Want a Better Life, Avoid Cancer, Heal Faster... Exercise

Want to live longer and fell better while avoiding a cancer or its recurrence? 

The solution is as simple as exercising 3-4 hours per week. You’ll reduce your risk of getting cancer by over 60%, and reduce your risk of a cancer relapse by 40%. Incredible benefits for only a few hours per week, yet how many just can’t find the time to exercise, or even move their body beyond work, home, and refrigerator.

It doesn’t take much. A 2011 study looking at men diagnosed with prostate cancer found just 3 hours of vigorous physical activity per week lowered their risk of dying from cancer by 61%. Men over 65 with prostate cancer who exercise regularly enjoy even better odds. Just 3 hours exercise per week reduced their risk of dying by a whopping 70%. Expanding the benefits of exercise, the Macmillan Cancer Support Study, a review 60 studies and survey of 400 health care professionals, found that breast cancer patients reduced their mortality by 40% with exercise, and bowel cancer patients reduced their risk of dying by 50%.

And if you were exercising before your cancer diagnosis, your odds are even better. Now think about this, many men and women don’t even realize they have cancer till its been growing inside for a long time. This is precious time when you could have been exercising to improve your odds.

Exercise acts on cancer in multiple ways. It reduces internal inflammation preventing cancer’s occurrence. In addition, a 2003 study found that exercise increases the p53 tumor suppressor gene while reducing IGF-1. This acts to stop radical cell growth and promote natural cancer cell death thereby preventing and stopping cancer in its tracks. In truth, the more active you are the less possibility of cancer you’ll have. Add to this, the findings out of a study looking at 572 cancer patients who had their prostates removed because of cancer. They found men participating in more exercise had more normally shaped blood vessels in their tumors. Why is this important? Tests have shown more regularly shaped blood vessels equate to quicker and more complete healing results after treatment. 

Then it’s important to consider the quality of life after cancer treatment. A 2015 study of women treated for breast cancer found those who participated in a trainer supervised, slowly progressive weight training program achieved much better physical functioning than those who merely rested after treatment. Simple daily activities such as walking, carrying things, even getting out of the bed or shower were all improved for those who exercised over those who did not. Studies also found that breast cancer patients who exercised experienced less nausea, reduced risk of blood clots, had easier digestion with less constipation, reduced weight, enjoyed a healthier sex drive, and experienced more energy. 

Activities such as guided exercise, biking, tennis, jogging, swimming and even fast walking all contributed to lowering health risks, though some feel they’re only a little overweight so why put out the effort. Bet you didn’t know you don’t have to be obese or really fat to increase your risks of cancer. Just 10 to 20 pounds overweight may start the process. Excess fat actually acts like an organ in your body. It makes hormones and proteins that increase inflammation that directly cause cancer. Fat is not just fat. There are over 20 hormones and 80 different harmful proteins made by the fat around your middle. The greater the fat, the more nasty chemicals are being made. This eventually causes cellular DNA damage while supporting cancer development, growth, and recurrence. Yet how many patients have their cancer treated without addressing the overweight lifestyle that contributed to or created the cancer.

But cancer isn’t the only consequence. It is well documented that excess fat, especially around your middle, causes general inflammation throughout your body. This inflammation can lead to heart attacks, stroke, Alzheimer’s, nervous system disorders and much more. To live a high quality of life we need to break out of this destructive process.

So our tasks become staying physically fit, getting your blood really flowing, and reducing your gut. Have you taken a good look at the American population recently? How many do you see walking around with a basketball or worse pushing out from where their stomach used to be? No man or woman was born like this. Nor did it just happen. It took years of neglect and abuse to grow that gut, the same gut that may reduce you to your knees with cancer. Do you now see its time to start making healthier lifestyle changes?

Yet where do you begin? If you haven’t been to a gym in awhile, it can be an intimidating process. Then too, cancer treatment will sap your strength and resolve. Chemotherapy drugs, radiation, or surgery often cause overwhelming fatigue, muscle pain, diarrhea or constipation, weakness and more, all things that reduce your resolve to get the needed exercise that will reduce or relieve these symptoms. Your mind may say, ‘I need the exercise’, but your body is saying, ‘I can’t do it’, ‘I’m afraid’, ‘It won’t make a difference’, or ‘I’m just too sore or tired’.

At this point you need to realize, its your life we are talking about, and if you want to improve your life, its time to start moving. If you can only do one thing, just get out and walk. Take 30 minutes or an hour a day, and walk around your neighborhood. Meandering with your dog isn’t nearly as good as a really quick walk. Then start by getting to the gym at least once a week. Now here’s the important part. If you haven’t been to the gym before, or if your body has been depleted with cancer treatments, you will need a personal trainer skilled in working with cancer patients.

