if you are determined.
There are seven important things you must follow from the natural medicine's
perspective to control cancer and beat it. They represent a complete approach
to addressing the major cancer characteristics outlined above. All the seven
steps are equally important.
Step
1: Starving Cancer cell
Cancer
is a sugar-feeder. You should learn to
reduce your intake of sugar (including grains and refined sugar) by 90%
to create a low sugar environment. Change to low-glycemic index
carbohydrates. Avoid all soda pop, most grains, rice, and potatoes.
Step
2: Oxygenate your body
Cancer cells hate oxygen. They thrive in an anaerobic (oxygen free) environment.
Moderate aerobic exercise is
the best way to get oxygen on board. If you are too weak to exercise, simple
deep breathing is a good start. Other oxygen generating modalities are
ozone and hydrogen peroxide therapy.
Step
3: Avoid Malnutrition
Approximately 40% of all cancer patients
die from malnutrition. It is important to maintain a good diet
and nutrition. Consume healthy fats and plant based proteins to maintain
nitrogen balance and muscle strength without aggravating cancer. The amount
of calories we need is determined by our individual physical activity level.
It is easy to consume calories. The challenge is to get nutritious and not
simply empty calories into our bodies. Stay with organic
whole foods, with plenty of green leafy vegetables, low-glycemic fruits,
beans and legumes for plant-based proteins.
Step
4: Use nutritional supplements
Therapeutic nutritional supplementation is a cornerstone for natural medicine
as our body does not get enough of them from a regular diet. A
"cocktail" of nutrients is needed to:
a. Prevent further mutational damage
b. Enhance mitochondrial function to increase energy production
c. Prevent cancer growth by blocking its spread
d. Enhance immune function to fight existing cancer cell
e. Balance our hormones
Step
5: Balance Your Internal terrain
Probiotics, enzymes, green food, and fibers are the 4 key pillars to rebalancing your internal milieu and pH.
Use these everyday to ensure smooth bowel transit time, proper absorption
of nutrients from the food you take, and proper balance of good and bad
bacteria.
Step
6: Balance your Toxin Load
Hundreds of toxic chemicals are accumulated in our bodies throughout the
years. These include mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
Detoxification is a process of cleansing our ecosystem and giving
it a fresh start. The key elements are:
a. To drink plenty of pure filtered water.
There are no better substitutes.
b. To enhance our liver's function,
which is the main detoxification organ, with herbs.
c. To use chelating agents to bind and
remove unwanted metals and minerals.
d. To flood the body with antioxidants
with vegetable juices.
Step
7: Balance Your Hormones
Often misunderstood and under-appreciated, hormones have a lot more to do
with cancer than we think. This is especially so with hormone
related cancers such as breast, ovary, uterus, and prostate cancer.
Maintaining a balanced hormonal profile is a key to well-being and longevity
as our bodies are flooded in a sea of hormones.
Addition
Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications:
Meditation
and stress relaxation
Active participation in a cancer help group
Reduce exposure to estrogen, environmental toxins, electromagnetic field
and microwaves
Avoid coffee, alcohol, tea, milk and all diary products
General
Cancer Nutraceutical Model
When it comes to nutrition as a tool to fight cancer, protocols
do not exist. Each practitioner has, from his or her own experience,
arrived at a general model that has worked well.
Here is a general cancer model that serves as a base for additional components
to be added depending on an individual's specific needs. It
is not a "protocol", as no such protocols exist when
it comes to individualized cancer therapy.
1.
A good foundational formula consisting of the following:
Vitamin A (Antioxidant) - 15,000 I.U. (300% RDA) with no more than
5,000 I.U. in Vitamin A palmitate and the rest in natural mixed beta carotene.
Vitamin C - (Antioxidant) - 1,000 mg (2,000% RDA)
Vitamin E - (Antioxidant) - 300 to 400 I.U. (1,333% RDA) in the
form of water dispersible d-alpha tocopherol (the natural form)
Selenium - (Antioxidant) - 200 mcg (285% RDA) in amino acid complex
forms to enhance absorption.
Magnesium - (Antioxidant) - 300 to 600 mg (125% RDA. The calcium
to magnesium ratio should be between1:1 to 1:2.
Vitamin B9 - (folic acid) - 800 mcg (200% RDA) - a non-toxic nutrient
that protects our chromosome from DNA damage and cancer.
Vitamin B12 - 100 to 1,000 mcg a day
Chromium - 200 mcg (166% RDA)
Zinc - 30 mg (200% RDA)
Calcium - 300-500 mg (30-50% RDA)
Citrus Bioflavonoids - 100 mg
2.
Interstitial matrix and collagen building. This cocktail consists
of ascorbic acid and mineral ascobates, l-lysine, l-proline, and ascobyl
palmitate.
Begin with 1 gram 3 times a day, working up to 3 to 4 grams 3 times a day.
The ultimate goal should be 12 grams of ascobates, 5 grams of lysine, 3
grams of proline and 200 to 400 mg of ascobyl palmitate. The dosage should
be reduced if diarrhea occurs.
3.
Take whole food nutritional supplementation to modulate the internal
terrain and increase alkalinity. The key nutrients include chlorella,
spirulina, green blue algae, wheat grass, and barley grass. Take 20
to 40 grams of powered supplements a day.
Add soluble fiber to your diet to ensure optimum detoxification and smooth
bowel movement. Consume at least 10 to 15 grams of soluble fiber supplementation
in addition to a diet rich in raw whole foods.
4.
