Treating estrogen responsive cancer naturally
Comments
-
When I had my first cancer I was running marathons. I had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction and never got lymphoma! Of course I didn't get back to running long distances for a few weeks afterwards, but I think the daily jogging, combined with stretching kept the lymphoma away.
Nobody even talked about it in those days (1982) but I got very minimal swelling.
So I think exercise is the key -
0 -
Claudia (and others), I suspect that the most important thing, if you are trying to reduce estrogen naturally, is probably to get your weight down and exercise, and "low weight" in this context is probably somewhere in the low end of normal BMI.
0 -
Yes, that is where I get my DIM too, from Vitacost. With DIM there is only one side effect - it might give you some gas (considering it's a broccoli and brassica vegetables extract) but it's a small price to pay for the good it does.
One very important thing is to get off any kind of refined sugar. Replace sugar with stevia, for example. No nutrasweet, but you can use Splenda. Stevia is the most indicated though.
Also, you might want to try and eliminate gluten from your diet.
Other supplement that has some cancer prevention properties is Melatonin. which is good because you can take it in the evening, and helps you sleep too. I get mine for a very low cost from Puritan's Pride online.
0 -
The best thing i did after my dx, was to see a naturopath. For one hour she listened and asked questions, and gave me so much information. Im going back to see her this week to talk about keeping my estrogen down without hormonals......and also about dealing with these SEs. Its a great feeling to walk out of there with a list of supplements that will help me, instead of Rxs that have side effects.....
0 -
Thanks for all the helpful information. I was using Vitacost for protein powder but wasn't sure Whey protein was good for me. I have changed my protein powder to a Vegan (pea protein). I usually drink this in the morning in Almond Milk because I am not a big breakfast eater. I am not a big person (5'5" and 120 lbs). I have always had cycsts in my breast but after I went through menopause they seemed to stop. Started again about 3 years ago. I have always had fluid filled ones so I was really shocked when they kept telling me the place they were looking at looked solid. Glad I had the 3D mammogram. I have used stevia for a long time. I have been told to remove gluten from my diet. That is hard to do since it seems to be in everything. I have trouble sleeping and have taken Melatonin but didn't seem to do much for my sleeping problem. I guess I will just have to try to find what works.
0 -
Melatonin works for everybody. There are two things you need to be aware of when you take it. First, you must find your dosage. Some people are ok with 3 mg, some with 5 mg, some with 6 mg. As Melatonin can be found in 3 mg and 5 mg doses, this is easy.
Second, you must go to bed within 5-10 minutes of starting to be lightly sleepy. Don't do any "oh I'll finish this page" or "I'll just wash the dishes" or "I'll take a short shower". The action of Melatonin is very short, and if you miss the window of opportunity, you will spend an insomniac night that on top of it all will make you feel even more tired, and will completely get your bio-rythm out of whack.
You can make your own home bread. there are many non-gluten flours out there. For home-made bread or any "bready" dough, you use a combination of flours, quinoa, almond, whatever, but combine it with a "sticky" flour like rice flour or tapioca flour. I've been making my own bread and other pastries with non-wheat flour for about 2 years now. There are plenty of recipes online.
0 -
best exercise for the lymphatic system is jumping on a trampoline
YES!
I agree, Shayne. ( I have LE) I have a rebounder. Just be careful.0 -
I have never heard that jumping on a trampoline is good for the lymphatic system. I use to have one and got rid of it. If I buy another one my husband will think I am crazy.
I will also try to find a good gluten free recipe for bread. I am not a huge bread eater, but I do like a sandwich. What about alcohol? Some reports I have read have said having a glass of wine is fine, others say don't have any.
0 -
I see those rebounders all the time at the Goodwill. We have a full size tramp in our back yard, so I get on there. 5-15min is all you need!
Costco carries RUDIs gluten free bread and its delicious. Trader Joes has a version called UDIs that is also good.
I just bought some Benedryl for my insomnia and it seems to work really well, no hangover feeling the next day.0 -
Swanson is a good source for supplements as well.
I just started my taking my DIM with my evening meal and have had no problems. And I have a hard time with a lot of things. I can't take a lot of meds, so being able to take DIM was a true God send. I had to stop taking it for a couple of weeks when I was sick, but resumed taking it again with no problems at all. I also take a mushroom blend, turmeric, astralgus, vitamin D (Rx), Biotin (for hair loss and weak nails) and calcium on the days I don't get enough from my diet. I try to get my cinammon, vitamins and trace minerals from food. And definitely hormone-free, gluten-free and organic.