Look for a gym that can provide you with individualized training and the personalized support specialized in working with cancer and overweight patients. This will help you renew your energy while rebuilding your body. Regardless of your current abilities or challenges, there is no need to worry what others will think of your current skills or progress. Often a boutique exercise facility, featuring individualized training and small classes with professionals who understand your cancer journey, will be best.

If you still need one more reason to exercise, then hear this! A new 2016 study found fat cells in adipose tissue surrounding the prostate in overweight men make a chemokine called CCL7. This links with a prostate cancer chemical labeled CCR3, causing the cancer to spread while becoming much more aggressive, and creating a much greater chance of recurrence after treatment. Simply put, fat acts to draw out the cancer from prostates and spread it around the body. From this study they learned the more overweight you are, the bigger your gut, the greater chance you will have difficult to treat, aggressive prostate cancer.

The solution is simple, If you like living, start eating right and exercise today!

Potential New Cancer Treatments: A New Look At Green Tea

Are you a tea drinker? After reading this, you may consume more green tea. Each cup of tea is loaded with catechins. These are polyphenols that have been shown to assist with the prevention and treatment of various cancers. Major polyphenols in green tea include epicatechin (EC), epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Green tea also contains to a lesser amount the polyphenols kaempferol, myricitrin and quercetin. Of all the polyphenols in green tea the most abundant is EGCG. One cup of green tea will contain 300-400mg mixed polyphenols, including approximately 100-150mg EGCG.

For 5,000 years, Chinese have been drinking green tea. They also enjoy some of the lowest incidence of prostate cancer. The question becomes, could this partially be do to the green tea? The answer appears to be yes. Multiple studies have shown drinking green tea reduces the risk of cancer. When patients treat their cancer with it, green tea decreases cancer cell viability along with promoting cancer cell death. Green tea is unique. It has been found to have either antioxidant or oxidative effects pending on the health of the cell it reaches, along with anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-arteriosclerotic and anti-bacterial properties. One study found drinking 3 cups of green tea per day lowered prostate cancer risk. Another study looking at 49,920 men in Japan found drinking 5 cups of green tea per day significantly reduced the risk of advanced prostate cancer. But who really wants to drink that much tea? Could it also cause problems, and don’t forget about the caffeine.

What if there was something from green tea anyone could take to obtain the same benefits without the volume of tea, or its caffeine? Truth be known, it does exist. Researchers have long looked at the benefits of EGC and EGCG in direct relationship to cancer.

In prostate cancer they found that EGC and EGCG are effective at reducing the enzyme 5-alpha reductase process thereby inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into DHT effectively blocking it from cancer cells. This process is much like the action of the cancer drug bicalutamide and other antiandrogen cancer drugs, without the severe side effects. Then again many believe prostate cancer’s growth is fed by DHT, so reduce DHT and slow the growth. Researchers also found that EGCG retards the angiogenesis process by preventing new cancer blood vessel nutrient supply lines, essentially starving the cancer. In addition researchers discovered when EGCG is used with another component, it effectively blocks ENOX2 proteins causing interference with the cancer cell’s ability to mature and divide, effectively cutting their growth. 

And there’s still more. EGCG coming into contact with cancer cells results in the production of hydrogen peroxide. When this H(2)O(2) reacts with the increased iron stored in, and needed by, cancer cells, potent reactive oxygen species (ROS) are created such as hydroxyl radicals, creating a heightened oxidative state causing apoptotic cell destruction. 

Following this train of thought, new research from Penn State confirmed EGCG from green tea damages the mitochondria of cancer cells reducing the expression of anti-oxidant genes causing further oxidative stress leading to cancer’s demise. They also proposed that EGCG interacts with a protein, SIRT3, to facilitate the process. The truly remarkable part of this interaction between EGCG and SIRT3 is that, it’s selective in nature. EGCG turns on SIRT3 in healthy cells, and turns off SIRT3 in cancer cells. How incredible, and what a fabulous design! This unique set of interactions protects healthy cells, keeping them away from cancer, while causing cancer cells to terminate. EGCG is certainly a multi-pathway approach to treat cancer exhibiting unique healing interactions with multiple forms of cancer including breast, prostate, colon, lung, ovarian and many others.

