Cancer: It Eats Us, Vice Versa?

By Peter Filak · 6 Comments · In All, Diseases & Disorders

After Reading: Anticancer, a New Way of Life, New Edition By: David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD

Our ancestry, many moons ago, were comprised of hunters and gatherers who relied on vegetables, fruit, and occasionally meat and eggs as the sources of their sustenance. There was no flour, there were no cereals, and the only refined sugars were that of honey. Today, surveys reveal that 56% of our calories come from sources that were nonexistent back when our genes were developing. Cancer is most definitely on the rise and David believes this surge began after World War II.

Three changes that occurred after WWII and altered our genes into “fast-food genes” were:

We added a large quantity of highly refined sugar to our diets.
Methods for how our food came to be (farming & raising animals) were altered, thus altering the quality.
We have become exposed to an abundance of chemicals, chemicals that did not exist before the war.

Both longevity and our vast improvements in diagnosing prowess tend to get the blame for why cancer can appear to be an emerging epidemic, but we need to be open to all possibilities, especially those that we intimately affect.

Unfortunately, longevity cannot be held responsible for why cancer is more deadly today. “Cancers in children and adolescents are among those that have risen the most since 1970.” Between 1975 and 1994, the cancer rate among women under the age of 45 has risen 1.6%/year and 1.8%/year for men. European countries, such as France, have seen a 60% increase in this span of twenty years. Lots of factors will be blamed, lots of this blame will be heavily displaced—”the rest was essentially quackery”—and facts such as BRCA 1&2 (genes linked to breast cancer) tripling for women born after the war will continue to come forward. We cannot afford to wait for epidemiologists to identify each and every little carcinogen because it will be quickly replaced by a few more and we will always remain behind the curve.

Oddly enough, cancer is not that strange neighbor you can avoid forever, it exists in everyone. Cancer by definition is a malfunctioning at the cellular level which causes rapid growth of abnormal cells. Now that you’ve met your new permanent roommate, let’s discuss how you can keep it at bay. David writes about three times when cancer halts and they are:

When cancer is confronted by our immune system.
When your body inhibits inflammation, a key contributor to tumor growth and metastasis (mobilization).
When angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels) is prevented from providing cancer cells with the supplies they require in order to grow.

Below is an excellent presentation about angiogenesis and some prevention methods backed by research.

MODERN TREATMENTS

Number four: Radiation, Chemotherapy, and Medications, Right? Medical treatments, especially for cancer, are extremely valuable and remain as feats beyond the minds of many. The technology and abilities of these treatments are literally unmatched, but they do share a common setback, collateral damage. Not everything can be saved, you have to remember that these are toxic treatments used to kill and absolutely obliterate something found within your very own body. These treatments are often necessary and can even save a few lives here and there, but they can be so damn destructive too.

David also notes how cancer takes 5-40 years in order to develop into a more noticeable tumor. Should we be opting for radiation, chemotherapy, and various other medications in order to stop cancer at its genesis? The linkage and studies are too strong to deem that a viable option. Chronic disease develops over time and can be prevented with lifestyle modifications while acute and emergency problems happen rapidly and often cannot be treated immediately with an apple or two.

GEOGRAPHICAL DIFFERENCES

What about the geographical location? Asian countries have often been touted as being healthier and having much lower levels of disease. Is it true? I have a few friends that are Asian and they do not appear to be healthier than the average Westerner. This is because they adapt to our lifestyles and our lifestyles include an abundance of highly preventable and avoidable diseases—this is backed by multiple studies. The USA is also a rather affluent country in which a man can bring, or more or less has the duty, home enough money every day to have meat on a plate and milk in the fridge. There are some places, such as Hong Kong, where men can also do this, and like that milk in the fridge, they have similar decease rates when compared to ours.

IMMUNITY

We have cancer, we have a defense system (immunity), and we have to make some decisions now. David writes about four ways we can make our defense system perform optimally:

Diets must be healthy.
Our environment must be clean.
We must perform full body physical activity.
We must be sensitive to our emotions and reduce stress levels.

Equipped with these factors, our immune system can function the way it’s meant to, healing itself while not promoting cancerous growth. Inflammation acts to aid the body in healing itself and in eliminating something such as bacteria, both result in increased cell and blood vessel growth. According to David, cancer disarms these immune cells, rendering them defenseless.

