A Complementary Cancer Treatment Protocol

Diet

Cancer cells require glucose and will starve without it. There is substantial evidence that a ketogenic diet will starve existing cancer cells. ² Normal cells can live well on ketone bodies that are produced with a low carbohydrate diet; cancer cells cannot. Several studies also have shown that a ketogenic diet is well-tolerated and reduces chemotherapy and radiation-induced side-effects in patients with advanced cancer. ^{3 –5} A ketogenic diet may also remove the stress on the brain potentially caused by wheat, carbohydrates, and sugar.

Patients can determine when they enter ketosis (this is not the same as diabetic ketosis and takes place usually in about 3 days) by a simple urine strips test available over the counter in drugstores. This test helps patients to know that they are in ketosis and to maintain the diet. This method of ketone testing is not as accurate as a blood test but can be used to determine if the patient has entered ketosis. After several weeks on the diet, the body converts most of the ketones for which the urine strips test (acetoacetate) to another type of ketone (beta-hydroxybutyrate), so that urine strips won't detect ketones as accurately after that. This means that a high level of ketones in urine testing may drop to a lower level without actually reflecting a decrease in circulating ketones.

If patients are so inclined, following blood sugar and ketone levels can give them more precise information about their progress. Monitoring blood glucose and ketone body levels can be done with a glucose/ketone meter. Many people with diabetes routinely test their blood with an easy finger pinprick this way. Blood glucose readings should be taken before breakfast and 2 hours after lunch, with a final daily reading 2 hours after the evening meal once or twice a week. Daily readings for the first week or two will give the patient a useful baseline. Keeping a food log and recording blood sugar and ketone readings initially is recommended so the effect of food choices can be detected, tracked, and adjusted to meet target values. The other benefit of logging food intake and blood readings is having this information available for health care professionals, especially if the patient is having trouble reaching blood glucose or ketone target levels.

There is evidence that ketone bodies in themselves adversely affect cancer cells. Thus, adding a 600 mg capsule of the coconut-oil ketone-producing derivative caprylic acid twice daily to a ketogenic diet may be beneficial.

Recently, metformin, widely prescribed for diabetes, has been supported by epidemiologic, preclinical, and clinical evidence for use in the treatment of cancer to enhance a ketogenic diet because it reduces blood sugar levels. ⁶ It is being tested in clinical trials as both a treatment for cancer and for cancer prevention in people at increased risk for cancer, including cancer survivors who have a higher risk of recurrence. The National Cancer Institute is collaborating with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in a landmark clinical trial, the Diabetes Prevention Program, to investigate metformin's impact on cancer. ^7,8 Patients will need a prescription to add metformin to their ketogenic diet to reduce blood glucose level and simultaneously give more flexibility in their diet.

Adhering to a ketogenic diet is not easy, especially for those of us who “live to eat.” This is why motivation to “starve cancer cells” with the goal of shifting from a future of a chance for a 5-year survival to a life without cancer is essential.

Another dietary consideration is that cow's milk may promote inflammation (and thus neoplasia). ⁹ Soy (Glycine max) milk that includes calcium supplementation is an alternative to cow's milk. Some almond milk formulations provide calcium in amounts equivalent to cow's milk.

Oxygen

Cancer cells thrive in an acidic body and cannot tolerate high levels of oxygen. Regulating the pH balance of the body is the first line of defense for the immune system. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells multiply faster in acidic blood and are deterred by a blood pH between 6.8 and 7.4. Patients can test their salivary pH first thing in the morning and/or 2 hours after meals with test strips to see if it is acidic.

Low oxygen levels have been shown to cause uncontrollable growth in some forms of cancer, and deuterium-depleted water is used in Hungary to increase the oxygen levels in cells in the treatment of cancer. ^10,11 Healthy cells quickly adapt to increased oxygen, but cancer cells are unable to do so.

It makes sense to complement a ketogenic diet with an agent that both normalizes the body's pH and increases oxygen in the body's cells, as does CELLFOOD™ (deutrosulfazyme). CELLFOOD contains 17 amino acids, 34 enzymes, 78 minerals and trace elements, deuterons, electrolytes, and dissolved oxygen, and has been shown to suppress and kill cancer cells. ^12,13 For maximum benefit, this product should be taken with purified water (distilled or reverse osmotic) or natural fruit juices.

If the patient's early morning salivary pH remains acidic on this program, among the best ways to raise it to the desirable level of 6.8–7.4 is to drink water fortified with cod liver oil and/or alkaline capsules, such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa), or to drink the juices of lemons or limes (even though acidic, they actually increase body pH).

Hyperbaric oxygen is also being used to ensure that adequate levels of oxygen get into the bloodstream and cells. The usual protocol is 90 minutes in an oxygen chamber a week for 6 weeks, 2 weeks off, and then 6 weeks again. This routine is repeated as necessary. Professional guidance and a prescription is necessary for this treatment. ^{14 –16}

Curcumin

The United States has almost three times as many cases of cancer as does India. The death rate of people with cancer in India is 60% of that in the United States. ^17,18 This has been attributed to the prevalence of curry in the Indian diet. Turmeric (Curcuma spp.) is the main component of most curry blends and the ingredient of mustard that gives it its yellow color. Turmeric contains curcumin, which can inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.

