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Posts Tagged ‘Integrative Oncology’

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Metatrol: Integrative Support to Improve the Treatment of Cancer

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives Cancer Treatment, Cancer, chemotherapy, Integrative Oncology, nutraceuticals, Radiotherapy for breast cancer on April 29, 2024 at 7:52 am

Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) is a natural compound derived from fermentation of wheat germ. FWGE is a promising anticancer compound that can be integrated into or improve the current treatment of cancer. It is widely used in cancer treatment as it has been found to protect healthy cells from radiation and starve cancer cells of their nutrition. Research shows that various types of cancer cells treated with FWGE have responded with cytotoxic effects, alteration of the cell cycle, antiproliferative effects, and induction of apoptosis (cancer cell death).[i] There are clinical studies and proof of FWGE’s chemotherapy and radiotherapy support. Notably, Metatrol® is the only gluten-free FWGE, and is the most potent, concentrated formula on the market.

Dr Mitch Gaynor, my integrative oncologist, introduced me to FWGE (AveUltra) when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. This was for its anticancer benefits and for my low white blood cell count (I was not doing chemo or radiation, but the goal was to support my immune system). The original formula wasn’t too pleasant as it was a powder you had to mix with water, so I didn’t stay on it long. But Metatrol® is easy, just two pills a day. I started on it a few months ago when I noticed my white blood cell count had dropped. A month later it was up nicely. Many of my clients have had their doctors recommend this either during conventional treatments or as part of a holistic protocol.

One of the detrimental effects of chemo and radiation is the destruction of the immune system. Chemo reduces the number of infection-fighting white blood cells which makes it harder for your body to fight infections and eliminate cancer cells.[ii] Radiotherapy can damage your body’s lymphatic system, which is a network of channels and glands that form part of your immune system.

When your body has very low levels of white blood cells (and particularly neutrophils), this increases your risk of getting an infection. This common side effect of chemo is called neutropenia, and even a minor infection can become very serious. It could become life-threatening within hours (as can be the case with sepsis).[iii] Importantly, after chemo and or radiation, your immune system can stay suppressed for several months.

Research indicates that taking FWGE once or twice a day while undergoing chemotherapy may help reduce the risk of death and may help prevent cancer from becoming worse or spreading compared to chemo alone.[iv]  See also the dosage of two capsules daily in the studies below. As it can take anywhere from weeks to months after cancer treatments are over for you to get a healthy immune response back, further immune support is likely a very good idea.

Caution: FWGE extract can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, intentionally decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking FWGE along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications. Be sure to speak with your doctor about FWGE if you are on any type of immunosuppressive therapy.

Supporting Research:

Chemotherapy is a cornerstone of conventional cancer treatment, but it can also induce immune suppression, which can have significant implications for patient outcomes. This review paper aims to give a general overview of how chemotherapy affects the immune system and how it affects cancer treatment. Chemotherapy can directly affect immune cells, leading to cytotoxic effects, cell differentiation and function alterations, and cell communication and signaling pathways disruptions. Such immune suppression can weaken the anti-tumor immune response and increase the risk of immune-related toxicities. Understanding the mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced immune suppression is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies. Strategies to mitigate immune suppression include immunomodulatory agents as adjuvants to chemotherapy, combination therapies to enhance immune function, and supportive care measures of the immune system. Additionally, identifying potential biomarkers to predict immune suppression and guide treatment decisions holds promise for personalized cancer medicine. Future directions in this field involve further elucidating underlying mechanisms, exploring novel combination therapies, and developing targeted interventions to minimize immune suppression. By understanding and addressing chemotherapy-induced immune suppression, we can optimize cancer treatment strategies, enhance the anti-tumor immune response, and improve patient outcomes. [v]

Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE; trade name AVEMAR) is a natural compound derived from industrial fermentation of wheat germ. Its potential anticancer properties have emerged from recent studies. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the data available in the scientific literature concerning the in vitro activity of FWGE on malignant cells. A systematic review of English articles in electronic databases has been performed. The primary outcomes of the review regarded types of cancer cell lines subjected to the investigation and the main results concerning cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis observed within the studies. Sixteen articles were included in the final qualitative analysis. Various types of cancer cells treated with FWGE have been analyzed, showing mainly cytotoxic effects, alteration of the cell cycle, antiproliferative effects, and induction of apoptosis (cancer cell death). [vi]

The information and studies below on FWGE were provided by American BioSciences.

Always speak with your medical professional before taking any supplements.

