If you have cancer, however, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has the potential to further affect your already compromised immune system. Now is the time to ramp up your self-awareness.

Coronaviruses usually cause an upper-respiratory-tract illness, as you’d have with a cold, but not everyone will get sick. Still, like the flu virus, some people are more at risk, and more severe issues can develop.

With COVID-19, older adults and those with underlying health conditions seem to be at higher risk. These include patients with cancer (including those who have undergone a bone marrow transplant), cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney and lung diseases, and diabetes. However, we cannot predict to what degree of danger the virus, or any influenza virus, will be to the population. A deeper understanding of the biological and epidemiologic level is needed. [1]

“The early data from China, and reports from the ground in Italy and other sites of local transmission is that our cancer patients are going to be at increased risk,” said Dr. Steve Pergam, a clinical and infectious disease researcher at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. [2]

How to ‘flatten the curve' on COVID-19

Cancer Tutor spoke with two health care professionals on the front lines at one of the United States’ foremost cancer centers. One is an emergency room doctor, the other a nurse in the intensive care unit. Both spoke on the condition of anonymity and were not authorized to discuss the coronavirus publicly on behalf of the hospital.

“The concern for this virus is that a lot of people are asymptomatic for two weeks before feeling bad,” the ER doctor said. “Even if we’re young and healthy, even if there’s no concern for that person becoming critically ill from this virus, there’s a lot of common sense in social distancing. You could get [the coronavirus] from someone, not know that you have it, and be walking around for two weeks before you start to have flu-like symptoms. I think social distancing is smart.

“Just practice avoiding crowds. If you’re a cancer patient, still wear a mask, especially around grandchildren; they might be carriers of the virus.  Be very cautious about going out into public, mixing with a lot of other people.”

As the spread of coronavirus intensifies, researchers continue to chase a vaccine. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases announced March 16 that a Phase I trial had given a dose to its first participant. [3]

So, how did we reach the pandemic stage? One day we’re checking off our to-do lists, sitting in conference rooms, jetting around the country for business and pleasure. The next day, the president is surrounded by serious-looking faces telling us the coronavirus is “bad” rolling out a 15-day plan designed to flatten the curve of further infection.

COVID-19 Timeline

On Dec. 31, 2019, the World Health Organization’s China Country Office learned of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province, China. Authorities noted some of the patients were vendors in the Huanan seafood market.

A large hub that connects all regions of China via a major international airport and railways, Wuhan, China’s location played a role in the eventual spread of the coronavirus. Officials also note the outbreak came during the Chinese (Lunar) New Year, and the congregation of people celebrating enabled the virus to spread globally.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 outside of China came Jan. 13, 2020, in Thailand. The WHO called for active monitoring and urged other countries to prepare for the novel coronavirus. Ten days later, the outbreak had spread to Korea, Japan, and Singapore.

On Jan. 22-23, the WHO convened the Emergency Committee to examine the coronavirus outbreak. Considering COVID-19’s restrictive and binary nature, the committee decided it was too early to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

A week later, on Jan. 30, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the outbreak a PHEIC. The committee noted that early detection (testing), isolating and treating cases, contact tracing, and social distancing measures work to interrupt virus spread.

Emphasizing that the probability to contain the outbreak is “narrowing,” Dr. Ghebreyesus on Feb. 21 urged the international community to act quickly. “We must take advantage of the window of opportunity we have to contain the outbreak,” he said. “We don’t want to look back later and regret failing to act.” The world reached 100,000 cases on March 7.

On March 11, the WHO officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Dr. Ghebreyesus noted, “Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death. … We have never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. And we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled, at the same time.” [4]

Protect yourself from the coronavirus

The U.S. Center for Disease Control suggests everyday ways to help protect yourself: [5]

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
• If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
• Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
• Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)
• Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
• Avoid all non-essential travel, including plane trips, and especially avoid embarking on cruise ships.

Cancer patients with compromised immune systems take precautions with their everyday lives. “Our cancer patients are already so careful knowing they have a compromised immune system in the first place,” said the ICU nurse that Cancer Tutor interviewed said. “Already in the habit of washing their hands, getting away from sick people, staying away from crowds. If they have a fever, they’d go to the ER. They’re cautious with all of those things.

“The coronavirus attacks the lungs and causes lung inflammation, acute respiratory distress, and the possibility of respiratory failure,” the nurse added. “The big issue that hospitals are preparing for right now is the possibility of an overwhelming patient population that needs a ventilator. Most hospitals have 30 to 40 ventilators, and then if you do have a surge of people that are in acute respiratory failure and need to be on a ventilator, you’re going to have an issue with supply and demand.”

Furthermore, a study released in February – The SARS, MERS and novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemics, the newest and biggest global health threats: what lessons have we learned? – concluded that governments are not fully utilizing technology for mapping the spread of infections. [6]

While the worldwide distribution of vaccine doses increased from 262 million in 2004 to 486 million in 2015, only 5% of the doses distributed in ’15 were shared among Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia regions, which makes up 48.5% of the population surveyed.

Nutraceuticals to improve immunity

For COVID-19, a leading cause of death is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), caused by pro-inflammatory immune cells in the respiratory tract.

These immune cells are doing what they are supposed to do: fight the infection. However, the inflammation can be a life-threatening problem for some people.

Nutraceuticals – a food or dietary supplement believed to provide health benefits – have been shown to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and support the body’s functions. [7]

In recent years, nutraceuticals have become more prevalent because of their potential nutritional, safety and therapeutic effects.

There are nutraceuticals to combat COVID-19. These products help to reduce or shut off the body’s inflammatory immune response:

Curcumin

• Primary active ingredient in turmeric
• Potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects
• Interferes with viral cellular processes, prevents viral replication

Epigallocatechin Gallate (ECCG)

• A catechin (natural antioxidant) found in green tea
• Inhibits the binding of an essential viral protein to cell-surface molecules
• Binds to the viral envelope, inhibits transcription of the virus

Glutathione And N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

• An amino acid that helps the body replenish glutathione
• Glutathione is an antioxidant that strengthens cells and builds the immune system
• NAC also inhibits virus replication (fights off viral infections)
• Reduces inflammation in airways, acts as an expectorant

Melatonin

• Helpful for anti-inflammatory effects in the body
• May be effective at increasing immune function
• Decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)

• A fatty acid amide naturally produced when the body battles inflammation
• Relieves symptoms associated with influenza and the common cold

Quercetin

• A flavonoid with antioxidant benefits
• Helps reduce various kinds of inflammation
• As an antiviral, interacts with specific viral proteins, inhibits viral entry into cells

Specializing Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs)

• Derived from polyunsaturated fats (omega-3 fatty acids)
• Critical in switching off an inflammatory response

Vitamin C

• Ascorbic acid (aka ascorbate) is an antioxidant essential for the growth and repair of tissues
• Strengthens the capillaries that carry oxygen, nutrients to all parts of the body
• Vitamin C supplementation can prevent and treat systemic infections

Vitamin D3

• May decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines in lung tissue
• Triggers the release of peptides that destabilize the viral envelope
• Promotes respiratory health and immune system benefits

Vitamin B3 (Nicotinamide)

• Niacin is an antioxidant
• Helps regulate cholesterol levels
• Can potentially reduce lung inflammation by inhibiting the immune response of neutrophil infiltration into the lungs

Zinc

• An antioxidant that boosts immunity by reducing oxidative stress
• Vital in the function of T cells (white blood cells, a key to immunity)
• May help inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (proteins important in cell signaling)

‘Better to be safe than sorry'

“Influenza causes a huge preventable disease burden every year in all countries,” said lead author Dr. Abraham Palache. “Immunization with currently available safe and beneficial vaccines can reduce a considerable fraction of the annual influenza-associated disease and mortality burden. … Many patients suffer from preventable influenza-associated disease, including exacerbation of underlying noncommunicable diseases.”

Dr. Kathryn Edwards from the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, added, “These data suggest that we’re not reaching the influenza vaccine targets proposed by the WHO.

“Why are the poorest countries not putting their vaccination money into influenza vaccines? To have granular data from each country and the impact of influenza in each country would be helpful to convince policymakers of the importance of influenza. Deficiencies exist in knowing the burden of the disease and its impact in every country.”

We do not know which virus will cause the next pandemic. Likewise, we cannot rapidly develop and deploy a vaccine against a pandemic virus. We can, however, do our part to stem the tide against the spread of the coronavirus.

Unfortunately, this also applies to loved ones. Hospitals are implementing one-visitor rules during the pandemic. This can be hard on family members who may be anxious to see a loved one who is near death.

“Especially in an ICU setting where they're feeling really sick and possibly at the end of their life,” noted the ICU nurse. “They don’t understand because, ‘Oh well, they’re dying or toward the end of their life, we should all be able to come into the room.’ It’s doing more harm to the patient.

“It’s a lot of family and patient education regarding [COVID-19]. It is an airborne virus and anybody that has it, you can breathe in that space and they can catch it. People always think it will never happen to me until it does, so better to be safe than sorry with most things.”

More on COVID-19

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24693893

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28487207

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29976515

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29169772

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29941354

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32086938

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32083643

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32081636

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32083985

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32113704

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32091533

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32147628

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32150748

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32125132

The post What you should know about the coronavirus pandemic appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

However, not all clinical trials are created equal – and there are certain things to be conscious of when looking at the information.

At its core, a clinical trial is for research on people. These studies are the final step to help doctors find cutting-edge treatments. The work that began in laboratories – under microscopes and in animals – comes to fruition with human clinical trials.

For cancer, clinical trials are available for all stages of the disease. (This is a good thing. Lab work is substantial enough to move on to clinical trials, while animal and cell work continue as additional questions arise regarding the disease. The process has been vetted to the point of documenting the treatment with humans. This is where hope thrives!)

Clinical trials are underway with the end goal of developing better ways to find and diagnose cancer, to treat disease, and – most importantly – to prevent cancer. Other research is probing how cancer patients can manage the symptoms and side effects of treatments.

If you have just been diagnosed with cancer, consider joining a trial before starting treatment. This is a necessary talk to have with your doctor, who can give details on how quickly you need to make a decision about any treatment.

What is a clinical trial?

Generally, a medical doctor – the principal investigator – lays out a plan for the clinical trial. This plan is called a protocol, which details what is done during the process. Also discussed is the who, what, when, where, why, and how – the reason the research is needed, who and how many people can be part of the clinical trial, whether or not drugs or natural treatments are offered (this includes dosing and how often), which type cancer and a particular organ system(s) is being addressed, the institution(s) conducting the study, when the study begins and ends, the timing of treatment and intervention, plus follow-up. This is the nuts and bolts of the process.

The protocol is detailed; it is the foundation on which the research will stand. Successful cancer treatments – including safety and efficacy – are built on clinical trials, and these studies help improve quality of life. (Note: Protocol summaries use medical language to describe and detail the clinical trial. If you do not understand the language or have questions, talk with your healthcare provider.)

After you enter a clinical trial, it is paramount to follow the protocol and the doctor’s instructions. The knowledge gleaned from the research will improve care across the board with today’s and tomorrow’s cancer patients.

Also, not all clinical trials are focused on drugs or natural treatments. Ongoing research is examining new ways to do surgery or to give radiation therapy. There also are clinical trials that use a combination of treatments as well as prevention trials and survival studies. As with all your cancer care, discuss options with your healthcare provider.

Understand that not every clinical trial has the same criteria. A specific type or stage of cancer may disqualify you. Also, you may be disqualified from a clinical trial due to particular kinds of past treatment you may or may not have pursued. Other factors may include your age, medical history, current health, or even specific genetic changes in your tumor.

Phases of a clinical trial

Before treatment is ready for humans, scientific researchers do testing (in vitro and in vivo) with animals to gather information on efficacy and toxicity as well as the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of the drug.

There are four major phases to a clinical trial. The criteria outlined in each protocol (and each phase) is specifically designed to ensure patient safety and accurate study results. The research will dictate whether a protocol becomes standard:

PHASE 1
The purpose of the first phase is to find a safe dosage (often subtherapeutic but with ascending doses), decide how the new treatment is administered, to see how the new treatment fights cancer and its effect on the body, including side effects from the treatment. There are generally 20 to 100 people involved in Phase 1, which typically lasts several months to 1 year.

PHASE 2
The second phase determines if the new treatment’s therapeutic dose has an effect on specific cancer and how it affects the body. Participants in Phase 2 ranges from 100-300 people and this lasts for up to 2 years.

PHASE 3
This stage is where large amounts of data are collected. Because there could be between 300 and 3,000 people involved, the information from Phase 3 can be substantial (and that’s a game-changer). The purpose of this phase is to compare the use of the new treatment against the current standard and could last several years.

PHASE 4
The fourth phase is ongoing after a protocol is approved, tracking safety to determine if there are long-term side effects.

If you are chosen to participate in a clinical trial, you will be randomly assigned to either:

• The control group, which will get the standard treatment for your cancer.
• The investigational group, which will receive the new protocol (the alternative treatment alone or combined with the conventional treatment).

Your doctor will explain how some clinical trials will implement randomization to prevent bias. The bias is a result of individual choices (or other factors not related to the test protocol). Randomization is a way to block unknown factors from affecting the clinical trial results.

“Placebo” – a harmless pill, medicine, or procedure – is another word you will come across while researching clinical trial treatments. A placebo is prescribed more for the psychological benefit to the patient than for any physiological effect. Placebos also help prevent bias in research.

There are federal rules that govern clinical trials. The regulations address patient rights and safety as well as ensure the testing is run and overseen ethically. As a patient, you are protected by an “informed consent” in addition to the review and approval of the clinical trial by a scientific review panel and an institutional review board.

Informed consent lays out the purpose, risks, and benefits of a clinical trial. This information is provided before deciding whether to take part in the clinical trial. (Note: Even after you sign the consent form, you can leave the study at any time.)

