Dr. Gonzalez recommended a chiropractor in Atlanta. He told Mary to address the neck issue, and then they would tackle her immune system. “I’d gone to umpteen doctors, and they’d all told me, ‘We can’t see anything wrong with your neck.’ And I’m like, ‘I am in excruciating pain. How could nothing be wrong with my neck and have all that pain?’ And Dr. Gonzalez immediately picked up on that. We went from there, and I was a patient of his for 20 years.”

Mary is the Artistic Director of Swander Woman Productions, a theatre troupe that performs dramas about food, farming, and the wider rural environment. She also is the Executive Director of AgArts, a nonprofit designed to imagine and promote healthy food systems through the arts. She hosts AgArts from Horse & Buggy Land, a podcast focused on sustainability, the Amish, and rural living.

An award-winning author, Swander has published books of poetry, non-fiction, drama, and individual pieces in The Nation, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and Poetry.

Now, Mary has written the authorized biography, The Maverick M.D.: Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez and His Fight for a New Cancer Treatment, available from New Spring Press.

Dr. Gonzalez graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Brown, with a degree in English literature. He worked as a journalist for Time and New York Magazine for eight years during the 1970s, focusing on health-related issues. It was during this time that he became interested in medicine and scientific research.

Dr. Gonzalez’s postgraduate premed work was at Columbia. He earned a medical degree from Cornell in 1983 and worked at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center while in med school. His internship in internal medicine was at Vanderbilt.

“He could clear up pancreatic cancer patients in record time, but autoimmune people are actually more difficult to deal with,” Mary contended. “That’s why we had a long relationship. … I was fascinated by what he did, how incredibly intelligent he was, and how he researched everything – not, you know, wave their hands over you or had crystals or something.”

As a medical student, Dr. Gonzalez learned of the work of a dentist, William Donald Kelley. The latter claimed to have cured his liver and pancreatic cancer with a nutritional therapy – a combination of pancreatic enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and coffee enemas.

“[Dr. Gonzalez] was an Ivy League physician, a scientist very much within the framework of conventional medicine in his training,” Mary said. “He found a different method that was more effective, and he tried to have it tested. A lot of criticism about alternative treatments is they haven’t been through clinical trials, and they don’t want to be tested. He did, and stepped forward and said, ‘I want to be tested; I want this to go through trials, the normal testing apparatus. And if it fails, then I’ll quit.’ I really respected that.”

While researching the book, Mary came to understand how Dr. Gonzalez had “put himself out there” with his belief in pancreatic enzymes and nutritional therapy as a viable treatment for cancer. “He sincerely believed in this, that he was onto something,” she added. “He really wanted to help people. He was a dedicated physician who wanted to cure cancer.”

Within The Maverick M.D., Mary gives the reader a solid grounding of the Gonzalez Protocol and why it is a different paradigm. “This is a total revamping of your entire constitution. It’s looking at the human body as a holistic system and trying to put it into balance,” she said.

“I think we should look at Dr. Gonzalez as a healer. I’ve been talking about him being a very well-credentialed conventional doctor, to begin with. As you read the book, you’ll see step-by-step, he began to enter into a spiritual realm. I think he had abilities beyond most human beings and that he was connecting to a higher force.

“There’s a spiritual dimension to the program that, if you didn’t know who this man was, you might not see that right away,” Mary noted. “I did not see it right away as a patient. I began to get my eyes open to his abilities. It’s a wonderful read as a medical read, but it’s also a wonderful read as a portrait of a true healer. Your eyes will be opened about all sorts of possibilities, medical and spiritual.”

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Healthcare officials suggest 150 minutes of exercise each week. Now, you’re probably thinking, “Wow, that’s a lot of time to commit to sweating.” Consider this: That’s about 21 minutes each day. With 1,440 minutes in a day, we’re talking 1.45% of your time. … C’mon, you can do it – and do it by pedaling.

Once you learn how to ride a bike, you don’t forget. Cycling does not require professional skill levels of physical fitness; you’re not training for the Tour de France. Still, a plus for these low-impact sessions is that all major muscle groups are engaged as you pedal.

OK, so maybe you don’t have the desire to “ride” a bicycle. You still can cycle; there is a myriad of options that fit the bill. And exercise trumps the inactive lifestyle that raises the risk of cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, and other diseases. [1]

Benefits of Cycling

Because you are using the major muscles of the body, cycling will improve your strength and stamina. Your aerobic fitness also will benefit. While building up endurance, the intensity of your workouts may increase. Really, it’s up to you: a low-intensity pedal or a rigorously physical, sweat-inducing excursion – it’s up to you.

A review of 16 cycling‐centric studies found cycling beneficial for overall fitness and lowering cardiovascular risk factors. [2] Cycling for 2½ hours each week is a low-impact way to improve your health. (Low-impact exercise causes less strain on the body and is associated with fewer injuries than more vigorous types of workouts.)

To be sure, cycling is a fun way to reclaim your health. Getting outside your neighborhood, cruising downhill, pumping uphill … being outdoors is an opportunity to clear your head and see the world. And let’s face it: cycling is much more invigorating than being sedentary watching TV and snacking.

Also, physical activity is a protective effect against depression, as well as positive health gains such as physical performance and cardiovascular improvements. [3]

A 2017 study published in the British Medical Journal found that commuting via cycling was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and adverse cardiovascular disease and cancer outcomes. [4]

Types of Training Bikes

There are three types of training bikes, and each offers advantages and perks to suit your goals:

UPRIGHT – features a conventional riding position – a standard bike seat – with no back support. (These bikes are well-suited for people who want a comfortable workout – not a high-intensity training session.)

RECUMBENT – you are in a reclined position – with a broader, more comfortable seat – and the pedals are in front. (This helps even your body weight distribution.)

INDOOR CYCLING – These are the cream of the crop bikes, designed for riders to sit or stand. Indoor cycling bikes are for high-intensity interval training and fat-burning workouts. (These bikes often are showcased in exercise groups or spinning classes.)

There are several different bikes from which to choose.

• Marcy Club Revolution Bike Cycle Trainer for Cardio Exercise
• Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Cycling Bike
• Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Bundle
• NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle
• YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike Stationary

Among the features to look for with an indoor bike is the ability to track time, distance, speed, resistance, and heart-rate monitoring. You also may want to keep up with calories burned; it's truly a personal preference.

Some bikes also offer built-in programs for training courses and videos.

Cycling with Cancer

LUNG CANCER – Researchers at Jilin University in Changchun, China, evaluated 16 randomized controlled trials to determine the effect of exercise on early-stage lung cancer patients' quality of life. The data indicates that exercise may benefit these patients’ strength and endurance while decreasing emotional issues. The effectiveness is affected by the length of time exercising, frequency, intensity, and adherence to a regimen. [5]

BREAST CANCER – In August 2020, a study was released comparing meta-analysis between usual care and aerobic training in women with Stage I or II breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. In two of the studies, chemo was neoadjuvant (used before the primary treatment), seven of the studies were adjuvant (used after primary treatment), and one study combined patients. As expected, results showed aerobic training for cardiorespiratory fitness increased the maximum rate of oxygen consumption vs. no exercise. [6]

For breast cancer survivors, aerobic exercise may be beneficial, including cycling. The Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention looked at 12 studies that compared aerobic exercise with usual care among breast cancer survivors. The research showed that aerobic exercise could significantly improve the quality of life in breast cancer survivors. The aerobic exercise also relieved the symptoms of depression and anxiety. [7]

COLORECTAL CANCER – Data from five English-language and five Chinese-language studies, encompassing 934 patients, showed medium-intensity exercise as effective for preventing cancer-related fatigue and improved the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients who had recently undergone surgery to treat the disease. [8]

Expanding Your Community

Randomized controlled trials have proven the efficacy of exercise in improving cancer patients’ quality of life, including community-based programs. After all, no one understands a cancer patient like someone also dealing with the same hurdles.

While cycling – whether on the open road or with a stationary bike – there are many benefits you won’t think about, including relieving stress, building muscle, and maintaining a healthy weight. Also, remember: Cycling is low impact, so it is easy on your joints.

So, grab a helmet and mount up. Cancer is a journey, and along the way, you can pedal toward improved physical condition and overall better cardiovascular health.

The post Cycling and Cancer: Do it for your physical and cardiovascular health appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

Beyond direct care costs, there are other significant drivers of financial toxicity. Cancer patients may also endure a loss of work productivity – reduction in work hours, missed days at work, or job loss.

With more than 200 different types of cancer, there is no “one size fits all” cancer treatment. There are, however, several consistent factors that contribute to patients’ overall costs for their care. The maximum out-of-pocket limit for 2020 insurance plans is $8,200 for individual plans and $16,400 for family plans.

“When someone is diagnosed with cancer or a serious illness, one of the two questions they have is they want to find the best doctors. Secondly, how are they going to find the funds to pay for it.”

Scott Page

LifeGuidePartners

Some of the out-of-pocket components that determine what patients pay include premiums, deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance, in-network vs. out-of-network, balance billing, and out-of-pocket maximum. Together, these costs contribute to potential financial toxicity for the patient and family.

