Booming Health Effects of Broccoli!
How we live our daily lives really does matter! Reading the scientific literature lately, it is as if a faucet that was dripping out research on the epigenetic influences of our lifestyle has all of a sudden been turned on full blast. We are amazed at the wonderful diversity of studies that are adding more and more understanding of how our lifestyle affects the behavior of our genes. Just recently, we have seen articles on the epigenetic effects of exercise on gene expression in muscle cells, health-promoting epigenetic effects of caffeine and a study on the epigenetic influences of broccoli, an anti-cancer super food. The scientific literature is reminding us that our genes are not our destiny! What we do and how we live our lives profoundly changes the way our genes behave.

The epigenetic effects of broccoli deserve some special attention. Researchers from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University published a study in Clinical Epigenetics that demonstrates a direct anti-cancer epigenetic effect of broccoli. These researchers found that broccoli, and in particular, one of the compounds found in broccoli, sulforaphane, alters a process called methylation. Methylation involves sticking a methyl group on a portion of our DNA (the home of our genes, found in every cell). The methyl group acts like a dimmer switch, turning down or turning off the genes that it binds to. Cells that become cancerous have abnormal patterns of methylation. For example, the tumor suppressor, or anti-cancer, genes are over methylated (turned off) while the cancer promoting genes (oncogenes) are under-methylated and therefore turned on. What does this have to do with broccoli? Broccoli helps to normalize the methylation pattern so that the tumor suppressor genes are on and active (unmethylated) and the cancer-causing genes are silenced with methylation. Plus, broccoli has several other anti-cancer actions such as stimulating detoxification of cancer-causing compounds and down-regulating certain growth pathways in cancer cells.

The sulforaphane in broccoli is very heat stable which means that cooked (we prefer lightly steamed) broccoli is as powerful as raw broccoli. Also consider broccoli sprouts. These look and taste a bit like alfalfa sprouts and are packed with sulforaphane. And, if you really can’t stomach broccoli, there are high quality sulforaphane/broccoli sprout extract supplements available. One way or another, we advocate for sulforaphane or broccoli as a part of your daily diet.

Citation:Hsu A, et al. Promoter de-methylation of cyclin D2 by sulforaphane in prostate cancer cells. Clin Epigenetics. 2011;3:3. Epub 2011 Oct 26.BMJ Open 2012;2: e000850. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2012-000850

Are Sleeping Pills a Risk Factor for Cancer?

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal has caused quite a stir. Prior to this study, there have been 18 previously published studies that link the use of sleep medication with premature death. This is of concern since about 30 percent of the United States population report having difficulty sleeping and at least half of those use sleep medications. This problem is even more common among people diagnosed with cancer.

This most recent study looked at the medical charts of 10,529 patients who had been prescribed sleep medication and compared them to 23,676 people that were not prescribed sleep medication. The sleep medication group and the matched control group were analyzed for an average of 2.5 years. The researchers used statistical analysis to make sure that factors such as age, gender, smoking, body weight, ethnicity, marital status, alcohol use and prior cancer were matched between the groups so that any difference in the risk of death between the sleep medication group and the control group was not due to differences in these factors. What the researchers found was startling. Patients receiving prescriptions for benzodiazepine sleep medications (with the majority taking Ambien or Restoril) had over four times the mortality as the matched sleep medication-free control patients. Even patients prescribed fewer than 18 doses per year experienced increased death rate, with greater risk of death associated with greater dosage prescribed. Furthermore, the sleeping medication group had an increased rate of cancer diagnoses, and among people prescribed high doses, the overall cancer rate increased by 35 percent.

While this study is certainly concerning, there are several reasons why we can’t jump to the conclusion that sleep medications are the cause of this increased risk of death and of developing cancer. For one thing, the nature of this study prevented the researchers from being able to determine if there were certain other causal factors at play. Most people who take sleep medications have a long-standing history of lack of sleep and poor sleep quality. Perhaps the risk is created prior to the use of the sleep medications. It could also be that whatever is causing the poor sleep, say increased stress (and its associated stress hormones), nutrient imbalances, or excessive use of alcohol or stimulants may be the real culprits. These are all known risk factors for the development of cancer and taking sleeping pills does not address these underlying causes even if it does restore sleep.

Another possibility is that some people, while they experience more sleep when taking sleep medications, do not experience high quality sleep, specifically they may not cycle into the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of sleep. The REM phase of sleep is critical because it is during this phase that many of cell reparative and other health restoration actions take place. If people to not experience REM sleep, they will be at increased risk for illness, and possibly premature death.