METATROL®, GLUTEN-FREE, FERMENTED WHEAT GERM EXTRACT SUPER CONCENTRATE. In 2004, American BioSciences started distributing the Hungarian Fermented Wheat Germ Extract (FWGE) Avemar® under the brand name Ave’®, and began a collaboration with Dr. Mate Hidvegi, who asked our company to invest in new manufacturing technology to make a more potent dietary supplement product.  We set up factories in the U.S. and Germany, to make our Ave’Ultra® product (also sold under the brand name Oncomar® by Xymogen), which provided the same amount of FWGE active molecules, but reduced the daily dose by more than 50%.  We continued our research and development, which enabled us to further concentrate the biologically beneficial molecules from FWGE. Using a patented process, we now manufacture a gluten-free Fermented Wheat Germ Extract-Super Concentrate (FWGE-SC®), which we market under the brand names Metatrol® and Metatrol PRO®.

Research on FWGE is extensive. Close to 60 articles in medical journals describing hundreds of studies in cell lines and with animal and human subjects can be found via the National Library of Medicine HERE and the full text of most can be found via www.fwgeresearch.org.

These show that FWGE helps regulate cell metabolism,* inhibits non-oxidative glucose metabolism,* enhances oxidative glucose metabolism,* and supports many mechanisms of immune system regulation.*  This article from the New York Academy of Sciences is a good review:

The most recent paper, results of a multi-year collaboration with Cold Spring Harbor Lab on a lab scale version of Metatrol /Metatrol PRO FWGE-SC®, known by the experimental name, A250, was published in Nature Scientific Reports: Bencze, G., Bencze, S., Rivera, K.D. et al. Mito-oncology agent: fermented extract suppresses the Warburg effect, restores oxidative mitochondrial activity, and inhibits in vivo tumor growth. Sci Rep 10, 14174 (2020). Abstract below.

“Abstract: Mitochondrial dysfunction and significant changes in metabolic pathways accompany cancer development and are responsible for maintaining the tumor micro-environment. Normal mitochondria can trigger intrinsic apoptosis by releasing cytochrome c into the cytosol. The survival of malignant cells highly depends on the suppression of this function. We validated that A250, a highly purified fraction of fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE), increases the carbon flux into the mitochondria, the expression of key elements of the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). The increased respiratory chain activity is related to the mitochondria’s ability to release cytochrome c into the cytosol, which triggers the apoptotic cascade. The 68% tumor growth inhibitory effect observed in the murine melanoma study is related to this effect, as proteomic analysis validated similar changes in mitochondrial protein levels in the isolated tumor tissue samples. Blood count data indicated that this effect was not accompanied by general toxicity. This study is significant, as it shows that a highly concentrated form of FWGE is an effective agent that increases normal mitochondrial functionality. The lack of hepatotoxic and general toxic effects makes A250 an excellent candidate targeting mitochondria function in cancer therapy.”

Our research with Cold Spring Harbor Lab utilized a process known as “bio-assay guided fractionation,” where we attempted to identify which of the 10,000 or so molecules in FWGE/Avemar account for its biological activity. In the end, we did not find one single molecule that accounts for FWGE/Avemar’s health benefits, but we did isolate the “bio-active fraction” of approximately 100 molecules, referred to as “A250” in research, which is found in Metatrol Pro, and we have established that 41 mg of this fraction, found in 2 Metatrol PRO capsules, is bio-equivalent with 5,500 mg of whole FWGE/Avemar.

We developed a patented technology (2 patents granted this year) to manufacture a gluten-free, bioactive FWGE fraction, which we now call FWGE-SC®, which in the powder form, FWGE-SCP is the ingredient in Metatrol.  Assays show that 2 Metatrol capsules, containing 41 mg of FWGE-SC, or 830 mg of FWGE-SCP is bioequivalent with 5,500 mg of whole FWGE, the dose used in clinical trials.  For additional information visit The Harmony Company.

American BioSciences was established in 1999, and is involved in research, manufacturing, and marketing of dietary supplements. They have collaborated with leading medical researchers in the US and abroad, and our products contain ingredients which have been extensively studied to show safety and health benefits.  Their dietary supplements are sold via many health food stores and pharmacies, Amazon.com, and direct to consumer distributors such as The Harmony Company.

I am not affiliated with The Harmony Company nor American BioSciences. This is not a paid-for article. I simply enjoy sharing educational support for cancer patients. I recommend only supplements I value and take myself.

You can purchase Metatrol directly from The Harmony Company or via Amazon as well as from practitioners.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice, nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence. Elyn Jacobs Consulting, Inc. does not provide endorsement for the content, claims, or products discussed in this article.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Some product links on some posts are affiliate links. This website is monetized in part using affiliate links. This means that if you were to click on a link that is an affiliate link and purchase an item after clicking on that link, I may receive a small percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use often. Thank you for your support!

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[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213720/

[ii] https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/sepsis-cancer/index.html

[iii] https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/sepsis#:~:text=This%20is%20most%20common%20if,become%20life%2Dthreatening%20within%20hours.

