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Simple
Ways to Prevent Cancer
Arthur
M. Echano, MD, ND, MACNEM
Cancer is a killer disease. Those
who lost loved ones to this fatal disease know this fact very well.
The good news though is that it can be prevented. By following a
few proven anti-cancer approaches, we can significantly lower our
odds of succumbing to this dreaded disease.
Free Radical Scavengers
One popular theory in cancer formation
stems from the “Free Radical Theory of Disease.” In
essence, it conveys the idea that diseases including cancer are
linked to free radical or oxidant damage. So if we can scavenge
or clean these oxidants from our system, we will be safe from cancer.
This is done with antioxidants (free
radical scavengers). It comes in two main forms, antioxidant enzymes
(secreted by the body) and antioxidant nutrients like vitamins A,C.E,
phytonutrients, and many other food nutrients.
As long as there are more
antioxidants than oxidants, we are OK. However, if the balance tilts
towards oxidant dominance, then trouble begins. These oxidants may
damage the DNA of cells leading to mutation and eventually cancer
formation.
Our Friendly Fish Oil
Fish oil-rich foods suppress the growth of all types of cancer cells.
This has been confirmed in numerous scientific studies. One such
article was reported by Dr. MF McCarty in his article, Fish oil
may impede tumour angiogenesis and invasiveness by down-regulating
protein kinase C and modulating eicosanoid production, Medical Hypothesis
Review, February 1996, 46 (2), pp. 107-15.
DHA and EPA are the ingredients
in fish oil that work wonders in putting a stop to cancer formation
and progression. By modulating eicosanoid production which is related
to the synthesis of inflammatory substances, EPA modulates cancer
invasiveness.
More Fibre To Your Diet
Our gut teems with billions
of friendly bacteria. These beneficial bugs react with the fibre
in our diet, converting it into butyrate and other short chain fatty
acids. These fatty acids serve as fuel source of the epithelial
cells in our large intestines. They also inhibit some enzymatic
reactions that favor colon cancer formation.
So by switching to a fruitarian
(vegetarian) diet, with main emphasis on whole grain cereals, nuts,
fruits and vegetables, we are decreasing our chances of ever being
a part of the colon cancer statistics.
These Bacteria Are Not Our Enemy
Interestingly, the friendly
gut bacteria (lactobacillus) have also been shown to have anti-tumor
actions. For example, Lactobacillus acidophilus can help in repairing
cellular DNA damage caused by carcinogens. They also block the actions
of cancer-causing compounds in the gut. A dose of these favorable
bugs then could swing the balance towards a cancer-free colon.
Super Immune Boosters
Every day, we get cancer.
However, due to the “search and destroy” operations
of our immune system’s natural killer T cells, these cancer
cells end up in the grave. As long as our immune system is in tip
top shape, no worries.
With the multitude of immune system
stressors though, there is now a need to boost immune system function
. The two powerful immune boosters that I use in practice are Transfer
Factor and Amla. An independent scientific study rated Transfer
Factor to have a 104% to 243% natural killer cells stimulating activity.
It is undoubtedly a very potent immune stimulating agent.
Amla is an Ayurvedic medicinal
plant. It has been given U.S. patent for the prophylaxis and treatment
of AIDS, TB, flu and other conditions with low immune function.
We know how destructive AIDS is to our immune system. It operates
at such a force as to virtually knock our immune system out. AIDS
sufferers normally die from the effects of a dead immune system.
The immune system preserving effect of Amla has given a ray of hope
to these sufferers.
You Can Run But You Can’t
Hide
Cancer cells are very
smart. To protect themselves from the peering eyes of the NK cells,
they try to camouflage their surfaces with some kind of protein.
So when the NK cells roam around looking for these cancer cells,
they can’t identify them as such.
We have to expose them for what
they are, malignant cells that need to be eliminated. How do we
do that? By stripping them naked. With what?
In doing our laundry, many
advocate the use of enzyme-rich detergents. How come? It is simple.
Enzymes are first rate dirt removers. In the body, they do the same
job. Lately, experts have noticed the major role of proteolytic
enzymes, the enzymes that we can find in papaya, pineapple and pancreatic
extract in cancer survival. One reason behind this positive finding
is the fact that these proteolytic enzymes have the ability to remove
the protective coating of cancer cells. In other words, these enzymes
help our NK cells in doing its anti-cancer operations. By exposing
them to these cancer-hungry immune cells.
Cancer Cells May Be Reversed
Another very interesting
research finding shows that cancer cell may revert back to normal.
How? By normalizing cellular energetics. What it means is that if
cells, including cancer cells burn its fuel efficiently, then it
could lose its aggressiveness and start to behave normally.
On top of the list is of course
Coenzyme Q10. In the book Cancer: A Nutritional/Biochemical Approach
(2002), eminent nutritional medicine specialist, Henry Osiecki highlighted
the primary role of Coenzyme Q10, a vitamin-like nutrient, in normalizing
cellular energetics by improving mitochondrial function. He also
stressed the point that Coenzyme Q10 can stimulate the immune system
and has anti-tumor activities.
So far, we have just scratched the
surface as to what we can do or take to avoid being part of any
cancer statistics. By taking ample supply of antioxidants, choosing
fibre-rich foods, boosting our immune system, taking EPA/DHA (fish
oil), taking friendly bacteria and assisting mitochondrial function
with Coenzyme Q10, we can prevent cancer cell growth and formation.
Next month, we’ll try
to consider the long list of phytochemicals (phytonutrients) that
are now being widely used in the natural health industry to reduce
our chances of having cancer.
Arthur M. Echano is a nutritional
medicine specialist in Australia. He is a 1978 medical graduate
of the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Santo Tomas,
Manila, Philippines. He is also a naturopathic doctor in the U.S.
Contact number (02) 9834 4154 or email: amechano@acay.com.au
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