whey protein and cancer - Q

[Guest guest]

Hi

I am seeing a 16 year old girl with a recurrence of a Giant Cell

Astrocytoma. She had the original tumor 5 years ago and had surgery

to remove it. She opted not to do chemo or radiation. Instead she

went to a chiropractor who put her on a vegatarian diet with lots of

juicing. She remained on that diet for a while, until 2 years ago

when she went completely vegan. Soon after becoming vegan, she

developed seizures. She had been having CAT scans every 6 months and

everything was fine until 6 months ago, they found a recurrence of the

Astrocytoma. The seizures are under control with Keppra.

So, mom has done lots of reading and thinks that anyone with cancer

should be on a vegan diet. I had recently added in Whey protein to

her daughter's protocol and she sent me a note stating she had read

from multiple sources that " any animal protein should be avoided by

someone with cancer " . So, here is the dilema. The 16 year old is an

athlete. She bikes cross country. She works out for hours daily. I

am worried that the protein deficient diet she is currently on is

compromising her immune system, which left her suceptible to the

current recurrence of the Astrocytoma.

As the mom " believes " that animal protein is a problem, I have tried

to get them to increase vegetable sources of protein. They came back

after one month and she is getting maybe 20-30 grams of protein a day.

I would like any thoughts on whether I should continue to push to use

the whey protein or not. Any thoughts on the vegan diet and cancer in

this case, as the cancer returned after being on a vegan diet for 18

months. Also, they are both so busy, they don't cook much, so the

vegan diet probably will continue to be low in protein.

Thank you.

Deanna Berman, ND, CM

Ithaca, NY

[Guest guest]

I would have the mother read Nourishing Traditions. Also remind the mother

that she is reacting to a symptom (cancer) and not to her daughter as an

individual. How did her daughter react after becoming vegan? Growing

children need a higher amount of fat in there diets, esp. if there are

neurological issues at play.

Liz Spagat

Pediatrics, fertility, women's health

Portland Or

On 9/3/06 5:46 PM, " drdeanna " <drdeanna@...> wrote:

> Hi

> I am seeing a 16 year old girl with a recurrence of a Giant Cell

> Astrocytoma. She had the original tumor 5 years ago and had surgery

> to remove it. She opted not to do chemo or radiation. Instead she

> went to a chiropractor who put her on a vegatarian diet with lots of

> juicing. She remained on that diet for a while, until 2 years ago

> when she went completely vegan. Soon after becoming vegan, she

> developed seizures. She had been having CAT scans every 6 months and

> everything was fine until 6 months ago, they found a recurrence of the

> Astrocytoma. The seizures are under control with Keppra.

>

> So, mom has done lots of reading and thinks that anyone with cancer

> should be on a vegan diet. I had recently added in Whey protein to

> her daughter's protocol and she sent me a note stating she had read

> from multiple sources that " any animal protein should be avoided by

> someone with cancer " . So, here is the dilema. The 16 year old is an

> athlete. She bikes cross country. She works out for hours daily. I

> am worried that the protein deficient diet she is currently on is

> compromising her immune system, which left her suceptible to the

> current recurrence of the Astrocytoma.

>

> As the mom " believes " that animal protein is a problem, I have tried

> to get them to increase vegetable sources of protein. They came back

> after one month and she is getting maybe 20-30 grams of protein a day.

>

> I would like any thoughts on whether I should continue to push to use

> the whey protein or not. Any thoughts on the vegan diet and cancer in

> this case, as the cancer returned after being on a vegan diet for 18

> months. Also, they are both so busy, they don't cook much, so the

> vegan diet probably will continue to be low in protein.

>

> Thank you.

> Deanna Berman, ND, CM

> Ithaca, NY

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