Otto Heinrich Warburg, most notably known for his Nobel Prize in medicine, discovered that the metabolism of malignant tumors is mostly dependent upon glucose consumption. Refined sugar, especially high fructose corn syrup, is a toxin and thus not well handled by our bodies. These sugars promote increased levels of insulin and IGF (Insulin-like Growth Factor) which in turn, promote inflammation. One breast cancer study revealed how higher levels of IGF in women over fifty translated to developing cancer 7x more than those with lower levels—Prostate #s are similar: 9x. David makes a point here to mention: there is no limit on fruits as long as they are not sweetened, to eat multigrain bread instead, and to avoid yeast which raises the glycemic index of bread.

FAT

Personally, fat has to be my favorite of all marketing ploys, right up there with protein. We have become a fat and obese country, there is no debating this. Fortunately (sarcasm), we are effectively marketed to by the food industry that offers us a variety of low-fat and non-fat processed foods. Between 1976 and 2000, America has decreased its fat intake by 11% and its calories by 4%, yet obesity is up an astounding 31%!

The Ministry of Health in Holland puts it best: “We spend millions to force people to wear safety belts and respect speed limits so they can drive safely to the restaurant and stuff themselves with trans fats.” This came after a study revealed that 1000 deaths/year were due to trans fats and 880 were due to motor vehicle accidents. Unlike automobiles, trans fats did not exist before WWII, and now they are breaking records.

Between 1970 and 1990, in children under the age of one, the amount of fatty tissue doubled. Milk gets the blame here. These children are too young to be eating junk food, but they are at that prime age for cow’s milk. Back in the day, before WWII, cows used to consume grass which is rich in essential fatty acids (the healthy fat) and now they are fed a mixture of corn, wheat, and soy in order to meet the demands for a more milk and meat consuming nation. To get even more product from these “natural” milk and meat machines, hormones, high in IGF which is not destroyed in pasteurization, are used. The studies will continually point to meat and dairy as two of the biggest contributors to why cancer continues to escalate, while natural foods act to reverse it, this is one reason David recommends little or no meat.

ENVIRONMENT

We alter the lives of cows, cows alter our lives, and cows alter the environment too? Due to their inability to adapt to the new menus we have provided them (corn, etc…), cows produce methane which contributes 23x more to global warming than CO2! Animal farming alone has been accused for 65% of nitrate emissions which contributes 296x more than carbon dioxide! Our eating habits have led to disease and land alterations—cutting trees down and destroying forests is obviously not the answer because it is these earthly factors which aid in eliminating many of the world’s naturally produced environmental toxins.

CARCINOGENS

Carcinogens are highly unavoidable nowadays. These pollutants, pesticides, and environmental toxins may not cause any noticeable problems upon first contact, but these factors continually add up and eventually amount to a level that does eventually overwhelm us. Side note really quick: I mention studies that involve mice, monkeys, or even tadpoles because they are the best means for obtaining information. We cannot depend on human studies for that would be unethical. We are not tadpoles, but that does not mean that we should take the information from studies performed upon them as unworthy. DNA is both complicated and highly related among every living thing and this allows us to study health in general.

Back to the tadpoles, one study showed that when introduced to a single carcinogenic substance, the tadpoles faired much better… When exposed to ten pesticides combined, 99% of them died! These hormonal disruptors are found in almost everything we interact with on a daily basis, especially our food supply. Most recently, it was the BPA scare that infiltrated the American population. With their hard plastic bottles exposed as culprits, many got a wake up call.

BPA makes some cancers resistant to chemotherapy and has been found to leak even when not heated (plastic wrap, freezer, and even that office water dispensing machine). It has become extremely difficult to avoid plastic and that is only one source of potentially realized health risks. Phosphates, which are used to “retain water and improve textures of foods,” have been shown to increase lung cancer growth. Processed pork, processed cheeses, processed pastries, sodas, food with evaporated milk (including ice creams), and ready made processed foods are all excellent sources of phosphates.

How often do you answer the question: what did you have to eat today? with: processed this, processed that, and oh yeah, a side of processed… We don’t, because processed foods have become so integrated into the daily diets of almost everyone, yielding an inseparable relationship, even with longterm studies like one that consisted of 91,000 nurses which revealed once again, that less meat means less cancer. Instead, we keep eating. Instead, we keep dying way too young.

Many believe that health foods are nothing short of a scam. Many believe that these foods do not provide the necessary nutrients needed to survive. Organic foods are a bit more in cost, but does that deem them a scam? A scam would be selling people products that are addictive and lack any real nutrition. One study at the University of Washington set out to see whether organic foods actually made a difference. Group 1 consisted of 2-5 year olds whose diets were at least 75% organic and group 2 consisted of 2-5 year olds whose diets were at least 75% nonorganic. The researchers measured for one of the most common pesticides, organochlorine, within their urine.

