Nutrition can help fight cancer

[Ishita Sarkar]

 Hello everyone

 

Just joined the site so think I will start off with my journey till now.  My father was diagnosed with Stage 4 NSCLC 3 months ago.  Like everyone else who is affected it was shattering news. 

 

My way of coping with this was to do as much research as possible to help him fight this dreadful disease.  Funnily enough that was what initially that brought me to your centre as I thought Reiki would help (which it has been thanks to Theresa).  And talking to you all made me feel better.  Well I continued with my search as I believe there is more out there to support the healing of this dreadful disease.  Not saying that Drs don’t help, course they do but wanted to find out what else is out there to assist.  I continue research on the internet, via books but till now what is the most obvious is the role of NUTRITION.  Drs tend not advise patients of any nutritional changes which personally I find amazing.  Long term, terminal cancer patients have turned things around by changing their diets alongside medical treatment.  Some people have chosen to take a completely alternative route from mainstream treatment and have survived (personally I would not have the guts to want that for my dad).

 

The books that I have found interesting are below :-

 

Anticancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber- dedicated scientist and doctor, was diagnosed with brain cancer 15-20 years ago. Though being a Dr himself he looked at nutrition to help him fight this disease.  I will go to tell you in a moment what he recommends. 

 

Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do- Greg Anderson- He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1984 and given only thirty days to live. He refused to allow this prognosis to destroy his life and sought out people who had survived cancer after being told by their doctors that they were terminal. From interviews with over 16,000 cancer survivors a strategy was created.  It covers the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of a return to health, and sums up wisdom gained from those who have recovered against the odds. The information is presented in short sections, each with an 'important thing to do', Believe he is still going strong. 

 

You Can Heal Your Life:-Louise L Hay - Breast cancer survivor who healed herself via positive thinking and visualization. 

 

There is a few other books I am going through but I won’t mention them right now as I haven’t read them properly yet.  But will come back once I have. 

 

So the basic things they tell us to do:-

 

NO SUGARS (if you were to follow  one thing and nothing else this is the one). Cancer cells grow with sugar.  Stevia or Agave nectar is a better replacement and that too in moderation. 

 

No refined food- so no white flour, sugar etc

 

No processed foods.

 

Filtered water

 

Organic  food whenever possible- Especially dairy & meat.  Probably best to reduce meat intake as much as possible. No seafood (mercury loaded) best fish options are mackerel, sardines (small fish). 

 

Lots of Vegetables- Broccoli, brussel sprouts (they have selenium which are cancer fighters) spinach etc.

 

Fruits- raspberries, strawberries and black berries (rich in anti oxidants).

 

Green Sencha tea - 4-6 cups a day.  I have read that Essiac tea is good too but I am still looking into that to figure out which is better. 

 

Fresh TURMERIC (1/2 teaspoon) and a bit of freshly ground pepper.  Many books etc mention this combination. I think tablets are available too with this combination.

 

Organic Coconut Oil- Many people are under the assumption that this is bad for us but quite the opposite.  So cold pressed coconut oil/butter.  Otherwise cold pressed organic unfiltered virgin olive oil (in a dark bottle).  Oil gets ruined very easily due to heat etc.  Oil should never be allowed to heat up to much causing smoke as it becomes toxic.  Less fried food though. 

 

Two tablespoon Flaxseed powder daily.  Best if the whole grains are bought and then they are grounded at home. 

 

He is also taking a few supplements as he went to a Naturopath.  But as they would be different for each person will mention only one which is Vit D.  Best if it is sunshine 20-30 min a day (know that’s going to be hard) but maybe worth asking to be referred to a dietician to find out  about VIt D supplement.

 

There are other things which could be beneficial but I am still researching them:-

 

Apricot kernels (2 a day)

Green powder

 

Besides nutrition:-

 

Eco friendly cleaning products.  Herbal shampoos etc Many toxic ingredients in some products. 

