As I told you last week I have been intentionally and methodically reading and learning all I can about making wise diet and lifestyle choices for not only my mom who is going through chemotherapy, but for my family also.
I also let you know that diet seemed to be overlooked as way of fighting cancer in our community cancer center where my mom is being treated.
When she was first diagnosed I turned to books, those that had been through this before, and the internet for information. One of the books that I purchased is called ‘Anti cancer A new Way of Life’ by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD. He himself is a 2x cancer survivor.
Of everything I have read this book was the one that I was most deeply moved by, as it is a book that is memoir, part scientific study as to the inner workings of cancer and what makes it grow. It takes a practical view of the roles traditional western and alternate health care can play in cancer treatment and prevention.
In the very center of this book is a glossy colored section called ‘Anticancer Action’ which in tables and and easy to read graphs summarizes the actions to take to help avoid cancer. It even has a grocery list of things to have for an anticancer diet!
Avoid products containing industrial chemicals whenever possible.
Example, air our your dry-cleaned clothing, avoid chemical cleaning products, avoid parabens and phthalates in cosmetic products.
A colorful plate full that is divided between the largest portion of fruits, vegetables, and vegetable proteins like beans and lentils. The next largest being filled with multi-grain breads and whole grains like rice and quinoa. Next is good fats high in omega 3’s like olive oil and flaxseed. Herbs and spices are an important part of this plate too, tumeric, mint, and garlic are included. Lastly is the optional animal protein section that included organic meats, eggs, and dairy products.
This is certainly the most insightful, well-documented and practical of all that I have read so far. There is deep and compelling evidence that we all have the capacity for not only prevention of disease but to actually participate in healing of our own bodies.
I highly recommend this to not only cancer patients and their families but anyone interested in prevention of disease.
I would also like to thank you all for your great comments last week. I learn so much from all of the readers here!
The days are officially getting shorter, the weather cooler, and the trees are getting their signals to start changing their colors. It seems like Autumn goes by quickly. That no sooner does the foliage change than the leaves start piling in our yards. Cool and sunny afternoons turn into rainy, cold days, and before we know it Old Man Winter is knocking on our door.
Leave No Trace: How to enjoy the outdoors ethically and responsibly.
Fall Foliage Maps by Region. The Weather Channel has a great mini-site advising when to expect foliage color changes.
Plan ahead and enjoy this time of the season. It doesn’t last long!
What’s your favorite part of Autumn?
Jennifer can be also be found at Unearthing This Life where she shares excerpts of the life she spends with 7 chickens, 2 cats, 1 frog, 1 fish, 1 child, and 1 husband (there can only be so many to look after!).
Why is Nutrition Ignored in Cancer Treatment?
I have learned so much over the past few weeks about the treatment of cancer…specifically breast cancer.
We have received loads of paperwork describing the symptoms to expect with the varies methods of treatment. We have received an equal number of paperwork describing how each treatment effects the body. And even more on how to cope with them.
I have read every single word on every single line on each page of information.
What I have found completely shocking is the lack of reference to good nutrition before, during, and after cancer treatment.
Actually there had not been one word…NOT ONE!
The link between what goes in our mouths and the health of our bodies is very clear. Study after study shows that basically ‘you are what your eat’.
Yet in the fight for her life not one single doctor, nurse practitioner, RN, or CNA has even mentioned diet or nutrition.
I asked the very nice nurse in charge of her ‘chemo training’ about getting some information on nutrition. And note that this is a fairly large dedicated cancer center my mom is being treated at, full of different oncologists, chemo treatment rooms, labs, radiation treatment rooms, and such.
Here is the conversation I had with her….
Do you have any hand-outs on what to eat during chemo to help keep her healthy and her immune system up?
Ummm…we don’t have anything like that.
You have hand-outs covering everything else including how to buy a wig but you don’t have anything on nutrition?
But there is a dietitian over at the hospital that you could possibly see.
Does she specialize in treating cancer patients.
Well no, she mostly sees heart and diabetic patients.
To be honest we usually tell cancer patients to eat whatever sounds good.
Even if its McDonalds Big Mac and fries?
I did not expect diet to be a big part of her treatment.
But to completely ignore the effects of diet on a sick patient seems utterly inconceivable to me. It is short-sighted and ignorant in my personal opinion.
So I have been devouring every book I can get my hands on, reading website after website on the subject of diet on disease, especially cancer.
I will be back next week to let you know what I have learned.
And be assured I firmly believe that diet does indeed play an important part in treatment of disease…cancer included.
Even if the medical establishment in our town chooses to think otherwise.
The potato produces more calories and protein than any other food crop in terms of space and amount of time. It also stores for up to 6 months under good conditions and can be grown in marginal soil anywhere from sea level up to 13,000 feet. The potato produces about 10,000 pounds of food per acre. A 100 foot row can yield 150-300 pounds of potatoes per year. The average American currently eats about 140 pounds of potatoes per year.
Do you grow potatoes in your garden? How many do you grow?