Integrative Medicine -Looking for other Cancer Survivors Utilizing Anti-Cancer Diet and other Integr

The anti-cancer diet
Babs--

You'll find lots of information on this board about the anti-cancer diet. Many of us follow this approach and believe that we can create a hostile environment for cancer cells through what we eat and don't eat.

I would suggest that you search the uterine cancer board for "anti-cancer" and check out all the threads that pop up. There is even one discussion that provides recipes.

I'm so sorry about your recurrence, but you will get tons of support here.

Jill

Please tell me more...
Hello,

I was wondering if you could tell me more about the diet you are on. Is a vegan diet with no sugar recommended for all cancers or particularly uterine cancer? I am trying to decide on a dietary approach to fight this now so any info you have would be very useful.

Also, which supplements are you taking and how did you decide which to take? Is the exercise programme quite intensive or is it a gentle programme?

I am doing yoga. i love it so much I have a new dream of becoming a yoga teacher if I can stop these recurrences happening. I also meditate - trying Buddhist and Mindfulness.

I am facing my second recurrence in 7 months so all advice you have I would appreciate wholeheartedly.

Thanks!
Cler

Cler said:

Please tell me more...
Hello,

I was wondering if you could tell me more about the diet you are on. Is a vegan diet with no sugar recommended for all cancers or particularly uterine cancer? I am trying to decide on a dietary approach to fight this now so any info you have would be very useful.

Also, which supplements are you taking and how did you decide which to take? Is the exercise programme quite intensive or is it a gentle programme?

I am doing yoga. i love it so much I have a new dream of becoming a yoga teacher if I can stop these recurrences happening. I also meditate - trying Buddhist and Mindfulness.

I am facing my second recurrence in 7 months so all advice you have I would appreciate wholeheartedly.

Thanks!
Cler

Dietary approaches
Like many of the ladies on this site, I am also trying to follow the "anti-cancer" book diet. I believe that there may be a pocket guide to this, which you can download, available at:

www.penguin.co.uk/anticancer

Some followers do not allow any animal protein or dairy products. I allow myself both, but not every day and in very small quantities (e.g. half a chicken breast is one portion for me) and try to buy organic/free range in both meat and dairy. My plate is mostly vegetables or salad. I can't always buy organic, but i wash everything thoroughly in a veggie wash to remove as much dirt and pesticides as possible. My breakfasts are nearly always a "no sugar added" muesli with berries, pineapple or other fruit. I eat multi grain bread and use a scrape of butter rather than processed spreads. I don't use jams (jellies) but have found a delicious apricot spread in the UK (it comes from France) which is made with fruit and fruit juices with no sugar. For snacks, I have fruit, nuts/seeds etc. I am not perfect (the occasional biscuit, chocolate or burger does sneak in) but I am much better than my pre cancer diet!

I also take supplements - a multivitamin, vitamin D, vitamin C (plus calcium) and the "controversial" vitamin B17 (extracted from apricot kernels) with zinc. I don't know if this will have any effect on my cancer, but I do feel more "in control" and at least if it does recur again I will not look back and say "if only .....".

Thee is a lot of diet advice available on the internet, but most of us seem to rate the anti-cancer book mentioned as a sort of "eating bible"!

With kindest wishes
Helen

norma2 said:

HI! Babs!!
I am so sorry to hear about your recurrance. I try and follow the Anti-Cancer Diet...especially the blueberries. Lots of broccoli. Take a turmeric capsule daily as well as a multiple vitamine and calcium supplement.

