Okay folks. They now have a test to determine if you are keeping your inflammation in check. Ask your doctor about a C-Reactive Protein test. It has been around for a long time for heart and arthritis. However, — as you and I now know — Inflammation is a bad sign for cancer patients, too.
The more inflammation, the more bad protein (cytokynes). The more cytokynes, the faster the metabolism. The faster the metabolism, the more rapid the weight loss. The lower the weight, the more depressed the immune system and the fewer treatment options.
Break the cycle of the creation of TNF (tumor necrosis factor) — a very bad cytokyne.
Here’s a link to the article about the test from the American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4648
Here’s the link to the article linking C-Reactive Protein and the CRP Test to Cancer: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29800010/
Grandma Knew Best:
“Give ‘Em A Dose Of Cod Liver Oil!”
Why Fish Oil?
Omega 3 is medium chain triglyceride (MCT). In my last post, I discussed the reasons why MCT’s are particularly good for cancer patients. Now, let’s talk about Fish Oil as the best source of Omega 3 for cancer patients.
Omega 3 comes from plants (seeds and nuts), grain fed beef and fish. The active ingredients are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
Omega-3 from vegetables such as flax or perilla seeds (vegetable based omega-3) or beef requires significantly more enzyme activity to break down into DHA and EPA, and provide them in amounts helpful to the human body. In particular, a person with cancer may have inflammatory issues or metabolic problems (a person who is borderline or in Cachexia, perhaps) and, thus, can be lacking in the right kind or amount of enzymes to utilize vegetable based omega-3. Fish oil breaks down faster and easier, so fish oil is better. Seeds and nuts require time and a lot of enzymes for the food to be broken down into EPA and DHA.
Fish Oil 101
Okay — put on your biochemistry hat for a minute. Don’t turn away. If I can understand this, so can you. As Kris Carr says in her terrific book Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips (1), you have to send yourself to “cancer college” the minute you or your loved one is diagnosed with cancer. Knowledge is power. So, with a nod (and a cite) to Ms. Carr, think of this post as “Fish Oil 101.”
Love Your Fat
Even though we have been taught to hate fat, the body needs fat. Fats store nutrients and accumulated fat is burned for energy. There is, however, good fat and bad fat and — in the case of Omega 3 (the fat found in fish oil, nuts and seeds) — “essential” fat.(2)
Essential fats, or “essential fatty acids” (EFA) are nature’s primary healing fats. Omega 3, one of the most potent and pure forms of EFA, is a strong antioxident, an anti-viral and anti-fungal powerfood. Omega 3’s are the world’s best anti-infection agents.
Omega 3, and EFA in general, is absolutely essential for the storage of nutrients in the body. The body does not manufacture an EFA so you have to eat food containing EFA to have them in your body. Id.
Well, you might ask,we know we want to stay healthy but why are EFA’s essential for people with cancer? Good question. It requires a little explanation.
Coping with Chemo’s Powerhouse Veggie Smoothie Recipe
SMOOTHIE BASE:
1 package tofu (we like Mori-Nu Extra-Firm Silken Tofu)
6-8 baby carrots or one large carrot
1 cup whole milk
2-4 scoops of Weight Gain powder. We recommend Naturade.
VEGETABLES:
1 cup orange juice
3/4 fresh or frozen unsweetened apple juice
1 cup chopped vegetables (such as celery or tomatoes) or frozen fruit
Optional nutritional supplements*
Coping with Chemo’s Powerhouse Fruit Smoothie Recipe
SMOOTHIE BASE:
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup whole milk plain yogurt
1 frozen banana
2-4 scoops of Weight Gain powder. We recommend Naturade.
FRUIT:
1 cup orange juice
1 cup frozen orange slices
1 cup frozen pineapple
Optional nutritional supplements*
