Cancer Survivor Finds Healthy Answers with New Nutraceutical Research

 

A healthy lifestyle and diet can help in prevention of cancer … National Center for Biotechnology Information

Who hasn’t faced the scourge of cancer in your family? It starts with shock, emotional betrayal, pain, treatment, remission or death and a deep protracted loss for family and community.

My grandfather was a homesteader who never smoked or drank, a lifelong vegetarian who died from bone cancer in a skeletal frame. My brother who never smoked, drank beer the odd time, and grew a yearly garden in his nursery died from bowel cancer within a 3 month diagnosis. My mother died from an aggressive inflammatory breast cancer as a diabetic with less recovery options.

At 62, with no other symptoms other than loosing my appetite, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I had no idea what a lymph node was or that I had approximately 800. After 6 months of chemotherapy and 3 months of radiation, the doctor says I am in remission after 8 years.

Is cancer a genetic factor in our family? Is damage to the genetic nucleus DNA caused by harmful substances in the environment or food we eat?

Cancer is simply defined as a disease caused by changes to the genes where some of the bodys cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer prevention has been progressive with early detection and treatment. Research has included radiation, pap tests, hormone therapies and continues unabated with new cancer immunotherapeutic treatments that focus on using the patients’ own immune system to fight the disease with molecularly targeted therapeutics and adoption of evidence based policies. See cancer progress report.

But still much work needs to be done as it is the second leading cause of death (2 million Americans — 2024). Cancer is a group of diseases that may never be able to cured completely but there is optimism that personalized medicine and smart lifestyle choices will prevail even as researchers predict a 77% increase in 2050.

An estimated one in four cancer cases diagnosed is result of potentially preventable risk factors.

What if, new breakthroughs can go beyond specific cell therapies and clinical trials to increase research on nutraceuticals or plant’s natural phytonutrients or phytochemicals? Without doubt, even now, more scientific research is discovering the potential of nutraceuticals with safe and therapeutic effects.

Nutraceuticals are defined as “products which other than nutrition are also used as medicine … provides protection against chronic disease … improves health, delays the aging process, prevents chronic diseases, increases life expectancy, or supports the structure or function of the body.

So it was with great interest that I noted this article: New Concepts in Nutraceuticals as Alternative for Pharmaceuticals

Currently, new concepts are presented about how nutraceuticals can modify disease implications. There is emphasis on how to present herbal nutraceuticals effective on hard curative disorders related to oxidative stress, including allergy, Alzheimer, cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, eye, immune, inflammatory and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as obesity.

These recently published papers about different aspects of nutraceuticals as alternatives for pharmaceuticals can be found in scientific sites such as Medline, PubMed and Google Scholar.

As a cancer survivor, I was keen to check out newest data research on cancer and how I can use food or lifestyle choices to prevent a relapse.

Cancer — has emerged as a major public health problem in all countries. Nowadays more high attention is paid on phytochemicals with cancer-preventive properties.

Chemopreventive components in fruits and vegetables, among other beneficial health effect, have potential anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities.

Chronic inflammation is associated with a high cancer risk. Chronic inflammation is also associated with immune-suppression, which is a risk factor for cancer.

A healthy lifestyle and diet can help in prevention of cancer … examples

— Carotenoids are a group of phytochemicals responsible for different colors of the foods. They have antioxidant activities with a focused role on lycopene in cancer disease. This linkage between carotenoids and prevention of cancer heightened the importance of vegetable and fruits in human diet.

— Lycopene decreases oxidative stress and concentrates in the prostate, testes, skin and adrenal where it protects against cancer. It is found exclusively in tomatoes, guava, pink grapefruit, water melon and papaya.

— β-carotene has antioxidant activity and prevents cancer and other diseases. It is found in yellow, orange, and green leafy vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, lettuce, oranges, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, spinach, and winter squash has anticancer activity.

— Soyfoods are a unique dietary source of isoflavones such as epigallcatechin that possess cancer chemopreventive properties against breast, uterine, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers.

