March, 2009

Colostrum, generally obtained from a cow, is the ‘first food’ derived from the first letdown of milk following birth. When a mother first gives birth, her milk is rich in immunoglobulins and other life-supporting nutrients, including protein. The nutrients are passed on to her child through this special substance.

Colostrum is a unique combination of immunoglobulins, specific antibodies and immune enhancers designed to protect the child against viruses, bacteria and allergens. Together with acidophilus probiotic bacteria, colostrum kick-starts the immune system in the gut and helps to prevent gastro-intestinal infections.

Most of the present research on colostrum has been performed on bovine colostrum. To obtain pure colostrum, the cows must be grain-fed and free to roam in pesticide-free pastures. Hence most of the high quality colostrum available today is obtained from New Zealand cows. Try to be aware of the source of your colostrum when purchasing this product to ensure that it has been obtained from grain-fed healthy cows.

Colostrum contains some very beneficial immunoglobulins. These include IgG which stimulates phagocytosis to neutralise toxins, IgA which helps to reduce bacterial and viral infections, IgM which enhances phagocytosis against micro-organisms and IgD which stimulates  cells to produce antibodies and to reduce allergic reactions. Colostrum also contains lactoferrin, interleukin, an immune system stimulant, and oligosaccharides, a promoter of healthy microflora in the gut and live enzymes.

With these essential ingredients, colostrum may prove to be an extremely beneficial ‘live food’ in cancer prevention and treatment. At present, companies are isolating some unique ingredients from colostrum and making some amazing claims as to its positive benefits with cancer treatment and chemotherapy. More research needs to be performed on colostrum; its ingredients could turn out to be a miraculous healing living food.

Lactoferrin is a human protein found mainly in external secretions such as breast milk, tears and in secondary granules of neutrophils. It is a relatively new supplement that has generated interest due to a number of articles touting its benefit in application to cancer therapy. One of my previous colleagues who had been a doctor and a natural therapist for over 30 years regularly used lactoferrin as part of his natural cancer-fighting program for his clients. The success in his clinic was overwhelming.

Lactoferrin is a substance that belongs to a family of chemicals known as cytokines. Cytokines are responsible for co-ordinating the human cellular immune response that protects us from infections, cancers and tumours. A deficiency of cytokines can lead to a suppressed immune system and an excess of these can cause an over-active immune response. Lactoferrin works by regulating the cellular immune response on several different levels.

In a healthy person, lactoferrin is the first line of defence that protects body openings such as the eyes, mouth, nose and other orifices from infections. Secondly, it binds to iron to prevent pathogens and tumours from using the iron for reproduction and growth. When a healthy body is presented with a tumour or infection, lactoferrin is produced rapidly near the infection or tumour. It then binds with iron and renders it unavailable to the bacteria or tumour, causing a malnutrition situation and starving the bacteria or tumour. In theory, if a tumour is starved of its food supply, it is unable to grow and may begin to shrink.

Lactoferrin improves the immune response. It should not be used on its own, but rather as a supportive therapy in the treatment of severe immune deficiency conditions such as those seen with cancer. It is also thought to stop the replication of certain viruses, including HIV and some of the herpes family of viruses.

So where does lactoferrin come from? Lactoferrin is derived from bovine colostrum, the first fluid that comes out of the breast after a baby is born. From the first day to three days after birth, the mother produces a fluid that is not milk, but rather a mixture of immunoglobulins and about 15 to 20 per cent lactoferrin. Most sources are extracted from cow’s colostrum, which is purified and free from allergic reactions.

Generally 200 to 400mg per day before bed is taken to improve immune deficiency states. It should always be purchased from a reputable source and taken under advice from your health care professional.

*116/34/5*

• Eat plenty of vegetables rich in phytochemicals. Eat more garlic, collards, onions, leeks, shallots, chives, broccoli, cabbage, kale, spinach, eggplant, lettuce, mustard greens, capsicum, cauliflower and green beans. These act as antioxidants, inhibit and treat cancer, and trigger the formation of glutathione S- transferase, an important enzyme involved in protecting a cell’s DNA from carcinogens. This further prevents cells from turning cancerous. Brussels sprouts contain a compound that is believed to protect against breast, lung and bowel cancer.

• Consume plenty of yellow and deep orange vegetables such as carrots, apricots, sweet potatoes, papaya, pumpkin, squash and yams. Apples, berries, brazil nuts, cantaloupes, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, tangerines, grapes, ginger, legumes (including chickpeas and red beans) and plums all help to fight cancer. Berries, particularly raspberries, protect against DNA damage. Cherries help to induce tumour cell death. Eat more bananas, avocados, pineapple, wheat germ, mango and pawpaw, which are good sources of live enzymes.

• Support a healthy digestive function by supplementing your diet with apple cider vinegar with meals or with digestive enzymes.

• Eat plenty of watermelon, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, tomatoes and pink grapefruit – these foods contain lycopene to protect against breast and prostate cancers.

• Eat plenty of garlic, onions, ginger and turmeric to boost immune system function. Try to eat two to three cloves of garlic per day.

