RE: Re: Diet to reduce inflammation!

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I have RA, osteoarthritis & bursitis. I'm on MTX 6 pills (just increased from 5 to 6) and on prednisone at times to rid of inflammation. I'm in alot of pain. My rheumatologist told me he may need to introduce another drug if the 6 pills of MTX don't help. I also suffer from benign brain tumors. While doing some research on brain tumors (and after todays topic about diets) I came across an article that may be useful to all of us. It refers to brain tumors, but read on the purpose of this diet is to reduce inflammation in general.

My best to all,

(in MA)

The Healing Power of a Wholesome Diet for Brain Tumor Patients

By Jeanne M. Wallace, PhD, CNC

What can a healthy diet accomplish?

Brain tumors are a formidable foe, and many of us view our fight against them as a war,

harnessing powerful treatments like surgery, radiation and chemotherapy as the linchpin of our

plan of attack. How then can “wimpy” fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other healthy foods

have any effect against this dreaded enemy? While wholesome foods and nutrients are not a cure

for brain cancer, they can provide an important complementary strategy to help bolster the

body’s regulatory “controls” against cancer. A healthy diet is one of the best ways to boost your

immune system and complement your radiation and/or

chemotherapy treatments…and there are several other ways good nutrition can help.

NOTE: To avoid harmful interactions with your medications or treatments it is extremely

important that the doctor supervising your condition is aware of any dietary changes, including

changes in eating patterns and usage of dietary supplements and herbs.

Phytonutrients: Our Cancer “Phyters”

The anti-cancer benefits of diets rich in fruits and vegetables have long been attributed to their

high vitamin, mineral and fiber content. More recently, however, researchers have discovered

that fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and kitchen spices contain thousands of other

health-promoting compounds, collectively known as phytonutrients. Many phytonutrients appear

to have significant cancer fighting properties.

Phytonutrients in many common foods have been shown to promote the death of brain tumor

cells in cell culture studies. Among these are: elemene (found in ginger), tangeretin and limonene

(in citrus peel), catechins (in green tea) and anthocyanins (in blueberries and chokecherries).

Genistein (in soy) appears to have multiple cancer-inhibiting actions against brain tumors,

including the ability to act synergistically with chemotherapy to inhibit tumor cell growth.

Perhaps most compelling are new studies that demonstrate phytonutrients have the remarkable

capacity to talk directly to and influence our genes! We are learning that genes are not fixed and

immutable (i.e., we’re not stuck with the genetic “luck of the draw” we were born with). Rather,

genes alter their expression depending on nutritional and environmental influences. A growing

body of research on phytonutrients shows they can inhibit oncogenes (tumor-promoting genes)

and increase the expression of tumor suppressor genes. One compelling study found that when

mice were fed nutrient-deficient diets mimicking the standard American diet, their gene

expression moved toward cancer. When these same mice were then fed healthy, nutrient-dense

diets, their gene expression reversed, returning to a healthy profile [Augenlicht et al., 2002].

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In addition, food-based phytonutrients are the richest source of antioxidants - far more potent

than vitamin pills! The antioxidant capacity for vitamin E (one 400iu capsule) has been measured

as 125 ORAC units, but it’s over 1,000 units per serving for blueberries, cinnamon, pomegranate

juice, figs, prunes, raspberries, green tea, strawberries, spinach and kale [Cao et al., 1996]. Foodbased

antioxidants are important for promoting gene stability and preventing mutations to the

DNA of cancer cells that may lead to more aggressive behavior of tumors and/or resistance to

chemotherapy [French 2003; Boik 2001; Louw et al., 1997].

ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF SELECTED FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND SPICES IN

ORAC (oxygen radical absorbing capacity) UNITS

>3000 Blueberries

> 2000 Oregano, pomegranate juice, figs, cinnamon

> 1000 Prunes, pomegranates, turmeric, raspberries, blackberries, Brussels sprouts, green tea,

strawberries, spinach, kale

> 500 Oat bran, oranges, plum, red cabbage, cranberries, broccoli, parsley beets, basil

No vitamin pill can offer you a complete array of phytonutrients. These cancer “phyters” can only

be obtained from whole foods. To get the beneficial effects of phytonutrients, here’s what to do:

[1] Eat 2-3 servings of fruits and at least 4 servings of vegetables daily (a serving = 1/2 cup

cooked or raw vegetables, 1 cup of salad, 1 medium piece of fruit or 1 cup berries)

[2] Choose produce with the richest, deepest colors and eat from every color of the rainbow to

get a full complement of phytonutrients

[3] Emphasize vegetables and fruits that are fresh (in season), locally grown and organic (these

pack the highest phytonutrient levels)

[4] Aim for 5,000+ ORAC units daily

Quenching Inflammation

Controlling inflammation in the brain is very important in mitigating symptoms (like headaches)

and decreasing one’s dependence on steroids, but anti-inflammatory strategies are also essential

in slowing tumor growth. This is because brain tumors utilize the inflammatory process to

promote their growth and progression [Wallace 2002]. In one study, an excessive amount of

inflammatory compounds was the strongest predictor of poor outcome for glioma patients

[shono et al., 2001]. So your goal is to reduce inflammation levels and improve your prognosis!

To help reduce inflammation, consider the fats you eat. Dietary fats are incorporated in our cell

membranes and function to produce chemical messengers (called eicosanoids) that modulate

inflammation. It’s no surprise that saturated, hydrogenated and Trans Fats are inflammation

promoters! Read ingredient labels and avoid foods that contain hydrogenated fats. These and

other omega-6 fats are precursors of pro-inflammatory messengers, while omega-3 fats are antiinflammatory.

