Boosting Your Immune System

cancer survivor x 4

Good Morning,
It makes sense to me, that the stronger your immune system is, the better it can fight off cancer cells. I want to know what things different people are doing to really boost their immune systems. Nancy707, please weigh in on this, because I know you are doing some different things and I would be interested in hearing about them. I just have serious doubts about second line chemo's. Paula

Unknown

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cancer survivor x 4

unknown said:

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That Makes Alot Of Sense
Hello Nancy,
thank-you for responding to my post. Let's see, you were a Stage 3C, clear cell and you have been NED for almost 4 years? It sounds like all of the different things that you are doing to boost your immune system may be working. I am looking into the high dose vitamin treatments and I am really, really, overhauling the food that I buy at the grocery store. Tonight, I am having mushrooms stuffed with spinach and fish. What do you think? Luv Ya, Paula

Unknown

cancer survivor x 4 said:

That Makes Alot Of Sense
Hello Nancy,
thank-you for responding to my post. Let's see, you were a Stage 3C, clear cell and you have been NED for almost 4 years? It sounds like all of the different things that you are doing to boost your immune system may be working. I am looking into the high dose vitamin treatments and I am really, really, overhauling the food that I buy at the grocery store. Tonight, I am having mushrooms stuffed with spinach and fish. What do you think? Luv Ya, Paula

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

VictoriaSF

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

eating healthy
hi,
i am pretty new and i am about to start chemo soon, so i have evidence that it is helping, but i know that eating healthy can not be bad for sure..
i eat lots of green veggies - collard greens, kale, dandelion, cabbage,spinach,etc...
it is great as quick sautee, with some tofu, or over side dish.Shitake mushrooms good too.
also - soups are great too.
same as Nancy - i am avoiding white bread, rice, potatoes, etc...
i eat brown and wild rice, legumes, quinoa- my vavorite - it is great super food, easy to make, can be made as pilaf, easy to digest. i buy both yellow and red and mix together - just for the look.Also - i use seaweed - as addition to soups and stews. can be bought dry at health food stores. not too much meat, more fish. Suppliments - i take reservatrol, CoQ10, A,C,D,E and liquid iron. i do dring hermal teas - but i did that even before cancer, as i can not tolerate cafeine. i dring dendalion tea - it is mils diuretic and cleansing well - liver and kidney.
as for sweets that i like soooo much - i eat little bit of dark chocolate with 80-90% of cocoa.
i hope it will help me to go thrue chemo easier and not gain too much weight
hugs

Victoria

VictoriaSF

VictoriaSF said:

eating healthy
hi,
i am pretty new and i am about to start chemo soon, so i have evidence that it is helping, but i know that eating healthy can not be bad for sure..
i eat lots of green veggies - collard greens, kale, dandelion, cabbage,spinach,etc...
it is great as quick sautee, with some tofu, or over side dish.Shitake mushrooms good too.
also - soups are great too.
same as Nancy - i am avoiding white bread, rice, potatoes, etc...
i eat brown and wild rice, legumes, quinoa- my vavorite - it is great super food, easy to make, can be made as pilaf, easy to digest. i buy both yellow and red and mix together - just for the look.Also - i use seaweed - as addition to soups and stews. can be bought dry at health food stores. not too much meat, more fish. Suppliments - i take reservatrol, CoQ10, A,C,D,E and liquid iron. i do dring hermal teas - but i did that even before cancer, as i can not tolerate cafeine. i dring dendalion tea - it is mils diuretic and cleansing well - liver and kidney.
as for sweets that i like soooo much - i eat little bit of dark chocolate with 80-90% of cocoa.
i hope it will help me to go thrue chemo easier and not gain too much weight
hugs

Victoria

no evidence
i made typo - I have NO evidence that it is helping

anicca

I think getting enough sleep
I think getting enough sleep is very important. I have a chronic sinus infection that started right after I was awake all night (before my dx) and any time I am sleep deprived, it gets worse.

