Nutrition Question

[adam101w]

also, isn't reverse osmosis the purest water?

[adam101w]

Hi all,

This topic too has interested me. I'm 19 and have gone through the 3xBEP.

First, while having chemo my oncologists said take nothing else.

Second, I have thick blood genetically, and since he said to take a baby asprin a day. (There are studies he said that this can help prevent certain other cancers. Although, I am no saying everyone do this without checking first, just what the doctor told me.)

Third, I eat mainly organic.

Although, I must say that still after 3 months of being off of chemo I was unable to take a multivitamin b/c it gave me heart burn. I have not tried since (which no has been 8 months), but I also think that if one eats enough fresh fruits and veggies, God has put enough nutrients in them to be sufficient. Are you all (survivors) able to take multivitamins?

A few books that I've read, and some are scary:
Cancer Wars: How politics shapes what we know & don't know about cancer. Robert Proctor.
The politics of cancer. Samuel S. Epstein.
What the Bible says about healthy living. Rex Russel

I think it is hard because we cannot afford to go through life being scared and worried (Psalm 23, Matthew 6) as it has side effects of itself. Hence why sleep is encouraged in the bible. But we must be realistic, in the fact that child cancer incidences are increasing, not by genetic chance.

I'm a college student and have written some papers on prevention and the like, I would love to hear more from you guys. I am curious as to the rates compare to other non-industrial countries, since their food may not be as altered. Although, in those situations, it is hard to monitor as well. Canada I beleive has some stricter policies on pesticies and such allowed? anyone know for sure? Are rates comparable? Amish communities have lower insidences, although they may not seek medical help...not sure on how to evaluate that either. But they are mainly organic.

[Russell's Mom]

Thanks for sharing. Sometimes I feel like I am in an ocean of chemicals, guess that is just a reality these days. Just a few days ago I read an article that pretty much confirmed the link between pesticides and pancreatic cancer. Makes sense. Another huge change that I made was in cosmetics. Although I don't use a lot, it was concerning to learn that most of the lotions are whipped up 30 weight oil. Mineral oil, petrolium. Carcinogenic!!! Doesn't even begin to degrade for hundreds of years or extreme temperatures. We rub it into our skin, we breath the exhaust, we eat it as artificial food colors. Lots of new vegetable based products available, fun and eases the mind a bit! Thanks again, Sharon

[mstlyn]

Glad you understand what Im talking about Sharon, thanks! I know many people (outside this site) that feel the same way, and do everything they can to eliminate chemicals from their bodies and homes, and add more fresh, organically grown veggies and fruits.

I have seen quite an increase in organic products in local grocery stores over just the last few months too, so that is great. The more people change, the prices will drop.

I quit buying commercial cleaners (except borax) for my home too..

Baking soda, borax, vinegar, olive oil & lemon juice for furniture polish-

Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deoderant, toothpaste; all of it is organic- with the exception of toothpaste, which is natural and flouride free.

The only foods that are not organic in my home is meat because it is really expensive, but I use chicken more than any red meat. Miller chicken, though not raised organically; is hormone, steroid free, and is the cleanest chicken I have found.

I'd like to share a website "The worlds healthiest foods"

You will find the nutritional value for each within the links..

http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

check it out.

[Russell's Mom]

Interesting that my mind can bounce right along with yours!!! I am right with you. What is absolute one day, becomes the tabu of another day, then back again on a future date. We too have an MD, Board Certified Internist who corrects body chemistry. She tops my list in the respect area. I would love to see more posts and I also think that it would be difficult to keep it guided. There are so many alternatives around. I love that...have seen a world of difference for people, mild and natural, but very effective. our bodies at their best...what we are all striving for. Let's hope enthusiasm sparks!! Take care, Sharon

[mstlyn]

Karen:
I know research is being done but this whole field was ignored for many years. Just think of my generation where mothers were told that manufactured baby formula was better then mothers milk. I don't believe the companies are evil just sometimes misdirected.
Just for the record I like the big pharma companies, they saved my son's life.

I am grateful that my sons life has been saved too, I can be thankful without turning a blind eye to the realities of the big pharma and what matters to them most, MONEY.

If you had no way to pay for their drugs, and no other source to help you get them, you would not get them.

There is all kinds of documented evidence of the hazards of flouride, yet it is approved by the FDA. Pesticides for our food is approved by the FDA. The FDA does not make me feel that secure.