• Eat plenty of medicinal mushrooms i.e. shitake, reishi, maitake and button mushrooms. These little wonders strengthen immunity and prevent cancer.

• Eat a diet rich in grains, nuts, seeds and unpolished brown rice. Millet cereal is a good source of protein and an alkaline grain. Include oats in your diet.

• Eat 10 raw almonds a day. They contain laetrile, a substance that contains anti-cancer properties. I often eat a small handful of nuts mid-morning and mid-afternoon – containing almonds, brazils, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.

• Try to drink spring or distilled water, not tap water. Eight to 10 glasses of water every day is considered optimal, as this helps to detoxify the body of harmful chemicals,

• Use blackstrap molasses, brown rice syrup, manuka honey, stevia or pure maple syrup as a natural sweetener instead of sugar.

• Eat whole wheat, sour dough, yeast-free bread or rye bread and flour, instead of white bread and white pastries. White flour products are Jacking in fibre and contain limited nutritional value.

• Cook all sprouts lightly (except for alfalfa sprouts) which should be eaten raw.

• Drink plenty of juices (four to six glasses/day) particularly beet juice, carrot juice, green juices, cabbage juice, pineapple juice, lettuce juice and watermelon juice. Drink at least 100 ml of beetroot juice every morning if fighting cancer. Wheat-grass shots are highly beneficial.

• Cottage cheese mixed with flaxseed oil provides good levels of omega oils and protein. Take flaxseed meal daily – its rich lignan content reduces the effect of hormones on hormonally sensitive cancers. Take two to three tablespoons of freshly ground linseed per day or two to three tablespoons of flaxseed oil.

• Eat fish three to five times per week. The best types of fish include deep-water ocean fish such as mackerel, cod, halibut, sardines, tuna and salmon or supplement with fish oils. These contain high levels of omega-3 oils that act as natural anti-inflammatory agents and anti-cancer agents. It is important to maintain good levels of protein.

• Eat plenty of organic, dark green leafy vegetables for excellent sources of vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll to boost the body’s immune system.

• If overweight aim to reduce weight. Increased weight is associated with factors that may promote cancer growth.

• Increase dietary fibre, in the form of whole grain cereals and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, to improve colon function. Fibre-rich foods help to promote the production of butyric acid in the colon, preventing or reducing tumours in this area of the body.

• Supplementing the diet with iodine rich foods may decrease the risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer.

*92/34/5*

Orthodox and natural medicines both have their place in healing and in society. All too often doctors bag natural therapists as being ‘quacks’ and natural therapists bag doctors as being cruel and aggressive in treatment. Often doctors show little respect towards natural therapists and many natural therapists show little respect towards doctors. This lack of respect is very disappointing, as so much can be gained from each other’s medicine and forms of treatment. Both have an extremely important place in healing.

Modern surgery is remarkable and extends life to many souls who before the advent of medical technology were condemned to an early death. The new techniques and advances in transplant surgery, brain surgery and heart surgery have improved the quality and length of life for many people. Surgeons are amazing people with incredible skills to repair damage and to recreate healthy working functions of organs and body tissues. However, surgery can be quite invasive and uses man-made drugs to treat side effects, and in many cases attempts to patch up the symptoms rather than deal with the cause of the problem.

Likewise, natural medicine plays an equally important role in healing and health. Natural therapy is designed to treat the individual as a whole and to solve the causative problem, rather than to patch up the symptoms. Natural medicine is equally good in preventing and treating symptoms. It is usually non-invasive and uses gentle, natural methods to restore the health of the individual. Forms of natural therapy include nutrition, naturopathy, vitamins, herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Tibetan medicine, aromatherapy, reflexology, iridology and many more. Natural medicine has been used in all cultures for thousands of years. Orthodox medicine is a relatively new form of medicine, being developed originally from the art of natural medicine.

Orthodox medicine definitely has a prominent place in healing. Any taint to the medical profession’s reputation has been received because of errors in surgery, removal of healthy body organs and the overuse of pharmaceuticals by general practitioners to treat patients. It is common knowledge that some doctors receive expensive bonuses and incentives from pharmaceutical companies for selling large amounts of certain types of drugs. With this carrot in front of their faces, many doctors prescribe medical drugs in excess without proper investigation and reason. Doctors are human beings like you and me and are therefore not perfect, and prone to making mistakes.

Unfortunately, doctors are not in a good position to make mistakes or errors as they are dealing with people’s lives. They are rarely held liable for any errors in treatment, as patients naturally baulk at the time and expense of legal action. When being treated medically, you are placing an enormous amount of trust and faith in your doctor.

Natural medicine is entirely different. It has been around for thousands of years in nearly every culture in the world. The American Indians have used shamanic healing and herbs to heal since the first existence of life. The Chinese have traditionally used Chinese medicine and acupuncture, the Indians in Asia incorporated Ayurvedic medicine to rebalance the individual since their culture began, and the Africans and Australian Aborigines are known for natural medicine and healing.

Natural medicine is used to heal the actual cause of the problem and prevent it from reoccurring in the future. It is a process of re-educating the individual to heal himself or herself by maintaining a healthy diet, mind and spiritual body. Of course, there are also unskilled and unqualified natural healers out there who have given this ancient method of healing a bad reputation. These healers may work primarily from a position of financial gain lacking the true empathy to heal individuals in accordance with nature. However, these healers are few and far between. The majority of natural healers are caring, passionate, empathetic and highly skilled souls.