According to The Mesothelioma Center, 63% of cancer patients faced financial struggles following a cancer diagnosis. Nearly 20% of cancer patients and their families estimated they spent more than $20,000 each year in total out-of-pocket costs. (2)

“Not only do financial stressors negatively impact healing,” says Scott Page, the CEO of LifeGuide Partners, “but they can also cause frustration, despair, and loss of hope for all involved.” “There are multiple ways to approach how to pay for medical care. Even if you have medical insurance, you’re still going to be hit with out-of-pocket costs and deductibles.

“We urge patients to take a look at their existing life insurance policy. You can convert that policy into the cash you need and, in many cases, receive the money tax-free.”

Selling your life insurance policy

If you own a life insurance policy, you can:

• Change the beneficiary (unless the policy has restrictions).
• Use the insurance policy as collateral for a loan.
• Borrow money against the insurance policy.
• Sell the insurance policy to another person or entity.

Selling the policy to a third party is where a life settlement comes into play. In the past, to get out of a life insurance policy, you surrendered the plan or waited for it to lapse.

However, you can sell the insurance policy and use that money for financial needs. The third-party buyer will assume payment of the policy premiums and will receive the benefit.

Meanwhile, you take the money to pay for cancer treatments, pay off debts, travel, or check off bucket list items.

One study of 89,520 patients found that those undergoing cancer treatment missed 22.3 more workdays per year than those without cancer. (3) For patients without employment-based benefits, including health insurance, cancer-related healthcare costs often become a financial burden.

Sadly, cancer patients are 2.65 times more likely to file bankruptcy. (4) As a result, bankruptcy is associated with a higher risk of death among cancer patients.

Northwestern Medicine and the University of Michigan examined the long-term effects of a significant financial loss. (5) The study reported that people who lose 75 percent or more of their wealth after age 50 were 50% more likely to die within 20 years than those whose financial picture stayed more stable.

“These people suffer a mental health toll because of the financial loss, as well as pulling back from medical care because they can’t afford it,” says Lindsay Pool, a research assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern. “The most surprising finding was that having wealth and losing it is almost as bad for your life expectancy as never having wealth.”

Covering out-of-pocket expenses

Out-of-pocket costs are common financial hardship. These are the expenses a patient pays directly – co-insurance, deductibles, co-payments – for medications, hospital stays, outpatient visits, and other medical care.

These out-of-pocket expenses for cancer treatments can quickly diminish and often exceed the money in the bank. You could even lose assets. The National Cancer Institute says between 33-80% of cancer survivors use savings to cover the costs of medical care. For many, this results in medical debt, which may have a long-term effect on your credit and retirement savings. (6)

Financial toxicity goes well beyond the dollars and cents impact. There also is personal stress – the angst and anxiety of financial worry, which could lead to depression. (7)

“It’s unfortunate, in this country, that today we’re still struggling with ‘How are we going to pay for health care,’” Page says. “When someone is diagnosed with cancer or a serious illness, one of the two questions they have is they want to find the best doctors. Secondly, how are they going to find the funds to pay for it.”

“LifeGuide Partners offers a free policy appraisal,” he adds. “We can tell you what your policy is worth and convert it to cash today. That will remove their premium payments and help them receive the money they need to pay for care.”

The post LifeGuide Partners on how to avoid financial toxicity while paying for cancer treatments appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

We have discussed the health benefits of walking, water exercises, rebounding, and yoga for cancer patients. Beyond that, there is a more profound discussion: your heart and lungs as the foundation of training.

Many people focus on the idea that muscles are a sign of strength; bodybuilders and weightlifters are muscular, right?

While fitness buffs are outwardly prime examples of muscle-sculpting, inside, they equally try to maximize “cardio.” The focus is on four pillars: strength, cardiovascular fitness, mobility, and body composition. (More on these later from a “sculptor of the stars.”)

So, we're going to look at a couple of ways that cardio, the exercise, and cardio, the system, work within cancer patients. Key to both is the cardiovascular system – heart and circulatory system – and the respiratory system – lungs, mouth, nose, throat, voice box, and windpipe – which run in conjunction with each other.

Why is “cardio” – the joint effort of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems – so crucial to overall health, especially in cancer patients? Let’s first look at the why in light of problems that may arise from chemo and radiation.

If you are using a natural or integrative cancer treatment, the cardio workout aspect of your overall health already should be part of your daily routine.

In either case, cardio training is beneficial to your overall health. So, what are you waiting for?

What is cardiac toxicity?

Chemotherapy kills cancer cells. A side effect of chemo is healthy cell death, some of which may also be in and around the heart. When these chemicals damage the heart, it is called cardiac toxicity.

Examples of cardiac toxicity include:

Acute coronary syndrome – damage to blood vessels, which decreases blood flow to the heart, can cause a heart attack.

Cardiomyopathy – a weakened or enlarged heart muscle that may result in changes to heart rhythm or heart failure.

Congestive heart failure – the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body and may lead to a heart transplant.

Myocarditis – swelling of the heart that may lead to changes in heart rhythm or heart failure.

Pericarditis – inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, which may cause heart failure.

What causes cardiac toxicity?

Anthracyclines – a type of antibiotic that comes from certain types of Streptomyces bacteria used to treat many types of cancer, including bladder, bone, breast, head and neck, kidney, leukemia, lymphoma, sarcomas, skin, and stomach. The chemo drugs that most commonly cause heart damage are anthracyclines: Cerubidine, Doxil, Ellence, Idamycin PFS, and Valstar.

Cyclophosphamide –an alkylating agent chemo drug that also can damage the heart. Cyclophosphamide is typically used to treat bone, breast, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, ovarian, sarcomas, and skin cancers.

Targeted therapy – these drugs also can cause heart damage. Examples of targeted therapy drugs include Avastin, Herceptin, Nexavar, Sutent, and Tykerb.

Radiation therapy – Many breast, lung, and lymphoma cancer patients receive radiation therapy to the chest. This way, radiation can damage the vessels that bring blood to the heart.

Can cardio exercises help cancer patients?

In 2012, the University of New Mexico examined how exercise impacted cancer patients’ quality of life during treatment. The study involved data from 56 trials with 4,826 participants. The researchers reported the positive effects of exercise were more pronounced with moderate- or vigorous-intensity programs. [2]

A 2018 UK study of 33 unique trials covering 3,257 patients found that aerobic exercise improves prognosis and quality of life after chemotherapy. Four of the trials reported reduced chemotherapy toxicity. [3]

Obviously, more research is needed to determine the impact of exercise on chemotherapy. Still, we do know that cardio is a significant part of overall health.

Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of certain cancers and many other conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Weight-bearing exercises, like walking, help decrease the risk of osteoporosis. [4]

Exercise advice from a pro’s pro

If you’re a movie buff, the name Corey Calliet probably doesn’t come to mind. But if you’ve watched Michael B. Jordan in Fantastic Four, Black Panther, or Creed, you know Calliet’s work. He’s the man responsible for training Jordan.

“I got into fitness and nutrition because I wanted to look good for the girls,” Calliet admits. “My first want for training was the aesthetic part. I wanted to look good – abs, nice arms, good chest.”

Calliet initially set his sights on becoming a bodybuilder before deciding to have a more significant impact on the world at large. “I became addicted to [bodybuilding]. I found out I can change everything about my life by focusing on my body, my nutrition.

“Now, I look at myself as an artist, not a trainer,” he adds. “It’s a unique craft. A light bulb came on, and I started to transform people into what they want.”

Calliet says he is more than a trainer, noting to clients he’s also a friend, counselor, and therapist to clients. “People think the physical change is more important than the inside,” he says. “You have to change their heart, their mind, their soul. They have to commit.”

He also notes cardio is key to burning fat. He says your body uses stored glycogen to fuel your workout session. After weight training, a cardio workout will tap into fat for energy.

Calliet’s core training focus has three aspects:

Fasted Cardio – Calliet recommends 30 to 45 minutes of cardio in the morning before eating.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) – incorporate weights, bands, or your own body weight. Do the exercises for 30 seconds, then rest 30 seconds. Rinse and repeat. The 30-on, 30-off process increases metabolism.

Cardio Post-Weight Training –30 to 45 minutes of cardio after weightlifting increases the potential for burning fat.

Basics of cardiovascular fitness

Your body adapts to the type of training you do. When the body gets into a routine, it is harder to achieve sustained results. Vary your cardiovascular activity!

Bike riding, swimming, speed walking, running can all be cycled weekly. Your workouts will be challenging and effective in keeping your body in motion.

A heart rate monitor is a crucial piece of equipment for dialing in your cardiovascular training. Try to exercise within 60-80% of your maximum heart rate to achieve the optimal physiological results.

Be sure to enjoy appropriate rest intervals. Set your exercise intervals and have a work:rest ratio of 1:4. If you sprint on a bike for 15 seconds, rest for 60 seconds.

Your body will adapt to your workouts. The goal is to work for more challenging sessions as time goes on.

Low-Impact Cardio Workout

Intermediate Cardio Workout

Advanced HIIT Cardio Workout

FAQs

The post Cardio workouts and cancer: Finding what works for you appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

And as we’ll explain, water has a therapeutic way of refreshing your mind and reduces stress and anxiety. You will be invigorated and have a better sleep.

Physical activity is a piece of the puzzle that helps promote a healthy immune system. Diet and exercise are paramount in boosting your body’s immunity. While you can’t change your DNA, you can control how you fuel your body – with food and workouts.

