anticancer diet to help fight cancer (Part 4) : fruits & vegetables

[This is Part 4 of a 5-parts article. Readers should first read Part 1 (Intro) to get the background to this article. As new remedies will be added from time to time, readers need to come back to this article now & then to view updates.]

Introduction
Hippocrates (460-377BC), the father of modern medicine, made this famous quote : "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food!" And Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), a French microbiologist who is remembered for his remarkable breakthroughs in the causes & preventions of diseases such as vaccination & pasteurisation, once said : "Nature is the best physician; she heals three-quarters of all diseases and never badmouths her colleagues."

Eating fruits & vegetables has long been known as a way to help reduce the risk of cancer. Historically, cultures that consume a low-fat diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains have lower rates of certain cancers and heart disease. Among the many anticancer components that fruits & vegetables contain, research studies have shown that plant compounds called phytochemicals have an amazing ability to inhibit cancer growth. A diet based on a regular intake of foods containing high levels of phytochemicals is vital in preventing cancer.

In nutritional terms, the foods we eat are generally divided into two categories : macronutrients & micronutrients. Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (fats). Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals, fibres and phytochemicals.

What are Phytochemicals? (sources : see “References”)
Phytochemicals refer to a wide variety of compounds produced by plants that have protective or disease preventive properties. They are found in fruits, vegetables, beans, grains and other plants.

Phytochemicals are the molecules responsible for the colour and organoleptic properties (properties that affect the organs & the senses such as taste, texture, astringency & aroma) of fruits & vegetables. For example, the brilliant red colour of the strawberry, the characteristic smell of garlic and the bitter taste of bitter gourds are due to the presence of different phytochemical compounds in these foods.

Plants produce phytochemicals to protect themselves from bacteria, viruses and fungi. Recent research demonstrates that phytochemicals can also protect humans against diseases. Scientists have identified about 10,000 different phytochemicals in plants that are considered beneficial in the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer, stroke & heart disease. Some of the well-known phytochemicals are lycopene in tomatoes, isoflavones in soy and flavanoids in fruits.

Phytochemicals & Anticancer (sources : see “References”)
There is some evidence that certain phytochemicals may help prevent the formation of potential carcinogens (substances that cause cancer), block the action of carcinogens on their target organs or tissue, or act on cells to suppress cancer development. Many experts suggest that people can reduce their risk of cancer significantly by eating more fruits & vegetables. Phytochemicals are present in virtually all of the fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans and peas) and grains we eat, so it is quite easy for most people to include them in their diet. For instance, a carrot contains more than a hundred phytochemicals.

A research done by Prof Beliveau & Dr Gingras, two of the world’s top researchers, revealed that some foods have shown potential to help prevent cancer. In a book they co-authored, they wrote, “Until recently, vitamins, minerals and fibres were considered the only substances responsible for the beneficial effects of fruits & vegetables in the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer. However, results obtained in the last few years have cast these conclusions into doubt. It now seems more and more probable that the protection against cancer that is offered by fruits & vegetables is due mostly to their phytochemical content.”

The researchers added, “It is the high levels of different classes of phytochemicals present in certain foods that allow them to act as agents in cancer prevention & thus be considered as nutraceuticals. A nutraceutical is any food (fruit, vegetable, beverage or product of fermentation) that contains a large quantity of one or more molecules with anticancer potential. Although all fruits & vegetables contain phytochemicals, many of the phytochemicals showing the highest levels of cancer prevention activity are present only in a few very specific foods.”

Nutraceuticals - Foods with Anticancer Phytochemicals
It's good to eat a variety of fruits & vegetables to benefit from the thousands of phytochemicals present in plants.

According to the research done by Prof Beliveau & Dr Gingras, the following foods (nutraceuticals) have shown high levels of anticancer phytochemicals so you should try to include these foods regularly in your diet to help you fight cancer :

• Cruciferous veggies – cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, etc
• Garlic, onions, shallots & members of the Allium family
• Soya-based foods - tofu, miso, soya beans, soya milk (dou-nai), etc
• Turmeric
• Green tea
• Berries – raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, cranberry
• Omega-3 fatty acids - fresh walnuts, soya beans, tofu, sardines, mackerel, etc
• Tomatoes
• Citrus fruits – orange, grapefruit, lemon, mandarin orange
• Grapes & grape juice (red wine)

Whole Foods or Supplements?
Someone may say, "I've no time to juice or cook, can I take supplements?" My answer is "No". A lot of people think that popping a pill can make up for the lack of a healthy meal. I would say that nothing can substitute for a balanced diet made up of fresh, whole foods.

On the American Cancer Society website it says, "Many of the better-known phytochemicals are now available as dietary supplements. Examples are beta-carotene, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E, folic acid, curcumin, etc. However, most available evidence suggests that these single supplements are not as beneficial as the foods from which they are derived." This is because phytochemicals cannot be found in supplements and are present only in whole foods.

Therefore I would suggest that you eat whole foods and NOT food supplements which often come in the form of ready-to-swallow capsules or pills OR ready-to-drink mixture or satchet. Eating whole foods, instead of taking supplements, allows the body to benefit from the wide range of phytochemical compounds they contain.

