Tag Archives: prevent angiogenesis

Promising Homeopathic Treatment for Cancer – Thuja Occidentalis

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One of my early and onging regimens to protect my body from the formation of a new tumor is alternating doses of two homeopathic remedies, twice a day. This was recommended to me by one of the leading world practitioners of alternate remedies based on my total profile.

The first is 2 drops of Phytolacca 200C followed 3 hours later by 2 drops of Thuja Occidentalis 30C taken in 2 tsp of filtered water, and repeated another time later in the day.  (Homeopathic tinctures need to be taken 15-20 mins. away from taking anything by mouth.)

The studies supporting this regimen are ongoing and rather impressive. Below is one such study focused on Thuja.

Thuja_occidentalis

NOTE: If you would like to consider adding this to your supplement routine, please Contact Me so I can refer you to a homeopathic practitioner who can assess your situation and prescribe the right combo for you. Homeopathy takes the whole person into consideration for appropriate treatment, and not the symptoms alone.

You can read more about Thuja at the NIH website by clicking here.
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Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume 2011 (2011), Article ID 568148

Thujone-Rich Fraction of Thuja occidentalis Demonstrates Major Anti-Cancer Potentials: Evidences from In Vitro Studies on A375 Cells

Raktim Biswas,1 Sushil Kumar Mandal,1 Suman Dutta,1 Soumya Sundar Bhattacharyya,1 Naoual Boujedaini,2 and Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh1

1Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani 741235, India2Boiron Laboratory, 20 rue de la Libération., Sainte-Foy-Les-Lyon (69110), France

Received 17 November 2009; Accepted 9 April 2010

Copyright © 2011 Raktim Biswas et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Crude ethanolic extract of Thuja occidentalis (Fam: Cupressaceae) is used as homeopathic mother tincture (TOΦ) to treat various ailments, particularly moles and tumors, and also used in various other systems of traditional medicine. Anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing properties of TOΦ and the thujone-rich fraction (TRF) separated from it have been evaluated for their possible anti-cancer potentials in the malignant melanoma cell line A375.

On initial trial both TOΦ and TRF showed maximum cytotoxic effect on A375 cell line while the other three principal fractions separated by chromatography had negligible or no such effect, because of which only TRF was further characterized and subjected to certain other assays for determining its precise anti-proliferative and apoptotic potentials.

Exposure of TRF of Thuja occidentalis to A375 cells in vitro showed more cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects as compared with TOΦ, but had minimal growth inhibitory responses when exposed to normal cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cell).  Furthermore, both TOΦ and TRF also caused a significant decrease in cell viability, induced inter-nucleosomal DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial transmembrane potential collapse, increase in ROS generation, and release of cytochrome c and caspase-3 activation, all of which are closely related to the induction of apoptosis in A375 cells.

Thus, TRF showed and matched all the anti-cancer responses of TOΦ and could be the main bio-active fraction. The use of TOΦ in traditional medicines against tumors has, therefore, a scientific basis.

Introduction

Thuja occidentalis (Fam: Cupressaceae), commonly known as Arbor vitae or white cedar, is an ornamental tree grown in Europe [1]. It is used as a medicinal plant in various forms of traditional medicines like folk medicine, homeopathy, and so forth, for treatment of bronchial catarrh, enuresis, cystitis, psoriasis, uterine carcinomas, amenorrhea and rheumatism [2–5]. In homeopathy, the crude ethanolic extract of T. occidentalis is used as mother tincture (TOΦ).

Thuja is also occasionally used for treating diseases of skin, blood, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, brain, warty excrescences, spongy tumors, and so forth, and claimed to have pronounced remedial effects.

The extract has been reported to enhance the antibody response to sheep blood cells [6]. Protective effect of T. occidentalis has also been reported against radiation-induced toxicity in mice [7]. Ameliorative effect of T. occidentalis has also been suggested in preventing congestive heart disease [8]. Therefore, it gained attention of pharmacologists to study the major constituents of the dried herbal substances of T. occidentalis [9–11].

The major components found in extracts of all varieties of T. occidentalis comprise essential oil (1.4–4%) as the principal constituent.

In homeopathic literature [13], TOΦ has been reported to be effective against various forms of skin diseases, particularly in the treatment of moles and papillomas.

Homeopathic TOΦ has been reported earlier to have cytotoxic effect in Dalton’s lymphoma ascites (DLA), Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC), and lung carcinoma L929 [14]. Dubey and Batra also reported hepato-protective activities [15] and antioxidant activity [16] of T. occidentalis in CCL4-treated liver damage in rats.

However, to the best of our knowledge, anti-cancer potentials of TOΦ or any of its major fractions had not been tested earlier in skin cancer cell line A375 by utilizing some widely acceptable parameters of study.