For starters, water exercises provide a flexible environment for working out; you don’t have to worry about falling and hurting yourself in a pool. The water also reduces the impact exercises have on your joints and muscles.

So, slip on that swimsuit – no Speedos, please! – and let’s dip our toes into the pool to test the waters …

‘Find something called movement’

Cancer patients’ quality of life depends on a myriad of factors, including their overall health. Being physically active is a significant component of QoL. However, cancer patients and survivors often suffer from myofascial pain. This chronic and painful condition affects the connective tissue that covers the muscles.

There are many ways to be physically active, including rebounding, yoga, walking. If you suffer from myofascial pain syndrome, this may involve either a single muscle or a muscle group and not allow you to exert the energy to do those activities. [1]

During the 2017 Cancer Control Society annual meeting, biochemistry researcher Nick Delgado asked, “What is it you’re doing right now to prevent cancer?”

At the root of his question is the immune system – and physical activity plays a significant role.

“Our immune system is the key to being able to fight and overcome this very serious killer disease,” Delgado said. “I am also of the school that we follow a lifestyle that helps us to live healthier and better.

“I don’t believe it will ever be a world free of cancer completely. I think people always smoke. They’ll always abuse their body. They always want to eat meat,” says Delgado, who promotes a plant-based lifestyle.

For cancer patients who cannot put their bodies through running and jumping rigors, water aerobics may be beneficial for a healthier, more physically-active life.

“Start with walking, move up to jogging, move up to running,” Delgado said. “I have athletes. I have people who have not exercised a day in their life, who graduate to various forms [of exercise]; could be water exercise. You have to find something called movement. Move your body.”

The popularity of water exercises

A 2018 study aimed to establish exercise preferences among head and neck cancer survivors found that 33% of those queried were interested in water exercises. [2] Meanwhile, there is mounting scientific evidence that has shown physical exercise improves aerobic fitness, strength, physical activity levels, and quality of life.

Physical exercise, including water aerobics, reduces fatigue in cancer survivors, including breast cancer patients, during and post-treatment. Research also suggests other health benefits from physical activity during and post-cancer treatments. [3]

In 2012, 66 breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned into two groups: the Water group, who received a water exercise program, and the Control group, who received the usual care treatment for breast cancer. The research noted an 8-week water therapy program was useful for improving neck and shoulder/armpit pain and reducing the presence of trichorhinophalangeal (TRPS) in breast cancer survivors as compared with usual care.

TRPS is a gene that appears to help regulate healthy embryonic development and is found at high levels in virtually all forms of breast cancer. [4] Based on 2005 research, the TRPS-1 gene is associated with a rare, inherited genetic disease in which loss of the gene function results in muscle and bone deformities. [5] The gene is located in a region previously known to be associated with breast cancer and other oncogenes.

“Based on our findings, we believe that TRPS-1 is involved in the earliest stages of breast cancer,” says Laszlo Radvanyi, Ph.D., associate professor of breast and melanoma medical oncology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

TRPS-1 is a DNA-binding protein that regulates how other proteins get produced. It also appears to be involved in recognition of steroids such as estrogen. Radvanyi speculates that the protein may help regulate cell growth and perhaps estrogen recognition.

Benefits of water exercises

Exercise may be associated with increased health-related quality of life in patients with cancer. Still, it is not prescribed as standard care during or after cancer treatment. A systematic review of methodological quality from 16 randomized controlled trials summarized the evidence.

The review determined that exercise has a direct positive impact on patients’ quality of life with cancer, during, and following medical intervention. The types of cancer studied included mixed, breast, lymphoma, colo-rectal, prostate, and lung cancer. The authors also noted exercise is a “clinically relevant treatment and should be an adjunct to disease therapy in oncology.” [6]

Furthermore, another study of 72 randomized controlled trials – 71 in adults and 1 in children – determined exercise had a moderate effect on reducing fatigue compared with a control intervention. Exercise also improved depression and sleep. [7]

In 2018, a study was launched to investigate whether patients who suffer from lower limb lymphedema after cancer treatments can benefit from water immersion exercise training to improve functional capacity, quality of life, and help control/diminish limb volume.

Aquatic exercise training programs allow moderate and vigorous-intensity activities for patients with lower limb lymphedema, increasing functional capacity and quality of life. Thus, immersion exercise does not appear to exacerbate lower limb lymphedema. [8]

“If you transition to a healthy lifestyle, you may not need the medications in short order. Your quality of life will improve dramatically,” Delgado said. “We know that exercise is important. We know that your emotional status is important. We know that better sleep is important.

“I can tell you this: If you suffer from allergies, cancer, infection, or inflammation, your white blood cells are the key to your total health and immune system.” (White blood cells are immune system cells that help protect against infectious diseases.) [9-10]

Types of water aerobics

Water aerobics place very little weight on the joints, which means people of all ages and varying levels of fitness can reap the exercises’ benefits. Water places an upward force on a person – buoyancy – and you can experience as much as 90% less weight when in the water. This makes water exercises an ideal activity for a low-impact water workout.

Aqua jogging is a low-impact exercise to get the heart pumping and blood flowing throughout the body. As simple as jogging through the water from one side of the pool to the other, aqua jogging also can be as simple as walking back and forth in the pool or marching in place in the pool.

Capitalizing on the resistance of the water, leg lifts work all of the muscles in your legs. Merely stand in the pool and lift one leg out to the side and back down. Repeat until your leg feels tired, then switch legs. This exercise also improves balance and strengthens your core.

Water push-ups build strength in your arms, chest, and shoulders – and there is not a lot of pressure put on your joints. To do these push-ups, stand along the side of the pool and place your hands a little wider than shoulder-width apart on the edge of the pool. Bend your arms and lean in toward the wall, then push yourself back out. Repeat this exercise slowly and until your arms feel tired.

FAQs

The post The health benefits of water exercises for cancer patients appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

Juicing has gotten a lot of attention in the past decade with every other celebrity and influencer touting their juicing cleanses and their “expertise.”

You can even find stores that have juice bars and refrigerated shelves lined with fresh-pressed colorful juices. If going to the store is not for you, some companies deliver to your front doorstep for a cost.  

So, what’s with all the hype, and how healthy is juicing for you? We will cannonball into the many ins and outs of juicing to answer all your juicy-juicing questions.

• Belinda Alonso, Utopia Wellness: Juicing for Cancer

What is juicing? 

Juicing requires using a juicer or press that removes the fiber, skin, and pulp from fruits and vegetables and extracts all the juicy goodness out into a liquid form. It’s an easy way to get an added variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet. 

Do you eat an average of 5-9 servings of assorted fruits and vegetables daily? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 1 in 10 adults meet the recommended daily fruit and vegetable consumption. [1]

Most of us tend to eat the same mundane fruit and veggies every day. The best way to eat fruits and vegetables is the old-fashioned way, by mouth, but adding juice to a healthy diet can be a great way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. 

Studies have shown that adding juice to a balanced diet offered a profound risk reduction of many diseases, such as cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. This is because of the high antioxidant properties that they possess, which may help lower oxidative stressors. [2]

Benefits of juicing

Studies suggest that vegetable juice may help reduce blood pressure. This is because of the polyphenols that are in the juice may cause a decrease in blood pressure. Furthermore, nitrates and minerals also have essential roles in the anti-hypertensive (lowering blood pressure) effects of vegetable juice. [2]

Juicing has also shown to help aid in reducing cholesterol. Five different studies on several fruits and vegetables all showed levels of cholesterol were lowered after consuming the drinks. The studies were done on orange juice, acai-berry based juice, cloudy apple juice, cranberry juice, and tomato juice. [2]

Inflammation is related to many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Studies related to cardiovascular inflammation done on certain juices such as tomato, plum, peach, and cranberry, all of which resulted in a reduction of cardiovascular-related inflammation. This is significant when we are talking about the prevention of chronic diseases because inflammation can be a big problem, and if not addressed in the long term, can develop into more pertinent diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer. [2]

Another noteworthy benefit is because since the insoluble fiber is removed in the juicing process, this can help aid in digestion. People who have issues digesting fruits and vegetables might find juicing can help them incorporate more of the nutrient-dense foods into their diets while giving their digestive systems a break. [3]

When you add juicing to a healthy diet it can be a powerful tool. There are many benefits to juicing, such as prevention of disease, lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and aiding digestion. [2, 3] By adding a plethora of colorful fruits and vegetables to your juices, you are adding more raw minerals and nutrients to your overall diet, which you otherwise might not have.  

Risks of juicing

There are always risks to anything and everything – sewing, for instance. You may get impaled by sharp needle, which may carry a microscopic bacterium, and your finger might have to be amputated (dramatic, I know). So, what are the risks involved with juicing?

Let's talk about sugar, the natural kind found in all fruits and vegetables. Fruits contain more natural sugar then veggies, and too much sugar can be an issue, especially if you have diabetes. Most people would never sit down and eat 5 apples in one sitting, but those same 5 apples can easily fit into one glass when juiced. We shall do the math!

