Optimum Health Clinic

Cancer is a disease that for the most part can be prevented. The implications of good nutrition should not be underestimated or the role nutrition plays in preventing cancer. Nutrients are required by every cell in our body as it grows and repairs itself by the enlargement of individual cells and an increase in their total numbers. Cells increase in number through a process called mitosis (cell division) in which two identical daughter cells are produced. With too much cell division the body would grow inordinately, and with too little cell division the body fails to replace worn out cells. The body maintains control over these processes, with different parts of the body replacing cells at different rates. The intestines have the highest growth and replacement of cells in the body, with the intestinal lining being replaced every three days. The rate of cancer development in an organ is directly related to the rate of cell division, with the skin and intestines having the greatest turnover and hence higher rates of cancers.

Cancer begins in the body when the cells are defective either from damage to or an error in genetic structure. The body fails to remove these cells when it is unbalanced, under nourished, the immune system is down and the normal protective measures of the body become insufficient.

It is within cell division that cancer has its origin, and for this reason cancer is not a single disease, but a broad category of illnesses characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. Cancer cells defy the body's regulation regarding controlled growth by enlarging and dividing at their own pace, until a lump or tumor is formed. Cancer cells have the ability to stimulate the development of blood vessels that allow these cells to be supplied with nutrients. Unlike normal cells, that stay in the area of the body that they belong, cancer cells spread to other parts of the body and a secondary site occurs, called a metastasis. Cancer cells have the ability to defy the immune system as these cells are accepted as components of the body, therefore the immune system may fail to identify and destroy mutant cells that result from an error in cell division.

What are some of the causes of cancer? If cancer cells are normal cells in the body that have uncontrolled growth and behavior, it stands to reason that there are elements present within the body that help maintain normal cell mitosis, and elements that foster abnormal mitosis. The incidence of cancer is closely linked to the increase in processed foods that over feed and under nourish the body. Diets low in fiber, fruits, vegetables and high in saturated fats from animal products are conductive to cancer growth. Food additives and pesticides have been implicated, as well as smoked, pickled and cured foods which are considered carcinogenic foods.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, and high alcohol consumption contribute to cancer development as these rob important nutrients from the body and damage cells. Other causes include: certain medications (particularly diethystilbestrol (DES), as well as some viruses, eg. sexually transmitted papilloma virus causes cervical cancer. Others believe cancer is spread in humans due to parasite infestation and the presence of toxins, such as propyl alcohol in the body. Radiation, and environmental pollutants and exposure to electromagnetic fields (power lines and transformers) have been implicated. Genetics (inherited weakness), physiology, and lifestyle (high stress, poor nutrition, lack of relaxation) are other factors. Cancer involves abnormal cell division, but there have been many elements that can interfere with this process and produce cancer.

Wellness and diseases have their origins in our food and lifestyle choices. For example, if we used poor quality fuel in our cars, did not get the oil and filter changed regularly it would not be long before we would lose this mode of transportation. Quite often people treat their bodies similarly, then wonder why they are garaged by a disease. There are factors that have been studied to the point that there is compelling evidence of there link to the prevention and the development of cancer.

1. Dietary fiber - low levels have been consistently linked to colon cancer. Fiber should be 20-30 g per day, with most people getting only 1/3 this amount.

2. Fruits and vegetables have been shown to give the highest protection against the development of all-site cancers.

3. Dietary fat - high fat consumption has been shown to have a strong correlation with colon, prostate, and breast cancer, irrespective of the type of fat used and high fat diets have been shown to be an initiator of these cancers. There is a need for a general reduction in fat intake so that it is no more than 30% of the dietary calorie intake, with the rest of the energy needs of the body being met by complex fibrous carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

4. High calorie intake- increases the risk of cancer. Ideal caloric intake should be between 1500 cal for females over 50 and 1800 cal for males over 50, along with increased physical activity.

