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CANCER RISK REDUCTION

Research demonstrates that proper nutrition may prevent the occurrence of cancer and can also be helpful in treatment of some forms of cancer. Good nutrition may especially help in prevention of the recurrence of cancer after curative surgery or successful chemotherapy and radiation therapy. An expert in cancer research at Duke University, Dr. John Grant, estimates that 40% or more of cancer patients actually die from malnutrition. Tulane University researchers compared survival in patients who used a macrobiotic diet versus patients who continued with their standard western lifestyle. Of 1467 pancreatic cancer patients who made no changes in their diet, 146 (10%) were alive after one year. Twelve of the 23 matched pancreatic patients (52%) consuming macrobiotic foods were still alive after one year (Alternative & Complementary Therapies Sept/Oct, 1995). It is evident from these reports that diet is one of the most important factors in preventing cancer, and it is certainly one step towards achieving a healthy lifestyle that is within an individual's control.

REDUCE FREE-RADICALS

A team of French doctors found that levels of various nutritional antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, were lower in women with breast cancer compared with women who did not have the disease (Gerber, M., et al., Cancer Investigation, 1991; 9:421-8). Abram Hoffer, MD, Ph.D. of Victoria, Canada, found that women with breast and uterine cancers had exceptional survival rates after taking large, regular doses of antioxidant nutrients. Most of the women treated by Hoffer had been diagnosed as terminal but about half lived five to fifteen years after starting a high-potency vitamin regimen (J. of Orthomolecular Medicine, third quarter, 1993, 8: 157-67).

REDUCE FAT AND INCREASE FIBER

Fat, fiber and colon cancer. Many studies in both humans and animals have shown that a high-fat diet contributes to the occurrence of colon and rectal cancers. Dietary fiber is the part of the food that humans can't digest. People who eat food high in fiber and low in fat have a lower incidence of certain cancers including colon and breast cancer. In addition to human studies linking high colon cancer risk to low fiber diets, animal experiments have shown that certain fibers in the diet, especially wheat bran, reduce cancer-causing chemicals in the colon. To reduce cancer risk, it may be necessary to reduce total dietary fat intake and increase the consumption of fiber. In addition to a low fat and high fiber diet, the following nutritional supplement may also help in preventing cancer or the recurrence of cancer.

SUPPLEMENT WITH FISH OILS

Introduction: Fish oils contain two long-chain fatty acids, i.e. eicosopentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA is the precursor of DHA and it is believed that DHA can be converted back to EPA when needed.
Evidence of cancer-preventive effects: Epidemiological studies found that high consumption of fish products, which are rich in EPA and DHA, led to a low incidence of colorectal cancer (Blot WJ, et al., 1975; Willett WC, et al., 1990). In 19 published fish oil supplementation animal model reports, 17 showed that fish oil slowed tumor growth and inhibited tumor metastasis. Only one study failed to show any tumor retardation, and one in which the frequency of metastasis was not reduced (McCarty MF., 1996). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 20 patients with sporadic ademomatous colorectal polyps, 10 patients received EPA (4.1 g/d) and DHA (3.6 g/d) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, the patients that received EPA and DHA showed a significant reduction in the size of the polyps (Marcello, et al., 1992). To determine the effects of fish oil supplementation on DNA synthesis of rectal mucosa (Huang YC, et al.), 27 patients with stage 1 or stage 2 colon carcinoma or adenomatous polyps were randomized to take either 9 g/d fish oil capsules or a 9 g/d placebo capsules. The growth of highly proliferative colonic epithelial cells was significantly suppressed after 3 month of fish oil supplement. There were no side-effects and no polyps found in 12 of 12 patients who completed 12 month of n-3 supplement.
Mechanism of action: The mechanism by wish fish oil inhibits tumor growth is poorly understood. It may inhibit angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels which supply nutrients essential for the cancer cell growth); it may modulate the immune system by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis; it may also inhibit protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase activity, both of which are important for tumor growth.
Conclusion: A large amount of animal and human data suggests that fish oil has a positive role in preventive/treatment of human colon cancer. There is an ongoing clinical trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute in the use of fish oil for high risk colon cancer patients (patient status after Dukes' A and B1 colon cancer). The patients are given 10 g/d of omega-3 fatty acids.
Reference:
Blot WJ, Lanier A, Fraumeni JF, Bender TR. Cancer mortality among Alaska natives, 1060-69. J Natl Cancer Inst 55:547-554, 1975.
Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Rosner BA, Speizer FE. Relation of meat, fat and fiber intake to the risk of colon cancer in a prospective study among women. N Eng J Med., 323:1664-1672, 1990.
McCarty MF. Fish oil may impede tumor angiogenesis and invasiveness by down-regulating protein kinase C and modulating eicosanoid production. Med Hyposis, 46:107-115, 1996.
Marcello, et al., Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on rectal mucosal cell proliferation in subjects at risk for colon cancer, Gastroenterology, 103:883-891, 1992.
Huang YC, et al., n-3 fatty acids decrease colonic epithelial cell proliferation in high-risk bowel mucosa. Lipids, 31:supplement s-313.

