Survivors who had chemo etc and are into Complementary medicine
Comments
-
How does grape seed oil taste?
0 -
Yes! I forgot about grape seed oil. I don't notice any taste at all with it, Kira.
I alone have mixed feelings on the oil because sometimes the whole food is good, but the concentrated parts are not. As an example, soy beans as a whole are, I think, okay, but soy isoflavone isolate is not (in large quantities). I don't know about flax oil vs. flax seed.
0 -
And that is where I went wrong. During menopause I used shakes that were extremely high in the isflavone isolates ugh. I still eat the soy beans in a salad, and enjoy them. I really don't worry about them, and they are very nutritious.
0 -
Grape seed oil does not have a taste but it is highly nutritious
0 -
I will have to pick some up.
0 -
I know some where I read that grape seed oil lowers estrogen as well, so it's good in that respect as well.
0 -
Okay <sigh>... I've been informed by someone on another thread on this forum that, if I do not post the following information on this thread, too (as well as where I posted it originally), I would be guilty of "bias"...
So (and this will arrive as 3 posts, to keep them manageable), here it is. I feel fairly sure that no one here will find the information objectionable.
+++++re-posted from elsewhere on these Boards++++++
This is for newcomers. I realize it's old information to most of the people here.
From the Society for Integrative Oncology: "Complementary Therapies and Cancer Care" (http://www.integrativeonc.org/index.php/complementary-therapies-and-cancer-care)
+++++quote (excerpt) begins++++++
"A few years ago, if you asked your oncologist for a referral to a masseuse, she'd think you were joking. But things have changed. Nowadays, your oncologist might be prescribing the massage along with acupuncture, herbs and other therapies.
"It's a sign of a new trend: Integrative medicine is making its way into the mainstream, combining standard medical treatments with complementary ones. Some hospitals have even set up entire integrative medicine centers -- largely because of patient demand.
" 'Patients love it,' says Simone Zappa, RN, an administrator in the Integrative Medicine Department at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. 'And they love it because it works.' "
"Complementary treatments help many people with cancer. Massage, acupuncture, and hypnosis are being used along with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. These complementary therapies aren't usually intended to treat the cancer itself. But they can ease side effects and improve quality of life. They may even reduce the amount of medicine you need for treatment.
"What's more, some of these treatments have been shown to work in scientific studies. The gulf between evidence-based Western medicine and traditional therapies is not as wide as it once was. And many people with cancer are benefiting.
"Complementary medicine includes dozens of treatments that have not been generally used in Western medicine. They extend from nutritional changes, to biofeedback, to yoga. …
"Experts stress that complementary or integrative medicine is not the same as 'alternative medicine.' Complementary medicine for cancer is a complement -- not a replacement -- for traditional treatments like radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. It's an important distinction, since only conventional therapies have been shown to fight cancer."
+++++++quote ends+++++++ and ++++++re-post ends+++++++otter
0 -
My dd is a chef and uses grape seed oil in cooking all the time,because it has a higher smoke point than olive oil. No taste that I can discern. I don't do any deep fat frying so olive oil seems to work fine for my cooking. If a newer recipe specifically says vegetable oil, I use canola.
0 -
Kira,
Seapoint Farms makes dry roasted edamame and it's delicious! I bought mine from Amazon.
0 -
This is Part II of some information I posted on another thread of this forum. I'm re-posting it here, because someone there thought I was showing "bias" if it was not offered on both the "Complementary..." threads. Honestly, I don't think this is necessary, but I would not want anyone to think I was being unfair.
+++++re-post begins++++++++
More information for newcomers about complementary & integrative approaches to cancer treatment, with apologies to readers who find this boring...
From the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (a unit of the National Institutes of Health): Cancer and CAM: At a Glance (http://nccam.nih.gov/health/cancer/camcancer.htm)
+++++quote (excerpt) begins+++++++
"This fact sheet provides an introductory overview of CAM and cancer, including a summary of 'what the science says.' The fact sheet is mainly for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, and for families and friends of people who are being treated for or recovering from cancer. This fact sheet also takes a brief look at research on some of the dietary supplements that people use in hope of preventing cancer.
"Key Points
1) CAM therapies should never be used as a replacement for conventional cancer care or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about any problem.
2) There is limited scientific evidence suggesting that some CAM approaches may be useful in managing some symptoms of cancer and side effects of treatment. At present, there is no convincing evidence regarding CAM use in preventing or curing cancer.
3) Before using any CAM therapy, people who have been diagnosed with cancer should talk with the doctors who treat their condition—to make sure that all aspects of their cancer care work together. Be aware that some dietary supplements can interfere with standard cancer treatments.
4) Cancer patients need to make informed decisions about using CAM. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Cancer Institute have written a brochure that can help: Thinking About Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Guide for People with Cancer (NCI).
5) In evaluating CAM therapies, people should be wary of extreme claims. Remember: if it sounds too good to be true—for example, claims that a CAM therapy can cure cancer—it usually is."
+++++++++quote ends+++++++ and ++++++re-post ends++++++++otter
0 -
Thanks for the oil advice!
My cancer center offers lots of complementary services at a reduced price to patients and their family and friends. Acupuncture (most popular), reflexology (one of my favorites), shiatsu, craniofacial work, massage, touch therapy and now they just added lymphedema massage which I am going to try this week! They also have an oncology nutritionist available by appointment and support groups. They have a lending library and wigs that you can borrow. I think they are doing a very good job!
