Archive for the ‘nutrition’ Category

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Lycopene and Lung Cancer

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

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A study presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research concluded that a low intake of lycopene in the diet may be a risk factor for lung cancer. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and is most readily found in tomatoes.

In the study, researchers collected blood samples from 93 patients with non-small cell lung cancer and matched with 102 controls. The blood samples were tested for levels of micronutrients that included retinol, lycopene, and Beta-carotene. The found significant differences in the two groups in the level of lycopene, that is, there was much lower levels in the lung cancer patients.
After adjusting for age, race, gender, drinking and smoking habits, use of vitamin supplements, exposure at work, and the season, they found that the lung cancer group who had the lowest levels of lycopene had an almost a threefold increased risk of lung cancer than the group with the highest level of lycopene. In addition, when evaluating current smokers they found that those with the lowest levels of lycopene had four times the risk of lung cancer than those with the highest levels. The researchers concluded that although their results are preliminary they add to the growing body of research that shows a relationship between lycopene and cancer risks.

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Posted in Cancer, Uncategorized, lung cancer, nutrition, research | No Comments »

Lower Risk of Cancer by Cutting Fat and Calories

Friday, July 30th, 2010

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Research presented at the 2010 Institute od Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo concluded that as many as 1 out of 3 cancer deaths in humans and dogs could be prevented by cutting calories and reducing Omega-6 fatty acids. They stated that too much Omega-6 from fats found in corn-oil, vegetable oil, and grain fed red meat can lead to inflammation that in turn creates an environment conducive to cancer. In addition, to reducing Omega-6 fats they suggested reducing calories especially sugar that causes obesity and also feeds and encourages the growth of cancer cells. Obesity has been shown to limit the production of adiponectin, a hormone that inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

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Posted in Cancer, nutrition, research | 1 Comment »

High Fat Diet and Risk of Prostate Cancer Link Reported

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

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In a study reported in the journal The Prostate researchers found that a high fat diet resulted in activation of NF-kB in the abdominal cavity, thymus, spleen, and prostate in mice studies and concluded “Our studies provide evidence that a high-fat diet increases the activation of NF-kB along with elevated levels of NADPH oxidase components which might lead to intraprostatic inflammation” and this strengthens the link between a high-fat diet and possible prostatic disease including BPH and prostate cancer. In the study non-obese
NF-kB reporter mice were provided a high fat diet for 4, 8 and 12 weeks and a second group were fed a regular diet. The high fat diet group had a significant increase in prostate weight, and prostate expression of markers of oxidative stress and increased inflammation. This provided evidence that a high fat diet causes proliferation, inflammation, and oxidative stress that can lead to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), prostatitis, and cancer of the prostate.

Posted in Cancer, nutrition, prostate cancer, research | 1 Comment »

Bacteria in the Gut and Colon Cancer

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

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Research published in the May/June issue of the journal Gut Microbes suggests that a shift in the balance of the good and bad bacteria in the gut could be associated with colon cancer. Using molecular methods that have evolved to the point where all bacteria in the gut can be identified and characterized the researchers studied biopsies from 45 patients undergoing colonoscopies. They found that there was a higher bacterial diversity and richness in individuals found to have adenomas than in those without these colorectal cancer precursors. A particular group called Proteobacteria was higher than in the controls but it is not clear whether these follow the development of the adenoma or were the cause of the adenoma. Further research is planned in animal models to see if these or other bacteria promote cancer growth. Additional samples from up to 600 patients will be analyzed. The researchers stated “What a great way to address colon cancer–you could know your risk and lower it by eating your yogurt every day.”

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Posted in Cancer, nutrition | 3 Comments »

Vitamin K may Protect from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Friday, April 30th, 2010

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Researchers from Mayo Clinic reported at the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research that people who have a higher intake of vitamin K in their diet have a lower risk of developing Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The study enrolled 603 newly diagnosed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma patients and 1007 matched cancer-free “controls.” They completed a food questionnaire about their usual intake of 120 food items two years prior to their cancer diagnosis (subjects) or at the time of their enrollment into the program (controls). They were also asked about supplements used and vitamin K was estimated from this data. Based upon the data, the risk of developing Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma was about 45% lower for participants who had vitamin K intakes in the top quartile (>108 ug/day) compared to subjects whose intake was in the bottom quartile (<39 ug/day). This association was consistent when accounting for age, gender, education, obesity, smoking history, alcohol use and intake of foods with high amounts of antioxidants.