[iv] https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/fermented_wheat_germ_extract.htm#:~:text=and%20rectal%20cancer.-,Early%20research%20shows%20that%20taking%20a%20specific%20fermented%20wheat%20germ,spreading%20compared%20to%20chemotherapy%20alone.

[v] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37906273/

[vi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213720/

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Salicinium, the Trojan Horse for Cancer Cells

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives Cancer Treatment, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, Cell Phones, chemotherapy, EMF Radiation, EMFs and breast cancer, Epstein Barr and Cancer, Salicinium and Cancer, Uncategorized on February 29, 2024 at 3:51 pm

“Salicinium is the Trojan horse for cancer cells.” 

Last week I attended the annual Annie Appleseed conference, an amazing conference to educate people on the benefits of Alternative and Complementary Cancer Treatments. One of the treatments I was eager to learn more about is Salicinium, something many have referred to as the “Trojan horse for cancer cells.” [1]

Among the literature provided at the conference was an article published in the Townsend Letter, the Examiner of Alternative Medicine, “Salicinium Clinical Pearls and Caveats”. I encourage you to read the article in full as it gives valuable information on Salicinium as well as the methods of administration and other important information.

For clarity, Salicinium does not kill malignant cells, it helps the immune system to do this by increasing natural killer (NK) cells. It seems to destroy the enzymatic ‘cloak’ which allows cancer cells to hide from the NK cells. Salicinium can be used as an Integrative therapy to allopathic treatments.

Something else I would like to point out is that according to the author, “due to the metabolic effects on other sick cells that predispose a patient to developing or perpetuating cancer, Salicinium is an effective adjuvant for patients with EBV, HPV, HSV, parasites, fungus, and candida.” This is very important as unbeknownst to many, these often play an integral role in the development and progression of cancer (see my page on EBV (Epstein Barr Virus).

Importantly, according to the article, Salicinium can cross the blood-brain barrier. “One of the mechanisms suggested for the persistence of a high incidence of brain metastases is the failure to cross the blood–brain barrier of most chemotherapeutic agents, including the more recent targeted therapies.”[2] Most pharmaceutical anticancer drugs do not cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and many metastatic patients die from brain metastases. The treatment of brain metastases remains a major therapeutic challenge since other standard treatments (surgery, radiation therapy) are also of limited benefit. 

“There is increasing discontent on the part of patients and families when faced with these choices. With the instances of cancer being so high in the population, it seems everyone knows several people who have cancer; and many have watched their friends and family suffer and die on traditional regimens. A week does not pass when I interview a new patient who tells me of someone they know who died after the first dose of chemotherapy or was told “your only hope is to receive chemotherapy until you die.’ Thus, many are turning away from the “standard of care’ since they feel it will not produce the result they want and hope for, namely life and vitality beyond cancer. Fear of death is one thing, but patients state that fear of death by torture is unacceptable.”[i]

“Fear of death is one thing, but patients state that fear of death by torture is unacceptable.”

Many thanks to Virginia Von Schaefer, MD, who shared this information with attendees of the conference. Dr Schaefer has over 30 years of clinical experience in general and trauma surgery, endocrinology, and oncology to create strategies to solve her patients’ complex medical problems. Her background in cell biology and biochemistry at Columbia University in New York City, established a special problem- solving mindset and framework that allows her to integrate “the best of both worlds” of conventional medical and surgical practice, along with an understanding of the fundamental biochemical/scientific basis for all current modalities.

Always remember that you and only you can determine the best treatment for your cancer. Your cancer, your body, your choice of treatment.

This post is not intended to endorse Salicinium, but rather to educate and share that Salicinium is just one more option to consider in one’s cancer protocol. Salicinium is a natural phytochemical and not a chemotherapy. Please read the entire Townsend Letter article for further information.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice, nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence. Elyn Jacobs Consulting, Inc. does not provide endorsement for the content, claims, or products discussed in this article.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Some product links on some posts are affiliate links. This website is monetized in part using affiliate links. This means that if you were to click on a link that is an affiliate link and purchase an item after clicking on that link, I may receive a small percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use often. Thank you for your support!

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[1] https://www.townsendletter.com/article/469-70-salicinium-cancer-research-and-evidence/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6981899/

 

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Options for Breast Cancer: Making the Best Choice for YOU

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives to Anti-Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer, Alternatives to Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer, Alternatives to Tamoxifen, Anticancer foods, foods for colon cancer, foods for breast cancer, antioxidants, aromatase inhibitors, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, EMFs and breast cancer, EMFs and Health Risks, Energy Healers, Epstein-Barr Virus, Estrogen, Estrogen and Breast Cancer, Healing Cancer Naturally, High Dose Vitamin C and Cancer, Integrative Oncology, Mind Body Therapies for Cancer, Natural Alternatives to Aromatase Inhibitors, Radiation, Radiotherapy for breast cancer, Tamoxifen, Uncategorized on January 23, 2020 at 2:48 pm

If you don’t know your options (for breast cancer) you don’t have any. That is my motto, and I can’t tell you how important it is to take control of your treatment plan. It is imperative that you make informed choices, not fear-based choices for your breast cancer.