SUPPLEMENT WITH VITAMIN C

Introduction: Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble compound which is present in fruits and vegetables. Humans cannot synthesize Vitamin C. Thus, human beings must obtain Vitamin C through the diet.
Mechanism of action: Vitamin C's chemopreventive activity is attributed to two mechanisms. The first one is its antioxidant activity; the second is the prevention of formation of carcinogen from precursor compounds.
Evidence of Cancer-preventive effects: Epidemiological survey revealed increased intakes of fruits and vegetables decreased the occurrence of most types of cancer. Of 170 epidemiological studies of cancer at all sites, 132 found statistically significant protective effects associated with the highest intakes of fruits and vegetables (Block G et al., 1992). Fruits and vegetables contain a number of constituents, including vitamin C, which are supposed to have protective effects against cancer. Vitamin C has been shown to block the damage caused by free radicals (Bendich A et al., 1986). It was also demonstrated that vitamin C inhibited the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines from dietary precursors in animals (Tannenbaum S. R. and Wishnok JS., 1987; Tannenbaum SR, et al., 1991). In review of the epidemiological studies of vitamin C and cancer, Block (Block G., 1992) pointed out that there was extremely strong and consistent evidence of a protective effect against cancers of the stomach, esophagus, oral cavity, and pharynx. For cancers of the lung, rectum, and cervix, 15 of 26 studies showed significant risk reduction with higher vitamin C intake. 3 of 12 studies of colon cancer showed protective effects. Pauling et al. reported significant extension of survival time among terminal cancer patients given 10 grams of vitamin C daily (Cameron E and Pauling L., 1976). In a recent double-blind clinical trial of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and megadose vitamins against recurrence of bladder cancer, the 5- year estimates of tumor recurrence were 91% in the group that received multiple vitamins in the recommended daily allowance (RDA) and 41% in the group that received multiple vitamins in the recommended daily allowance (RDA) plus 40,000 units of vitamin A, 100 mg vitamin B6, 2 gram vitamin C, 400 units vitamin E and 90 mg zinc (Lamm, L. et al., 1994). Riordan, M. D. at the Bio-communication Research Institute in Wichita, Kansas reported successful treatment of several cases of terminal head and pancreatic cancer patients using high dose intravenous ascorbate (Riordan, H., 1996).
Conclusion: Claims that large doses of vitamin C can prevent or inhibit familial polyposis have not been convincingly demonstrated. Direct evidence that vitamin C can lower the risk of colon cancer has not been obtained. However, there is substantial confirmative epidemiological and direct evidence that vitamin C has preventive effects against a variety of human cancers. The results of using high dose intravenous ascorbate in treating cancer is also promising. In combination with other vitamins and chemo-preventive agents, there is no doubt that vitamin C plays an important role in the prevention of cancer.
Reference:
Block G, Patterson B, Subar A. Fruit, vegetables, and cancer prevention: a review of the epidemiological evidence. Nutr. Cancer, 18:1-29, 1992.
Bendich A, Machlin LJ, Scandurra O. The antioxidant role of vitamin C. Adv. free Radical Biol. Med. 2:419-444, 1986.
Tannenbaum SR, Wishnok JS. Inhibition of nitrosamine formation by ascorbic acid. Ann. N Y Acad Sci. 498:354-363, 1987.
Tannenbaum SR, Wishnok JS, Leaf CD. Inhibition of nitrosamine formation by ascorbic acid. Am J Clin Nutr. 53:247s-250s, 1991.
Block G. Vitamin C status and cancer: epidemiological evidence of reduced risk. Ann. N Y Acad Sci. 669:280-290, 1992.
Cameron E and Pauling L. Supplemental ascorbate in the supportive treatment of cancer: prolongation of survival times in terminal human cancer. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 73: 3685, 1976.
Lamm, L. et al. Megadose vitamins in bladder cancer: a double-blind clinical trial. J Urology, 151:21-26, 1994.
Riordan, H. The use of high dose intravenous ascorbate as a cytotoxic chemo-therapeutic agent. The 25th Annual International Nutrition Medicine Today, Vancouver, Canada May 1996.