The following important anti-cancer nutrients may be required
depending on the person:
Co-enzyme Q10 at 100 to 300 mg a day
Niacinamide at 1,000 to 2,000 mg a day
Vitamin E at 400 to 1,200 I.U. may be added
Fish Oil at 3,000 to 5,000 mg a day
Calcium D Glucarate at 200 mg a day
Proteolytic Digestive Enzymes at 2 to 8 tablets three times a day
Quercetin at 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg a day
Beta Carotene at 20,000 to 50,000 IU may be added
Green tea extract (decaffeinated) at 200 mg a day
Pantothenic acid and pantethine mixed at 500 to 1,000 mg a day
Grape Seed Extract at 100 to 200 mg a day
5.
To boost immunity, the following should be considered:
Olive Leaf extract at 500 mg to 2,000 mg a day
Milk Thistle extract (80% minimum) at 150 mg to 300 mg a day
Tumeric extract (95% minimum) at 100 to 200 mg a day
Echinacea extract (4% phenoliocs) at 200 mg a day
Medical mushroom standardized (maitake, agaricus, and shitake) extracts
at 500 mg to 2 grams each per day
Garlic at 500 to 2,000 mg in concentrated form - equivalent to 1,250
mg garlic bulk or half a clove of fresh garlic a day
Cat's Claw extract at 200 to 1,500 mg a day
Essiac Tea (Essence or Brewed)
6.
Other Natural Therapies
There are also many forms of natural therapies not related to natural compounds
but related to characteristics of the cancerous process. Many of these
therapies are have been extensively used for decades in a clinical setting.
Scientific documentation and double blind studies required by modern medicine
are incomplete, but anecdotal reports from patients point to their validity.
Suffice to say that provided there is no harm, many patients, out of desperation,
will attempt to implement any one or all of these modalities. Many advanced
cancer clinics in Mexico or Western Europe employ these modalities.
They are by no means "quackery". It is fair to say, however, that
there is simply not enough data to pass the high level of scientific scrutiny.
Hyperthermia to Kill Cancer Cells
Bioresonance to Induce Cell Decomposition (lysis)
Magnetic Resonance Water (MRW) to Suppress Cancer Proliferation
Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation (UBI) Therapy
Oxygenating Therapies
Magnetic Therapy

Lymphatic Therapy
Insulin Potentiation Therapy
Zoetron Therapy
Conclusion
Cancer in the adult can partly be viewed as a degenerative process with
symptoms representative of underlying systemic dysfunction. We all have
cancer cells in our bodies. It is only when our body is unable to get rid
of the cancer cells that a disease process takes place.
What are the underlying system dysfunctions?
There are many factors, including emotional, diet, drugs and chemicals,
infections, genetic mutation, and environmental pollutants.
Conventional treatments look at cancer
as a disease state. The natural-oriented doctor views cancer as a set of
symptoms reflecting underlying disease.
The conventional treatment of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy has been
the cornerstone of cancer treatment over the past 50 years. Today, the clinical
success of these treatments has reached a plateau. There is an urgent need
to break though this cure plateau by trying fresh approaches.
In the United States, much controversy has arisen between mainstream and
alternative medicine. The cancer establishment, championed by the American
Cancer Society (ACS) has characterized natural and adjunctive cancer therapies
as the works of quacks preying on desperate and credulous cancer victims,
while the proponents of alternative therapies have depicted established
therapies as the "cut, burn, and poison" therapies of a cynical
and profit-driven conspiracy.
Interestingly, this adversary position
disappeared in many European countries like Switzerland, Germany, England,
and the Netherlands, where an open co-existence of natural and conventional
medicine in a complementary setting prospers.
Naturally oriented physicians view natural therapies as a way to complement
conventional therapies and help the patient overcome cancer without toxic
side effects. Perhaps now you should realize that both conventional and
alternative therapies are effective forms of cancer treatment. Today,
many natural and non-toxic modalities are offered in many countries such
as Switzerland, Germany, England, Mexico, and the Netherlands.
Natural treatments co-exist harmoniously with conventional treatments. The
results are excellent. In these countries, natural therapies and mainstream
medicine are both recognized as effective treatments for cancer.
However, in the United States, it is still not very recognized. Many doctors
do not recommend them. The most common reasons are ignorance and rigid medical
standards. This may be the underlying reason as to why United States ranks
low, a number 13th on the longevity scale despite having the most advance
medical technology in the world.
Modern natural medicine approaches cancer therapy by incorporating the use
of antioxidants, lifestyle changes, herbs, and dietary modifications to
beat it. These approaches will also help to prepare the cancer patient's
body for conventional treatments and also help reduce any side effects. The use of both natural non-toxic therapies
and conventional therapies in a logical and judicious manner makes sense.
Neither conventional nor alternative treatment holds the magic bullet in
cancer treatment. Combining the best of both worlds to beat cancer make
the most logical sense for the patient.
Looking into the future, the good news is that less toxic and target specific
chemotherapeutic agents are being developed. are high.
Unfortunately, most cancer patients do not have time to wait. Sometimes,
they are only given a few more months to live. They and their families are
desperate and will look for any modality that offers a promise now.
Practitioners of natural therapies range from lay people with no medical
training to highly trained doctors who have departed from their mainstream
practice. The vast majority are doctors seeking to supplement careful
use of conventional therapies with natural approaches and not to replace
them.
Choosing the proper combination and dosage
of these natural compounds is an important key to success. This comes with
not only experience but also an extensive medical knowledge of cancer. It
is therefore highly recommended to consult a nutritionally oriented physician
with orthomolecular oncology experience before you start any self-treatment.