The review panels are made up of experts who review the clinical trial protocol from start to finish. If it is government-funded, the trial must go through this review. The government-funded institutional review board generally consists of at least five people. However, clinical trials conducted by drug companies do not have the same evaluation although many do pursue advice from experts on the scientific merit of their results.

Data and safety monitoring boards – most often used in Phase 3 clinical trials – also are part of the safety process. DSMBs are independent experts whose role is to ensure risks are reduced as much as possible, certify that the data are sound, and check that the trial’s objectives have been met (or to stop the trial if risks arise).

How much does a clinical trial cost?

A clinical trial has two types of costs: patient care and research. Patient care costs – doctor visits, hospital stays, conventional cancer treatments, lab testing, X-rays, etc. – often are covered by your health insurance.

Research costs typically are not covered by health insurance but may be paid for by the clinical trial sponsor. The costs would include the protocol treatment, lab tests for research purposes, or X-rays solely for the trial. You also may have additional doctor visits not associated with standard care. (Also, don’t overlook everyday expenses – transportation, child care while you’re at the doctor’s office, meals, etc.)

As you weigh the cost, also consider the pros and cons. Yes, clinical trials offer high-quality care – but you may not receive the new treatment. Still, the standard treatment may be as good (or better) than what’s being researched. You may experience side effects with the protocol – or you could be among the first to benefit from the new cancer treatment.

Key questions before making a decision

Deciding to participate in a clinical trial is not a knee-jerk reaction. Thought and consideration are important. Being involved in a trial takes dedication – making the commitment to follow the protocol exactly as it is laid out is of utmost importance – and it can be time-consuming. It also may be costly.

Be sure you are well-versed with the answers to these discussion points:

• Objective: Does the clinical trial’s purpose align with your treatment goals.
• Eligibility: Does your cancer diagnosis/state of health match the trial’s eligibility criteria?
• Investigator: Who will be overseeing the trial, and will we be in contact through the trial?
• Location: Is the trial near you? How often will you need to receive treatment during the trial?
• Length: How long will the trial last? Will it be a major time commitment? Are you and your family prepared?

Once you have decided on pursuing a clinical trial, seek answers to these questions:

• Has this protocol been tested before?
• What are the possible risks, side effects, and benefits?
• Is long-term follow-up care part of this trial?
• If I benefit, will I continue receiving treatment after the trial ends?
• Will the research results be given to me?

How to find a clinical trial

The discussion for locating a clinical trial that’s right for you should begin with your doctor. Your health care provider knows the ins and outs of your particular case. He can provide insight into a clinical trial that would be best for you. Doctors also can help search for a trial, answer questions you have about the trial, even provide insight on a particular trial.

Then, seek a second opinion. It’s always best to get another viewpoint about treatment options.

If you are searching for a clinical trial on your own, there are details about your cancer diagnosis that are important. (Remember: Not all trials are equal and not every trial is for any cancer patient.) Get the details for the clinical trial before making a decision. The eligibility criteria are non-negotiable with the protocols.

When searching for clinical trials, note whether nonprofit organizations or for-profit groups fund it. Hospitals and cancer center researchers also conduct clinical trials. Regardless of which list you find, know it is not all-encompassing. No site lists all available clinical trials. Also, the amount of information about particular clinical trials may vary. Bottom line: Do your homework before making a decision.

The clinicaltrials.gov database is part of the National Library of Medicine and lists clinical trials for cancer. It features the National Cancer Institute, pharmaceutical, and biotech companies’ trials.

The post Clinical trials: diagnosing, treating, preventing cancer appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is 89.7 percent. [1] That means that of all people who have breast cancer, about 90 of every 100 are living five years after diagnosis. Conversely, 10 of every 100 are dead within five years of a breast cancer diagnosis.

2019 Cancer Facts & Figures

Overall survival rates factor all ages and health conditions — people who have been diagnosed with a specific type of cancer, including those diagnosed very early (Stage I) and late (Stage IV). Your doctor can give you more particular statistics based on your stage of cancer.

Also, overall survival rates do not specify if patients are still undergoing treatment at five years. They may be in remission.

“I always tell my patients that it is important to look at survival statistics on the population level in order to know what we are dealing with, but it is equally important to realize that those statistics do not necessarily apply to them.”

Dr. Jonathan Stegall

Other types of survival rates for specific information include:

•    Disease-free survival rate – the number of people who have no evidence of cancer after treatment.

•    Progression-free survival rate – the number of people who have been treated for cancer and either has no signs of cancer recurrence or who have the disease that has remained stable without growing.

“It is important to discuss what 5-year survival means,” said Dr. Jonathan Stegall, founder of The Center for Advanced Medicine. “In the oncology world, 5-year survival measures the percentage of patients who are still alive five years from the date of diagnosis. It does not mean that they are cancer-free, and it does not say that they are entirely healthy. Instead, it merely means that they have not died from cancer (or any other cause) in the five years since diagnosis.

“Survival rates can be further broken down. For example, cancer-specific survival looks at the percentage of patients with a particular type of cancer and also can be broken down to look at survival rates for each stage of the disease. Using the 5-year survival statistic for breast cancer, we see that Stage 0 or Stage I breast cancer has a 5-year survival rate of nearly 100 percent.

“For Stage II breast cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 93 percent, while for Stage III breast cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 72 percent.

“Stage IV breast cancer has a 5-year survival rate of approximately 22 percent. Thus, when we look at survival rates for cancer, it is important to be as specific as possible with regard to cancer type and cancer stage since some cancers have very poor survival rates while others have very good ones.”

The 5-year survival rate does not mean cancer cannot recur beyond five years. You should talk to your doctor regarding which cancers are more likely to return.

How are cancer survival rates used?

Survival statistics may be used to: [2]

Understand your prognosis

The experience of other people in the same situation can give you and your doctor an idea of your prognosis. There may be a good chance your cancer can be treated, considering your overall health and age.

Develop a treatment plan

You also can compare how others responded to treatment with the same type of cancer. This is vital information for you and a doctor to discuss — however, no two people will react exactly the same! (Remember: Side-effects affect people differently.) It is essential to address the treatment plan; it is imperative that you choose a regimen that is best for your individual situation.

What overall cancer survival rates cannot tell you

Overall cancer survival stats are based off thousands of patients. None of them are in an identical situation as you, other than they have a particular type of cancer. The statistics should not dissuade you from considering a treatment. The stats do not represent your chance for remission. … In fact, many people choose to ignore the survival statistic.

Your lifestyle, habits, and other medical conditions are unique. To this end, your chance for remission may be higher than the statistics suggest.

Again, your doctor can diagnose you to weed out information that is not pertinent to your individual situation. Just as cancer should not define you, neither should overall cancer survival statistics.

These survival rates cannot:

Provide information on the most recent treatments. There is ongoing research that could be making information from five years ago irrelevant. Keep in mind that today's research will not impact survival stats for at least five years.

Tell you which treatments to choose. That's up to you and your doctor. For some people, the treatment with the most excellent chance for remission is the one they'll want. However, do consider cost, treatment schedule, and side effects.

Should you ignore cancer survival rates?

It's up to you to dig into the 5-year survival rates — but know these stats cannot tell you about an individual situation. Confounding factors in this group include age, ethnicity, tumor mutation status, cancer stage (unless otherwise specified), lifestyle, overall health, treatments, etc. Also, genders are usually kept separate.

The statistics also may seem impersonal, or not helpful. Still, other people want to learn everything they can about their cancer; they may choose to know all the pertinent statistics.

“I always tell my patients that it is important to look at survival statistics on the population level in order to know what we are dealing with, but it is equally important to realize that those statistics do not necessarily apply to them.” Dr. Stegall said. “Many factors contribute to treatment outcomes, and many of those are directly in the patient’s control.”

Knowing more about your cancer can reduce anxiety. As you analyze options before treatment, overall cancer survival statistics can be confusing. Do not be frightened.

If you only want to know the “big picture,” request your doctor not to discuss detailed stats. Likewise, if you're going to get into the minutiae of the numbers, discuss this with your healthcare provider. Regardless of which way you choose, talk to your doctor.

The post Understanding 5-year cancer survival rates appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

Everybody has the answer — and yes, it is confusing. But understand this: What works for your neighbor may not be the best diet for you.

I’m a meat-and-potatoes guy. I like love bread. I love fruits and veggies, too. I’m probably a lot like you. And we know that we could (should?) eat better than we do.

A 2018 study published in American Family Physician noted, “Recommending an eating style can help patients make positive change. Dietary patterns that support health … have benefits that include prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity.” [1]

However, nutrition is minimally addressed in healthcare. Yet, healthcare is paramount when fighting cancer.

Nearly half (49 percent) of global respondents — 30,000 online responses in 60 countries — in Nielsen’s 2015 Global Health & Wellness Survey consider themselves overweight, and a similar percentage (50 percent) is actively trying to lose weight. And they’re doing so by making more healthy food choices.

Between 2011 and 2014, the number of North American respondents following a low-carb, high-fat diet (23 percent) increased 10 percentage points. While the low-carb movement appears to be gaining momentum in North America, we still trail Asia-Pacific, where 34 percent of respondents — the highest of any region — say they follow a low-carb, high-fat diet to lose weight. [2]

Eating smaller portions to lose weight is most popular in North America (49 percent). The percentage of respondents who are eating fewer processed foods also is highest in North America (46 percent).

Foods with all natural ingredients and those without genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are each considered very important to 43 percent of global respondents — the highest percentages of the 27 attributes included in the study. Also, about 4 in 10 say the absence of artificial colors (42 percent) and flavors (41 percent) and foods made from vegetables/fruits (40 percent) are very important.

Also, consumers are looking for functional foods that provide benefits that can either reduce their risk of disease and/or promote good health. Thirty-six percent of global respondents rate foods that are high in fiber as very important, and about 3 in 10 seek foods that are high in protein (32 percent), have whole grain (30 percent) or are fortified with calcium (30 percent), vitamins (30 percent) or minerals (29 percent) to fulfill their nutritional needs.

If you are looking to emphasize fresh, whole ingredients and minimize processed foods for overall wellness, a plant-based diet does precisely that.

The basic principles of a plant-based diet (PBD) are that it focuses on whole, minimally processed foods — whole grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts should make up the majority of what you eat — and limits animal products. A PBD also excludes refined foods, like added sugars, white flour, and processed oils.

A plant-based diet is rooted in food quality, promoting locally sourced, organic food whenever possible.

The Vida Center   The VIDA Protocol

A plant-based diet and cancer

Obviously, a healthy diet and lifestyle help in the fight against cancer — whether treating it or in reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.

• The Vegetarian Diets and the Incidence of Cancer in a Low-risk Population study revealed that vegetarian diets were associated with a significantly lower risk of gastrointestinal cancer. [3]
• The Vegetarian Dietary Patterns and the Risk of Colorectal Cancers study found that people who followed vegetarian diets had a 22 percent lower risk of developing colorectal cancer than non-vegetarians. [4]
• The same study also notes that pescatarians (vegetarians who eat fish) had the greatest protection from colorectal cancer — a 43 percent reduced risk compared to non-vegetarians. [5]

In addition to lowering the risk of certain types of cancer, a plant-based diet also may reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, as well as aid in slowing cognitive decline.

Emotional benefits of going vegan

Many people talk about the physical benefits of going vegan, as well as environmental benefits. These are important to consider, but don’t forget about your own mental health.

Emotional and mental benefits are not often talked about, but just might be what helps you to stick with this way of eating and stay motivated to see it through long-term.

Reduce stress about dieting

Do you know what happens when you switch to a new way of eating and no longer have to yo-yo diet? You lose a lot of that diet stress. By committing to a plant-based diet, you will soon discover that you can naturally maintain your weight just by sticking to a whole, plant-based diet. No more counting calories or carbs, or going on an extremely restricting diet. As long as everything you eat is fresh, plant-based food, you don’t have to worry too much about what you are eating. Of course, there are always exceptions, but more often than not, all that crazy diet stress goes right out the window.

Studies have shown a reduction in anxiety

There have been studies that look at the mental health of people on a prolonged vegan or plant-based diets and found something fantastic – it really helps with your anxiety, mood swings, and stress levels. This can be from any number of things, from no longer eating hormones that were in the meat you were eating, to mood stabilization from reducing dairy and having many more vitamins and minerals thanks to all the veggies and whole grains. You probably eat far less packaged, frozen, and processed food now as well, which can definitely help with your mood and reduced mental health issues.

You feel healthier all around

Don’t rule out the benefit of just feeling better and healthier all around. Being on a plant-based diet can help with a lot of your gut issues, especially if you had an allergy to meat or shellfish, or to dairy, which is very common. You won’t be as bloated anymore not having all that milk in your body. Many people also notice their mental health and confidence improve because they know all the benefits of being on a vegan diet. You understand the health benefits for yourself and the environment, and your morals are no longer in question every time you eat an animal-based product. This can do wonders for your own mental health and wellness.

How to start your plant-based diet

Any time you switch to a new way of eating, it can be a significant process. However, when you make a big switch like going entirely plant-based and vegan, it often feels very intimidating.

Simplify the process. Some of the first things to do when transitioning to more of a plant-based way of eating:

Know why you are going vegan

You should always start a plant-based or vegan diet by understanding your own motives. There is no wrong way to choose this way of eating but think about the main benefits and your own personal motivation. Even though you know it is excellent for the environment, this might not be your personal reason — and that’s OK. But to stay motivated, you have to find your reason for going plant-based, whether it is for physical health, better skin, longevity, or moral reasons.

Vegetables should be the star

Before you transition fully to a plant-based diet, start adding more plant-based foods in. Do this slowly instead of going straight to a vegan diet. Don’t take anything away just yet, but just add in more vegetables to each meal. If you’re making mac and cheese for lunch, make it with loads of broccoli. If you love spaghetti, put more veggies in your sauce. Love eggs? Make a scramble with onions, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Make vegetables the star of every meal, gradually having more vegetables and fewer meat products every day.