In October, 2014 I found that my previously stage 1 cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. I was subsequently diagnosed as stage 3 (ER+). I have told this story before, but am sharing it again as I want people to know there are many paths to healing breast cancer.

Importantly, there are many reasons why people get cancer and why it returns. Resolving those reasons can make all the difference in survival.

Declining Chemo and Radiation

My choice does not necessarily have to be your choice. I was fortunate that I had a holistically-minded oncologist who supported my choices. A world-renowned integrative oncologist, he believed healing cancer often required both Eastern and Western medicine. This typically involved conventional methods used alongside holistic mind-body therapies, supplements, dietary changes, and more. Most of all, like me, he believed getting to the reason for the cancer is a major part of treating it.

Given my new diagnosis, my oncologist was legally compelled to recommend chemotherapy. I know that if had chosen the conventional chemo (or even the low dose chemo he suggested after I declined traditional chemo) it would have been a reasonable option. I know that if I had chosen it, he would have done everything he could to make the treatment work better with less negative effects.

That said, it did not resonate with me. Part of that came from my mother dying not so much from her cancer, but from the treatment (he was not her doctor). The rest came from my innate feeling that it was not right for me, and that it would not resolve the reason for my recurrence. My oncologist agreed that chemo was not necessarily the best option for me. He said was glad that I opted out of radiotherapy, and supported my choice to skip the aromatase inhibitors. He offered a few other options, but none seemed to resonate with me. I will forever be grateful for his support.

My Choices for Breast Cancer

Instead of the options presented, I chose a protocol put together from my years of research and conference attendance, leaning on input from my oncologist and an alternative doctor friend of mine.  I do believe that most of us have more to learn than we will ever know, and the experience has only strengthened my ability to help my clients through their cancer.

You can read about my protocol HERE. A major part of my healing (and most likely one of the major reasons for the recurrence) was resolving past emotional traumas, which you can read about HERE.

Read about natural alternatives to aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen HERE.

To listen to me talk with the Templeton Wellness Foundation about my choices, click HERE.

Goals for Healing:

  • Don’t be fooled that your own estrogen is the reason for your breast cancer (it plays a role, but not the lead).
  • Target viruses such as Epstein Barr, which plays a significant role in breast cancer (and you may not realize you have it)
  • Clean house: remove toxic products and people from your life
  • Eat clean without deprivation
  • Take targeted supplements
  • Resolve the traumas that are getting in the way of your healing and may well be at the root cause of your breast cancer
  • Avoid EMFs and take protective measures; for recommendations, click HERE
  • Believe you can and will heal–the power of the mind is incredible!
  • Walk in nature; soak up the positive vibes and the sun
  • Live, laugh, love and smile!
  • If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any

You have many options for healing from breast cancer. I implore you to be informed and make educated, confident choices.  Know that there are many natural substances that can make conventional therapies work better and with less toxicity. You can read about these on my Shop page. To schedule a consult, please click HERE.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

ej portrait 150res for PrueElyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer, but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

 DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment.  This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice.  I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Some product links on some posts are affiliate links. This website is monetized in part through the use of affiliate links. This means that if you were to click on a link that is an affiliate link and purchase an item after clicking on that link, I may receive a small percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use often. Thank you for your support!

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Two Powerful Anticancer Substances and Why YOU Should Consider Them

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives Cancer Treatment, antioxidants, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, colon cancer, Healing Cancer Naturally, Integrative Oncology, prostate cancer, Uncategorized on January 9, 2020 at 4:25 pm

Killing tumor cells is not the only factor in treating cancer. The ultimate goal should be making the lives of cancer patients as long and high-quality as possible–something that is often over-looked. Integrative oncologists utilize many natural substances to improve the efficacy and mitigate the negative effects of cancer treatments. However, not everyone has access to integrative oncology. But there are many easily affordable substances you can add to your protocol. Two I will speak of today are N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and the lesser known Zeolites.

NAC is a protein that the body uses to boost levels of the master antioxidant glutathione, which helps protect against free radicals and toxins. NAC has been found to reduce the aggressiveness of cancer and inhibit the spread of cancer cells.

Research published in the journal Seminars in Oncology by a team at the School of Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Salford in the United Kingdom discovered that NAC helps prevent the growth of cancer cells by depriving them of proteins that are important for their survival. NAC also has powerful antioxidant properties, which means that it can reduce cell damage caused by oxidative stress. The team identified high levels of oxidative stress in the stromal cells of tumors. They explained that when the stromal cells are exposed to oxidative stress, they release substances (nutrients) that cancer cells need to survive.[iii] Theoretically, the antioxidant properties of NAC would then help to starve the cancer cells of these nutrients.