I recently read a short article in the NY Times that a study had shown Swedish deep massage boosted the number of white cells. It was compared to "regular" massage, which did not have as big an effect.

mopar

MORE IDEAS
Although I followed a healthy diet before, I'm extra attentive now - sugar VERY sparingly, like holidays, or my special once a day piece of dark chocolate! Lean proteins, veges, berries, whole grains, pure water, I think you get the idea. I do take supplements, especially Vitamin C, DIM, and AHCC mushroom (helps your body produce killer cells). If you have a rebounder (mini trampoline), 1 minute light bounces maybe every couple of hours or so will boost the T-Cells. I continue my weight training which is also cardio, but the resistive training helps to maintain bone mass, build muscle, burn fat, good overall strengthening.

Hope this all helps! (I know I'll think of something else after I post this!)

(((HUGS)))
Monika

Cler

mopar said:

MORE IDEAS
Although I followed a healthy diet before, I'm extra attentive now - sugar VERY sparingly, like holidays, or my special once a day piece of dark chocolate! Lean proteins, veges, berries, whole grains, pure water, I think you get the idea. I do take supplements, especially Vitamin C, DIM, and AHCC mushroom (helps your body produce killer cells). If you have a rebounder (mini trampoline), 1 minute light bounces maybe every couple of hours or so will boost the T-Cells. I continue my weight training which is also cardio, but the resistive training helps to maintain bone mass, build muscle, burn fat, good overall strengthening.

Hope this all helps! (I know I'll think of something else after I post this!)

(((HUGS)))
Monika

Have you heard of Biobran?
Has anyone tried Biobran? It's a nutritional supplement which is supposed to boost the immune system hugely. (350%!!) Check this link out: http://www.canceractive.com/cancer-active-page-link.aspx?n=1021

It's pretty expensive but seems to work for some people. Although there doesn't seem to be any clinical trials for it. I'm going to try it. It is supposed to boost your immune in just a few weeks. With a Pet Scan coming up I'm hoping it will help kill off some of those nasty cells before! Not sure if it works but you never know.

I too have an organic, mostly vegan diet - occasionally some fish but never meat or dairy. I also think yoga and meditation help to lower stress and boost your immune function and physical activity for at least 30 mins every day without fail - even in chemo!! Visualization is also a new thing I'm trying - who knows, it's free, why not try it!

Cler X

Unknown

Cler said:

Have you heard of Biobran?
Has anyone tried Biobran? It's a nutritional supplement which is supposed to boost the immune system hugely. (350%!!) Check this link out: http://www.canceractive.com/cancer-active-page-link.aspx?n=1021

It's pretty expensive but seems to work for some people. Although there doesn't seem to be any clinical trials for it. I'm going to try it. It is supposed to boost your immune in just a few weeks. With a Pet Scan coming up I'm hoping it will help kill off some of those nasty cells before! Not sure if it works but you never know.

I too have an organic, mostly vegan diet - occasionally some fish but never meat or dairy. I also think yoga and meditation help to lower stress and boost your immune function and physical activity for at least 30 mins every day without fail - even in chemo!! Visualization is also a new thing I'm trying - who knows, it's free, why not try it!

Cler X

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VictoriaSF

unknown said:

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to nancy - bee pollen
Nancy!
bee pollen is great, i used to take for a while, even before cancer.
i had to travel on business a lot and was tired, spend most of my time in china and to support my immune system was taking bee pollen - it had good results
at that time i was buying from local farmers market,
where do you buy? do you by specific brand?
as for DIM and mushrooms - what brand do you buy?
thank you
victoria

Mum2bellaandwilliam

VictoriaSF said:

to nancy - bee pollen
Nancy!
bee pollen is great, i used to take for a while, even before cancer.
i had to travel on business a lot and was tired, spend most of my time in china and to support my immune system was taking bee pollen - it had good results
at that time i was buying from local farmers market,
where do you buy? do you by specific brand?
as for DIM and mushrooms - what brand do you buy?
thank you
victoria

Purica immune 7x
Not long after mum was diagnosed , I joined ovarian cancer awareness page on Facebook , a lady on there had been taking this and had been in remission for several years , still taking it to this day. Who knows did it help or would she have had her long remission anyway?
I insisted that we got some for mum and she is taking two capsules a day, she never picked up a cold during chemo, depite being around all the grandchildren!
There have also been studies done , and it has been proven to have benefits for cancer patients, although I believe the trial was small and it was carried out in china.
Make of it what you will, I hope it has helped mum.

