Friday 29 November 2013

Fasting to Banish Cancer


The benefits of FASTING, and how it can help the body heal and get rid of many health issues... and, 

how it can double the lifespan of test animals!

Various forms of fasting can have remarkable effects for health and healing. Juice fasting is associated with a number of alternative cancer treatments. Nutrient-dense juices can deliver nutrition on a level impossible from normal foods, (or supplements) guaranteeing that your body has maximum nutritional support, while getting a rest from the almost constant digestion process.

But is it safe?

Image Office.com

And does it work?

Below I will explain this important concept...

Are You Tired and Lazy......on the INSIDE?


Is your inner system getting time to repair and restore your body, carrying out vital maintenance? Or is it SLUGGISH and over burdened by almost constant food consumption and digestion?

Constant digestion and processing of food takes a great deal of energy and resouces over many hours, throughout every day of your life...

Imagine that the digestive system and your body were represented by a [poorly managed] rail and subway network, that gives scant regard to maintenance, but is greedy for more and more passengers. In this scenario, passengers represent food. Now the more passengers that flood the system each day, the more overwhelmed and stressed-out the workers on that system become. If this type of passenger traffic continues unabated, then things will soon start to break down. Essential maintenance inevitably gets behind schedule, and problems multiply. A catastrophic failure is now only a matter of time.

From birth, most of us are well fed, - often FORCE FED! And if we refuse food, we are chastised or punished! "You cannot leave the table until you've eaten the lot" is a common attitude. Thus we learn from a very young age that we must EAT EAT EAT....even if not hungry!

As a result, we inadvertently train our systems to want, need, and expect, a constant intake of food. And who benefits from this habit?  The food industry!!!

Add the fact that most of us in modern society live in a world of abundant food availability...and we start to see why health problems are so common.

The problem with this mode of human behaviour is that your inner system rarely gets a significant rest. Our digestive system is soon in the habit of almost constant workload, putting undue strain in the whole system, especially as we get older and into middle age.

In fact, the whole system, including the vital liver and kidneys, are in almost constant demand, as we snack and gorge throughout the day. Is this healthy?

VITAL REPAIR WORK IS DONE WHEN THE BODY SYSTEM ENJOYS TOTAL REST

Almost ALL accidents and tragedies relating to large scale complex enterprises are the result of over-work, poor maintenance, shoddy workmanship, bad management, or cutting corners. This includes medical accidents in hospitals. 

If the body is constantly using most of its energy to digest and process food, (throughout the day and night in many cases) then vital maintenance may be far from optimum.

Fasting provides a vital break, so that essential maintenance can occur. In the absence of regular food, the digestive system has a holiday! And all associated systems get a rest too. But this also allows room for vital repair and HEALING to take place.

After the feast...You will have noticed that after a heavy meal, especially on Christmas day or Thanks Giving, people often cannot help but have a nap. This is because the body makes you tired to force a slow-down...and uses the energy available for digestion. Lions may sleep for two days after a big kill.

Beware: people with heart issues are most vulnerable to heart attack after a large meal. Thus eating in gigantic quantity is very unwise, due to the strain it puts on the system. Likewise, vigorous exercise after a heavy meal can also be dangerous.

Fasting triggers healing...


Because there is no food, the body must now meet its energy needs from other sources, so after a while, will start to live from FAT stores, and, according to Raymond Francis M.Sc. (author of Never Fear Cancer Again) fasting triggers healing, and the body naturally searches for dead cells, damaged tissues, fatty deposits, tumours etc, tearing them down so they can be burned as fuel or expelled as waste. This is survival mode.


Never Fear Cancer Again: How to Prevent and Reverse Cancer (Never Be)

In short, by this process, a tumour can be starved of vital needs, while at the same time, the body is encouraged to scour the system for alternative food sources and energy, and devouring anything not vital to staying alive and healthy. That can include tumours. Bear in mind that if the tumour is starved of its essential daily nutrient needs, then it is, by definition, significantly weakened. This concept is obviously best used in conjunction with other key strategies.

