Anyone who has ever had cancer, or had a loved one with cancer, knows the feelings of fear, anxiety, worry and often hopelessness that this very serious illness can bring. These emotions are very understandable it’s a serious illness. So, its little wonder that cancer usually causes intense emotional distress in everyone involved.
Of course, the subject of cancer is far too involved to adequately address in a mere blog post. However, I can acquaint you with some important information about cancer from a natural healing perspective and give you some ideas about options you may not be familiar with. However, I strongly encourage you to seek professional help when dealing with cancer. You need competent health care professionals helping you with your program and monitoring your progress, but you should also do some study on your own and learn about things you can do for yourself.
WHAT EXACTLY IS CANCER?
Cancer is a disease involving cells that have undergone a genetic mutation so they are no longer responsive to messages from the body that regulate cell metabolism and growth. These mutations are believed to be the result of free radical damage turn cancerous. Normal cells have an aerobic metabolism, which means they produce energy by means of oxygen and oxidation. Anaerobic cells produce energy without oxygen via a process of fermentation.
This is important to know because if the body is highly oxygenated, the environment for cancer does not exist. In fact, in 1931 Dr. Otto Warburg won a Nobel Prize for proving that whenever any cell is denied 60% of its oxygen requirements, it can become cancerous. So, conditions that deprive cells of oxygen (like chronic inflammation, buildup of toxins or problems with red blood cells or circulation) increase the risk of cancer. An overly acidic environment in the body is also a breeding ground for cancer.
Another important thing you should know is that cancer cells are forming in the body on a regular basis. Very likely, you have a few inside you right now. Don’t worry, the immune system normally recognizes these deviant cells and destroys them.
Therefor two factors must exist for you to develop cancer. First, your body has to have a toxic, low oxygen environment that encourages the development of anaerobic cancer cells, and second, your immune system must be weakened so that it is not able to recognize and destroy these cells.
So, while killing cancer cells (the goal of conventional cancer therapy) is an important part of treating cancer, it does not fix the underlying problems that created the cancer in the first place. This is the weakness of the standard medical approach to cancer. An effective protocol for cancer should do more than just destroy cancer cells, it should try to restore a normal, healthy environment in the body and rebuild the immune system.
So, even if one choose to use orthodox cancer therapies to destroy the cancer cells, they would be wise to consider doing natural therapy to restore the body’s state of health and prevent the cancer from wanting to re-occur.
PRINCIPLE #1: INCREASE OXYGEN LEVELS
Cancer cells are anaerobic, which means they live and thrive in a low oxygen environment. They are able to get their energy by metabolizing nutrients, notable sugars and carbohydrates without oxygen, in a fermentative process. Cancer cells cannot survive in a high oxygen environment, so keeping the body well oxygenated inhibits cancer. Do this by getting plenty of fresh air and exercise, breathe deeply, if you smoke, QUIT.
There are several supplements that can enhance oxygenation in the body. For starters, CHINESE LUNG SUPPORT: helps with oxygen delivery and uptake and is very useful for anyone with respiratory weakness. Another Chinese remedy that strengthens the lungs and enhances oxygen transport is CORDYCEPS. Cordyceps also helps the immune system.
LIQUID CHLOROPHYLL: is another great way to enhance oxygen transport. It prevents clumping of red blood cells and helps them carry more oxygen to the tissues. Research has shown that it can reduce the risk of cancer.
PRINCIPLE #2: BALANCE pH
In order to have optimal health, the body must maintain a proper internal pH. Cancer cells prefer an acid pH environment. Their fermentative metabolism also releases large amounts of lactic acid that inhibit transportation o oxygen to neighboring cells. This spreads the environment for cancer. A buildup of acid waste also inhibits toxins from being released by the cells.
The best way to counteract this acidic environment is to eat large quantities of fresh, preferable organic, fruits and veggies every day. This is well-recognized as one of the best ways of decreasing your risk of cancer, but unfortunately, its benefit in helping folks recover from cancer is often ignored. Fresh fruits and veggies not only help alkalize the body, they also strengthen immunity, aid detoxification and provide much-needed antioxidants.
