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Natural cancer supplements


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Although there are many natural cancer supplements which can aid significantly in fighting this scourge of modern man what follows focuses principally on the benefits of natural progesterone. Cancer and progesterone are connected through the effects of hormone imbalances which are largely induced by environmental poisons and the so-called 'xeno-estrogens'. There is increasing evidence that cancer rates as high as 95% are due to environmental factors such as pollutants from agriculture and industry, processed food and the misuse of prescription drugs such as estrogen. Whereas only 5% are gene related.

Its important to stress that as a natural cancer supplement the progesterone itself must be natural ie. bioidentical to that made by the body. The synthetic 'progestins' and 'progestagens' should be avoided.

Numerous studies show we can alter the way our genes are expressed by changing the factors that influence them, such as those stated above. Recently a few cancer suppressor genes have been identified that help control cell growth by producing substances that regulate cell division. If these genes are damaged by pollutants or by a lack of certain nutrients, the cells multiply rapidly and cancer can be the result. Some of these are: BRCA1 and 2 (breast cancer), HPC1 (prostate cancer), p21 and p53 (colon). Natural cancer supplements are an obvious additional measure in fighting these unnatural toxins.

In considering progesterone as one of the natural cancer supplements and its interaction with cancer it is worth noting that it has now been recognised that female cancers occurring in the breast, ovaries and endometrium and those found in men, prostate and testicular, may be caused by hormonal imbalances, starting as early at the foetal stage of development if the mother has been exposed to a high level of natural and xeno-estrogens.

The estrogens, estriol and estrone, activate the gene Bcl-2 that prevents cells from dying naturally. Progesterone on the other hand inhibits the Bcl-2 gene and activates the protective gene p53. Research has shown that the longer a women is exposed to her own natural estrogen, i.e. a long reproductive lifetime, the greater the chances of her getting cancer. Note in relation to progesterone and cancer of the breast that women with low levels of progesterone have a 5.4 times greater chance of getting breast cancer and 10 times a greater chance of dying from all cancers.

Breast cancer recurrence after a mastectomy is more likely if the surgery is performed in the first half of the cycle, when estrogen is dominant, than in the second half. In this context too, progesterone, as one of the natural cancer supplements, acts as a powerful counter-balance to estrogen.

The Pill dramatically increases the risk of getting cervical cancer, the longer the duration of taking it, the greater the risk.

Progesterone and cancer of the endometrium are linked through HRT as the latter, unopposed by progesterone, causes endometrial cancer. Two studies published in 1995 found that women who had been exposed to HRT for longer than 5 years had a 32% increased risk of getting breast cancer. If this was combined with a progestin (not to be confused with progesterone as it is anything but a natural cancer supplement) it went up to 41% and for those women who were post menopausal the risk went up to 71%. The risk of getting ovarian cancer went up by 72%.

The latest evidence of excessive estrogen causing problems in women (and implicitly supporting the use of progesterone amongst other natural cancer supplements) comes from the Women's Health Initiative, which ended three years early due to an increase in breast cancer, heart disease and strokes. The FDA has now ordered pharmaceutical firms to include a warning label on HRT boxes stating the increase.

Tamoxifen, a weak estrogenic drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, is classified as a carcinogen. It causes an increase in both endometrial and liver cancer.

There is a direct correlation between the lack of progesterone and cancer of the prostate and testes. As our water is now contaminated with estrogen from HRT and The Pill, plus those generated by industry, men are increasingly subject to an excess. With this comes an increase in estrogen related forms of the disease, prostate and testicular in particular. If treated with estrogen for prostate cancer or after transsexual surgery there is an increased risk of getting breast cancer. Progesterone, and other natural cancer supplements, are essential to counter the estrogenic effects.

The older a man gets the more likely he is to suffer from 'estrogen dominance', which causes a decrease in his testosterone levels and an increase in di-hydrotestosterone. This in turn leads to a drop in libido and an increased likelihood of getting prostate hyperplasia or cancer.

There are at least 40 carcinogens to which we are exposed on a daily basis. Of main concern are:

  • alcohol
  • artificial sweeteners
  • bleaches used for whitening flour etc
  • charred food e.g. toast and browned meat
  • chlorine in drinking water
  • fluoride
  • food preservatives
  • all mineral oil, including liquid paraffin
  • estrogen and xeno-estrogens
  • pesticides
  • industrial chemicals such as dioxin
  • PCB's and phthalates
  • plastics
  • radiation from the sun
  • nuclear power stations
  • TV sets
  • computers and cell phones
  • refined cooking oil and margarine
  • tobacco smoke
  • vehicle exhaust fumes
  • x-rays

The protective gene p53 is activated by progesterone and cancer risk thereby minimized. Because of this it is advisable to maintain adequate levels of progesterone as a natural cancer supplement - up to 150-200mg per day. If radiation therapy is called for progesterone cream directly on the burn, has soothing, pain reducing and regenerative properties.

As cancer is a mentally stressful disease it is also advisable to use progesterone to calm anxiety and panic attacks. It has the ability to do this because of its role in blood sugar regulation.

In addition to progesterone certain essential nutritional natural cancer supplements should be taken daily...