Unknown

VictoriaSF said:

to nancy - bee pollen
Nancy!
bee pollen is great, i used to take for a while, even before cancer.
i had to travel on business a lot and was tired, spend most of my time in china and to support my immune system was taking bee pollen - it had good results
at that time i was buying from local farmers market,
where do you buy? do you by specific brand?
as for DIM and mushrooms - what brand do you buy?
thank you
victoria

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Tethys41

VictoriaSF said:

eating healthy
hi,
i am pretty new and i am about to start chemo soon, so i have evidence that it is helping, but i know that eating healthy can not be bad for sure..
i eat lots of green veggies - collard greens, kale, dandelion, cabbage,spinach,etc...
it is great as quick sautee, with some tofu, or over side dish.Shitake mushrooms good too.
also - soups are great too.
same as Nancy - i am avoiding white bread, rice, potatoes, etc...
i eat brown and wild rice, legumes, quinoa- my vavorite - it is great super food, easy to make, can be made as pilaf, easy to digest. i buy both yellow and red and mix together - just for the look.Also - i use seaweed - as addition to soups and stews. can be bought dry at health food stores. not too much meat, more fish. Suppliments - i take reservatrol, CoQ10, A,C,D,E and liquid iron. i do dring hermal teas - but i did that even before cancer, as i can not tolerate cafeine. i dring dendalion tea - it is mils diuretic and cleansing well - liver and kidney.
as for sweets that i like soooo much - i eat little bit of dark chocolate with 80-90% of cocoa.
i hope it will help me to go thrue chemo easier and not gain too much weight
hugs

Victoria

My plan for success
Victoria,
It sounds as if you are on the right track. I work with a naturopath who had stage IV ovarian cancer 20 years ago. She treated herself and is healthy today, but still carries around the tumors, so is very careful about what she eats and does. I am doing what she does to keep me from having a recurrance. A few things you may want to consider:

We don't eat any soy that isn't fermented (including no tofu). Too much like hormones which can aggravate some cancers.

No iron supplements. Iron can aggravate cancer.

No gluten. My naturopath believes that there is a link between gluten intolerance (which she beleives most of the population has to some degree) and cancer.

No grains except millet, quinoa, and buckwheat. Rice has too much sugar and is acidic.

I was advised not to take resveratrol for two days before and two days after chemo, and to discontinue CQ-10 for the whole time I was having treatments.

Also, no using plastic food containers (glass only); no plastic water bottles; no plastic wrap; no non-stick cookware.

Reduce stress and do what it takes to get a good nights sleep every night, take 20 mg melatonin before bed. Get regular exercise.

No alcohol or caffeine, except for green tea. She also recommends Tulsi tea.

I received (an am still receiving) IV C throughout my chemo treatments (60 - 75grams each). Also nutirional IVs. On days I don't receive IVC, I take 1,000mg of liposomal vitamin C or liposheric vitamin C or a supplement called BIOfizz, which tastes better than the other two.

2 grams of curcumin daily.

5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily.

4 grams of fish oil daily.

Eat cruciferous vegetables 5 times per week.

Eat a lot of raspberries.

Dark chocolate (80% or more) is actually okay.

Cinnamon with meals helps keep the blood sugar under control, which is important.

The "Cancer Fighting Kitchen Cookbook" is a great resource.

It sounds like a lot, but it is all doable. With my naturopath as my example, I want to keep doing what she is doing.

Good luck.

VictoriaSF

Tethys41 said:

My plan for success
Victoria,
It sounds as if you are on the right track. I work with a naturopath who had stage IV ovarian cancer 20 years ago. She treated herself and is healthy today, but still carries around the tumors, so is very careful about what she eats and does. I am doing what she does to keep me from having a recurrance. A few things you may want to consider:

We don't eat any soy that isn't fermented (including no tofu). Too much like hormones which can aggravate some cancers.

No iron supplements. Iron can aggravate cancer.

No gluten. My naturopath believes that there is a link between gluten intolerance (which she beleives most of the population has to some degree) and cancer.

No grains except millet, quinoa, and buckwheat. Rice has too much sugar and is acidic.

I was advised not to take resveratrol for two days before and two days after chemo, and to discontinue CQ-10 for the whole time I was having treatments.