One apple has about 10 grams of sugar, and if you multiply that by 5 apples for a glass of fresh apple juice, this makes a total of 50 grams of sugar. [2] For further perspective, one 12oz can of Coca-Cola has 39 grams of sugar, so our same glass of apple juice contains more sugar than a Coke! [4] This amount of sugar can cause your blood sugar levels to spike, and if you have issues with insulin production, this can be a significant issue.

The takeaway from this is to limit the fruits you are adding to your juices. A good ratio of vegetables to fruits is 3 to 1, 3 vegetables to 1 fruit. You can also benefit from choosing low glycemic fruits such as green apples, berries, lemons, and limes. [5]

Did you know kale and spinach contain high levels of Vitamin K? However, if you are on a prescribed blood thinner, such as warfarin, high levels of Vitamin K can affect how a blood thinner works. [6] If you are on any medications, it's always important to check with your physician or pharmacist when making a dietary change for any potential problems.     

We need fiber in our diets. If you are only juicing and not eating any fruits or vegetables, you are missing out on essential nutrients and fiber.

“Fruit and vegetables are naturally loaded with dietary fiber. Fiber cannot be broken down by the body and mainly stays intact when it passes through your stomach, intestines, and colon. Fiber plays an essential role in maintaining good gut health (normalizing and maintaining bowel health). Fiber also lowers cholesterol levels, controls blood sugar levels, aids in achieving or maintaining a healthy weight, and may even help you live longer.” [7] 

A study was conducted in 2016 on the relationship between breast cancer and fiber intake. Twenty-four articles examined the link between dietary fiber and breast cancer. “A total of 51,939 cases and 3,662,421 participants were included. The analysis showed a protective association between dietary fiber intake and breast cancer risk, and the danger could be reduced by 12%. Furthermore, the data showed each 10 g/d increment of dietary fiber intake was associated with a 4% risk reduction.” [8]

• Breast Cancer and a high-fiber diet

Which type of juicer is best? 

The two most common types of juicers are centrifugal and masticating juicers. Both can be found in stores and online, and you can typically find a juicer that will fit into any budget with pricing anywhere from $50 to more than $2,000.

So which one is better? That is up to the consumer (and your budget), but we will hit the highlights regarding both types of juicers and also give our recommendations. 

Centrifugal Juicer

• Produce is fed into the hopper and ground to a pulp.
• Spins at high speed, and the motion forces the juice away from the pulp.
• The high speed can cause the juice to oxidize quickly, so you will want to consume the juice immediately.
• The high speeds can cause friction heating the juices, and this can cause loss of some of the live enzymes.
• On the cheaper end of the budget spectrum [5]

Masticating Juicer

• Masticating means to “chew, grind, or knead”
• Works at lower speeds than a centrifugal juicer preventing the juice from picking up any heat (as with centrifugal juicers).
• Is very good for juicing leafy greens and vegetables efficiently 
• Will yield more juice with less produce 
• Since it works at lower speeds and does not oxidize as much, juice can be stored in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 24 hours.  [5]
• Some masticating juicers add a hydraulic press (cold press) which helps in extracting the maximum amount of juice, as well as other benefits.

Juicer options

• Norwalk Juicer, Model 290 (masticating / cold press)
• Omega NC800HDS Juicer Extractor (masticating)
• Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite (centrifugal)

To-do’s of juicing

Now that we know all the benefits and risks of juicing, it’s time to talk about best practices. Anytime you want to succeed at anything, you have to be in the “know-how,” and we are here to serve it to you on a silver platter.  

Do eat fruits and veggies in their whole forms first

We talked before about how fruits and vegetables are best when consumed in their whole form, including the fiber. With that said, adding juice to your diet is a great way to add those extra nutrients you otherwise would not get. Simply enjoy them alongside your meals. 

Do wash your produce

This also goes without saying, but you always want to wash your produce. When you buy your juices at the supermarket, they are pasteurized, killing any bacteria and parasites that might be harmful to you. Even if it's organic, you still are making an unpasteurized drink, and you are at a higher risk of consuming parasites and bacteria that are living on the food. 

Simply soak your produce in cold water mixed with white distilled vinegar (10 cups water to 1 cup vinegar) for a few minutes, scrub with a vegetable brush, rinse, and dry. [5] A good soak and scrub can save you from time spent in the bathroom.

Do refrigerate your juices

If you are not consuming your juicy goodness right away, you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Freezing is another option as well. 

Do be heavy on your veggies

Not to sound like a broken record, but do be heavy on your veggies. Fruits contain more sugar than vegetables, so a good ratio is the three vegetables to 1 fruit rule.  Fruits are a great source of antioxidants and help sweeten up your drinks, just try not to overdo it. [2]

Do buy organic if you can

“Nearly 70 percent of the fresh produce sold in the U.S. contains residues of potentially harmful chemical pesticides, according to EWG’s analysis of the latest test data from the federal Department of Agriculture.” [9]

It may not always be available, but when possible, you should try to stick to organic produce. An excellent example of why you want to stick to organic foods is kale. Kale, which is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, is a commonly juiced vegetable and ranks number three on the EWG’s dirty dozen list this year. 

“In USDA’s most recent tests, the pesticide most frequently detected on kale was DCPA, sold under the brand name Dacthal. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies DCPA as a possible human carcinogen, and in 2009 the European Union banned it.” [9]

• When to buy organic vs. non-organic

Juicing recipes

If you are just getting started with juicing and need a little guidance, we have your back with a few of our fail-proof recipes. However, the great thing about juicing is you really can't mess it up and should try adding a variety of different fruits and vegetables to find what best suits your taste buds and your body.

The Energizer
6 Carrots
1 lemon
1 Inch of Ginger
2 Green Apples
1 Beet (you can even juice the top if you want more added nutrients)
Wash and juice all the above in your favorite juicer, no peeling required.

Super Greens
6 leaves of Kale
2 Cups Spinach
2 Green Apples
1 Inch of Ginger
1 Lemon
1 Cucumber 
Wash and juice all the above in your favorite juicer, no peeling required.

FAQs

Cancer protocols

The majority of alternative protocols, such as the Gerson diet, the Cellect Budwig diet, Chris Wark's Square One program, the Bob Beck protocol, along with many others, have juicing as an essential component in their treatments. Many holistic clinics also include some form of juicing.

The post Benefits of juicing during cancer treatment appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

Even more sobering, about 42,170 women are expected to die this year from breast cancer. There is good news: Overall, the breast cancer death rate has decreased by 1.3% per year from 2013 to 2017. The decreases are thought to be, according to the American Cancer Society, the result of treatment advances and earlier detection through screening.

Still, for women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.

About 1 in 8 women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer throughout her lifetime. As of January 2020, more than 3.5 million women have a history of breast cancer, including those currently being treated and those who have finished treatment.

(And guys, don’t think it can’t happen to you. The ACS predicts about 2,620 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men this year. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 883.)

However, despite the facts and figures, research continues to shine a light of hope. Everything from treatments to diet is being studied, and yes – food can make a difference. A recent study that examined dietary fiber intake and breast cancer showed the risk could be reduced by 12%.

So, if you are what you eat, what should that be (hint: bone up on the Mediterranean diet)? We’ll dig into that and also share why cruciferous veggies should become a staple in your everyday meal-planning.

As we dive in, remember that less than 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it. However, a woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed.

Now is the time to begin making a difference in your life. Take the initiative to do something, rather than risk becoming another statistic. Let’s take that first step together … 

What the science says

A 1994 case-control study of 451 women in Australia examined the risk of breast cancer to dietary fiber. There were significant reductions in relative risk with increased intake of dietary fiber. The study provided strong support that foods rich in dietary fiber may protect against breast cancer. [1]

In 2016, Dr. Manas Kotepui, Ph.D., reviewed 111 epidemiological studies that focused on nutritional risk factors including dietary fat, meat, fiber, and alcohol, and intake of phytoestrogen, Vitamin D, iron, and folate associated with breast cancer. The evidence suggests that diet may be associated with breast cancer risk depending on the amount and type of foods consumed. Higher intake of foods containing n-3 PUFA, Vitamin D, phytoestrogen, fiber, and folate, together with lower intake of saturated fat, n-6 PUFA, grilled meat, and alcohol, may be beneficial. [2]

With results released in 2016, Harvard research scientist Maryam Farvid examined fiber intake during adolescence and early adulthood to breast cancer risk. 90,534 women completed a dietary questionnaire in 1991; 2,833 invasive breast cancer cases were documented during 20 years of follow-up. The findings support the hypothesis that higher fiber intakes reduce breast cancer risk and suggest that consumption during adolescence and early adulthood may be particularly important. [3]

Another 2016 study, Dietary fiber intake, and risk of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies, examined 24 articles on the relationship between dietary fiber and breast cancer. A total of 51,939 cases and 3,662,421 participants were included. The analysis showed a protective association between dietary fiber intake and breast cancer risk, and the danger could be reduced by 12%. Furthermore, the data showed each 10 g/d increment of dietary fiber intake was associated with a 4% risk reduction. [4]

More recently, dietary guidelines for breast cancer patients have failed to address adequate nutritional intakes of macro- and micronutrients that may improve patients’ nutritional status.

Nutritionist Ana Teresa Limon-Miro led a review of the PubMed and Biomed Central databases across 15 years (2002-17) concerning dietary guidelines for breast cancer patients and the potential impact of a personalized, nutrient-specific diet on patients’ nutritional condition during and after cancer treatment.