Foods with high levels of anticancer phytochemcials
You can eat the foods in their natural form (as juices or salads) or you can cook the food. I like to eat my food raw & uncooked so as to preserve its God-given natural nutrients. Many nutrients in food tend to be destroyed by the high heat of cooking so I consume some veggies in the form of juices. But I also include cooked vegetables in my daily balanced meals (purely for their fibres content, and also because some foods are best eaten cooked eg tomatoes). You too can eat your foods raw or cooked to enjoy the full benefits that nature provides.

You can include the following foods regularly in your anticancer diet.

1. Cruciferous Vegetables

Members of the cabbage family are known as crucifers or cruciferous vegetables and belong to the Cruciferae or Brassicaceae family. This family takes its name from the shape of their flowers whose four petals resemble a cross (crucifer). Cruciferous vegetables have a unique ability to fight against the development of cancerous cells in the body. Eaten regularly, they are an easy & inexpensive way to help prevent cancer.

Members of the crucifer or cabbage family include the following :
• Brocolli & broccoli sprouts
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Cabbages – green cabbage (with smooth green-white leaves), red cabbage (with purple-red leaves), savoy cabbage (with curly crinkled leaves), Chinese celery or napa cabbage (or wong-bok)
• Non-head-forming cabbages – bok choy (or pak choy, peh chai, bai-cai, Shanghai qing-cai), Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale (kai-lan), collard greens, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, radish, rutabaga, spring greens, turnips, wasabi, watercress

Phytochemicals in Cruciferous Veggies
Cruciferous vegetables are unique in that they are rich sources of sulphur-containing compounds called glucosinolates that impart a pungent aroma and spicy, bitter taste. Glucoraphanin and isothiocyanate sulforaphane are two major types of glucosinolates. Chopping or chewing cruciferous vegetables results in the formation of bioactive glucosinolate hydrolysis products such as isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol.

“In food-bearing plants, glucosinolates act as natural pesticides and are stored in the plant’s cells, ready to be released upon tissue damage. Similarly, when consumed by humans, the action of chewing releases the glucosinolates into the body where they are transformed into bioactive compounds believed to have anticancer properties. These anticancer compounds operate on several fronts --- triggering the body’s own detoxification systems, slowing cancer cell growth and supporting DNA repair.” (source : sharecare.com)

“Research suggests that glucosinolates can stimulate the body’s own natural antioxidant systems. As such, glucosinolates act as indirect antioxidants triggering the liver to produce detoxifying enzymes that block free-radical attack on DNA. Once this process occurs, a cascade of antioxidant activity actually cycles over and over within the body, continuing to protect your system for up to four days after the glucosinolate-containing food was initially eaten.” (source : sharecare.com)

Anticancer effects
• Of all edible plants, cruciferous vegetables contain the largest variety of phytochemical compounds with anticancer activity.

• Cruciferous vegetables contain important quantities of many anticancer compounds that slow the development of cancer by preventing carcinogenic substances from causing damage to cells.

• Many studies have found that eating a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables has been associated with a decrease in the risk of many cancers such as lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and gastrointestinal cancers such as stomach, bladder & colorectal.

• Isothiocyanates, such as sulphoraphane (American spelling : "sulforaphane"), may help prevent cancer by promoting the elimination of potential carcinogens from the body.

• “Certain isothiocyanates show more powerful anticancer activity than others; this is the case of the sulphoraphane in broccoli. Sulphoraphane accelerates the body’s ability to flush out toxic substances linked to cancer. Sulphoraphane also seems capable of acting directly at the level of the cancerous cells & bringing about their demise.” (source : Beliveau & Gingras)

• “Broccoli & broccoli sprouts are by far the best source of sulphoraphane; one serving of broccoli contains up to 60mg while one serving of broccoli sprouts can contain up to 100 times more. This makes broccoli one of the most important foods in the prevention of cancer through diet.” (source : Boliveau & Gingras)

• Sulphoraphane can be found in all cruciferous veggies but highest in broccoli & broccoli sprouts. Broccoli, broccoli sprouts and Brussels spouts are exceptional sources of these anticancer molecules and should be eaten regularly.

• “Despite all the beneficial properties associated with sulphoraphane, it would be wrong to assume that eating regular helpings of broccoli is the only way we might prevent cancer. The isothiocyanates and indoles present in other cruciferous vegetables also possess anticancer properties that contribute to their protective effect on health.” (source : Beliveau & Gingras)

• “Among these molecules, two deserve special mention : phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) & indole-3-carbinol (I3C). Studies have shown that PEITC, present in large amounts in watercress & Chinese cabbage, not only can prevent the development of tumours but it may also play a protective role in fighting existing tumours.” (source : Beliveau & Gingras)

• “I3C is a type of glucosinolate that is found in most cruciferous vegetables and especially broccoli & Brussels sprouts. Research on the chemopreventive role of I3C has shown its impact on oestrogen metabolism & its ability to interfere with cancers dependent on oestrogens such as breast, cervical and uterine cancers.” (source : Beliveau & Gingras)

Basic facts you should know (source : Beliveau & Gingras)
Several factors must be considered in order to maximise the active isothiocyanate & indole content in cruciferous vegetables.
(1) The anticancer molecules in cruciferous vegetables are present in a latent state in the vegetables themselves; it is only when these vegetables are actually chewed & eaten that the active anticancer compounds are released.
(2) Glucosinolates are very soluble in water so cooking a cruciferous veggie for 10 min in a large volume of boiling water reduces by half the quantity of glucosinolates present in the veggie. This is a cooking method best avoided.
(3) Myrosinase activity (definition below) is very sensitive to heat. A prolonged cooking time substantially reduces the amount of isothiocyanates. Cruciferous veggies should therefore be cooked as little as possible, in a minimum of liquid, to reduce the loss of myrosinase activity & glucosinolates.