Thus, the hypotheses to be tested were:

(i)              whether TOΦ and all chromatographically separated fractions had potential anti-cancer effects in A375 cells;

(ii)            if any fraction could be demarcated as the most biologically active one;

(iii)          if, it is possible, to chemically characterize this fraction;

(iv)          whether the cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of the fraction, vis-à-vis TOΦ, could be compared with focus on its possible mechanism of action; and

(v)            if it is possible to assess the overall anti-cancer potentials of TOΦ in relation to its preferential cytotoxic effect over normal cells, by analyzing results of different relevant assays including the possible signaling pathways.

Findings:

Results of the present study would indicate that the homeopathic drug T. occidentalis Φ had four chromatographically separated fractions of which the thujone-rich fraction was found to be the most bioactive (anti-cancer, pro-apoptotic) component. Unfortunately, despite our best effort, the oily nature of this fraction did not allow us to purify it to 100%, for which we were able to perform only mass spectrometry of TRF.

Anti-cancer activity of the alcoholic extract of T. occidentalis had earlier been reported by Sunila and Kuttan [14] from their in vivo studies in rats. In our present in vitro study involving several protocols, we confirm the pro-apoptotic and anti-cancer potential of T. occidentalis mother tincture. Additionally, it was revealed that the thujone-rich component was possibly the key bioactive compound showing its promising anti-cancer potentials in the skin cancer cell line A375, a fact which had not earlier been reported.

We determined the optimum dose through a range finding trial. The result revealed that the 220.18 μg mL–1 of TOΦ could produce 50% cell death in A375 while that dose was relatively non-toxic to PBMC. Correspondingly, of the three doses of 50, 100, 200 μg mL–1 of TRF used, 200 μg mL–1 TRF showed the maximum effect surpassing the effect of treatment with the TOΦ as revealed from the result of the several protocols.

References

  1. L. C. Chang, L. L. Song, E. J. Park et al., “Bioactive constituents of Thuja occidentalis,” Journal of Natural Products, vol. 63, no. 9, pp. 1235–1238, 2000.
  2. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Thuja, British Herbal Medicine Association, West Yorks, UK, 1983.
  3. K. Shimada, “Contribution to anatomy of the central nervous system of the Japanese upon the vermal arbour vitae,” Okajimas Folia Anatomica Japonica, vol. 28, pp. 207–227, 1956.
  4. D. Baran, “Arbor vitae, a guarantee of health,” Revista Medico-Chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Lasi, vol. 95, no. 3-4, pp. 347–349, 1991.
  5. “Thuja occidentalis,” 2010, http://abchomeopathy.com/r.php/Thuj.
  6. C. Bodinet and J. Freudenstein, “Effects of an orally applied aqueous-ethanolic extract of a mixture of Thujae occidentalis herba, Baptisiae tinctoriae radix, Echinaceae purpureae radix and Echinaceae pallidae radix on antibody response against sheep red blood cells in mice,” Planta Medica, vol. 65, pp. 695–699, 1999.
  7. E. S. Sunila and G. Kuttan, “Protective effect of Thuja occidentalis against radiation-induced toxicity in mice,” Integrative Cancer Therapies, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 322–328, 2005.
  8. S. K. Dubey and A. Batra, “Role of Thuja occidentalis Linn. in prevention of congestive heart disease,” Journal of Pharmacy Research, vol. 2, pp. 651–654, 2009.
  9. T. Dimitroula, G. Konstantia, P. O. Loretta, K. B. Miroslawa, S. Caroline, and C. Ioanna, “Chemosystematic value of the essential oil composition of Thuja species cultivated in Poland- antimicrobial activity,” Molecules, vol. 14, pp. 4707–4715, 2009.
  10. EMEA—The European Agency for the Evaluation of MedicinalProducts, “Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products—Thuja occidentalis,” Summary Report, Canary Wharf, London, UK, 1999.
  11. Witte, J. Berlin, V. Wray, W. Schubert, W. Kohl, G. Hofle, et al., “Mono-und diterpenes from cell cultures or Thuja occidenalis,” Planta Medica, vol. 49, pp. 216–221, 1983.
  12. B. Naser, C. Bodinet, M. Tegtmeier, and U. Lindequist, “Thuja occidentalis (Arbor vitae): a review of its pharmaceutical, pharmacological and clinical properties,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 69–78, 2005.
  13. W. Boerick, Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Sett, Dey & Co, Calcutta, India, 1976.
  14. E. S. Sunila and G. Kuttan, “A preliminary study on antimetastatic activity of Thuja occidentalis L. in mice model,” Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 269–280, 2006.
  15. S. K. Dubey and A. Batra, “Hepatoprotective activity from ethanol fraction of Thuja occidentalis Linn,” Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry, vol. 1, pp. 32–35, 2008.
  16. S. K. Dubey and A. Batra, “Antioxidant activity of Thuja occidentalis linn,” Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, vol. 2, pp. 73–76, 2009.