Besides eating fresh fruits and veggies, there are several other supplements that can help alkalize the body. The first is Ultimate Green Zone: this is a whole food supplement that alkalizes the environment, aids in detoxification and builds the immune system to help it recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Digestive enzymes are a MUST to help balance pH. my favorite choice for folks with cancer is Proactazyme plus and PDA Combo, these are great choices with balancing pH and assisting with proper digestion. You can’t nourish a sick body if the food processor, a.k.a. digestive system can’t process the nutrients. A lack of hydrochloric acid leads to excess lactic acid in the body, which sets the stage for cancer to thrive. These are taken with meals to help the body metabolize food properly so as to avoid a buildup of acid waste and toxins. They are also taken between meals to help rid the body of excess proteins that may be causing acid in the blood.
PRINCIPLE #3: STRENGTHEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
The body normally and regularly produces cancer cells due to free radical damage, environmental factors or other causes. A healthy immune system recognizes and destroys these defective cells. When the immune system is unable to recognize these deviant cells or is too weak to destroy them, the disease we call cancer takes root.
There are many reasons why the immune system becomes weakened; poor nutritional intake is a major factor for many. The loss or destruction of friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract is another. Excessive sugar consumption supplies cancer cells with the energy they need to proliferate fast, (refined sugar is like fertilizer for cancer cells,) while contributing to chronic inflammation that distresses the immune system.
Improving nutritional intake, especially eating those 7-9 servings of fruits and veggies daily, will help the immune system, as will eliminating chemically laden processed foods. Reducing intake of sugar, white flour and other simple carbohydrates will also prove helpful.
TRIGGER IMMUNE: helps to rebuild a weakened immune system, enhance vital energy and immune function and increase white blood cell production and platelet count. It is very helpful in recovering from chemotherapy and can also be taken during chemotherapy to strengthen the system to resist toxic affects from chemotherapy.
IMMUNE STIMULATOR: is another supplement that can boost the immune system to fight cancer. It not only enhances natural killer cells (lymphocytes), which kill cancer cells, it also increases T-cell production and antibody production. An important benefit of Immune simulator is its ability to enhance cellular communication, which helps the immune system identify and target calls it needs to destroy.
UNA DE GATO COMBINATION: is another herbal formula that strengthens a weakened immune system. The principle ingredient, Una de Gato, has been used in South American for cancer treatment and contains compounds that inhibit tumor growth in animals.
PRINCIPLE #4: DETOXIFY
The human body is bombarded with toxins, heavy metals, chlorine and thousands of chemicals that we breathe in, consume in our diet or absorb through our skin. These all cause free radicals in the body and contribute to the environment of cancer.
Avoiding these toxins is part of both cancer prevention and holistic cancer therapy. In particular, avoid or eliminate refined and processed foods (especially foods raised with pesticides, antibiotics or steroids), toxic cleaning products (such as laundry detergents, skin care items, fluoride toothpaste, etc.) and chlorinated and fluoridated water. Research the ingredients that are in cleaning and health/beauty products before you purchase, we all carry mini computers today called “smart phones” which can give you information lickety split. Also, avoid microwaved or irradiated food and protect yourself from electrical equipment (electromagnetic pollution may be a major causal factor in cancer).
It is also helpful to assist the body in detoxifying from these substances using any of the following supplements:
For starters: E-TEA or also referred to as Essiac Tea is a famous anticancer formula that helps the body eliminate toxins. It improves lymphatic drainage and stimulates the immune system.
ALL CELL DETOX: is another good, general cleansing formula that is based on a Native American medicine man’s cancer remedy. It reduces inflammation, supports the liver and digestive system and helps neutralize acid.
BLOOD BUILD: is a supplement I think everyone should use cancer or not at least 3 times a year. it nourishes the blood and helps increase its volume. It is an excellent formula for helping the body rebuild after chemotherapy.
PRINCIPLE #5: USE ANTIOXIDANTS
Our need for oxygen exceed the demand for any nutrient, even water, because we need oxygen for normal energy production in the cell. You can go 3 weeks with zero food, and 3 days even without water, but you cannot go 3 minutes without oxygen. Oxygen can also produce free radicals that can damage normal cells and cause cancer. Antioxidant nutrients protect the body from this free radical damage, thereby reducing cancer risk. Antioxidants can also be used in a treatment program for cancer, because they help protect the body from harmful side effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
Some antioxidants to consider would include: HIGH POTENCY GRAPINE: which is an extract of grape seed that helps reduce inflammation and prevent cell damage, and GREEN TEA EXTRACT: which contains polyphenols called catechins, powerful antioxidants that protect cells from cancer and kill cancer cells. One of these catechins is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which was shown in several studies to kill cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.