At this point, this study should, at the very least, motivate people who are relying on sleep medications to explore other, more natural alternatives. In addition to addressing the underlying causes of poor sleep, natural sleep aides such as melatonin, L-theanine (Suntheanine®), lavendar extract, valerian, and 5-HTP offer effective and less concerning alternatives. These compounds support high quality of sleep, specifically supporting REM sleep.

Citation: Kripke DF, Langer RD, Kline LE. Hypnotics’ association with mortality or cancer: a matched cohort study. BMJ Open 2012;2: e000850. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2012-000850

Breast Cancer Thrivers Can Reduce Fatigue

People often tell us that they have difficulty getting their energy levels back to normal after they’ve gone through conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. A study that was published in December 2011 in the journal Cancer demonstrated that yoga may be a great way to help reduce fatigue after treatment of breast cancer.

The UCLA researchers report that about one-third of women who have had treatment for breast cancer experience persistent fatigue for months and even years after the treatment is done. In their study, they randomly assigned 31 women who had been treated for breast cancer to participate in a 12-week program of either yoga or health education. All of the participants in this clinical trial had completed their course of conventional treatment at least six months prior to the start of the study. The researchers measured fatigue at the beginning, the end and then again three months after the study was completed.

Both groups experienced improvements in symptoms of depression and perceived stress. However, the fatigue in the yoga group declined significantly compared to the women in the health education group. Previous studies have also shown that yoga can help with insomnia and reduce stress in people recovering from cancer so it makes sense that individuals may also experience increased energy.

Fatigue can become a disabling side effect of conventional treatment and can interrupt quality of life. Using a targeted approach such as yoga may help people with cancer thrive after they’ve completed their treatment. This is particularly encouraging for those people who don’t like, or may not be able to, participate in more vigorous aerobic exercise. There are many types of yoga, so if you are new to yoga, be ready to shop around until you find a class or yoga studio that you like. In addition to physical activity such as yoga, a whole foods diet that features unprocessed, fresh foods with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables will also help.
Reference: Bower JE, Garet D, Sternlieb B, et al. Yoga for persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Cancer. 2011 Dec 16.

Note: We are happy to announce that we will be speaking at UCLA on Thursday, March 8. For more information click here.

Holiday Thrive Tips

Despite the joy and relaxation that Holidays can bring, they can also challenge our efforts to live healthfully. In the spirit of supporting fun, meaningful and healthy Holidays, here are five important holiday health tips from Five to Thrive.

1. Be thankful. Feeling grateful changes our cellular physiology and actually helps to protect our chromosomes (home of our DNA), lower inflammation and normalize hormonal patterns. Give yourself a moment every day to think of what and whom you are grateful for. The hustle and bustle of the holidays may cause us to forget that the holiday season is steeped in love. Remind yourself and others of that fact when you see that love is slipping to the back seat.
2. Stay active. One of the first things that moves to the bottom of our to-do list when we get busy is exercise. This is ironic because being physically active will actually give you more energy to accomplish all of the other things on your list. This holiday season don’t let your work out routine fall by the wayside. Stay active throughout the holiday season. If you are with family, make activity a family affair and enjoy walks together, a friendly game of football on the lawn or tag with the kids.
3. Supplement for success. Holidays can create extra stress and inspire poor eating habits, which can, in turn, lead to weakened immunity and impaired detoxification. One way to combat this is by replenishing your antioxidant stores on a daily basis. We recommend glutathione, a master antioxidant which supports immunity and detoxification Look for the Setria® brand of glutathione on your product label.
4. Cultivate calmness. Find time each day to incorporate some type of stress relieving activity. Whether it’s drinking some calming tea (especially organic green, white or other herbal teas), doing a 5 minute meditation, or insisting that the TV stays turned off for a while, create some space to cultivate your inner calm. You may also want to consider supplementing with L-theanine, a calming nutrient that has been shown in clinical studies to help ease anxiety. We recommend the Suntheanine® brand of L-theanine, so look for it on your product label.
5. Remind yourself that color kills cancer! Add color to each and every meal. Colorful fruits and vegetables contain thousands of powerful anti-cancer compounds that can help keep all five of the key bodily pathways healthy and thriving throughout the holiday season.

This holiday season, as we reflect on this past year, we are thankful for you. Part of our joy in having Five to Thrive published is the opportunities it gives us to travel and talk to other cancer thrivers. You and your stories of vital living are incredibly rewarding. We wish you and your family peace, joy, and love. And we look forward to continuing to share our Thrive Thoughts with you.

