Nutrition cancer wellness: integrative techniques for cancer

1. Nutrition for Cancer Wellness:
Integrative Techniques
ASHWANI GARG, MD
LIFESTYLE MEDICINE, FAMILY MEDICINE
NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY LINCOLNWOOD MEDICAL GROUP
FELLOW, INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

2. Disclaimer
• I am not funded for support of this lecture
• The views expressed do not reflect the views of my employer or academic medical center
• Please discuss any treatment with your own physician
• Some of the treatments discussed are purely experimental and I am not suggesting their
use, but merely presenting them for discussion purposes.

3. General principles of cancer
prevention and treatment (AICR.ORG)
• (1) Alcohol drinking is associated with increased prostate cancer and poor survival of prostate
cancer patients (double the mortality); NO SAFE LEVEL for breast cancer
• (2) Ditch the dairy and consume soy foods instead. Dairy boosts cancer growth while soy
inhibits prostate cancer cell growth and prevents the formation of the active form of
testosterone (5a-DHT). Soy is an ANTI-estrogen which helps even in BRCA patients.
• (3) Ditch the low fiber foods, favor the fiber in vegetables, beans, fruits, whole grains,
nuts/seeds. Nutrients inhibit cancer growth and fiber filters out excess hormones – recipes at
CANCERPROJECT.ORG and LetsBeatBreastCancer.Org (FREE book)
• (4) Be fit for life – exercise boosts survival and reduces progression! Men diagnosed with
localized prostate cancer who engaged in vigorous activity at least three hours each week had a
61% lower chance of dying from the illness, compared to men who engaged in vigorous activity
less than one hour a week. (Health Professionals Study); Exercise REDUCES breast cancer
recurrence.

4. Dean Ornish – early pioneer of
cancer treatment by lifestyle
• Dean Ornish, MD had found that a low fat vegetarian diet could halt and even
reverse heart disease in 4/5 of patients, put prostate cancer to the test next.
• 93 participants with early stage prostate cancer “watchful waiting” following
PSA
• ½ followed lowfat vegan (plant-based) diet along with stress management and
moderate exercise
• NO ONE in the treatment group needed treatment, and PSA fell while 6 of the
nontreatment group needed treatment due to progression of cancer, and PSA
rose 6% in the nontreatment group.

5. Cannabinoids and cancer? Something to discuss
with your physician.
• The role of cannabinoids in prostate cancer: Basic science perspective and potential
clinical applications (Indian J Urol. 2012 Jan-Mar; 28(1): 9–14.) Juan A.
Ramos and Fernando J. Bianco
• prostate tissue possesses cannabinoid receptors and their stimulation results in anti-
androgenic effects
• Prostate cancer cells possess increased expression of both cannabinoid 1 and 2
receptors, and stimulation of these results in decrease in cell viability, increased
apoptosis, and decreased androgen receptor expression and prostate-specific antigen
excretion; Possible effect on cancer related pain (bony metastases)
• Other cancers for which it has been studied include brain (GBM), breast, lung,
pancreatic, and others.

6. Human breast milk for
prostate cancer? No human
research. Research in lab
indicates TNF-related
apoptosis inducing ligand
(TRAIL), a pleiotropic
cytokine, which plays a key
role in the immune system
as well as in controlling the
balance of apoptosis and
proliferation in various
organs and tissues is 100x
higher in breast milk than
blood serum

7. Sleep health and cancer
• In a study in Iceland (Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention) researchers
found that men with sleep problems were about 1.6-2.1 times more likely to be
diagnosed with prostate cancer
• Sleep medications including Tylenol pm, Benadryl, zzzquil, Xanax, Ativan,
ambien, etc. are linked to cancer, 35 percent increased risk of cancer among
people taking sleeping pills in a BMJ study.
• Natural sleep is best (promote sleep hygiene)

8. Stress management - mindfulness
• Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're
mindful, you carefully observe your thoughts and feelings without judging them
good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in
the moment and awakening to your current experience, rather than dwelling on
the past or anticipating the future.
• The basis of mindfulness is found in the writings of the Greek Stoics and in the
writings of Siddharta Gautama (also known as Buddha) in India.
• Northshore offers a 4-week course in mindfulness (highly recommend)

9. Love
• “Everybody says they love someone else, but nobody says they love themselves”
• Breathe in peace, breathe out love.
• May I be happy.
• May I be safe.
• May I be healthy, peaceful, and strong.
• May I give and receive appreciation today.

10. Summary
• Feet
• Fingers
• Forks
• Sleep
• Stress management
• Love
• (Dr David Katz, Yale-Griffin prevention center)

11. Other integrative techniques
• Massage treatment
• Improved sleep, nausea/vomiting, energy/sleep, muscle aches and anxiety
• Yoga
• Fatigue, sleep, reduced anxiety/depression, quality of life/strength
• Acupuncture
• Sleep, anxiety relief, pain relief; nausea/vomiting of chemotherapy
• Guided imagery
• Kaiserpermanente.org/podcasts – guided imagery can help with side effects of chemo

15. Other ways to manage chronic pain,
anxiety and stress to promote wellness
and health