SUPPLEMENT WITH VITAMIN E

Introduction: Vitamin E is present in the blood as d-a-tocopherol and is a major antioxidant preventing the oxidation and peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid units of membrane phospholipids. This function protects the cell membranes against injury and confines damage to limited areas of the membranes. Vitamin E at high levels enhances the body's immune system which is considered important in cancer prevention. Vitamin E in the stomach inhibits the production of nitrosamines from nitrites, present in smoked, pickled, and some processed foods. Nitrosamines are strong tumor promoters.
Evidence of Cancer-preventive effects: Epidemiological studies suggest that vitamin E and other antioxidants decrease the incidence of certain cancers. Low serum vitamin E has been linked to an increased risk of the development of subsequent cancers (Knekt, P. et al., 1988a). In Finland, a measurement of serum vitamin E and selenium levels in women initially free of cancer revealed that women with low serum levels of vitamin E and selenium had a highly significant ten-fold increased risk of breast cancer during an 8-year follow-up study (Knekt, P. et al., 1988b). Le Gardear et al., found that newly diagnosed lung cancer patients had significantly lower average serum levels of vitamin E than controls (Le Gardear et al., 1990). In an Italian study involving 2569 women with confirmed breast cancer and 2588 control women without cancer, it was found that beta-carotene, vitamin E and calcium showed a significant inverse association with breast cancer risk (Negri, E. et al., 1996). Lamm et al., reported that supplementation with 400 units of vitamin E plus other vitamins reduced the recurrence rate of bladder cancer from 91% to 41 % compared to the control group during a 5-year follow-up study (Lamm, L. et al., 1994). Roncucci, et al. studied the effects of antioxidant vitamins on the recurrence of adenomatous polyps (the precursor lesions of most colorectal cancers). He reported that supplementation with vitamin A (30,000 IU/d), vitamin C (1 g/d) and vitamin E (70 mg/d) lowered the recurrence rate of adenomas from 36% in the control group which received no supplements to 5.7% in the group that received the supplement (Lamm, L. et al., 1994).
Conclusion: Based on the research done by many international scientists, it is clear that vitamin E can protect cells from free radical-mediated cell membrane damage and can prevent some forms of cancer. Vitamin E and selenium together have a greater antitumor effect than either alone. Along with other vitamins and minerals, vitamin E plays an important role in the prevention of cancer and the prevention of recurrence of cancer. The latter function is especially important for people with cancer in remission.
Reference:
Knekt, P., Aromaa, A., Maatela, J., Aaran, R., Nikkari, T., Hakama, M., Hakulinen, T., Peto, R., Saxen, E. and Teppo, L. Serum vitamin E and risk of cancer among Finnish men during a 10-year follow-up. Amer. J. Epideminol., 127:28, 1988a.
Knekt, P. Serum vitamin E level and risk of female cancers. Int. J. Epideminol., 17, 281, 1988b
Le Gardear, B.Y., Lopez, S. A., and Johnson, W. D. A case-control study of serum vitamins A, E and C in lung cancer patients. Nutr. Cancer, 14: 133, 1990.
Negri, E. et al., Intake of selected micronutrients and the risk of breast cancer. Int. J. Cancer, 65:140-144, 1996.
Lamm, L. et al. Megadose vitamins in bladder cancer: a double-blind clinical trial. J Urology, 151:21-26, 1994.
Roncucci, L. et al. Antioxidant vitamins or lactose for the prevention of therecurrence of colorectal adenomas, Dis. Colon. Rectum, 36:227-234, 1993.

