Breast Cancer Nutritional Treatments
Treatments
Current chemotherapies do not work against cancer stem cells, which is why cancer recurs and spreads. Researchers believe that eliminating the cancer stem cells is key to controlling cancer.
Myths re: bioavailability vs efficacy
Myths re: bioavailability vs efficacy
Nutritional Treatments
- take curcumin in several doses a day – curcumin when ingested reaches peak concentration (and this is a low concentration) within the first hour and this then decreases rapidly. You want to ensure your tissues are constantly bathed in curcumin. 8g over 4 doses would be an ideal.
- take curcumin with quercetin. Quercetin apparently inhibits the sulfotransferase enzymes which render curcumin relatively inactive. Take the quercetin 10-15 minutes before you take the curcumin. per Delano Report at: http://tinyurl.com/yyucfp )
- You should NOT take curcumin with Green tea because the active ingredient in green tea, ECGC, antagonises curcumin on a cellular level.
Curcumin / Tumeric
http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/herb/turmeric The extract is marketed as a dietary supplement to improve memory, for arthritis, and for cancer prevention. The active constituents are turmerone oil and water-soluble curcuminoids, mainly curcumin
Lots of cancer related info here - needs closer reading as I just glanced through it.
Weil: Whole turmeric is more effective than isolated curcumin for inflammatory disorders, including arthritis, tendonitis, and autoimmune conditions Alzheimer's disease, colon, breast and prostate cancers
400 to 600 mg of turmeric extracts three times per day. Look for products standardized for 95% curcuminoids.
Take suppls w/ black pepper extract or piperine to increase absorption.
Take with a fat - coconut oil or fish oil
Theraputic doses 1gm or more 3x day
Cancer treatment - low dose over longer period rather than high doses
Caution regarding therapeutic doses:
Another issue to bear in mind is the chelating activity of turmeric. Turmeric dosage in moderate amounts can help the body get rid of a toxic excess of metals like iron and copper. If overdone, the chelating agents can impede the iron metabolic process, resulting in iron deficiency and anemia.
If you are on chemotherapy, curcumin is an iron chelator, so could lead to an iron deficiency if you have marginal stores of iron. Curcumin can lessen the side-effects of doxorubicin and cytoxan (cyclophosphamide).
Studies summarized
Dr Trutt's reccomendation: Longvida
____
Few companies have formulations that actually deliver free curcumin in the blood. One such product is Longvida, a patented product developed by the Alzheimer’s Lab at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). The researchers Drs. Bruce Cole and Sally Frutchey took years and tested over 200 formulations before coming up with their solid lipid curcumin particle. This delivery system has been clinically tested to confirm not only bioavailability but also bioactivity. First, in a human 2010 study in Mumbai (Gota et-al 2010), clinicians treated bone cancer patients with Longvida and found that it was over 100 times more bioavailable than curcumin-95! This is far better than any other product on the market which at best has reported a thirty-fold increase; even then it wasn’t the free curcumin form. In addition, the Longvida form had a much longer half-life than other forms. What this means is that the Longvida form stays in the body for a much longer time, and thus provides continued release to the cells and tissues.
____
Much info referencing studies on curcumin. Home page.
____
Fasting improves free curcumin absorption (eg. minimum of 3 hours after a meal). You make take it with a small drink (4-6 ounces; eg. cherry juice with a higher pH making it more soluble. Wait an hour before eating a meal. HOWEVER, ancectodal evidence suggests that some people may have sleep disturbances if taken before bedtime.
Animal studies suggest that curcumin and fish oil synergize.
Lots of cancer related info here - needs closer reading as I just glanced through it.
Weil: Whole turmeric is more effective than isolated curcumin for inflammatory disorders, including arthritis, tendonitis, and autoimmune conditions Alzheimer's disease, colon, breast and prostate cancers
400 to 600 mg of turmeric extracts three times per day. Look for products standardized for 95% curcuminoids.
Take suppls w/ black pepper extract or piperine to increase absorption.
- Rodent studies at the University of Texas indicate that curcumin inhibits the growth of a skin cancer, melanoma and also slows the spread of breast cancer into the lungs.
- Researchers from the University of South Dakota have found that pretreatment with curcumin makes cancer cells more vulnerable to chemo and radiotherapy.
Take with a fat - coconut oil or fish oil
Theraputic doses 1gm or more 3x day
Cancer treatment - low dose over longer period rather than high doses
Caution regarding therapeutic doses:
- Turmeric is used to lower blood sugar and may be problematic for diabetics taking diabetic medicines and hypoglycemics.