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 International Journal of Oncology

February 2010 Volume 36 Number 2

Cytotoxic effects of ultra-diluted remedies on breast cancer cells
Authors: Moshe Frenkel, Bal Mukund Mishra, Subrata Sen, Peiying Yang, Alison Pawlus, Luis Vence, Aimee Leblanc, Lorenzo Cohen, Pratip Banerji, Prasanta Banerji
Affiliations: Integrative Medicine Program-Unit 145, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA. frenkelm@netvision.net.il
Doi: 10.3892/ijo_00000512
Pages: 395-403
Abstract:The use of ultra-diluted natural products in the management of disease and treatment of cancer has generated a lot of interest and controversy. We conducted an in vitro study to determine if products prescribed by a clinic in India have any effect on breast cancer cell lines. We studied four ultra-diluted remedies (Carcinosin, Phytolacca, Conium and Thuja) against two human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and a cell line derived from immortalized normal human mammary epithelial cells. The remedies exerted preferential cytotoxic effects against the two breast cancer cell lines, causing cell cycle delay/arrest and apoptosis.These effects were accompanied by altered expression of the cell cycle regulatory proteins, including downregulation of phosphorylated Rb and upregulation of the CDK inhibitor p27, which were likely responsible for the cell cycle delay/arrest as well as induction of the apoptotic cascade that manifested in the activation of caspase 7 and cleavage of PARP in the treated cells.

The findings demonstrate biological activity of these natural products when presented at ultra-diluted doses. Further in-depth studies with additional cell lines and animal models are warranted to explore the clinical applicability of these agents.

Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) Makes Chemo Safer and Stronger

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MCP has been part of my supplement regimen for 2 years. I usually go with my intuition when I take recommended supplements, and so far have been pretty good at predicting what my body likes and doesn’t like. This is one supplement my body seems to like, witnessed by the fact that I don’t forget to take it, and don’t feel it’s a chore to mix some up to drink.

There have been some supplements (out of about 23) that I keep leaving behind … and when I did an energy test on myself with those, the result confirmed my hunch!

MCP comes in capsule or powdered form. It is not inexpensive, but when it comes to products that help discourage cancer formation, that is not a huge consideration.  I bought 3 jars online that were on sale from a Vitamin shop, so if you do a little research you can get it at a reasonable price.

I am also happy to say that I will be meeting with Dr. Eliaz in the next 2 weeks, and will be excited to post about my visit.  Am also attending his 2 day retreat in Santa Rosa on the 22nd and 23rd of this month (Sept. 2012).

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New study shows MCP makes safer, lower chemotherapy doses possible

When it comes to cancer prevention and treatment, a strategic combination of diverse approaches might mean the difference between life and death. In fact, new research published in the journal Cell Biology International suggests just that.

The study analyzed a combination of Modified Citrus Pectin and the chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin, and found that using the two compounds together dramatically increased their anti-cancer effects, in this case against prostate cancer.

As an integrative physician, I rely on strategic combinations of the best treatments suited to an individual’s unique needs and requirements. In some cases, this involves the use of certain pharmaceutical compounds which can be more effective and less toxic when combined with specific natural therapies. This published study is an excellent example of such synergy, highlighting a key strategy in successful integrative cancer therapy.

Making a Deal with Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin (Dox) is an effective anti-cancer drug, but it’s also one of the most toxic. Nicknamed “The Red Devil” or “Red Death” for its serious side effects, Dox can cause severe heart and immune damage among other complications. The doses needed to impact tumors are not well tolerated by patients; however, researchers may have found an answer with this latest study.

Results demonstrated that combining Dox with Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) increased the anti-cancer activity of Dox. This finding bodes well for prostate cancer patients, especially those too weak for normal chemotherapy regimens. Combination therapy using MCP may allow for lower doses of Dox with greater clinical impact and reduced toxicity.

Results of the Study

The study tested whether combining Dox with MCP would increase effectiveness against prostate cancer cells in vitro. It did, significantly. The team used two forms of prostate cancer: Androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (DU-145). The results were impressive, as the combination treatment reduced cancer cell viability by more than 67 percent in both types. Specifically, the researchers were looking at the cell cycle, the cell division process, and apoptosis—the programed cell death mechanisms which destroy abnormal cells and are often impaired in cancers.

This study demonstrates that MCP enhances the cytotoxic effect of Doxorubicin in both androgen-dependent but more importantly in androgen-independent prostate cancer. This is especially important because prostate cancer patients who do not respond to hormone therapy and require chemotherapy are often the most in need of advanced treatments.

Androgen-dependent prostate cancer is often treated by depriving it of hormones. Androgen-independent prostate cancers no longer respond to hormone therapy, having developed new mechanisms to grow and thrive. The combination treatment worked against the androgen-dependent form by shutting down the cell cycle. The treatment killed the androgen-independent cells by boosting apoptosis.

MCP Cancer Research

This is the latest in a series of studies that have substantiated MCP’s ability to fight cancer. As early as 1995, a study by researchers at Wayne State University found that MCP inhibited metastasis to the lungs in animals with prostate cancer. A phase I clinical trial in 1997 and a phase II clinical trial published in 2003, showed MCP slowed cancer growth in human subjects. A study in 2007 at Albert Ludwigs University in Germany found clinical benefit for advanced cancer patients receiving MCP treatment. And a study in 2010, conducted at Columbia University, showed MCP induces apoptosis and reduces proliferation in aggressive cancer.