To further show the benefits of EGCG and EGC for prostate cancer prevention, an Italian study at the University of Parma, Italy gave flavonoid concentrates to men who tested prone to the risk of prostate cancer. The men received 200mg of the concentrate 3 times per day for a year. At the end of the study only one man out of 32 receiving the green tea flavonoid capsules was diagnosed with prostate cancer, whereas in the control group not receiving the capsules, 9 out of 30 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

When you consider all these benefits, without many of the egregious side effects of artificial cancer drugs when administered properly, it certainly makes one think there could be a better way to approach healing cancer, or at least slow it down. Yet how many men and women in the general population know the cancer preventative and healing benefits of EGCG from green tea? Have you ever heard, you should drink green tea, or try EGCG, from your doctor in relation to cancer? If not officially ‘FDA Approved’ for cancer prevention and treatment, for many doctors it doesn’t exist. They simply say (without FDA Approval) there is no proof it works. For our future, and the health of our society, I believe we need to find a way to further research and integrate treatments such as this into everyday clinical practice.

In itself, EGCG may not be the cure-all for cancer, though it most likely will slow it down, and assist healing when used with existing approved cancer protocols. Considering new research suggests it operates as a pro-oxidant creating ROS in relation to cancer cells, further research may want to look at combining it with other natural oxidative treatments such as Artemisinin or marijuana.

EGCG may also lesson cancer recurrence rates by effectively reducing the small amounts of cancer cells left after surgery or radiation. Then too, there is extensive evidence suggesting EGCG plays a substantial role in cancer prevention. EGCG presents so many good opportunities to attack cancer. Still it is also important to remember throughout this discussion, everyone’s unique cancer, diet, composition, history and metabolism are different. Where some have received excellent results from EGCG, others have experienced no results directly attributed to its use for reasons yet unknown.

Aside from the already mentioned healing actions of EGCG, one unique benefit deserves further exploration. Possibly EGCG’s greatest benefit comes from its ability to tackle newly developing cancer before the cancer gets a foothold requiring more drastic treatment. And to my belief, everyone would agree the sooner a cancer is found, the easier it is to treat with better results. So how do we find cancer at its earliest stages?

To accomplish this task, I believe we should all be looking at a newly available test capable of detecting 27 different types of cancer, and there organ of origin, with a single blood draw including: Prostate, Bladder, Breast, Cervical, Colorectal, Endometrial, Esophageal, Gastric, Hepatocellular, Kidney, Leukemia, Non-Small cell, Lung Small cell, Lymphoma, Melanoma, Mesothelioma, Multiple Myeloma, Myeloma, Ovarian, Pancreatic, Sarcoma,  Squamous Cell, Thyroid, Follicular, Uterine, Papillary, Testicular Germ Cell cancers. It accomplishes this by using the ENOX2 protein as a marker, and then determining its molecular weight and isoelectric point. The test, though not infallible, claims a 99.3% reliability for determining cancer(s) with no false positives, and 96% accuracy in determining the type of, and organ site, of the cancer. Certainly better results than the standard PSA test. This ONCOblot test has been called, “the most sensitive blood test for cancer available today”. Unfortunately it can’t determine the stage of the cancer, the amount of the cancer load, or any cancer spread. It just effectively tells you if you have cancer, or not. Yet when considering whether to have a biopsy, determining if you have the real possibility of cancer beforehand is very valuable knowledge. Currently, the ONCOblot test is approved by the FDA as a ‘Laboratory Developed Test’. Unfortunately, it is not covered by insurance, as it is too new, and little known by many oncologists. It was first made available to the public January 2013.

Using this test as a follow-up to the standard PSA test that so often triggers a biopsy, could save the American public and insurance companies over $2 Billion per year by dramatically reducing the 750,000 unnecessary negative prostate biopsies. But the real benefit may come from the millions of lives it could save. You see this test can find cancer even before major symptoms appear. It detects cancer with as few as 2 million cells, unlike current mammogram scans that need 4.5 trillion cells to register. And it is at this cancer infancy stage that EGCG is most effective at eradicating cancer. Imagine if cancers were found early enough for EGCG, say in the form of CAPSOL-T® a product combining concentrated EGCG with capsicum powder, or another green tea product, to heal your cancer without surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Could it change your life, and the face of medicine today?

In a cancer prevention trail using CAPSOL-T®, 110 men and women were tested for the presence of ENOX2 using the ONCOblot process. Forty four (44) test subjects were found to have the presence of various cancers as exhibited by positive ONCOblot tests. These were then given CAPSOL-T® for periods from 3 to 17 months and continually retested for ENOX2 markers. Researchers found that forty one (41) of the cancer subjects retested no longer showed the presence of ENOX2 in their systems, indicating there very early stage cancer gone.