Transition slowly with plant-based foods you enjoy now

When you begin transitioning to a plant-based diet, first make a list of vegan foods you eat now that you enjoy a lot. These will be the first foods you come to rely on, though you will also add more nuts and seeds, grains, legumes, beans, and vegetables, to ensure you are getting adequate nutrition. Maybe you love spaghetti squash soup, or your favorite salad dressing is oil and vinegar. This is great news because these are plant-based foods! Start here before venturing out and trying new things.

Learn about nutrients you need

Finally, make sure you are aware of the nutrients you need to focus on with your vegan meals. When you eat an animal-based diet, you get a lot of your iron, calcium, and protein from meat and dairy, but this is different when you are consuming all plant-based foods. You can still get the nutrients you need, but you need to be even more careful with having a balanced diet. This includes understanding what foods contain all the vitamins and minerals you need, like adding a combination of vegetables and fruits with whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes and beans, and other ingredients.

How to eat whole and clean plant-based foods

As you embark on your healthy journey and decide to follow a plant-based diet, don’t try to stick to the same processed and packaged foods. It is so much better for your health if you can eat clean, whole foods, and they are better for the environment as well.

Here are some tips for eating a whole, plant-based diet:

Beans, lentils, and grains

If you want to go more whole and clean plant-based with your vegan diet, start by purchasing these food items in the bag. This means no more boxes of rice that you throw in the microwave. Instead, you will buy big bags of rice in bulk, rinse and soak them, and cook them over the stove or in your rice cooker. The same can be said for all sources of grains, beans, lentils, and oats. This will save you money, and while it takes a little longer, they are easy to prep in bulk for meals.

Avoid packaged and processed foods

Another way to ensure you are eating as clean and whole as possible is by avoiding anything that is processed. What this means is avoiding most of the canned, boxed, and bagged foods. There are some exceptions like buying rice or grains in bags, but for the most part, try to stay away from stuff that comes in a can. Make as much as you can from scratch with fresh ingredients, and you will be on the right track.

Get fresh or frozen produce

Produce makes up a large amount of plant-based food, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Try to get it as fresh as you can if you want to follow a clean, vegan lifestyle. If you’re going to save some money, check out local farmer’s markets and community supported agriculture (CSAs), as this provides local produce that is often much cheaper than traditional supermarkets. If you can’t get all fresh produce, the next best thing is to get it frozen. Just avoid anything that is in a can or jar, as this often includes added sugar and preservatives, and might not be considered clean.

Cook everything at home

While you can find healthy, vegan options when you go out to certain restaurants, there is really no telling what they put into their food and how fresh their ingredients are. If you can’t be certain it is clean, you are better off cooking as much as you can at home. This will also save you money and ensure all ingredients are entirely plant-based.

How to get calcium in your diet without dairy

When you can’t have dairy, whether because of a dairy allergy or you have gone entirely plant-based, you will need to find alternative sources for many nutrients. This includes calcium, which you might have gotten primarily from milk and cheese before.

Luckily, there are plenty of great dairy-free sources of calcium:

Dairy-free milk

The first way to get more calcium without dairy is to drink milk! Instead of drinking milk from animals like cows or goats, you are going to look at dairy-free alternatives. The simplest way is to choose nut milk like almond milk or go with rice or soy milk. These options provide about 30 to 50 percent of your daily requirement for calcium in just 8 ounces ñ which is really easy to fit into your day.

Beans and legumes

Since you will be eating a healthy amount of beans and legumes to stay full throughout the day while on a plant-based diet, they are great to use as a calcium source. For example, navy beans provide about 65 mg of calcium in one serving, while pinto beans have about 50 mg of calcium. You can also get a healthy amount of calcium with tofu, which has between 80 and 150 mg, depending on the type of tofu you get.

Fruits and vegetables

Plenty of fruits and vegetables contain calcium and are really easy to add to your different meals and snacks. For example, oranges not only give you Vitamin C, but 1 cup of oranges has 70 mg of calcium. For vegetables, enjoy turnip greens, mustard greens, collard greens, broccoli, edamame, kale, and bok choy. Looking for something sweet? Dried figs have 120 mg of calcium in about 1 cup. Figs are great because they are sweet like fruit, but they don’t spoil as quickly. You can bring a container of them on road trips, to work or school, or keep at home for when you want a quick, sweet snack that will also give you a nice healthy boost of calcium.

As you can see, it is simple to add in more calcium to your diet, without ever having to worry about not including milk. From using almond and soy milk in your cereal or coffee to enjoying vegetables like bok choy and greens, you are going to get the nutrients you need with a well-balanced, vegan diet.

The top five plant-based foods with iron

Whether you have been a vegan for a while or are just starting, you might notice that your typical diet doesn’t have as much iron.

In addition to an iron supplement, there also are some great plant-based foods with high iron content:

Nuts and seeds

Start with your nuts and seeds, which are so easy to add to meals and snacks. You can just munch on your favorite nuts, like cashews or walnuts to get more iron or have iron-rich seeds on salads and in Buddha bowls, like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds. Another nut with iron? Pistachios. These are always a fan favorite.

Vegetables

Your diet will consist of plenty of vegetables, but when you want iron, you should be sure you pick the right balance. For more iron in your diet, vegetables like collard greens, swiss chard, and tomato are going to be great for you.

Grains

The next category of foods with iron is grains. You will eat many grains while on a plant-based diet. These are going to bulk up your meals and help you feel full — even by changing to a vegan lifestyle. Some great grains that are delicious and iron-rich are oats, brown rice, quinoa, and fortified cereals.

Legumes

If you have been plant-based for a while, you probably already eat a large number of legumes, whether as a side dish to the main course, in a rice bowl, or a Buddha bowl. Legumes with iron are soybeans, tofu, tempeh, lima beans, and lentils. Make up a bowl of chili with legumes, have some tofu as your main course, or have a probiotic-rich meal with tempeh.

Tofu

We already talked about tofu, but this really does deserve its own category. It is effortless to cook, picks up any seasoning or flavor it is cooked with and goes with just about everything. It is the perfect meatless option for main courses and side dishes, plus it has iron and other nutrients.

Don’t forget Vitamin C

Iron is a tricky supplement because you often need a booster to enhance how much your body is able to absorb. For this reason, it is a great idea to incorporate Vitamin C foods (or a supplement) into your regular routine to be sure you absorb as much iron as possible. Some great sources of Vitamin C include pineapple, citrus fruit, brussels sprouts, strawberries, and broccoli.

High-protein vegan food ideas

If you are on a vegan diet or just thinking about transitioning to a plant-based diet, one of the nutrients you need to focus on is your protein. Many people on standard diets will get most of their protein from meat and dairy, but that doesn’t mean they are your only options.

A lot of healthy, vegan food has all the protein you need each day:

Lentils

First up, you have your lentils. Lentils, beans, and legumes are popular options on a plant-based diet since they provide a lot of nutrients you might be missing from your new vegan diet. Lentils are a fantastic source of protein, with about 8.84 grams of protein for just 1 cup. If you have a cup or more or combine them in a bowl with other protein-rich foods, you have yourself a protein-dense meal. As an added benefit, lentils will also provide you with iron, fiber, and potassium.

Chickpeas

A similar protein source is chickpeas. In fact, it is not uncommon to have a bowl or dish with chickpeas and lentils, along with other beans and legumes, and lots of healthy vegetables, and maybe even some nuts and seeds as well. With chickpeas, 1 cup provides you a little more than 7 grams of protein. The great thing about chickpeas is that you can eat them cold or cooked in something, in a salad, and of course by making your own hummus.

Almonds

If you are a fan of nuts and seeds, add in some almonds to your meals and snacks! You can have a handful of almonds as a snack, top slivered almonds to your soup or salads, or made your own almond butter to dip other fruits and vegetables in. While many nuts contain protein, almonds are one of your best options. You will get over 16 grams of protein in just Ω cup of almonds, not to mention all the other nutrients these give you.

Tofu

When you are on a plant-based diet, sometimes you want the main course that resembles a look or flavor to meat, without actually having meat. This is where tofu comes in. It can be intimidating at first, but it is loaded with protein and other vitamins and minerals and takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with. You are going to get about 10 grams of protein for each 1 cup of tofu you have.

Inexpensive plant-based meals and snacks

Are you interested in developing a more plant-based diet, but are concerned about the costs? If so, we are here to help. You don’t need to spend twice as much on groceries just because you are following a vegan lifestyle.

Here are some meal and snack ideas that will allow you to stick to your food budget:

Get out your slow cooker

If you have a slow cooker, it is going to become your new best friend. Not only will it allow you to make large meals with food items you purchase in bulk, but it helps to save you time on preparing food as well. If you tend to dip into your food budget for last-minute trips to vegan-friendly restaurants, you definitely will save money by prepping meals beforehand. With a slow cooker, you can easily make big batches of vegetable soup with whatever veggies are in season, or by making big pots of beans, rice, or vegan chili.

It doesn’t get cheaper than pasta

This is such a cheap and straightforward way to have a meal at home. Buy bags of vegan pasta in bulk as well as some jars of tomato sauce. You can use the sauce right from the jar if you’re in a hurry, or add stuff to it, like seasoning and more vegetables to bulk up your meal. Pasta and sauce usually are on the lower side of your budget, or you can make your own sauce to save even more when tomatoes are on sale.

Inexpensive breakfast ideas

If you aren’t sure what to have for breakfast while on a budget, you’re in luck! There are actually a lot of really cheap ideas available. The first is a child favorite — cereal with nut milk. If you buy the big bags of vegan cereal when on sale, it can last a while (mainly when you stick to just one serving for breakfast).

If that isn’t what you are interested in, try overnight oats. A big container of oats doesn’t cost much considering how much you get. You make overnight oats the night before so that it is a convenient grab-and-go breakfast each morning. There are many ways to prepare them, from adding cinnamon and sugar, to fruit like bananas and strawberries. Also, increase the protein by adding some peanut butter.

Easy tips for traveling while on a plant-based diet

One of the lifestyle changes you will need to make when you switch to a plant-based diet is related to traveling. You cannot just eat whatever the airplane provides or stop by any restaurant or cafe.

While many places offer vegan options, generally they are still limited. Here are some tips for traveling while on a plant-based diet:

Do your research first

Before you start traveling, do as much research as you can. You are looking at all the cities you will visit, as well as what your airplane is going to serve, if there is food at your hotel (and
what kind), and what restaurants are around. Don’t just look at restaurants near your hotel, since you are probably going to explore the city. Look around town, near tourist spots you want to visit and make sure you look up their menus for vegan options. If you are going on a road trip, look at any stops along the way that have plant-based options.

Bring your own snacks

When all else fails, having some vegan snacks with you will help with any situations that might arise. Plus, these are great to have with you on road trips when you’re not sure where all the convenience stores are. Some snacks that travel well include fruit like bananas, apples, and pears. You can bring bags of your own homemade trail mix, granola, or some vegan protein bars. Packets of nuts and seeds are another excellent option.

Tell your host about your diet

If you are staying with family or friends, let them know ahead of time that you are on a plant-based or vegan diet. They don’t need to change all their meals just for you, but it does help them when meal planning to at least have a few meatless options that you will enjoy.

Find out what the plane is serving

This is absolutely essential if you are going on a long trip on an airplane. If the flight is just a few hours, you could always find something to eat at the airport or a restaurant near there. However, longer trips require you to eat onboard, so unless you can bring enough food with you, you will need to choose from onboard menu items. When selecting your airline, look to see which have the best food options, and always be prepared with snacks just in case the vegan options sell out.

Easy meal ideas for the new vegan

Are you brand new to a plant-based, vegan lifestyle? If so, you might be overwhelmed not with the food choices themselves, but with all the cooking and preparing that is required. It is definitely a difference when you can’t just grab anything you want from the local grocery store or convenience store, but that doesn’t mean you are spending hours a day cooking. Take a look at these simple, low-effort meal ideas for plant-based diets.

Rice bowl

The simplest meal you can make when you are on a plant-based diet is a rice bowl. This is aside from a salad of course. But when you want a warm meal, you really can’t go wrong with a bed of rice or grains topped with your favorite veggies, nuts, and seeds. There are many ways to go about this. You can make it really simple with brown rice, topped with roasted butternut squash, chickpeas, carrots, and your favorite vegan sauce.

Another option is to do a mix of rice and quinoa for even more fiber and protein, with any of your leftover mixed veggies and some black beans. Get creative and throw all your favorite foods together.

Baked potatoes

When you go vegan, baked potatoes take on a whole new meaning. No longer are they the side dish to an animal protein source, but the main course! This makes it a lot of fun since there are so many ways to top a baked potato. If you miss your old baked potato with cheese and bacon bits, look for the vegan versions of them! Otherwise, you can just top it with anything and everything, like hummus and veggies, beans and lentils, even fried tofu! This is another easy meal that pretty much only uses up all your leftovers.

Chili

Chili might seem like a hassle, but when you use your slow cooker, it is incredibly easy to do. Vegan chili is really just about adding all the ingredients and turning on your slow cooker. When you aren’t browning meat beforehand, this is made even easier. The only real prep work you have is measuring out spices and chopping any veggies you intend to add. You can throw in your choice of beans, vegetables, onions, garlic, and any of your favorite chili spices. Turn on the slow cooker and let it cook for as long as you want.

More options

There are plenty of other vegan meal options that won’t take a lot of time and effort. This might include putting together a vegetarian sandwich or wrap with hummus and your choice of veggies or using a bag of frozen vegetables with your favorite vegan jarred sauce and microwave rice.