What is Myrosinase? (source : whfoods.com)
Did you know that cutting the broccoli florets into smaller pieces and the stems into thin slices and letting them sit for 5 to 6 minutes before cooking will enhance their cancer protective properties? Cutting broccoli into smaller pieces breaks the cells and activates an enzyme called myrosinase. The myrosinase converts some of the sulphur-containing chemicals found in broccoli (called glucosinolates) into other sulphur containing chemicals (called isothiocyanates) which research has shown to contain cancer preventive properties not found in the glucosinolates . Studies have actually pinpointed specific mechanisms, like changes in cellular genetic processes, which are involved in increasing cancer protection.

Cooking Tips
• Avoid boiling cruciferous veggies as boiling will destroy sulphoraphane & indo-3-carbinols.
• Cruciferous vegetables should be lightly cooked and thoroughly chewed when eaten in order to maximise their anticancer potential.
• Rapid cooking techniques, such as steaming or stir-frying in a wok, are simple & effective ways of maximising the quantity of anticancer molecules delivered by cruciferous veggies. Cover & steam briefly (steam for 2-3 min after water in steamer has boiled) or stir-fry rapidly in a wok with a little olive oil & some garlic.
• Steamed veggies taste delicious even without any seasoning. Give it a try, you will love its original natural sweetness & flavour. Lightly cooked veggies have a bright green colour.
• Don’t overcook cruciferous veggies as they will turn yellow and can produce a strong sulphur odour which can be unappealing. Overcooking the veggie will also decrease its nutritional value.
• When buying fresh broccoli, look for firm florets with a purple, dark green or bluish hue on the top. These are likely to contain more beta-carotene and vitamin C than florets with lighter green tops. If it has yellow in it or is limp and bendable, the broccoli is old --- don’t buy it.

Caution : Goitrogens present in cruciferous vegetables
People who suffer from hypothyroidism and who are on thyroid hormone replacement treatment should consider limiting the consumption of cruciferous vegetables. This is because cruciferous vegetables contain thyroid inhibitors known as goitrogens. (Generally, there are two categories of foods that have been associated with disrupted thyroid hormone production in humans : soybean-related foods and cruciferous vegetables.)

Goitrogens are substances that suppress the function of the thyroid gland by interfering with iodine uptake, which can, as a result, cause an enlargement of the thyroid, that is, a goitre. Goitrogens can cause difficulty for the thyroid in making its hormone. Isothiocyanates appear to reduce thyroid function by blocking thyroid peroxidase and also by disrupting messages that are sent across the membranes of thyroid cells.

“Although research studies are limited in this area, cooking does appear to help inactivate the goitrogenic compounds found in food. Both isoflavones (found in soy foods) and isothiocyanates (found in cruciferous vegetables) appear to be heat-sensitive and cooking appears to lower the availability of these substances. In the case of isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, as much as one third of this goitrogenic substance may be deactivated when broccoli is boiled in water.” (source : whfoods.com)

“Although for many people goitrogens do not seem to pose a health concern, certain individuals who have thyroid problems may be advised by their healthcare practitioner to limit excessive consumption of foods that contain these compounds. As cooking seems to help to inactivate the goitrogenic compounds found in food, it seems reasonable to conclude that for individuals with deficient thyroid hormone production, steaming of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli makes good sense, as does consumption of tofu in cooked versus raw form.” (source : whfoods.com)



(more to come)


Eat right. Exercise daily. Rest adequately.
shuqin

______________________________________________________________

References

Phytochemicals

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/phytochemicals

Book : "Foods to fight Cancer" by Prof R Beliveau & Dr D Gingras (2007)

Book : "Anticancer" by Dr D Servan-Schreiber (2011)

ShareCare.com
How do glucosinolates in vegetables protect me from cancer?
http://www.sharecare.com/question/glucosinolates_protect_cancer

Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_phytochemicals_in_food

Cruciferous vegetables
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciferous_vegetables

Cook’s Thesaurus
http://www.foodsubs.com/Cabbage.html#bok

Cruciferous Vegetables Diet
http://www.cruciferousvegetablesdiet.com/

The World’s Healthiest Foods
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=47

How to prepare broccoli to retain its nutritional value (must read)
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=64

anticancer diet to help fight cancer (Part 3) : herbs & spices

[This is Part 3 of a 5-parts article. Readers should first read Part 1 (Intro) to get the background to this article. As new remedies will be added from time to time, readers need to come back to this article now & then to view updates.]


Introduction
Herbs & spices have been known since ancient times to provide nutritional benefits for a wide range of diseases & illnesses. The Chinese have used medicinal herbs for 5,000 years to heal diseases & promote wellness. And many spices are not only used as a food additive, colouring or preservative but they are also used to help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer.

Below are some herbs & spices that cancer survivors can use in their daily diet to help them fight cancer.

Lemongrass Tea
In 2005, researchers at Ben Gurion University in Israel discovered that the lemon aroma in herbs like lemongrass kills cancer cells in vitro, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The researchers found that a drink with as little as one gram of lemongrass contains enough citral to prompt the cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube.