- Turmeric also lowers blood pressure in high doses. Do not take with herbs that have similar effect nor with chemical drugs such as antihypertensives that artificially lower the blood pressure.
- It lowers the LDL (‘bad cholesterol) and raises the HDL (‘good cholesterol) and will boost the effect of chemical cholesterol lowering drugs. Not a good idea.
- It is a blood thinner and not to be taken in conjunction with such chemical blood thinners such as warfarin, coumadin, clopidogrel, or even aspirin, do not ingest turmeric in any form in more than low doses.
- Therapeutic doses of turmeric taken with moderate to high doses of Ginko biloboa or garlic, all of which have blood thinning properties, should not be taken at the same time.
- If you do take high doses of turmeric, stop at least a week prior to surgery (because it is a blood thinner).
- May cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach.
- People having problems with the gall bladder or gall stones should avoid therapeutic doses of turmeric as it increases the bile production.
Another issue to bear in mind is the chelating activity of turmeric. Turmeric dosage in moderate amounts can help the body get rid of a toxic excess of metals like iron and copper. If overdone, the chelating agents can impede the iron metabolic process, resulting in iron deficiency and anemia.
If you are on chemotherapy, curcumin is an iron chelator, so could lead to an iron deficiency if you have marginal stores of iron. Curcumin can lessen the side-effects of doxorubicin and cytoxan (cyclophosphamide).
Studies summarized
Dr Trutt's reccomendation: Longvida
____
Few companies have formulations that actually deliver free curcumin in the blood. One such product is Longvida, a patented product developed by the Alzheimer’s Lab at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). The researchers Drs. Bruce Cole and Sally Frutchey took years and tested over 200 formulations before coming up with their solid lipid curcumin particle. This delivery system has been clinically tested to confirm not only bioavailability but also bioactivity. First, in a human 2010 study in Mumbai (Gota et-al 2010), clinicians treated bone cancer patients with Longvida and found that it was over 100 times more bioavailable than curcumin-95! This is far better than any other product on the market which at best has reported a thirty-fold increase; even then it wasn’t the free curcumin form. In addition, the Longvida form had a much longer half-life than other forms. What this means is that the Longvida form stays in the body for a much longer time, and thus provides continued release to the cells and tissues.
____
Much info referencing studies on curcumin. Home page.
____
Fasting improves free curcumin absorption (eg. minimum of 3 hours after a meal). You make take it with a small drink (4-6 ounces; eg. cherry juice with a higher pH making it more soluble. Wait an hour before eating a meal. HOWEVER, ancectodal evidence suggests that some people may have sleep disturbances if taken before bedtime.
Animal studies suggest that curcumin and fish oil synergize.
Types of Curcumin supplements
Theracurmin/Meriva/Longvida
I’m probably going to have to retract the post. It looks like Theracurmin seriously misleads with the way they present their data. So I’m now back to recommending Longvida instead… certainly for Alzheimer’s and probably for cancer prevention too. - See more at: http://truttmd.com/curcumin-update-theracurmin/#sthash.JvrA43pD.dpuf
One thing you ommitted, however, is that you’re not comparing apples with apples. You’re not differentiating between curcumin metabolites and free curcumin. The types of curcumin shown in the different studies is not labelled by the companies. They don’t break down by free Curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, or metabolites. Gescher got the Theracurmin authors to admit there was no free (parent) curcumin levels detectable in plasma: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22810806. The same goes for Meriva – no detectable free curcumin in plasma. Both longvida and bcm95 seem to at least result in some free curcumin in plasma. And for cancer, we know that curcumin is much more biologically active than the metabolites measured in the Theracurmin study. So it wasn’t surprising that in the cancer study using theracurmin from 2013, that there were no significant effects from theracurmin treatment. Personally, i think it’s great that more curcumin formulations are becoming available. But if you micronize curcumin or turn it into nanoparticles, it’s gotta be easier for it to conjugate. That’s the whole point of lipids and curcumin essential oils as you point out – they are there to help prevent curcumin from conjugating before it’s absorbed, as well as to help with absorbtion. - See more at: http://truttmd.com/curcumin-update-theracurmin/#sthash.JvrA43pD.dpuf
Theracurmin/Meriva/Longvida
I’m probably going to have to retract the post. It looks like Theracurmin seriously misleads with the way they present their data. So I’m now back to recommending Longvida instead… certainly for Alzheimer’s and probably for cancer prevention too. - See more at: http://truttmd.com/curcumin-update-theracurmin/#sthash.JvrA43pD.dpuf
One thing you ommitted, however, is that you’re not comparing apples with apples. You’re not differentiating between curcumin metabolites and free curcumin. The types of curcumin shown in the different studies is not labelled by the companies. They don’t break down by free Curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, or metabolites. Gescher got the Theracurmin authors to admit there was no free (parent) curcumin levels detectable in plasma: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22810806. The same goes for Meriva – no detectable free curcumin in plasma. Both longvida and bcm95 seem to at least result in some free curcumin in plasma. And for cancer, we know that curcumin is much more biologically active than the metabolites measured in the Theracurmin study. So it wasn’t surprising that in the cancer study using theracurmin from 2013, that there were no significant effects from theracurmin treatment. Personally, i think it’s great that more curcumin formulations are becoming available. But if you micronize curcumin or turn it into nanoparticles, it’s gotta be easier for it to conjugate. That’s the whole point of lipids and curcumin essential oils as you point out – they are there to help prevent curcumin from conjugating before it’s absorbed, as well as to help with absorbtion. - See more at: http://truttmd.com/curcumin-update-theracurmin/#sthash.JvrA43pD.dpuf
Artmesinin
First line treatment for Malaria.