To test their theory, they studied the effect of NAC on several key biomarkers of cancer aggressiveness in breast cancer patients. What they found was that NAC reduced the cell replication index KI67 by 25% and levels of MCT4 by 80%! These biomarkers are linked to aggressive cancer behavior and poor overall survival.

The researchers used a combination of intravenous NAC alternating with oral NAC 600 (one, twice daily).  Oral NAC is widely available, but you can buy it HERE.

Zeolites are natural minerals that come from volcanoes. More specifically, they are formed as a result of a chemical reaction between the molten lava and thick ash and the salt from the sea.

Zeolites are best known as chelating molecules, helping to remove heavy minerals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and aluminum from the body. This is important as these toxins are implicated in a variety of cancers, and seem to fuel the Epstein Barr Virus, which in itself is involved in most cancers.[i]

However, as it turns out, zeolites are also very good at shrinking tumors and halting the growth the growth of tumors. Zeolite activity against cancer involves the activation of the tumor suppressor gene P21, which controls cell-cycle progression.[ii]

An easy way to take Zeolite is with this spray  or in this powdered form.

While not stand-alone treatments for cancer, NAC and Zeolites can be part of an inexpensive, non-toxic way to stop cancer processes. Always discuss supplements with your doctor to be sure they are synergistic with your treatment plan.

For more cancer-fighting substances, please visit the Alternative and Shop pages on my website.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

ej portrait 150res for PrueElyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer, but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment.  This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice.  I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Some product links on some posts are affiliate links. This website is monetized in part through the use of affiliate links. This means that if you were to click on a link that is an affiliate link and purchase an item after clicking on that link, I may receive a small percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use often. Thank you for your support!

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Elyn on LinkedIn

 

[i] https://elynjacobs.com/2018/01/22/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-epstein-barr-virus-and-cancer/

[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11434724

[iii]https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320127.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-us#1

 

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Five Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine

In Uncategorized on January 19, 2014 at 3:29 pm

Working with an Integrative Oncologist or Naturopathic Doctor can help minimize the side effects and boost the efficacy of treatment.  There are integrative departments within many hospitals these days.  Some of these departments work directly with your team, but others may be quite independent. Therapies such as massage, Reiki, exercise and stress reduction therapies will benefit most all cancer patients, however, for full integrative care, you will want to work with an expert on nutritional and supplemental therapies that target your individual needs.  Not all integrative specialists have a full understanding of the benefits of these therapies and thus may not offer to integrate them into your care. While there is much research to be done, there is considerable evidence that such therapies will boost survival as well as quality of life.

So how can you improve your chances of making the most of Complementary and Alternative Medicine?  Empower yourself to ask bold questions and find the best team for your cancer and your needs.

The following is a shared with permission from the January Newsletter for The Radical Remission Project:

Questions for your Oncologist, by Dr Kelly Turner, PhD

Founder, The Radical Remission Project

kelly turner camMany cancer patients would like to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) alongside their conventional cancer treatment. However, their oncologists do not always know enough about CAM to know which treatments are helpful versus which ones may be contraindicated.

If you would like to use CAM for your cancer, then look for an oncologist who will be supportive of your wishes.  In the best case scenario, your oncologist would answer “Yes” to these 5 questions:

5 Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About Using CAM  

  1. Are you open to my using CAM alongside my Western medicine treatment?
  2. Do you believe that changes in diet, stress, and exercise can help my immune system?
  3. Have you read any of the latest studies on CAM, or gone to any recent CAM conferences?
  4. If I find a CAM practitioner that I like, would you be willing to talk to him/her about my case?
  5. Have any of your other patients integrated CAM with their conventional treatment? If so, how did it go?

Click HERE for a list of integrative oncologists compiled by the Society for Integrative Oncology.

 

View my YouTube video with Dr Turner–Natural Alternatives to Tamoxifen

Replay Dr Turner on the Survive and Live Well Radio Show

Read Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds

If you cannot find an integrative oncologist or naturopathic doctor in your area, contact a coach—s/he may be able to help you directly or connect you with the best doctor for your needs.

Elyn

             ~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer strategist, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and well-being. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health, and Breast Cancer Answers and has written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, Surviving Beautifully, Body Local and more, and writes the Options for Life column for the Natural Healing-Natural Wellness Newsletter.  Elyn hosts the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys. https://elynjacobs.wordpress.com/about/

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Why We Are Not Winning the War on Cancer

In Uncategorized on June 2, 2012 at 6:07 pm

“Did you know that most people with cancer do not die of their cancer, but rather from the complications and consequences of cancer and its treatment?  And these complications and consequences are often preventable, or can be successfully treated.”  Keith Block, 2012 Annie Appleseed CAM Conference 

 

After hearing Dr Keith Block present at the Annie Appleseed CAM conference, I knew I needed to interview him, to share with you all that I learned from him at the conference and more.   Thank you, Dr Block for taking the time to share with me your roadmap for surviving and thriving. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the lack of success cancer treatment has had on mortality rates. Unless otherwise noted, the information in this post is derived from his presentation and our interview.

