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Cancer Center

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Wellness Plan | Pharmacist Recommendations | Related Health Concerns | Additional Information

General Health Information

Cancer is thought to be the result of mutations in DNA-damaged cells that ultimately cause uncontrolled overgrowth. Cancerous mutations are caused primarily by exposure to carcinogenic substances such as tobacco. There are other lifestyle and dietary factors that have been linked to cancer, such as alcohol consumption and environmental pollutants. Excessive stress and a poor immune system may also be factors. Free radicals play a major role in promoting cancer, because they are chemically unstable substances that cause DNA damage. Extensive research supports that antioxidants promote cellular integrity and play a key role in reducing chances of cellular mutation by neutralizing free radicals, rendering them harmless.

There are many herbs and nutrients which contain well known powerful antioxidants. The antioxidant nutrients vitamin E and selenium may lower the risk of certain types of cancer. Garlic may reduce the risk of cancer, probably because it contains a lot of selenium. Green tea contains antioxidant polyphenols that may block cancer-causing compounds and help trap or detoxify carcinogens.

Other nutrients and herbs may also be helpful in reducing the risks of cancer. Soy contains estrogen-like substances known as isoflavones. These substances bind to the same sites in the body as estrogen, a known stimulant of certain kinds of cancer. Isoflavones thus occupy these estrogen sites thus blocking natural estrogen. But soy estrogens may not stimulate cancer as much as natural estrogen. Flaxseed contains lignans, which are also estrogen-like substances that may provide anticancer protection. Folic acid deficiencies may predispose individuals toward developing certain types of cancer, so adequate folic acid levels may reduce the odds of cancer.

Developing healthy lifestyle habits early in life can help to enhance your immune system and reduce the risk of developing cancer. It is helpful to eat an organic balanced diet high in antioxidants and other key nutrients such as tomatoes, carrots, green tea, citrus fruits, soy, flaxseed, garlic, broccoli, and dark-green vegetables. Avoid preserved foods and cured meats. Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol consumption. Good weight control, stress management, and exercise are also important. Supplementing with antioxidant rich nutrients and herbs, along with a healthy lifestyle, can help you to lead a long and healthy life.

Wellness Plan

  • Avoid tobacco
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Reduce sun exposure
  • Weight control
  • Stress management
  • Daily exercise
  • Seek early detection and treatment
  • Eat foods high in vitamins C, E, and betacarotene, fruits & vegetables, nuts & grains, low in fat, and avoid fried and charcoal grilled foods
  • Pharmacist’s Supplement Recommendations:
    • Herbs and Phytonutrients - garlic, onion, grapes (resveratrol), broccoli (sulforaphane) green tea, blue-green algae, IP-6 (inositol hexaphosphate), licorice, Korean ginseng, turmeric, rosemary, quercetin, soy isoflavones, flaxseed oil (lignans), bioflavonoids, tocopherols, lycopenes, tocotrienols, carotenoids, calcium d-glucarate
    • Vitamins and Minerals - all are important, especially vitamins A, C & E, betacarotene, selenium, folic acid, molybdenum, calcium, and vitamin D
    • Fiber - soluble & insoluble
    • Antioxidants - grape seed & pine bark extracts, lipoic acid, n-acetyl cysteine, vitamins C & E, selenium
    • Essential Fatty Acids - omega-3 & omega-6

Wellness Centers Related to Cancer

Aging Depression
Digestive Healthy Living
Immune System Pain and Headaches
Prostate Seniors Health

Additional Information on Cancer

  • Understanding Cancer - publication by the National Cancer Institute
  • Eating Hints for Cancer Patients - publication by the National Cancer Institute
  • Cigarette Smoking and Cancer - publication by the National Cancer Institute