Artemisinin also has antiproliferative effects on medullary thyroid carcinoma cells (2), and induces apoptosis in a lung cancer cell line by modulating p38 and calcium signaling (14). In another study, it significantly inhibited cell growth and proliferation, and caused cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase in neuroblastoma cell lines (25). Recent findings suggest that dihydroartemisinin-triggered apoptosis in colorectal cells occurs through the reactive oxygen speciies (ROS)-mediated mitochondria-dependent pathway (26).
Absorption: Artemisinin is absorbed faster from the tea preparations than from capsules. The maximum plasma concentrations were observed after 30 minutes following intake (15). Artesunate is rapidly absorbed and reaches maximum plasma level within 45-90 minutes. It is metabolized in the liver by hydrolysis to dihydroartemisinin (16).
Contraindications
Artemisinin also has antiproliferative effects on medullary thyroid carcinoma cells (2), and induces apoptosis in a lung cancer cell line by modulating p38 and calcium signaling (14). In another study, it significantly inhibited cell growth and proliferation, and caused cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase in neuroblastoma cell lines (25). Recent findings suggest that dihydroartemisinin-triggered apoptosis in colorectal cells occurs through the reactive oxygen speciies (ROS)-mediated mitochondria-dependent pathway (26).
Absorption: Artemisinin is absorbed faster from the tea preparations than from capsules. The maximum plasma concentrations were observed after 30 minutes following intake (15). Artesunate is rapidly absorbed and reaches maximum plasma level within 45-90 minutes. It is metabolized in the liver by hydrolysis to dihydroartemisinin (16).
Contraindications
- Patients with ulcers or gastrointestinal disorders should not take Artemisia
- Antiseizure medications: Artemisia can induce seizures resulting in decreased efficacy of antiseizure medications
Aspirin
low dose aspirin
http://www.forbes.com/sites/melaniehaiken/2013/04/23/new-cancer-prevention-secret-aspirin/ report of new study
targets stem cells whereas chemo does not
http://www.forbes.com/sites/melaniehaiken/2013/04/23/new-cancer-prevention-secret-aspirin/ report of new study
targets stem cells whereas chemo does not
Astragalus
treat the side effects of chemotherapy
Herbs like Astragalus have immunomodulating effects. Studied in humans and shown to help reduce some of the adverse reactions induced by chemotherapy. Not appropriate for all patients and larger clinical trials are needed to confirm their safety and efficacy.
Herbs like Astragalus have immunomodulating effects. Studied in humans and shown to help reduce some of the adverse reactions induced by chemotherapy. Not appropriate for all patients and larger clinical trials are needed to confirm their safety and efficacy.
http://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/immune-system-and-cancer.html#immuneforce chinese approach? lots of herbs listed
protocols
http://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/resources.html#sthash.qO5Z7izJ.dpbs tips, where to buy, strategies
protocols
http://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/resources.html#sthash.qO5Z7izJ.dpbs tips, where to buy, strategies
Beta Carotene
Beta carotene possibly decreases the risk of some cancers, and helps reduce the rate of macular degeneration (retina starts to deteriorate) and increase heart health. High doses of supplements can make your skin turn yellow or orange and may cause an increase in damage caused by free radicals to the body. For breast cancer, diets high in vegetables and fruits that contain the full range of carotenoids (not just beta carotene alone) have been associated with reduced recurrence of breast cancer. There is no evidence that supplements contributed to the protective effect.
