Cancer

Nutrition & nutraceuticals in the prevention and treatment of cancer

It is beyond the scope of this section to talk about the etiology of cancer per se. Cancer is many different diseases, probably hundreds of different diseases. Instead, we will briefly outline some of the nutritional and behavioral causes of cancer, followed by an outline some of the nutritional recommendations for the prevention of cancer. And finally, we will list some of the nutraceuticals – including herbal medicines --recommended for the the treatment of cancer.

A brief note on the traditional -- (conventional medicine) -- approaches to cancer treatment. Critics of traditional cancer treatment modes maintain that, with the possible exception of childhood leukemia, there is little evidence in support of the toxic methods used. For further reading on this topic we refer you to:

Moss, Ralph W. (1995) Questioning Chemotherapy: A critique on the use of toxic drugs in the treatment of cancer. Equinox Press.

Re Genetics. There is little question that certain cancers have a genetic componet. Individually we may be more at risk because of our family history. However, genes still need to interact with the environment, and there is much we can do to protect ourselves. Do not allow yourself to feel powerless and as a result of that powerlessness to take no action. There is always something that can be done.

The Nutrition and Cancer Connection

Alcohol
Alcohol is a solvent that cuts through the mucus barrier which normally protects the membranes of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach from irritation and exposure to toxic substances. Therefore alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for cancer of all of these tissues. It is also associated with pancreatic cancer, and cancers of the liver, breast and rectum. In addition, alcohol has been shown to increase estrogen levels putting people more at risk for the cancers associated with excesses of estrogen.

Overeating
The jury is still debating whether the association between overeating and cancer is due to the excess of calories, or an excess of fat. We believe it is both. Overeating stresses the immune system. It is like inviting 50 people to a party and having 150 show up. The uninvited party crashers are going to cause trouble in one way or another. And high fat foods are high in calories, making it difficult to separate one issue from the other.

With fats the cancer connection may be related to the quality of the fat. Thermally oxidized fats (heated fats as found in deep-fat frying,) and the aged and rancid fats found in processed meats (bologna, hot dogs, salami, pepperoni) are surely more problematic than a simple pat of butter.

There is also a greater connection between Omega 6 fats (from vegetable oils such as corn or saflower oil) and cancer, than between Omega 3 fats and cancer. The Omega 3 fats may even have a protective effect against cancer by boosting immunity.

Years ago there was an advertisment which appear regularly on television advising viewers to switch from saturated fat (meat and cheese) to polyunsaturated vegetable oils (corn oil.) This change was supposed to help protect us from heart disease. What the advertisers failed to disclose in their reports of the double blind studies that had been done was that this change had no effect on the overall death rate. Fewer people died of heart disease, but more of them died of cancer.

	Deficiences: Antioxidants: vitamin C, vitamin E, Selenium Fiber, fruits and vegetables
	Processed meats: Bologna, hot dogs, salami, pepperoni In addition to being high in rancid fat, processed meats contain nitrates which are associated with increased risk of cancer of the stomach.

Behavior and cancer

	Birth control pills The hormones used in birth control pills are generally not bio-identical to the hormones produced in a woman’s body and are associated with an increased risk of cancer.
	Hormone Replacement therapy (Premarin & Provera)
	Cigarette smoking
	Alcohol consumption
	Self talk/ attitude/ stress
	Type C Behavior personality

You’ve heard of Type A and Type B pesonalities, but how about Type C? Type C stands for cancer-prone personality. And although there are many different kinds of cancer, individuals with cancer frequently exhibit signs of this personality. The cancer-prone person is passive to the nth degree. If you say to the individual “Hey, let’s get some lunch. What do you feel like having?” The response will be “Oh, I don’t care. Anything you want is fine with me.” Or if you say “Let’s go to a movie. What would you like to see?” The answer will likely be: “Oh, you pick it. Whatever you want is fine with me.”

The Type C person doesn’t want to bother you. They don’t want to make waves, so they don’t assert themselves. They avoid saying “I want… I need” or ”I would like….” The problem is that the outwardly passive behavior is a reflection of what is going on inside the body. If they won’t fight for themselves, their immune system won’t fight either.

98% of kidney cancer are poentially preventable with the elimination of smoking and a reduction in fat. 76% of lung cancers are preventable with elimination of smoking

86% of oral, esophageal, and larygeal cancers are potentially preventable if smoking is eliminated, alcohol consumption reduced, and fruit and vegetable consumption is increased.

Preventing cancer

	Calories: Don’t overeat. Spread your calories out over the day
	Fats: avoid hydrogenated fats, thermally oxidized fats, avoid deep-fat fried foods, processed meats
	Omega-3 fatty acids
	Fruits and vegetables: phytonutrients
	Relaxation techniques
	Exercise

Nutriceuticals in the treatment of cancer

	Vitamin C (buffered) 1000 to 5000 mg.
	Natural Vitamin E (Mixed tocopherols) 400 I.U.
	Selenium 200 mcg
	Co-Q10 100-300 mg

Herbs in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

Astragalus (Atragalus membranaceus) [Huang Qi]

Medicinal part: Roots.

Active constituents: Triterpene glycosides, saponins, sterols, isoflavonoids, amino acids, polysaccharides.

Actions & uses: Antiviral, antioxidant, fibrinolytic, hepatoprotective, immuno-modulating (Stimulates macrophages, promotes antibody formation, increases T lymphocytes. Treats leukopenia. Reverses macrophage suppression induced by urological tumors. Potentiates lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity.) Increases cardiac output in patients with angina pectoris. Slows heart rate in heart failure. Alleviates chest distress and breathlessness associated with heart failure.