The results, taken from five studies covering 2,622 women, indicated breast cancer patients should maintain healthy body weight and lean mass.

Limon-Miro notes that the specifics of nutritional therapy should be based on the patients’ nutritional status, dietary habits, schedule, activities, and cultural preferences for sustained success.

Adequate dietary intakes of food-based macro- and micronutrients rich in β-carotene and Vitamins A, E, and C can both prevent deterioration in breast cancer patients’ nutritional health and improve their overall prognosis. [5]

A review of research published in the October 1996 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that 70% or more of the clinical studies found a link between cruciferous vegetables and protection against cancer. [6] 

A 2007 study, however, expressly noted: “evidence of an inverse association between cruciferous vegetable intake and breast or prostate cancer in humans is limited and inconsistent.” [7]

The anticancer role of the Mediterranean diet

Tiffany M. Newman, with Wake Forest University’s Department of Cancer Biology, reported in 2019 that among 2,034 breast cancer patients studied, the Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest of all dietary patterns. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet protects against diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. A Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk for women with all subtypes of breast cancer, and a Western diet pattern was associated with higher risk.

Newman noted epidemiological data supports the impact of dietary pattern on breast cancer risk. Western diet consumption elevates breast cancer risk, while the use of a Mediterranean diet reduces breast cancer risk. She proposed that regulation of the gut and mammary microbiome may be a key influencer on the anticancer role of the Mediterranean diet. Current research detailing the gut microbiome suggests a potential mechanism for dietary influence on cancer risk through inflammation. Restoring balance to the gut microbiome may prove a viable option for the reduction of diet-mediated cancer risks and prognosis factors. [8]

We know that bacteria thrive within us, but did you know bacteria also live in a woman’s breast tissue – the mammary microbiome, mentioned earlier? Researchers believe the microbes may have an effect on breast cancer, according to Gregor Reid, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Western University.

Reid and his team analyzed bacterial DNA found in breast tissue samples from 58 women who were undergoing lumpectomies or mastectomies for either benign or cancerous tumors. They also studied 23 healthy women who had undergone breast reductions or enhancements. The data showed that women with breast cancer had higher levels of some types of bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococcus, and bacillus. Women without cancer had higher levels of other types, such as lactococcus and streptococcus. [9]

In April 2020, a systematic review and meta‐analysis of prospective studies relating to fiber consumption and breast cancer incidence were released by the American Cancer Society. The authors identified 17 cohort studies, 2 nested case-control studies, and 1 clinical trial study. The results showed total fiber consumption was associated with an 8% lower risk of breast cancer.

The researchers, again led by Harvard’s Maryam Farvid, also found that it was only soluble fiber (a substance able to be dissolved, especially in water). Soluble fiber is the most substantial element in foods like beans, lentils, nuts, oatmeal, and peas that had a significant association with reduced breast cancer rates. (Soluble fiber slows digestion and becomes a gel-like substance in the colon.) Future research questions should address the decreased breast cancer incidence as a function of time adhering to a fiber-centric diet.

Insoluble fiber – found in whole grains and cannot be dissolved by the body – also was suggested to reduce the risk of cancer. The effect, however, was not statistically significant. (Both soluble and insoluble fiber are found in varying levels in most foods containing fiber.)

“Our study contributes to the evidence that lifestyle factors, such as modifiable dietary practices, may affect breast cancer risk,” said Dr. Farvid. “Our findings provide research evidence supporting the American Cancer Society dietary guidelines, emphasizing the importance of a diet rich in fiber, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.” [10]

Why cruciferous veggies are good for you

What do kale, arugula, and Brussels sprouts have in common? Aside from being the basis for trend-setting vegetable recipes, they’re all delicious cruciferous vegetables and pack a potent 1-2 punch for nutrition and fighting inflammation.

Fun fact: The name “cruciferous” is an informal classification for members of the mustard family and comes from the Latin Cruciferae, meaning “cross-bearing” because the four petals resemble a cross.

Benefits of cruciferous vegetables:

• Contain Cancer-Fighting Compounds
• Reduce Inflammation
• Regulate Blood Sugar
• Promote Weight Loss
• Enhance Heart Health
• Promote Estrogen Balance

While these veggies grow in all different colors, shapes, and sizes, they share several nutritional benefits. Most cruciferous veggies are rich in vitamins and minerals such as folate and Vitamin K. Dark green cruciferous veggies also are an excellent source of Vitamins A and C. They’re also rich in phytonutrients – plant-based compounds that may help to lower inflammation and reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Cruciferous vegetables include:

• Arugula
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Collard greens
• Kale
• Mustard greens
• Radish
• Rutabaga
• Turnip
• Watercress

Cruciferous vegetables are rich in fiber and low-calorie. Fiber is an essential nutrient to incorporate if weight loss is the goal, as it helps keep you fuller longer.

Cruciferous veggies are also good sources of phytonutrients, which are plant-based compounds that may help lower inflammation and reduce the risk of developing cancer.

In vitro studies have shown sulforaphane, a phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables, can stimulate enzymes in the body that detoxify carcinogens before they damage cells. [11]

Also present in cruciferous vegetables are glucosinolates. These chemicals are not only responsible for the aroma and flavor of these plants, but they also have been shown to have anticancer effects. According to the National Cancer Institute, studies in rats and mice have demonstrated that indoles and isothiocyanates, the compounds that form from broken down glucosinolates, protect cells from DNA damage, inactivate carcinogens, and have antibacterial and antiviral effects. [12]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends adult women should eat 2.5 cups of vegetables per day; adult men should have 3 cups. One cup of cooked or raw broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower counts as 1 cup of vegetables. Two cups of leafy greens, like kale or arugula, count as 1 cup from the vegetable group. [13]

Your total vegetable intake doesn’t have to come from cruciferous vegetables. Still, they should be incorporated daily for maximum health benefits.

The American Cancer Society recommendations for nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention include:

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
• Adopt a physically active lifestyle.
• Consume a healthy diet with an emphasis on plant-based foods
• Limit the amount of processed and red meats:
  • Eat at least 2.5 cups of vegetables and fruits a day.
  • Choose whole grains instead of refined grain products.
  • Drink no more than 1 alcoholic drink per day (women).

Summary of Science

Overall, the connection between reducing the risk of breast cancer and a high-fiber diet is rooted in the nutritional research. In 2020, an American Cancer Society review of 20 different studies related to fiber consumption and breast cancer incidence shows total fiber consumption is associated with an 8% lower risk of breast cancer.

A key ingredient to maximizing a healthy diet is cruciferous vegetables, which have nutritional and inflammation-fighting value. These veggies also have phytonutrients and glucosinolates, which have been shown to have anticancer effects.

Cancer Tutor encourages patients to discuss diet and nutritional goals with their doctor and nutritionist. Together you can develop a sustainable plan that will address individual needs for a healthier lifestyle.

FAQs

The post Breast cancer and a high-fiber diet appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

Among those who have tried alternative protocols include actors, presidents, and technology geniuses. As with any cancer treatment – conventional or alternative – there are no guarantees, but it does raise the interesting question of why. Why, with advances in conventional medical technology, would those with the most exceptional healthcare access choose to look outside the box?

What's interesting is how this may or may not have influenced conventional medicine to begin rethinking how they view the treatment of cancer. For instance, an industry that used to destroy the immune system with chemotherapy now recognizes that building the immune system and overall health aids in the efficacy of conventional treatments.

In more recent years, it's come to replace the old methods, as was the case with President Jimmy Carter. His melanoma was treated exclusively with immunotherapy-, an approach holistic medicine has been touting for years. 

Olivia Newton-John

Diagnosis: breast cancer
Treatment: conventional and alternative medicine
Outcome: 30-year survivor

The co-star opposite John Travolta in the musical Grease has been battling breast cancer for nearly 30 years. During those three decades, she's learned not to rely solely on the advice and treatments of conventional medicine. 

Diagnosed in 1992, Newton-John had the entire arsenal of cancer assault mechanisms known to conventional medicine – mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. Her cancer returned twice since, and she has decided against chemotherapy. And while Newton-John has incorporated radiation into her regimen, she's also emphasized a more holistic approach to what is now Stage IV cancer. By integrating holistic medicine practices, she's helped strengthen immunity, fight pain, and, she hopes, kill cancer.

These alternative treatments include extracts from cannabis and certain mushrooms, Vitamin B17, Vitamin D, and high doses of Vitamin C.

Newton-John has since opened the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre in Heidelberg, Australia. Patients receive an integrative approach to cancer treatment that incorporates conventional treatment with holistic practices.

Fran Drescher

The Jewish-American actress with the distinctive voice is famous twice: first for her semi-autobiographical show The Nanny and then for her resolute response to a cancer diagnosis.

During her final season of The Nanny in 1999, Drescher was beginning a new season of life and starting a new journey with her health.  

Eventually recognized by doctors as uterine cancer, her condition was addressed as peri-menopausal. This misdiagnosis delayed the treatment she needed while subjecting her body to treatments she did not need.

When she finally emerged from this long dark period of her life – which included a radical hysterectomy – Drescher found herself with a story to tell and a movement to lead. Her experience led to writing a book, Cancer Schmancer, and launching a foundation by the same name.  