CAPSOL-T® is a specialized product readily available in the U.S. combining concentrated decaffeinated green tea powder in a 25:1 ratio with capsicum powder otherwise known as red pepper or chili pepper. Each 350mg CAPSOL-T® capsule has the flavonoid benefits of drinking multiple cups of green tea with only 1.65mg caffeine per capsule. It is believed the synergy of concentrated green tea with capsicum increases the bioavailability and healing qualities many times over. Capsicum by itself has been shown to block breast cancer cell migration and reduce the size of certain tumors

Those who use CAPSOL-T® are strongly recommended to take it every four (4) hours around the clock to maximize its effectiveness, along with preventing an EGCG resistance buildup. For those who want to sleep through the night without interruption, there is a time-release product available. Structured dosing allows the cancer cells to be continuously exposed, creating the best possible results. According to CAPSOL-T®, there have been no adverse effects, no liver problems, and no lawsuits associated with CAPSOL-T® use. It has also been stated that CAPSOL-T® is non-toxic at recommended concentrations due to the many other protective polyphenols in the product. The manufacturer of CAPSOL-T® confirms it is all-natural and contains only decaffeinated green tea and capsicum powder, both of which are extremely safe.

With that said, it is important to know side effects from using ‘too much’ EGCG and/or green tea could exist. If you have cancer and decide to explore EGCG or CAPSOL-T®, I suggest you only do it under a doctor’s care who is familiar with the product(s) you are using. Cases of acute liver failure, even death, have been attributed to taking too much EGCG and/or caffeine. Minor side effects can include excess intestinal gas, nausea, heartburn, stomachache, abdominal pain, dizziness, nervousness, headache, and muscle pain. More serious side effects from concentrated EGCG could include vomiting, kidney problems, and moderate to severe hepatic necrosis (liver failure). For most, these side effects disappear when EGCG supplementation is stopped. The higher the dose of EGCG, the more toxic it is to the liver, and a small percentage of people, for as yet undetermined reasons, appear to be especially susceptible to liver problems. Interesting to note, when used properly, EGCG has been suggested to prevent Hepatitis C, thus protecting the liver. 

Before beginning clinical use of EGCG, there is a discussion you need to have with your doctor, along with a complete liver panel, prior to beginning any EGCG treatment. And since side effect symptoms have occurred anywhere from 10 days to 7 months after treatment, it is appropriate to continue to have your liver checked on a regular basis.

To be wise, start by thinking of EGCG as a cancer drug, rather than a super safe supplement. Would you blindly start taking a cancer drug? In reality, considering the millions, possibly billions of people around the world using green tea and EGCG every day with relatively few if any serious side effects, EGCG is probably safer that driving your car to the corner store for a carton of milk. Then consider the newest FDA approved cancer drugs with their litany of side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, arm swelling, reduction in blood cells, high blood pressure, decreased hemoglobin, liver damage, cardiac dysfunction and arterial events, renal failure, thyroid failure, gastrointestinal perforation etc, and you realize green tea and EGCG for cancer, when treated with respect under proper supervision, can be generally considered safe having excellent healing qualities. The majority of people never experience any side effects. According to the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology between 1999 and 2008 only 34 cases of liver damage were attributed to EGCG, with one unfortunate death. By the same token, between 1999 and 2008 there were 9 deaths attributed to drinking too much water. Problems can happen. Everything you put into your mouth has an effect on your body! Be safe and work with your doctor for appropriate dosage and proper tests.

Certainly there are laboratory studies and case studies showing doses of EGCG unsafe. There is also a ‘wealth of materials and studies’ showing the remarkable benefits of EGCG with zero to minimal side effects. It is unfortunate we do not have more studies using EGCG in human trials. The limited research I have seen for CAPSOL-T® is very promising, and I have heard of no side effects regarding this product. It is also interesting that several attorneys are gathering clients for class action suits regarding EGCG and its unregulated use in weight reduction formulas. Though an excess of EGCG looks to be the culprit in this legal action, much is still unknown about EGCG’s interactions with other ingredients, the amounts of caffeine consumed, and/or pesticides and substances that may have contaminated the weight reduction product or tea. There obviously needs to be more research. 

From my research, I believe EGCG and EGC from green tea aid in the process to relieve the burden of cancer. Drinking green tea daily, as a life choice, appears to provide a strong avenue for cancer prevention. As a treatment protocol today I would only personally use EGCG as secondary to other treatments, or as a primary treatment when cancer is found in its earliest stages. Then I would look at CAPSOL-T®. When used with low-risk early stage non-aggressive prostate cancer, the benefits appear clear. We also need to make available better use of the ONCOblot test, if not for the $2 Billion cost reduction, for lives it will save.