Tips for raising plant-based kids

It is one thing to follow a plant-based diet on your own, but when you want your kids also to be plant-based, it might take a different method. This is especially true if they have been eating meat and dairy previously, but you want to transition them more into vegan options. Here are some easy tips for raising plant-based kids.

Feed them plant-based foods they love

Don’t try to switch your kids to anything but plant-based foods just yet and don’t introduce new foods right away. Start by giving them more of the vegan foods they already eat that they love. This might be a selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, vegetarian chili with loads of beans and veggies, or pasta with a tomato sauce that doesn’t contain any meat in it. You can start gradually adding more of the plant-based foods they love, with some new ones you want them to try.

Using fruit to sweeten up meals

Kids love sweet foods, so fruit is the best thing when switching them to a plant-based diet. Instead of candy which is not only loaded with sugar but often animal products like gelatin and dairy, you can instead give them their sweet cravings with healthy, fresh fruit. It contains all natural sugar and is a great way to show them how yummy a vegan diet can be.

Focus on proper nutrients

It is essential that you make sure your kids are getting all the vitamins and minerals they need to grow big and strong. When switching to a plant-based diet, this just means a proper balance of nutrients with each meal. Focus on adding fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and beans and legumes. This combination ensures their meals and snacks have all the calcium, vitamins, electrolytes, iron, protein, and zinc your kids need in their growing bodies.

Make it fun for them

You can take their new vegan foods and make them a lot of fun to eat. Whether you cut their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches into fun shapes, or you add vegan cheese sauce to their pasta or veggies at dinnertime, you can make it to where they don’t even miss the meat and dairy and eggs from their favorite meals. It is really much simpler than you think to make plant-based foods your kids will not only eat but will actually have fun with.

Plant-based probiotics

What are probiotics? Why are they so important? Probiotics supplement the balance of healthy bacteria in your gut. It’s essential to take in an adequate amount of these good bacteria each day. They help improve your digestive, immune, and mental health.

If you’re experiencing any kind of digestive discomfort, mood swings, illnesses, or weight gain, you may be able to attribute these issues to a lack of probiotics in your diet.

You can get your probiotics either through supplements or with the food you eat. While on a plant-based diet you can choose either option or both for added benefits.

Natural food sources of plant-based probiotics

The first way you can get more probiotics into your body to balance your gutí bacteria is through the food you eat. The problem is that many food-based probiotics are not vegan-friendly, as they contain some form of dairy (like yogurt and kefir).

Luckily, there are still some plant-based alternatives! Here are 7 different foods that you can eat on a regular basis to get probiotics from the food you eat.

1. Sauerkraut — Naturally, any fermented food you eat is going to have a certain amount of probiotics, since it is fermented with a particular type of bacteria that acts like a probiotic. In the case of sauerkraut, that is lactic acid.

Sauerkraut is often combined with meat dishes, like sausage, but that is definitely not the only way to enjoy it. This sour and salty dish can be a side to just about any main dish you are consuming. It tastes great with different types of rice and grain, and of course with lots of veggies on your plate. Not only will you get probiotics from the sauerkraut, but it also contains other essential nutrients you need on a plant-based diet. It is loaded with fiber, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B. There are even some antioxidants in sauerkraut.

2. Kimchi — Both sauerkraut and kimchi are known as a cultured vegetable or a vegetable that comes from fermented veggies like cabbage. Kimchi is similar to sauerkraut in that it comes from cultured vegetables, but in this case, it is often napa cabbage, along with different types of seasonings. It tends to be a little spicier, using a lot of garlic, ginger, and scallions, among other seasonings.

With kimchi, you are still getting those important probiotics from the fermentation process, and the cabbage has a lot of essential nutrients for your vegan lifestyle.

3. Coconut Kefir — While you canít have regular kefir since it is made from cowís milk, there is another version called coconut kefir. This is a fermentation process of coconut juice, which has the best dairy-free kefir option available to you. It is not going to contain the number of probiotics as you get from regular milk kefir, but it still includes some, plus all the added vitamins and minerals that coconut provides you. This includes magnesium and potassium, calcium, and fiber.

4. Tempeh — Another fermented vegetable that gives your gut a right amount of bacteria-balancing probiotics is tempeh. Tempeh is made from fermenting soybeans, which gives them more of an earthy, nutty flavor. This is very popular in international cuisine, especially with foods that come from Indonesia.

When soybeans are fermented into tempeh, they provide some fantastic nutrients, in addition to the natural probiotics. You will get excellent absorption of zinc and iron, as well as other minerals.

5. Kombucha — Kombucha might be one of the fermented beverages that you recognize, as it has gotten popular in recent years. People are quickly discovering all the health benefits of drinking kombucha on a regular basis, providing a lot of different bottled varieties in stores so that you donít have to make your own.

What is it? Kombucha is a type of tea drink that has been fermented, usually either green tea or black tea. This fermentation process includes both yeast and bacteria, so you are getting many health benefits in addition to those plant-based probiotics you are looking for.

6. Natto — This is a popular Japanese dish that is also made with fermented soybeans, similar to tempeh. However, the fermentation is done slightly different, and what you get is a different texture and flavor.

Tempeh is made into more of a fluffy cake texture, while natto comes out bitter and slimy. This might not seem appealing, but that is before you add your veggies and grains, and your different toppings. Many people like to enjoy natto with soy sauce and mustard.

Natto provides the probiotic Bacillus subtilis after the soybeans have been fermented. You get these probiotics, in addition to nutrients like protein, manganese, iron, fiber, and Vitamin C.

7. Green peas — There is still more research being done on this, but studies suggest green peas might also contain some natural probiotics when they go through the fermenting process.

The Journal of Applied Microbiology did a study where they found that after being fermented, green peas contain the probiotic leuconostoc mesenteroides. This could be another option, especially since you might already have them in your favorite plant-based meals.

Plant-based probiotic supplements

Your next option as far as plant-based probiotics go is to use supplements. You can still eat some of the foods listed above and just add in a supplement each day to boost the good bacteria in your gut.

Probiotics are essential when you have a leaky gut syndrome or other stomach issues, or when you have gone through a course of antibiotics.

Here are six popular plant-based probiotic supplements to try out.

1. Ora Organic Probiotic Capsules with Prebiotics — This is one of the most reliable sources you could find. Ora Organic makes amazing products. Plus, these probiotics come in a glass bottle that can be re-used. This supplement contains 16 billion cells in each capsule. It is also vegan and free of GMOs (genetically-modified organisms). Plus, it contains prebiotics from organic Jerusalem artichokes. What is their purpose? They help the probiotics absorb and work more efficiently.

The reviews for this product are amazing. One woman suffered from chronic anal fissures. After taking these probiotics daily, she started to notice some relief. She says that she hasn’t had issues since. Plus, they helped get rid of her constipation. Another user was ecstatic when these supplements eased her suffering from IBS, (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

2. Mary Ruth’s Organic Liquid Probiotics — Often, taking a liquid supplement aids with absorption. These liquid probiotics contain live bacteria that can live up to two years at room temperature. Since these organisms aren’t exposed to intense temperatures, they are more effective. This is a small family-owned company. They manufacture their liquid in smaller batches, so you know they take great care during the creation of their product. The taste is minimal and earthy.

Additionally, this plant-based probiotic liquid is 100 percent organic. These probiotics are effective, gentle, and easy to take. The company mentions that these are safe enough to be given to your children as well.

Users tend to be impressed after taking this liquid. One customer even stated how much it helped alleviate her colon cancer symptoms. Another buyer says it’s one of the best purchases she has ever made. The reviews have added up to a cumulative rating of almost five stars.

3. Think Thin Protein & Probiotics Plant Protein Powder — Now, if you want probiotics and protein in one package, this is it. This powder contains one billion live probiotics in each serving. Additionally, you will get 20 grams of plant-based protein in each shake. It also provides a dose of prebiotics.

As mentioned above, these will help your probiotics, and other nutrients do their work more effectively. Mix this probiotic protein powder with your favorite plant milk. It has a delicious vanilla flavor. Their vanilla is naturally-sourced from Madagascar as well. This is an excellent choice for those who don’t enjoy taking capsules, pills, or tinctures.

It has a composite rating of four stars online. One user says it tastes great with almond milk. They add that it doesn’t have a gritty texture either. Other customers rave about how happy they were to find a probiotic protein powder that actually tastes good.

4. Sunbiotics Organic Probiotic Chewables with Organic Yacon Root — These chewable probiotics are certified organic and free of any animal products. There are an astounding 18 billion probiotic cells per serving. This supplement contains four different strains as well. Additionally, it does not contain any GMOs or preservatives.

Plus, these probiotics are enhanced by the organic yacon root. This plant is a relatively new health discovery. It has the potential to help cholesterol and obesity issues as well.

The reviews are incredibly positive. Several people have tried this product and loved it. One user says it cleared her skin, helped her intestinal issues and reduced her joint pain. Another customer said she enjoyed their chocolate-like taste.

An additional reviewer stated how these probiotics helped relieve her sinus infections. These amazing reviews add up to an average rating of four stars.

5. Bioganix BIOPRO Probiotic and Prebiotic Supplement — This is the most potent probiotic on this list. It contains 50 billion live cultures. Plus, it has 11 separate strains in each dose. Additionally, each supplement contains prebiotics and packs an extra punch.

The capsule is tinier than most, so it isn’t too difficult to take each day. Each one is gluten-free also. If you suffer from gluten intolerance or celiac disease, this may be the choice for you. These are some of the most potent vegan probiotics out there. So, if you have major digestive issues, you may consider giving them a try.

6. Yuve Vegan Probiotic Sugar-Free Gummies — Have you ever heard of vegan gummies? Well, here they are. Each dose contains five billion cells. So, they aren’t super strong. However, they still work well as a daily probiotic to keep nasty gut issues away.

They are vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO. The company states that they are safe for children as well. They’re sugar-free, so there are three grams of sugar alcohol added to each dose. Additionally, they need to be refrigerated. However, the flavor is excellent. Who doesn’t love strawberry and orange?

For your consideration

Recipes

• Easy Plant-Based Recipes for Beginners
• 10 Plant-Based Diet Recipes to Help You Slim Down and Stay Healthy
• 55 Plant-Based Diet Recipes You’ll Crave

Watch Out!

• 9 Foods You Think Are Vegetarian — But Definitely Aren’t
• 23 Foods Vegetarians Can’t Eat (But Don’t Know It!)
• Warning: 8 Common Foods You Thought Were Vegetarian

The post Why choose a plant-based diet? appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

The moment remains raw for Bailey O'Brien: “So there was that hopeless moment where I thought I was going to die.”

“My head was spinning. I didn't know what to think. I was very uneducated about cancer. I wondered, ‘Will I need chemotherapy? Will I need surgery? Am I going to die?'

Bailey admits she basically knew nothing about cancer.

“I was young and I was an athlete so I was pretty healthy overall,” she says. “I went back to school with a clean bill of health.”

Two years later, the fear and angst returned. “The spot behind my jaw was a malignancy.”

While waiting for that surgery, another tumor grew behind her ear and was pressing against an earlobe. The night before surgery, she felt a lump in her clavicle area. Then Bailey remembers another surgeon calling: “Oh, on this PET scan there was another spot in your adenoids.”

Four different areas. But even that wasn't the end of the story.

This Cancer Tutor Original features cancer thriver Bailey O'Brien. We know you will be inspired by her story of overcoming the odds time and time again.

“There are so many doubters. People who don't believe that it's possible to heal, especially naturally,” she says. “It worked for me and it's worked for a lot of other people. … When I went seeking them out I found them to be real and true. I experienced it to be true.”

The post Cancer Survivor Bailey O’Brien: ‘Am I going to die?’ appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

You’re active, you eat right, you do what’s right in regard to expert recommendations. … And the oncologist says you have cancer. Fact is, your job may have more influence on cancer than doing all the “right” things.

Scary, isn’t it?

Did you know:

• The International Association of Firefighters says cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters. Thirty years ago, firefighters were most often diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers. Today, the cancers are more often leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma.

Fire departments in Boston, Calgary, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Toronto all report elevated cancer rates. The most aggressive cancers were oral, digestive, respiratory and urinary.

Learn more

• Flight attendants get more breast cancer and melanoma – and non-melanoma skin cancer, uterine, gastrointestinal, cervical, and thyroid cancers are now seen at a higher rate in flight attendants. Air cabin crews receive the highest yearly dose of ionizing radiation on the job of all U.S. workers.

Among female flight attendants, the rates of breast cancer were about 50 percent higher than in women from the general population. Cancer rates in male flight attendants were nearly 50 percent higher for melanoma and about 10 percent higher for nonmelanoma skin cancers compared with men from the general population group.

Learn more

• A 2014 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found people who spend more hours of the day sitting have up to a 66 percent higher risk of developing certain types of cancer than those who aren’t as sedentary. Dr. Graham Colditz noted, “It’s not enough to just be active – it’s also important to sit less.”

Sedentary behavior was associated with a 24 percent greater risk of developing colon cancer, a 32 percent higher risk of endometrial cancer, and a 21 percent increased risk of lung cancer.

Learn more

And what you do when sedentary can cause health issues. In 2009, researchers examined the link between blood pressure in children and their choice of inactive pastimes, including watching TV, using the computer and reading.

Of all the forms of inactivity they examined, television-viewing was the worst. It was linked to significantly higher blood pressure – the more TV kids watched, the higher their blood pressure – and the effect held true regardless of whether a child was heavy or at a healthy weight.

“These results show that sedentary behavior, and more specifically television-viewing, is related to blood pressure independent of body fat or obesity level,” said Dr. Joey Eisenmann, one of the study’s co-authors.

Importance of circadian disruption

In October 2007, 24 scientists from 10 countries met at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France, to assess the carcinogenicity of shift-work, painting, and fire-fighting.