Those in group 1 had levels much lower than the max set by the Environmental Protection Agency and 1/6 that of the conventional nonorganic children. As for the conventional younglings, their urine contained levels four times higher than the agency’s maximum limit for safe consumption. A similar study, once again by the University of Washington, used only one group. By switching back and forth between an organic and conventional diet, researchers recorded levels that increased with the conventional diet and absolutely sunk with organic foods. The money may add up, but so do these contaminants.

Cancer Fighting Foods

“If I were asked to design a diet today that promoted the development of cancer to the maximum, I couldn’t improve on our present diet.”

TEA

Tea is not just a responsibility and customary tradition in England, it may be responsible for why tea drinking countries have less cancer and less aggressive cancer at that. Not all teas have been proven to be effective, but unfermented types of green tea have shown great promise. EGCG, an identified chemical in tea, blocks angiogenesis (generation of new blood vessels) and acts along the same lines as medications, without the side effects of course.

Studies show substantial slowed growth of leukemia, breast, prostate, kidney, skin, and mouth cancers, and better detoxification by the liver. Even a sip a day (1 cup) can make a difference, but 57% fewer relapses has been achieved by those who drink more. As for the detoxification, David offers three principles:

Avoid refined sugar and white flour—inflammatants
Avoid overconsumption of omega-6 fatty acids—margarine, vegetable oils, animal fats
Avoid exposure to chemical contaminants.

SOY

As for soy, it is still highly debated, just as the use of olive oil is (David recommends olives & olive oil as in the Mediterranean diet). Soy contains phytochemicals or phytoestrogens which are quite similar to the female’s estrogens. They may only be 1/1000th biologically active as the female’s, but studies indicate suspicion of cancer promotion, especially the soy found in dietary supplements.

TURMERIC

Did you know that Indians are often exposed to a more carcinogenic environment than the average citizen, yet they entertain rates like these:

1/8 as many lung cancers
1/9 as many colon cancers
1/5 as many breast cancers
1/10 as many kidney cancers
1/50 as many prostate cancers

Turmeric, commonly found in curry powder, has been recognized as one of the most potent anti-inflammatory substances known. If pharmaceutical companies could, it would be the most used and sought after cancer drug ever. Turmeric interferes with NF-Kappa B, cancer’s single pro-inflammatory factor. NF-Kappa B can be inhibited daily with daily consumption of turmeric, a naturally available substance.

MUSHROOMS

Mushrooms are considered to act as direct stimulants of the immune system—one study showed 50% less stomach cancer in Japanese peasants who consumed large quantities of mushrooms.

FRUIT

Fruits are persistently being unveiled by the media and scientists alike for their supposed super powers, but do they have them? They do, but they are stronger together rather than alone. Although the media will paint up the news with stories about how a fruit is all the rage now because of its ‘certified super-ness’, no such foods exist.

Even stone fruits, especially plums, have been shown to have as many antioxidants as a handful of berries. Yesterday it was berries and today it might be stone fruits, but if you can cognitively collect and connect these frequent media outbursts, you will see that it is best to get your nutrition from many sources, not just one.

CANCER MEDICATION = FOOD

Gleevac, one of the most notable cancer drugs in recent history has mechanisms similar to many items you can find in your kitchen cupboard. This miracle drug does not poison you as chemotherapy would, instead, it inhibits cancer growth by blocking cellular mechanisms. Mint, thyme, marjoram, oregano, basil, and rosemary are the herbs and spices, or cancer medications, you already have a prescription for. Parsley and celery, even at minute doses, have anti-neogenisis properties similar to Gleevac. In reality, it is the other way around, Gleevac shares commonalities with these natural foods.

RED WINE

As for red wine, it is also highly debatable. One study will claim that alcohol is carcinogenic at any level (my belief too) and another will tout it as being beneficial to total health. One thing is known, red wine at moderate consumption by those with unhealthy lifestyles is not beneficial, but when combined in a lifestyle which is more health focused, it can potentially be beneficial. Overall, it works better with the synergy of other foods, but it is not necessary.

SYNERGY

Cancer treatment tends to work best when attacking from multiple angles, hence the involvement of multiple treatments. Unlike these treatments, food can work together in synergy to resist cancer while avoiding collateral damage. One scientist dyed tumors and discovered that they have multiple growth factors, all of which need to be defeated in order to eliminate the cancer. This led to a mouse study (not humans again) in which the female mice were exposed to the DMBA carcinogen.