Broccoli and Sprouts
study tested sulforaphane, a component of broccoli and broccoli sprouts, in both mice and cell cultures. Researchers found sulforaphane targeted and killed the cancer stem cells and prevented new tumors from growing.
The concentrations of sulforaphane used in the study were higher than what can be achieved by eating broccoli or broccoli sprouts. concentrations needed to impact cancer can be absorbed from the broccoli extract, but side effects are not known.
Three-day-old broccoli sprouts contain 10-100 times higher levels of sulforaphane than a mature head of broccoli. One ounce of broccoli sprouts contains as much sulforaphane as one-and-a-half pounds of broccoli.
Sulforaphane acts as a "signaling" molecule and switches on over 200 specific genes that may be "asleep" due to toxicity, poor health and aging factors. They produce special detoxification enzymes and antioxidant enzymes.
produces glutathione, which bathes the inside of the cell,protecting it against damaging free radicals and inflammatory response.
live enzyme called myrosinase needed to form the sulforaphane - destroyed by overcooking (>7 min steaming) rec. time <4 min. Eat raw.
The concentrations of sulforaphane used in the study were higher than what can be achieved by eating broccoli or broccoli sprouts. concentrations needed to impact cancer can be absorbed from the broccoli extract, but side effects are not known.
Three-day-old broccoli sprouts contain 10-100 times higher levels of sulforaphane than a mature head of broccoli. One ounce of broccoli sprouts contains as much sulforaphane as one-and-a-half pounds of broccoli.
Sulforaphane acts as a "signaling" molecule and switches on over 200 specific genes that may be "asleep" due to toxicity, poor health and aging factors. They produce special detoxification enzymes and antioxidant enzymes.
produces glutathione, which bathes the inside of the cell,protecting it against damaging free radicals and inflammatory response.
live enzyme called myrosinase needed to form the sulforaphane - destroyed by overcooking (>7 min steaming) rec. time <4 min. Eat raw.
Calcium & Vit D
Animal studies suggest that higher levels of calcium and vitamin D may make breast cancer less likely to spread to the bones. Calcium also can help prevent the weakening of bones that can occur with certain chemotherapy medications.
Studies suggest that calcium may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as breast and colorectal cancer, but more research is needed. Calcium also plays a role in keeping blood pressure under control.
Vit D deficiency may increase risk of bc.
Studies suggest that calcium may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as breast and colorectal cancer, but more research is needed. Calcium also plays a role in keeping blood pressure under control.
Vit D deficiency may increase risk of bc.
- Capsaicin (the compound that makes hot peppers hot)
- Ellagic acid (from pomegranates and other fruits)
Flax Seed
Flaxseed has been investigated for its anticancer potential. It was shown to inhibit the growth and metastasis of human breast cancer (6) (29), prostate cancer (7) and melanoma (8) in vitro and in mice. It also reduced radiation therapy-induced lung damage and improved survival (27). In other studies, flaxseed was shown to lower tumor biomarkers in men with prostate cancer (9) (25) and in patients with breast cancer (10), but a flaxseed extract was ineffective in preventing oral infection following radiation treatment for head and neck cancer (12).
Ginseng
Breast cancer patients should use this product with caution as ginseng may stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells
Small studies have suggested that ginseng may help alleviate cancer-related fatigue. Two varieties of ginseng, Asian and American, are claimed to boost the immune system and promote a sense of well-being and stamina, control blood glucose and blood pressure levels and relieve menopausal symptoms, depression, and anxiety.
Recent study of ginseng for cancer-related fatigue used daily doses ranging from 750 to 2,000 milligrams for 8 weeks. Due to potential side effects, many experts recommend using ginseng for 3 months or less.
Contraindications
Small studies have suggested that ginseng may help alleviate cancer-related fatigue. Two varieties of ginseng, Asian and American, are claimed to boost the immune system and promote a sense of well-being and stamina, control blood glucose and blood pressure levels and relieve menopausal symptoms, depression, and anxiety.
Recent study of ginseng for cancer-related fatigue used daily doses ranging from 750 to 2,000 milligrams for 8 weeks. Due to potential side effects, many experts recommend using ginseng for 3 months or less.
Contraindications
Glutathione
Glutathione blocks apoptosis [cell death], both chemotherapy and phyto-chemotherapy agents, by protecting the cell membrane. Glutathione should not be used with agents that promote apoptosis but can be used with pancreatic enzymes; pancreatic enzymes hydrolyze [break apart w/water] the chemical bonds of cancer cells.