About 15-20 percent of the working population in the U.S. and Europe is engaged in shift work that involves night work, which is most prevalent (above 30 percent) in the healthcare, industrial manufacturing, mining, transport, communication, leisure, and hospitality sectors. Among the many different patterns of shift work, those including night work are the most disruptive for the circadian clock.

That study also found the incidence of breast cancer was also increased in female flight attendants, who also experience circadian disruption by frequently crossing time zones.

“Circadian rhythms are 24-hour oscillations that control a variety of biological processes in living systems, including two hallmarks of cancer – cell division and metabolism.”

Thales Papagiannakopoulos

More than 20 studies investigated the effect of constant light, dim light at night, simulated chronic jet lag, or circadian timing of carcinogens, and most showed a major increase in tumor incidence. No clear effect was seen for light pulses at night or in constant darkness.

A similar number of studies investigated the effect of reduced nocturnal melatonin concentrations or removal of the pineal gland (where melatonin is produced) in tumor development and most showed increases in the incidence or growth of tumors.

“The impact of environmental/physiologic factors on tumorigenesis remains poorly understood. A major consequence of a modern lifestyle is the disruption of circadian rhythms,” said Thales Y. Papagiannakopoulos, Ph.D.

“Circadian rhythm disruption by shift-work is associated with greater risk for cancer development and poor prognosis, suggesting a putative tumor suppressive role for circadian rhythm homeostasis. Circadian rhythms are 24-hour oscillations that control a variety of biological processes in living systems, including two hallmarks of cancer – cell division and metabolism.”

The link between sleep deprivation and cancer

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). One of its major goals is to identify the causes of cancer. The most widely used system for classifying carcinogens comes from the IARC.

Substances labeled as carcinogens may have different levels of cancer-causing potential. Some may cause cancer only after prolonged, high levels of exposure. And for any particular person, the risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including how they are exposed to a carcinogen, the length and intensity of the exposure, and the person's genetic makeup.

In the past 30 years, the IARC has evaluated the cancer-causing potential of more than 900 likely candidates, placing them into one of the following groups:

• Group 1: Carcinogenic to humans
• Group 2A: Probably carcinogenic to humans
• Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans
• Group 3: Unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans
• Group 4: Probably not carcinogenic to humans

Environmental factors can include a wide range of exposures, such as:

• Lifestyle factors (nutrition, tobacco use, physical activity, etc.)
• Naturally occurring exposures (ultraviolet light, radon gas, infectious agents, etc.)
• Medical treatments (radiation and medicines including chemotherapy, hormone drugs, drugs that suppress the immune system, etc.)
• Workplace exposures
• Household exposures
• Pollution

A person's risk of developing a particular cancer is influenced by a combination of factors that interact in ways that are not fully understood. Some of the factors include:

• Personal characteristics such as age, sex, and race
• A family history of cancer
• Diet and personal habits such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption
• The presence of certain medical conditions or past medical treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation treatment, or some immune-system suppressing drugs.
• Exposure to cancer-causing agents in the environment (for example, sunlight, radon gas, air pollution, and infectious agents)
• Exposure to cancer-causing agents in the workplace

Millions of U.S. workers are exposed to substances that have been tested as carcinogens in animal studies or found to be possibly carcinogenic in human studies. However, less than 2 percent of chemical or physical agents manufactured or processed in the U.S. have been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for carcinogenicity.

Based on well-documented associations between occupational exposures and cancer, it has been estimated that 3-6 percent of all cancers worldwide are caused by exposures to carcinogens in the workplace. Using cancer incidence numbers in the U.S., this means that in 2012 (the most recent year available), there were between 45,872 and 91,745 new cancer cases that were caused by past exposure in the workplace.

15 jobs that can cause cancer

15 jobs that put you at a higher risk of cancer

The post Careers and Cancer: Your lifestyle may increase the risk appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

Various geographic areas around the world also have recognizable terms for marijuana — “dagga” in South Africa, “kif” in North African, “ganja” in Jamaica, “mota” in Spain, and “pakalolo” in Hawaii, for example.

So, what’s the skinny on this whacky-tobacky? And how did Mary Jane become taboo? … Well, to be blunt: The corporate elite hijacked the conversation. (If you're familiar with the Flexnor Report, this should not be a surprise.)

Hemp vs. Marijuana vs. Cannabis

Unfortunately, the terms hemp, marijuana, and cannabis have been lumped together, used interchangeably, and ostracized.

The truth is: Hemp, marijuana, and cannabis are different.

Under United States law, cannabis is the plant; hemp and marijuana are specific parts of the plant. Hemp is the sterilized seeds, stems, stalks, and roots. Marijuana is the viable seeds, leaves, and flowers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture lists the classification for Kingdom Plantae Down to Species Cannabis sativa L as:

• Kingdom — Plantae (Plants)
• Subkingdom — Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
• Superdivision — Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
• Division — Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
• Class — Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
• Subclass — Hamamelididae
• Order — Urticales
• Family — Cannabaceae (Hemp family)
• Genus — Cannabis L. (hemp P)
• Species — Cannabis sativa L. (marijuana P)

Note: Other strains are Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. (Most medical marijuana is a hybrid of sativa and indica, which is why Cannabis sativa X indica is often seen.)

According to CBD Web:

When one refers to marijuana … they are referring to the leaves and flowering portions of the plant that contain many cannabinoids, which have both mental and physical effects on the human body when ingested. Marijuana with these effects is produced on cannabis plants with greater than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the principal psychoactive portion of the plant.

Hemp comes from cannabis plants with less than 0.3 percent THC. The cultivation of the crop for fiber can be traced back as far as 2800 BC. Hemp fiber is durable and extremely strong and viable for many uses, including artificial sponges, burlap, cable, canvas, linens and clothing, paper, rope, twine, string, and yarn.

THC is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. It acts much like the cannabinoid chemicals made naturally by the body.

Cannabinoid receptors are concentrated in certain areas of the brain. THC attaches to these receptors, activates them, and affects a person’s memory, pleasure, movements, thinking, concentration, coordination, and sensory and time perception.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is nonpsychoactive and actually blocks the high associated with THC. However, in May 2018 a U.S. federal court declined to protect CBD from federal law enforcement despite the widespread belief in its medical value.

Hemp oil represents a single source of all of the essential fatty and amino acids required for healthy human life. Hemp oil is derived from cannabis sativa seeds. A cold press method is used to press the oil from the seed without degenerating the nutrients in the oil.

According to HempWorld.com, hemp oil contains 57 percent linoleic acid, also known as Omega-6, and 19 percent linolenic acid, also known as Omega-3. (LA and LNA are essential fatty acids, which are required by the body yet cannot be produced by the body.)

Hemp oil contains 1.7 percent gamma-linolenic acid, which promotes healthy hair, nails, and skin. According to RegenerativeNutrition.com, LA and LNA can help enhance growth, increase energy, promote healing, regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation.

One tablespoon of hemp oil contains approximately 120 calories and represents 22 percent of the daily value of total fat (1g saturated fat, 10g polyunsaturated fat, 3g monounsaturated fat). Hemp oil contains no cholesterol, carbohydrates, proteins, sodium or sugar.

Hemp oil may be consumed in foods, such as dips and salad dressing, or taken as a supplement. Heat will reduce the nutritional benefits of hemp oil; it is not typically used in cooking.

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that interact with receptors in the brain and body to create various effects.

There are eight major cannabinoid acids produced by cannabis:

• CBGA (Cannabigerolic acid)
• THCA (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)
• CBDA (Cannabidiolic acid)
• CBCA (Cannabichromenenic acid)
• CBGVA (Cannabigerovarinic acid)
• THCVA (Tetrahydrocanabivarinic acid)
• CBDVA (Cannabidivarinic acid)
• CBCVA (Cannabichromevarinic acid)

Cannabis does not directly make THC and CBD, the most well-known cannabinoids associated with the plant. Instead, it synthesizes several cannabinoid acids, which are activated (decarboxylated), usually by heat, to yield THC or CBD.

After decarboxylation, the cannabinoid acids yield a cannabinoid compound:

• CBG (Cannabigerol)
• THC (Δ9–tetrahydrocannabinol)
• CBD (Cannabidiol)
• CBC (Cannabichromene)
• CBGV (Cannabigerivarin)
• THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)
• CBDV (Cannabidivarin)
• CBCV (Cannabichromevarin)

Leafly.com, the world’s largest cannabis information resource, notes:

“THC is the only plant cannabinoid that you know for sure has clear intoxicating effects on its own. There is some evidence to suggest that THCV may also have intoxicating effects, although whether it does may depend on dose. However, like most other plant cannabinoids, THCV is usually not present in significant quantities in commercial strains and cannabis products.

“While most plant cannabinoids are not intoxicating themselves, their presence can influence how THC affects you. The best example of this comes from CBD. Even though it wouldn’t get you high by itself, it influences the way that THC interacts with the CB1 receptors in your endocannabinoid system, and can, therefore, influence exactly how a cannabis product will affect you.”

‘Living laboratory’ of medical cannabis users

There is evidence suggesting that medical cannabis reduces chronic or neuropathic pain in advanced cancer patients, said Alexia Blake, MSc. “Anecdotal evidence suggests that medical cannabis has potential to effectively manage pain in this patient population.

“However, the results of many studies lacked statistical power, in some cases due to a limited number of study subjects. Therefore, there is a need for the conduct of further double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials with large sample sizes in order to establish the optimal dosage and efficacy of different cannabis-based therapies.”

Cancer-related pain can severely affect 70-90 percent of those with advanced cancers. The standard treatment for cancer pain is currently opioids; however, some patients continue to experience inadequate pain relief despite opioid therapy and the use of other common adjuvant analgesics (medications not primarily designed to control pain but can be used for that purpose).

 Also: Adjuvant analgesics in cancer pain management

Manuel Guzmán with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, said crude cannabis preparations remain the most frequent source of cannabinoids for patients worldwide.

“Medical cannabis dispensation programs have already been implemented in more than half of the states in the United States, as well as in a growing number of countries globally. Although this ‘living laboratory’ of medical cannabis users has indeed the potential of providing a treasure of observational data, unfortunately very few studies have examined the therapeutic value of, for example, cannabis oils or vaporized herbal cannabis.

“Identifying effective pain-management strategies alternative to opioid analgesics is a clear public health priority. As Bar-Lev Schleider et al. discuss in their article, most patients using medical cannabis report that it has fewer and less severe side effects than their concurrent prescription drugs, especially opioids. Hence, well-designed, large controlled trials are urgently warranted to determine whether combining cannabinoids with opioids can actually reduce the [number] of opioids necessary to manage pain.”

Sowing the seeds for the ‘War on Drugs’

As Eric Schlosser wrote for The Atlantic, “The phrase ‘war on drugs’ evokes images of Colombian cartels and inner-city crack addicts. In many ways that is a misperception. Marijuana is and has long been the most widely used illegal drug in the United States. It is used here more frequently than all other illegal drugs combined.”

Schlosser wrote “Reefer Madness” for the magazine in 1994. Not a lot has changed in almost 25 years …

Between 1916 and 1931, 29 states outlawed marijuana. During hearings on marijuana law in the 1930s, claims were made about marijuana’s ability to cause men of color to become violent and solicit sex from white women.

The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 essentially banned marijuana nation-wide despite objections from the American Medical Association related to medical usage.

(Note: The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 legitimized the use of the term “marijuana” as a label for hemp and cannabis plants and products. Also, “marihuana” was the spelling most commonly used in federal government documents at the time.)

It’s worth noting that research has shown alcohol to be more dangerous than marijuana. In addition, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s fact sheet states, “No death from overdose of marijuana has been reported.”

In 1996, California became the first state to approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes, ending its 59-year reign as an illicit substance with no medical value. Today, medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and Washington, D.C. Also, nine states have legalized recreational marijuana.

“Whether smoking or otherwise consuming marijuana has therapeutic benefits that outweigh its health risks is still an open question that science has not resolved,” said Dr. Nora D. Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

“Although many states now permit dispensing marijuana for medicinal purposes and there is mounting anecdotal evidence for the efficacy of marijuana-derived compounds, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved ‘medical marijuana.’

“However,” she noted, “safe medicines based on cannabinoid chemicals derived from the marijuana plant have been available for decades and more are being developed.”

Dr. Carlos Garcia is hopeful that science will carry the day with cannabis. “Truth be told, the cannabis plant contains a plethora of delightfully medicinal molecules, which work within the untapped — as of yet — human endocannabinoid system,” he said. “The reason America is now forging forward with cannabinoids is rooted in that fact that Big Pharma has no new sources for drug molecules. Molecular structures are usually isolated from plants, which are used by natural practitioners in forests or remote regions.

“The illusion that Big Pharma’s bioengineers are able to devise molecules out of thin air is just that — an illusion. Today, Big Pharma is recycling old drugs or applying them to different diagnoses in order to protect their patents from the dreaded generic pharmaceutical competitors. This threat of extinction has forced Big Pharma to reconsider the marijuana plant as its future for sustainability and profits.”

In June 1971, President Richard Nixon ramped up the “war on drugs.” He dramatically increased the size and presence of federal drug control agencies and pushed through measures such as mandatory sentencing and no-knock warrants.

Tricky Dick’s “war” had a deeper, more sinister end game. A Nixon aide, John Ehrlichman, later admitted: “You want to know what this was really all about. The Nixon campaign in 1968 and the Nixon White House after that had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. You understand what I’m saying?

“We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.”

Nixon placed marijuana in Schedule 1, the most restrictive category of drugs, pending review by a commission he appointed. In 1972, the commission unanimously recommended decriminalizing the possession and distribution of marijuana for personal use. Nixon ignored the report and rejected its recommendations.

The presidency of Ronald Reagan marked skyrocketing rates of incarceration, largely thanks to his unprecedented expansion of the “war on drugs.” The number of people behind bars for nonviolent drug law offenses increased from 50,000 in 1980 to 450,345 in 2016.