Today EGCG is one more of our low cost, orphan cancer treatments deserving further research and eventual approval by the FDA, especially when it comes to early cancer treatment and as a supplemental treatment along side more aggressive protocols. We all deserve further research into EGCG to understand dosage over time, most effective applications, and greater product refinement. Imagine relieving a portion of the burden of cancer for pennies a day. With nearly 12 cancer deaths per minute, we must do everything possible to cure cancer now. Not just looking at exotic, outrageously expensive, new drugs. EGCG has earned its place in the list of Proven Natural Treatments Deserving Research. The time has come for us to take the next step and explore it further.

There is still more to explore in this series on Potential New Natural Cancer Treatments. Look for the new post coming soon.

Potential New Natural Cancer Treatments: Turkey Tail and Tocotrienols

It’s 2011 researchers in Canberra declare PSP, an extract from Turkey Tail Mushrooms, 100% effective at suppressing prostate cancer stem cells in mice. Many researchers and doctors currently believed cancer stem cells are responsible for prostate cancer’s initiation and growth. PSP stands for polysaccharopeptide. Researchers further concluded that dose dependent PSP was effective at suppressing cancer formation and an agent for preventing cancer. Additional studies have found with the inclusion of gamma-tocotrienol, a component of Vitamin-E, healing results are further enhanced. Gamma-tocotrienol appears to work synergistically with PSP by sensitizing the cancer cells to allow a faster action of PSP. This has led to a reduction of cancer colonies by as much as 85% over a short time. Now realize this work was completed on mice, though certainly it brings the question as to why there is no immediate follow-up for human U.S. trials especially considering for decades PSP and PSK have been official government approved healing drugs in Japan and China for decades.

Researchers have been looking at turkey tail and gamma-tocotrienol for many years due to their unique properties. The turkey tail mushroom, also known as Yun Zhi in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Trametes Versicolor, Coriolus Versicolor, Polyporus Versicolor, and Kwaratake in Japanese medicine has been used throughout Asia for hundreds of years in soups to boost health and treat serious illness. Derivatives from turkey tail mushrooms have exhibited immune system enhancement, antimicrobial, antiviral and mutative cell inhibiting qualities. The two most studied components of turkey tail are PSK and PSP. PSK is a polysaccharide and PSP is a polysaccharide-peptide.

Both PSK and PSP are known to boost immune cell production, improve traditional cancer treatments, and relieve symptoms from chemotherapy. Sold commercially as Krestin in Japan, PSK has been used as a government ‘approved cancer drug’ since 1977. When used along with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation it has shown significant improvement in overall results. Not only does PSK have excellent antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties, it also inhibits cancer’s spread by reducing adhesion, motility and cancer cell attachment to blood vessels. Reports have further shown the restoration of depressed immune systems and enhanced activity of natural killer cells, T-cells, macrophages and peripheral blood lymphocytes. As an example, in one 1997 study, when PSK was used in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat breast cancer patients, 5 and 10-year survival rates were 100% for PSK treated patients and only 76% and 55% respectively for those treated with chemotherapy alone. These are exciting results, and breast cancer has many similar characteristics to prostate cancer. PSK supplemental treatment appears to be received well with only a few patients experiencing gastrointestinal upset or some darkening of the fingernails. Research has shown that ingesting PSK in as much as 9 grams per day in Japan is considered safe. As a bonus it does not appear to reduce activity of chemotherapy drugs nor cause genetic damage while enhancing the healing process.

PSP, a Chinese developed medicine, was ‘approved as an official cancer medicine’ by the Chinese government in 1992/1993. PSP is believed to be more effective than PSK due to the bonding of a peptide during the extraction process. This allows for easier and more complete absorption by the body. It’s believed PSP passes through the intestine and bonds to glucose receptors on lymphocyte macrophages, NK cells and T-cells. This causes these cells to create disease resistant chemicals like interferon, interleukins, prostaglandin and other mutation resistant factors. It also has been shown to stabilize white blood cell count and improve the overall quality of life for cancer patients. Prostate cancer cells thrive on glucose, so they also tend to suck up the PSP. Research has shown when PSP enters cancer cells it down regulates prostate cancer stem cells. Since these are a foundational factor to cancer’s initiation and progression, targeting these cancer stem cells is of prime importance.

It is also believed that approved conventional therapies do little to target cancer stem cells, leaving new cancer to grow after initial treatment. In addition to targeting cancer stem cells, PSP suppressed the ability of cancer cells to form prostaspheres and inhibited their tumorgenicity. This puts a halt to the self-renewal and growth process of cancer.

Both PSK and PSP from turkey tail resemble each other but are structurally different. PSK comes from a CM-101 strain of turkey tail with extraction completed using hot water and then a salting out with ammonium sulfate. PSP originates from a Cov-1 strain of turkey tail using hot water extraction and then an alcohol precipitation process. Chemically they are similar, though PSK contains fucose and PSP contains rhamnose and arabinose.