  • a high level of all the anti-oxidants:
  • 25,000 IU vitamin A
  • 1-5gm vitamin C
  • 100-1000 IU vitamin E
  • 50mg zinc and, in particular
  • 200-300mcg selenium, which has been found to decrease the risk of getting cancer by nearly 50%, probably because it activates gene p53
  • 100-1000mcg vitamin B12
  • 400-1000mcg folic acid
  • 50-100mg vitamin B6
  • 1 to 5gm L-glutamine
  • 500mg N-acetylcysteine
  • 500mg glutamic acid
  • 500mg glycine
  • 500mg methionine
  • 15 to 60ml Omega 3 flax oil
  • 100mg Co enzyme Q10
  • 1-10gm MSM (methylsulfonyl-methane)
  • SOD (superoxide dismutase) as directed, (this is an extremely expensive and relatively unstable compound)
  • carotenoid complex (as directed on label)
  • milk thistle (as directed)
  • probiotics (as directed)
  • digestive enzymes (as directed)

It has been estimated that the risk of getting cancer can be reduced by 70% if the above guidelines are followed and the natural cancer supplements used. The phytochemicals found in certain plants have been found to be so beneficial, that in certain cases they have caused cancer cells to revert to their normal state.

A study carried out by the WHO in 50 countries found that hormone related cancers in the West were from 10 to 20 times higher than that found in Asian countries. The low level has been ascribed to their diet which is high in phytochemicals. The principal ones are the isoflavones diadzein and genistein, found in all soy products, including soymilk, tofu and miso. Recently two more such natural cancer supplements have been discovered... biochanin and formononetin. These are not found in soy but in chickpeas, lentils, mung beans and red clover. To get the full benefit of these isoflavones 100gm of soy, chickpeas etc should be eaten three times per week.

Further phytochemicals are lignans, which are cyclic molecules found in highest concentrations in flax seed. This should always be ground before eaten. Lignans have anti-bacterial, fungal and viral properties. Eating from 15 to 60ml/day of ground flaxseed is likely to assist in the fight against cancer.

If taking the drug Tamoxifen 100 to 200mg of the soy isoflavones genistein and diadzein should be taken instead. Some therapists recommend alternating enemas of coffee, flax oil and wheat grass.

The action of progesterone and the other natural cancer supplements can be enhanced by avoiding the following...

  • all forms of estrogen
  • the Pill (change to another form of contraceptive)
  • HRT
  • Tamoxifen
  • mammograms
  • exposure to the above carcinogens
  • dairy products, red meat and chicken, unless organic, as these often contain estrogenic growth hormones
  • smoking
  • processed foods
  • margarine and other refined vegetable oils and fats
  • low or no salt (or any sodium containing products), use potassium chloride instead
  • wheat in any form, and the other gluten containing grains- barley, kamut, oats, rye, spelt, triticale and triticum, also any by-products such as wheat germ, bran, bulgar and couscous

There is strong evidence that certain peptides (protein fragments) found in gluten interfere with our immune system. Gluten is also responsible for the damage to the lining of the gut, commonly known as leaky gut, found in the majority of people eating a diet high in gluten containing grain. This leads to malabsorption of vital nutrients that the body needs to defend itself against any disease, including cancer. An interesting parallel has been noted between the increased consumption of gluten over the past century and a rise in cancer from 2.5% in 1900 to 33% to date.

Diet: It is essential that the Metabolic Type of the patient be discovered, whether they are primarily a Protein, Mixed or Carbo Type. Once this is ascertained and the program adhered to, then a sound basis for further treatment will be established. The diet should also contain no oxidised and refined oils and fats, but be high in the essential fatty acids (EFA's) found in oily fish and flaxseed. Dr Joanna Budwig is noted for her flax oil and quark (low fat cottage cheese) mixture, which she claims reverses cancer.

Omega 3 found in flax oil and oily fish is so vital to health no one should be without it. It is an essential fatty acid, meaning our bodies cannot make it so we have to obtain it from food. Unfortunately, modern Western diets are severely depleted due to the processing and refining of foods.

Fibre, in particular soluble fibre found in ground flax seeds, guar gum, xanthum gum and okra are all beneficial natuarl cancer supplements.

All food should be organic, 50-75% raw, with raw vegetable juices, especially cabbage, beetroot and carrot. Nuts and seeds (except peanuts) should be included and plenty of green leafy vegetables, particularly the sulphur containing cabbage family, including broccoli sprouts.

Eat the orange, yellow, blue and red fruits and vegetables which all have a high level of anti-oxidants. Include onions, garlic (high in sulphur) and Brazil nuts and sesame seeds (high in selenium), oily fish, (high in EFA's and selenium), apricot kernels (high in amygdalin, an anti-cancer agent), fermented soya products such as miso, soy sauce, fermented organic diary products such as yoghurt, kifir and sour milk, because of the lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria they contain and the high level of protein and sulphur.

Include legumes such as chickpeas and lentils in the diet.

Drink only filtered water.

The following herbs and spices are natural cancer supplements that help the liver to detox the body or have anti-cancer properties...

  • turmeric
  • cayenne pepper
  • ginger
  • astragalus
  • echinacea
  • milk thistle
  • sutherlandia
  • green tea
  • olive leaf extract

There has recently been a revived interest in the ketogenic diet, which comprises 60% fat, 20% protein, 10% carbohydrate and 10% other dietary fats. Very similar to the diet Dr Atkins recommends for his obese patients. Research has found that apparent terminal cancer cases have dramatically improved and even been reversed using it. Flax oil can make up the entire 60% of the fat content.

To find out more about progesterone therapy in general and how it benefits health issues other than natural cancer supplements, please click here.


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