In 1971, President Nixon declared war on cancer.  Forty-one years and billions of dollars later, we have yet to win the war. In fact, mortality rates have declined by less than 5% in the last 60 years! In this same time period, mortality from heart disease has dropped 64%. It’s not that we don’t have new cancer drugs; it’s just that they’re not offering major improvement in survival time. Most often these new drugs have only improved outcomes by 4-16 weeks.  The numbers tell the story:  we are not winning the war on cancer. 

“Cancer itself is a disease of defects”  KB

Everyone seeks the infamous magic bullet for cancer, the cure.  But cancer is not an isolated group of errant cells waiting to be annihilated by a wonder drug.  Cancer is not merely a tumor; it is an underlying condition, a disease of defects – in genes, of disruption in the microenvironment where the disease resides, as well as in the personal life of the patient and the family in crisis.

It is based on abnormal patterns driven by genetics and lifestyle.  It reflects changes in your body all the way down to the microscopic and molecular levels, changes that began long before you had any symptoms of cancer—indeed, long before cancer was diagnosed or even detectable. The battle against cancer is not so much against a single defect in a protein or cancerous mutation, it is a war on many fronts; it has multiple targets.  Therefore – with the possible exception of one or two types of early stage cancer, using one bullet to eradicate this disease will almost always fail.

We need a multi-targeted approach.  Even the latest breakthrough drugs that hit two targets don’t come close to addressing this problem.  In theory, using many more than two drugs to hit many targets at the same time would help, however, the cost and toxicities render this unrealistic. And, keep in mind, that cancer is sneaky.  If you put up a roadblock, cancer will find a way to get around it.  But this is not the case for nutraceuticals, where their combined usage has negligible risk and toxicity; they are able hit multiple targets – and thus can address substitute or compensatory pathways – and are relatively inexpensive.  Plant extracts such as turmeric, lycopene, and green tea can target cancer on many levels; they hit many targets and cut off pathways, and they can address those molecular targets without the toxicity of multiple chemotherapies. For example, crucifers, (broccoli, cabbage and the like) can help reduce adverse effects of estrogen; flax has demonstrated a reduction in ki-67, a marker of cancer cell proliferation; green tea markedly countered the malignant conversion for patients at high risk for prostate cancer.   While no one is suggesting that these compounds will single-handedly eradicate cancer, each provides a powerful punch in addressing various mechanisms that drive cancer, and can synergistically interact to create an inhospitable microenvironment where cancer cells lose ground, toxicity is lessened and treatments work better.

Regarding Chemotherapy….

 Dr Block, how can chemo be more effective and less toxic?

One of the most powerful ways to improve the response to chemotherapy is to administer chemo drugs in concert with optimal biological rhythms.  With this technique, called chronomodulated chemotherapy, pumps are programmed to deliver the largest dose of the drug at a time when cancer cells are most susceptible, and normal cells are the least vulnerable.  And the timing is unique to each drug.  Think of it like a pointed bell curve (sine wave curve); the drug is at first administered at low dose, slowly ramps up, peaks and then tapers off. The research supporting this unique form of chemotherapy infusion demonstrates a reduction in toxicity, improved response, and improved outcomes and survival in a number of studies. In fact, the literature contains studies showing chronomodulation of chemotherapy can even allow for patients to be successfully re-challenged with the identical drugs they previously received and needed to discontinue, either because they were ineffective, became ineffective prematurely, or were too debilitating to tolerate.

For example, for metastatic colon cancer patients, studies show that administering chemotherapy at the optimal time can halve toxicity and double treatment response.  For advanced metastatic ovarian cancer, a study in the journal Cancer reported that optimal timing of chemotherapy can reduce toxic side effects by 50 percent and quadruple five-year survival.

What about the safety of antioxidants and other supplements during treatment?

 Our published studies have shown that most antioxidants displayed no interfering effect with chemotherapy. In fact, they actually synergistically interact to enhance treatment and diminished the side effects of chemo. For example, it may be possible to mitigate some of the cardiac injury from drugs like Herceptin by taking agents like hawthorne and COq10.  In addition, glutamine, vitamin B6, and alpha-lipoic acid appear to help prevent neuron injury (neuropathy).

Click here to read more on supplementation and toxicity.

                                           But the doctor said he “got it all!”