Marijuana Justice Act

Fast forward 20 years. In August 2017, U.S. Senator Cory Booker introduced a landmark bill — S.1689 – Marijuana Justice Act of 2017 — to reverse decades of failed drug policy. Specifically, the Marijuana Justice Act will:

• Remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances, making it legal at the federal level;
• Incentivize states through federal funds to change their marijuana laws if marijuana in the state is illegal and the state disproportionately arrests or incarcerates low-income individuals and people of color for marijuana-related offenses;
• Automatically expunge federal marijuana use and possession crimes;
• Allow an individual currently serving time in federal prison for marijuana use or possession crimes to petition a court for a resentencing;
• Create a community reinvestment fund to reinvest in communities most impacted by the failed War on Drugs and allow those funds to be invested in job training, reentry services, expenses related to the expungement of convictions, public libraries, community centers, programs and opportunities dedicated to youth, and health education programs.

The bill is retroactive and would apply to those already serving time behind bars for marijuana-related offenses, providing for a judge’s review of marijuana sentences.

Booker noted the legislation would “legalize marijuana at the federal level and go even further in an effort to remedy many of the failures of the War on Drugs. This is the right thing to do for public safety and will help reduce our overflowing prison population.”

He previously also supported focusing on medical marijuana issues and loosening some federal restrictions to make research and medical use easier.

The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary; no action has been taken.

Nonetheless, there are prominent voices pushing for more cannabis research and promoting the benefits of medical marijuana.

In May 2018, New Jersey State Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal encouraged physicians and medical students to embrace cannabis as another tool to help their patients, despite acknowledging that rigorous scientific research is lacking.

Elnahal said his goal was to “demystify” medical marijuana because thousands of patients are using it and finding relief. “We want to see more research, better research, but we are not,” he said.

“If you are not teaching this at medical school, you are not giving an adequate education,” said Barron Lerner, a professor of Medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center. “It’s out there enough and being used from an educational standpoint. It deserves to be talked about.”

 Watch: Hugh Hempel discusses medicinal cannabis and his ailing 11-year-old daughters

The post Movement to demystify cannabis, medical marijuana gains traction despite longtime ‘war on drugs’ appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

Immunotherapy helps restore or improve the immune system to where it can attack cancer cells. The goal of immunotherapy is for the body to knock out cancer. But if the immune system is unable to eradicate cancer cells, slowing or stopping the growth of cancer — and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body — will make a significant difference in the quality of life.

You may be wondering: What is preventing the immune system from functioning properly? After you understand what is taking a toll on your immune system, there are a few immunotherapy options to consider.

Stress-related issues
One of the first things that could be affecting your immune system is stress. You may think you don't have that much stress in your life or that you have it all covered. What you may be overlooking are the daily stresses that can build into one major stress-filled reaction causing your immune system to be less effective.

Lack of hydration
If your body does not have the proper hydration, then it can't function properly. This puts stress on your organs, on your weight loss efforts, and on your immune system. Without proper hydration, your immune system basically is having to work without the key components it needs to function.

Sleep-related issues
You may think you are getting at least six hours of sleep a night, but just because you are sleeping does not mean you are sleeping well. You need to make sure you are getting deep sleep. If you are not getting solid, deep sleep this could be the reason your immune system is not working properly.

Still, there are cancer cases in which immunotherapy — manufactured immune system-boosting drugs or natural supplements — come into play. And these are not created equal, as you can imagine.

‘A turning point in cancer immunotherapy’

The National Cancer Institute defines immunotherapy as “a type of therapy that uses substances to stimulate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer, infection and other diseases.”

Of course, the “substances” used to stimulate or suppress generally are subject to legal restriction; these are controlled substances, regulated by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

A search for “cancer immunotherapy” in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database returns more than 81,000 results. One of the most relevant research papers is “Cancer immunotherapy: harnessing the immune system to battle cancer” by Yiping Yang, MD, Ph.D. He is a professor of medicine and immunology and a member of the Duke Cancer Institute.

As Dr. Yang noted in 2015: “The concept that the immune system can recognize and control tumor growth can be traced back to 1893 when William Coley used live bacteria as an immune stimulant to treat cancer, but the enthusiasm for cancer immunotherapy has been moderate due to limited clinical efficacy.

“The recent clinical successes of immune checkpoint blockade and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies represent a turning point in cancer immunotherapy.”

Fast forward three years. The efficacy of Big Pharma immunotherapy drugs – the ability to produce a desired or intended result – has been a mixed (but extremely profitable) bag.

Rene Chee and Edward Chee

Curing Cancer with Immunotherapy

This is the real-life story of Rene Chee, a biologist diagnosed with an aggressive cancer while working at Stanford University. After conventional treatment, she realizes it is a matter of time before her incurable cancer returns and takes her life.

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Cancer

Types of orthodox cancer immunotherapy

 Adoptive Cell transfer
This type of immunotherapy is relatively new, and researchers are looking into how well it works as a treatment for cancer.

Checkpoint Inhibitors
Checkpoint inhibitors are used to treat cancers such as melanoma skin cancer and lung cancer. Researchers also are looking at them in clinical trials for other types of cancer.

Cytokines
Cytokines are a group of proteins that are found naturally in the body and help to boost the immune system. Man-made versions of these proteins have been developed as a treatment for cancer.

Monoclonal antibodies (MABs)
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules engineered to serve as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system's attack on cancer cells.

Vaccines to treat cancer
Cancer vaccines are a type of immunotherapy. Research in this area is at an early stage and vaccines are mainly available as part of clinical trials.

There also are numerous side effects of manufactured immunotherapy drugs:

• Skin reactions
• Flu-like symptoms
• Muscle aches
• Shortness of breath (trouble breathing)
• Swelling of legs (edema)
• Sinus congestion
• Headaches
• Weight gain from retaining fluid
• Diarrhea
• Hormone changes, including hypothyroidism
• Cough
• Death

Keytruda is a drug that may treat melanoma or lung cancer or head and neck cancer by working with the immune system. Keytruda can cause the immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in many areas of the body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become serious or life-threatening and can lead to death. In fact, a commercial for Keytruda spends 56 percent of its time — 50 of 90 seconds — reeling off side effects of the drug.

Merck and a smaller biotechnology company, Incyte, collaborated on testing Keytruda with epacadostat, Incyte’s experimental drug.

The drug sought to target a pathway, hijacked by cancer cells, that the developing fetus uses to protect itself against its mother’s immune system. It made scientific sense to combine the two drugs, but the companies revealed in April that it did not help patients.

CNBC reported:

• Incyte’s new immunotherapy drug epacadostat failed to work in conjunction with Merck’s melanoma drug Keytruda.
• Only a small group of patients react to immunotherapy, and cancer researchers argue this study took too broad of a sample.
• The field of immunotherapy needs more research and may still offer value to patients.

Patients who received the combination had their cancer advance at exactly the same rate as those who got Keytruda alone. What’s more, patients who got the combo were 13 percent more likely to die.

However, a Merck-sponsored study showed combining Keytruda with chemotherapy nearly doubled the survival time of some lung cancer patients compared to patients treated with chemotherapy alone. The research was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

“I only treat lung cancer and I’ve been doing that for about 20 years,” said Dr. Jorge Gomez, director of thoracic oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “These drugs are very, very interesting. Now, not everybody benefits, unfortunately, but some of the people who benefit seem to benefit in a way we've never seen.”

Immunotherapy Cancer Treatment

Meanwhile, modern science has shown that William Coley’s principles were correct and that some cancers are sensitive to an enhanced immune system.

The “Father of Immunotherapy,” Coley went to Yale and graduated from Harvard Medical School. In 1891, he injected streptococcal organisms into a patient with inoperable cancer. Coley, a bone sarcoma surgeon, thought that the infection he produced would have the side effect of shrinking the malignant tumor. He was successful – and that was one of the first examples of immunotherapy.

“Those who have scrutinized Coley’s results have little doubt that these bacterial toxins were highly effective in some cases,” said Dr. Lloyd J. Old, former associate director of Memorial Sloan Kettering, and also the Cancer Research Institute’s medical director from 1971-2011.

“I was thinking, ‘My God, these tests that are used to drive clinical decision making are not worth a damn.’ These are peoples’ lives here. We are playing with the highest of stakes.”

Dr. Oliver Sartor

‘We are playing with the highest of stakes’

While “cancer immunotherapy” was named as 2013’s Breakthrough of the Year by Science, Dr. Yang said, “the success of these therapies illustrates the importance of careful decoding of basic immunology for successful clinical translation in treating cancer.”

 In an interview with The New York Times, Dr. Oliver Sartor, assistant dean for oncology at Tulane Medical School, said that immunotherapy drugs are expensive. A popular drug he uses costs $9,000 per dose if used once every three weeks, and $7,000 if used once every two weeks.

Also, immunotherapy drugs can have severe side effects, including death. Once the immune system is stimulated, it may attack normal tissues as well as tumors. The result can be holes in the intestines, liver failure, nerve damage that can cause paralysis, serious rashes and eye problems, and problems with the pituitary, adrenal or thyroid glands. Side effects can arise during treatment or after the treatment is finished.

“I was thinking, ‘My God, these tests that are used to drive clinical decision making are not worth a damn,’ ” Dr. Sartor said. “These are peoples’ lives here. We are playing with the highest of stakes.

“For certain people, it is like, bingo, you give the drug to them and they have a long-lasting and positive benefit,” he added. “When our knowledge is not sufficient to inform our decisions, then we have an ethical conundrum.”

What does play a major role in Big Pharma’s thinking is money. Novartis is a Swiss multi-national pharmaceutical company. Novartis’ Institutes for BioMedical Research has an $8.93 billion research and development budget. It wasn’t even the world’s largest pharma R&D budget in 2017:

1. Roche – $10.15 billion
2. Merck – $10.1 billion
3. Novartis – $8.93 billion
4. Pfizer – $7.9 billion
5. J&J – $7 billion
6. AstraZeneca – $5.9 billion
7. Sanofi – $5.42 billion
8. Eli Lilly – $5.24 billion
9. Gilead Sciences – $5.1 billion
10. Bristol-Myers Squibb –$4.94 billion

That’s more than $70 billion — for only one year — in research and development among the top 10 pharmaceutical behemoths. R&D cost goes a long way toward explaining why Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo and Merck’s Keytruda carry a $150,000-a-year price tag.

According to Forbes, analysts forecast that Keytruda will generate sales of $11.3 billion in 2023, up from $3.8 billion today, while Opdivo will have sales of $9.7 billion that year, up from $4.9 billion today.

Dr. Roy Herbst, a Yale University oncologist, told CNBC there is no one-size-fits-all cancer solution. “You have to personalize immunotherapy,” he said. “You need to know who will benefit from drug A and who will benefit from drug B.”

“Chemotherapy remains the standard of care for the majority of [lung cancer] patients, and is a very poor standard,” said Dr. Leena Gandhi, lead author of a New York University-Langone study. In most cases, she said, chemo prolongs life by just a year or even less.

Dr. Norman Edelman, a senior medical advisor for the American Lung Association, said, “until very recently the treatment of lung cancer has been dismal.”

“Because most lung cancer is detected after it’s already spread, we get 5-year cures in less than 20 percent of patients using chemotherapy alone,” he said.

“But recently we’ve developed drugs that are tailored to the specific genetics of a patient’s tumor … it extended life for a small group of people, about 10 to 15 percent.”

Nonetheless, Nature noted that nearly 20 percent of publicly funded cancer clinical trials in the United States fail because investigators are unable to enroll enough participants in clinical trials for conventional immunotherapy drugs. (Physicians and patients often are frustrated with the sometimes-insurmountable requirements to join a study.)

Key to supplements: Know your body

OK, since Big Pharma’s immunotherapy drugs are a) expensive and b) not ready for prime time for the vast majority of cancer patients, what should you do?

Discuss with your doctor the benefits of naturally boosting your immune system. This is imperative whether you are treating cancer or changing your lifestyle to prevent cancer. A strong immune system is a bedrock for a healthy body.

Most people are aware of the types of things that we need to do in daily life to remain healthy. Eating right, exercise, quality sleep, and having proper elimination are just a few of the activities that come to mind.

But there is another important component – an expansive world inside each person populated by bacteria that have a powerful impact on human health, vitality, and longevity. It is our microbiome.

• Lactobacillus: These bacteria are generally helpful because they are responsible for many of the digestive functions. Modern research has brought advancements with antibiotics, but studies have shown that antibiotics tend to have a harmful effect on the good or helpful populations of gut flora, so it might be necessary to supplement the bacteria by ingesting alternate sources of Lactobacillus. Many of these helpful strains can be found in foods such as yogurt, kefir and other fermented food types. There also are a number of probiotic supplements available.
• Bifido-bacterium: Scientists now believe that more than three-fourths of our immune system is kept in our intestinal tract, with 500-plus species of bacteria. With such a large population of bacteria living in us, it should be of little surprise that we depend on them so heavily for the various functions they serve on a daily basis. Many Bifido bacteria reside within the colon and large intestine. These bacteria play a heavy role in controlling elimination, aiding in digestion, and even have the ability to repair damage from carcinogenic sources in the body.

Supplements can be taken in many forms including pills, liquids, and powders. The key to using supplements is to know your body: what your body is lacking, what it needs and how to achieve that goal without overdoing other vitamins and minerals you may not need.

