Selenium as a chemosensitizing agent

"Selenium as a potential chemosensitizer for cancer therapy has attracted some attention lately"

See article The selenium gold mine
September 2006 Function Foods and Nutraceuticals Magazine Q&A with leading experts in the field of selenium There are links at the end of this article to the literature of the use of selenium with cancer.

Although it is toxic in large doses, selenium is an essential micronutrient in all known forms of life. It is a component of the unusual amino acids selenocysteine and selenomethionine. In humans, selenium is a trace element nutrient which functions as cofactor for reduction of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductase. It also plays a role in the functioning of the thyroid gland by participating as a cofactor for thyroid hormone deiodinases [2]. Dietary selenium comes from cereals, meat, fish, and eggs. The recommended dietary allowance for adults is 55 micrograms per day. Liver and Brazil nuts are particularly rich sources of selenium. A list of selenium rich foods can be found on The Office of Dietary Supplements Selenium Fact Sheet.

Music to make you happy

"Brandy...you're a fine girl" written in the early 1970's by Looking Glass was great than and even better in this Red Hot Chili Peppers Cover. Enjoy.

Stevia

Stevia is 250-300 times sweeter than table sugar and has a slight licorice-like after taste. Stevia does not raise blood sugar levels or effect diabetics. The story of stevia's use in America is political
because it is a challenge to the very profitable artifiical sugar industry. In other countries Stevia and xylitol are used in food products, due to the politics of big business controlling artificial sweetners (and everything else) what is best for the consumer is not always what is available. Mercola has numerous aritcles about the politics of artificial sweetners, Why Nutrasweet was so Successful and Will Likely Never be Replaced by Splenda.

For information about Stevia see the Stevia entry on Wikipedia

History and politics of stevia can be found here.

Xylitol Excellent Sugar Substitute

Leave Splenda and Nutrasweet alone. The two best sweet tasting, healthy sugar substitutes are xylitol and stevia

Xylitol has an interesting history that is worth noting. It originally was discovered in Finland as a sugar substitute during WW II. It is isolated from the birch tree (something they have a lot of in Finland)

Xylitol has 40% less calories than sucrose, but no effect on blood sugar but tastes like normal table sugar. Xylitol has tremendous health benefits besides a sugar substitute. It is antimicrobial so when used as a sweetner (ie.. in chewing gum) it can help prevent dental caries. Trident gum has a formulation with xylitol. Xylitol is also sold in formulations as a nasal spray and for ear infections. Xylitol is not a Johnny come lately. It was approved by the FDA in 1963 and has no known toxic levels.

For more information about xylitol click on the article Xylitol: Our sweet salvation.
Xylitol can be purchased from my clinic. 310-473-7474.

When To Eat Sugar

With a cancer diagnosis or those who are trying to prevent cancer or its reoccurence. Or those who want to maintain good health and lose wieght (Have I covered everybody yet?) it is important for health to not ingest artificial sweetners. This includes diabetics who will be very sensitive to sugars. This includes not drinking diet sodas. Why? Because Asparatame (Nutrasweet) is a neurotoxin.

Larry Frieders is a Pharmacist and a writer. This is what his newsletter says;

I've recently been made aware of a new use for this neurotoxin (A substance that is poisonous
to nerve tissue.) If you've got ants, sprinkle aspartame and they'll
disappear. 

For the whole story click on Larry's newsletter, called The Compounder

And the latest and best seller of the artificial sweetner Splenda is no better. Read the whole story here. The Lethal Science Of Splenda - A Poisonous Chlorocarbon. Mercola.com, a trusted website in complimentary and alternative health has written numerous articles on the subject of the horrors of artificial sweetners. See his article called, The Not So Sweet Reality Behind Atrificial Sweetners.

Next: What are the best 0 calorie sweetners to use.

Rachel Naomi Remen Speaking of Faith

Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen: "You know, sometimes what appears to be a catastrophe, over time becomes a strong foundation from which to live a good life. It's possible to live a good life even though it isn't an easy life. And I think that's one of the best kept secrets in America."

"...And this is why I see people with cancer and other people who have encountered very difficult experiences in their lives as teachers, teachers of wisdom. It's as if the wisdom to live well is — at the moment, the repository of this wisdom are the sick people in our culture, the ill people in our culture."

Rachel Naomi Remen is a Physician, author, healer and founder of the Commonweal Cancer Support Foundation. I first saw her speak in about 1987 at the Noetic Sciences confernce in San Jose, CA. Check out an interview with her on Speaking of Faith, a weekly radio show about all matters spiritual. This is great stuff.

Fatigue: Cancer-related causes and how to cope

Causes of cancer-related fatigue

This is an area that I, as a complimentary practitioner can be of great value. This comes from a Mayo Clinic newsletter.

Fatigue may be caused by many factors, and the factors that contribute to your fatigue may be completely different from those of someone you know. However, possible contributing factors include:

• Your cancer. Your cancer itself can cause changes to your body that can lead to fatigue. For instance, some cancers release proteins called cytokines, which are thought to cause fatigue. Other cancers can increase your body's need for energy, weaken your muscles or alter your body's hormones, all of which may contribute to fatigue.
  
• Good basic nutrition can help mitigate some of this - I usually recommend whey protein if not sensitive to whey patients in active treatment because it is easy to digest, high in branch chain amino acids and has immune enhancing substances. I also recommend a good quality fish oil supplement. Depending on the type of cancer other supplements will vary.
  

• Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, bone marrow transplantation and biological therapy may all cause fatigue. You may experience fatigue when chemotherapy or radiation therapy destroys healthy cells in addition to the targeted cancer cells. Fatigue may occur as your body tries to repair the damage to healthy cells and tissue. Some treatment side effects — such as anemia, nausea, vomiting, pain, insomnia and changes in mood — also may cause fatigue.
• Many side-effects and symptoms can be helped with acupuncture due to its regulatory effect on all the body's systems. Some chemotherapy regimens can be aided by specific nutritional supplementation.
  
• Anemia. You might develop anemia if your treatment destroys too many healthy red blood cells. You can also develop anemia as a result of the cancer itself if the cancer has spread to your bone marrow and interferes with blood cell production or causes you to lose blood. Anemia may also result from unrelated medical conditions, such as thyroid problems.
• Using herbs to treat anemias is possible. But certain steps need to be taken. Be clear on the type of anemia and if treatment of the anemia will influence the cancer itself.
  
• Pain. If you experience chronic pain, you may be less active, eat less, sleep less and become depressed, all of which may add to your fatigue.
• Acupuuncture far and away.
  
• Emotions. Anxiety, stress or sadness after your cancer diagnosis also may lead to fatigue.
• Acupuuncture far and away.
• Lack of sleep. If you're sleeping less at night or your sleep is frequently interrupted, you may experience fatigue.
• Acupuuncture far and away.
• Poor nutrition. In order to work efficiently, your body needs the energy that a healthy diet provides. When you have cancer, changes can occur in your body's need for and ability to process nutrients. These changes can lead to poor nutrition, resulting in fatigue. For example, your body may need more nutrients than usual or it may not be able to process nutrients adequately. You may also take in fewer nutrients if your appetite wanes or treatment side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, make it difficult to eat.
• Medications. Certain medications, such as pain relievers, can cause fatigue.
• Lack of exercise. If your body is used to being on the go, slowing down can make you feel fatigued. Though you will have good days and bad days, try to maintain your normal level of activity if you can.