MCP: The only proven Galectin-3 blocker

The powerful cancer-fighting abilities of MCP have attracted the attention of researchers and doctors around the world. MCP’s most significant anti-cancer function comes from its unique ability to disarm the dangerous Galectin-3 molecule. Decades of research show that excess Galectin-3 in the body fuels the growth and metastasis of cancer and makes the disease more aggressive. MCP is thus earning a prestigious reputation as the only natural compound proven to enter the blood stream and bind to excess Galectin-3 molecules, blocking their disease-causing effects.

Furthermore, as a versatile natural therapy, MCP supports other angles of cancer prevention and treatment. MCP is proven to provide dramatic benefits for immune health; reduce chronic inflammation and safely remove heavy metals from the body.

Successful Integrative Medicine

The ability of such a safe supplement to decrease the needed dosage of Doxorubicin is very significant. Combination therapy using MCP allows lower levels of Doxorubicin to be used with greater effect on inducing rapid cell death in the hard-to-treat androgen-independent prostate cancer, and halting the viability of the androgen-dependent prostate cancer. The lower doses and increased effectiveness are a win-win.

This type of synergistic strategy is an excellent example of successful integrative medicine hard at work to fight disease while simultaneously promoting the health of the patient with targeted, scientifically substantiated natural solutions.

Link to the Study:  Combination effect of PectaSol and Doxorubicin on viability, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in DU-145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines. Cell Biol Int. 2012 Jan 4. [Epub ahead of print].

~ Be Well. ♥

Top 10 Foods / Supplements to Reduce Inflammation

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Keeping inflammation down is one of the key goals of cancer patients.  The amount of inflammation is directly related to survival rates and times.Exam Room 1

It is critical that your doctor order a blood test called  hsCRP (highly sensitive C-Reactive Protein) periodically.  You want to do everything possible to bring it down to ≤ 1.0mg. 

According to Dr. Alschuler, (a breast cancer survivor, a naturopathic physician with board certification in naturopathic oncology and co-author of The Definitive Guide to Cancer) chronic inflammation can cause or worsen disease, including cancer. In the vicious cycle of prolonged inflammation, cancer cells stimulate wound healing cells to secrete chemicals that are normally only present for fleeting moments of time. Over time, these chemicals create a chronically inflamed environment which, in turn, stimulates further growth of cancerous tumors –via epigenetic influences.

Probiotics can break a cycle of inflammation. Avoid alcohol and smoking — they are inflammatory.

Select hormone-free meat/dairy products. Avoid certain plastics. Plastic numbers 2, 4 and 5 are the safest, but #1, in which most bottled water comes, should only be used once.

Top Foods

  1. Spices (esp. curry, ginger, garlic, parsley)
  2. Wild, cold-water fish
  3. Grass-fed (pastured) meat, dairy, eggs
  4. Green tea (6-7 cups a day, or Green Tea extract)
  5. Leafy green vegetables (esp. spinach)
  6. Onions
  7. Hot peppers
  8. Olive oil
  9. Berries (blueberries, cherries, raspberries)
  10. Apples & apple cider

There are also a host of supplements that play an important role in the reduction of inflammation:

Top Supplements

  1. Curcumin
  2. Bromelain
  3. Fish oil
  4. Resveratrol
  5. Ginger
  6. Quercetin
  7. Pancreatin
  8. Glutathione
  9. Zyflamend

NOTE: Do consult with a nutritionist to make sure you avoid interactions or contraindications with treatment or meds.

~ Be Well! ♥

Cancer is Not a Death Sentence: How to Survive Cancer (and Chemotherapy)

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Below is a must read article that does a wonderful job of outlining the issues with traditional Cancer Treatment, and the wonderful natural products that may be just as effective, and a gabillion times safer than toxic Chemo drugs.

I have written posts on each product mentioned in this article, and they quote Dr. Ralph Moss who was the first Complimentary and Alternative Therapy specialist I consulted with.  He was one of my Dream Team members I mentioned.

For the past 18 months, I have been taking all of the products mentioned in this article.

Please read or forward this article to anyone you know who is facing the difficult decision of treatment options, or who has gone through the process of treatment and is needs to do whatever they can to prevent recurrence.

I have copied the opening section to get you started…

~*~*~*~

We all know someone who has been touched by cancer. This disease is personal, no matter who you are. And unfortunately, it’s only getting worse…
President Nixon declared a “War on Cancer” when he signed the National Cancer Act in 1971. Since then, many health authorities have pointed to statistics that supposedly illustrate our progress. Most often, they cite an increasing survival rate. But they’re missing the full picture.

