ANTI-CANCER DIET: NIGHTSHADE FAMILY – CAPSICUM, EGGPLANT, POTATOES AND TOMATOES

Capsicum or green peppers are rich in phytochemicals and tend to decrease the incidence of stomach cancer. This little vegetable is extremely rich in vitamin Ñ and bioflavonoids (Vitamin P). Vitamin P is essential for the absorption of vitamin C, making capsicum better in value than a vitamin Ñ tablet. Capsicum is an optimal provider of living nutrients including iodine and vitamin A.

Eggplant may help prevent cancer by counteracting possible cancer agents found in the diet. Eggplant contains gallic acid, which prevents many carcinogens from causing chromosome mutations in cells.

Potatoes may prevent cell mutations that lead to cancer, due to their chlorogenic acid content. A regular intake of potatoes is believed to prevent several types of cancer. Ensure that you do not consume green potatoes and be careful how you cook potatoes. Potatoes should be cooked with the skin on to ensure that the potassium and other essential nutrients are not lost in the cooking process. Potatoes are a good source of magnesium, sulphur, silicon, iodine and chlorine. Being a starchy food, they are able to provide an abundance of energy. Potato juice is an age-old treatment for liver cancer.

Tomatoes are believed to prevent several forms of cancer, particularly stomach, lung and breast cancer. Two phytochemicals in tomatoes (p-coumaric and chlorogenic acid) prevent the formation of cancer-causing digestive nitrosamines. Tomatoes also stimulate the growth or regeneration of liver tissue. Strawberries, grapes, carrots, green peppers and other fruits and vegetables are also rich in these cancer-fighting substances. Tomatoes are believed to significantly decrease the risk of developing bladder and prostate cancer. In addition, tomatoes contain another cancer fighting substance called lycopene. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that reduces the risk of cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, prostate, colon and rectum. Lycopene helps to guard against the toxic effects or radiation therapy, especially burning of tissues.

The lycopene content in tomatoes is dramatically increased in products such as tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes and tomato powder. The rich intake of tomato products in Mediterranean countries may be the prime reason why their native people have a lower incidence of prostate cancer and related problems.

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CANCER AND IMMUNE SYSTEM: SPECIAL TISSUE CELLS

Macrophages

These large cells, found in the liver, spleen and lymph, engulf foreign particles and protect against invasion by micro-organisms and damage to the lymphatic system. Macrophages are the ‘clever gobblers of the immune army’. They engulf a foreign agent and highlight their antibodies so the helper T cell can quickly identify the invaders. After marking the enemy cell, macrophages release lymphokines (interferon, interleukin-3 and 1) that attract more macrophages and WBCs to eliminate the invading threat.

Mast Cells

These are basophils that reside mainly along blood vessels and release histamine in response to allergic reactions.

Platelets

In addition to their role in clotting, platelets attract white blood cells to sites of injury.

Specialized Serum Factors/Lymphokines/Monokines

Interferon, interleukin 2 and complement fractions enhance the immune system, produced by white blood cells. These serum factors activate white blood cells to destroy cancer cells and viruses. Complement fractions are produced in the liver and involved in the final destruction of viruses, bacteria, immune complexes and cancer cells.

Antibodies

Antibodies or serum proteins known as immunoglobulins (Ig) serve as the primary cellular secretions of the humoral branch of the immune system. These  cell lymphocytes fall into the following categories:

IgG – main serum protein, coats micro-organisms leaving them open to destruction.

IgA – found in secretions such as milk, saliva and tears. Stops localized infections from spreading.

IgM – Initial immune response to foreign invaders.

IgE – These bind tightly to mast cells and basophils and are involved in allergic reactions.

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EMOTIONS EXPERIENCED DURING CANCER TREATMENT: WITHDRAWAL

As humans, we rarely want anyone to know about our faults. Think about when we’re courting the loves of our lives; initially we rarely let out our little treasure trove of bad habits. Our partner seems perfect and vice versa, and in an instant we’ve got starry eyes; we’re in love with most perfect person in the world. This is part of being human. We want our loved ones to know we are as close to perfect as possible, as we believe it attracts more admiration and attention, which is really a form of love. Love is what we all desire and what we all seek, from birth through to death. We forget that love is already present within our own hearts and what we should really be searching for and attaining is inner peace.

It is no wonder that when we develop a disease such as cancer, we experience the need or desire to withdraw from people we care for and society in general. Sometimes it just seems much easier to withdraw, to avoid the questions, which at this stage we may not have an answer for, or the answer we like. By withdrawing we do not have to face questions or to expose ourselves to pity – which can be humiliating for many. By slipping into our own world we do not have to admit to ourselves or to others that we are not perfect, in a world where most people are trying to act perfect.

It is difficult for those who have never had cancer to understand the complex feelings, emotions and questioning that the cancer patient experiences. Many people associate cancer with ‘stressed, weak or aged’ individuals. This is a total fallacy. It is another reason why people with cancer withdraw from society and loved ones, as they may become labeled in this category. A category considered imperfect. Society can be extremely judgmental and no one likes to be judged. Cancer patients find it easier to withdraw to avoid judgmental attitudes.

It’s really funny how complex we have made our lives. We mentally run in circles every day, worrying what people think of us, and we often go into hiding until we are happy with the way we look, or the way we feel. This is another reason cancer patients withdraw. ‘I will come back out when I look better or when my hair grows back’.