Green Tea
Also known as: Camellia sinensis, green tea polyphenols, EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate). EGCG has been shown to limit the growth of breast cancer cells and other types of cancer cells.
Melatonin
In vitro studies demonstrate that melatonin has anti-proliferative effects on human breast cancer (HS578T) (19)
Milk Thistle
It's thought that milk thistle can reduce changes in liver function that may be brought on by chemotherapy. Some people also take milk thistle to reduce the risk of cancer. Laboratory research on cells suggests that milk thistle may reduce the growth of cancer cells, but there has been no research done on people.
Omega 3s
Omega-3 fatty acids may increase the ability of chemotherapy medicines such as doxorubicin and epirubicin to kill cancer cells in animal studies.
ProBiotics
Lab studies suggest that probiotics may slow the growth of breast cancer cells. However, people with weakened immune systems — such as those who are taking chemotherapy for cancer — could be vulnerable to infection by the bacteria. It is generally recommended that these people avoid probiotics.
Selenium
Selenium may decrease the risk for prostate, colon, gastrointestinal, lung, and breast cancers. Selenium acts as an antioxidant. Clinical trials are looking at the possible role of selenium in reducing the risk of breast cancer. One study suggested that selenium may help reduce treatment-related lymphedema. Selenium may reduce hair loss, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite in ovarian cancer patients who are getting chemotherapy.
- Se-methylselenocysteine aka methylselenocysteine (found in garlic and broccoli)
Skullcap (Chinese, not american)
Baicalein is being studied for its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-allergy effects. its ability to halt the replication of various human cancer cell lines, via the inhibition of the 12 lipoxygenase enzyme system, is attracting a great deal of attention from the scientific community as a premiere agent in cancer research.
Pubmed study # 12470437:
-this study was an attempt to study various concentrations of Scutellaria baicalensis against a variety of common human cancer cell lines IN VIVO. Squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate carcinoma (PC3 and LNCaP) and colon cancer.
-effective against all lines.
-most effective against prostate and breast cancer cell lines.
Pubmed study # 12470437:
-this study was an attempt to study various concentrations of Scutellaria baicalensis against a variety of common human cancer cell lines IN VIVO. Squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate carcinoma (PC3 and LNCaP) and colon cancer.
-effective against all lines.
-most effective against prostate and breast cancer cell lines.
Sugar Avoidance
Low glucose diet does not reduce cancer ? read here https://anaximperator.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/sugar-depleted-diet-is-not-a-useful-cancer-cure/
and https://anaximperator.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/sugar-depleted-diet-is-not-a-useful-cancer-cure/
"Sugar feeds cancer" is true but not the maintainer of cancer per se. Warburg effect evolved from believe cancer needs sugar.
Reverse Warburg Effect is now reigning theory see http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/research-reveals-how-sugar-causes-cancer?page=2
and https://anaximperator.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/sugar-depleted-diet-is-not-a-useful-cancer-cure/
"Sugar feeds cancer" is true but not the maintainer of cancer per se. Warburg effect evolved from believe cancer needs sugar.
Reverse Warburg Effect is now reigning theory see http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/research-reveals-how-sugar-causes-cancer?page=2
Vitamin D
There's overwhelming evidence pointing to the fact that vitamin D deficiency plays a roll in cancer development. If there were something close to a silver bullet for cancer, vitamin D would be it.
If you currently have cancer, evidence shows that higher blood levels of vitamin D—probably around 80-90 ng/ml—are beneficial. it's BEST to get your vitamin D from natural sun exposure. It appears vitamin D may play an important role in sulfur metabolism, and taking it orally may not provide the same benefit as deriving it from the sun. To learn the details about how to optimize your vitamin D, including dosage and blood testing, please review our comprehensive vitamin Darticle.
Vitamin D has been found to offer protection from cancer by several mechanisms, including:
If you currently have cancer, evidence shows that higher blood levels of vitamin D—probably around 80-90 ng/ml—are beneficial. it's BEST to get your vitamin D from natural sun exposure. It appears vitamin D may play an important role in sulfur metabolism, and taking it orally may not provide the same benefit as deriving it from the sun. To learn the details about how to optimize your vitamin D, including dosage and blood testing, please review our comprehensive vitamin Darticle.
Vitamin D has been found to offer protection from cancer by several mechanisms, including:
- Regulating genetic expression
- Increasing apoptosis of defective, mutant cells thereby reducing cancer cell replication
- Causing cells to become differentiated (cancer cells often lack differentiation)
- Choking off the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, which is a step in the transition of dormant tumors turning cancerous