Although the association between dietary intake of vitamin K and development of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma was shown, the use of vitamin K supplements showed that increasing intake of vitamin K from supplements did protect against this type of cancer but there was a point beyond which there was no reduction in risk. They suggested that taking high does of supplements are unlikely to be helpful and that the protective effect observed may be due to vitamin K or to some other dietary or lifestyle factors beyond the scope of this study. However, these data add to the literature that supports a diet with lots of green leafy vegetables that prevent many cancers and other diseases.

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Posted in Cancer, nutrition, research | 2 Comments »

Dr Francisco Contreras and Dr Arlene Donar discuss Natural Holistic Treatments for Cancer on the Holistic Health Show

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

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Yesterday Dr Carl O. Helvie, Host of the Holistic Health Show, interviewed Dr Francisco Contreras and Dr Arlene Donar. Dr Contreras is the Medical Director, President, and CEO of the Oasis of Hope Hospital where they have treated over 100,000 cancer patients using a natural holistic approach. More information is available on an earlier post on this site and at: www.oasisofhope.com

Dr Arlene Donar, a Naturopathic Physician, is in private practice working with clients with chronic conditions and lecturing locally in the New York and Connecticut areas on prevention and treatment of diseases using biological medicine and clinical nutrition. More information is available on an earlier blog here and at www.drdonar.com

The interview follows. I hope it will be informative for you.

 
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Posted in Cancer, Podcast, herbs, naturopathic medicine, nutrition | No Comments »

High Intake of Dietary Phosphate May Be Associated with Skin Cancer

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

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Results of a study published in Cancer Prevention Research concluded that a high dietary intake of phosphate promotes tumor formation in an animal model of skin cancer.

Researchers applied a carcinogen found in cigarette smoke (dimethylbenzanthracene) to the skin of mice and then applied another chemical that stimulates cell growth. Mice were then fed a high phosphate diet (1.2% by weight) or a low phosphate diet
(0.2 percent). Those fed a high phosphate diet had 50 percent more skin papilla (initial stage of skin cancer development) compared to those on a low phosphate diet.

Although phosphate is a very important nutrient its intake has
increase dramatically over the past 30 years according public health researchers who say it has been added as an additive in processed foods such as meats, baked goods and soft drinks.

The researchers estimated a human dietary equivalent to the high phosphate diet of the mice would be 1,800 milligrams daily and that is a level many humans match or exceed. The human equivalent of a low phosphate diet would be 500 milligrams.

In 2006 the Department of Agriculture said the average phosphate intake of American male and females over two years of age was 1,334mg and the recommended daily allowance was 1,250 for pre-teens and teenagers and 700mg for adults.

The authors said that a low phosphate diet may help prevent cancer based upon these results obtained with a mouse model.

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Posted in Cancer, melanoma, nutrition, research | No Comments »

Dr Francisco Contreras and Dr Arlene Donar to be Guests on the Holistic Health show

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

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Dr Francisco Contreras and Dr Arlene Donar will be guests on the Holistic Health Show this week. Its tax time and that is very time consuming for me. Thus, I must repeat a previous show that I hope you will enjoy. On the following show I will resume my back pain series.

Dr Contreras is the Medical Director, President and Chairman of the Oasis of Hope where they have treated over 100,000 cancer patients since opening in 1963 and have an active research program on effective interventions for different cancers. He is recognized internationally as a cancer expert who combines conventional and alternative treatments with emotional and spiritual support. Currently he oversees the treatment of 400 cancer patients annually.

Dr Contreras graduated with honors from the prestigious School of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and continued studies at the University of Vienna, Austria where he specialized in surgical oncology and again graduated with honors. He received personal instruction from his father, Dr Ernesto Contreras, who was a pioneer in alternative medicine. Dr Contreras lectures frequently at Universities and Conferences throughout the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. He has authored 12 books on cancer including The Hope of Living Cancer Free, The Coming Cancer Cure, Fighting Cancer 20 different Ways, Dismantling Cancer, and his recently published Hope, Medicine, and Healing. More information is available at www.oasisofhope.com

Dr Donar graduated summa cum laude with a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. She is board certified and licensed as a Naturopathic Physician in Connecticut. Part of her education took place in Switzerland where she worked with patients having cancer and other acute and chronic conditions. She also completed an extern program in New York City at Callen-Lorde community Health Center where she worked with allopathic physicians who specialized in HIV/AID’s health care.