(sorry, I know Im jumping around here, but its all connected)

If you saw someone spray your veggies with a can of raid just before eating it, would you want to eat it? Even if they washed it? I can rely on my own good judgement to know that pesticides are not something we should be eating.

You can't wash pesticides from our fruit and veggies, because the food is grown in it. The soil is contaminated with the pesticides ..

Organic farmers cannot become certified organic growers until the soil they plant in has been at least 2 years with no use of pesticides. Irradiation destroys the nutrition in the food we eat.

There are drugs on the market that have killed a lot of people too.

What parent wouldn't be thankful that their childs life has been saved, however it had to be. Every time I took my son to his chemo treatments I was both thankful, and sick inside that I had to take my beautiful son to have these awful chemicals put into his body.

It would still be much better if dietary changes, environmental changes, stress factors, or other factors that contribute to causing cancer, could be changed the world over. We may see a drastic turn around in the cancer rate. And I am not saying that any of these things cause TC ..
I have no idea what causes it. No one seems to .. I read that it is present at birth, but still, something caused it to be present at birth. There is a cause for everything.

Back to the big pharma...
Look at the cost of these drugs, look at the people that do not have access to them. Even insurance companies refuse to pay for some of them,and being realistic these drugs are harsh chemicals that have also caused damage to healthy cells in the body, and sometimes end up causing other cancers.

We do what we have to do in order to live or save our childrens lives, we can only depend on what we know will get the job done.

People are waking up to what is going on in this country- Organics are HOT, HOT, HOT right now, and I don't see this being a passing phase. Its REAL FOOD, the way it used to be. It is not chemically treated, it is not irradiated, there are no growth hormones, or anything else.

There are specific foods that are mentioned in the Bible that we should be eating. Who knew better than our creator what we need to keep his creation running efficiently?

If we stop and think for a moment, we will realize that everytime we hear about something that causes cancer, it is something that has been altered, or created by man, OR a failure to nourish ourselves with the nutrients that were intended for us. For example .. eating lots of fresh veggies and fruits.

My dad has always been a meat and potatoes, almost no veggies or fruits, man. Doctors found cancerous polyps in the colon awhile back. These findings prompted his wife to get a colonoscopy which was clear. The doctors told her that they almost NEVER find colon cancer in a person that eats a lot of fruit and veggies, which has always been her favorite food.

Eating healthy encourages healthy cell growth-

We know that we can starve cancer cells by depriving them of sugar-

Fast Food is POISON, do we all know people that eat fast food weekly, or more? I do.

Blah- I could go on about this forever, but I won't.

Sorry about jumping around from pharma, to FDA, to organics and the Bible .. I went back and added things that I thought about without editing to make it coherent lol

[mstlyn]

This is not one of the articles I read about sunscreen causing skin cancer, but I'll post this one while I search for the others.

http://vvv.com/healthnews/dsunscre.html

[mstlyn]

The healthy tan ..

In my search for the answers to good health, here is what I have found.

The sun, as they used to say, is very good for us. The rise in skin cancer is being blamed on sunscreen itself.

While too much sun at once may not be good, because some people do burn, we should be getting natural sunlight every single day. It's the absolute best way to get vitamin D. Much better than vitamins. The vitamin D from the sun is absorbed through the skin and the eyes. Studies show that vitamin D can reduce the risk of cancer by .. I think it was 40%.

I'm no scientist, but when I read studies that are contrary to what the FDA tells us, If I don't have facts, I lean on good common sense. My common sense said.. well yes, there is reportedly a LOT of skin cancer these days as compared to many years ago. Some will say that it's because it takes an accumilation of years of sun exposure before skin cancers develop.

But what about the rise in skin cancer among young people?

Is it possible that the sunscreen, which BLOCKS what are claimed to be harmful rays, is actually blocking much needed natural vitamin D, and this is why we see so much skin cancer?

I took my 16 year old daughter to her doctor for a physical in the beginning of the summer. They called to tell me that she needed to come in. When we met with the doctor he told us that she has a vitamin D definciency. At 16 years old??? And this is a girl that loves veggies and fruits..

The DOCTOR himself told us that she should go outside for at least 30 minutes per day without sunscreen, because that is the best, and of course the cheapest way to get vitamin D.

He said that it's far better to make sure she start taking care of this while she is young, so she doesnt end up with problems later.

We dont use sunscreen.. But I do tell my kids not to sit for prolonged periods of time in the sun during the "peak hours" which are supposedly between 10 am and 2 pm.