0 -
To: Purple32....I took note that you didn't do rads. I've been so torn over whether or not to do that. I'm on Arimedex, lucky for me so far. I've read so many things about supplements to keep estrogen levels down, I just don't know what to take and how much will work for certain. I've got an appt on Feb 13 to speak again to radiologist about rads because I'm so scared of this coming back. Oncologist explained to me that my tumor likes estrogen and the arimedex will starve any cancer cells to death without estrogen to feed them so thought that I would go without rads because of fear of a worse cancer or heart problems from rads. However, now worried about Arimedex long term. I have osteopenia and onc wants to start me on shots every six months biophosphates that can cause jaw problems. He currently has me on vit D2 not D3 50,000 iu a week and calcium. Can you or any one say what works to keep this crap away? Are there others who didn't do rads for early stage IDC?
0 -
I've got an appt on Feb 13 to speak again to radiologist about rads because I'm so scared of this coming back.
If it wasn't for my bad lungs I would have done rads in a heartbeat
.... I have moderate COPD and one big plunge could push me toward the o2 tank. It's your choice, but i your health is otherwise OK, I think you will worry less. I have many health issues .
Good luck to you~
0 -
I stopped taking Arimedex because it was destroying my bones and joints. I changed from conventional doctors to a Naturopath doctor, who is a doctor that can prescribe conventional medications, but also prescribes vitamins and supplements. I'm doing so much better. The Arthritis has stopped getting worse, and I'm using numerous supplements and Bromeline which is helping the Lymphedema in my arm to go down. I changed my diet to 80% vegetables, 15% pasta, and 5% fish. I stopped eating factory-farmed animals that are treated miserably and horrifically, and given massive doses of antibiotics. I stay away from GMO foods as much as possible, since everything isn't listed yet. I dropped 59 lbs, and exercise at a pool to get my Lymphedema swelling down and see a very good L therapist. My arm went down 2 sizes. Adelle Davis said "You are what you eat", so I make sure I eat well. I found out that if you keep the PH balance in your blood down to low levels your blood has the opportunity to kill cancer cells, which everyone on this planet has. I drink a glass of warm water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda (not powder) and 1 teaspoon of Black Strap Molasses every day, and measure my PH with PH strips you can buy at a health food store. If you keep your PH low, it allows your blood to destory cancer cells. I feel 100% better. This is what works for me.
0 -
Purple32...I also have Copd. They know, it's in my chart, but didn't say any thing about it. They have questioned me about my cough and I told them I always have a cough.
0 -
My Dad used to take baking soda and water as an antacid nearly every day. Maybe that is why be never had cancer. He used it for indigestion.
0 -
Acidic diet are what cancer loves. You can google the list of acidic foods to avoid - theres some great charts out there. Here's a great one:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5165/Alkaline-Acidic-Foods-Chart-The-pH-Spectrum.html
I love this guys blog - lots of great info - and an article on alkaline diet
http://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/alkalize-it-or-why-your-bodys-ph-matters/0 -
Thanks Shayne
0 -
mlinth
They wouldnt mention the copd- they are treating your cancer. Only you know how bad it is . Mild, moderate, stable, what your saturation levels are like etc etc ... then you research, then you decide and then you are stuck living with your decision so pls be careful - because you'll never be sure.
0 -
Shayne, very interesting about acidic foods. It has been maybe 15 years ago I was going to a Naturopath Doctor. He said I was too acidic and I was put on a diet to reduce it. My insurance would not pay for him and it got so expensive that I had to stop going. Most of the foods on the chart I look at I would eat; however, my husband is a meat eater and doesn't like a lot of the vegetables on the list. Any good sites for recipes? My life is very busy and unfortunately sometimes fast foods have become a part of my life. What about apple cider vinegar? I have read it can do everything.
0 -
Shayne, I have an issue with that "chart". How can citrus be alkaline when it's full of citric acid?
0 -
Will summarize it. Stomach acid is much stronger acid than any food. Citrus fruits do contain acids that could affect your teeth, and certainly taste sour. However, the question is what happens after digestion. Citrus fruit residue after digestion causes alkaline. That is because they contain minerals. A cup of lemon slices with no peel contains:
Calcium 55.1mg
Iron 1.3mg
Magnesium 17.0mg
Phosphorus 33.9mg
Potassium 293mg
This combination makes alkalines in the body, and since the blood is slightly alkaline, and citrus fruit is high in fiber, generally low in calories, and is brimming with vitamin C, they are a great part of a healthy diet. In your body, they are alkaline forming.
PS - Coca Cola actually is a lower pH (acid) than orange juice, and sodas are acid forming in the body. Orange juice drinks acid, body takes care of it, forms alkaline. Sodas, start acid, stay acid, can give indigestion.Here is more detailed info0 -
It makes no sense from the chemical point of view. A base needs oxigen in order to form, not just hydrogen (OH). Hydronium ions and Hydroxyl ions are not the same thing.
