Cancer and Nutrition

Merck Manual, 17th edition:

• 50-90% of all cancer could be prevented with proper nutrition ( Grant, JP, Proper use and recognized role of TPN in the cancer patient, Nutrition, vol. 6, no. 4, p 6S, July/Aug 1990 supplement)

• Many cancer patients die from malnutrition or infection - both nutrition related.

Various pre-cancerous conditions can be reversed with nutrition:

• oral leukoplakia with vitamin A or beta-carotene, and vitamin E

• fibrocystic breast disease and vitamin E

• cervical dysplasia and folate, vitamin E, carotenoids

• bronchial metaplasia and folate

• familial adenomatous polyps (100% progression) had polyp regression with high dose vitamin C, E, and high fiber/low fat diet.

The Stages of Cancer Advancement

Once we understand how cancer progresses, the role of herbs, fruits, and vegetables in preventing and treating cancer becomes clear.

1.  Initiation - In this stage, series of genetic mutations transforms a normal cell into a latent cancer cell in its appearance or function, but it is vulnerable to change. Initiation can be due to random errors (10,000 per day). Further developments prevented by DNA repair mechanism. Initiators include viruses (RNA viruses like HIV and herpes), radiation (ionizes H2O to OH- and H+) at low levels (moderate damage, but cells can mutate and proliferate) and high levels (severe damage stopping mitosis), both endogenous (toxemia) and exogenous (dioxin, saccharin, phenobarbitol, cadmium in tobacco smoke) chemical carcinogens.

This vulnerability makes cells particularly susceptible to the ravages of free radical damage. This susceptibility can be inhibited by a diet of sulfur-rich foods, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables along with foods rich in carotenoids and chlorophyll (most fruits and vegetables) and flavonoids, such as green tea, grapes, berries, plums, and tangerines. Spices and herbs in this family include garlic, turmeric, and ginger. Vitamin A, D, B12, Folacin and soybeans influence healthly DNA expression. Body defense strategy: DNA repair, cell to cell communication, macrophages engulf.

2.  Promotion - During this stage, the transformed cells are prompted by certain nutrients or metabolites to divide and multiply. As a result, minute precancerous masses are formed, but are not yet malignant. This stage can be triggered by such agents as hormones (estrogens or xenoestrogens) and arachidonic acid (found in cell membranes, meat, processed oils, and all processed foods). Hormones proliferate many kinds of tumors (estrogen and breast cancer, testosterone and prostate cancer).

Cervical dysplasia is an example of this stage. For this specific condition, use a combination of folic acid, vitamin E, and carotenoids in order to inhibit promotion from dysplasia to cervical cancer. This protocol can actually reverse dysplasia as well. Body defense strategy: macrophage engulf, tumor necrosis factor, collagen encapsulation, anti-angiogenesis.

Inhibition of promotion can occur through several different mechanisms:

• Agents that induce differentiation - berberine, bromelain, trypsin, chymotrypsin, butyric acid, cytokines, DHA, burdock, Ganoderma lucidum, retinoic acid, Vitamin D.

• Anti-tumor agents - garlic, yogurt, seaweed, cruciferous veggies, seed foods (like soybeans), dark green leafy veggies, and tomatoes. Beta-carotene and selenium may be directly toxic to cancer cells. Other nutrients that help during this stage include turmeric, bromelain, quercetin, rosemary and green tea.

• Hormonal Regulation: Female - Decrease bioavailability of estrogen with green tea, dong quai, reduction in dietary fat, reduction in body fat, fiber, isoflavones, hops, lignans, phytoestrogens. Avoid plants that increase estrogen availability (fennel, licorice, peony, anise, and salvia).

• Hormonal Regulation: Male - Decrease testosterone availability for males with, saw palmetto, and vitex. Avoid plants that increase testosterone availability (cinnamon, panax ginseng).

3.  Progression - During this stage, precancerous masses become cancerous and begin to divide rapidly. Average doubling time is 1-3 months. By the time a tumor is detected it has doubled 30 times since initial transformation. Here's where omega-3 fatty acids, fish and flax oils, bioflavanoids, lignans as found in pure seed and nuts, and tangertin found in tangerines would be helpful. Avoid eicosanoid production from arachadonic acid and membrane fatty acids. PGE2 is made from arachadonic acid and is also synthesized from tumor cells in large amounts. Body defense strategy: anti-angiogenesis, vascular integrity, target organ resistance, anti-proliferation, and apoptosis.