I'll look for a study that I read about this. It points out other countries where people spend the entire day, every day, outside working under the sun, and they don't have problems skin cancer.

I'll find it and I'll post it.

In my opinion, since Americans are so busy hiding from the sun, we are going to be more sensitive to the sun initially. I don't think it would be wise to just go spend the whole day in the hot sun, but gradually, a little at a time each day, allow yourself to get used to being in the sun more.

Of course like anything else, its up to each of us what we decide is best for us. I decided to pass on the sunscreen which I have never developed a habit of using anyway, even when the headlines started scaring the crap out of everyone, making them run from the sun.

I'm 46 years old and I grew up doing almost everything outdoors. Camping trips every summer, fishing, horseback riding, dirt bikes, yard work, snowmobiling etc .. My family spent almost all of our time outdoors WITHOUT sunscreen. While I won't say that I can't get skin cancer, because I know that sometimes no matter what we do, it can happen.. but I don't have skin cancer so far.

[dadmo]

Who remembers the "healthy tan".

[Karen]

Karen:
I know research is being done but this whole field was ignored for many years. Just think of my generation where mothers were told that manufactured baby formula was better then mothers milk. I don't believe the companies are evil just sometimes misdirected.
Just for the record I like the big pharma companies, they saved my son's life.

Very true.....and smoking was good for your nerves and weight loss. Now that was a scary time!

[Karen]

This really is an interesting post!!!! We have switched to whole wheat pastas and now I don't even like the regular. We probably eat red meat a dozen times a year. Dairy products are hormone fee and we actually prefer soy milk. I haven't sought out organics but I chose them when I find them and wash all my produce. Lots of fruits and veggies and in the summer it's heaven to buy this "in season" and local. A well balanced diet, high in fruits, veggies, and fiber and exercise goes the distance for good health. You can't change your genes, but you can make a difference with diet. We have a 10 year old daughter and when I look at her diet against her friends' (and their parents!) I know she's getting the best start I can give her.

I agree with Tammy and when I buy a supplement I go for the reputation of the company since these are not regulated by the FDA and you really have little assurance on what you're getting.

While not a lot is known about a lot of supplement:drug interactions, some is known, so when your doc asks what you're taking you should disclose prescriptions, over the counter and supplements.

[dadmo]

Karen:
I know research is being done but this whole field was ignored for many years. Just think of my generation where mothers were told that manufactured baby formula was better then mothers milk. I don't believe the companies are evil just sometimes misdirected.
Just for the record I like the big pharma companies, they saved my son's life.

[mstlyn]

While I understand that many people are skeptical about herbal remedies (I am not skeptical about herbal remedies, but AM skeptical about which ones, AND where I get them)
I don't think anyone doubts that we would be doing our bodies a huge favor by eating right. I'll post a few of the things that I have changed, and if anyone else has any good ideas, please post them

Keep in mind that the body is supposed to be alkaline, not acidic. Cancer can not thrive in alkaline.
There are test strips you can get at the pharmacy to test your bodys pH and see if it is alkaline or acid. If it is acid, make certain dietary changes and recheck your pH.

Fruits and veggies will make your body alkaline. Whether anyone believes that or not, it goes without question that fruits and veggies, LOTS of them are great for us.

Last year my dad had a colonoscopy and the doctors found and removed several polyps. Some of them were cancerous, but there was no spread. He has to have colonoscopies every 6 months, and so far each time they have had to remove more polyps. My dad has always been mr. hunterman, fisherman, outdoor guy and LOVES steaks and burgers. He doesn't eat much in the way of veggies.

On the other hand, his wifes' ( my step mom) favorite foods are fruits and veggies, tons of salads. She also eats grilled steaks and burgers, but fruits and veggies dominate her diet. She decided to have a colonoscopy after they found the cancer in my dad.

They found nothing. The doctors told them that they hardly ever find problems in the colon in people that eat a lot of fruits and veggies like she does.

Again, eat lots of fruits and veggies every day if possible, but get ORGANICALLY grown fruits and veggies. If you don't know of a place that offers organic foods, just google it for your area. I notice that some areas have jumped on the organics more than others, but I see local grocers starting to add organics to their shelves.

In the summer time or if you are from an area that can grow all year, you can probably find farmers markets, where you can get them a lot cheaper than smaller shops. When I see people in the area selling veggies from their gardens I stop and ask them if they use pesticides, fertilizers, or anything in their gardens. I found one that does not, and I walk away with a LOT of tomatos, zucchini, squash, green peppers, jalapenos, and green beans for very little. Five of anything for $1.