Her celebrity became her platform not to raise money for foundations or institutions but rather to encourage reform in the way American's treated their health. She's using her platform to help people battle cancer before it begins by addressing lifestyle changes – diet, exercise, stress level, etc.

She supports a holistic view of medical care, strengthening the body to fight for itself rather than relying solely on what she calls the American “sick care system.”

Suzanne Somers

Following Suzanne Somers' breast cancer diagnosis in 2001, she addressed it the way most women do – surgery to remove tumors and radiation to zap the remaining cancer cells. But she decided against chemotherapy.

Instead of decimating her immune system, she decided to strengthen her body's natural defenses. The approach allowed her to weaken and kill cancer cells lurking in the shadows. She turned to a little-known drug called Iscador, a mistletoe extract that's shown in studies to kill cancer and bolster immunities. 

Through the years since her diagnosis, the Three's Company star has interviewed dozens of patients and doctors about cancer prevention through diet, detox, and natural cancer treatment protocols. She details her findings in the book Knock Out.

Ronald Reagan

The 40th President of the United States was famously diagnosed with bouts of skin cancer, which he had surgically removed. And then, amid The Cold War tensions between the United States and Russia, President Reagan faced a threat from the inside. Inside his colon. Doctors identified and removed a cancerous polyp to prevent spread.  

So just weeks into his second term, surgeons resected two feet of The Gipper's large intestine. What isn't as widely known about the POTUS is that he decided against chemotherapy or radiation. 

There are reports that Reagan received intravenous treatments of laetrile, a compound also known as Amygdalin found in the seeds of apricots and other fruits. Reagan also may have received oxygen therapy. 

Jimmy Carter

In 2015 Jimmy Carter sought treatment for metastatic melanoma using immune mechanisms that the natural cancer treatment community has highlighted for decades.

Utilizing the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, doctors made Carter's natural immune defenses “smarter” and more precise in attacking the abnormal cell growth in his brain and liver. Only a handful of years ago, conventional medicine would have performed a widespread annihilation of Carter's immune system while trying to wipe out cancer with chemical warfare and radiation. 

At 91 years old, Carter likely would not have even survived conventional cancer treatment – let alone cancer he was trying to treat. Now the mainstream medical community is developing and patenting drugs to strengthen and enhance the immune system. These modalities allow the body to fight without chemicals and procedures that would weaken its natural defenses.

Natural formulations like Beta 1 3D Beta Glucan and other natural immune-enhancing supplements have worked effectively by similarly helping the immune system target foreign bodies, including abnormal cell growth.

Immunotherapy in modern oncology is an encouraging development that affirms at least some practices of holistic medicine. The approach signals a turning point for conventional methods that historically have been governed more by industrial modalities than by health-focused innovation.

Tommy Chong

The Chong half of the 1970s comedy duo Cheech & Chong, Tommy Chong, says prison gave him prostate cancer, and his reason for jail time, in part, provided what he has called the cure. In 2003 he served 9 months for selling pot pipes and says he can trace his slow-growing prostate cancer to his time in prison. 

“I was totally healthy when I went in jail … and then while I was in jail, I was clean as a whistle, and I started having problems with my prostate,” he said in an interview with CNN. “So, yeah, I think I got [cancer] there.”

When he was diagnosed with the disease several years later, the then 74-year-old said he had given up smoking marijuana. But then he started using the plant in the form of suppositories to “treat” his cancer. 

Whatever Chong's motive in utilizing cannabis during his battle with cancer, the actor might have benefited himself in the fight. Some studies have shown that cannabinoids, chemicals found in cannabis, might program specific prostate cancer cells to stop growing and multiplying.   

Steve Jobs

The illustrious mind behind Apple Inc. is perhaps viewed with the most medical suspicion among the many celebrities to address their cancer diagnosis with unconventional treatments.

Jobs undoubtedly is among the best known of these celebrities, in part because of the lengthy Walter Isaacson biography that detailed Jobs' diagnosis, subsequent treatment plans, and final years of life. And because of his illness, he also very visibly stepped down from his responsibilities as CEO of the most innovative tech company in history. 

So why would this technological genius eschew the medical technology available at the time to treat him? As he did with most areas of his life, Steve Jobs approached his diet and health in somewhat quirky ways. While working at Atari, for instance, he reportedly denounced daily showers and deodorant, believing that his diet would keep him from needing those conventional hygiene regimens.

So in 2003, when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer while being scanned for kidney stones, he followed the path he'd followed most of his life: the road less traveled. Instead of pursuing the conventional route of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, Jobs attacked his diagnosis by strengthening his body's ability to fight cancer. But this was not a haphazard decision. After all, the rare form of pancreatic cancer – islet cell carcinoma – was slow-growing and highly treatable.

He consulted with some of the best medical minds available. Still, he concluded that he would aggressively change his lifestyle instead of being cut open or zapped. About a recommended surgical procedure, he told one confidante: “I really didn't want them to open up my body.” 

It's easy to suggest that Jobs was just stubborn in his initial refusal of conventional medical treatments. His stubbornness and individuality branched into every decision he made. He also weighed the detriment of gambling with chemicals and surgery and the limits they might place on his ability to perform at optimal levels for whatever years he had left. 

There are few details available about exactly what Jobs did during the months that he treated his cancer. He was a relatively private man, but a few things are clear.

The lifelong adherent to a mostly plant-based diet became even more restrictive in his veganism and added to this discipline a regular intake of herbs, botanicals, and juices. He visited acupuncturists and also explored the spiritual side of physical healing.

Nine months into this treatment, a scan revealed his tumor had grown and had likely moved outside the pancreas. Perhaps he was disappointed, but he wasn't defeated. He finally went in for the recommended surgery to have the tumor removed. Then he turned his attention and vast resources to pursuing cutting edge, experimental treatments through MIT and Harvard. Among the testing was genetic sequencing of the tumor to treat it at the molecular level.   

“I'm either going to be one of the first to be able to outrun a cancer like this, or I'm going to be one of the last to die from it,” Jobs told Isaacson in early 2011. “Either among the first to make it to share or the last to get dumped.”

Coretta Scott King

After fighting alongside husband Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the struggle for civil rights, Coretta Scott King faced a battle with ovarian cancer in 2005. The diagnosis came while recovering from a stroke.

Doctors in the United States gave her very little hope for successful treatment through conventional medicine. So, she traveled to a clinic in Mexico, hoping alternative medical options might provide more promise. 

Sadly, Mrs. King was unable to make it to the treatment given the advanced stage of her diagnosis and other health issues. She passed away at the clinic in 2005.

Steve McQueen

After making his film debut in 1953, Hollywood Legend Steve McQueen would go on to star in dozens of successful films and television shows. For more than two decades, McQueen made a name for himself as a rugged, tough guy on screen and in the Hollywood hills.

In 1979, doctors detected a cancerous mass on his lungs. McQueen's military career exposed him to asbestos, and a reported two-pack-per-day cigarette habit contributed to the mesothelioma that set up in his lungs.

McQueen and his medical team determined no conventional medical intervention could treat his cancer. He sought the opinion of alternative medicine practitioners, including a clinic in Juarez, Mexico. 

At the clinic, he was on a regimen of organic foods, high doses of vitamins, and intramuscular injection of animal cells. These increased the production of interferon, a protein that enables the body's natural defenses to ward off viruses and, presumably, fight cancer. 

Already weak from aggressive cancer, McQueen was recovering after surgery to remove a cancerous mass pressing on his lungs. He suffered an embolism that took his life less than one year after diagnosis.

Farrah Fawcett

In 2006 the Charlie's Angels star was diagnosed with Anal Cancer, a form of cancer caused by an anal infection of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). Fawcett's cancer went into remission following conventional treatment. But then cancer returned, so she turned to alternative therapies available in Germany.

Trying to avoid surgery that would require the use of a colostomy bag, she made six trips to Germany for treatments. Unfortunately, the disease spread to her liver during this time, and treatments became ineffective. She died of cancer in 2009.

Sharyn Wynters

Diagnosis: cancer and other health issues
Treatment: aggressive holistic diet and removal of toxins
Outcome: cancer survivor of more than 30 years

More than 30 years ago, Sharyn Wynters' life took a sharp turn after receiving some dire news about her health. She'd been Miss Pennsylvania, played a role in the original Batman television series, and was a successful fashion model. But then, in her 20s and with her career on the rise, she became a cancer patient.

Doctors painted a grim portrait of her future as they described the disease. Wynters, however, did not take this news with resignation. Instead, the career detour became a destination.

Instead of taking the absolute word of conventional medicine, Wynters was empowered to take control of the diagnosis. She began removing toxins from her household, cosmetics, clothing, foods, and even from the fillings in her teeth. Through whole-food and toxin-free living, Wynters saw her health slowly improve as she held cancer at bay.

During the course of recovery, she was immersed in the study of complementary medicine and became a practitioner herself, empowering others to take control of their health.

Lourdes Reynolds

Diagnosis: Hodgkin's lymphoma 2010
Treatment: vegan diet, aggressive lifestyle changes, complementary medicine
Outcome: survivor of more than a decade

At the height of her career, actress Lourdes Reynolds already had appeared in multiple television series and had recently landed an acting role on the CBS series Without a Trace. But in 2010, she also was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

She was given two options by her doctors: A) do nothing and let the cancer run its course or B) submit to conventional treatments that could include chemotherapy or radiation. Reynolds decided to pursue her own option: C) strengthen her own body’s ability to fight back by changing her lifestyle and her diet.

