Diet May Affect How Our Bodies Fight Cancer

[Guest guest]

Diet May Affect How Our Bodies Fight Cancer

 

 

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 civilization 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 1-3

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, cold water fish and Norwegian

fish oil is safe and healthful.

 

www.spectrumnaturals.com

 

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

 

JoAnn Guest

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DietaryTipsForHBP

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