At the store I get organic romaine lettuce, which is the best lettuce nutrition wise and tastes great, organic green onions, organic carrots, organic celery, organic potatoes, organic garlic, organic white onions, organic milk, organic butter, organic grapes, organic oranges & other fruits.

I'll just say that I scour the stores looking very closely to see what I am able to buy organic. The food tastes better, and I know I have eliminated poison from my familys diet by buying organics, so I feel much better knowing this.

I do NOT buy white bread or wheat bread. I buy organic flax bread, and at a health food store I buy bread that is made with grains that are spoken of in the Bible. For anyone that believes in God, check this link out, and then look in your Bible if you want to make sure its there. Who should know better about what are bodies need than our creator? "God has given us in His Word specific foods to eat"


Ezekiel 4:9 says, "Take for yourself wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them into one vessel, and make bread of them for yourself."

I found bread that across the package says Ezekiel 4:9

I read the ingredients and found it is made of all ingredients that were in Ezekiel 4:9. I buy it every week.

Use the back and next buttons at the botton of this page to see more foods that God specifically told us to eat.

http://www.bennyhinn.org/yourlife/Healthy-Living-Featured-Articles/Barley-A-Biblical-Food.html

At the health food store I have been gradually buying other things to replace things that I have been using for years. It is too expensive to do it all at once.
White bleached flour is a thing of the past in my home. I buy:

Organic Millet flour
Organic spelt flour
Organic Oat flour

Organic cereals that contain grains like millet and others. This cereal is kind of like those grape nuts in texture and weight. It doesnt have a lot of flavor, but I make Anthony eat it lol. I bought some organic figs which he doesnt like either. So I cut them up and put them in the cereal. I have him eat it for the health benefits only, and it's filling so he only eats less than half a bowl.

If you don't already, I highly suggest you look into bible foods, and organics. If you never believe in herbal remedies of any kind.. just fix your diet and buy pure foods as much as possible.

Sorry for making this so long. There is so much information about what we can do for ourselves to make a big impact on our health. I'll post more later.. lol; bet ya cant wait huh? heh heh

[Karen]

As a big pharma scientist I am happy to say that big pharma has not ignored this area at all. The rainforests, oceans and everwhere you can imagine has been and continues to be expolored and natural extracts tested in large scale screens against disease targets. I have personally done some of these screens and we have found active components that we have taken rather far. It's the active components that can be made into a drug since, for instance, black sea urchin farming cannot be done in the quantities and with the certainty of a synthetic process. The urchins can't be patented but the process certainly can, protecting the huge investment in the research.

The other thing that makes it difficult to examine the interactions of a supplement with a chemo agent is that you need a large number of people to study it in, and those people need to be taking only one medication so the interaction can be studied. That is why phase I clinical trials are done in young, helathy males with no pre-existing conditions and not on any other meds....we need to look at what the drug does ALL BY ITSELF and how it is metabolized and how long it stays in the body. These are very carefully controlled studies.

I could go on and on, but a reason that these have not been looked at in against a complex chemo mix is that it would be very difficult to tease out the effects...and the risk of an adverse side effect is a risk not many want to take when fighting cancer.

I do reach for natural extracts for several common ailments, and keep an very open mind as to what they can do. It's the interactions with other meds we have to be mindful of, and chemo is not something anyone wants to drecrease the effectiveness of.

Off my soapbox now...anyone still awake???

Tammy, this is a great thread and I join Bill in bering very happy it isn't the spam magnet we feared!!!!

[dadmo]

Tammy:
Great post, so far my concers about this thread have been very wrong. Good. Sloan Kettering has quite a bit of information about herbal medicines on their web site. Here's the link . It's not the best site, but it's very existance shows progress towards the acceptance of natural remedies. It is amazing how little respect western culture has toward natural approaches in medicine. I have taken hand fulls of supplements everyday for years and I am now about to begin looking for natural substances to replace the highly processed products I do take.
When Jason began chemo I was shocked to learn that they didn't want him taking any supplements at all. Our doctor was quite honest in explaining that they just didn't understand the interactions with the chemo. My beliefe is that while most herbs may be harmful during treatment there must certainly be some that would be beneficial. The problem is who will do the research? Big pharma seems to avoid this area because they can't make much money on products they can't patent. How could they recoup a multi million dollor investment in cures that you can buy at the food store? It's a real problem that has no answers, at least not right now.