Now let’s add Gamma or Delta Tocotrienols into the mix. These come from Vitamin-E. There are four tocopherols and four tocotrienols in Vitamin-E, each divided into four components labeled Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma. Both tocopherol and tocotrienol molecules are similar shaped but the tocotrienols have smaller heads, shorter tails and a higher electron density. This makes them incredibly more effective and faster at bonding with cell membranes. In addition researchers have found tocotrienols to be 40 to 60 times more effective as antioxidants than tocopherols. Natural sources for varying amounts of tocotrienol and tocopherol include rye, amaranth, barley, rice bran, ancient wheat, palm fruit, annatto, walnuts, hazelnuts, poppy, safflower, maize, and the seeds of flax, grape, and pumpkin. The three sources most used for supplements are rice bran, palm fruit and annatto. Rice and palm have approximately 25% and 50% tocotrienols respectively with a lot of tocopherols. Only annatto provides a high source of tocotrienols without the tocopherols. Annatto is approximately 90% delta-tocotrienol and 10% gamma-tocotrienol. So why is this important?

Studies have shown tocopherol found abundantly in most Vitamin-E products may interfere with the healing activity to tocotrienol. It’s like one component is racing around to treat your cancer while the other is putting on the brakes. During a University of Wisconsin study, researchers looking at the ability of combined tocotrienol and tocopherol to reduce cholesterol found a general 10% to 22% improvement. But when they put a non-responsive group of subjects on only delta and gamma tocotrienols after just 4 weeks they witnessed a 35% to 40% drop in their cholesterol. From their research they determined delta- and gamma-tocotrienols exhibited the highest health benefits of all the eight forms of Vitamin-E. Further research has gone on to support similar findings leading to the suggestion to not take supplements with tocopherols within six hours of supplementing with high tocotrienols. This suggestion can be extremely difficult, as most supplement manufacturers love to combine all tocopherols and tocotrienols in one gel cap. Another source suggested taking multi-vitamins with mixed component Vitamin-E in the morning, and high source tocotrienols in the evening with dinner, so they peak in the blood about the same time cholesterol production peaks.

Then there is the problem with ‘Synthetic’ Alpha Tocopherol also on the market. Vitamin-E actually received a bad report not too long ago when a study found synthetic alpha tocopherol may increase prostate cancer, and the results were generalized to Vitamin-E. The problem was, most medical professionals didn’t take into account the difference between synthetic and natural products, and the fact that synthetic alpha tocopherol was used in the study without gamma tocopherol to compensate. With all this said, the main point to remember is that natural delta- and gamma-tocotrienols are believed to be the most effective components of Vitamin-E when used to treat cancer.

As a cancer killer, delta- and gamma-tocotrienols have showed interesting results. One of their greatest benefits is the ability to provide a multi-targeted approach. Some believe cancer cells are created because of the malfunction of numerous genes and signaling pathways. This is why drugs, designed to only interact with a single gene of pathway like docetaxel, eventually fail. Though the designer drug may address one small issue, the cancer is left with multiple workarounds. Tocotrienols on the other hand have been found to be multi-interactive. They target the COX2, EGFR, TNK, HER2, bct-abl and VEGF pathways along with inhibiting transcription factors, enzymes, growth factors, receptors, kinases and anti-apoptotic proteins. One of the more interesting ways that tocotrienols stop cancer is through an anti-angiogenesis process. Tumor cells need abundant nutrition for all their growth. Through angiogenesis they create more blood vessels to supply their food. Tocotrienols are believed to slow, even stop this process, thereby putting cancer on a starvation diet while preventing further growth.

Then there’s the unique ability gamma-tocotrienol has to down regulate, essentially kill, cancer stem cells (CSC’s). Studies have shown a limited number of cancer stem cells exist within many cancer colonies. They are considered to be the leaders, or the ones in charge. These cells are tenacious, with excellent survival and tumor initiating characteristics. In fact they are so tough that radiation and chemotherapy often leave them behind to development new cancer years after initial treatment. Gamma-tocotrienol has been found to effectively deal with these cancer stem cells, and when paired with other forms of chemotherapy act as a chemo-sensitizing agent for further cancer stem cell destruction.

