What diet has the most scientific evidence showing its benefit in preventing cancer, heart disease, and diabetes? The Mediterranean Diet and this article will discuss foods you can start eating...
How many cancer drugs can one find in nature? Well according to recent reports, approximately 60% of cancer drugs get their start from a plant, with 84 anticancer drugs isolated from Brazil’s Amazon forest [1]. The Lapacho tree, also known as the herb pau d’arco, is one of them, having been hidden to those outside of the Amazon for centuries, perhaps millennia, with historical uses in indigenous medicine for the following: Bacterial infections Cancer, several types including breast, lung and leukemias Fever Fungal infections Inflammation Malaria Stomach ailments Viral infections In recent years the ingredient that gives this tree its healing properties was discovered and coined beta- (β) lapachone, a natural quinone compound. If you’re a malaria survivor, or familiar with the disease, then you’ve heard...
In a previous post I explained how during a recent doctor’s visit with one of my prostate cancer clients I asked the question if supplementation with Vitamin D could slow the progression of disease. The healthcare provider said it could be helpful in lowering risk of disease, however, there were no human studies that showed it benefited men with low-grade disease on active surveillance. Well, I pulled out my tablet and did a quick search of the medical literature while the doc and patient (my client) continued discussing other topics. I came across an interesting study, which is discussed below. Do high doses of vitamin D slow progression of prostate cancer? 43 Men diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer, and on active surveillance, had a biopsy to remove portions...
I recently attended a doctor’s visit with a prostate cancer client serving as his Patient Advocate. I was there to help ask questions my client didn’t feel comfortable asking or might not have thought to ask. We discussed his recent lab results and lifestyle interventions with his healthcare provider and I asked ‘what about his Vitamin D level?” After a quick glance, the HCP said they were on the low end (less than 30 ng/mL), but not too low. I decided to share recent research suggesting low levels of Vitamin D could impact prostate cancer risk. The HCP responded that his patient currently has prostate cancer and there’s no research on if Vitamin D could slow the progression of prostate cancer (read my response in the...
During a recent coaching session with a prostate cancer client, I listened closely as he explained how his weight had decreased while eating more plant-based on our program. He asked, “why didn’t you tell me that I’d lose weight on your program?” I thought for a second and replied, “it never crossed my mind to tell you that. I’m more concerned with you eating more plants and improving your health outcomes than promoting a weight loss program.” Facts on Obesity and Prostate Cancer Obesity is now linked to over 13 cancers and prostate cancer is no exception. Prostate cancer has dire consequences in African American men that are obese. Their risk of low-grade prostate cancer increases by 122% Their risk of high-grade prostate cancer increases 88% Estimates...
In a previous post, I discussed how men who adopted a vegan diet and exercise could help reverse the signs of prostate cancer. That study included men who were vegan for 1 year. After 1 year all the men who went vegan saw their PSA levels stay the same, while men who did not adopt a vegan diet had an increase in their PSA. As previously mentioned, PSA (prostate specific antigen) is a marker in the blood that indicates the presence of prostate cancer. So what if the men ate vegan for more than one year? Well, Dr. Dean Ornish extended the study for two years and the results are still promising for men on active surveillance and want to adopt a vegan lifestyle: How can 2 years of eating...
Recently I was consulting with a gentleman newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. While his cancer was diagnosed as “early stage” (doctors put him on “active surveillance”) he wanted more facts on how changing his eating habits could help slow the progression of cancer. When I shared with him data on how a vegan diet can reverse the progression and blood markers for prostate cancer he was intrigued but skeptical. As most cancer patients are when they hear news like this since these scientific studies are not shared in mainstream news outlets as commonly as that shiny new drug that is the cure for cancer (so we think...