Inhibition of promotion can occur through several different mechanisms:

• Apoptosis - or programmed cell death is caused by butyric acid, genistein, quercitin, retinoic acid, glutathione, and bupleurum.

• Anti-proliferative and anti-tumor agents - include vitamin A/D, folacin, bioflavanoids, minerals (Zn, Mg, Se), omega-3 oils, anti-oxidants, soy, fruits and vegetables (cruciferous veggies with phenethyl isothiocyanate), garlic and onions, curcumin.

• Induction of differentiation - vitamin A/D, berberine, burdock
  Reduction of sex hormone bioavailability - flax seeds, low fat diet, weight loss, soy.

4.  Invasion and metastasis - At this point, tumor cells cross tissue compartment boundaries and intermix with cells on the other side of the boundary. Tumor cells attach to basement membranes until the tumor cell is able to penetrate and migrate throughout the bloodstream. Invasion involves tumor produced proteolytic enzymes. Helpful nutrients at this stage include modified citrus pectin, gotu kola, grape seed extract, omega-3 fatty acids, tangeretin (a flavone found in tangerines), and resveratrol, which is extracted from grape skins and leaves. Selenium and the fatty acid EPA slow down unregulated growth. Cretagus and proanthocyanids strenghten blood vessels. Protease inhibitors and nutritional factors play central roles in preventing proteolytic activity and stabilizing connective tissue.

Inhibition of invasion can occur through several different mechanisms:

• Inhibition of Collagenase Activity - anthocyanins, calf and shark cartilage, catechin, EPA, OPC.

• Inhibition of Plasminogen Activator - garlic, catechin, panax ginseng, salvia, soy.

• Facilitation of Cross - Linking or Collagen Production - anthocyanins, catechin, glucosamine sulfate, OPC, proline, glycine and arginine, silicon and copper, Vitamin C.

Metastasis - cells circulate in lymph and blood. Hosts immune cells (lymphocytes and natural killer cells) are primary defense. T-lymphocytes (CD3) recognize antigens on cell surface (lectins) and become T helper cells (CD4+) and become cytotoxic (killer) T-cells (CD8+) which destroy target cells, recognize self, and can kill solid tumors, lymphoma, leukemia, and virally infected cells. B lymphs make antibodies and stimulate other lymphs. Low levels of lymphocytes associated with depression, infection, AIDS, CFIDS, auto-immune disease, and cancer. Tumor cells can decrease immune function through non-antigenicity and by production of PGE2. Macrophages destroy tumors with tumor necrosis factor.

Inhibition of metastasis can occur through several different mechanisms:

• Immune Stimulation - with diet, hydrotherapy, mind-body (lymphocytes have hormone receptors on them), exercise and many natural agents (including berberis, ginseng, astragalus, bupleurum, echinacea, ganoderma, bromelain, glutathione, NAC, etc.)
       * melatonin increases IL2 and stops E2 in responsive breast cancer
         only at night 
       *calf thymus increases T lymphs and NK cell activity and reduces leukopenia and immune suppression and infection.
       * cysteine is rate limiting component of lymphocyte response. Without it lymphs have low reactivity to lectins. It also restores antioxidant status to oxidized antioxidants. It increases P53 system.
       * modified citrus pectin, salvia and feverfew inhibit metastasis.

• Anti-tumor/Cytotoxic therapy - toxic botannicals, PSK, figs, chaparrel.

5.  Migration - Cancer cells leave the tumor mass and migrate through the blood vessels or the lymph system and spread to distant areas. Even at this late stage, omega-3 fatty acids and good nutritional choices, including proteins like yogurt, tempeh, and steamed fish can help, while quick-fix weight-gain, sugar-laced drinks and foods can actually make matters worse. Migration occurs with T-lymphocyte deficiency (due to sugar, stress, viruses, and immune suppressive drugs). Cancer cells stop with blood clumping in capillaries, and in areas of exposed collagen due to trauma or inflammation.

Inhibition of migration can occur through several different mechanisms:

• Anti-coagulation - garlic, aloe, angelica spp., astragalus, atrocylodes, bromelain, cayenne, curcuma, flavinoids, genistein, ginkgo, ligusticum, panax ginseng, salvia, red clover.