One of my all time favorites is THAI-GO: its a liquid which many cancer patients will assimilate liquids easier, but this contains xanthones, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown in numerous studies to inhibit cancer cells and aid in tumor reduction. These compounds cause apoptosis (or preprogrammed cell death) in cancer cells. Xanthones exert cytotoxic (cancer cell killing) effects against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and have been shown to inhibit the growth of human leukemia HL-60 cells. Xanthones have also been shown to be effective against human breast cancer SKBR3 cells.
IF-RELIEF: also contains xanthones and can be helpful for reducing chronic inflammation and pain.
PRINCIPLE #6: KILL CANCER CELLS
For those diagnosed with cancer, it is important to kill off the cancerous cells. The problem is that chemotherapy and radiation also cause damage to healthy cells. Killing cancer cells also produces toxins that the body MUST eliminate.
There are some natural compounds that can help kill cancer cells, too. PAW PAW CELL REG: is a standardized extract of acetogenins from the American Paw paw tree. These compounds have been shown in scientific research to cause apoptosis (preprogrammed cell death) in cancer cells by inhibiting their energy production.
Paw Paw Cell Reg is not appropriate for all cancers and should be used as a part of a comprehensive cancer program. However, even if one chooses to use chemotherapy drugs. Paw Paw may still be beneficial. It has also been shown to reduce chemotherapy drug resistance. By itself, paw pas doesn’t have the side effects of hair loss, weight loss, extreme nausea and compromised immunity. It may cause nausea in larger doses however.
Paw paw is NOT recommended as a supplement for preventing cancer. It is only appropriate when a person HAS cancer. Paw paw is also ineffective against leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers that do not involve tumors.
Another supplement that can help the body destroy cancer cells, is HIGH POTENCY PROTEASE, it breaks down the protein coat on cancer cells and also helps prevent cancer cells that are breaking down from creating a toxic load on nearby healthy cells. It is taken BETWEEN meals for this purpose, and taken WITH meals to enhance digestion.
PRINCIPLE #7: INCREASE JOY AND PLEASURES
One German study shows a commonality that all cancer patients experienced a trauma and an unresolved psychological issue shortly before the cancer developed. Stress is a big component of cancer because psychological stress creates physical stress that dramatically reduces immune function.
Reducing stress should be a stress-less task. That’s why the goal here is not to reduce stress , but rather to deliberately seek out joy and pleasure. A pleasurable, happy experience has a more positive effect on the immune system and healing than the stressful effects of an experience.
So, seek out pleasurable experiences. Find things that make you laugh. Spend time with family, friends or pets. Take a walk in the fresh air and sunshine. Surround yourself with pleasing colors, smells, sounds. Listen to favorite music; get up and dance. Listen to calming, meditative music. Take a hot bath in Epsom salts and lavender oil. Treat yourself to a full body massage, take a mini vacation or go to a spa for the day.
You can also reduce stress by taking some herbal support like NUTRI-CALM: which replenishes the nervous system and adrenals. ADRENAL SUPPORT : will help build stamina and promote healing as well as giving the body more ability to cope with stress. Another option is CHINESE STRESS RELIEF: which can assist the body’s ability to relax, counteracting stress.
Cancer is a difficult multi-facet disease to work with, but many folks have successfully recovered from cancer using both natural and conventional therapies or a combination of the two. Seek out professional assistance in designing the holistic program that is a proper fit for you. Remember, there is hope!
Healthfully yours,
Jodi Barnett N.D.
QFA Clinician, Orthomolecular Nutritionist
Harvested Health LLC.
Harvested Health LLC. 
My wife has survived three bouts with cancer (cervical, esophageal and breast). I certainly believe that diet affects risk, but there are risks associated with air and water pollution that are largely out of your control. Diet can’t be an excuse to avoid screening. The other thing to know (as you probably do but your readers may not) is that there are a number of new non-surgical, non-chemo treatments for cancer. Unfortunately, they are available in a relatively limited number of locations, even in the US. A lot of people won’t have access to them without considerable travel expense.
Vic, I agree, there are many other factors other than diet that contribute to much of the cancer issues today, making lifestyle changes is important, removing what chemicals one is able too, in health/beauty products, cleaning etc, is helpful, thank you for your feedback, and God bless you & your wife on your journey.