A few immune-boosting supplements that fight off illness without taxing your body include:

• Probiotics: When you get sick, your body may start to slow down and become sluggish, this includes your digestive tract. This means that toxins are being held in your body and could be harboring bacteria that makes it harder for you to get over the illness you are experiencing. Probiotics will help break down these toxins and flush your system and maintain healthy levels of gut bacteria.
• Omega 3: The main reason to add Omega 3 to your system is due to how it interacts with white cells. The Omega 3 fatty acids help white cells to work at optimal levels to help fight bacteria. If you are taking Vitamin D supplements, the Omega 3 also will help the Vitamin D work at optimal levels. You can boost your Omega 3 supplement during times when you are sick with a cold or flu to help boost the immune system and the white cells working on the bacteria.
• Vitamin C: Though Vitamin C helps build the immune system, it also works to flush your system while maintaining the lining of the stomach and intestines. You can take Vitamin C in many forms, but a juice or smoothie option will get the benefits into your system quickly and easily.

For the purest form of supplements, look for plant-based options (vegan on the label). For non-plant-based options, look for a non-GMO label. This is due to the growing process of GMO foods that can hinder the benefits of the naturally occurring herb, plant or animal supplement you are using.

Immune-boosting essential oils
You may not think of essential oils when you think about your immune system, however, the truth is our bodies to react to quality essential oils. The smell of these oils stimulates your mind and senses which triggers reactions in your body that directly affect your immune system.

• Lemon essential oil is one of the go-to essential oil options that many people use to boost immunity. It is used in detox recipes and can easily be added to foods, juices, and smoothies. With lemon oil, you need to make sure it is food grade to use it properly and safely. Lemon oil is highly concentrated, so it should be used sparingly and not as you would a commercial lemon juice. It helps the body remove toxins from the system and kills bacteria that could cause issues with your immune system.
• You may have heard of thieves’ oil if you have been dabbling in essential oils for any amount of time. This oil is a blended oil that contains cinnamon, cloves, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. This is the go-to oil if you are looking for a superfood-style blend that does it all. You can use it in diffusers and directly on the body. One of the leading ways to use it, however, is for house cleaning. It helps to kill germs and bacteria to help reduce illness and keep your immune system working properly.
• Peppermint oil is one that many people keep on hand because of the multiple ways it can assist your immune system in combating issues in the body. It helps with sinus pressure and pain relief, opening up nasal passages, congestion, cold and flu symptoms, and with easing an upset stomach. Keep in mind this is also a concentrated oil and should be used a drop at a time to achieve the desired effect.

The truth about cancer and essential oils

Colon cleansing
As we now understand, if your digestive system is not running at optimal levels, you could end up with problems. The more sluggish your digestive system, colon, and liver are, then the more likely it is that your body is holding toxins. These toxins can lead to minor issues such as fatigue or major issues such as leaky gut and other gut-related problems. To avoid this, and to boost your immune system, consider natural colon cleansing routines at least once a month. These can be simple superfood-based juices that can help flush your system and deliver vitamins and nutrients in the process.

Coffee enemas are a must in a toxic world

Chiropractic care
Total body alignment is vital for your immune system. If you are in pain, experiencing body aches and experiencing joint cramps then you could be taxing your immune system. It may be trying to counteract the issue and that can lead to further problems in your body. Seeing a chiropractor can help align your body, reduce inflammation and reduce joint issues.

Dr. Sunil Pai

An Inflammation Nation

Changing your daily routine and eating habits to restore and maintain your health can be challenging. But compared to surgery or extensive drug regimens with debilitating side effects, the effort is decidedly worth it. Here to make things a bit easier, Dr. Sunil Pai presents a 10-step guide to help you prevent and treat disease through diet and lifestyle changes, as well as through the use of natural anti-inflammatories. With extensive information on the production of food, pharmaceuticals, and dietary supplements, this remarkable resource pulls back the veil on what’s really in the foods and products you consume daily — and how they’re affecting your health.

Purchase

Diet, Supplements

Natural ways to boost your immune system

Colds and flu are the tip of the iceberg for many illnesses. You become even more exposed to different bacteria and viruses when you go to the grocery store, have children who attend public school or you become part of a community social-based organization. Basically, any kind of exposure to other people can lead to illness.

Keep in mind, you should be eating a healthy diet and maintaining a hygiene routine to help these natural methods work.

Increased superfoods
If you already have a healthy diet plan in place, consider adding superfoods. Make sure that you have at least a few meals a week, or even one a day, that have immune-boosting superfoods added to them. The easiest way to do this is to change up your morning or lunch routine to include or be limited to a superfoods juice or smoothie. This can be loaded with foods that can boost your immune system.

• Garlic is one of the leading superfoods you should add to your diet if you are trying to boost your immune system. Garlic is used to help with colds, flu, congestion, and infections. You can use minced garlic in your cooking, add it to sauces, and even make it into a tea if you need immediate relief. You can find it in capsule form, though this may not give you the same benefit as raw garlic would.
• Ginger is normally a superfood that is known to help with overall digestion and ease nausea. You may be wondering what the link between ginger and your immune system is. If you have poor digestion, sluggish digestion or issues with ulcers, these can cause your body to work overtime to combat toxins. The part of your body that works the hardest, in this case, is the immune system. Ginger helps soothe the stomach and helps the digestive tract move the toxins through which can take the pressure off your immune system and help boost it.
• Inflammation is commonly recognized as one of the main causes of pain. However, inflammation is a process within the body that can lead to many illnesses and cases of physiological dysfunction. Turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory, can be made into a paste and added to warm milk. The milk can be taken daily to help reduce inflammation and allow the immune system focus on other issues in the body.
• You may not think of a spice as being a superfood, but basil — a spice or herb depending on how you refer to it — can be vital. Basil offers massive healing properties to the body including soothing the stomach, nervous system, and reducing inflammation. All of these issues are connected directly to the immune system and how it protects the body. By using basil in green smoothies or as an additive in foods, you can help reduce issues in your nervous system and digestive system which in turn help to reduce the impact on your immune system.

Curcumin plays a vital role in fighting cancer

Top 5 Green ‘Superfoods’

Cancer-preventative powers of superfood kale

Benefits of taking a detox bath

In the busy world of today, people come in contact with an endless amount of impurities, toxins, poisons, pollutants, and other agents. These chemicals land on our skin, absorb into the fabrics we wear and are breathed into our lungs. As inevitable as this may seem, there are a few ways that we can reduce the exposure to these environmental impurities – and one of the best ways is through taking a detox bath.

First off, the most important part of doing a detox bath, is that you have to be hydrated. This will make it possible for you to reap the benefits of the bath and be sure that your systems are hydrated enough to be influenced by the heat of the water. Next, select your water additives. You can always add Epsom salt, apple cider vinegar, or anything else that may have benefits you are looking for.

Bathing for cleanliness is only a small portion of the health benefits from this ancient innovation and pastime. For thousands of years, mankind has known that one of the most relaxing and soothing experiences that can be had is that of taking a warm, or hot bath.  Heat loosens muscle tissues that have been clenched by stress, as many people subconsciously carry stress in shoulders, backs, legs, and neck muscles.

How to effectively detox after cancer treatments

In daily modern life, the most common position for people is sitting. This means that toxins and other wastes can easily build up in the body causing blockages and other unpleasant ailments. In order to have a healthy body, it is important to work on clearing out your lymph system. One way this can be accomplished is by heating the body, thus making it easier for the lymph system to flow more freely.

Due to the acidic content of modern foods, swelling or inflammation in adults has reached epidemic levels. A long soak in warm or hot water can provide some relief by greatly reducing inflammation in joints and other tissues. A gentle, but firm rub while submerged can go a long way to improving circulation and arterial health.

How lymphatic massage helps your immune system

The body rids itself of wastes from the digestive system – but did you know the lymphatic system is a major system needed for proper waste removal?

The lymphatic system connects a group of tissues and organs that help carry wastes and foreign agents to locations where they can be eliminated from the body. There is one way you can help stimulate the process: lymphatic massage.

When you get a lymphatic massage, the stimulation of your lymph system causes lymph fluids to flow more efficiently. This allows dead cells, toxins, byproducts, and wastes to be carried from the tissues toward the lymph glands for filtering and purification. What is surprising, is that this action can have an actual effect on the immune system by increasing the production of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.

Beta Glucan for boosting your immune system

Exercising on a rebounder promotes the flow of lymph, thereby flushing the toxins.

“There are lymph channels throughout the entire body,” noted Albert Carter, an investigative journalist, professional trampolinist and the world’s foremost authority on rebound exercise. “You have three times as much lymph fluid in the body as you do blood. Lymph fluid has to circulate from the bottom of the feet to the top of the head, but it’s not connected up to the heart.

“The way the lymphatic system works is the lymphocytes, the white blood cells, are moved through the body via one-way valves. You’ve got these valves from the bottom of the feet upwards throughout the entire body – and the valves all point upwards. So when you move the body around, the lymph fluid is always moving in one direction, that is up towards the neck.

“At the top of the chest, you have the lymph valves that allow the lymph fluid to flow into the bloodstream, or back into the lymphatic system where it circulates back down into the body. By activating the one-way valves of the lymphatic system, you cause an increase in lymph circulation by 10 times of what the lymphatic system is able to circulate when you are sitting around doing nothing. So when you bounce on a rebounder, or jump on the floor, or use a jump rope, the one-way valves open and close about 100 times a minute, circulating the lymph fluid, removing toxins and getting the white blood cells to areas of the body they need to be.”

7 major health benefits of rebound exercise

In some cases, surgery, damage from accidents, a sedentary lifestyle, or other disruptions of an otherwise normal amount of healthy activity can cause a buildup of lymph. This can cause a sluggish system, especially for the immune system. A lymphatic massage can help jump-start lymph flow again, by helping to carry toxins that have collected in areas that haven’t been touched frequently.

Generally, when you get a lymphatic massage, it is performed by doing small circular motions in the direction of the heart. This helps the lymph to move with the pumping direction of the heart and can increase the flow of lymph to 10 times what your normal flow would be during rest or relaxation periods. Professionals have emphasized that the care protocol calls for slow, gentle touch, and the skin only needs to be stretched slightly to achieve the desired effect.

Improve your immune system with lymphatic drainage

Conclusion

Relatively speaking, conventional immunotherapy drugs are in the early stages. Some immunotherapies broadly activate the immune system and side effects can be mild and localized. However, others precisely target distinct tumor antigens and the side effects are more severe and systemic.

Also, the money spent on R&D and administering of some forms of Big Pharma immunotherapy limit their use to patients. Those who are fortunate enough to receive these therapies often pay a high cost, if insurance does not cover the treatment.

Meanwhile, there are natural immunotherapies with minimal cost that you can employ daily. Taking care of your body — eating healthy and exercising — and maximizing the immune system is paramount to treating and preventing cancer.

The post Orthodox vs. Natural: Not all immunotherapy is equal appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

Every day people struggle to cope with the financial burden of cancer. In fact, more than 4,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each day. No one is prepared to deal with that diagnosis from an emotional standpoint, and the vast majority are not prepared to deal with cancer from a financial angle.

At Cancer Tutor, we often are asked how to fund a natural or integrative cancer treatment. For people seeking immediate funds, we have a way that you probably have not considered.

Cancer Tutor has hundreds of options for different natural treatments and protocols, and even clinics that can help for those who want to go the natural route — but treatments can get expensive, quickly. And often natural cancer treatments are not covered by traditional insurance, which means one thing: cash out of pocket.

 Also: Fund your cancer treatment without a loan

It’s no surprise that one of the most common questions we receive at Cancer Tutor is “How am I supposed to pay for this? I have spent all my money on my doctors’ bills, chemo, travel expenses …” (Not to mention possible lost wages for having to take off from work to get treated.)

Did you know you can sell a life insurance policy? Yes – sell your life insurance policy, get money into your bank account in as little as three to seven days, and use the funds to do whatever you want. It is called a viatical settlement.

Living with a cancer diagnosis should not be the end of your life. The expenses that come with fighting cancer can drain your finances, leaving little money in the budget for things that truly matter.

• You’ve always wanted to travel but cannot because money is tight.
• You want to pay school or college tuition for a loved one.
• You want to gift your church or a charity and see your money in action.

That “bucket list” money may be as close as a desk drawer. A viatical settlement could be the answer you and your loved ones seek.

A viatical settlement will give you money now – not after you die, left to be split up among beneficiaries.

At its core, a viatical settlement is a financial transaction between you (the policyholder) and a licensed provider. The provider and policyholder are the only two parties that are mandatory in a viatical settlement (more on how to cut out the middleman later), meaning working directly with a provider is the best way to maximize your settlement value.

After researching the viatical landscape, Cancer Tutor recommends Abacus Life Settlements, a safe, state-licensed company that has been offering viaticals since 2004 and has not had a single regulatory issue.

Abacus has underwriter tables to assess the policyholder based on their impairments or whatever illness with which they’ve been diagnosed. This allows Abacus to have a general idea what type of life expectancy – or term duration modeling – that would be used to purchase the policy.

“That’s far different than what you see and have seen in this industry for a long time,” Abacus President and CEO Jay Jackson noted. “The traditional industry process is someone calls an intermediary and then gathers some basic information.”

Companies that act as intermediaries (a middleman or broker) often take up to 30 percent of your settlement value, and lead generation or marketing companies take a share as well. Also, there are several viatical settlement companies, many of them without proper licensing and short company histories.

‘We can qualify very quickly’

Abacus has a different way of doing business: one-on-one – no intermediary, no broker, no middleman necessary. Cancer Tutor visited the Abacus offices in Orlando, Florida, and was impressed with the efficient and thorough process the company uses to address individual cases.

After examining the underwriting (this entire process is done in-house under one roof), Abacus determines the premiums – what the future cost is to obtain the policy. Abacus gets this information from the insurance carrier.

“Because we do the underwriting right away in-house, we can get an idea whether we can provide a better offer,” Jackson said. “We can get those illustrations very quickly with most of the cancer patients that we work with because, in a lot of cases, they’re term policies.