0 -
Shayne, I also have the " Sleepless nights syndrome"! My oncologist actually told me to take 10mg. of Melatonin and that it would do it's job! Guess what? I took that dosage a few nights and I just did not like the way it made me fee.l
First of all, it took me about 3 hrs. to fall asleep, and after 3 hrs I was up again feeling weird! I knew I slept, I knew I dreamt, yet everything felt so confusing in my brain. I don't think Melatonin is for me.
Mena
0 -
Ok, I ran this through my boyfriend as he's heading out the door. I will post more this afternoon after he comes back home. Essentially he said that by what biochemistry knows in our days, all this "alkaline diet" makes no sense and if we'd become alkaline we'd actually die (he's studying for his Ms in biochemistry).
I've been researching online for credentials for all the people who were mentioned in your links, and except fo Dr. Airola who died in 1983 (!) didn't find anything. Since 1983 (thirty years ago) what we know about biochemistry has changed radically.
0 -
Mena - Im the same way......very unsettelling. I do have better luck taking a benadryl, and since its not every nite, I feel ok taking it. The insomnia hasnt been as bad since going off the Aromasin. Knock on wood
0 -
Mena - 10mg is a huge amount of melatonin. I can't imagine a doctor telling you to take that much. Anything over 3mg is a waste of time and can be dangerous. And even at that level I hate it. It traps me a a weird half awake, half asleep phase and gives me vivid dreams. I do take a 300mcg in my supplement regimen, but it's such a small amount, it does not affect seep.
Does a high-alkaline diet cause your alkaline phosphates to rise, or are those two different things? My alkaline phosphates are triple what they should be. Has them worried about my liver and pancreas. I eat a good diet with lots of fruits and veggies. Just wondering.
0 -
Mini, I don't think the two are related. There are various reasons why your ALP can rise. One of them is femara/letrozole, but I don't think you are on that?
0 -
I was told by a doctor not to melatonin because it would make your body stop producing its own (not sure I care). I was told to take Valerian Root. I did and at first it seemed to help. Then it stopped helping. I have been taking Lunesta. Don't like the way it makes me feel in the mornings, but if I don't take it I don't go to sleep. I am willing to try anything. Not sleeping is terrible and now I think I am having anxiety attacks over the possibility that I will run out of Lunesta or it will stop helping. I have done everything thing I have ever read about a natural approach to sleeping. When I was younger I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow. When I started going through menopause my sleeping problems started and I have been battling it for about 10 years.
0 -
Ive heard that too Claudia. Recommended for short term use.
If i get 4 or 5 hours I feel pretty lucky0 -
Melatonin - I am 3 mg from endocrinologist, that is enough for anyone, 10 is incredibly high and the onc does not know what he is talking about. Sorry you went through that one. If we are having trouble sleeping due to worries, fears, thyroid causing heart palps and such, we lose sleep and we lose melatonin, imo, and endorphins which are grown by the pituatary between 1 and 3 am. I would begin the melatonin around 1 mg and work up ea night to 3 and see. I also had to be certain I was in bed by 11 when I take it or it seems to backfire on my waking process.
Also imho, to not take melatonin so our body will not stop creating melatonin is like not taking thyroid meds so our body will not stop creating thyroid hormones. Bcz if it is broken, it is broken and needs bioidenticals to help.
I HAVE A QUESTION!!! Please help.
Ok, was w new oncologist. He has said the only way to deal w the cancer cells I have now in nodes is with 1) hormone drugs for bc or 2) the gentler drugs I will be able to take from a phase 1 or 2 trial which I am an excellent candidate for since I have not done chemo or rads. He also said chemo would be overkilling for what I have in my body per PT scan. And that the radation could not be done for this and surgery would get us no where since it is systemic. Yes, an oncologist said that. Not that I would do chemo or rad at this point anyway, but I love him.
I heard him say that the hormones is not about the ones the endo draws from the blood and that show up on my tests. He said the estrogen of concern is that which fills the openings (I said, receptors, yes he said - he is from Turkey) He said that the low estrogen of blood tests is not enough.
Talk me down please. I have memory issues. I know I made the right decision. I know the stuff I am taking are equivalent to estrogen depleting drugs. I know my estrogens and progesterone is low low and on % base even too. My endo said I was doing 90% right before I got to him.
Does anyone understand this in a way that makes the oncologist correct?
Btw, I am going down to Indy to a phase 1 trial in a few weeks, it is an immune pill I think I understand from a top class bc doctor. And a woman. Has been quiet successful.
The changing what I am doing now and taking the hormone drug, not happening. But i do not understand what he meant.
Thanks - essa
0