But instead of battling cancer behind the scenes and behind closed doors, Reynolds and her husband decided this battle was important to show the world, documenting step by step along the way of her treatment and recovery. The documentaries Create Option C and Option C chronicle Reynolds' life before cancer and the bold decision to forego conventional medicine.

She armed herself with knowledge about gene expressions, the mechanisms by which cancer “turns on.” She discovered research about the relationship between environment, diet, and lifestyle and the activation of certain gene expressions that produce abnormal cell growth. Through her vegan diet and a number of other radical changes in her day to day living, Reynolds has been successful in warding off what was once a death sentence.

Don Imus

Diagnosis: prostate cancer
Treatment: holistic medicine and dietary modifications
Outcome: lived for 10 years after diagnosis

A popular radio talkshow host of more than four decades, Don Imus was no stranger to controversy. And when diagnosed with Stage II prostate cancer in 2009, he embraced the controversy of a treatment regimen that veered away from conventional radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery in favor of a holistic approach.

Imus had struggled with alcoholism and had, in his final years, also suffered from emphysema. He had adopted a vegetarian diet in the early 1990s. Following his cancer diagnosis, he added such dietary items as habanero peppers and Japanese soy supplements.

For more than a decade Imus and his wife had hosted children with cancer at their New Mexico ranch, where these kids did manual labor and ultimately competed in a rodeo. Perhaps he decided that he’d rather fight cancer on his own terms – the way one might tame a horse, an animal Imus had both cherished and been injured by through the years. After 10 years, though, Imus succumbed to cancer in combination with other health issues.

Angie Lima

Diagnosis: breast cancer
Treatment: both conventional and complementary
Outcome: cancer survivor

When Angie Lima was diagnosed at 33 with breast cancer, she recalled stories of the grandfather she never met. He died of lung cancer before Angie was born. The chemotherapy and radiation he underwent ravaged and weakened his body; she vowed never to subject herself to these types of toxic treatment regimens.

As an avid and health-conscious athlete, Angie faced her diagnosis the way she faced any competitive challenge – with full attention and vigor. She pursued every possible holistic treatment possibility. This, of course, included a strict whole-food diet and incorporating essential oils, herbs, and other non-conventional treatments.

Eventually, though, she did use a number of other therapies including hypnotherapy, chemotherapy, IV therapy, immunotherapy, light therapy, and ultimately a mastectomy. She also maintains a strong faith in God as the ultimate healer of any disease.

Her cancer journey is chronicled in the documentary Hope for Breast Cancer.

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We’ve all been there, and it is the worst. Some of us just get up, pour a cup o’ joe, and tackle the day … only to be exhausted and reaching for more fuel by noon. Others stare at the ceiling, trying to will themselves back to dreamland (even if it’s only for a few precious hours).

Not only is sleep important for our well-being, but it is essential to get good quality sleep. If you’re tossing and turning throughout the night, one problem may be your body temperature. Research provides sufficient evidence that breast cancer patients are frequently deficient in achieving thermal comfort. In essence, they feel excessively hot or cold. [1]

So, if we spend one-quarter to one-third of our lives sleeping, shouldn’t we try to do it as peacefully and comfortably as possible? After all, your circadian rhythm – your 24-hour “internal clock” – knows when it’s time to get up and when it’s time to go to sleep. It’s just another example of listening to your body.

Let’s take a look at how temperature, the circadian rhythm, and cancer affects sleep patterns:

Why your body temperature matters 

Sleep looks like a passive state of being. However, many functions – those that promote well-being and are closely linked to our quality of life – do optimum work while the body is resting.

Are you the type who turns down the thermostat before bed to arctic temperatures with your fan blasting on high? Or are you the type who has not one, not two, but three blankets to keep you cozy?

Commonly people go to bed clothed and under their bedding, in turn, causing heat exposure. The research concludes that heat exposure can increase wakefulness during sleep stages. [2]

The thermal environment is a crucial determinant of sleep because thermoregulation is strongly linked to the mechanism that regulates sleep. Excessively high or low ambient temperature may affect sleep even in healthy humans without insomnia.

Furthermore, disturbed nocturnal sleep affects all aspects of daily life, not only daytime activities. It also is related to various adverse health effects, such as obesity, quality of life, and even mortality. These findings indicate that maintaining a comfortable thermal sleep environment is vital for sleep maintenance as well as daytime activities and health status. [3]

The importance of circadian rhythm

The hypothalamus, a portion of your brain, controls your circadian rhythm. Environmental components – temperature and light – are among the factors that control signaling to the hypothalamus that it is time to wake up or to go to bed. [4]

There seems to be a connection between melatonin suppression and the context of the circadian rhythm. [5] The pineal gland is a small pea-shaped gland found in your brain that regulates hormones, including melatonin, which plays a fundamental role in regulating circadian rhythm.

Once the sun goes down, the pineal gland is turned on and produces melatonin. As the melatonin in your blood rises, your body is signaled that it’s time to go to sleep. Research shows melatonin also has a significant impact on the immune system (immune cell trafficking and cytokine production), thus helping it manage and fight malignancies. [6]

A 2014 study found that a lack of sleep can cause cellular damage, DNA replication errors, and metabolic abnormalities. This provides a possible link between sleep loss and increased disease and cancer risk. [7] We know that cancer cells are abnormal and damaged, and are incapable of adequately controlling their growth and replication. Thus, taking care of our cellular health – including quality sleep – is essential.

Research on chronic irregular sleep is evident. Disrupted sleep has strong links to increased risk of breast, prostate, and thyroid cancers. [8-10] Changing your daily habits to make sure you are getting a sufficient amount of sleep is a short-term issue; you can efficiently resolve this to lower your cancer risks.

How sleep influences a cancer patient

Sleep is complicated, but when you add cancer to the mix, things get more involved.

Dr. Lois Krahn, who has been conducting research and clinical practice as a sleep medicine specialist for more than 20 years, estimates 75% of people with cancer have insomnia or another sleep disorder. A faculty member at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Krahn also notes 80% of cancer patients have fatigue.

“So many things are happening while we're asleep,” says Amanda Phipps, an epidemiologist and researcher at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. “It's a time when we most efficiently repair DNA damage. The body is also doing things like controlling the growth of cells, turning on certain genes, and switching off others, and promoting the immune system. [11]

“Sleep is a time for repair and restoration of our bodies, but it's more than just that,” Phipps adds. “It's also building up our immune systems so we can better protect ourselves during the day.”

Technology, tools to help you sleep better

Technology has come a long way, and it’s incredible to see all the tools available to help our everyday lives. Here are some great tools that may help you catch up on sleep. 

ChiliPAD: Ideally, our body’s core temperature should drop with our sleep-wake schedule. Many of us suffice with cranking down the thermostat or using fans. The chiliPAD sleep system consists of a hydro-powered mattress pad, thermal regulating control unit(s), and a remote, making it perfect for one or two sleepers. This system utilizes water and operates between 55-115°F (13-46°C), helping encourage quality, restorative sleep. [12] 

Weighted Blankets: Weighted blankets typically weigh between 5 and 30 pounds and mimic deep pressure stimulation, a therapeutic pressure technique. Anxiety can wreak havoc on your sleep. The research was done on the safety and effectiveness of 30-pound weighted blankets on 32 adults. The results revealed 63% reported lower anxiety, and 78% preferred the blanket as a calming modality. [13]

Ebb sleep with precision cool technology: Research shows that cooling the forehead (interface for your cerebral cortex) may help with insomnia. A study tested cerebral thermal transfer using a cap filled with tubes of circulating water on 12 patients with primary insomnia and 12 healthy patients. The patients with insomnia were able to sleep as well as healthy patients using the therapy. [14] Ebb sleep is a triple-layered headband that allows for ideal-temperature cooling to hit just the right spots of your head, to calm and enable deep sleep. 

There also are habits that can impact your sleep routine:

• Put away your phone and turn off the TV. It’s easier said than done, but try to avoid electronic devices that put off a bright light at least 1 hour before bed. (Also, use nighttime settings – a dimmer lighter – on your devices.)
• Do not share the bed with the family pet. Their sleep rhythms differ from ours, and when Fido is running in his dreams, it wakes you up. This can be very disruptive to your internal sleep clock, especially if this is happening daily.
• Caffeine should be avoided at least 6 hours before bed. 
• Alcohol is a known carcinogen, but if you are going to have that nightcap, try to do it at least 3 hours before bed. Alcohol can suppress melatonin and disrupt your circadian rhythm. [15]
• Late-night snacking and meals should be finished 2-3 hours before bed. That gives your digestive tract plenty of time to break down your food, in turn avoiding late-night heartburn and indigestion that can impact your sleep.

Conclusion

Sleep is essential to our overall health. You can feel it when you don't get enough sleep; you become groggy, tired, and irritable. That is just our body's way of saying, “Hey, I need sleep!”

Life stressors, including cancer and even cancer treatments, might be a contributing factor to why you are not getting enough shut-eye.

