Prevent & Treat Cancer with Vital Nutrition

Free radicals are thought to be associated with aging and the development of cancers. By eating a diet that is rich in antioxidants the body has the nutrition available to 'mop up' the free radicals that are in the system and thus help to prevent the adverse effects of the free radicals. This means that it can help prevent cancers and to halt the course of the disease once it is present.

Most cancers that have developed in the body require aggressive conventional therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. Using one of these three therapies can leave your immune system suppressed and can cause you to be very 'run down'.

Although these mainstream therapies can reduce the overall size of the tumor they do not change the underlying cause of the disease.

It is generally believed that cancers are caused by a collection of factors that have compromised the immune system. These factors revolve around the free radicals and the nutrition to enable the body to fight the abnormal cells that develop in the body. Adequate nutrition can change the conditions in the body that favour the growth and development of tumors to a healthier status. This can assist the person with cancer to fight the condition.

What you can do to help prevent and treat cancer

Stop smoking. If you smoke you are 10 times more likely to develop lung cancer and up to 30% of cancer deaths are caused by smoking. Smoking dramatically increases your risk of various types of cancer, not only lung cancer.
Cut down on alcohol. Heavy consumption of alcohol increases your risk of cancers of the liver, mouth, esophagus and larynx. Try to drink no more than two units of alcohol per day.
Eat plenty of fiber in your diet. This will reduce the risk of bowel cancers. Fiber supplements can be of assistance if you are unable to eat sufficient in your diet. Fiber supplements should be taken at 4 to 6g every day.
Acidophilus and other helpful bacteria are able to reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Take the dosage recommended on the package at least once per day before eating a meal.
Eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables per day since they contain important antioxidants.
Take a good vitamin and mineral supplement - one that contains vitamins C, E and other antioxidant vitamins and minerals. These will assist to neutralize certain carcinogens. Supplements can assist to boost the immune system so that it can destroy newly formed cancer cells before they begin to multiply.
Avoid too many deep fried and barbecued foods, both of which contain chemicals that can lead to cancer. Also avoid large amounts of smoked, salt-pickled and salt-cured food because these foods increase the risks of developing stomach cancer.
Avoid sunburning. Skin cancer is caused primarily by sun burn.
Eat a good diet. Up to 40% of cancer patients actually die from malnutrition. Cancer cells release a chemical that suppresses the appetite. Nausea and vomiting caused by the treatment can exacerbate the problem. Even if you are not hungry try to eat at least a little nutritious food each day. This is to include essential fatty acids.
Garlic has strong anti-cancer effects and contains a number of substances to neutralize carcinogens.
Follow the rules for health living. (see..)
Find a support group to share your concerns. Stress can lower your immune system activity and your energy levels. These, along with other things, make the body less able to deal with carcinogens and cancer cells.

Vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent and treat cancer

Ensure that you get some sunlight each day and plenty of vitamin D in your diet. Vitamin D is linked to the reduced risk of a number of cancers. Take 400 IUs of Vitamin D each day to reduce you risk of developing cancer.
Calcium to help protect the colon and rectum from cancer. Take between 800 and 1,500 mg per day.
Zinc to provide the body with general protection form cancer. Take 17 to 25 mg daily.
Vitamin B complex to protect against the risk of a number of cancers and to boost the immune system functioning. Take 25 to 50 mg once or twice daily.
Antioxidant vitamins A, C and E have been shown to have significant cancer-prevention effects. Take a good supplement daily.
Vitamin A, beta-carotene, for its capacity to boost the immune system and fight free radicals. Take 25,000 to 45,000 IUs of beta-carotene per day.
Vitamin C - take 250 to 500 mg two to three times a day.
Vitamin E can enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and may impede the growth of some cancers. Take 400 to 600 IUs per day.
Antioxidant mineral selenium helps to boost the immunity. Take 100 to 200 mcg per day.
Coenzyme Q10 has been shown to reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy. Take 30 mg daily.

Summary

Vitamin D - 400 IU per day
Calcium - 800 to 1,500 mg per day
Zinc - 17 to 25 mg per day
Vitamin B complex - 25 to 50 mg once or twice daily
Antioxidant vitamins A, C and E:
- Vitamin A (beta- carotene form) take 25,000 to 45,000 IU per day
- Vitamin C - 250 to 500mg two to three times per day
- Vitamin E - 400 to 600 IU per day
Selenium - 100 to 200 mcg per day
Coenzyme Q10 - 30 mg per day

References

Bland, J. 1996, Contemporary Nutrition. J & B Associates.

Davies, S. and A. Stewart., 1997, Nutritional Medicine. Pan.

Golombick, T. 2001, Fighting Cancer with vital Nutrition. Universal Wellbeing, Issue 85, pp. 46-49.

Holden, S., Hudson, K., Tilman, J. & D. Wolf, 2003, The Ultimate Guide to Health from Nature. Asrolog Publication.

Pressman, A. and S. Buff, 2000, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. (2nd Ed.) Alpha Books.

Soothill, R. 1996, The Choice Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. A Choice Book Publication.

Sullivan, K. 2002, Vitamins and Minerals: A Practical Approach to a Health Diet and Safe Supplementation. Harper Collins.