Modern technology and aggressive screening programs detect cancer at a much earlier stage.  Plus, researchers include non-threatening cancers in the survival  statistics. So if your cousin Harry is still alive five years after he had that mole removed from his hand… he’s counted as a “survivor.”

Regardless of how the numbers are presented, cancer continues to increase. Since the 1970s, the incidence rate, the mortality rate, and the number
of diagnoses have all gone up.
A hundred years ago, one out of every 33 people was diagnosed with cancer  in their lifetime. Today, nearly one out of every two Americans will be diagnosed.

If there is a war on cancer… modern medicine is not on the winning side.  But the good news is: There is a winner – and it doesn’t have to be cancer.

Cancer is NOT an automatic death sentence

Mainstream medicine has made virtually no strides in the fight against cancer. But that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been progress. We now know how to reduce your risk of cancer almost entirely. And there are proven breakthroughs for treating the disease if you (or someone you know) have already been diagnosed.
You won’t hear about these treatments from an oncologist. He could even lose his license for recommending them. But they are safe, inexpensive and highly effective.  And most important, they improve the outcomes of standard treatment, while reducing side effects.

The “Business” of Medicine

Unfortunately, the goal of modern healthcare is not to make people healthy. It is to make a profit.

Treating and managing disease is enormously profitable. Preventing it is not. And nowhere is this more evident than cancer… In May of 1986, the New England Journal of Medicine published a candid report. The co-author was Dr. John C. Bailar, a 20-year veteran of the National Cancer Institute who served as director of their Cancer Control Program. His report commented on modern cancer treatment. It stated that, “The main conclusion we draw is that some 35 years of intense effort focused on improving treatment must be judged a qualified failure.

But Dr. Bailar and his colleagues did not just point to this dismal failure. They raised a solution. Dr. Bailar argued that the only way to win the “war” on cancer is to shift our focus to prevention.

Read the rest of the article here:  http://naturalhealthdossier.com/issues/nhd_august2012.pdf

~ To Your Health ! ♥

Wild Caught Cod with Mediterranean Sauce, Cancer Fighter

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I love recipes that offer a health boost through almost every ingredient! This is the way we are meant to feed our bodies.

  • 1 (6 oz) Wild-caught (never farm raised) Cod or Salmon filet, skin removed
  • 1 c.  Red Onion, diced
  • 4  Tbs. extra-virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 organic Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 10 pitted Kalamata Olives, chopped
  • 1/2 c. organic Plum Tomato, chopped
  • 1 large Lemon
  • 1/3 tsp. Turmeric powder
  • 1 medium-sized organic Belgian Endive
  • Kosher Sea Salt
  • Freshly ground Black pepper

 Cod in Blue Bucket

First, steam the fish:
Boil water for steamer. Rinse fish and place in shallow bowl. Pour 1 tsp. of olive oil on fish and season with a pinch of salt. Steam fish in bamboo steamer or double boiler, for 5 minutes.

To make sauce, heat remaining olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Wait 1 minute, and  add garlic, onions, tomatoes, olives, and turmeric, and cook for 3-4 minutes on low, until garlic is barely golden.

Squeeze lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper for extra flavor.

 Wash endive and slice diagonally into thin bite size strips. Place sliced endive in bowl.

Add pinch of salt, lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, and toss together.

To assemble, remove steamed fish from bowl and pour sauce over fish. Place endive on top of fish for garnish.

Recipe courtesy of Dr. William Li.

~ Bon Apetit! ♥

Guaranteed to Raise Your Antioxidant Level

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It is rare to find a company that has enough research behind their product that they can offer a money-back guarantee if it does not perform.

Depending on the supplement you are taking, it’s not always an easy task to discover if you’re getting the full benefit from what you’re taking.  With Vitamins like D, you can do a blood test, but when your goal is to raise your antioxidant levels, testing how well  you’re doing can be costly.

What Depletes Antioxidants Stored in our Body?

Many things contribute to the depletion of antioxidants in our bodies…stress, smoking, lack of good digestion, too much exercise, infection, etc.

Vitamin C fights free radicals in body tissues and blood plasma, while vitamin E protects fat-rich molecules, such as LDL and HDL cholesterol, and fat cells from oxidation. This effort to protect the body results in the depletion of vitamin C and E in body stores.

Our bodies store antioxidants for use when we need them.  If we are not storing enough, we are less likely able to fight off inflammatory diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Eating a balanced diet with 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day to obtain maximum levels of dietary antioxidants is recommended, but not always achievable.

To boost your vitamin E levels, include whole grains, nuts and seeds, egg yolks and vitamin E- fortified foods in your diet. Consult your doctor about vitamin supplementation.

Choosing an Antioxidant Supplement

Choosing an antioxidant supplement to support your immune system is not a simple matter.  You want to make sure the manufacturer uses pure ingredients from a trusted source, organic when possible, has both their own and third-party research behind the formulas, and is reputable.

There are a handful of companies that meet these criteria, but only one I know of that also offers a money back guarantee.