Citral is the key component that gives the lemony aroma and taste in several herbal plants such as lemongrass. The success of their research led them to the conclusion that herbs containing citral may be consumed as a preventative measure against certain cancerous cells.

Many physicians in Israel began to believe that while the research certainly needed to be explored further, in the meantime it would be advisable for their patients, who were looking for any possible tool to fight their condition, to try to harness the cancer-destroying properties of citral. The cancer patients were "told to drink eight glasses of hot water with fresh lemongrass steeped in it on the days that they went for their radiation and chemotherapy treatments."

Here are some tips on how you can include lemongrass in your daily anti-cancer diet.

Recipe
Ingredients : 3 stalks of lemongrass & 8 glasses of water (2,000ml or 2 litres).

Method : Cut the stalks in halves & boil them in water for about 20 min.

When to drink : On the day you go for radiation or chemo treatment, drink this tea within 2 hrs & stop drinking half-hour before treatment starts. On the day when you don't have treatment, you can boil just 1 stalk of lemongrass with 2 glasses (500ml) of water for 10 min and drink it while it's fresh & warm.

For cancer survivors : you too can include lemongrass tea in your daily diet as part of your health maintenance. Boil 1 stalk of lemongrass with 500ml of water & drink the tea while it's fresh & warm. I make & drink this tea everyday.

Benefits : prevent mouth ulcers and nausea; prevent good cells from being killed by radiation and chemo drugs; prevent growth of cancer cells.

Additional tips : You can include one or two stalks of lemongrass when you cook your rice.

Useful Info (taken from : WebMD website, see "References" for link)
1. Lemongrass is a plant. The leaves and the oil are used to make medicine.

2. Lemongrass is used for treating digestive tract spasms, stomachache, high blood pressure, convulsions, pain, vomiting, cough, achy joints (rheumatism), fever, the common cold, and exhaustion. It is also used to kill germs and as a mild astringent.

3. Some people apply lemongrass and its essential oil directly to the skin for headache, stomachache, abdominal pain, and muscle pain.

4. By inhalation, the essential oil of lemongrass is used as aromatherapy for muscle pain.

5. In food and beverages, lemongrass is used as a flavoring. For example, lemongrass leaves are commonly used as “lemon” flavoring in herbal teas.

6. In manufacturing, lemongrass is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. Lemongrass is also used in making vitamin A and natural citral.

7. How does it work? Lemongrass might help prevent the growth of some bacteria and yeast. Lemongrass also contains substances that are thought to relieve pain, reduce fever, stimulate the uterus and menstrual flow, and have antioxidant properties.


Turmeric and Black Pepper
Turmeric is a spice commonly used in Indian cooking. Is it a coincidence that the rate of cancer among Indians is lower than that of the Chinese & Malays in Singapore? (Chinese males : 250 per 100,000 population compared to Indian males 113; Chinese females : 209 per 100,000 population compared to Indian females 128). I don't think so. I can’t help but feel that turmeric may be the reason for the disparity between the rates of cancer among Indians and the other two main ethnic groups in Singapore.

And interestingly, when cancer rates from India are compared with those from Western countries, it also tells the same story. In India, the rates for breast, lung, colorectal, prostate & kidney cancers are one of the lowest in the world. Turmeric could be the reason as it is consumed in large amounts in India. An Indian consumes an average of 1.5g to 2g of turmeric per day (one-quarter to half a teaspoon).

Turmeric is grown in India and other tropical regions of Asia. Since the seventh century AD, turmeric has long been used as an anti-inflammatory herbal remedy. Some practitioners prescribe turmeric to relieve inflammation caused by arthritis, muscle sprains, swelling & pain caused by injuries or surgical incisions. It is also promoted as a treatment for rheumatism & as an antiseptic for cleaning wounds.

Supporters of turmeric also claim that turmeric protects against liver diseases, stimulates the gallbladder and circulatory systems, reduces cholesterol levels, dissolves blood clots, helps stop external and internal bleeding, and relieves painful menstruation and chest pains that often occur with heart disease. It is also used as a remedy for digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn’s disease and illnesses caused by toxins from parasites and bacteria.

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. Turmeric (Indian saffron) is known as Haldi in India or jianghuang (yellow ginger) in Chinese. Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin, an antioxidant that has shown to have numerous anticancer properties. Laboratory studies have found that carcumin inhibits & slows the growth of a number of cancers, particularly tumours of the oesophagus, mouth, lung, liver, prostate, stomach, colon, intestines, breast, skin & leukaemia. It also inhibits angiogenesis (#) & forces cancer cells to die.

A research done by Dr Beliveau & Dr Gingras on turmeric discovered that curcumin has one drawback – its low bioavailability (the extent to which it can be absorbed into the bloodstream). They found that piperine, a molecule contained in black pepper, increases the body’s absorption of curcumin by a factor of 1,000. To be assimilated by the body, turmeric must therefore be mixed with black pepper.

Dr Servan-Schreiber, a physician-scientist and a 20-year brain cancer survivor, said in his “Anticancer” blog, “Given that turmeric and pepper, taken as part of a normal diet, are practically never toxic in any way, it seems to me to be perfectly reasonable to recommend that all of us regularly consume a soupspoon of turmeric every day, with a pinch of pepper. You can use it in all your cooking, just like I've been doing for years.”