Please let us know how you are doing. I am glad you started this discussion.

dietary and other ideas
Hello Babs and thanks for bringing up this subject. I've learned such a lot from the dietary discussions on this site. I am very anxious to do all I can do avoid a recurrence (I had a stage 1A uterine carcinosarcoma treated with surgery and six rounds of carbo/taxol - have just completed treatment and had a clear CT scan so all is well at present). I bought the AntiCancer book that many others have referred to in December, just before starting chemo and have since adopted many of the ideas in it.
I have been a fish-eating vegetarian for many years so meat is not an issue for me. I eat fruit, esp berries, and as many different types of vegetable as possible, esp kale, spinach, sweet potato, tomato. Also flax seed oil and turmeric (just discovered turmeric pickle in my local Asian grocers). I bought a juicer and most days I have some combination of beetroot, apple, celery, carrot, cucumber, ginger, lemon, citrus, berries - whatever is to hand, I don't really follow juicing recipes. I did not take supplements during chemo but have started on vitamin D3 and a multivitamin aimed at skin, nails hair (for obvious reasons!). Oh, and green tea, of course...Have just returned from my GP for regular blood pressure check which I had neglected during treatment and she has ordered me a complete blood check including lipid profile, thyroid etc and to my surprise Vitamin D! (I was going to have this done privately - never had it done before).
The other thing is that I'm being treated at UCLH (London) and there is a free complementary medicine center there (I wouldn't call it integrative) where I've been having Reiki healing - apparently I can continue to have this post-chemo as well and am off tomorrow for a session.
I wish you all the very best with your treatment and do visit us often - you will find this site very helpful, I'm sure.
Best regards
Susan

missbabsonmars said:

Oh, I most definitely am
Oh, I most definitely am doing the tumeric mixed with black pepper, lots every day! The articles I've read on curcumin suggest that tablets are not as effective.

I am following the anti-cancer diet for sure.

Stamets 7 I believe is just a trade name. I buy the product from a company called Fungi Perfect. Dr. Abrams also recommended another mushroom tablet called Cordyceps for fatigue.

the problem with just using
the problem with just using tumeric is, if I remember correctly, tumeric has 2% of curcumin. So you have to have a bucket full of tumeric powder to get 6-8 grams of curcumin recommended by the MD Anderson cancer center.

RoseyR said:

How to Make Turmeric (and Curcumin) More Effective

A lot of you are asking how to use turmeric or what curcumin to take.

I'd like to share what I've learned about that subject from several books and online research.

According to Schreiber (in his book Anti-Cancer), turmeric isn't absorbed in our bodies unless we cook it in a bit of olive oil (organic and virgin, ideally) and add a dash of black pepper.

The potent anti-cancer component of turmeric is curcumin, however.

And while there are many curcumin capsules out there on the market, only Life Extension (as far as I know) makes one already combined with black paper (bioperine). It's called "SuperCurcumin" and comes only in 800 mg capsules, so two a day with meals would me a minmal dosage.

However, in his book Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients, Dr. Russell Blaylock advises us to take ANY curcumin capsule in a tablespoon of olive oil to further maximize its absorption. I've tried this with Supercurcumin (opened the capsule, added it to a tablespoon of olive oil and gulped it down) but have to warn you that it's a little acidic tasting (who cares, if it is saving our lives, right?) and that you need to wash your hands afterwards; curcumin will stain everything a bright orange. (Note that in nature, it's so often foods that are bright orange that are the healthiest.)

Sorry that I"ve been off the boards for a few weeks. Have just finished five weeks of pelvic radiation and am feeling just fine, remarkably. (Have had no fatigue, no urinary burning, no skin burn, and only very minor diahrrea--only after breakfast, for five or so days after treatment ended--and even this effect is already improving.) Now just need last three rounds of carbo/taxol to finish treatment.

Best,
Rosey

The only problem with the pill form is that I don't think it contains pepper and doubt it is heated in olive oil. but if you can add those two things to it than great.