Dr Donar is the former Medical Director of the supplement manufacturers, Heartguardian, located in Princeton, New Jersey. Currently, she is in private practice working with clients with chronic health problems and lectures locally on prevention and treatment of diseases using biological medicine and clinical nutrition. She has written articles for magazines and been a guest on Tribecca Radio. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic physicians. More information is available at www.drdonar.com

I will also talk briefly about my lung cancer experience 36 years ago when I was given 6 months to live by traditional cancer specialists and consequently chose an alternative approach to successful treatment. My focus will demonstrating the holistic approach I used that involved physical, mental and spiritual aspects.

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Posted in Cancer, cancer survivors, lung cancer, naturopathic medicine, nutrition, spiritual aspects | 6 Comments »

Papaya May Slow Cancer Growth in a Variety of Tumors

Friday, March 19th, 2010

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In research published in the February issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmocology researchers from the University of Florida and colleagues in Japan concluded that papaya leaf extract has a dramatic anti-cancer effect against tumors of the breast, cervix, liver, lungs, and pancreas. They exposed 10 different types of cancer cell cultures to four strengths of papaya leaf extract and measured the effect after 24 hours. They said papaya slowed the growth of the tumors in all of the cultures and the effects were strongest when the cancer cells received large doses of papaya leaf tea. The extract does not have any toxic effect like many cancer therapies and is effective by boosting the production of key signaling molecules called Th1-type cytokines that help regulate the immune system. They believe further researchers may discover therapies that can use the immune system to fight cancer.
They also said their results are consistent with those in indigenous populations in Australia and Vietnam.

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Yoga,Massage, and Physical Therapy for Back Pain Treatment and Prevention

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

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Guests of Dr Carl O Helvie on Saturday on the Holistic Health Show on BBS Radio are: Ms Elaine Masters (left), Dr Kathy Gruver(right), and Ms Peggy Hall (below). Elaine Masters has baccalaureate degrees in fine arts (Cornish College and San Francisco State University)and is certified as a yoga teacher with the yoga alliance in kinepathics, hatha yoga and somatic movement. Elaine has been practicing yoga for decades and commutes to speaking engagements throughout southern California. She is a mom, and the award winning author of Drivetime Yoga. She recently launched the Flytime Yoga Passport Wallet and Booklet. Her company, the YogoProject, creates yoga inspired products for travel ease. She will share some small simple techniques to do safely while driving or at stop lights or while flying in order to arrive relaxed and ready to play. More information is available at www.drivetimeyoga.com

Dr Kathy Gruver has a doctorate as a traditional naturopath, a masters in natural health and is pursuing a PhD. She is also a liscensed massage therapist and has 20 years and over 10,000 hours of medical massage and natural health experience. She works with people having back pain using deep trigger point massage and mind/body medicine to see a decrease in pain and an increase in range of motion. She has been featured as an expert in publications such Massage Magazine, Discovery, First for Women, Dermascope Magazine, and Pacific Coast Business Times. She has written many health and wellness articles and appeared as guest on 30 radio shows covering topics such as back pain, mind/body medicine, healthy pregnancy, homeopathics, nutrition, and patient advocacy. Kathy’s first book the Alternative Medicine Cabinet will be available in April. She also produced an instructional massage DvD titled Therapeutic Massage at Home: Learn to Rub People the Right Way. More information is available at: www.healingcirclemassage.com

Peggy Hall was called America’s Ultimate Wellness Expert by Woman’s World Magazine. She is the featured health and wellness expert for the ABC radio network with her weekly wellness segment syndicated to 200 stations coast to coast. She is also a contributing writer for Clean Eating Magazine, and the creator of the Three Day Detox Diet.
Peggy holds a baccalaureate degree in political science, a masters degree in iinternational relations, and is certified in nutrition and yoga. She is the creator of the best selling Yoga for Surfers instructional DVD series. More information is available at www.peggyhall.com

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Posted in Yoga, back and neck pain, body alignment, exercise, massage, nutrition, wellness | No Comments »

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