Sources of omega-3 fats are cold-water fish (sardines, tuna, mackerel, lake trout,

Atlantic halibut, herring and wild—not farmed—salmon), flax seeds, and organic, grass-fed

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meats, poultry, eggs and dairy products. Omega-6 fats predominate in commercially-raised

(corn-fed) meat, poultry, dairy and eggs; and also in nuts, seeds, margarine, and vegetable oils

(such as corn, peanut, canola, safflower, soybean, sunflower, and grapeseed oils). Olive oil is an

omega-9 and is beneficial; it should be the primary bottled oil in the house for use in cooking and

salad dressings. The typical American diet provides 10-20 times more omega-6 than omega-3,

but a healthier ratio is 3:1 or 4:1! Cut back on your omega-6 (choosing healthy omega-6 foods

like nuts, seeds, and avocado) and increase omega-3.

Excessive intake of sweets and high carbohydrate diets increase inflammation [seshadri et al.,

2004], and can also suppress immune function. A wholesome diet emphasizing healthy fats,

whole grains, legumes and increased intake of vegetables and fruits has been shown to reduce

markers of inflammation [Esposito et al., 2004]. Limit your intake of sweets and refined,

processed carbohydrates (breads, cereals, pastas, etc.). Instead, choose whole-grain high-fiber

foods. See if you can find pasta with 2 grams fiber per serving, bread with 3 grams per slice,

cereal with more than 5 grams of fiber per bowl! Consider replacing table sugar with a substitute,

such as stevia, agave syrup, glycine, xylitol, or brown rice syrup.

Inhibiting Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is a process whereby tumors stimulate the development of a dense network of new

blood vessels to nourish tumor growth and progression. Many of the enzymes that foster

angiogenesis require copper. Steps to avoid excess intake of copper may help lessen

angiogenesis. Foods that are particularly rich in copper include shellfish (lobster, oysters, crab,

and clams); organ meats (liver and kidney), and chocolate sauces, syrups and candies that are

prepared in copper kettles. You may wish to filter your drinking water if you have copper

plumbing and avoid cooking in copper pots/pans.

Inflammation is also a known promoter of angiogenesis, so the strategies discussed above for

reducing inflammation are very important. Eating excessive sugar or too many calories promotes

angiogenesis in animal studies [Mukherjee et al., 2002; Seyfried 2001]. Increase your intake of

low-calorie and nutrient-dense foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains) while

reducing refined and processed foods.

Many nutrients have demonstrated anti-angiogenic properties in published research studies.

Incorporating these foods into your diet may help inhibit angiogenesis. These include:

• Apigenin, a bioflavonoid found in many common kitchen herbs—especially mint, but also

thyme, oregano, parsley, marjoram, and basil [Fang et al., 2005; Loboda et al., 2005]. Celery,

lettuce, apples, beans, broccoli, cherries, grapes, onions, tomatoes and artichoke are foods that

have apigenin.

• Berries: blueberries, cherries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries [bagchi et al., 2004;

Roy et al., 2002]

• Curcumin found in turmeric and curry [Arbiser et al., 1998; Gururaj et al., 2002]

• Garlic [shukla et al., 2002]

• Genistein found in soy foods (tempeh, tofu, miso, edamame and soymilk) [Dulak 2005]

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• Green tea [Dulak 2005; McKenna et al., 2000]

• Omega-3 fats found in cold-water fish and organic grass-fed meat, poultry, dairy, and highomega-

3 eggs

• Resveratrol found in grapes, berries and peanuts [Lin et al., 2003; Brakenhielm et al., 2001]

• Selenium [Jiang et al., 1999] Brazil nuts are the richest source (275mcg per 3-4 nuts).

Conclusion

Instead of viewing mealtime as merely a chance to fill your belly and tickle your taste buds,

consider the medicinal value of the foods you eat. With each meal, you have the opportunity to

choose foods that can normalize gene expression, quench inflammation, boost your immune

system, and inhibit angiogenesis. The guidelines in this article will empower you to harness the

healing power of a healthy diet!

NOTE: Dietary supplements and herbs may also be useful in accomplishing these strategies, but

it is extremely important that you seek the guidance of a nutrition professional who specializes in

working with cancer patients to help you select appropriate supplements and avoid harmful

interactions with your medications or treatments!

Super Foods & Phytonutrients for Brain Tumor Patients

Berries: blueberries, raspberries, cherries, strawberries, cranberries ( anthocyanidins, ellagic acid

and resveratrol

Cruciferous vegetables: arugula, broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels

sprouts, collards, kale, kohlrabi, radish, turnip and watercress (sulfurophane, isothyanates,

indole-3-carbinol)

Brazil nuts (selenium, magnesium)

Carrots, pumpkin, yam, and all yellow, orange & green fruits and vegetables (carotenoids)

Citrus peel (limonene, tangeretin)

Curcumin (turmeric)

Garlic (allyl sulfides)

Ginger (elemene)

Green tea, white tea or black tea (catechins, EGCG)

Mint, parsley, thyme, marjoram (apigenin)

Mushrooms (vitamin D and beta glucans)

Onions, apples (quercetin)

Peanuts (resveratrol)

Rosemary (carnosol)

Spices: basil, black pepper, cinnamon, oregano, (high antioxidant)

Spinach, kale, collards, beet greens, chard (lutein, LOX inhibitos)

Super greens - chlorella, spirulina, barley greens

Raspberries, strawberries, walnuts (ellagic acid)

Sweet bell peppers

Tomatoes (lycopene)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeanne M. Wallace, PhD, CNC educates clients and their oncologists about evidence based

nutritional and botanical protocols that can safely and effectively complement their medical care.

She is a member of the National Association of Nutritional Professioanls and the American

Holistic Health Association. Specializing in malignant brain tumors since 1997, she has worked

with over 600 brain tumor patients in the U.S. and abroad.