• Fibrolytic Agents - garlic, wormwood, bromelain, cayenne, curcumin, salvia, pancreatic and digestive enzymes, HCL.
  Inhibitors of Platelet Aggregation/PGE synthesis- (block cyclo-oxygenase and cortisol) - ASA, anti-clotting meds, EPA/GLA/EPO, aloe, salvia, saw palmetto

• Increased T-Lymphocytes - thymus, vitamin C and other anti-oxidants, CoQ10, garlic, bromelain. Must also decrease rancid and hard and saturated fats, meats, alcohol, allergans, inflammation, and infection.

6. Blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). This is the point at which a cancerous mass forms blood vessels, allowing it to receive oxygen and nutrients. For a tumor to grow beyond a certain size, it must develop vasculature. Capillary blood vessels are needed for tumors to become larger than 2 centimeters. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one well-known angiogenesis inducer. Cancer is an opportunistic disease whose mission is to take over. It seeks what it needs for survival. Factors that promote angiogenesis, and should therefore be avoided include copper, PGE2, lactic acid, kinins, heparin, insulin, and nicotinamide.

Inhibition of angiogenesis can occur through several different mechanisms:

• Mast Cell Granulation Inhibition - Siberian ginseng, aloe, ganoderma, quercitin, feverfew, anthocyanins.

• Fibrin Production Inhibition and Stimulation of Fibrinolyis - garlic, wormwood, bromelain, cayenne, curcumin, salvia, pancreatic and digestive enzymes, HCL.

• Inhibition of vascular permeability - (tumors have a special histamine-like chemical that is 50,000 stronger than histamine) - fatty acids (EPA, DHA from fish oil), anthocyanins, buthers broom, vitamin C, and herperidin. The strength of the course of cancer can be lessened by anti-angiogenesis nutrients, such as flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins (found in foods with purple or blue pigments such as cherries, grapes, and plums). These nutrients, as well as most soy products, offer protection by strengthening vascular walls. Also herbs such as hawthorne are helpful. In addition, drinking enough water (regulates histamine), exercise and hydotherapy are essential.

• Inhibit new blood vessel formation - bovine cartilage, genistein, cortisone, vitamin A/C/D, thiol compounds (garlic, onion, NAC, glutathione), bovine cartilage, horse chestnut, and licorice.

• Oxygenation - no angiogenesis occurs when conditions are high in oxygen (the blood vessels bring blood to areas of low oxygen) (Hypoxia stimulates macrophages to stimulate angiogenesis) - exercise, oxygen therapies.

• End Organ/Connective Tissue health - cancer cells have receptors with a certain affinity to different organs (prostate cancer and bone). Must strengthen end organ. See scar tissue lecture.

OVERALL FOOD PLAN:

Go Natural - no processed food, no additives/colorings, eat organic - if food will not rot or sprout, then don't eat it. If bacteria or yeast cannot survive on it, either can you.

Expand Your Horizons - eat a wide variety of foods to get broad spectrum of nutrients, eat the rainbow, enjoy the beauty and sensation of foods.

Nibbling is Better - frequent small meals, graze, stabilize blood sugar levels and insulin.

Avoid Problem Foods - hard to digest, hi fat/sugar, caffeine, alcohol, food intolerances, allergies, avoid leaky gut. Dishes should be easy to clean.

Seek out Nutrient Dense Foods - fresh veggies, whole grains, legumes, fruit, low-fat meat (turkey, fish, chicken, yogurt) and clean water.

Monitor your Quality of Weight - not quantity of weight. Should be able to pinch an inch above waist - no more or less, obesity is a major factor in cancer.

Eat Enough Protein - cancer is a serious wasting disease. In cancer you need 1 to 2 grams of protein for kilogram of body weight (example - 150 pound patient. Divide 150 pounds by 2.2 = 68 kilograms. Multiply 68 x 1 to 2 = 69 to 136 grams of protein a day.

Use Supplementsin addition to, rather than instead of, good food.   Supplements containing micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) cannot reverse the major influence of foods providing macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, protein, fiber, water).

For more information, contact Dr. Ken Weizer at:

Down to Earth Medicine LLC
6501 SE King Road
Portland, Oregon 97222
Phone: (503) 771-0805
Fax: (503) 788-8020
E-Mail: DrWeizer@aol.com