“We can generally qualify very quickly if we are able to look at your policy tables to identify exactly what future premium costs will be if it is a term policy. We can get that data right away in most of our cancer cases as long as the insured can get us their policy contract. This is just one of the things Abacus does to set our timeframes apart from everyone else in the settlement industry without sacrificing quality.”

Jackson notes a universal life policy or potentially a whole life policy requires a little more work after contacting the carrier. On average the process takes three to five business days but can sometimes take seven business days.

After underwriting and premiums, Abacus must determine what the policy is worth during that given period of time.

“It’s just math,” Jackson said. “For us, there’s not any fees or commissions, or any other type of expense that an insurer would pay or be subject to because we’re making the offer directly.

“It’s the same algorithm effectively for every client. We’re not looking at this client and saying we’re going to offer you less because of any random factors. What we’re saying is, that this is the math and we walk every client through that same exact process.”

Typically, the initial call and determining whether Abacus will be able to fund the viatical settlement is less than 30 minutes. (You can contact Abacus at (800) 561-4148.) After that, Abacus encourages the policyholder to speak with their family. If the policyholder determines a viatical settlement is right for them, there is a 15-minute closing interview. Abacus will issue documents that the policyholder will have to fill out and have a notary sign. Once the paperwork is received, Abacus will transfer the funds via bank wire to the policyholder’s account.

At that point, the cancer patient can use the money for whatever they choose.

Why can Abacus process a settlement in days – as few as three to seven days – rather than several weeks, in many cases? The policyholder deals directly with Abacus, which has funding available for disbursement. It really is that simple – one-on-one between you and Abacus, and then the money is wired from Abacus into your bank account.

A strong financial solution

Viatical settlements have become incredibly safe and well regulated by states in the past decade. Many states require specific licensing and practice strict oversight to ensure customer safety. Consumers are better protected than ever before in the viatical and life settlement industry. It is a safe option for consumers.

For many individuals facing a terminal illness, a viatical settlement is a strong financial solution. Patients and their families can receive immediate funds to pay for medical expenses or quality of life experiences.

“We’re not looking at this client and saying we’re going to offer you less because of any random factors. What we’re saying is, that this is the math and we walk every client through that same exact process.”

Jay Jackson

Abacus Settlements

Coping with a medical crisis while worrying about medical bills can be overwhelming; it's a potent 1-2 punch to the gut. With the cost of healthcare continuing its year-over-year rise, even people with excellent health insurance are struggling to keep up with medical expenses.

If you are struggling to afford medical bills, having issues keeping up with your premiums, or just want immediate income, a viatical settlement is likely right for you.

Patients that can easily handle their premiums should take a serious look at their life insurance situation. If there is no need for an immediate lump sum of cash, there may not be a need pursue a life settlement.

Realistically, the greatest payout you can receive from a life settlement is from receiving the full death benefit when the insured passes. However, your insurance company wants your policy to lapse; they get to keep all the money. Insurance companies will encourage you to take a low-ball surrender value or lapse the policy altogether.

In March 2015, ThinkAdvisor reported the number of policies that were lapsed by seniors over age 65 exceeds 1.1 million with a face value of $112 billion.

Based on 2008 data compiled by publicly available sources, more than 250,000 universal and variable universal policies with a face value of approximately $57 billion were lapsed by seniors over age 65. When term and whole life policies are included, the number of policies exceeds 1.1 million with a face value of $112 billion. If the data were available for 2014, the amount would be even greater.

The pro-consumer approach

“If you look at the last decade of growth, the reason why firms like Abacus are now quite successful is attributable to the level of due diligence, transparency, efficiency, and most importantly the pro-consumer approach that Abacus has taken,” Jackson said.

“We’ve now grown to one of the top three industry purchasers in the asset class,” Jackson added. “I use the word purchaser rather than provider because that language can get confusing to somebody from the outside looking in.

“Since a settlement is often a very emotional decision that can present a mental hurdle for an individual to get past,” Jackson said, “it is extremely important that our process remains pro-consumer and we meet all of the relevant regulatory requirements; we’re heavily regulated by each state’s insurance department.”

It is our experience that Abacus often makes the strongest possible offer in every case. The company truly is committed to its mission of helping you focus on healing instead of medical bills. However, if you choose not to work with Abacus, the company will help connect you with other reputable viatical companies.

If you are going to reach out to Abacus have your most recent medical data and the last annual statement regarding your life insurance policy.

Regarding the policy, the more information you have – when it was issued, when it expires, etc. – the quicker the process will be.

A viatical settlement can provide needed funds for someone facing late-stage cancer and relieve the added financial stress of expensive premium payments. With Abacus, there is no cost and no obligation to accept the funding if an offer is given. It is easy to find out if you qualify and how much you or your loved one may receive.

 Visit the website: Abacus Life Settlements or call (800) 561-4148.

FAQs

The post Abacus a strong financial solution for cancer patients looking to sell life insurance policy appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

In the realm of cancer, specifically breast cancer, lymphedema is rarely discussed. Nonetheless, lymphedema of the arm is one of the most common and underestimated side effects of breast cancer treatment. It is quantitatively known to negatively affect the quality of life in breast cancer survivors.

Chemotherapy. Radiation. Surgery. Conventional medicine will have you believe those are the only three treatments for cancer. It's the “poison, burn, cut” theory that too often leaves patients with a toxicity immensely worse than cancer.

The fact is, side effects of chemo, radiation, or surgery are not minor. While some patients may experience mild side effects, these may last months or even years. And there is the real chance for more severe side effects.

The American Cancer Society lists these as the most common side effects of chemo:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Easy bruising and bleeding
• Infection
• Anemia (low red blood cell counts)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Appetite changes
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Mouth, tongue, and throat problems such as sores and pain with swallowing
• Nerve and muscle problems such as numbness, tingling, and pain
• Skin and nail changes such as dry skin and color change
• Urine and bladder changes and kidney problems
• Weight changes
• Chemo brain, which can affect concentration and focus
• Mood changes
• Changes in libido and sexual function
• Fertility problems

As for radiation, the ACS is more … general: Radiation therapy can cause early and late side effects.

Early side effects happen during or shortly after treatment. These side effects tend to be short-term, mild, and treatable. They’re usually gone within a few weeks after treatment ends. The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area.

Late side effects can take months or even years to develop. They can occur in any normal tissue in the body that has received radiation. The risk of late side effects depends on the area treated as well as the radiation dose that was used. Careful treatment planning can help avoid serious long-term side effects. It’s always best to talk to your radiation oncologist about the risk of long-term side effects.

However, there is a serious issue that can occur after breast surgery — a “late side effect”: lymphedema.

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies published a report in 2006 recommending a “survivorship care plan” for cancer patients that incorporates information about late effects of treatment, health management behaviors, disease management, and recurrence monitoring.

It was noted that lymphedema is one of the most poorly understood, relatively underestimated, and least researched complications of cancer or its treatment.

The Institute of Medicine also highlighted critical shortfalls in the transition to survivorship, particularly in providing education about late effects of treatment.

From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Translation

There have been several studies to develop a protocol to address lymphedema. In 2007, a surgical oncologist, Dr. John B. Hamner, studied 135 breast cancer patients with lymphedema. They were provided a protocol for complete decongestive therapy (CDT): manual lymphatic drainage, compression garments, skin care, and range-of-motion exercises.

Dr. Hamner reported: “Despite recent advances in breast-conserving surgery, upper-extremity lymphedema remains a problem for patients after the treatment of breast cancer.”

What is lymphedema?

Lymphedema is an abnormal collection of high-protein fluid just beneath the skin. In the case of cancer, notably with radiation, lymphedema may develop when lymph nodes are removed. This swelling, or edema, most commonly occurs in the arm or leg. However, it also may occur in the breast or trunk, head and neck, or genitals.

The National Lymphedema Network notes:

Specific cancer-related surgeries such as surgical resection of melanoma, breast, gynecological, head and neck, prostate or testicular, bladder, or colon cancer may require the removal of lymph nodes. These surgeries put patients at risk of developing secondary lymphedema.

The Lymphatic Education & Research Network estimates up to 10 million people in the United States, and hundreds of millions worldwide, suffer from lymphedema and lymphatic diseases. More people in the U.S. suffer from these diseases than suffer from multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, ALS, Parkinson's disease, and AIDS — combined.

All cancer treatment survivors, including those with melanoma, prostate, and ovarian cancer, are susceptible to developing lymphedema. Breast cancer survivors can be at a high risk for developing lymphedema and 100 percent of those treated for head and neck cancer will develop the disease. Physical trauma also can result in lymphedema. This is a major cause of lymphatic disease among wounded veterans.

Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) remains the go-to for treating lymphedema. The Mayo Clinic recommends:

• Elastic bandage — stretchy bandages used to wrap sprains and strains. Provides support and compression during recovery.
• Compression stockings — elastic hosiery that squeezes blood up the legs to prevent swelling and blood clots.
• Physical exercise — aerobic activity for 20-30 minutes 5 days a week improves cardiovascular health. If injured, pursuing an activity that avoids the injured muscle group or joint can help maintain physical function while recovering.
• Moisturizer — hydrates and protects skin from damage.
• Stretching — stretching exercises can improve flexibility and improve physical function.

There are natural herbs that can alleviate swollen lymph nodes and problems associated with lymphedema. Butcher’s broom, ginger, and clover are used to treat the associated issues of lymphedema and relieve swelling. These herbs also stimulate the lymph system and offer treatment of the underlying issues.

Butcher’s Broom

Butcher’s broom contains ruscogenin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and vein-constricting properties. These properties offer relief of swollen lymph glands and reduce swelling. The herb is used as supportive therapy for the discomfort of chronic venous insufficiencies, such as pain and heaviness, as well as cramps in the legs, itching, and swelling.

Ginger

Ginger contains anti-inflammatory agents, which relieve discomfort associated with lymphedema. The herb also stimulates sweating and lymphatic flow, which boost the immune system. Several small-scale research studies found that ginger reduces muscle pain after exercise. This is because of a potent anti-inflammatory action.

Sweet Clover

Sweet clover contains coumarin, a compound that stimulates lymph flow. Clover ointment triggers lymphatic functioning, and coumarin strengthens blood and lymph vessels. Its anticoagulant action reduces the risk of thrombosis. It also offers support for lymphatic congestion as well as period pain related to congestion.

Signs of lymphedema

After radiation or surgery, swelling associated with lymphedema generally occurs in the arms or legs. It also can occur on the sides of the body. The swelling can be several times its normal size.

Another sign of lymphedema is if you have difficulty fitting into clothing or your jewelry is tighter in your fingers or wrists. If the swelling continues, you may become fatigued.

Other symptoms can accompany the swelling of lymphedema including:

• Warmth, redness, or itching
• Tingling or burning pains
• Fever and chills
• Decreased flexibility in the joints
• Aching, pain, and fullness of the involved area
• Skin rash

MedicineNet.com notes: “The long-term accumulation of fluid and proteins in the tissues leads to inflammation and eventual scarring of tissues, leading to a firm, taut swelling that does not retain its displacement when indented with a fingertip (nonpitting edema). The skin in the affected area thickens and may take on a lumpy appearance described as an orange-peel (peau d'orange) effect. The overlying skin can also become scaly and cracked, and secondary bacterial or fungal infections of the skin may develop. Affected areas may feel tender and sore, and loss of mobility or flexibility can occur.”

NPR's Morning Edition featured Virginia Harrod, who was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in 2014. She had a double mastectomy and 16 lymph nodes were removed under her arm and around her breast. “Cancer was a piece of cake,” Harrod said. “It was the lymphedema that almost killed me.”

Nine months after surgery, Harrod's cat scratched her hand. The next day, “My right arm started itching terribly,” Harrod said, “and these bizarre little red blisters were forming.”

She went to see a doctor, who diagnosed Harrod with cellulitis. The prescribed treatment was IV antibiotics. Ultimately, she was in the hospital for eight days; it was lymphedema.

The NPR report noted:

• Having even one lymph node removed conveys some risk of lymphedema — perhaps 5 to 7 percent.
• Cancer patients who have many more nodes removed — about a 20 percent likelihood of developing lymphedema.
• Undergoing radiation therapy can increase the risk of lymphedema in those patients to 40 percent.

Think twice before considering lymph node removal

Dr. Véronique Desaulniers notes that the premise behind lymph node removal is that cancer cells in the mammary area will tend to spread to sentinel lymph nodes closest to the tumor before they possibly spread to axillary nodes and then to the rest of the body.

However, she points to a 2011 study conducted by the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California. Its research stated that for approximately 20 percent of all U.S. breast cancer patients (40,000 women a year), removing cancerous nodes proved to have no advantage. Survival rates did not improve. Cancer was not less likely to re-emerge.

The research was consistent with patients who had the following disease characteristics:

• Early-detected tumors in stage T1 or T2;
• Tumors that were not large enough to be felt during an exam;
• Lumpectomy as the primary conventional treatment and, in some cases, chemotherapy and/or radiation;
• Cancer tumors that had not spread elsewhere in the body.

Nonetheless, Dr. V said if you chose traditional therapies for breast cancer that included lymph node removal, consider natural healing modalities to restore and maintain the health of your lymphatic system:

• Practice a daily routine of dry brushing your skin;
• Consider thermography and breast self-exam in order to protect sensitive tissue in the breast and lymph node area;
• Boost your immune system by healing the digestive system;
• Get rid of your antiperspirant and use non-aluminum, all-natural deodorants instead;
• Gently move your body. Lymph fluid is designed to flow and cannot do that if the body remains stagnant for too long;
• Consider massage which can contribute to lymphatic flow, the removal of toxins and improve circulation;
• Drink lots of fresh, filtered water;
• Consider EFT or “tapping,” which not only massages key lymphatic points but can also help you heal the emotional blocks to healing.

Also: Dry skin brushing for skin health, circulation, and the lymphatic system

More on natural health

The post Lymphedema a common side effect of many cancers appeared first on Cancer Tutor.