Lifepak Nano is a proprietary innovation in anti-aging protection with advanced bio-availability and maximum benefits. It is manufactured by NuSkin / Pharmanex, one of the leading anti-aging research companies.

I recently attended a seminar where their lead scientist was speaking, and I was impressed by the research and with the person. I asked the him a few questions I had about ingredients in another of their nutritional products, and found him to be sincere and to the point.

Lifepak Nano is their star supplement, which exhibits rather awesome results.  A number of their customers were in attendance, and the testimonials were notable. A doctor who is part of Integrative Oncology at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley was there, and said she puts her cancer patients on the supplements right away, and has noted that they weather treatment better than other patients.  She said they have higher energy, and less severe side effects.

I know that is true from my own experience.  Without the supplements I was taking throughout the year, I am sure I would not have been as healthy as I was through Chemo and Radiation.  My skin barely suffered from the latter, although I did peel.

Getting Your Antioxidant Level Assessed

In another post I mentioned that my family and I got tested our antioxidant levels tested with Nuskin’s patented BioPhotonic scanner a few weeks ago (as seen on Dr. Oz).  Well, I started my son on their Teen version, and J and my daughter are taking the Lifepak Nano. J can feel a difference taking two packs daily, and as a person who doesn’t go to doctors and refuses to take any meds of any kind, that’s really saying something.

If you are considering taking a comprehensive Vitamin/Mineral/Flavonoid/Carotenoid supplement, please consider this product.

Here is What I Suggest:

1) Contact me to find out if there is a NuSkin distributor near you where you can get your Antioxidant level checked (usually $5 – $20). You may find that you are doing well with diet alone, and don’t have to worry about antioxidants.  In that case a good Vitamin and or Fish Oil supplement may be sufficient (they have several).

2) For access to the NuSkin wholesale pricing, send me a note and I’ll give you an ID to log into their preferred customer website. You can browse their site, read about the research and science they are involved in, and place an order; or you can have me walk you through it.

3) If you do the first two things, in 4 – 6 weeks get a second reading of your Antioxidant level, and if you haven’t improved notably, the company will refund your investment!

Below are the Benefits of  LifePak Nano per NuSkin’s site:

  • Nourishes and protects cells, tissues, and organs in the body with the specific purpose to guard against the ravages of aging each day of your lifespan*
  • Superior bio-availability with CR-6 LipoNutrients™ enhances uptake from the gut into the bloodstream and body for maximum anti-aging benefits*
  • Advanced anti-aging formula helps protect the body with key nutrients such as NanoCoQ10™ and nano carotenoids*
  • Helps maintain normal inflammatory responses in the body*
  • Feeds and helps protect the brain with DHA and EPA*
  • Offers superior DNA protection against damaging free radical attacks by providing the body with important antioxidants and phytonutrients such as alpha-lipoic acid and catechins*
  • Protects cell health with an antioxidant defense network*
  • Helps protect cardiovascular health with a comprehensive blend of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients
  • Provides comprehensive bone nutrition support*
  • Promotes healthy immune function*
  • Supports normal blood sugar metabolism*
  • Corrects nutritional deficiencies*

 Feel free to contact me with any questions.

~ Be Well! ♥

The Whey Protein Way .. to Better Health

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Whey Protein: We’ve known since 2003 that eating curds and whey may be good for more than just nursery rhyme characters. A study showed whey protein may play a role in prostate cancer prevention.

Whey is a liquid byproduct of the cheese production process and is rich in protein.
Researchers found that when they treated human prostate cells in the lab with whey protein, the levels of an antioxidant called glutathione rose dramatically. Antioxidants like glutathione are thought to fight cancer-causing free radicals.

According to NIH:
Whey protein concentrate has been shown to represent an effective and safe cysteine donor for glutathione (GSH) replenishment during GSH depletion in immune deficiency states. Cysteine is the crucial limiting amino acid for intracellular GSH synthesis.

Animal experiments showed that the concentrates of whey proteins also exhibit anti-carcinogenesis and anti-cancer activity. They do this via their effect on increasing GSH concentration in relevant tissues, and may have anti-tumor effect on low volume of tumor via stimulation of immunity through the GSH pathway. It is considered that oxygen radical generation is frequently a critical step in carcinogenesis, hence the effect of GSH on free radicals as well as carcinogen detoxification, could be important in inhibiting carcinogenesis. Case reports are presented which strongly suggest an anti-tumor effect of a whey protein dietary supplement in some urogenital cancers.

Have one to two scoops of  a high quality, low sugar and additives, Whey protein in a Shake or mixed with filtered cool water 4 – 5 times a week.

Can Ancient Herbs Treat Cancer?

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One of the more expensive supplements I have been advised to take is called BreastDefend from EcoNugenics. It costs about $89 for a 2 month supply.(Trust me that’s inexpensive compared to other supplements I take!)

BreastDefend

Many of the ingredients in BreastDefend stand on their own and have been highlighted under the Super Supplements heading when you go to Complimentary Therapies on my main page, with the exception of the Scutellaria barbata herb, which is not available to the public as a single supplement.

Formula:

“Using eight clinically tested compounds, this synergistic formula is scientifically proven to promote cellular health, promote healthy hormone modulation, and support healthy immune function.*

The proprietary blend contains the antioxidative flavanoid quercetin, turmeric rhizome extract (BCM-95®; 95% curcumin), Astragalus membranaceus root extract, Scutellaria barbata herb extract, and an advanced formulation of DIM (3,3′- diindolylmethane). DIM, an ingredient found in broccoli, has been researched for its ability to promote cellular health, and support healthy estrogen metabolism. The formula is completed by the addition of three powerful, botanically enhanced medicinal mushrooms for immune support.*”

The only ingredient in this formula that is not available to the general public is the Scutellaria barbata herb extract which is also known as Ban Zhi Lian.

The Chinese herb Ban Zhi Lian may not be in everyone’s lexicon, but to the 80 women with stage IV metastatic breast cancer, who are participating in the second phase of the BZL101 clinical trials, it represents hope and life.

According to  TimeHealth:

For Bionovo, the drug discovery and development company in Emeryville, Calif., that’s behind BZL101, there’s hope. The trial is the first FDA-validated clinical study of a potential cancer drug derived from a Chinese medicinal herb, says Dr. Mary Tagliaferri, a co-founder of the company, former practicing acupuncturist and a breast-cancer survivor. “Sixty-two percent of chemotherapy drugs come from natural products, and plants have been the basis of almost every new class of medication,” she says. “It makes sense that these plants can act as anticancer agents.”

Cohen’s early observations about Ban Zhi Lian may have started out as a hunch, but they may hold up. In 1996, Cohen and Tagliaferri, along with Dr. Debu Tripathy, then a breast cancer specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, co-founded the Complementary and Alternative Medicine program at the university’s Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center. Over the next several years, the trio amassed enough evidence about the herb’s anticancer properties — in lab tests of animals and breast-cancer cells, BZL101 caused apoptosis or cell death, according to Tagliaferri — to get a green light from the FDA to begin clinical trials.”

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration

Things You Didn’t Know about Melatonin, but Should!

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I was surprised when 4 of the 5 nationally recognized CAM specialists I consulted with asked me to take high doses of Melatonin (15 – 18 mg) as part of my supplement regimen. You have to build the dose gradually, starting with 2 mg /night.

I didn’t have problems with sleep then, but was educated as to why this was an important addition for cancer prevention.  There is little reason not to add Melatonin to your diet.  It has been shown to be safe up to those levels.  The only caution is if you are also taking sedative medications like clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien). For other mild drug interactions, click here.

What is Melatonin?

The hormone melatonin, is found in a great variety of organisms.  Melatonin is produced in humans by the pineal gland.  The plant derived form, phytomelatonin, is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States and is used by some CAM practitioners in the treatment of cancer patients.

Long known for its ability to regulate the body`s natural circadian rhythms, melatonin is rapidly emerging as a powerful agent in the fight against brain aging and neurologic deterioration. Melatonin effectively protects both lipids and proteins from free radical damage as it easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. The production of melatonin decreases with age and oxidation slowly diminishes the normal electrical communication patterns seen in a healthy brain.

The result of a study published in the Behavioral and Brain Functionsjournal found that patients suffering from neurologic disorders such as Parkinson`s and Alzheimer`s disease were deficient in circulating levels of melatonin.

What does it Do?

Circadian organization of the host-cancer balance is important to cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Both melatonin and chronotherapy have been studied for many years but, despite largely positive findings, have not been brought into mainstream cancer therapy.

All living organisms are organized in biological time, and melatonin, a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland, is an important part of this scheme. In the human light-dark cycle, melatonin peaks every 24 hours, between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.

The light-dark cycle helps synchronize the activity of the central biological clock. It is also a new member of an expanding group of regulatory factors that control cell  proliferation and loss, and is the only known chronobiotic hormonal regulator of neoplastic cell growth (a cell that is part of tumor).

At physiological concentrations, melatonin suppresses cell growth and multiplication and inhibits cancer cell proliferation in vitro through specific cell-cycle effects. At pharmacological concentrations, melatonin suppresses cancer cell growth and multiplication.

Unique Property of this Antioxidant

The Blood-Brain Barrier is a mechanism that controls the passage of substances from the blood into the cerobrospinal fluid and thus into the brain and spinal cord. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) lets essential metabolites, such as oxygen and glucose, pass from the blood to the brain and central nervous system (CNS) but blocks most molecules that are more massive than about 500 daltons. This means that everything from hormones and neurotransmitters to viruses and bacteria are refused access to the brain by the BBB. It also means that many drugs, which would otherwise be capable of treating disorders of the CNS, are denied access to the very regions where they would be affective.

Key functions of the BBB are:

  • Protecting the brain from “foreign substances” (such as viruses and bacteria) in the blood that could injure the brain
  • Shielding the brain from hormones and neurotransmitters in the rest of the body
  • Maintaining a constant environment (homeostasis) for the brain

Melatonin is an antioxidant that can easily cross cell membranes and the blood–brain barrier.reference

Melatonin is a direct scavenger of OH, O2−, and NO.[5] Unlike other antioxidants, melatonin does not undergo redox cycling, the ability of a molecule to undergo reduction and oxidation repeatedly. Redox cycling may allow other antioxidants (such as vitamin C) to act as pro-oxidants, counterintuitively promoting free radical formation. Melatonin, on the other hand, once oxidized, cannot be reduced to its former state because it forms several stable end-products upon reacting with free radicals. Therefore, it has been referred to as a terminal (or suicidal) antioxidant.

Melatonin Shown to Lower Cancer Risk by 34%

Melatonin has been shown to be effective in the fight against many cancer lines including those affecting the liver, breast, prostate, lung and brain. Melatonin is a powerful and versatile antioxidant that is naturally secreted by the pineal gland at night during total darkness. The natural nutrient can scavenge the most dangerous free radicals that are known to result in genetic deletions that dramatically increase the risk of many cancers.

The result of a meta-analysis of ten studies released in the Journal of Pineal Research demonstrated that melatonin is able to lower the risk of many cancer lines by up to 34%. Researchers found that this protection resulted across all dosage ranges and there were no adverse effects reported. The lead author concluded, “The substantial reduction in risk of death, low adverse events reported and low costs related to this intervention suggest great potential for melatonin in treating cancer.”

Read more  here.

Research

Researchers at Harvard evaluated 147 people with invasive breast cancer and 291 without cancer as part of the Nurses Health Study. They took a morning urine sample and measured melatonin levels via a melatonin by-product called 6-sulphatoxymelatonin. The researchers found women with the highest melatonin had the lowest risk of cancer.

Spanish researchers evaluated melatonin supplements as a treatment for rats with advanced and untreated breast tumors. Melatonin given daily significantly increased survival in animals. The researchers concluded that the results strongly suggest that melatonin is beneficial during advanced breast cancer, because it increases survival time.

Additional Reading:

  1. Mills E, Wu P, Seely D, Guyatt G. Melatonin in the treatment of cancer: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis. J Pineal Res. 2005 Nov:39(4):360-6.
  2. Saez MC, Barriga C, Garcia JJ, Rodriguez AB, Masot J, Duran E, Ortega E. Melatonin increases the survival time of animals with untreated mammary tumours: Neuroendocrine stabilization. Mol Cell Biochem. 2005:278(1-2):15-20.
  3. Markesbery W: Oxidative stress hypothesis in Alzheimer’s disease. Free Radic Biol Med 1997, 23:134-147. PubMed Abstract.
  4. Reiter RJ: Oxidative damage in the central nervous system: protection by melatonin. Prog Neurobiol 1998, 56:359-384. PubMed Abstract OpenURLOpenURL
  5. Poeggeler B, Saarela S, Reiter RJ, Tan DX, Chen LD, Manchester LC, Barlow-Walden LR (November 1994). “Melatonin–a highly potent endogenous radical scavenger and electron donor: new aspects of the oxidation chemistry of this indole accessed in vitro”. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 738: 419–20. DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1994.tb21831.x. PMID 7832450.

If You Won’t Drink it… Eat it!

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So you don’t like tea.  My boyfriend thinks it’s only necessary to treat tummy aches… siiigh.

This from a man dating a girl who is more British than the Brits about daily tea.  Well, apparently there are a number of you slightly odd people out there, fighting against the scientific evidence that drinking 3 – 5 cups of tea a day will boost your health and even ward off cancer.  To you I say…

“Eat it… eat it… Open up your mouth and feed it… ” with thanks to Weird Al.

Here’s where you say, “What in the world is she talking about? I think she’s gone off her rocker, it must be all the tea she drinks.”

Ummm, no.

If you won’t drink tea, I want you to eat tea.  That’s right.. EAT IT!

So here’s how this goes…

You’ll need:

  1. 4 c. filtered water
  2. 4 Tbs. Green Tea (Dragon Well, Sencha, or Gunpowder are best)
  3. a clean non-metal pitcher

Heat water to just below boiling point.  If it boils, then let it sit 5 – 6 minutes.

Place leaves in pitcher.  Add water and stir. Allow it to steep for 5 minutes.

Now, either drink the tea throughout the day, with a tiny squeeze of lemon to boost its anti-oxidant capacity, OR save and use in place of water in practically any recipe you’re making!

Put tea leaves in a ceramic or glass bowl and refrigerate up to 2 days.

When you cook stir–fry’s, vegetables or grains… add some of the tea leaves to the dish!  Our kids don’t even notice them in mixed veggie dishes, and they get a nice dose of Auntie Oxidante.  :)

~ I rest my case, or my kettle. ♥