 

Exercise -30- 45 min a day. 

 

Mind lastly the most important thing of all is the belief you can fight this and you can get better.  Visualization a few times a day believing that your body is healing, actually concentrating on your body and seeing your cancer cells disappearing.   Some people have claimed Positive Thinking has helped them heal. Mind over matter. 

 

Laughing is a good remedy too :)))

 

Ok will stop now.  Rambled on for long enough.  Hope I haven’t bored you.  Just really passionate about this. 

 

I genuinely believe that cancer can be beaten with a holistic approach.  And by doing this alongside normal treatment can't hurt can it?

[MarjFaith]

You are an amazing person and your father is so lucky to have a daughter like you!  You have just exemplified how it can feel and be when you know someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer.  Yes it is devasting and you can feel utterly powerless and helpless in the first hit of the diagnosis.  But you being you have done the perfect thing and gone out there and researched all you can to help.  You have both empowered yourself and your father.  You have been able to turn the shock and pain and its feeling of helplessness into a massive energy drive of proactivity.  This is therapy in itself..!!  All the  survivors and copers of this disease and other chronic conditions have been able to equip themselves with resources that tap into the inner power we have to get well; or work with the situation they are in. 

Becoming survivors not victims of this disease. 

Learning to live life on its journey and finding the best pathway to follow. 

 

This is the whole essence of the Community Cancer Centre to help signpost on the journey and find empowerment.  So grateful of you sharing your story and the resources you have found... 

 

I encourage more discussion and sharing on this topic and look forward to us all growing together in knowledge and strength of that knowledge.... Marjorie  

[MarjFaith]

http://www.pennybrohncancercare.org/page66.asp  This is a useful link to the Bristol Cancer Centre....I love the idea of a Rainbow of Selection of Fruit & Vege....!

[Ishita Sarkar]

Hi Marjorie

Thank you. Think I am the lucky one to have him as my father. You are complety right the research takes away the feeling of helplessness. It fills me with hope. Knowledge is power.

I have mentioned this site on inspire though I think that site is very good, its nice to chat to people in uk once in while. And a couple of people there were looking looking for people in similar situation ie uk based people. So hope they come and have a look.

Thank you for web address was interesting. Will be adding more of those to his diet:)

[Bren Fisher]

Great to hear what has helped and books that you have found useful as it is a minefield out there.

 

I've also read Louise Hay books and found them very helpful, especially to help the mind to gain positivity when going through stressful times.

 

I think your father is really lucky to have 3 women in his life supporting him all the way.  Keep up the good work and please continue to inform us of what research that you have done that will help others.

 

Must remember that it is good for carers to look after themselves as well and complementary therapies can help you too.

 

Many thanks  Bren 

 

 

 

[lyn barrington]

Ishita,

I found the link on Irene's post on Inspire. I am going to follow what you say as best I can, thank you for all the hard work you have done xx

[MarjFaith]

Wow that is brilliant the power of internet networking is awesome...I am trying to pull some of my global readers to my blogs over to this site to join in with the power of our Community Cancer Centre.....  Looking forward to your sharing Lyn... Marjorie

[June]

I eat a lot  more organic food now and it tastes a lot better.  I love your comment about laughing.

Thanks so much for sharing all that you've learnt. 

Certainly not bored me... It's good to hear someone like yourself beleive that we can make a difference by taking some responsibility for ourselves.  It certainly has to help with quality even if isn't proven that it can help towards survival.

Looking forward to your update and your father is a very lucky man to have someone advise him.

Many thanks

June

[MarjFaith]

here too is a useful link http://www.nutritionincancer.co.uk/ 

[Bren Fisher]

It would be sooo.... good to have someone at the centre on a weekly basis to be there for individual patients especially knowing from my own experience that what we eat can have such an impact on the progress of a patients recovery through mind and body.  If anyone knows a company who would sponsor such a person please let me know.  Fingers X'd