Four additional substances were employed: Selenium, Magnesium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. The mice were separated into five groups and given either none, 1, 2, 3, or all four substances.

0 additional substances = 100% cancer
1 additional substance = 50% cancer
2 additional substances = 33% cancer
3 additional substances = 20% cancer
4 additional substance = 10% cancer

I hope you can see the trend here and understand why it is so extremely important to get your nutrients from multiple sources. Cancer is prominently available in most of our “foods”, but we can more than adequately attack it with truly nutritious foods and an avoidance of the others.

MEDICAL TRAINING & NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION

David next writes about something I have personally witnessed and have been ‘educated’ in. Nutrition is missing from healthcare because there is little money to be made by pharmaceutical companies. This means no studies, which translates into no pharmaceutical reps trying to sell you on the newest treatments and their spectacular results. Yes, the medical profession is rarely updated on treatments that are both natural and effective, not to mention used around the world.

David mentions the essentials of nutrition in the medical profession, the same ones I learned while in nursing school. First we have an intro into nutrition and learn a bit about carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Next we learn how to legitimize our newly harnessed knowledge and treat the unhealthy:

Obesity, tell them to eat less calories.
Diabetes, tell them to eat less sugar.
Hypertension, tell them to eat less salt.
Cardiovascular disease, tell them to eat less cholesterol.

Some specialities do go more in depth, but in general, that’s all folks…

EXERCISE & STRESS

SUPPORT GROUPS

Aforementioned, cancer is a chronic disease that continually compacts and generally takes between 5-40 years to develop into a more noticeable tumor. One study sought to disprove the link between disease and an individual’s mental state. This study consisted of support groups where members with similar health issues were invited to open up their lives and share with those who actually intimately understood their predicaments. The control group did not go to any of these support groups and the support group patients ended up living twice as long. There was also a noticeable difference among those who attended these sessions. Those who attended more regularly, lived longer.

Stress is another accepted contributor to disease, but not by enough people. Stress should not be considered as a routine consistent with life, just as additives in foods should not. Studies have shown that those who have hopeful attitudes and ongoing support from those around them, will benefit with increased levels of natural killer cells (attack cancer cells) and an overall better survival rate. Stress can build from within and it can be triggered from external sources, either way, it causes a release of noradrenaline and cortisol which interfere with immunity and promote proinflammatory chemicals to be released.

MEDITATION

One AIDS study linked serenity to less cortisol, less adrenaline, and less inflammation. CD4 cells, cells that activate our immunity to fight infections, were measured to determine the effectiveness of meditation on the disease process. Those in the control group (no meditation) had decreased levels of CD4 cells at the end of 8 weeks and those in the meditation group did not drop below their initial levels. Meditation has been found to:

Promote better functioning of the immune system
Decrease inflammation
Enable better regulation of blood vessels.

EXERCISE

As for exercise, David points out five reasons it’s more than beneficial:

Reduces adipose (fat) which is the principle site for carcinogen storage
Modifies hormonal imbalance.
Reduces blood sugar levels and decreases both insulin and IGF (Insulin-like Growth Factor)
Lowers cytokines (contribute to inflammation).
Directly stimulates the immune system.

In an HIV study—during a time when treatment was not available and death seemed imminent—where the control group were told about their diagnosis outright, their natural killer cells dropped immediately in most cases. As for those assigned to exercise, 1 month, 45 minutes of cycling, 3x/week, their cells did not have this reaction.

OTHER FACTORS

A few other factors, listed by David, that aid in stress removal were:

The healing of past wounds and letting go of the helplessness it brings.
Having a close support system, especially friends who you can share anything with.
Massage and touch which have been shown to promote growth and healing.
Running and exercise which chases away pessimistic thoughts and instead focuses on the breathing or even the contact of your feet on the ground below you.

CONCLUSION

I will finish this with another study. In an eleven year study consisting of 227 women who received every conventional treatment for breast cancer that spread to their lymph nodes, a nudge in the right direction showed dramatic results. The control group received none of the lifestyle educational services focused on nutrition, stress, exercise, and etc…and nor did they have a 56% less mortality rate by the end of the study.

We are given life, some are placed in unfortunate predicaments, and many many more place themselves there. The information is out there and readily available, are you readily available too?

Have you ever had cancer or have you ever known anyone with cancer?

What kind of treatments were performed?

Were any nutritional or lifestyle treatments utilized?

Do you feel lifestyle choices can lead to cancer?

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