Standard fasting, in a nutshell, is to go without food, apart from water, for a number of days or weeks. This practise in itself can deliver major health benefits. (All long fasts should be done under medical supervision).

Pre-history: In a truly natural environment, humans (like all other animals) would have eaten on a very sporadic basis, often going for days without food.

Modern life and technology has provided an unnatural abundance of food. And eating such voluminous amounts of [easily-attainable] food is at the heart of many modern-day health problems and diseases.

By the same token, it could be true that eating an abundance of "HEALTHY" food, may also be quite unhealthy, if the system is still over-taxed.

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UPDATE:
From: Sciece Slashdot

schwit1 sends word of research showing that cycles of prolonged fasting can both protect the immune system from harm and also induce regeneration by causing stem cells to start renewing themselves.'In both mice and a Phase 1 human clinical trial (abstract), long periods of not eating significantly lowered white blood cell counts. In mice, fasting cycles then "flipped a regenerative switch," changing the signaling pathways for hematopoietic stem cells, which are responsible for the generation of blood and immune systems, the research showed. "PKA is the key gene that needs to shut down in order for these stem cells to switch into regenerative mode. It gives the OK for stem cells to go ahead and begin proliferating and rebuild the entire system," explained [study author Valter Longo], noting the potential of clinical applications that mimic the effects of prolonged fasting to rejuvenate the immune system. "And the good news is that the body got rid of the parts of the system that might be damaged or old, the inefficient parts, during the fasting. Now, if you start with a system heavily damaged by chemotherapy or aging, fasting cycles can generate, literally, a new immune system."'http://science.slashdot.org/story/14/06/07/1633232/fasting-triggers-stem-cell-regeneration-of-damaged-old-immune-system
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See Also:
From Life Extention Foundation: Fasting and Cellular Toxicity 
Fasting triggers a cleansing process that affects every cell and tissue in the body; elimination of dead and dying cells while stimulating generation of new cells. (Shirley's Wellness Cafe 2003). During a fast, toxic waste products impairing nourishment of cells are eliminated with restoration of normal metabolic rates and oxygenation. A fast offers respite from energy-demanding digestion (10% of caloric intake is used for mastication, digestion, assimilation, and elimination). Instead, energy can be redirected toward improved immune function, elimination and cell growth.

Within 24 hours of food restriction, digestive enzymes stop entering the stomach and instead other enzymes are released into the intestines and bloodstream, where they circulate and digest waste materials of daily living. Advocates of fasting believe that the body will first decompose and burn those cells and tissues which are diseased, damaged, or aged, e.g., dead cells and morbid accumulations (tumors, abscesses, and fatty deposits). Renowned advocates of fasting refer to fasting as a means of burning the rubbish' (Saxion, 2002). Essential and vital organs, such as nervous tissue and brain, are not damaged during a well-planned fast.

The Best Way to Fast 
Authorities agree that juice fasting is the best, safest, and most effective method of fasting. The classic form of fasting extended, (pure water fast) introduces considerable toxins into the bloodstream and has been discredited as the best form of fasting. A water fast is often too debilitating. When fresh fruit and vegetable juices, alkalizing vegetable broths, and herbal teas are used, electrolytes are maintained. The faster receives a daily infusion of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Freshly prepared juices require no digestion and are easily assimilated. Juices do not disrupt the healing and rejuvenating effects of autolysis (self-digestion). By providing about 400 calories per day, the release of toxins from fat cells is more gradual than a strict water fast. Read the full article here:
Life Extension Foundation - fasting and calorie restriction benefits

The advantage of Juice fasting:

I would not recommend ordinary (water only) fasting for anyone with cancer. This is because your body requires plentiful nutrients to fight the good fight, and maintain health and strength.