— Saponins are reported to possibly lower the risk of cancers by preventing cancer cells from growing. They are found peas, soybeans,soapberries, tomatoes, potatoes, alfalfa, spinach, and clover.

— Tannins can scavenge harmful free radicals and detoxify carcinogens. They are present in grapes, lentils, tea, blackberries, blueberries and cranberries as a proven anticarcinogen used in alternative medicine. Ellagic acid, present in walnuts, pecans, strawberries, cranberries, pomegranates and red raspberry seeds, is an anticancer agent.

— Pectin is a soluble fiber found in apples that has been shown to inhibit the cancer cells from adhering to other cells in the body as well as decrease cholesterol levels.

— Glucosinolates from a high intake of cruciferous vegetables have been associated with lower risk of colorectal and lung cancer. They block the enzymes that promote tumor growth, particularly in liver, colon, lung, breast, stomach and esophagus.

— Sulfur compounds called sulforaphane found in garlic is an antioxidant and stimulator of natural detoxifying enzymes that can boost the immune system, reduce platelet stickiness and inhibit breast and prostate cancer

Bottom Line

Large scale trials have shown evidence that various phytochemicals can elevate the levels of antioxidative capacity. However, more investigations are needed to determine their beneficial effects in cancer prevention or treatment. Ongoing trials may help define new avenues for chemoprevention.

It is interesting to note that nutraceuticals, in contrast to pharmaceuticals, are substances, which usually have no patent protection. Both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compounds might be used to cure or prevent diseases, but only pharmaceutical compounds have governmental sanction. It begs the question if Big Pharma drugs will ever give allowance to Mother Nature.

In the meantime, as a cancer survivor, I pay close attention to the food I eat to make sure I am digesting plenty of whole food phytonutrients with names I don’t know but respect. It is also important to support a strong immune system with trusted bioavailable dietary supplements.

You cannot compromise with cancer; but, perhaps, some competition is possible with phytonutrients.

Comments and questions are always welcome.

Mary (Annemarie) Berukoff

250 304 9710 PST

info@newbetterchoices.com

PS: You can check out research about other chronic cellular diseases with limited cures here.

iStock: seamartini

Podcast Interview Answer #6: Why are Natural Seeds so Precious Versus GMO Seeds versus Phytonutrients?

Podcast Interview Answer #6: Why are Natural Seeds so Precious versus GMO Seeds versus Phytonutrients? 

When health is absent,  wisdom cannot reveal itself …. strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless and intelligence cannot be applied.  Herophilus

What is inside Nature’s seed?

One of the best lesson plans that opened the eyes and minds of my 8 year-old students was to discover what is inside a seed. We used bean seeds for their medium size, soaked them in water for 3 days to swell and soften. In short time, a small stub of a root with hairs poked its way through one end. Carefully the seed would be opened to reveal the baby plant inside curled up so pale with tiny, clearly outlined leaves getting ready to take the job of growing up and producing a bean plant.

In fact, every seed from tiny poppy seeds to giant coconut seeds have three essential parts:

1. a seed coat which protects them while they grow and develop, starting underground
2. a baby plant or embryo
3. cotyledons which store the food (endosperm) the baby plants use to grow before they can use sunlight to produce their own food.

What is inside a a GMO seed?

A genetically modified seed has been genetically engineered in a laboratory to create a combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature.

So how is a GMO seed made?

1. shave off or chip off a tiny piece of the seed and grind it into a powder to  analyze with genome-mapping technology
2. Shoot the genes' DNA into the plant tissue to be modified by using "gene guns", literally a .22-caliber gun
3. Create plant progenitor cells with the new DNA so when its planted and pollinated it can advance into the next generation

In my opinion, a problem can happen when the DNA of a bacterium or fungi can be injected into the seed’s chromosomes to duplicate an anti-herbicide genetic plant. Currently, transgenic crops produce soybeans, alfalfa, corn, cotton, spring canola, sugar beets and winter canola with GMO seeds that are modified to reduce pesticide and herbicide use.

 But what happens when we eat the products of these plants, are we also ingesting genes from bacteria and fungi?