SUPPLEMENT WITH SELENIUM

Introduction: Selenium is an essential mineral for human beings. Its important role in maintaining human health is now very well recognized. Increasing evidence suggests that selenium has protective effects for heart disease, cancer, arthritis, cirrhosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc..
Mechanism of action: The exact mechanism of action of the protective effects of selenium is not understood. Rotruck et al. proposed that selenium plays a critical role in the functioning of glutathione peroxidase, an important enzyme responsible for preventing damage resulting from peroxidation (Rotruck JT et al., 1973). This hypothesis is further supported by the studies of Geiger et al. in a report that selenoperoxidase was important for protecting from the damaging effects of tert-butylhydroperoxide on leukemia cells (Gerger PG, et al. 1993). Damage to cell membranes, DNA, protein, and other components of the cell by free radicals is considered to contribute to many diseases including cancer. Selenium's role in stimulating the immune response may also play a part in its effects against cancer.
Evidence of cancer-preventive effects: Convincing evidence shows a negative correlation between selenium intake and cancer of the breast, colon, pancreas, prostate, lung and bladder (Schrauzer, G, 1978). Patients with cancers of the breast, colon, ovary, pancreas, head and neck show lower levels of selenium in whole blood or serum than do healthy controls. Serum sample analysis showed that the risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer is twice as high in people with low selenium levels (El-Bayoumy K, 1991). Animal studies showed that selenium has a protective effect for tumorigenesis of the liver, skin, pancreas, mammary gland, colon, trachea, respiratory tract, esophagus, stomach, and bladder (El-Bayoumy K, 1991).
Ramesha et al. investigated the chemopreventive effects of sodium selenite, magnesium chloride, ascorbic acid, and retinyl acetate in rats fed with 7,12-dimethybenz[a]anthracene, a known cancer inducer (Ramesha A et al., 1990). They found that the rate of tumor incidence was reduced to 57% by sodium selenite, 46% by magnesium chloride, 57% by ascorbic acid, and 48% by retinyl acetate when the supplements were given singly compared to controls given only 7,12-dimethybenz[a]anthracene. The rate was further reduced when two supplements were given, and even further reduced when three supplements were given. When four supplements were given, the rate was reduced to only 12%. Impressive evidence linked lower selenium levels and increased cancer incidence comes from a study in China (Yu SY et al, 1985).
Conclusion: Evidence from epidemiological, animal and human studies strongly suggests that a low selenium level is associated with a high incidence of cancer. The cancer preventive effects of selenium may be due to its powerful anti-oxidant ability to detoxify harmful metals and free radicals as well as its immune stimulating effects. Especially, selenium and vitamin E appears to have a synergistic effects in strengthening the immune system.
Reference:
Rotruck JT et al. Selenium: biochemical role as a component of glutathione peroxidase. Science, 179:588-590, 1973.
Gerger PG, Lin F, Girotti AW. Selenoperoxidase-mediated cytoprotection against the damaging effects of tert-butylhydroperoxide on leukemia cells. free Rad Biol Med. 14:251-266, 1993.
Schrauzer, G: inorganic nutritional aspects of cancer, Pub. plenum press, N. Y., p. 338, 1978.
El-Bayoumy K. The role of selenium in cancer prevention. Cancer Prevention, 1991: 1-15.
Ramesha A et al., Chemoprevention of 7,12-dimethybenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary carcinogenesis in rat by the combined actions of selenium, magnesium, ascorbic acid and retinyl acetate. Jpn J Cancer Res. 81:1239-1246, 1990.
Yu SY et al. Regional variation of cancer mortality incidence and its relation to selenium levels in China. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 7:21-29, 1985.