Bottom line, tocotrienols work on cancer at a multitude of different levels to induce cancer’s demise. Long-term consumption of tocotrienols has been linked to reduce risks of prostate, skin, and breast cancer, with delta- and gamma-tocotrienols having the best results. For a healthy person, a preventative dose of 50mg to 100mg per day has been suggested. For those with cancer some suggest 300mg to 400mg per day though there are no confirming studies. When deciding on which source of tocotrienols to take there are a few important considerations. Most important, the good effects of tocotrienols are reduced by the more tocopherols come with it. So learn to read labels for the highest source of tocotrienols and the lowest amount of tocopherols. If tocopherols are more than 50% of the ingredients, the product may not be right for you. Second, only purchase natural sourced products. There were some ‘synthetic’ alpha-tocopherols used in a clinical trial that severely depleted gamma-tocopherol and caused DNA damage resulting in cancer from reactive nitrogen. This is started an anti alpha-tocopherol and Vitamin-E movement. Much of this research has been questioned.

You may be wondering with the extensive history of positive results and research studies regarding the use of turkey tail and tocotrienols to treat disease and cancer, why the U.S. is not all over researching the benefits of PSP, PSK and gamma-tocotrienol. Could it be the FDA believes humans in Japan and China, having government approved cancer-healing benefits from PSK and PSP over 38 and 22 years respectively, are fundamentally different from humans in the U.S.? More likely, it is because the U.S. is a wealth-reward driven society and there’s no money in it. PSP, PSK and tocotrienol are not newly patentable, cheep to produce, so there’s no money for the massive double blind studies the FDA requires regarding treatment approval. They are widely used already as natural healing substances, even as doctor delivered medicines outside the U.S. Then too, the FDA is not in the business of finding cures for cancer, their job is to regulate, approve or reject U.S. research. And there’s the issue, finding a natural inexpensive cure for cancer would put so many people including doctors out of work, and businesses out of existence.

In 2012 the FDA did approve a $5.4 million Trial of Turkey Tail Mushroom by Bastyr University together with the University of Washington and others, for advanced prostate cancer in conjunction with chemotherapy. I understand the product to be tested was a hot water and alcohol extraction of turkey tail from Host Defense. The Trial was to begin in 2013. Last I heard this Trial was cancelled due to lack of participants, puzzling considering there are over 220,800 new U.S. cases of prostate cancer each year, and over 27,500 Americans who annually die of this terrible disease. Or could it be a reflection on the general medical community’s resistance to change, or their lack of knowledge concerning the benefit of alternative treatments beyond their specialty? Did you know one in four Cancer Trials fails to enroll enough participants?  And that cancer patients who participate in Clinical Trials experience better outcomes than patients who do not.

Clinical Trials occur all the time, but when was the last time as a cancer patient you heard about a Trial from your doctor? Many doctors rarely follow-up on postings that come across their desks for Clinical Trials, they are already swamped and overworked with patients. Often doctors are little aware of a Trial’s existence, unless the Trial is directly related to their specialized field. Most likely you will need to seek out these beneficial Trials on your own, or maybe you will happen to see a sheet of information about a Clinical Trial posted on a bulletin board in some obscure location such as the restroom. Public lack of Clinical Trial information is a travesty, and clearly another contributing factor hampering the cure for cancer. We could be doing such a better job posting Clinical Trial information, and doctors could easily provide more information and support for their clients. Then again, with all the research and results from China and Japan on PSK and PSP, why are we still trying reconfirm a wheel is round? What greater volume of tests do we need to accept a treatment protocols with decades of stellar results, already proven and working extending human life elsewhere on our planet?     

All this brings into question our medical approval system, and how desperately we deserve a new medical approval process, or at the very least a truly non-biased funded non-profit research group dedicated to thoroughly exploring all the non-patentable/orphan, minimal cost, cancer cure options available from here and around the world.

Should this article inspire you to look for PSK or PSP on your own, be careful, as what you see on a general internet search may not provide the results you seek. Many mushroom products available online, including some labeled as turkey tail, PSK, or PSP, are merely a form of ground up dried mushrooms. Regarding these, what you need to know is, mushrooms naturally grow with a cell wall made of chitin. This is an exoskeleton, much like a crab or lobster, to support the thin walls of the mushroom. This chitin is indigestible, so eating mushrooms not properly processed will only provide fiber and basic nutrients with little of the desired medical benefit. Hot water and secondary extraction is the only proven method to break down this chitin releasing the desired polysaccharide structurally intact. Therefore when seeking PSK or PSP, be sure it is a properly processed bio-available product using a multi-step process including hot water extraction.

A few places where you will want to start your search are Half Hill Farm in Tennessee, Host Defense in Olympia, Washington, or contact Wonder Herb Products Ltd for their representative closest to your area. By the way, Wonder Herb Products Ltd is the supplier of PSP used in the Canberra Studies. Wonder Herb also states they have a higher verified activity level than some other sources. To date, the best source of tocotrienol I have discovered is made from the annatto plant found in South America. For around 150 years the seeds of this plant were used to make food coloring. Then in the late 1990’s, high amounts of near pure tocotrienols were discovered from the seeds. It is from this plant that DeltaGold® Tocotrienol is produced and currently sold through multiple distributors. Unfortunately there is not a good source of naturally pure gamma-tocotrienol, as yet. More research needs to be completed with additional sources and better processing. For now, DeltaGold® appears to be the best combination of gamma- and delta-tocotrienol available due to its lack of tocopherols. As always, you will want to talk with your doctor about dosage and supervision during PSP, PSK and tocotrienol use.   