Here is the recipe for tumeric-black pepper mixture which was given me by Jimmy, one NPC survivor who had done some research into this anticancer spice.

Recipe
Ingredients : ten (10) teaspoons of turmeric powder and one (1) teaspoon of ground black pepper.

Method : Mix the 2 ingredients thoroughly in a glass container. Use a glass container with a tight lid, one that you can use to store the mixture for daily use.

How to consume : sprinkle turmeric-black pepper powder in your cooking or in your bowl of rice, noodles or soup, in fact in all the food you consume each day.

How much to take : Although there is no standard dose for turmeric, some practitioners recommend taking a teaspoon with each meal.

Benefits : inhibit, prevent & slow the growth of cancer. In the words of Dr Beliveau & Dr Gingras, "The daily addition of a teaspoon of turmeric to soups, salad dressings or pasta dishes is a simple, rapid & inexpensive way of providing a curcumin intake sufficient to help prevent cancer from developing."

Caution & Contraindications :

1. “Note that it is often safest to avoid turmeric during chemotherapy as well as three days before and after the treatment. This is because it can – rarely, but it can – interfere with some chemotherapy treatments and reduce their benefits.” (Dr Servan-Schreiber)

2. A study by some researchers had suggested that curcumin changes metabolism of oxalate, a substance that can form kidney stones. The researchers urged caution in use of this supplement by people with conditions that make them susceptible to kidney stones. (American Cancer Society)

3. People taking blood-thinning medications, drugs that suppress the immune system or non-steroidal pain relievers (such as ibuprofen) should avoid turmeric because of the risk of harmful drug interactions. In animal and laboratory studies, turmeric made certain anti-cancer drugs less effective. Antioxidant supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Patients who are in cancer treatment should talk to their doctor before taking vitamins, minerals, herbs or other supplements. (American Cancer Society)

4. People with bleeding disorders, obstructions of the bile duct or a history of ulcers also should avoid turmeric. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use this herb. The amount of turmeric found in foods is thought to be safe for those who are not allergic to it. (American Cancer Society)

5. When used as a spice in foods, turmeric is considered safe. But allergic reactions are possible. People who are allergic to ginger or yellow food colourings are more likely to be allergic to turmeric. (American Cancer Society)

Sabah Snake Grass (or Clinacanthus nutans) (work-in-progress)

notice
dear readers, I'm in the process of doing research on this herb but may have to delay publishing it on this blog as I have to attend to my ageing dad who is very sick with pneumonia. I will be back as soon as I can.

Meanwhile, if you google "Sabah snake grass" on the internet, you will be able to find several blogs on this subject. I append below some of the blogs you can visit.

Some recommended websites

http://sabahsnakegrassclinacanthus.com/

http://detox4cure.blogspot.com/

http://blog.ongsiwkim.com/en/

http://goodguy.hubpages.com/hub/Herbal-cure-for-cancer

http://upekah.blogspot.com/2011/09/sabah-snake-grass-update.html

http://healthiswealthwithherbs.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-plant-sabah-snake-grass.html





(watch out for more remedies ......)


Eat right. Exercise daily. Rest adequately.
shuqin

__________________________________________________________________

References

Lemongrass
http://www.israel21c.org/health/fresh-lemon-grass-fields-in-israel-become-mecca-for-cancer-patients

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-719-LEMONGRASS.aspx?activeIngredientId=719&activeIngredientName=LEMONGRASS

Turmeric
Singapore Cancer Registry Interim Report - Trends in Cancer Incidence in Singapore 2004-2008
http://www.nrdo.gov.sg/uploadedFiles/NRDO/Publications/Cancer_Trends_Report0408_web_v2.pdf

Dr David Servan-Schreiber’s “Anticancer” blog
http://www.anticancerbook.com/research.html

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/turmeric

Book - “Foods to fight cancer” by Prof R Beliveau & Dr D Gingras

anticancer diet to help fight cancer (Part 2) : juices

[This is Part 2 of a 5-parts article. Readers should first read Part 1 (Intro) to get the background to this article. As new remedies will be added from time to time, readers need to come back to this article to view updates.]

Introduction
Juices should become daily supplementary diet not only for people with cancer but for everyone. Vegetable juice is my daily "medicine" which I take twice a day. I notice my health has improved ever since I started drinking vegetable juices everyday. Just as you need to take daily showers to cleanse your body externally, you too need to take daily showers (in the form of juices) to cleanse (ie detoxify) your body internally. You do not need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to sign up for a detoxification program. Fresh vegetable juice is good enough.

Why juice? Juicing helps you to absorb better all the natural vitamins, minerals & enzymes from the vegetables. These nutrients help your body to detoxify & build up the body's immunity against many diseases & illnesses, including cancer. Juicing also allows you to consume a wide variety of vegetables at one go without the need to chew & digest, especially when you are unable to eat proper meals due to loss of appetite, mouth ulcers, etc. or when you suffer from constipation caused by drugs & medication.

DON’T buy commercially juiced products as they contain preservatives & sugar which are detrimental to health. Invest in a good juicer to make your own fresh juices. A good juicer costs around S$200-S$350 & can last 5-10 years.

I start each morning with ABC juice. In the afternoon or evening, I will drink another glass of vegetable juice. Cancer patients undergoing treatment should try to take veg juices, if possible, because radiotherapy & chemotherapy are highly toxic and juices can help to purge these toxins out of the body.