Also, no using plastic food containers (glass only); no plastic water bottles; no plastic wrap; no non-stick cookware.

Reduce stress and do what it takes to get a good nights sleep every night, take 20 mg melatonin before bed. Get regular exercise.

No alcohol or caffeine, except for green tea. She also recommends Tulsi tea.

I received (an am still receiving) IV C throughout my chemo treatments (60 - 75grams each). Also nutirional IVs. On days I don't receive IVC, I take 1,000mg of liposomal vitamin C or liposheric vitamin C or a supplement called BIOfizz, which tastes better than the other two.

2 grams of curcumin daily.

5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily.

4 grams of fish oil daily.

Eat cruciferous vegetables 5 times per week.

Eat a lot of raspberries.

Dark chocolate (80% or more) is actually okay.

Cinnamon with meals helps keep the blood sugar under control, which is important.

The "Cancer Fighting Kitchen Cookbook" is a great resource.

It sounds like a lot, but it is all doable. With my naturopath as my example, I want to keep doing what she is doing.

Good luck.

thank you Kate
Thank you Kate for such detailed list
i would love to consult with your naturopath , what state she is in?
i too believe food and vitamins can help greatly
hugs
v

Hissy_Fitz

unknown said:

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Just an FYI on raw honey....
I was advised to stay away from raw honey while on chemo becuase of my compromised immune system.

Botulinum spores are found widely in soil, dust, and honey. Adults who swallow botulinum spores are almost never affected, as long as their immune systems are not compromised.
Botulinum toxin is the most poisonous natural substance known to man. The lethal dose is only 0.0000001 mg per kg of body weight -- an amount that would be invisible to the naked eye. This tiny amount in the blood stream can cause death within minutes through paralysis of the muscles used in breathing.

Unknown

Hissy_Fitz said:

Just an FYI on raw honey....
I was advised to stay away from raw honey while on chemo becuase of my compromised immune system.

Botulinum spores are found widely in soil, dust, and honey. Adults who swallow botulinum spores are almost never affected, as long as their immune systems are not compromised.
Botulinum toxin is the most poisonous natural substance known to man. The lethal dose is only 0.0000001 mg per kg of body weight -- an amount that would be invisible to the naked eye. This tiny amount in the blood stream can cause death within minutes through paralysis of the muscles used in breathing.

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Hissy_Fitz

unknown said:

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No worries.....
I wouldn't eat sushi anyway. Where I come from, they call it "bait." ...LOL

Carlene

Tethys41

VictoriaSF said:

thank you Kate
Thank you Kate for such detailed list
i would love to consult with your naturopath , what state she is in?
i too believe food and vitamins can help greatly
hugs
v

Naturopath
My naturopath is located in Durango Colorado. Her clinic is named Namaste Health Center. Her policy is that she needs to meet a new patient face-to-face on the first visit, but subsequent visits can be by phone.

I am so glad you are looking at things other than chemo to help you. You deserve the best approach.

Tethys41

VictoriaSF said:

thank you Kate
Thank you Kate for such detailed list
i would love to consult with your naturopath , what state she is in?
i too believe food and vitamins can help greatly
hugs
v

Curcumin
I should mention, no curcumin two days before and after chemo. MD Anderson has tested curcumin and found it to be amazingly effective. It reduces inflammation which is huge. They say, however, that no one is pursuing it as a cancer treatment becasue it can't be patented and therefore no one will make money on it. The more you look into these things, the more evident that relying solely on what the FDA approves is not really what is best in fighting this disease. Lifestyle changes are a must. We got sick while living like we did. It makes sense that continuing to live like that is a factor in recurrence.

Tethys41

Hissy_Fitz said:

Just an FYI on raw honey....
I was advised to stay away from raw honey while on chemo becuase of my compromised immune system.

Botulinum spores are found widely in soil, dust, and honey. Adults who swallow botulinum spores are almost never affected, as long as their immune systems are not compromised.
Botulinum toxin is the most poisonous natural substance known to man. The lethal dose is only 0.0000001 mg per kg of body weight -- an amount that would be invisible to the naked eye. This tiny amount in the blood stream can cause death within minutes through paralysis of the muscles used in breathing.

Honey
Honey equals sugar which we all need to stay away from.