 Cancer is not simply a visible disease.  It’s not just about the macroscopic tumors that can be seen on a scan.  The surgeon saying “I got it all,” while certainly a message to be celebrated, should not signal the end of treatment.  One has to think of the disease systemically, not locally; it is a microcellular condition that is impacted by the extracellular environment that the cells reside in.  The typical gold standard, surgery, chemo and radiation, so often fail to prevent the spread or recurrence of the disease because they often miss picking up renegade cancer cells, miss strengthening the body’s biological integrity, and do not reach all of the underlying molecular accidents that initiated cancer in the first place.  As a result, even if the original tumor is removed, the environment that it resided in – as well as the treatments themselves – can create a biological imbalance for cancer to recur.  In addition, many cancer treatments leave a patient with considerable oxidative stress and inflammation, well known to interfere with treatment, increase various side effects including neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, fatigue and mucositis, and provide the fuel for clonal evolution – increasing the aggressiveness of otherwise dormant cells for their next time around.

From a logical point of view…if cancer liked my body enough to grow cancer once, why not again…I know that I need to make the terrain less hospitable, to change the environment in which it was able to grow. EJ

Remember, even when the primary tumor is removed, micro-metastases may already have migrated to and seeded other parts of the body.   In fact, it has been estimated that many cancer patients unknowingly already have metastases, malignant cells that have broken off the original tumor, traveled through the bloodstream to far-flung sites in the body, and begun the insidious process of growing in another dangerous tumor.   Keep in mind that all cancers start with a genetic glitch in a single cell. Conventional cancer treatment does little to prevent cells from regrouping, proliferating, and forming new tumors.  Just because you have achieved remission through elimination of the primary tumor does not mean you are home free.  However, the good news is that cancer cells are remarkably fragile.  Unless they are nurtured and protected by the biochemical terrain in your body, they have a difficult time surviving.  Your internal biochemistry can either nourish cancer cells or make the terrain inhospitable to cancer.

         Walking just three to five hours a week can cut cancer death rates by one-half. KB

We know that lifestyle is directly related to cancer, and that diet and exercise are associated with lower cancer recurrence rates and longer survival.  Recently, the ACS issued new guidelines urging doctors to talk to their cancer patients about eating right, exercising and slimming down if they’re too heavy.  It’s a start, but not specific enough for most of us, nor is it comprehensive enough to help win the war.  Talk to your doctor – ideally one experienced in integrative oncology – about devising your own personalized plan for wellness.  By combining conventional treatments with a personally tailored regimen of natural agents, fitness regimens, and stress management- strategies, we can support our body to improve the chances of defeating cancer.

One last note, if I may.  While in most cases, cancer does not “just happen,” it is also something for which we cannot blame ourselves.  Cancer is not caused by a “bad” diet or only a toxic environment (although that is a major player).  Food is not either good or bad; let’s just say that some foods are better than others. However, as Dr Block said, cancer is “driven by genetics and lifestyle”. That said, diet and exercise can have a profound effect on the initiation and progression of the disease.  If a genetic defect occurs, our food choices either support or suppress the development of cancer.  I don’t blame myself for getting cancer, but yet now that I fully understand the power of food, I make conscious food choices to support my body against cancer.  Knowledge is power, and if everything I put in my mouth either supports or inhibits cancer, then now I am empowered to gain control. Joy is also an important ingredient for health; so while we want to make healthy food choices, we also need to remember that occasional indulgences and enjoying meals with friends are good for the soul. It’s all about balance and in giving your body what it needs.  Empower yourself to be an active participant in your healing and an advocate for your health.

In good health,

Elyn

Listen to Dr Block on the Survive and Live Radio Show:

June 12th, 2012 Dr Keith Block, Integrative Oncology– Replay available on YouTube

January 15th, 2013– Dr Keith Block–What do Survival Statistics and Hope Really Mean to You? Replay available on YouTube

Keith I. Block, MD, is an internationally recognized expert in integrative oncology.  In 1980, he co-founded the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment in Skokie, Illinois, the first such facility in North America, and serves as its Medical and Scientific Director.  He is the author of Life Over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment.

Dr. Block is the Scientific Director of the Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Education, where he has collaborated with colleagues at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Bar Ilan University in Israel.  Dr. Block is also the founding editor-in-chief of the peer-reviewed journal, Integrative Cancer Therapies (ICT).  In 2005, he was appointed to the National Cancer Institute’s Physician Data Query (PDQ) Cancer CAM Editorial Board, on which he continues to serve today.

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, a professional cancer coach, a radio talk show host, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs.  She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. To learn more about Elyn’s coaching services, please visit:  https://elynjacobs.wordpress.com.  To tune into the Survive and Live Well radio show, please visit www.W4CS.com, Tuesdays at 1pm (est).

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Integrative Oncology Works!!!

In Uncategorized on March 5, 2012 at 8:23 pm

This past weekend I attended the Annie Appleseed Project CAM conference; so many excellent speakers. Over the next few weeks I will be sharing some of what I learned. What resonated throughout the conference was that conventional medicine alone is not the answer.Today I will talk about Dr Gwen Stritter and her roadmap to beat cancer.