Choose wisely whom you tell your condition to, as many people are simply gossips and live for human tragedy. Share your feelings with understanding souls whom you love and trust with your heart and you are sure to feel safer and more supported in your fight against cancer. For family and friends in this situation, ensure the cancer patient knows how much you love them unconditionally, without expectations or conditions. The cancer patient needs to be reassured of your unconditional love especially during this unstable period.

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CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY: TREATMENTS USED TO COUNTERACT SIDE EFFECTS

Diarrhoea

Diet

Make sure you drink plenty of water, fruit and vegetable juices, and herbal teas to replace lost fluids and avoid dehydration. Drink the cleansing vegetable broth regularly (refer to recipes in Part Three of this book). Choose plain, bland foods and eat small frequent meals. Eat banana, pineapple or papaya juice, oat-bran, rice-bran, raw foods and yogurt.

• Avoid dairy products and coffee.

• Watermelon juice should be drunk regularly.

Vitamins and Nutrients

• Essential fatty acids aid in forming healthy stools. Eg DHA/EPA, flaxseed oil.

• Take acidophilus powder or capsules to replace friendly bacteria.

• Psyllium husk or a fibre formula may be beneficial.

• Glutamine repairs intestines damaged by chemotherapy. Take 1 to 4 gm per day.

Herbs

• Use cinnamon in tea (1 teaspoon per cup) or on food. OR

• Goldenseal, citrus seed extract, oregon grape, barberry root bark, pau d’arco or raspberry leaves are useful. OR

• Slipper}’ elm bark is soothing to the digestive tract. OR

• Charcoal tablets (4 tablets/hour with water until diarrhoea subsides).

Herbal Teas

• Try either chamomile, dandelion tea, peppermint, pau d’arco, papaya or raspberry leaf tea to ease diarrhoea.

Effects on the Mouth

Once again, diet is an important factor. Mouth ulcers, metallic taste in the mouth, a furry or coated tongue, sore throat and dry mouth are common symptoms experienced. Mouth ulcers are often caused from a zinc deficiency.

Diet

• Eat plenty of clear vegetable soups with brown rice. Use a food blender to blend foods.

Avoid extremes of temperature and highly spiced foods.

• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.

• Figs contain demulcents, which soothe the mouth, oesophagus and digestive tract.

• Suck on natural ice blocks or ice cubes made from fresh juice. Natural fruit sorbet helps to

keep your mouth moist and feeling fresh.

Vitamins and Nutrients

• Glutamine helps to protect the body’s mucosa and prevents mouth ulcers. Glutamine soothes

and relieves the pain of and quickly heals sores in the mouth.

• Vitamin E reduces the occurrence of oral mucositis 250 iu to 500 iu/day.

• Zinc and L-lysine are useful in healing mouth ulcers. Take 4 ml of zinc liquid per day or an

80 mg zinc tablet or suck on zinc and L-lysine lozenges.

• Â complex vitamins are essential in preventing mouth ulcers.

Herbs

• Add 5 to 10 drops of myrrh oil or myrrh tincture and add to a glass of water. Use as a

mouthwash – good for healing mouth ulcers.

• Another powerful and useful herb for healing/preventing ulcers is red sage.

• Aloe vera juice is also very soothing and healing on mucous membranes. Drink 1/4 cup

morning and night.

Other Advice

• Brush teeth with a soft toothbrush. Use a small amount of bicarbonate soda/water after eating

(1/4 teaspoon in 1/2 glass of water).

• Use a natural lip balm or beeswax to keep lips moist.

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DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER: ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES

Environmental causes are believed to contribute to a vast majority of different cancers. Below are some suspected environmental cancer-causing agents.

• Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, benzo (a) pyrene, dibenzo (a) anthracene and 1-nitropyrene are produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Benzene is used to make other chemicals which are then used to make resins, rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, pesticides, nylon and synthetic fibres. It is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke. Benzene is a cancer causing agent that may lead to leukemia and cancers of other blood forming organs. These hydrocarbons are known to be breast carcinogens.

• Cadmium, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, from environmental exposure.

• Chloroform (chlorine vapors produced in hot showers) is another risk factor. In studies, animals that ate or drank water containing chloroform developed cancer of the liver and kidneys, indicating that this chemical may be a possible cancer risk.

• Chronic exposure to electromagnetic frequencies omitted by power lines, unshielded video, computer terminals, television, radio waves and electric blankets all increase the risk of developing cancer.

• Asbestos is the name given to six fibrous minerals that occur naturally in nature. However, asbestos is tough and fibrous and is commonly used in building materials, friction products such as brake pads, heat resistant fabrics, packaging and even in some talc products. Asbestos has been classed as a ‘carcinogen’ that may cause cancer in some people. In fact, a combination of cigarette smoking and asbestos dramatically increases one’s chances of developing lung cancer.

• Excessive exposure to gamma rays can cause various forms of cancer.

• Excessive ultraviolet exposure from the sun and sun lamps.

• Formaldehyde is a proven carcinogen.

• Iatrogenic causes from x-rays and chemotherapeutic drugs (unless used in conjunction with the amino acid – glutamine).

• Industrial and agricultural chemicals and pesticides (including chlordane and heptachlor). Chlordane is a man-made pesticide that was used on crops such as corn and citrus. It was banned in the US in 1988, however it can stay in soils for over twenty years. It causes serious health problems and small amounts of chlordane given to mice leads to liver cancer.

• Many types of cough medicine may be carcinogenic (high chloroform content).

• Pink fluorescent light increases the risk of some forms of cancer. White fluorescent light is thought to be safer.

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is strongly suspected of causing some forms of cancer (particularly brain tumours).

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