Dosage: Dried root: 2-6 gm daily/ Fluid extract: 4-12 ml daily

Drug interactions: Contraindicated for patients on immunosupressive therapy. May potentiate the action of anticoagulants.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Medicinal parts: Root bark.

Dosage: 250 - 1000 mg daily. Total alkaloid equivalent 10-30 mg.

Actions & uses: Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunostimulating.

Side effects: Serum estradiol and progesterone levels may drop with long term use. Has been shown to prevent estrogen from binding to estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells.

Curcumin [Turmeric] (Curcuma domestica)

Medicinal parts: Stewed & dried rhizome.

Dosage: 1.5 -3 gms daily Tincture dose: 10-15 drops, 2-3 X daily.

Actions & Uses: anti-hepatotoxic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral, antimicrobial, insect repellant. It inhibits prostaglandin formation.

In one study the growth of colon cancer cells was decreased by 96% within 48 hours.

Side effects: Occasional stomach complaints.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis)

Active constituents: alkaloids (methyl xanthines - caffeine, theobromine, thophylline) Triterpene saponins, catechins (25%), flavonoids (including quercetin.)

Actions and uses: antidepressant (CNS stimulant & adenosine antagonist,) anti-diarrheal effect (tannin,) cancer prevention effects (pancreas, colon, small intestine, stomach, breast, and lung.) Inhibits cavity causing bacteria. Inhibits Clostridium perfringens & Clostridium difficile while promoting the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacter.

Dosage: Infusion or capsules. One cup of green tea normally contains 500-100 mg polyphenols. Capsules: 100-500 mg.

Side effects: Excessive quantities (more than 300 mg caffeine) can cause restlessness, tremor, and reflex excitability.

Contraindications: Use caution with patients with weakened cardiovascular symptoms, renal disease, hyperthyroidism, panicky states of anxiety.

	Maitake (Grifola frondosa) Use dates back to the Hans Dynasty 206 B.C. - 220 A.D. Contains potent anti-cancer agents such as: B-glucans polysaccharides Decreased incidence and proliferation of urinary bladder carcinoma.
	Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

Medicinal parts: ripe seeds

Active constituents: Silymarin, silybin, flavonoids (including Quercetin) fatty oil (20-30%)

Actions & uses: Hepatoprotective, renoprotective, cholagogic, liver regeneration, antidote for death-cap mushroom poisoning. Silymarin has shown substantial protection against different stages of UVB-induced carcinogenesis.

Interactions: Antagonistic effect with yohimbine and phentolamine when given simultaneously.

Panax Ginseng (Panax quinquefolus) [ aka American or Asian ginseng]

Medicinal parts: dried root

Actions:adaptogen, anti-allergy, cardioprotective, hypoglycemic, hemopoietic, stimulant, antioxidant, antineoplastic, antiplatelet, antiviral, hypolipidemic, antiarrhythmic, hypoglycemic

Uses: CVD, especially angina, chemotherapy protection, fatigue, heart attack & arrhythmias, hypertension, compromised immunity, menopause, recuperation from disease, stress, radiation protection. Improves cognitive function. Tonic for elders. Possibly useful for cancer, diabetes, depression, alcoholism and mental disorders.

Active constituents: triterpene saponins, ginsenosides

Dosage: dried root - 3g/pint decoction 1 cup up to 3 X day. Fluid extract: 1-6 ml/day total/

Adverse reactions: (High doses) headache

Contraindications: Pregnancy & breastfeeding. Use caution with hypertension.

Drug interactions: Do not take with antidepressants. Concomitant use of Phenelzine (MAOI) reported to cause headache, tremors, mania. May decrease insulin requirement. Use caution with blood thinners. Use caution with concomitant caffeine use.

	Soy Genistein Inhibits angiogenesis.
	Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes)

Efficacy: Mushroom extracts seem to bolster immunity and help prevent cancer or inhibit tumor growth.

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus/ syn. Acanthopanax senticosus)

Medicinal Parts: Rhizome & roots.

Dosages: Average - 2-3 gm of root daily

Active constituents: Hydroxycoumarins, lignans, steroids, phenylacrylic acid, polysaccharides, steroid glycosides, triterpene saponins.

Actions & Uses: immune stimulating, immune modulating, antiviral effects. Increases lymphocytes, especially T-lymphocytes. Hypoglycemic effects. Inhibits platelet aggregation.

Side effects: Low incidence of side effects. Insomnia, tachycardia, palpitations, headache, irritability, anxiety. Rarely, temporary drowsiness.

Contraindications: Hypertension.

Drug interactions: Digoxin - elevated serum levels. May potentiate insulin or anti-diabetic agents. May enhance effects of anticoagulants.

References

Jolliet, P. et al. (1998) Plasma Coenzyme Q10 Concentrations Iin Breast Cnacer.: Prognosis and Therapetic Consequences. Int. J Clin Pharmacol Ther 36(9): 506-509

Miller, A.B. et al. (1994.) Diet in the etiology of cancer: A review. European Journal of Cancer 30(2): 207-228

Recommended reading:
Moss, Ralph W. (1995.) Questioning Chemotherapy: A critique of the use of toxic drugs in the treatment of cancer. Equinox PR.

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"The information presented here is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace an individualized consultation with a qualified health professional."