0 -
This is the third, and final, part of what I posted on the other "Complementary..." thread. This is definitely cross-posting and would be prohibited on many discussion forums, but, anything to try to keep the peace?:
++++++re-post begins+++++++
One last excerpt offered for newcomers:
From a commentary by the Director of the NCCAM as published online June 14, 2011: "The Continuing Debate" (http://nccam.nih.gov/about/offices/od/director.htm)
+++++++quote (excerpt) begins++++++++
"In the July issue of the Atlantic there is an article by David Freedman along with a series of online commentaries on the controversies surrounding the study and practice of complementary and alternative medicine. This type of dialogue is important, and we were pleased to be among those asked to offer perspectives on the topic.
"Debate about complementary and alternative therapies has often been polarized, with advocates squaring off against critics and no common ground emerging. There are, in fact, some causes for concern. Many excessive claims are being made for alternative health practices, many therapies are lacking in plausibility, and some are being found to be potentially dangerous. But the field of complementary and alternative medicine is not monolithic. Some therapies—indeed some of those most widely used—are sensible and deserve our attention as we look for methods to help with problems not well managed by conventional medicine.
....
"The goal of NCCAM’s research is to ensure the development of a strong, objective evidence base that offers patients, providers, and health policymakers with the information they need to make informed decisions. This knowledge is vital, given the widespread and frequent self-care use of complementary and alternative medicine."
++++++++quote ends+++++++++ and ++++++re-post ends+++++++otter
0 -
My onc offers "Healing Touch" and as far as I can see it's just someone waving her hands over you. Regardless of what my accountant mind perceives as silliness, it really works! Go figure.
0 -
I'm a big olive oil use but when that doesn't work I go for the canola. Once in a while I do use peanut oil but that is for Asian food.
0 -
I thought coconut oil was really bad for you because of the saturated fat?
I cook (ie: I heat things up) with extra virgin olive oil, which I believe is said to contain healthy fat.
0 -
As far as I know, olive oil is no healthier than other oils when heated...
0 -
Athena
Olive oil, esp. the "extra virgin" has a very low burning point. I started using the Whole Foods 365 brand "Extra Virgin Coconut Oil" comes in black plastic jar, sold in the vitamin section - on skin. Smells lovely if you like coconut. Then started cooking with it, when heard how good it was for us. Tastes as good as it smells, esp. delicious in Thai stir fry.
Grapesee oil is best, - but REALLY pricey. No taste at all.
0 -
Athena, I think they reversed the idea that coconut oil was bad for you.Here is just one article.
http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
0 -
I think "they" (The Official Oil Panel) are changing their minds on coconut oil.
0 -
I use massage therapy for my healing touch. Every now and then I open my eyes and see her with her eyes shut like she is focusing healing energy, I love it and I just open my mind to it and say to myself, I accept your healing intention. Might sound weird to some, but I love it.
0 -
Is there really an 'Official Oil Panel'? Finally we KNOW who THEY are!!
0 -
No, I made it up. I just don't like saying "they" without identifying who "they" are. Even if it's a made-up "they!" Hahahahaha.
0 -
Oops - I posted before turning to the latest page, so my previous post might be a bit passe.
But in any case, NCCAM is an excellent source of information on complementary and alternative medicine. The NIH routinely studies CAM and has some very balanced recommendations. I was helped by a lot of the information while making cancer treatment decisions.
The ignore feature is wonderful. The only difficulty is making it have any real impact in a forum of this size. For disruptors to be ignored, everyone must ignored them - everyone. Regardless of whether you actually put the person on ignore status or not. I know it takes a lot of self discipline.
If only one person responds pissed off (and so many of us have, myself included), that can let the chain loose.
But speaking of self discipline, I am very close to starting a new thread on overcoming addictions that are bad for our health, whether to specific foods or smoking (alcohol and drugs are more complex and might demand a different approach). I have salt cravings due to medication that are killing me - especially in the summer, when the medication concentrations may increase in my plasma (difficult to measure unless I have my blood taken several times a day or all of my urine dampled for a day!). I mention this everywhere - Utz's Sour Cream and Onions - my nemesis.
0 -
On coconut oil - how interesting. I will read that article.
I suppose it would be too much to expect them to say that, therefore, anything coconut frosted is fine. :-)
0 -
2ztus--re smoking and BC:
For most women, smoking is protective against BC because it lowers estrogen levels and smokers go through menopause earlier than non-smokers, however, it seems there is a small subset of women, for whom smoking doubles the risk of BC--premenopausal women with no pregnancies. The theory is that a womans breast goes through changes from birth to puberty and another change preparing to breast feed. If no pregnancies, the breast doesn't go through that last change and is more suspectible to the carcinogens in tobacco smoke--which are found in the breast tissue and breast milk. For non-smoking women in this small subset, who are surrounded by secondhand smoke, their risk of BC increases to 1.75, so not quite double.
I fall into this subset of women and had BC at age 32 and I have always wondered how much my smoking played into my BC? But I stopped over 20 years ago and had a recurrance last year--so there has to be more to it. But I also wonder, if I hadn't quit, would my recurrance have happened sooner and been more aggressive? VJ
www.StopSmokingStayQuit.blogspot.com
0 -
You're right--depends which category of women you're in as to whether smoking either protects or is a risk factor--this is very new research, so a lot of unanswered questions.Truth is no one really knows the cause of most BC's but I sure wish someone would find out which is why I joined Susan Love's "Army of Women".
0 -
I joined too.
0 -
My onc told me I got BC because I smoked.
Not sure I buy that 100%. 0 -
Barbara, did your onc really say that?? Wow. Were you pissed? I sure would have been.
L0 -
I would have been too Barbara. The correlation with breast cancer and smoking isn't as strong as some other cancers, causation is definitely not there so that really comes across as manipulative at best. Not nice of your Onc.
0