With cancer, one requires an array of important nutrients. Intelligent Juice fasting can provide first class nutrition in concentrated (organic) form, allowing the body to have sufficient capacity to both fight and heal health problems.

Raymond Francis advises a fast that involves vegetable juicing, so as to obtain vital nutrients while otherwise having minimal or no solid food intake. Needless to say, you will need to read and study exactly how to do this safely, and possibly with advice from your doctor.

Please note: this is just a small part of the approach Raymond Francis advocates in his outstanding book. You will learn a whole new perspective from this book, and will never live in
such fear of cancer again.

I found this book a valuable addition to my collection of books on the topic of cancer, and would recommend it as a great source of additional facts to support your efforts regarding cancer.

Never Fear Cancer Again: How to Prevent and Reverse Cancer (Never Be)



The Breuss Cancer Cure

"Very easy for reading and understanding, furthermore I know a woman who lived 6 years instead 1 month (per doctors assumption) after using the therapy. Who ever wants to get better, not only from cancer but all kind of illnesses I recommend from the bottom of my heart". Quote from Amazon customer.

The breuss cancer cure is based on the concept of fasting with juice, as above, with special herbal supplements juices and teas, designed to nourish and heal the body, while starving the cancer. Again a very logical idea, that, judging by feedback, often works. 
Like any other treatment, it will not work for everyone, but is worth investigation.










Is it just coincidence that skinnier peoples - (in parts of the world where regular food is far from guaranteed, and who often go hungry for periods of time), tend to have FAR LESS CANCER? 

All animals fast when sick. We lose our appetite for a good reason, when ill. The system needs a rest!

For general health, it is suggested that fasting one day per week is not difficult to master, and can deliver major health benefits. This would add up to 52 days a year of "rest and repair" mode. That's over seven weeks of possible restoration time for your system!

Science:

Research has shown that when mice were fasted for 2 days a week they DOUBLED THEIR LIFESPAN, and were much healthier too! Research on other animals has observed similar results. This tends to imply a sound scientific basis for the benefits of fasting, and the value relating to its practise. It may also imply that REST and REPAIR are essential factors for a long healthy life, - made almost impossible by the modern habit of relentless heavy food intake.

Logic:


The fact that animals, including man, lose appetite when sick, is proof-positive that there must be survival value in the process of fasting to restore health.

Fasting will involve detoxification. Removing toxins is an important part of the strategy.

Fasting switches the system to obtain energy needs from KETONES instead of glucose, which is bad news for cancer cells, which rely on glucose for energy and survival. (see video below)

A large part of the immune system (60 -70%) is involved with, and related to, the digestive system and the digestive tract, sorting out what is safe to go into the bloodstream from food, and eliminating what isn't. While fasting, it is effectively freed-up from that process once eating and digestion is ceased, and will instead be employed toward healing and restoring. As explained below.


Burn Away Fat Cells With Intermittent Fasting


A quick Fasting 101 from Dr Mercola


Obtaing professional qualified medical advice on this topic is important. This article by Dr Mercola explains some of the amazing benefits of intermittent fasting, as well as the potential hazards regarding different health issues one might have. He also lists potential problems or side effects.

Snippets...


"One of the mechanisms that makes fasting so effective for weight loss is the fact that it provokes the secretion of human growth hormone (HGH), which is a fat-burning hormone. It also plays an important role in muscle building. Fasting also increases catecholamines, which increases resting energy expenditure, while decreasing insulin levels, which allows stored fat to be burned for fuel. Together, these and other factors will turn you into an effective fat-burning machine".