Sugar and Cancer: A low carb diet prevents tumor growth

Cancer cells feed themselves differently than do normal cells. Cancers cells prefer to make intracellular energy known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from sugar (glucose) via a process called glycolysis. Normal cells combine glucose with oxygen in a very efficient process known as oxidative phosphorylation which makes 34 molecules of ATP from one molecule of glucose. Glycolysis used by tumor cells, on the other hand, only generates two molecules of ATP from each molecule of glucose. Why would cancers preferentially use such an inefficient process? It seems that glycolysis, while generating less energy, has the advantage of also making the building blocks for DNA, protein and lipid molecules – all of which are essential to supporting the growth of rapidly dividing cancer cells. Also, glycolysis lowers the pH of the tissue around the cancer cell which causes normal cells to die, blood vessels to develop, and decreases immune activity. So on the surface this may seem like a mistake but cancer is very calculating. These other advantages of glycolysis support tumor growth and spread. All of this means that cancer cells rely on their inefficient method of energy generation which makes their need for glucose (sugar) very high.

Recently published animal research, looked at the question of whether a low carbohydrate diet could decrease blood sugar supply to cancer cells enough to slow their growth and even prevent new tumors from developing. By comparing a low carbohydrate, high protein diet to a diet more similar to the typical Western diet that provided the same amount of calories, investigators were able to see that blood levels of glucose could be lowered from both an 8% carbohydrate (comparable to the amount of carbohydrate in the Atkins diet) as well as from a more sustainable 15% carbohydrate diet (with 58% protein and 26% fat). Both low carbohydrate diets also resulted in slower tumor growth than in the higher carbohydrate group. In an additional phase of the study, adult mice with a genetic lifetime risk of 70% to 80% for developing cancer were fed either a low carbohydrate diet or a typical diet. Thirty percent of mice eating a low carbohydrate diet developed cancer, whereas 70% of the mice on a normal diet developed cancer.

The researchers determined that the low carbohydrate diets lowered insulin and therefore glucose uptake by cancer cells. Insulin is itself a growth factor for cancer cells, adding to the overall anti-cancer effect of a low carbohydrate diet. While this study was not done on humans, the results are thought-provoking. It is known that low carbohydrate diets lower blood sugar levels in humans. Thus, one could surmise that a low carbohydrate diet may be an important dietary consideration to both prevent and impede cancer. Removing refined sugar and refined grains (pastries, pasta, white bread, etc) are excellent strategies to lowering carbohydrate intake, blood glucose, and ultimately deterring cancer growth.

Reference: Victor W. Ho, Kelvin Leung, Anderson Hsu, et al. A Low Carbohydrate, High Protein Diet Slows Tumor Growth and Prevents Cancer Initiation Cancer Res 2011;71:4484-4493.

Menopause Relief Through Mindfulness

The regular stresses of life can seem significantly amplified during menopause. Hot flashes and night sweats affect a woman’s ability to sleep, relax and concentrate. Flushed faces and sweating bodies during those lovely hot flash episodes can cause psychological distress, physical discomfort, embarrassment and anxiety. Many women use prescription Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) even though its use can increase a woman’s chance of developing heart disease and cancer, particularly for women with a history of estrogen sensitive cancer. In an effort to avoid prescription HRT, menopausal women turn to alternatives for relief.
Recently the Journal of the North American Menopause Society released a study regarding mindfulness training as a means to cope with hot flashes. The study examined 110 women in the late menopausal transition between 47 and 69 years old. Measurement parameters included quality of life, sleep and anxiety levels.
Mindfulness means being completely present in the moment; it is a relaxed state of awareness without striving or judging. It is a release; it is observing our inner thoughts and feelings and being aware of the environment around us without attempting to control anything.
The participants in the recently published study practiced mindfulness training almost daily and also attended eight weekly 2.5-hour classes over a 3-month period, as well as an all-day class during the sixth week. Mindfulness training classes involved a mental body scan, to bring awareness to different parts of the body while doing a sitting meditation. Outside of class, various informal mindfulness practices were suggested and participants received two CDs of guided instruction to practice at home for 45 minutes a day, 6 days a week.
The women in this study who took part in mindfulness training found they were bothered by hot flashes nearly 22% less than previously and their hot flash intensity was decreased by more than 32%. These women also reported less anxiety, improved sleep quality and an overall improvement in the quality of their lives.
We can find formal and informal venues to practice mindfulness with activities such as yoga, walking meditation or mindfulness retreats. It is important for all of us to take time to be mindful. The next time you feel a hot flash coming on, try not to be embarrassed or anxious, instead release your desire to control the situation and become present with your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. Take a deep breath, release, relax, and THRIVE!

Citation: Carmody JF, Crawford S, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, et al. Mindfulness training for coping with hot flashes: results of a randomized trial. Menopause. 2011;18(6):611-20.

Soak Up Some Sun Tea!

August is the perfect month for sun tea. Fill a glass pitcher with clean water, add a handful of fresh mint leaves and dried green tea leaves and set it out into the sun. Over the next several hours, the sun will warm the water and release the flavor of the mint and the health promoting properties of the green tea. Strain the tea, chill, add a little honey, and settle into a comfortable chair in the warm evening sun and enjoy!

Academic researchers from Germany have recently released results from a study that take sun tea to a whole new level. Previously, these researchers demonstrated that the powerful polyphenols and carotenoids found in green tea can protect skin from ultraviolet radiation damage when applied topically. These researchers now wanted to see if the same skin protective effects could be achieved from drinking green tea. They conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial of 60 women who consumed either a green tea beverage or a placebo drink daily for 12 weeks. The study participants had certain areas of their skin exposed to ultraviolet radiation (mimicking sun exposure) at the beginning, middle and end of the study. The researchers found that those women consuming green tea had 25 percent less skin damage than the women drinking the placebo tea by the end of the 12-week study. The green tea drinkers also had increased blood flow and oxygen delivery to the UV-exposed skin. The researchers conducted an additional randomized double-blind trial and found that the blood flow to the skin was increased within 30 minutes of consuming the green tea.

We can add another benefit to the long list of benefits already attributed to green tea – skin protection against harmful UV radiation and the improvement of overall skin quality. So brew some sun tea, find a cozy chair to sit in on your deck or porch and soak up the added protection that this tasty tea has!

Citation: Heinrich U, et al. Green tea polyphenols provide photoprotection, increase microcirculation, and modulate skin properties of women. J Nutr. 2011 Jun;141(6):1202-8. Epub 2011 Apr 27.

Feel The Four-Legged Love!

We love our animals, and with good reason, the American Psychological Association recently released a literature review discussing the direct, material and psychological benefits of pet ownership. We know that relationships with our family and friends are greatly important for our overall health and happiness, and we now know that our pets are equally as important!
Prior research on the well-being benefits of pet ownership primarily involved individuals with serious illness or physical disabilities. That research has been overwhelmingly positive. This new research, however, focuses on the mental health benefits in healthy individuals.

One of the studies found that support from pets was equal to that of family and friends. In this study, pet owners were more physically fit, had higher self-esteem, and felt less lonely than non-pet owners. People with pets did not distance themselves from humans;. in fact, pet ownership did the opposite – it positively enhanced their human connections..

When our social needs are fulfilled we feel less stressed, depressed, lonely, and have higher self-esteem. This research confirms that in combination with social fulfillment from humans, pet owners find social fulfillment from their pets, helping them feel happy and loved.

Another study in the review was interesting because it looked at the ability of pets to reduce negativity in certain situations. The researchers concluded that “thinking about one’s pet can stave off negativity as effectively as thinking about ones best friend.” That makes total sense to us!

Taking time to enjoy our pets—whether it’s walking our dog, riding our horse, or playing with our cat—is good for you. These moments remind us that we are loving and lovable, and certainly improves our overall wellbeing.

Pictured below are (from L to R): Karolyn’s dog Ellie and Lise’s dog Nora

McConnell, A. R., Brown, C. M., Shoda, T. M., Stayton, L. E., & Martin, C. E. (2011, July 4).Friends With Benefits: On the Positive Consequences of Pet Ownership. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/a0024506

More Evidence for the Lifestyle of a Thriver

The results of a 20 year study published in the June issue of the New England Journal of Medicine identified the major culprits in our lifestyle that cause weight gain. This study involved over 120,000 adults who were not obese to start with. The average weight gained was 3.35 pounds every four years. The researchers monitored diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol intake of the participants.

On the basis of daily servings, 4-year weight increase was most strongly associated with the intake of, in order of influence:

1. potato chips
2. potatoes (including boiled or mashed potatoes and French fries)
3. sugar-sweetened beverages
4. unprocessed red meats and
5. processed meats

The lifestyle associated with weight stabilization or weight loss, again in order of influence, were:

1. exercise
2. yogurt
3. nuts
4. fruits
5. whole grains
6. vegetables

Other lifestyle factors associated with weight gain included smoking and quitting smoking, alcohol use, sleeping less than six hours or greater than eight hours, and television watching. These findings are consistent with what we have been recommending as a Thrivers’ lifestyle: a whole-foods, unprocessed diet coupled with daily exercise and sufficient sleep. Obesity is a major risk factor for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and most other chronic illnesses, so optimizing weight is a critical component to a healthy life.

Source: N Engl J Med 2011;364:2392-404.

Find Some Time to Relax!

The American Cancer Society (ACS) just released their 2011 report. The ACS estimates that about 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and of those one-third are expected to die. On the bright side, over a 17 year period up to 2007, the ACS reported that there has been a continued slow decline in overall cancer death rates with almost 1 million lives that might have been lost to cancer but were not. Even with this good news, the fact remains that every 60 seconds someone dies of cancer. It remains clear we must prioritize a cancer prevention lifestyle. We can think of no more powerful weapon against this disease than how we choose to live our lives. What we eat, how much we eat, how often we exercise, how long we sleep, how often we love and laugh, pray and meditate are at the heart of the fight against cancer. In that spirit, there is one thing that when done repeatedly can reduce your risk of cancer by supporting strong immunity: relaxation! A recently published clinical trial featuring women with a new diagnosis of breast cancer receiving conventional treatment were also enrolled in a relaxation program for 10 months. Participants did either deep-breathing, progressive relaxation (sequential relaxation starting from the toes and ending with the face), or creative visualization. Most participants relaxed in this way five days a week for about 20 minutes per time. The result? Not only did the women feel better, but their immune function, specifically the immune cells that target cancer such as Natural Killer cells, improved. So, as part of your cancer prevention, treatment or recovery plan, find some time today to relax.

Citation: Kang DH, McArdle T, Park NJ, Weaver MT, Smith B, Carpenter J. Dose effects of relaxation practice on immune responses in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: an exploratory study. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2011 May;38(3):E240-52.

Is There a Connection to Seasonal Allergies and Cancer?

We appreciate the gifts that spring brings—longer days, new bird melodies, and warmer weather. But if you are an allergy sufferer, it’s hard to appreciate the new flowers, tree buds, and pollen swirling in the fresh spring air. For some people, the sounds of spring include the drip, sneeze and wheeze caused by their allergies. But what exactly is going on when a spring allergy surfaces? Spring allergies are an abnormal immune reaction typically to pollens. There are receptors on the surface of immune cells called mast cells and macrophages that identify pollen as antigens (foreign invaders). When the pollen squeezes itself into the receptor, the immune cells release copious amounts of histamine in order to stimulate secretions which are intended to remove the perceived invader. Histamine is what causes the sneezing, wheezing and dripping. Because seasonal allergies are an immune anomaly, it begs the question whether people with seasonal allergies have an increased risk of cancer? The relationship is not clear but the scientific literature helps us draw some conclusions. On the one hand, people with allergies actually have a decreased risk for some cancers, particularly glioma, colon, head and neck, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, esophageal, stomach, and uterine. On the other hand, people with allergies are at increased risk for developing bladder cancer, myeloma, and prostate cancer. There does not seem to be an association between allergies and breast cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, or thyroid cancer. If you do have seasonal allergies, consider eating local honey. This will introduce minute amounts of pollen into your body which can help to desensitize you. Also try a homeopathic remedy from your healthcare provider. From a dietary supplement standpoint, butterbur extract, quercetin, and 500 mg of vitamin C every couple of hours have been shown to be helpful.
Reference: Merrill RM, et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007 Aug;99(2):102-16.

Get outa here!

The official first day of Spring is Saturday, March 20th, and with it’s arrival will come a renewed desire to get outside and be active. But according to the scientific literature, we should find ways to be active outdoors all year round. An interesting new literature review on outdoor versus indoor physical activity confirmed previous results we’ve been following. Researchers from the University of Exeter in the UK looked at 11 different clinical trials featuring more than 500 adults and found that it is significantly better for your mental health if you can be physically active outdoors versus indoors. They found that compared to the indoor exercisers, being physically active in “natural environments” was associated with feelings of revitalization, increased energy, and a more significant decrease in depression, tension, and anger. The folks who were physically active outdoors also reported that they had “a greater intent to repeat the activity at a later date”—so there is more of a chance they will stick with it! Here is a link to the abstract that describes the study http://bit.ly/ggEcT3. The next time you have the opportunity to get outside, do it! Being in nature can be very healing.