SUPPLEMENT WITH CALCIUM

Introduction: Calcium is essential for maintaining the health of human beings. It is a major component of human bones and teeth. Calcium plays an important role in coordinating the biological processes of the cell. It mediates nerve conduction, muscle contraction, heart beat, blood coagulation and the immune system. It may be one of the key elements in control of cell proliferation which is deregulated in cancer.
Mechanism of action: The chemopreventive effect of calcium is thought to be due to its ability to bind fatty acids and free bile acids to form insoluble products that are non toxic to the colon and are subsequently excreted.
Evidence of Cancer-preventive effects: Inhibition of tumor growth by calcium has been demonstrated in various experimental animals (Wargovich MJ and Baer AR., 1989). A study of 35216 Iowa women for four years indicated that the intake of calcium was significantly inversely associated with the risk of colon cancer (Bostick RM et al., 1993). In a 19-year follow-up study of men in Chicago, the rate of colorectal cancer incidence was found to be inversely related to the amount of calcium and vitamin D intake (Garland C et al., 1985). Lipkin and Newmark reported that two to three months of supplementation with calcium (1250 mg/d) to individuals from families with high incidence of colorectal cancer slowed the abnormally high rates of cell proliferation in their colons to normal rates (Lipkin M and Newmark HL., 1985). A study of 2569 women with breast cancer and 2588 women without breast cancer in 6 Italian areas revealed that beta-carotene, vitamin E and calcium showed a significant inverse association with breast cancer risk (Negri, E. et al., 1996). Alberts et al. found that supplement of the diet with 1500 mg/day of elemental calcium for 9 months to patients with a history of colon adenoma resection caused a 35% reduction of total bile acid production and 36% reduction of deoxycholic fecal bile acid production, respectively, (Alberts et al., 1996). These acids are thought to be colon cancer promoters.
Conclusion: Substantial evidence shows that calcium has preventive effects against colon and other cancers. Due to the chemopreventive effects for cancer and other important roles it plays in human physiology, supplementation of the diet with calcium may reduce the incidence of cancer and other common diseases.
References:
Wargovich MJ, Baer AR. Basic and clinical investigations of dietary calcium in the prevention of colorectal cancer, preventive Med. 18:672-679, 1989.
Bostick RM et al. Relation of calcium, vitamin D, and dairy food intake to incidence of colon cancer among older women, The Iowa women's Health study. Am. J. epidemiol. 137:1302-1307, 1993.
Garland C et al. Dietary vitamin D and calcium and risk of colorectal cancer: A 19-year prospective study in men. Lancet, 1:307-309, 1985.
Lipkin M and Newmark HL. Effects of added dietary calcium on colonic epithelial cell proliferation in subjects at high risk of familial colon cancer. N. Eng. J. Med. 313:1381-1384, 1985.
Negri, E. et al., Intake of selected micronutrients and the risk of breast cancer. Int. J. Cancer, 65:140-144, 1996.
Alberts et al. Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of effects of wheat bran fiber and calcium on fecal bile acids in patients with resected adenomatous colon polyps. J. Nat. Cancer Inst. 88:81-92, 1996.

