(08-02-13) Dietary prevention of metastasis to increase cancer survival

by Dr. Phil Domenico

(NaturalNews) Over a million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this
year. Most patients don't succumb to the initial tumor, but rather to
metastatic (spread to another body site) tumors, or drug side effects. For
instance, melanoma comprises four percent of skin cancers, but 80 percent of
skin cancer deaths, due to its metastatic potential. Keeping cancer from
spreading starts with a healthy anti-inflammatory diet.

Most cancers can be traced to environmental and lifestyle factors, like
smoking, alcohol, sunburn, pollution, infection, stress and obesity. Good
nutrition serves to counteract these risk factors. Micronutrients prevent
initiation and survival of mutations, reduce tumor size, and keep tumor cells
from entering the bloodstream. Diets high in fruits and vegetables, herbs and
spices are linked to reduced cancer rates and spread. It also helps to avoid
processed, factory-farmed and overheated foods, restrict calories, opt for
organic, fresh foods and take high-quality supplements.

Cancer loves sugar. High blood sugar and insulin increase inflammation, which
promotes cancer spread. Conversely, low-carb diets suppress cancer growth. The
damage by sugar and other toxins are mitigated by antioxidant and anti-
inflammatory foods, including fiber-rich foods, mushrooms, green tea, turmeric,
ginger, omega-3 (fish, walnuts, flax), cruciferous vegetables, thyme, celery,
rosemary, berries, whole citrus, red wine and dark chocolate. High quality fish
oil, vitamin D and curcumin are the best supplements for inflammation. High-
dose vitamin D may reduce cancer incidence by more than 70 percent.

Blood clots, which are linked to inflammation, provide havens for tumor cell
attachment and spread. Micronutrients intervene at all stages of cancer,
through a wide range of mechanisms, including anti-oxidation (carotenoids,
selenium, vitamin C and E), differentiation (vitamins A, D, calcium), and
immunity (vitamins A, C, selenium, zinc). Natural anti-blood clotting agents
include magnesium, vitamin E complex, garlic, and omega-3 fatty acids. Dietary
fiber and healthy gut microbes also play vital roles in cancer prevention by
neutralizing toxins. Metastasis is also promoted by stress, which is relieved
with magnesium, B and C complex vitamins, calming herbs, and high-quality
protein.

Wandering tumor cells are eliminated by a healthy immune system, which
requires many nutrients. Garlic inhibits cancer cell proliferation and
migration. Cumin and turmeric spices suppress metastasis in animal research
models, and are linked to lower cancer rates. Broccoli lowers invasiveness and
metastasis in cancer cells. Pomegranate inhibits cancer cell movement and
attraction to bone. Selenium and vitamin D promote glutathione, the major
cellular antioxidant. Copper, zinc and manganese activate enzymes like catalase
and superoxide dismutase, which devour free radicals that damage DNA. Spices
like rosemary help neutralize cancer-causing toxins in the body, on the shelf,
and when frying foods. Vitamin K is a potent inhibitor of tumor colony
formation. Indeed, a wealth of nutrients are involved.

Don't worry much about how nutrients and phytochemicals affect anti-cancer
drug therapy. Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies, including 50 human studies
involving thousands of patients, have consistently shown that these food
substances do not interfere with therapy for cancer. Instead, they enhance
cancer drugs, decrease their side effects, and protect normal tissue. In 15
human studies, thousands of patients taking antioxidants and other nutrients
actually showed increased survival. Diet is paramount to preventing cancer and
metastasis.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.sciencedaily.com
http://www.indiadivine.org
http://www.raysahelian.com/melanoma.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515569/
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://cancertreatmentmx.com
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17283738
http://books.google.com
Klement RJ. Nutrition & Metabolism 2011, 8:75
http://www.dimfaq.com/index.htm)

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