GMO is everywhere. 

• Animal products from livestock, apiculture, and aquaculture are exposed because of  genetically engineered ingredients that are common in animal feed which includes eggs, milk, meat, honey, and seafood.
• Processed food products may contain GMO derivatives like hydrolyzed vegetable protein, corn syrup, molasses, sucrose, flavorings, vitamins,  yeast products,  oils & fats, and other sweeteners.
• It is estimated that more than 80% of all genetically modified crops grown worldwide have herbicide tolerance against weedkillers like Roundup. The herbicide glyphosate (the key ingredient in Roundup)  “can probably cause cancer in humans ( World Health Organization, March 2015)
• Genetically modified crops also produced resistant “super-weeds” and “super-bugs,” which can only be killed with ever more toxic poisons such as 2,4-D (a major ingredient in Agent Orange). Soil fertility may be affected with less micro-nutrients and bees may be poisoned by toxins on flowers … the seriousness of which cannot be overstated. Once released into the environment, these novel organisms cannot be recalled.

There are many reports that despite biotech industry promises, there is no evidence that any of the GMOs currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit. As well, the public needs to demand continuing research to study the long-term effects of synthetic nutrient absorption on human organs and biology dating back to the origins of Homo Sapiens. 

What are Nature's Phytonutrients?

A few years ago, I completed two-year online program as a Certified Nutritional Supplement Distributor with the International Institute for Clinical Nutrition.  It was my first introduction to phytonutrients which changed my world.

Phytonutrients are natural compounds or chemicals found in plant foods such as vegetables, fruit, whole grain products and legumes. These plant compounds have beneficial effects working with other essential nutrients to promote good health.

My mind was blown that any fruit or vegetable like an apple contains hundreds of phytochemicals, so why would I worry about eating a GMO apple that doesn’t turn brown when exposed to air? 

So many wonderful new words became my language like flavonoids, quercetins, and bio - nutrition meaning that nature provides the essential micro-nutrients in synergy to what the body needs to defend against oxidative stress and repair free radical damage, never just an isolated element like one vitamin pill. 

For example, why try to reproduce the phytochemical called lycopene, a powerful anti-oxidant, in a ketchup bottle, as an advertising buzzword, when eating a whole tomato provides a full range of vitamins, minerals, co-factors, and enzymes that provide optimal synergy of hundreds of essential nutrients?

At the end, the question asked is biotechnology better than nature? The more you understand about the power of nature, the more you cannot underestimate it.

So, look at the tiny tomato seed. How is it even possible that all that nutrition is encased in such a tiny shape combined with soil micro-nutrients to grow such a natural masterpiece? Who will deny Nature’s infinite organization and affiliation to human bio-systems?

My brother Jim was an outstanding gardener in his backyard with organic waste from his fish pond applied to a small garden which grew enough tomatoes (as well as other products) to feed the neighborhood. He kept only heirloom seeds versus hybrids passed down for decades to grow identical crops. Nature deserves to keep its sovereign seeds.

This e-book Ecological Succession of Birchum Birch was written in his memory. 50% of the sales will be donated to a scholarship fund for students interested in environmental studies.

 Questions and comments are always important and welcome ... so much more can be shared.

Annemarie

amarie10@gmail.com

1 833 471 4661 (please leave message to return a call)

https://helpfulmindstreamforchanges.com

"It’s hard to imagine. What bothers me the most is how this people kind is stepping outside their selfish manufacturing Mega Plants to try and manipulate nature  itself. Their laboratories now can modify the very essence of life; namely, Mother Nature’s precious seeds. They call them GMO seeds to try and improve on nature, can you imagine that? Different species can be spliced, or different chemicals can be injected so that a GMO seed can grow a GMO plant, like taller wheat grass or a juicier orange with fish skin to survive too much rain and rot. The reality is that many GMO seeds are engineered to only grow GMO crops that can resist the spraying of toxic weed killers and heritage seeds get replaced and lost.” excerpt Ecological Succession of Birchum Birch 

Also available as Kindle edition: