Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. These abnormal cells lack the normal ability to self-destruct or be repaired. They should have been recognized by the immune system when they developed--it would normally send out messages for repair or destruction if beyond repair.
Unfortunately, everyone’s immune system is being attacked and damaged by modern day food and technology problems. Immune diseases of all kinds are running rampant—both over-activity of the immune system as in allergy and autoimmune diseases, and under-activity of the immune system as in cancer and infections of all kinds. We all know people right now who are even young getting cancer, and we all know friends who have had prolonged infections that they cannot seem to get over.
The World Health Organization anticipates that by the year 2030 that 100% of people will develop cancer in their lifetime due to this ever-increasing problem. Most healthy individuals are developing declining immune function independently of their age—immune function normally declines with aging. The result . . . infectious diseases, cancerous growths, degenerative diseases of all kinds at accelerating incidence . . . many at epidemic proportions!
What can be done? We first need to recognize the causes: declining immune function; “dead” food and insufficient and poor quality nutritional support; poor digestion and absorptive function; oxidation or free-radical damage to otherwise healthy cells, tissues and organs; chemical and toxins; poor elimination of waste products; obesity; hormones; stronger and more virile bugs; environmental pollution; chlorinated water; increasingly acidic acid-base balance in the body; and, yes, even many prescription drugs, herbs and dietary supplements.
Next we need to avoid and correct as many of these causes as we can. Drink plenty of pure distilled water to flush waste and toxins. Alter your diet in order to achieve at least two or three bowel movements per day. Eat as much “live” food as you can—meaning uncooked, unmicrowaved, unpasturized, unboxed, unirradiated and unrefined—all of these killing or removing vital enzymatic activity from food. Eat as fresh and organic as you can find. Cut down on acidic foods and drinks such as colas, and move toward more alkaline foods. Cut down on bad fats which promote obesity—increase good fats which may actually enhance immune function such as EFA’s or essential fatty acids as flax oil and virgin olive oil—consume near equal amounts of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Lose weight if needed. Become more active—regular exercise increases immune function as well as increasing calorie-burning lean muscle tissue. Lower stress—stress reduces immune function. Avoid sugar, sweets and alcohol, which impair immune function. Eat well and supplement the diet well.
Many knowledgeable people recommend an all-organic juiced diet of fruits and vegetables for those who develop cancer—as fresh and free of toxic chemicals as possible. Do not forget to wash the chemicals off of food before juicing, cooking or eating.
What about dietary supplementation? Good question! No matter what form of treatment one decides upon when they develop cancer, the ultimate result will depend on the ability to maintain a positive nitrogen or protein balance (maintenance of weight and organ mass) and maintain a strong functioning immune system. A poor functioning immune system allows cancer to develop . . . and a strong functioning immune system is needed to overcome it! Good food and good dietary supplementation with enzymatically alive nutrients are mandatory to achieve this end.
Adequate protein intake is mandatory—in essence, we are protein. Many with cancer lose their appetite either from the disease itself or from the side effects of treatments provided such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Ion exchange whey protein if properly prepared and of high quality can actually support a strong immune system as well as provide one of the highest quality proteins available—this can be in the form of drinks, shakes or puddings.
Since enzyme activity is essential for any body function, and in particular the immune system function and clearing waste and toxins, eating “live” food becomes important since it contains enzymes for proper digestion and good bowel immune function. Since most foods we eat are in fact “dead”, supplementing the food diet particularly with proteolytic enzymes may be helpful. Enzymes should be taken with the first bite of food, however, enzymes taken on an empty stomach twenty to thirty minutes before eating are very supportive of the immune system because they can be used for the immune system instead of digesting food.
Oxidative damage to cells or free-radical damage is best prevented again by fresh organic food—especially fruits and vegetables. Juicing is a superb way of taking these in raw and uncooked so as to maintain the enzymatic activity. Your body makes some of its own neutralizers of free-radicals (called antioxidants) such as superoxide dimutase and glutathione. Others are in food such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium. Since vitamins and minerals are essential for proper enzyme function and repair in the body, high quality natural vitamins are essential. Real food provides these in the optimal form for utilization. Antioxidants serve multiple functions, including neutralizing free-radicals and preventing oxidative damage to cells and genetic DNA/RNA material, work as coenzymes, help detoxify the body and, most importantly for cancer victims, the boost the immune system.
Additionally, there are a number of adjuncts that help boost the immune system and even help these other described nutrients perform their supportive functions better. The most notable of these is high quality, stabilized aloe Vera. In addition to its own properties of antioxidant action and immune support, it enhances the action of nearly everything it is combined with.
In order to be victorious and bolster a strong immune system, etc., one must make every effort to deal with each and every issue discussed. One weak link can break the chain to supporting a recovering and repairing system.
Note: this commentary is not meant to be all-inclusive of the available information about nutrition and the various supplements that may support proper immune function, nor is it intended to replace the advice of any physician. Likewise any information contained herein is not meant to infer that any information given is intended to treat, cure or mitigate this disease of cancer. However, scientific research certainly attests to the value of proper nutritional intake both in the prevention of this disease as well as the support of its treatment. Always seek the advice of your attending practitioner before beginning any program on your own.
Randall Boyer, M.D., is the editor of The Boyer Review, a periodically published review of the most up-to-date research on a wide range of health conditions and promising supportive therapies. Having practiced for 25 years, he acknowledges and embraces the consumer trend toward alternative therapies and the resultant need for medically evaluated information in making rational choices.