ABC Juice
Ingredients : one red apple, one small beetroot, one carrot (if beetroot is too big, use part of it & keep the other part in an air-tight container in the fridge).

Method : Remove skin (to get rid of pesticides), wash, cut into pieces & put into juicer. Drink the juice immediately. You may add water if you find the juice too sweet.

When to drink : first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, about one hour before breakfast.

Benefits : Reduce blood pressure & cholesterol; prevent cancer cells from developing & restrain cancer cells from growing; prevent cardiovascular diseases; prevent constipation; assist bowel movement; detoxify liver & body.

Additional notes : Beetroot can cause your stools to turn red. Thus, if you take ABC juice and your stools turn red, do not be alarmed. It is not necessarily blood in the stools.


Green Juices
Ingredients : You can use a variety of green vegetables. I usually juice 4-6 types of vegetables to make green juices. Examples of vegies you can use include asparagus, baby bitter gourd, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, green capsicum, mini cucumber, pumpkin, wheatgrass, etc. I will also add fruits such as green apple, guava & lemon. Please read Part 4 (fruits & vegetables) for a list of foods that have high phytochemical compounds.

Method :
1. Remove skin (if any), wash, cut into pieces & put into blender or juicer.
2. Squeeze out lemon juice separately using a squeezer or a fork, then add it to the juiced or blended green juice (watch the video below to learn how to get the most juice out of lemons).
3. Drink the juice immediately. You may add water if you find the juice too sweet.

 

Note : Broccoli & cauliflower florets can contain germs and bugs. One method to eliminate these germs and bugs is to blanch the broccoli & cauliflower in some boiling salted water before juicing. Plunging vegetables into boiling salted water can help clean the vegetables of germs and bugs that cannot be removed by normal washing. Not all vegetables need to be blanched except those with tight florets such as broccoli & cauliflower (source : Juicing book website).

When to drink : any time of the day on an empty stomach, preferably 30min before meals. Cancer patients undergoing treatment can drink veg juice to detoxify & cleanse the body of toxins.

Benefits : cleanse & detoxify the liver; reduce body acidity (vegies & fruits are alkaline-forming food), assist bowel movement & prevent constipation. Lemon is the top alkaline-forming food so try to consume it everyday (using the method described above).

Caution : if you're new to green juices, go slow as the taste can be quite strong. Add in one green apple, guava, chinese pear, carrot or pumpkin to dilute the green taste.



Chinese Pear JuiceChinese (golden) pears are round, crunchy & sweet, and differ from the traditional bell-shaped European pears. The Chinese pear is known to have more medicinal values than the other pears. The Chinese pear juice is an effective remedy for coughs & sore throats.

I first heard of the medicinal value of the Chinese pear a few years ago during a routine consultation with my TCM physician. I happened to be down with an irritating dry cough & he recommended me to drink fresh Chinese pear juice. He advised me, “Don’t eat the pear, drink the juice, it’s more effective.” I took his advice. And he was right. After drinking just one glass of the juice, I was amazed that my dry cough was healed almost instantly! And now I’m sharing this secret recipe with you.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the best time to drink pear juice is in the morning when you want to help get rid of a cough or to relieve fever. Because of its soothing effect on the throat, the Chinese pear juice is very suitable for NPC patients & survivors who often suffer from dry mouth (xerostomia) & dry throat due to side-effects of radiation & chemo drugs. If you are a chilli lover like me, you will be happy to know that you will soon be able to take chilli again if you include this juice in your diet.

Ingredients : one Chinese pear

Method : remove skin (to get rid of pesticides), wash, cut into pieces & put into juicer. Drink the juice immediately. Pear juice is fairly concentrated & sweet but I normally don’t dilute it with water as I drink it as a “cough syrup” to allow the “medicine” to work on my throat.

When to drink : drink in the morning if you are down with a cough or fever or dry throat; drink when you feel a cold coming; drink during summer heat or hot weather to cool down & prevent sore throat; drink to help relieve the dryness in your mouth & throat (for NPC sufferers & survivors).

Benefits : regulate bowel movements & relieve constipation; relieve coughs & fever; soothe the throat & prevent throat problems; boost immunity system; relieve inflammation; help to clear phlegm & mucus; aid in digestion; good for people prone to allergic reactions.

Additional tips : boil two Chinese pears with some raw honey & drink it warm. It’s said to provide healing for the throat & vocal cord.

Where to find good Chinese pears in Singapore : fruits stalls & wet markets & some supermarkets. A good Chinese pear costs about S$1.20 or S$1.30. They are imported mostly from China & South Korea (the Korean ones are of better quality). Good pears have deep green or golden colour & are firm to the touch.




(watch out for more remedies ........ )


Eat rightly. Exercise daily. Rest adequately.
shuqin

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References

Cancer Facts
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/what-is-cancer
http://www.detox.net.au/articles/cancer-facts-vegetarian-recipes.htm

Chinese Pear
http://www.juicing-for-health.com/health-benefits-of-pear.html

anticancer diet to help fight cancer (Part 1) : introduction

[This is Part 1 of a 5-parts article.]


Introduction
What special food or diet should I take to help me cope with cancer?

