Diet may affect How our Bodies Fight Cancer

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Diet May Affect How Our Bodies Fight Cancer

JoAnn Guest

Jun 14, 2004 16:04 PDT

 

 

 

The " Alternative Approach " column, Daily Herald, June 16, 2003, by

Patrick B. Massey M.D., Ph.D, Medical Director, Alexian Brothers

Hospital Network; President, ALT-MED Medical and Physical Therapy

Program, Elk Grove Village, IL

 

I recently gave a lecture on alternative therapies for cancer at the

Brookfield zoo. I was asked, “Why does it seem that cancer is becoming

more common?” I believe the answer is directly related to our diet.

 

Our food has a significant impact on our body’s ability to fight to

cancer, infections and inflammation.

 

Chronic inflammation is believed to be one of the pathways by which

normal cells are transformed into cancer cells.

 

David Rakel MD, director of Integrative Medicine at the University of

Wisconsin in Madison, emphasized this idea in a recent lecture to

physicians at the Alexian Brothers Medical Center. He believes it is

related to the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fats in our diets. Omega-3

fats are found in abundance in fish oil.

 

Omega-6 fats are in many fried foods and refined cooking oils.

 

When there is an injury, cells release a compound called arachnadonic

acid.

 

Arachnadonic acid comes from omega-6 fat and is transformed by the body

into a number of compounds that produce the feeling of pain and

intensify inflammation.

 

Chronic inflammation may occur if there is a lot of omega-6 fat

available for transformation into arachnadonic acid. Fortunately, the

body also produces compounds that have the opposite effect...reduce pain

and inflammation. Interestingly, omega-3 fat is the source for these

pain-reducing compounds.

 

Dr. Rakel stated that diets high in omega-6 fats promote autoimmune

disease, heart disease and a number of cancers. Breast, prostate and

bowel cancers are more common in people with a diet high in omega-6

fats.

 

People eating a high omega-6 diet also have more intense pain (even to

minor injuries) and higher potential of developing chronic pain. Cancer

and pain may be the result of an enhanced inflammatory response.

 

In contrast, a diet that is high in omega-3 fats has a reduced

inflammatory response and generally less pain to injury. We also know

that a high amount of dietary omega-3 fats produces a lower incidence of

breast, prostate and bowel cancer.

 

Therefore, a diet that is high in omega-6 fat intensifies inflammation

and promotes disease while a diet that is high in omega-3 fats reduces

inflammation and promotes health.

 

A good balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fats is 1:1 to 3:1. Our modern

diets, however, have a ratio of about 30:1. That tilts the balance in

favor of inflammation and disease. We need better odds.

 

“So how much fish do I need to eat?” Well, there can be a significant

improvement in the fat ratio if you eat 1-2 servings per week (most

benefits are lost with fried fish).

 

For those of you who dislike fish, fish oil supplements may be the key

(1000-1800 mg/day). Although there may be some concern for those taking

blood thinners like Coumadin, fish and fish oil is safe and healthful.

 

http://nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail & item_id=14141

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

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