SUPPLEMENT WITH COENZYME Q

Introduction: Coenzyme Q10 is a member of a class of compounds chemically known as quinones. It is involved in the production of high energy compounds which are essential for normal cellular function in daily life. It has been used successfully in the treatment of cardiovascular disease (Folkers K., et al., 1985). Recently coenzyme Q10 was used for cancer treatment and impressive results were reported (Lockwood K., et al., 1995; Lockwood K., et al. 1994; Folkers, K., et al. 1993).
Mechanism of action: The mechanism of the anticancer property of coenzyme Q10 is currently not well understood. It may be due to its immune system modulating activity and free radical quenching capability.
Evidence of Cancer-preventive effects: Use of coenzyme Q10 in treating cancer patients was reported several times by Folkers, M.D and his collaborators, (Lockwood K., et al., 1995; Lockwood K., et al. 1994; Folkers, K., et al. 1993). In these reports, patients with various cancers were treated with coenzyme Q10 in a dosage ranging from 90-390 mg daily. Some patients, considered terminal with metastases, were reported cured and others showed improvement. The blood levels of coenzyme Q10 was found low in 199 Swedish and American cancer patients (Lockwood K., et al., 1995). CoQ10 also enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduces toxic side effects.
Conclusion: Based on the evidence available, it seems reasonable to believe that supplementation with coenzyme Q10 may have protective and therapeutic effects against cancer.
References:
Folkers K., et al. Biochemical rationale and myocardial tissue data on the effective therapy of cardiomyopathy with coenzyme Q10. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 62:901-904, 1985.
Lockwood K., Moesgaard S., Yamamoto T., Folkers, K. Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and regression of metastases, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 212:172-177, 1995.
Lockwood K., Moesgaard S., Folkers, K. Partial and complete regression of breast cancer in patients in relation to dosage of coenzyme Q10, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 199:1504-1508, 1994.
Folkers, K., et al. Survival of cancer patients on therapy with coenzyme Q10, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 192:241-242, 1993.

SUPPLEMENT WITH MICRONUTRIENTS

B-complex: A high percentage of people in the United States are deficient in the B-complex vitamins. B-complex vitamins, especially B2, B6, folic acid and pantothenic acid, have significant immune response enhancing effects. Epidemiological case-control studies have found significant correlations between higher folic acid intake and lower risk of colorectal cancer. All B vitamins function best when taken together, and therefore it might be more beneficial to take a B-complex supplement as opposed to a single B vitamin.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D can be synthesized in the skin with the help of ultraviolet sunlight and can also be obtained from diet. Vitamin D's functions, among others, are to increase the absorption of calcium from the intestines by stimulating the synthesis of calcium binding protein and to increase the resorption of calcium from bone. It was demonstrated that vitamin D can enhance immunity. There is speculation that chronic vitamin D deficiency ultimately contributes to cancer of the breast and colon.
Epidemiological studies provide confirmed evidence that vitamin D has protective effects against the occurrence of cancer, especially cancers of colon, breast and prostate. Vitamin D may also be helpful in treatment of some forms of cancers. Vitamin D can reduce the risk of tumor emergence, its progression and metastases. There is substantial evidence to suggest that supplementation with this vital vitamin is warranted for protection and possibly treatment of colon cancer (for a thorough review, see 'vitamin D and the retardation of tumor progression' in 'Nutrition and Cancer Prevention, edited by Watson and Mufti, CRC Press, 1995).
Copper and Zinc: These are important minerals in the maintenance of normal cell function. Copper and zinc have been reported to possess anticancer properties. Copper is involved in more than a dozen enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) which prevents damage caused by free radicals. Copper is required in the oxidation of vitamin C. Zinc can stimulate the immune systems. Considering the important biological functions these trace elements have, it may be helpful to supplement the diet with them.


These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.