This is a question I'm frequently asked by people suffering from nose cancer. It is a valid question. Food or diet is a top concern of every cancer sufferer & survivor. I too had asked this same question when I was diagnosed with NPC (nasopharyngeal cancer) in 2006. Five years on, this topic is still very close to my heart.

By asking this question, we recognise that end of treatment does not necessarily mean end of cancer. We have gone (or are going) through the vigorous cancer treatment which has weakened our body's immune system. We have lost many kilos of weight. We now experience many changes in our body, including the side-effects of cancer treatment. We want to know what we should eat or do to restore our health and prevent cancer from coming back.

In the past 5 years, I have searched the internet, read up books, attended talks & picked up tips from my "NPC family" on what I should eat or do to help me cope & live with nose cancer. I will share some of these anticancer diet or remedies but before we delve into that, we must first understand some basic facts about cancer.

Cancer Facts
Every person has cancer cells in his body. These cancer cells do not show up until they have multiplied to a few billion. When your doctor tells you there are no more cancer cells in your body after treatment, it just means that tests are unable to detect cancer cells because they have not reached detectable size. When your immune system is strong, cancer cells will be destroyed and thus will be prevented from multiplying & forming tumours.

Chemotherapy involves poisoning rapidly-growing cancer cells as well as destroys healthy cells in the body. Radiation, while destroying cancer cells, also burns, scars & damages healthy cells, tissues & organs. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation, our immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence we can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

A Total Approach to Fighting Cancer
Our battle with cancer does not end with treatment. End of treatment does not mean we simply return to our former way of life without making changes to our diet & lifestyle. In other words, we cannot afford to do nothing.

Our battle with cancer is an ongoing lifelong battle. We need to stay vigilant against cancer at all times. But we should not live each day worrying about cancer either. While we should lead normal lives, we need also to pay more attention to our diet & lifestyle. So what do we need to do to gear up our ammunition against cancer?

To fight cancer, we need to :
1. starve cancer cells by not feeding the cells with foods that can help it to multiply
2. build up our body's immune system to enable our body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells
3. detoxify our body so our body's immune system can function more efficiently to remove the cancer cells
4. do deep-breathing exercise daily to get more oxygen down to the cellular level as cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment
5. adopt a positive mindset & stress-free lifestyle

In this 5-parts article as well as in future articles, I will provide some practical guide on how we can incorporate these 5 points in our daily battle against cancer.

Anticancer Diet
I will present in this article natural remedies or recipes that are believed to help our bodies fight cancer and provide relief from the side-effects of cancer treatment. Some of these remedies have scientific evidence, while some may not; and some remedies are spread by word of mouth. As each of our body constitution is different, what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Therefore as you try out these remedies, you must listen to your body, monitor your body's reactions & then make your own decision.

Please note that these natural remedies are NOT meant to replace your daily balanced meals or cancer treatment. These remedies are supplementary diet to help you fight your cancer.

I will group the anticancer diet under 4 categories : juices, herbs & spices, fruits & vegetables and soups. Due to the length of this article, I will present it in 5 parts as follows :

Part 1 : Introduction
Part 2 : Juices
Part 3 : Herbs & Spices
Part 4 : Fruits & Vegetables
Part 5 : Soups & Beverages

Please proceed now to Part 2 on juices.


Eat rightly. Exercise daily. Rest adequately.
shuqin

__________________________________________________________________

References

Cancer Facts
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/what-is-cancer
http://www.detox.net.au/articles/cancer-facts-vegetarian-recipes.htm

cancer recurrence : stories from NPC survivors

Relapse is the most fearful word for cancer survivors. To a cancer survivor, having cancer a 2nd or 3rd time can be devastating. Relapse can be harder to accept than the first time you were diagnosed. But when faced with a relapse, do not panic. Stay calm. There is hope even in relapse cases.

When cancer comes back, doctors call it a recurrence (or recurrent cancer). There are some things you need to know when cancer returns. The following 3 points are taken from the US National Cancer Institute website** :

• A recurrent cancer starts with cancer cells that the first treatment didn’t fully remove or destroy. Some may have been too small to be seen in follow-up. This doesn’t mean that the treatment you received was wrong. And it doesn’t mean that you did anything wrong either. It just means that a small number of cancer cells survived the treatment. These cells grew over time into tumours or cancer that your doctor can now detect.

• When cancer comes back, it doesn’t always show up in the same part of the body. For example, if you had colon cancer, it may come back in your liver. But the cancer is still called colon cancer. When the original cancer spreads to a new place, it is called a metastasis (pronounced “meh-TAS-tuh-sis”).

• It is possible to develop a completely new cancer that has nothing to do with your original cancer. But this doesn’t happen very often. Recurrences are more common.
Stories from 4 NPC survivors
What will you do when you learn that cancer has returned?

Four NPC survivors shared their experiences with cancer relapse at the recent NPC support group meeting. Although faced with a similar life-threatening situation, each of these survivors had chosen a different approach to dealing with cancer recurrence. Two of the survivors opted for conventional treatment while the other two opted for alternative treatment. For these 4 survivors, the relapse occurred within the first 5 years after their first treatment.

Below is their story. I have addressed each one of them by their surname to protect their identities. This write-up is based on my personal notes as I listened to their touching stories.

Mr NgHe was diagnosed in 2003 with Stage 2 NPC and suffered two relapses. The first relapse occurred in 2005 when cancer spread to the lymph nodes on his neck; he underwent surgery. The second relapse occurred in 2006 when cancer returned to the original site (nasopharynx); he underwent both radiotherapy & chemotherapy. His doctor had told him he had up to 6 months to live but he has survived to this day.