If you think you may have insomnia or another sleep disorder, it is essential to talk with your physician; there are options that can help.

FAQ’s

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We know what you’re thinking: We have lost our minds. But no, this is how our ancestors ate in the Paleolithic Era, which dates between 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago.

The Paleolithic diet (or the paleo diet) is also known by several monikers – caveman diet, hunter-gatherer diet, or stone-age diet. The idea behind the food is to mimic what our ancestors ate. So, you would eat what a hunter-gatherer would be able to find.

However, dietary habits have changed vastly over just the past century. (And they continue to get worse with the abundance of convenient and overly processed foods.) Plain and simple, we were not designed to eat like this.

The paleo diet is a way to throw it back, way back, to a time before McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Cheetos. Ditch those foods to get back to whole foods – fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins that our bodies crave and thrive off of.

The great thing about eliminating processed foods is you are no longer consuming the chemicals, additives, and preservatives in processed foods. Anything man-made is a “no go” on the diet. Hence, the menu tends to be a bit on the expensive side; you’re ditching cheap processed foods for whole, organic non-GMO foods.

Technically, the paleo diet is a low carb diet. It eliminates grains, starchy vegetables, and legumes. However, paleo is not as strict as the ketogenic and Atkins diets. You do not have to monitor ketones, macronutrients, carb count, or worry about the keto flu.

The paleo diet allows many of the fruits and vegetables not allowed on either keto or Atkins diets. You do not have to calculate daily macronutrients or track your carbohydrates. Instead, apples, bananas, carrots, and many other options that are too carb-dense for the other diets are OK to eat.

The paleo diet can be traced back to gastroenterologist Walter Voegtlin, who penned The Stone Age Diet in 1975. The modern version of the diet is thanks to Dr. Loren Cordain, who wrote The Paleo Diet in 2002.

The diet has a considerable following and remains one of the most popular diets today. A quick search produces hundreds of articles and blogs on paleo, including guides, meal plans, and more books. In fact, “paleo” had an average google search of 49,000 per month in 2019. 

What science says about paleo

The paleo diet encourages a whole food diet. It consists of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats. It’s no wonder why the paleo diet is healthy if done correctly. The food primes the body to prevent chronic health issues such as inflammatory/autoimmune disorders, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Inflammation is a huge factor when you are dealing with any chronic illness. “Worldwide, 3 of 5 people die due to chronic inflammatory diseases like stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, heart disorders, cancer, obesity, and diabetes.” [2] A recent study showed that the paleo diet, along with exercise, patients exhibited a promising reduction of inflammation after a 4-week period. [3]

 Research has shown the importance of the gut microbiome in supporting the body’s immune system. For context, combating and preventing inflammation supports a healthy gut microbiome.

“The human microbiome is composed of bacteria, archaea, viruses and eukaryotic microbes that reside in and on our bodies. These microbes have tremendous potential to impact our physiology, both in health and in disease. They contribute to metabolic functions, protect against pathogens, educate the immune system, and, through these basic functions, affect directly or indirectly most of our physiologic functions.” [4]

The spotlight on ‘urbanization'

According to Segata et al., “By contrasting the gut microbiomes of African hunter-gatherer and European subjects, a new study reveals that urbanization is associated with a loss of microbial organisms and genes. What will be the consequences of the lost biodiversity in the sanitized, western-diet world?” [5] This alludes to the idea that, over time, our continual dietary habit changes have decreased the amount of healthy bacterial populations in the GI tract microbiome.

When left unchecked, chronic inflammation and misregulated metabolic conditions can lead to more permanent diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that in 2020, 34.2 million people in the United States have diabetes. That is more than 1 in 10 people. [6] A 14-day study utilized the paleo diet to understand the effects on 14 patients with type 2 diabetes. The results were promising and included metabolic changes such as lowered triglycerides, improved glucose tolerance, and stable glucose levels. [7]

However, significant questions remain. Challenges to address from this study include long term effects of the paleo diet and the inability to continue the dietary regimen. Because the paleo diet is so restrictive, it may only be a short-term solution. Our paleolithic ancestors had significantly shorter life spans, so there may be some conflicting evidence on whether or not they were healthier in the long term. Thus, the study gives some perspective and future directions regarding possible links between changes in diet, metabolism, and chronic disease progression.

An indicator of metabolic disorders is high blood pressure. In fact, “the number of Americans at risk for heart attack and stroke just got a lot higher. An estimated 103 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure, according to new statistics from the American Heart Association. That’s nearly half of all adults in the United States.” [8]

“We’ve made incredible inroads in cardiovascular disease,” said Benjamin, a professor of cardiology at Boston University’s School of Public Health. “There’s a real focus on improving health by adopting a healthy lifestyle, not just waiting to develop disease before one focuses on risk factors.”

High blood pressure is a common metabolic condition that many people are treating daily with medications. To better understand the effects of nutritional changes on metabolism, a three-month randomized study was done on 13 patients with type 2 diabetes to compare the paleo diet and a diabetic diet.

In addition to positive changes in metabolism, the researchers found that patients on the paleolithic diet had improved blood pressure levels. [9] Whether you are taking a diuretic, beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor, or some other form of blood pressure medicine, a diet change may be able to help. (You should never change your dietary regimens or medications without consulting your physician first.)

Moderation and balance with the paleo diet

Chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders increase cancer risk. In some cases, as discussed above, diet showed promise when used as a tool to prevent progression on disease. However, the main problem with the paleo diet is the emphasis on meat.

“Based on at least six cohorts, summary results for the consumption of unprocessed red meat of 100 g day-1 varied from nonsignificant to statistically significantly increased risk (11% for stroke and for breast cancer, 15% for cardiovascular mortality, 17% for colorectal and 19% for advanced prostate cancer).” [10]

Examining the above evidence – due to the loose guidelines of the paleo diet – red meat potentially could cause harm to cancer patients. The paleo diet is also known to restrict some very healthy foods like legumes. This restriction may make it hard for vegetarians to incorporate and maintain the menu while keeping an optimal protein intake and getting a variety of micronutrients. Moderation and balance are essential with any diet, and there needs to be a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables incorporated to provide essential micronutrients.

Pluses:

• If you are not consuming processed foods, you are more likely to have a healthier lifestyle

Clinical studies have reported the following promising preliminary results:

• Lower triglycerides, improved glucose tolerance, and stable glucose levels, which is a great thing, especially if you have diabetes [7]
• Improved blood pressure [9]
• Reduces inflammation (anti-inflammatory) [3]
• Studies have also shown an increase in the microbiome, which promotes a healthy gut. [5]

Minuses:

• It can be costly
• Long-term commitment to the diet is difficult 
• Our ancestors had significantly shorter life spans so there may be some conflicting evidence on whether or not they were healthier long-term
• The paleo diet restricts some very healthy foods like legumes, which would make it extremely hard for vegetarians to maintain the diet
• The menu emphasizes meat products. High consumption of meat, especially red meat, increases mortality and colorectal cancer risk [11]

There are many ways to do the paleo diet since there are no strict guidelines. If approached the wrong way, however, the menu could potentially be unhealthy. Far from an end-all, be-all list, these are foods on a general paleo diet:

Paleo Diet Food List

•   Lean meat, such as chicken, turkey, pork, lean beef, and buffalo (bison)
•   Fish
•   Seafood
•   Fresh fruit
•   Non-starchy vegetables, such as lettuce, asparagus, green beans, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and spinach
•   Nuts, like almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, and pistachios (no peanuts)
•   Seeds, like pumpkin and sunflower
•   Eggs
•   Plant-based oils, such as olive, walnut, grapeseed, and coconut oil

What Can’t You Eat on the Paleo Diet?

• Grains, such as oats, wheat, barley, and rice — which means no cereal, bread, pasta, bagels, crackers, or granola bars
• Starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and corn, as well as potato and corn chips, tortillas, and popcorn
• Legumes or beans — so no peanuts or peanut butter; no soy foods, such as soy milk, tofu, or edamame; no hummus or beans of any kind
• Dairy products — so no milk, yogurt, cheese, or ice cream
• High-fat meats, such as salami, bologna, pepperoni, hot dogs, ground meat, rib roast, and ribs
• Sugars, such as in soda, honey, jam or jelly, syrup, candy, cakes, cookies, and sports drinks
• Processed foods or trans fats, such as doughnuts, french fries, fruit snacks, or macaroni and cheese
• Salty foods, such as crackers, chips, pretzels, soy sauce, added-salt foods, or sports drinks [12]

As always, it’s essential to work with your physician if you are making dietary changes, especially if you have an underlying health condition.

Conclusion

When compared to the current Standard American Diet (S.A.D), the paleo diet has promising attributes to encourage better eating habits. (The menu nixes convenient and overly processed foods.) Prevention is key with any chronic health issue. A better dietary regimen can prevent many metabolic diseases.

Studies have shown that the paleo diet has the potential to help with metabolic and some chronic disorders, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Still, the diet is not a“one size fits all” and could be potentially unhealthy. Overconsumption of red meat is a concern and can contribute to certain cancers like colorectal and prostate cancers. Long term effects of the paleo diet are also unknown.

If you have an underlying health condition, and plan to change your dietary habits, consult with your physician before making any changes.

FAQ

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