HEALTHY CHOICE

Nutritional support for cancer - July 2010

Nutritional support for cancer There are no natural or nutritional products that have been proven to treat cancer. However, there is substantial evidence to support the benefits of a healthy diet and regular exercise at preventing and slowing the growth rate cancer and improving quality of life. Sugar is the primary energy source for many cancer cells – studies suggest that cutting sugar intake can slow cancer growth. High sugar intake causes reactive release of insulin; high insulin levels (chronic) have been linked to increased rate of cancer growth.1 Maintaining healthy blood sugar and insulin levels is very important. Excess blood sugar levels, excess body fat (especially central obesity) and insulin resistance cause low level chronic inflammation which stimulates cancer growth. 2,3 Inflammation and oxidation play key roles in the development of cancer – nutrition and exercise can reduce oxidative damage and inflammation. Regular exercise and adequate protein intake will help to maintain muscle mass which will help with maintaining a healthy weight and help to counteract the effects of some hormone treatments. 1 Henry Osiecki, a dietician and clinical nutritionist with vast experience helping people with cancer recommends instigating a Ketogenic diet to restrict the energy source of the cancer cells (sugar) and to encourage apoptosis (programmed cell death – something cancer cells don’t do properly). A ketogenic diet will also assist in improving body composition – increasing muscle mass and reducing body fat. Essentially this diet has very low carbohydrates, adequate protein and increased “good” fats, the most important fats to increase are omega 3 fatty acids. Osiecki recommends following this diet for at least 52-60 days, then continuing with a diet high in vegetables, low in sugar and moderate in good fats and protein. 4 The New Image Ultra Diet Weight Management Programme is a ketogenic diet. Colostrum Numerous studies support colostrum as a natural immune booster. Chemical messengers called cytokines have been the most researched elements in the search for the cure for cancer – colostrum is naturally rich in cytokines. Colostral lactalbumin increases selective cancer cell apoptosis and lactoferrin may also have some anti-cancer activity. PRPs (proline rich polypeptides) and various immune and growth factors found in colostrum may be able to inhibit the spread or reduce the rate of cancer growth. Epidermal growth factors in colostrum may also make the body more responsive to chemotherapy – meaning that lower doses may be able to be used to get the same effect as higher doses without concurrent colostrum use. Colostrum can help to support healthy digestion, gut integrity and immunity which can be affected by chemotherapy and radiation. While studies about how colostrum can assist people with cancer are still only in early stages and more research is required, what has been confirmed is that colostrum does not make cancer worse.5 Other important nutrients to ensure you are getting enough of are: Folic acid - helps to maintain DNA integrity Vitamin D3 – improves cancer cell apoptosis Omega 3 – helps with inflammation, important aspect of ketogenic diet Antioxidant – both fat soluble and water soluble antioxidants General multi – dietary insurance Specific supplements that may be of assistance: Pure Paradise Noni – Noni (Morinda citrifolia) may increase immune function and natural killer cell activity, reduce inflammation and act as an antioxidant 6 Omega CoQ10 – source of omega 3 from fish oil, plus coenzyme Q10 Pycnogenol – powerful antioxidant formula Alpha Lipid Colostrum capsules – convenient source of colostrum (suitable to use on a ketogenic diet) Cellworx – concentrated PRPs from bovine colostrum Ultra Diet Weight Management Programme – complete programme based on a ketogenic diet with lifestyle and exercise recommendations RDA – broad spectrum multi vitamin and mineral supplement With regard to pro/anti-inflammatory foods: Avoid: Sugar and highly refined foods esp. high fructose corn syrup Coffee/caffeine Alcohol Excessive red meat (choose lean cuts) Overcooking food esp. meat (charring/BBQ) Too much spicy food Smoked and cured meats Include: 5+ serves fresh vegetables daily – go for a variety of colour 1-2 servings fresh, low GI fruit daily e.g. berries (see ketogenic guidelines) Turmeric Garlic – always as part of a meal Ginger – in cooking, fresh sliced in tea Herbal teas such as chamomile, calendula and green tea The best approach without full knowledge of someone’s health is to support them nutritionally, to minimise any adverse affects of conventional treatment (i.e. gut restoration) and to provide their body with the tools to strengthen immunity. These are not drugs and the recommendation of products and lifestyle changes are not intended to offer therapeutic cures. Individual results from the use of nutritional products may vary. It is advisable to discuss with a health care practitioner the use of these as nutritional support as these suggestions do not take the place of a comprehensive face to face consultation. Julie Wilson Chief Nutritionist 1 Herber, Freedland, Jones and Nelson, Nutrition, Exercise & Prostate Cancer, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Available: http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/atf/cf/%7B705B3273-F2EF-4EF6-A653-E15C5D8BB6B1%7D/Nutrition_Guide.pdf 2 Hsing AW, Sakoda LC, Chua S ‘Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome and Prostate Cancer’, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Sep 2007; 86(3):s843-857 3 Healy LA et al. ‘Metabolic Syndrome, Central Obesity and Insulin Resistance are Associated with Adverse Pathological Features in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer’, Clinical Oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)), 25 Feb 2010; Epub ahead of print 4 Osiecki, The Physicians’ Handbook of Clinical Nutrition, 7th Edn, Bio Concepts, Eagle Farm QLD 5 Keech, Peptide Immunotherapy: Colostrum A Physician’s Reference Guide, 2009, AKS Publishing 6 Research studies on Tahitian Noni for the Immune System http://research.tni.com/united_states/english/research/bibliography.html?id=12869