Attention Prostate Cancer Thrivers…Let’s Get Physical

In the United States, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. The good news is that when prostate cancer has not spread, the survival rate is very high compared to most other cancers. One way that men can enhance their survival rates even further is with physical activity. According to a recently published study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (click here for article abstract) ,more than 2,700 men who previously were diagnosed with prostate cancer were evaluated. The researchers found that moderately vigorous activity was associated with a significantly lower risk of dying of prostate cancer. Exercise was also associated with decreased overall mortality. Men who walked equal to or more than 90 minutes per week at a normal to brisk pace had a 46 percent lower all-cause mortality and men who had at least three hours or more of vigorous activity per week had a 49 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality. Biking, tennis, jogging, and swimming are considered vigorous activities; however, you can see from this study that even walking at a consistent brisk pace will enhance survival significantly. Exercise has been shown to enhance survival and help prevent other cancers as well, including breast cancer. So, ladies, join the guys and let’s all get physical!

Master of All Antioxidants!

Glutathione is often referred to as the Master Antioxidant. We agree. In fact, we feel reduced glutathione is the most important antioxidant that is produced in the human body. Why? Because it is intricately involved in immune function and detoxification—two critical pathways in our fight to prevent and treat cancer. Studies have demonstrated that a depletion of glutathione inhibits the self-destruction pathway in cancer cells. This pathway, called apoptosis, is a critical component of cancer prevention and treatment. Conversely, when our cells have sufficient glutathione, apoptosis is increased. In addition, glutathione enhances the body’s ability to detoxify harmful substances by supporting the liver’s capacity to bind and eliminate otherwise harmful oxidative toxins. How do we make sure we have enough glutathione? We eat a diet high in glutathione-rich foods such as asparagus, avocado, and strawberries, as well as spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. We can also supplement our diet with oral glutathione. Contrary to popular belief, glutathione is bioavailable to cells when taken orally. One of the most absorbable and highest quality glutathione ingredients that we have found is the Setria brand*. Look for Setria glutathione on the label of your glutathione product. For more information about glutathione, click here.

* We are proud to have Setria-Kyowa Hakko USA as a sponsor of CancerThrivers.

Tracking Circulating Tumor Cells

Last week Veridex, a Johnson & Johson company, announced upcoming investigational research of their second generation circulating tumor cell (CTC) blood test. Circulating tumor cell tests capture cancer cells that are circulating in the blood. These cells can then be analyzed chemically and microscopically. This analysis can provide useful information about the nature of the cancer, potential targets for therapies and may even give prognostic information. Some integrative oncologists and naturopathic oncologists utilize these tests to help them learn about the molecular characteristics of an individual’s cancer, which, in turn, helps determine their selection of natural therapies. These tests are still being studied so they are not yet widely used. However, these tests offer a very promising way to learn about the state of someone’s cancer with a simple blood draw. Circulating tumor cells are present in people with metastatic cancer and can also be found in the blood of people with early stage cancers. For instance, people who have received chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer and who have CTCs after treatment have reduced survival rates. This is because circulating tumor cells have the potential to seed secondary tumors in other parts of the body. Knowing about the presence of CTCs after what is presumed to be definitive treatment creates the opportunity for additional (and different) treatment at a time when it really counts. The newer generation of the CTC test is much better at catching the tumor cells and also catches what appear to be microclusters of CTCs. These groupings of cancer cells may be directly implicated in metastasis. We are sure we will be hearing more about CTCs in the future, as this will likely become an increasingly important component of cancer care.

Dietary Supplement Use During Chemotherapy?

A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention by researchers from Vanderbilt University found that vitamins taken concurrently with conventional treatment within the first six months after breast cancer diagnosis was associated with reduced risk of cancer recurrence and death from cancer. This study followed 4,877 women aged 20-75 years diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in Shanghai, China. In-person interviews were conducted every six months for an average of four years. During the time of the study, the researchers found that those women who consumed vitamins—particularly antioxidant vitamins E, C and multivitamins—had an 18 percent reduced risk of dying from cancer and a 22 percent reduced risk of experiencing a recurrence of their cancer than their non-vitamin using counterparts. Women who received radiation therapy did not demonstrate benefits from the vitamin use, although no detriment was found. Even though some oncologists fear that the antioxidant actions of supplements may interfere with chemotherapy, studies do not support this contention. In fact, many antioxidants work synergistically with some chemotherapy drugs by protecting a process inside a cell called apoptosis. Stimulating apoptosis, or cell suicide, is often the end goal of chemotherapy agents. Antioxidants protect the molecules required for apoptosis to take place and in that way can work hand in hand with chemotherapy. This survival benefit of vitamin supplementation is in addition to the well established improved quality of life demonstrated when vitamin supplements are taken with chemotherapy. Given these latest findings along with other previous studies, it is certainly appropriate to challenge the recommendation from some oncologists that patients receiving chemotherapy should avoid all dietary supplements.
Reference: Nechuta S, Lu W, Chen Z,et al. Vitamin supplement use during breast cancer treatment and survival: a prospective cohort study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010 Dec 21

Prevent Overindulgence with Green Tea

Let’s face it, there can be a tendency to overindulge this time of year. While we don’t want to hear about the horrors of obesity during the Holidays, it’s important to remember that carrying a few extra pounds can be dangerous to your health. In fact, the December 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reported that your risk of dying prematurely—of any disease, not just cancer—rises with every pound you gain. In fact, if your Body Mass Index, which is a measure of body fat based on a person’s height and weight, is 35 to 39.9, consistent with being considered obese (normal BMI is 19 to 25), you have nearly a 90 percent chance of dying sooner than if you had a normal BMI. You can calculate your own BMI from the table on pages 18 and 19 in The Definitive Guide to Cancer (3rd ed.) or go to www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ for a BMI calculator.
During the Holidays there can be a tendency to put on a few pounds. What’s the solution? How about adding green tea to your meal?! A small, yet compelling study featured in the November issue of the Nutrition Journal found that a meal featuring one cup of freshly brewed green tea caused study participants to feel more satisfied with their meal, less hungry, and less desirous of eating more. Taking green tea in capsule form does not produce these same effects, however, some studies have shown that concentrated green tea supplements can help with weight loss. While the satiety effects of green tea need more investigation, this latest benefit adds to an already impressive list of reasons to consume green tea, including its antioxidant actions, reduction of cardiovascular disease risk, and cancer prevention effects.

Cheers to Red Wine

A good friend of ours delights in the first day of winter because, as she declares, “Red wine season begins!” Many of us enjoy the pleasures of a glass of red wine during the winter Holidays. But drinking wine can be confusing to those with cancer, a history of cancer, or someone trying to prevent cancer. Given the link between excess alcohol consumption and an increased risk of cancer, it’s a valid concern. There is, however, an emerging body of research about the health benefits of moderate red wine consumption. Moderate consumption is defined as 1 glass for women and 2 glasses for men a day. Red wine contains over 20 different polyphenols, which are compounds that have potent antioxidant capacity, stimulate cell repair of damaged cells, reduce blood stickiness, stimulate the transport of cholesterol away from blood vessels to the liver for processing, reduce insulin resistance, and interrupt chronic inflammatory responses. Polyphenols are powerful compounds! White wine only contains 10 percent of the polyphenols of red wine because the polyphenols are primarily derived from the dark pigmented compounds in grape skins. Interestingly, the greatest polyphenol content is found in red wine made from grapes exposed to significant sunlight and then macerated in oak barrels for the longest period of time. The oak tannins from the barrels add to the polyphenols, so red wine aged in oak barrels not only tastes good it is also better for us. According to the scientific literature, one daily glass of red wine reduces elevated blood sugar, is correlated with better weight control, and reduces inflammation—all of which are important cancer prevention strategies. This holiday season if you are planning to add a glass of red wine to your festivities you can do so with an appreciation for its health benefits.

Can Green Tea Prevent Breast Cancer?

A recent study published in Breast Cancer Research journal questions the breast cancer preventive actions of green tea. This study followed over 53,000 Japanese women living in Japan for more than 13 years. The participants reported their green tea consumption in a questionnaire at the beginning of the study and then every 5 years. Over the length of the study, there were almost 1,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed. The study compared women who consumed more than 10, 4-ounce cups of green tea per day to women who consumed less than 1 cup per week. The study found that the amount of green tea consumed had no impact on breast cancer risk. This lack of a preventive effect was not influenced by the menopausal status of the women and was true for all types of breast cancer.

This latest study stands in contrast with other studies that have demonstrated some protective benefits for heavy (greater than 10 four ounce cups daily) drinkers of green tea, particularly in women who begin drinking green tea in their 20’s. While the results of this study are at odds with some previous studies, this latest study deserves consideration. The study was well designed and included widely different quantities of tea consumption. This study makes a fairly strong case for the lack of benefit of green tea consumption by Japanese women living in Japan for the prevention of breast cancer. Before we stop drinking green tea, there are still some unanswered questions. The women in this study had a very low incidence of breast cancer and it may be that in a population of women already at relatively low risk, frequent green tea consumption is not as impactful as with women who are at higher risk. Remember the typical Japanese diet is very high in a variety of dietary polyphenols, which have been shown to be protective against breast cancer. The preventive components of green tea are polyphenols so if the diet is already high in polyphenols, adding more may not have a significant benefit. If this is true, then it is possible that women consuming a low polyphenol diet, such as the typical Western diet, may benefit from the polyphenols from high green tea consumption. The bottom line is that we just don’t know if the results of this study translate to women living in the United States. While this may be confusing, there are still plenty of reasons to continue drinking green tea. Green tea has been shown by these same researchers to lower the risk of stomach cancer, and has been shown in other studies to be associated with lowered risk of other digestive track cancers, cervical cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, and head and neck cancer. Plus, green tea supports detoxification and provides antioxidant protection. Our advice: keep drinking green tea!

Reference: Iwasaki M, Inoue M, Sasazuki S, et al. Green tea drinking and subsequent risk of breast cancer in a population-based cohort of Japanese women. Breast Cancer Research 2010 For Breast Cancer Research Article Click Here

Desperately Seeking D

Many scientific journals, including a 2009 report featured in the Journal of The National Medical Association, have confirmed that vitamin D deficiency is very common with more than 50% of the American population having low levels. The percentage is even higher among African Americans. Some researchers believe most of the population is deficient in this critical vitamin. In fact, checking vitamin D levels has become standard procedure in most medical practices. The reason? Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to many serious illnesses including osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancer. Specific to cancer, vitamin D has been shown to inhibit cancer cell division, reduce blood vessel formation around tumors, and help regulate proteins that influence cancer growth. A 2008 study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting demonstrated that deficiency of vitamin D at the time of breast cancer diagnosis was also associated with metastatic recurrence. One reason vitamin D may be so powerful is because it can stimulate the immune system, encourage anti-inflammation, and help reduce insulin sensitivity, thereby influencing three of the five key pathways. Research indicates that the daily requirement for vitamin D could be as high as ten times more than what is currently being recommended. The next time you visit your doctor, ask about getting your vitamin D levels testing and then consider taking a vitamin D3 supplement.

Laughter Really is Good Medicine!

Our immune system is amazing. It has specialized cells that patrol and destroy harmful invaders, like cancer. One of those key groups of cells are called natural killer (NK) cells. Cancer patients and especially those recovering from cancer treatment have a tendency to have reduced NK cell activity. A critical component of a comprehensive anti-cancer plan is to find ways to enhance the power of our NK cells. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this, including the use of dietary supplements such as mushroom extracts, melatonin, and antioxidants like glutathione. One of our favorite ways to enhance NK cell activity is to laugh. Really, it’s true. The scientific literature actually features some very interesting research involving the healing power of laughter. Amazingly, just laughing at a comic video has been shown to upregulate at least 27 genes that increase NK activity and it lasts for four hours after you’re done watching the video. Laughter’s effect on improving NK cell activity has been shown in clinical studies involving people diagnosed with cancer too. So, today (and every day from now on!), the goal is to have a few big belly laughs periodically throughout the day. To help you out, here is our silly joke for today: Why did the cookie go to the doctor? Because she felt crummy! OK, we’ll work on the jokes if you work on laughing more.

 

 

Touch Nature

Instead of sitting on the deck in a chair, try taking off your shoes and socks and sit on the lawn. Talk with friends, play games, laugh, enjoy the sunshine, and feel the grass with your toes and your hands. You may find that you feel differently after that experience and will be happy you didn’t confine yourself to the deck. Why is touching the grass so important? As it turns out, just above the surface of the earth lies a cloud of electrons that we absorb when our skin comes in contact with the earth, plants, trees, and other things springing from its surface. The electron flow is one of the most powerful antioxidants we can obtain. And antioxidants help counter the oxidative damage that can occur due to stress and other factors. So, the next time you get the chance to come in contact directly with Mother Nature, take it! She provides powerful medicine for mind, body, and spirit.