Combining both orthodox and natural therapies in cancer treatment can for many, speed up the healing process dramatically. It is sad that so many people, in both the medical and natural field, remain ignorant of the benefits of each other’s therapy. We have lost the essence of healing. It is not about the doctors and the natural therapists and whose therapy is better than the other. Nor is it about a practitioner’s pride of ‘who is more right’. It is about the individual and restoring balance and health to the person as a whole.

If the egos of both natural and orthodox practitioners were to be set aside, and the financial incentives to ‘prove’ the other is wrong were eliminated, we could remember what the true essence of healing is about. True healing comes from the soul and understanding the cause of the problem, and working to solve the problem, not to patch it up. It involves spending time with the patient (longer than 10 minutes), attentively listening to their problems and using the best healing methods possible, whether they be natural or orthodox or both, to solve the problem and bring about a healthy state of equilibrium and balance to the patient. If only more practitioners could open up their hearts to the immense healing potential contained within each other’s amazing therapies, I’m sure there would be less illness in this world today.

*68/34/5*

Diet

• Eat a healthy, natural diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, adequate protein and fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

• Avoid alcohol, tea, cigarettes, fried foods, sugar, full fat dairy products, processed foods and caffeine.

• For males, increase intake of oysters and mussels (these contain high amounts of zinc) to protect the prostate and sperm. Onion juice and honey mixed together encourages the production of sperm in men.

Vitamins and Nutrients

• Selenium is very important (400 – 800 meg/daily). Deficiency of selenium leads to reduced sperm count, linked to sterility in men and infertility in women. The best type of selenium can be obtained from your doctor in a liquid form, called Sodium Selenite.

• Vitamin Ñ (2000 – 6000 mg/daily) is important in sperm production.

• Vitamin E (400 IU – 1000 IU/day) is required for balanced hormone production and to carry oxygen to the sex organs.

• Zinc (80 mg/day) is needed for healthy functioning of reproductive organs.

• A mineral supplement containing iodine, manganese, copper and zinc would be helpful.

Herbs

• For men – Siberian ginseng (100 mg three times/day before 4 p.m.). Astragalus protects the immune system and aids with sperm motility.

• For women – False unicorn root and vitex agnus castus in tincture (1 teaspoon 3 times/ day) or royal jelly (1000 to 2000 mg/day). Other useful herbs for hormonal balancing include licorice root, wild yam, dong quai, yarrow or sarsaparilla.

*44/34/5*

Q. Can I choose which way the wound is cut?

A. YES. As a patient, you have rights! If you wish the doctor to cut horizontally or vertically, or to perform less invasive keyhole surgery, you must ask him if this is possible. For many women who like to wear bikinis or mid-riffs, having a vertical scar down the middle of the body can cause psychological and confidence problems in the future. Ask your doctor if it is possible for him to cut horizontally and as low as possible for aesthetic reasons. If you are worried about scarring, there is plastic surgery available later and also many natural treatments available to lesson the effects of scars. Remember also that you will lose sensation around the area where the skin has been cut for a period of time.

Q. Should I do anything prior to the operation to aid in a faster recovery?

A. YES. This is very important. Try to build up your strength, health and nutritional levels prior to the operation. If you are a smoker it would be advisable for you to give up smoking before surgery, as nicotine robs the body of valuable oxygen and nutrients required for healing, not to mention the stress it places on the heart under anaesthetic. It is important to eat lots of good protein, as protein assists in tissue healing. Do deep breathing exercises to improve haemoglobin levels, aerobic and strengthening exercises, stretching, yoga and positive visualizations and affirmations. Never go into an operation tired or negative. It is important to be as energized as possible and to always visualize the most positive outcome.

Q. Will I feel more emotional than usual?

A. YES. On finding out you have cancer right through to the treatment and the acceptance of your condition, your body’s emotions may feel like they’re being put through a washing machine. Medication and anaesthetics tend to congest the body’s organs, which creates emotional imbalance. You may feel sadness, anger, blame, confusion, denial or fear — a whole multitude of emotions. Use this time to grow stronger, accept your condition and find ways to overcome the causative factors in your life that led to the onset of your cancer. Never give up! There is a lesson in every experience in life and having cancer will enable you to grow stronger and become more aware in every facet of your existence.

Q. How will I feel if any of my organs are removed?

A. If part or any of your organs are removed during surgery, it feels like part of who you are is being taken away. No one understands this unless it happens to him or her. If you are unaware of this and you wake up to find your ovaries are gone or your prostate is gone, it is an extremely traumatic and debilitating experience. You may not feel like a full woman or man anymore, in more ways than one.

This is why it is so important to be 100 per cent aware of what the doctor plans to do and to be completely in agreement before the operation. Seek other opinions and also never forget to seek alternative methods and therapies – there may be another way. Counseling, support from loved ones, compassion and understanding all go hand in hand to overcoming these overwhelming life experiences.

*20/34/5*