Friday, June 3, 2011

Anti-Cancer Summary 2

I wrote about "Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life," by Dr. David Servan-Schrieber a few months ago. I have always been into nutrition & eating healthy. I found this book to be amazing as the author is a two time Brain Cancer survivor, whom changed his lifestyle habits at his second diagnosis. Someone on my support group boards today posted a list that summarized the foods us Cancer-People should eat. I just wanted to put it on my blog, so you can also be informed.

Green Tea, 3 cups a day : it reduces the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumor growth and metastases.
Olives & Olive Oil: contains phenolic antioxidants & Omega 3 fatty acids. Other great sources of Omega 3 - Salmon/Tilapia, Fish Oil, Flax Seeds, Flax Seed Oil & Chia Seeds
Turmeric:  Helps stimulate apoptosis (death) in cancer cells and inhibit angiogenesis (growth of vessels). 1/4 - 1/2 tsp of turmeric a day mixed with 1/8 tsp of pepper and a table spoon of olive oil. This combo helps your body absorb the benefits of turmeric.
Ginger: protects against certain cancers, it acts against cancer cells. Also helps w/nausea caused by chemo
Cruciform veggies (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, bok choy, etc): contains I3Cs-dindole-3-carbinols which are powerful anticancer molecules.
Garlic, onions, leeks, shallots : they promote apoptosis in colon, breast & lung cancers and prostate. Regulates blood sugars, this in turn reduces insulin secretion an dIGF and thus the growth of cancer cells.
Veggies & fruit rich in carotenoids (carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, apricots, beets, etc.) - contain vitamin A and lycopene which have the proven capacity to inhibit cell growths of several cancers, stimulate immune cells which then attack tumors
Tomatoes & Tomato sauce: must be cooked, has a whole series of anticancer nutrients, and mix w/olive oil to help your body assimilate the lycopenes.
Mushrooms ( shiitake, maitake, cremini, portobello, oyster....) : contain polysaccharides and lentinian which stimulate the immune cells. Often used in Japan as a complement to chemotherapy to support the immune system.
Rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil and mint: very rich in essential oils of the terpene family and promote apoptosis in cancer cells and reduce their spread by blocking the enzymes needed to invade neighboring tissues. Rosemary is also an anti-inflammatory. Its capacity to enhance the effectiveness of certain chemotherapies.
Parsley and celery: contain apigenin, an anti-inflammatory that promotes apoptosis and blocks angiogenesis.
Seaweed: several varieties of seaweed commonly eaten in Asia contain molecules that slow cancer growth, especially that of breast, prostate, skin and colon cancer. 
Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and cranberries) : contain elegiac acid and a large number of polyphenols. They stimulate the mechanisms of elimination of carcinogenic substances and inhibit angiogenesis, also promote apoptosis. 
Plums, peaches & nectarines - 'stone fruit' contain as many anticancer agents as berries and are cheaper. A study at University of Texas observed that plum extracts had powerful effects against the growth of breast cancer.
Citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, limes, lemons & grapefruit) :contain anti-inflammatory flavonoids. Stimulate the detoxification of carcinogens in the liver. Flavonoids in the skin of tangerines penetrate brain cancer cells and facilitate their death by apoptosis. 
Pomegranate Juice & Pomegranates - it has been used in Persian medicine for years. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have been confirmed and has the capacity to substantially reduce the development of prostate cancer (among others) even in it's most aggressive forms). In humans daily consumption of pomegranate juice slows the spread of an established prostate cancer by 67%.
Red Wine & GRAPES:  contains polyphenols including the celebrated resveratrol. These polyphenols are extracted by fermentation. Reservatrol acts on genes that are known to protect healthy cells against aging. Only 1 glass per day, drank with food. Grapes are a better substitution IMO. More than one glass of wine daily, which I like to say weekly, should be avoided. Since drinking too much wine daily may lead to an increase of cancer & addiction.
Dark chocolate- Must be 70% or more. Contains a number of antioxidants, proanthocyandidins and may polyphenols. These molecules slow the growth of cancer and limit angiogenesis. Consume 20 grams a day. Do not eat milk chocolate, mixing dairy w/chocolate cancels the beneficial effects of the molecules of cocoa.
Vitamin D3- reduces the risk of several cancers. Studies published recently have shown positive effects of vitamin D3 on breast cancer, non-small lung cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer. Our bodies cannot metabolize more than 3,000mcg of Vitamin D3 a day. I stick with 1,000mcg in the AM & another 1,000mcg in the PM. We should be trying to get most of our Vitamin D from REAL food & going outdoors. 
Exercise - Aim for 3 hours a week. I usually get in 6-8hrs a week, but he just recommends walking 30min a day.

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