Dr Stritter provided a humorous and excellent plan for someone just diagnosed with early stage breast cancer who wants to increase her chances of a cure.  I just loved the positive tone; note she did not say to prevent recurrence, but rather spoke of that lovely word cure. She said that if she were diagnosed at 12pm, what she could do at 12:01pm that could take her on the path to wellness.

Exercise:  Fast walking 3hours a week improves breast cancer survival by 40%.  5-6 hours increased survival even more.  So, she will go for a walk. Social support: Increased contact with friends and family post diagnosis was associated with lower risk of death by 70%.  So, on the way home, she will stop in and visit some friends and family.  Alcohol:  having one alcoholic beverage a day increases death by 36%.  So, she’d give up that glass of wine with dinner…well maybe indulge only twice a week as she really loves wine.  D3: Vitamin D3 decreases metastasis and increases survival by 55%. So, she’ll pop in a 2000mg supplement as soon as she gets in the car.  Omega 3: high intake of omega 3 fatty acids from fatty fish increases survival by 25%, so she’ll call her husband and ask him to toss the fried chicken, and will stop at the fish market to buy some salmon for dinner. Controlling inflammation:  having a high CRP, (which indicates increased inflammation), results in a 100% increase of death.  So, she will take some anti-inflammatory natural products such as curcumin, omega 3 (yes, perhaps a supplement too), boswellia and a few others.  Low toxicity pharmaceuticals:  a daily baby aspirin reduced breast cancer death by 70% (alternatively, one regular aspirin taken three times a week can reduce recurrence by 50%, according to my integrative onc).  So, she will stop at the drugstore and buy some aspirin.  She might also take some other pharms that look promising, so she’ll call her primary physician. In trials, Propranolol, a cheap and non-toxic drug commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, increased  breast cancer  survival by 80% (in a retrospective study).  Metformin, which is derived from the French lilac plant, increased survival in diabetic patients by 60%, and non-diabetics with breast cancer who did not take Metformin had 3 times the risk of distant metastasis….the risk went up 300%!.  Metformin is cheap and has very few side effects.  (My doc recommends that almost everyone take it to avoid cancer, and certainly to prevent recurrence).  There is another study expected to be released by 2014, but likely you will not want to wait until then.

And of course, she will switch to a mostly plant based diet, be conservative on oil and fat intake, and if she were a smoker…she would stop asap! 

In summary, if she does all this, cancer does not stand a chance; she has provided an extremely hostile environment for her cancer to grow.    She also commented that Dr Keith Block did an excellent study on these combined steps and found a substantial increase in survival for those with advanced metastatic cancer.  Her overall deduction?  Integrative Oncology works!!! 

A few things to add:

You will likely need to ask your primary doc, not your oncologist for prescriptions for Propranolol and Metformin as they are not yet approved for cancer despite the fact that they can be quite effective.    At this conference as well as at the Integrative Healthcare Symposium, several doctors commented that Metformin was the only cancer drug that actually worked. My doc started me on this a while back, handing me piles of research to support his recommendation.

Also, remember to address stress….more on this later, but I offer this post until then: https://elynjacobs.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/changing-the-cancer-environment/

Lately there has been much in the news about red wine and breast cancer.  Research shows that a small amount of red wine may actually reduce breast cancer risk.  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240065.php?utm_medium=twitter&utm_s

The trick is small.  Those who love wine (like me) might take this too far.  Your body converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a carcinogen.  Acetaldehyde boosts cancer risk by inflicting oxidative stress that damages DNA, prevents DNA repair, and triggers a pro-inflammatory reaction.  You can help offset the damage by adding a few foods and plant-based compounds like silymarin, resveratrol, grape seed extract and barley grass, as well as adding some supps like selenium, NAC, vitamin B6, and folate, to prevent alcohol-related deficiencies of valuable cancer fighting nutrients and minerals.  The trick is to take the supps just before, with, or even immediately after accidental over- indulgence of wine. (Have a brazil nut with that wine!)So, I offer up this article, which effectively provides a good explanation of the dangers of alcohol as well as what we can do to offset the damage should we accidentally over-indulge.  http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2011/dec2011_Link-Between-Alcohol-and-Cancer-Death_01.htm

Elyn Jacobs

elyn@elynjacobs.com

elynjacobs.blogspot.com

elynjacobs.wordpress.com

Elyn Jacobs is President of Elyn Jacobs Consulting, Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation, a certified cancer coach and a breast cancer survivor.  Elyn helps women diagnosed with cancer to navigate the process of treatment and care, and educates to prevent recurrence and new cancers.  She is passionate about helping others get past their cancer and into a cancer-free life. To learn more about Elyn’s coaching services, please visit:  https://elynjacobs.wordpress.com