5. Supplements with antioxidants and vitamins reduces risk. Antioxidants that have been shown to provide optimum health and a reduction in aging include:


	Vitamin E - 				200 IU a day
	Vitamin C - 				500 mg a day
	CoQ10 - 				10 mg a day
	N-acetyl cycteine - 			250 mg a day
	Selenium 				50 ug a day
	Glutamine - 				200 mg a day
	Zinc - 					25 mg a day
	Plant flavenoid complex - 		30 mg total for a day
	Carotenoids -				5 mg B-carotene
	Multi-vitamin				High potency


Nutritional Guidelines

Eat a high fiber. Abundant plant-based diets of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes are the best sources of fiber. Eat a minium of six vegetables and two fruit a day, with one green leafy vegetable. Use a fiber supplement if necessary.

Buy organic. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain many compounds that act in the body as significant anti-cancer agents and offer protection from free radical damage. Eat raw vegetables every day, especially for those who suffer from cancer. Cooked food is low in digestive enzymes.

What we eat determines the type of feces we produce and the strains of bacteria it contains. The bacterial content of feces varies geographically and this plays a major role in the geographical differences in cancer rates. Some bacteria are cancer promoting and other are cancer-preventing. Use cancer preventing bacteria which include lactobacillus acidophilus and B.bifidum which help increase the immunity of the body. I carry a product from Genestra called HMF, which is specially designed to implant in humans and is kept frozen at the clinic until sold, in order to maintain the quality and effectiveness of the product. Never buy product off a store shelf as it may be ineffective.

Decrease animal protein to a minium, and increase plant protein. Meat eaters are known to have a different pattern of bacterial species than vegetarians and higher rates of cancer. Red meat should be avoided by those with cancer entirely, as it is high in female sex hormone and requires high levels of pancreatic enzymes for its digestion. Commercial chicken can carry excessive amounts of the female sex hormone, as well which can stimulate cancer growth. Use organic grown chicken or avoid chicken entirely. For those with cancer protein is best taken at breakfast and lunch in order to give the body an eighteen hour resting period. This rest allows the body to produce more pancreatic enzymes to digest cancer cells. Supplements of B12 and zinc can make up for deficiencies of these vitamins when animal protein is reduced. Increase fish consumption in order to increase omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are often low in cancer patients.

Glutathione is another fruit and vegetable agent that acts as an anticancer and detoxifying agent for heavy metals, such as lead, solvents and pesticides. Glutathione is at its highest in the freshest fruits and vegetables. Also I recommend this in the form of a nutritional supplement, along with other antioxidants.

Avoid smoked and pickled foods. Reduce salt.. Fresh raw fruit and vegetable juices are the cleansers of the body. Dried fruits should be unsulferated.

Include soy foods, such as tofu. Soybeans contain a variety of compounds, including protease inhibitors which block or reduce the development of cancer of the colon, oral, lung, liver, pancreatic, and esophageal. However, soy products, except Lecithin, should be used sparingly as the protein content is high for those with cancer.e body.

Drink green tea regularly, as this tea reduces the likelihood of skin, lung, and stomach cancer.

Avoid tea, coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, liquor, tobacco, as these rob the body of important nutrients and place too much stress on the liver and pancreas. Red wine one glass a day is beneficial to those who do not have cancer.

Virtually all natural vitamin content has been removed from white sugar, white breads and pastries and processed cereals, and what is added back is insufficient. Sugar also lowers the immune response and stresses the pancreas and unbalances the normal flora of the bowel.

High saturated fats in the diet are linked to cancer and are most abundant in animal and dairy products. Avoid maragrine and lard as hydrogenation of oils changes the structure of the natural fatty acid to one that is unnatural. . Olive oil has no effect on cancer cell growth, but Omega-6 which is abundant in many other vegetables oils has a promotional effect on many types of cancer. Unrefined, cold pressed nut and seed oils such as flax, sunflower, or walnut prevent cancer, and have anti-tumor antioxidant properties.

Eat grapes regularly , these contain resveratrol and can help cells from turning cancerous and inhibit the spread of malignant cells. Grapes contain the most active anti-carcinogenic compounds found in nature. I also recommend a product called Grapenol to provide this antioxidant.

Broccoli sprouts contain sulforaphane (anti-cancer component of broccoli) in higher levels than broccoli.

Eat tomatoes and beets often, as they have powerful cancer-fighting agents. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a protective factor in digestive- tract cancers. Lycopene can also be taken in a supplement

YOUR DIET - A POWER TOOL

To Preventing And Overcoming Cancer

What is cancer?