There is still more information to come on Potential New Natural Cancer Treatments. Keep an eye out for the next article in this series to arrive soon.

       

Glucosamine To Treat Prostate Cancer

Recently I received an email from a good friend, and cancer survivor in Australia, relaying a story about a man who believed his prostate cancer cured with the use of a Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement. Seems he discovered this process when he heard men in retirement homes given glucosamine and chondroitin to improve their joint mobility for exercise, found their PSA going down. Since he was experiencing a failed prostatectomy, he was open to alternative options rather than the next step of radiation. He asked his doctor about it who said, it couldn’t hurt, so he gave it a try. According to the story he began taking 10 caps per day, though I do not currently know the true dosage or length of time taken. He said after taking the glucosamine with chondroitin, his tests showed a much lower PSA than normal, with no need for further treatment. The story goes on to say other men he has shared this information with, have also received improved results with a much lower PSA. To date I have not been able to verify this story first hand, though it opened to question these supplements in relation to prostate cancer and their potential benefit.

I began to wonder why this appeared to help cancer patients, and completed some preliminary research on the subject. It appears chondroitin is NOT recommended for men with PCa based on a limited 2002 study that found men who had a prostatectomy with high levels of chondroitin experienced a 47% chance of recurrence, whereas men with low levels of chondroitin only experienced a 14% chance of recurrence. Many medical institutions are now saying that chondroitin may cause the spread or recurrence of prostate cancer, though research is minimal, and there is no definitive research for the specific substance ‘chondroitin sulfate’. So until more information and testing are done on chondroitin, why take the risk?

On the other hand, I found very promising results for Glucosamine in relation to prostate cancer. Research has confirmed that dose dependent glucosamine inhibits the growth and spread of certain forms of prostate cancer, and causes cancer’s death. There have been some excellent studies on how glucosamine fights cancer and the mechanisms it employs.

I also discovered glucosamine to be very good at reducing the level of C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Considering how increased CRP is believed to facilitate cancer’s occurrence and growth, this in itself could be worthwhile. In addition, glucosamine is a well-known antioxidant, so it can be paired with tocotrienols that also fight cancer and reduce CRP such as delta and gamma-tocotrienols in the form of DeltaGold®, and EGCG therapy in such forms as CAPSOL-T®.

Supplementing with Glucosamine is considered safe, though in limited instances, mild side effects of nausea, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation have occurred pending on the dose. Most glucosamine is made from shellfish though there is a vegan form available. If you have an allergy to shellfish, you will want to seek medical advise before taking. If you experience any side effects, it is best to reduce the dose and consult your medical professional.

To me, the available research brings up some impressive results for glucosamine in relation to prostate cancer. I now wonder if this is the principal agent that had been helping retirement patients in the story reduce their PSA, regardless of the potentially negative chondroitin action? Hearing that several men have had very positive results using a glucosamine/chondroitin mix is wonderful news; though I believe glucosamine alone may be more effective, and without future risk of recurrence. For someone concerned with prostate cancer glucosamine may be an excellent supplement, though it is unfortunate that glucosamine and chondroitin are so often linked together. At present it is possible to obtain glucosamine by itself from several sources, or with the addition of MSM.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a naturally occurring sulfur compound. It is present and necessary for health in all people. It has been principally used for joint health and to reduce inflammation, though it does so much more. It promotes healthy circulation, cleanses the digestive tract, improves liver function, boosts metabolism, helps produce glutathione, and reduces toxic impurities in the body. It also improves cell wall permeability allowing for greater oxygen to enter, a process believed detrimental to cancer cells. Sulfur is so important to our bodies that daily we eat many foods containing sulfur including: meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and grains. Unfortunately processed, overcooked and dried foods have their sulfur content greatly reduced, making sulfur supplementation sometimes necessary. Suggested supplement amounts range from 1,000mg to 4,000mg daily. Supplementing with MSM is considered very safe but if one’s stool becomes too loose, a reduction of dosage is suggested.

With this said Glucosamine with MSM certainly appear to be an interesting possibility for future research to mitigate prostate cancer and lower CRP. As always should you look into these supplements I recommend you have a discussion with your doctor or naturopath concerning their use, the dosage, and overall time employed.

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