Based on his experience with relapse, he gave the following advice :
• Seek second opinion from another cancer expert
• Talk to others with similar experiences but make your own final decision
• Weigh the pros & cons when deciding on your option
• Find out the side effects & consequences to the treatment you have opted
• Whatever your choice, there is no such thing as a guaranteed cure

Mr Ng concluded with the following 3 A’s : Accept, Adapt, Adjust. Cancer requires a new way of life, so stop all unhealthy habits, take up healthy activities, switch to a healthier diet, relax & avoid stress. He emphasised that the mind played an important part, so stay positive & be happy.

Mr GohHe was diagnosed with NPC in 2000 and experienced a relapse in 2002 when he discovered a tumour on his neck. He discussed with his oncologist but turned down his doctor's recommendation of surgery & radiotherapy as he did not wish to suffer the side effects of conventional treatment. He opted for TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) instead. He was surprised the tumour shrunk & disappeared. He survived 10 years but cancer returned again in Feb 2011. He again opted for TCM treatment.

Mr NgHe was diagnosed with Stage 3 NPC in 2008 at age 36 with tumour on the neck. After completing conventional treatment of RT & chemo, the tumour disappeared but cancer returned to the nose one year later in 2009. This time he chose to take natural herbs to heal his body. He believes that cancer survivors need to build up a strong immunity against cancer & he does this by including natural herbs in his daily diet such as wheatgrass, Sabah Snake Grass (SSG), fruit enzymes and other herbs.

Ms G
She was diagnosed with Stage 3 NPC in 2006 & underwent both surgery & RT. She suffered a relapse in 2011 when her CT scan showed a growth under her tongue. After discussing with her oncologist, she opted for RT & suffered side effects worse than the first. But she managed to go through the tough journey due to her belief in God, the support she received from her husband & a positive attitude to handling life crisis.

My story
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 NPC in 2006. One year after completing conventional treatment, the CT scan spotted a tiny nodule (2mm) on my right lung. The following year (2008), the nodule had not only increased its size to 6mm but two other tiny nodules of 2mm each were also spotted on the same lung. I considered all the options suggested by my oncologist & decided to have the tumour surgically removed. Biopsy later confirmed the tumour was malignant. Since then, I have been consciously modifying my diet & lifestyle by taking up qigong deep-breathing exercises & paying more attention to anticancer foods in my diet (please read my article : "Anticancer diet to help fight cancer").

ConclusionWhether one chooses the conventional or alternative treatment, there is no right or wrong approach to treating cancer. There is no guaranteed cure in cancer either. Do not believe anyone or any product or any treatment that promises or guarantees complete cure from cancer. Every NPC survivor who suffers a relapse will need to do some homework and consider wisely & carefully all available options before making the final decision.

(for more on cancer relapse, please read my other posting on 19 Jun 2010 - "Cancer recurrence : when nose cancer returns")

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References
** http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/when-cancer-returns/when-cancer-returns/page2)

cancer and genetic make-up

Why do some people get cancer while others don't? We often hear that it has to do with the food we eat or the lifestyle we lead or the environment we are exposed to or the genes we were born with. But then we too have seen how people who live a healthy & happy lifestyle also end up with cancer. Cancer is a complex disease. We will probably never really know the answer.

Let me share two real-life stories. One is my 80-plus aunty whom I address as "Tuayi" (a Hokkien word for eldest sister of one's mother). It is our family tradition to visit Tuayi on the first day of Lunar New Year. Tuayi is a heavy smoker & smokes like a chimney. I often feel suffocated by the strong smell of cigarette smoke permeating throughout her house. Despite having smoked all her entire life, Tuayi has never suffered from cancer or any other critical illnesses. And today Tuayi spends her sunset years puffing away happily each day.

In comparison, a former colleague of mine died of lung cancer yesterday. He was 64. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer three years ago while doing a routine check-up. As far as I know, he had always been healthy & seldom fell sick. And he was not a smoker. But he got lung cancer.

It seems to me like those who smoke don't get cancer and those who don't smoke get cancer. And I have heard of many similar stories from lung cancer survivors. It is the same among NPC survivors. Many NPC survivors, like myself, are non-smokers and yet we end up with cancer. How do you explain this irony of life & the mystery of cancer?

Then yesterday (7 Jul 2011), I happened to watch "The Edge of Life" on Channel News Asia. This documentary features real-life stories of cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment at Parkway Cancer Centre. One comment made by Dr Ang Peng Tiam, the leading oncologist in this documentary, caught my attention.

Dr Ang said, "The seed and the soil theory says that the person, who is genetically predisposed, when exposed to even the least amount of carcinogen, he or she may develop cancer. But in contrast, some people whose genetic make-up is such that they are not prone to cancer, they can have all the spices and eat all the fatty food and all the barbeque they want, they can smoke, they can drink and yet don't get cancer."
("The Edge of Life", CNA, 7 July 2011)

Thank you, Dr Ang. But then, I wonder how can we know which group of genetic make-up we belong to?

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dear readers, you can watch "The Edge of Life" telecast on the following link :

http://www.parkwaycancercentre.com/videos/edge-of-life/series/colorectal-cancer-and-lymphoma