Based on laboratory and animal studies, turmeric may inhibit platelets in the blood and increase the risk of bleeding caused by other drugs. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve® ).
Based on animal data,
o turmeric may lower blood sugar and therefore may have additive effects with diabetes medications.
o In animals, turmeric protects against stomach ulcers caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin (Indocin®) and
o Protects against heart damage caused by the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (Adriamycin®).
o Turmeric may lower blood pressure levels and may have an additive effect if taken with drugs that also lower blood pressure.
o Turmeric seems to thin the blood.
o Turmeric may lower blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol). Thus, turmeric may increase the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs such as lovastatin (Mevacor®) or atorvastatin (Lipitor®).
o Based on animal studies, turmeric may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Patients using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a healthcare professional or pharmacist about possible interactions.
o When taken with indomethacin or reserpine, turmeric may help reduce the number of stomach and intestinal ulcers normally caused by these drugs. However, when taken in larger doses or when used for long periods of time, turmeric itself can cause ulcers.
Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements
Based on animal studies, turmeric may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba , some cases with garlic, and fewer cases with saw palmetto.
Based on animal data, turmeric may lower blood sugar. Individuals taking other herbs or supplements or diabetes medications should speak with a healthcare professional before starting turmeric.
Turmeric may lower blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol). Thus, turmeric may increase the effects of cholesterol-lowering herbs or supplements such as fish oil, garlic, guggul, or niacin.
Based on animal studies, turmeric may interfere with the way the body processes certain herbs or supplements using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of other herbs or supplements may become too high in the blood. It may also alter the effects that other herbs or supplements possibly have on the P450 system.
Turmeric may lower blood pressure and may therefore have an additive effect if taken with herbs that also lower blood pressure.

o It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
1. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
2. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
3. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
4. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
5. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
6. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
7. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
8. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
9. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
10. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
11. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
12. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
13. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
14. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
15. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
16. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
17. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
18. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
19. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

In India, turmeric is readily available and has been used by many as an antiseptic for cuts, burns and bruises, and has also been used as an antibacterial agent. It is said to contain flouride, which is beneficial for teeth. In some countries, turmeric is also taken as a dietary supplement to help with stomach problems. The herb is being investigated for potential benefits in conditions of Alzheimer's disease, cancer and liver disorders. In Japan turmeric tea is a popular item in the city of Okinawa. Under the name of Avea, turmeric is sold as a treatment for depression.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health began four clinical trials for uses of curcumin (turmeric's active agent) in treatment for Alzheimer's disease, colorectal cancer, multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer.
A study by the UCLA Veterans Affairs in 2004 suggested that curcumin might inhibit the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients, and also may be useful in breaking up existing plaques of beta amyloids. It was noted that turmeric has been used as an anti-inflammatory in a variety of ailments in India.

Some other potential or considered benefits of turmeric which need more study include treatment against: tumors, cystic fibroris, psoriasis, breast cancer, lung cancer, and pain (as a pain reliever: antinociceptive).
Turmeric has long been used not only as a spice, but also for its medicinal properties as an herb. Below is a more expanded list of realized and potential turmeric health benefits. Note that not all have been studied. Some mentioned have received research, while others are folk remedies. Talk with a doctor or medical professional about the use of turmeric for specific medical conditions or situations before taking it as a medicine.


Alzheimer's disease
Antibacterial
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Arthritis
Breast cancer
Childhood leukemia (reduced risk)
Colorectal cancer
Cystic fibrosis
Depression
Fat metabolism
Inflammatory skin conditions
Liver detoxification
Lung cancer
Multiple myeloma
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
New blood vessel growth in tumors
Pain reliever
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer (used with cauliflower)
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Tumors
Weight management
Wound healing

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules. The purest curcumin has No sugars, No artificial colors or flavors, No dyes, No dairy, No fillers, or any other unnecessary compounds. Unlike most other brands, there is no Turmeric Fill (3 gms of Curcumin = 100gms of Turmeric), just the Active Ingredient Curcumin.
Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant. One way to reap the health benefits of turmeric is to drink turmeric tea. It's easy to make and tastes great with a little bit of lemon or honey.
Tumeric Tea with Ground pepper and cinnamon to taste

4 cups water
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
lemon (optional)
honey (optional)
bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and add ground turmeric. Simmer for 10 minutes.Strain into a mug using a mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Add honey and/or lemon to taste.
q Turmeric is the ingredient in curry that gives it a vibrant yellow color
q Women in India sometimes use turmeric paste to remove excess body hair.
q Dr. Eric Lattman of Aston University has identified turmeric as a natural antivenin for King Cobra snake bites.
q *A spoonful of turmeric added to the water in water-cooled radiators will stop leaks. Turmeric paste is a home remedy for sunburn and it is also an ingredient in many commercial sunscreens.