Curcumin has been shown to selectively kill tumor cells and not normal cells in leukemia and lymphoma, gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, genitourinary cancers, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinoma, lung cancer, melanoma, neurologic cancers, and sarcomas. ^{19 –26} Curcumin acts through several anticancer pathways. It also may protect normal cells from the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs and radiation. ²⁷

Curcumin is not easy for the body to absorb if it is not in highly spicy foods. For optimal benefit, a proprietary complex, CuraMed,^® delivers 7–10 times more curcumin to the bloodstream than plain curcumin. Its usual dosage is 1 or 2 750 mg softgels a day with meals.

Studies have not shown any toxicity up to 10 gm of plain curcumin a day that even can be administered intravenously by physicians. Curcumin has blood-thinning properties and should be used only with a doctor's supervision if the patient is taking an anticoagulant. It also may increase the effects of stomach acid-reducing agents and diabetes medications.

Immune System Support

Boosting the immune system can improve its cancer-cell detecting and removing capacity. An extract from hybridized medicinal mushrooms grown in rice bran, active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), is an immune-system modulator supported by numerous human clinical, preclinical, and in vitro studies. AHCC has been shown to increase the production of natural-killer T-cells. Currently used in over 700 clinics throughout Asia, the most important factor driving the acceptance of AHCC has been its impact on reducing the side-effects of chemotherapy. For maximum benefit, patients should take 2 500 mg capsules per day with each meal.

Milk Thistle

Laboratory studies demonstrate that silymarin, a constituent of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), functions as an antioxidant, stimulates detoxification pathways and regeneration of liver tissue, inhibits the growth of and kills certain cancer-cell lines, and may increase the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of chemotherapy agents. ^{28 –30} Few adverse side-effects have been reported. The standard dose is 250 mg once or twice daily.

Reducing Inflammation

Inflammation is an established factor in causing neoplasia and the development of cancer cells. A growing body of evidence suggests that aspirin at regular dosages may be useful in preventing the formation of cancer cells. Among women living at least 1 year after a breast-cancer diagnosis, aspirin use was associated with a decreased risk of metastasis and breast-cancer death. ³¹ However, for the same reason that aspirin helps prevent strokes and heart attacks—reducing the blood's tendency to clot—it also raises the risk of bleeding elsewhere in the body. Aspirin also blocks the effects of chemicals that protect the stomach and GI tract from damage. Bufferin^® may minimize these symptoms. These factors should be considered for the long-term use of aspirin.

Vitamin D

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to certain types of cancers as well as to diabetes and asthma. Recent research suggests that vitamin D₃ can prevent cancer and kill human cancer cells. ^{32 –35} Dosages of 4000–8000 international units daily are recommended for this purpose. Because multivitamin and calcium supplements, which are desirable in general, already contain vitamin D₃, their levels should be counted in the patient's daily intake. Too much vitamin D₃ can raise calcium levels to an excessively high level. The patient's doctor can obtain the serum 1,25-dihyroxy D₃ level to determine what dosage is appropriate for each patient.

Detoxification

There are a number of diets designed to remove toxic substances from the body. Terramin^® is a simple option made from calcium montmorillonite clay. This product is a powerful trace-mineral supplement containing a combination of more than 60 essential trace-mineral elements in their natural forms. It presumably removes pathogens, heavy metals, and toxins from the colon ingested from food grown in chemically saturated fields. It restores minerals lacking in our overburdened depleted soil and has been used for centuries by Native Americans to restore health in a variety of conditions.

One pattern for using Terramin is to take it for a week initially. Thereafter, taking it for 3 or 4 days monthly may suffice to remove toxins from the body. Patients should not take Terramin with meals, with other supplements, or with prescription drugs. Because of its detoxification properties, it may compete with the body in absorbing other agents the patient is taking. It is advised to wait at least 2 hours after meals and taking other supplements. Many people prefer to take it at bedtime.

Mind–Body–Spirit Approaches

Stress contributes to neoplasia and undermines chemotherapy. When part of a mind–body–spirit approach to wellness, music can play a significant part in healing cancer. Numerous studies have demonstrated the health benefits of music. It can lower blood pressure (BP) and heart and respiratory rates, reduce cardiac complications, increase the immune response, and boost natural opiates. Exercises involving breathing, meditation and “toning”—using pure vocal sound to resolve tension, release emotion, and spur the healing process—can be used by anyone to improve health and quality of life. ³⁶ Quartz singing bowls are especially soothing and conducive to meditation.

Psychoactive Medications

At least 25%–30% of people with cancer and an even higher percentage of those in an advanced stage of cancer meet the criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis. Psychoactive medications can alleviate cancer-related symptoms, such as pain, itching, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and hot flashes. ³⁷

Exercise

Exercise can help prevent and treat cancer by strengthening the immune system. Current research shows that exercise for cancer patients may keep cancer from recurring. The exercise program should be based on what is safe and works best for each patient. The goal is to stay as active and fit as possible. If the patient exercised before treatment, the patient will need to adapt the exercise to surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. People who were sedentary before cancer treatment may need to start with short, low-intensity activity, such as slow walks. Balance exercises are especially important to reduce the risk of falls and injuries for older people; those with cancer that has spread to the bones; and those who have osteoporosis, arthritis, or peripheral neuropathy.

Most likely, patients will be able to safely begin or maintain their own exercise programs, but may have better results with the help of an exercise specialist, physical therapist, or exercise physiologist. Patients must be sure to get physician approval first and ensure that the person working with them knows about their cancer diagnoses and any limitations they might have.