"Even more remarkable, the study also found that fasting triggered a dramatic rise in HGH—1,300 percent in women, and an astounding 2,000 percent in men!
HGH, commonly referred to as "the fitness hormone" plays an important role in maintaining health, fitness and longevity, including promotion of muscle growth, and boosting fat loss by revving up your metabolism. The fact that it helps build muscle while simultaneously promoting fat loss explains why HGH helps you lose weight without sacrificing muscle mass, and why even athletes can benefit from the practice (as long as they don't overtrain and are careful about their nutrition).
The only other thing that can compete in terms of dramatically boosting HGH levels is high-intensity interval training. If you're over the age of 30, especially if you lead an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, you've likely entered a phase known as somatopause (age-related growth hormone deficiency). As your HGH levels decrease, your levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) also decrease, and this is yet another important part of what drives your body's aging process".  Full article: Dr Mercola on fasting for health







Glucose Vs Ketones:

Furthermore, when the body is starved of food, it converts fat into ketones, as an alternative energy source to normal glucose. Cancer is desperate for glucose to survive. CANCER CANNOT SURVIVE ON KETONES!!! As proven by this CBN News report video below.

Fred Hatfield had widespread metastatic cancer in his skeletal structure, and was given three months to live by three different doctors, but he cured himself of his cancer with a low carb (ketogenic diet) and is still clear of cancer a year later... 

See fascinating video (Starving cancer) below.




This video exposes the fact that The Cancer Industry  has ignored this painfully obvious logic for decades!!!

Both juice fasting, and ketogenic diet, work by exploiting the fact that the body can switch energy supply to rely on ketones, while cancer cells rely exclusively on glucose for energy supply, and to survive.

I plan to cover ketones, and ketogenic diet soon.




Notes:
The fasting approach is not recommended for all cancer situations, and not suitable in regard to liver cancer. See book for important context and details.

Ketosis, (when the body is using ketones for energy source) is usually acid forming...as in diets such as Atkins Diet, due to resorting to a lot of meat products to attain ketosis. However, with juice fasting, this should not happen, as vegitable juices will help maintain healthy pH range.

Both fasting, and ketogenic type diet, should not be tried without access to trustworthy advice and instruction to follow.

Results:
A number of other alternative cancer treatments employ juicing as part of the protocol, the most famous being The Gerson Therapy. (Link to testimonial below)
http://healing-cancer-with-logic-and-reason.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/cancer%20miracles




Fat sick and nearly dead!


Bloated, over-fed bodies, eating for pleasure most of the time, will rarely get time to repair and restore. (thin people may sometimes be eating a great deal of the time, but their faster metabolism may simply burn the food quicker). And even "health freaks" that do lots of training, may never really give their internal system a significant rest.

Is this one reason why overweight / obese people get the most disease....including much higher cancer risk?






Full length version of this famous film / journey...from major disease, to robust health. Fat Sick, and nearly Dead...

A 60 day juicing experiment...


Watching this film, you will grow to  understand how, (given the opportunity), the human body can regain health and eliminate disease. This will inspire you to fully appreciate the role of diet, food and abuse thereof. You will also learn about the immense disease reversing power of juicing.

A powerful and moving story, about one mans tour across America, while juicing for 60 days, and coincidentally meeting a hugely overweight trucker, who, by his own assessment, was destined for an early grave, who suffered from the same life threatening disease as himself.

If you truly desire to educate yourself about health, then watch this film. Even doctors, (especially doctors) could learn much from this experiment.

Watch trailer:









Fasting and Cancer: Has Nature Provided a Treatment All Along?



Here we have some strong evidence to support the apparent benefits of fasting in regard to cancer, from the world of conventional cancer treatment...and research...actually from a radiation oncologist. 

From: http://www.myhealthwire.com/news/breakthroughs/924


As a radiation oncologist, my research generally involves studying ways to make radiation therapy work better to kill cancer cells with fewer side effects. Oftentimes, this includes reducing the dose or potentially eliminating radiation therapy or other treatments altogether. However, as a promoter of natural health, including a healthy diet and high activity levels, I am constantly studying ways to kill and stop cancer cells through lifestyle alone (both personally and professionally). One of these methods is dietary fasting.
Humans have been fasting throughout most of their existence on this planet. Nowadays, for most Americans fasting consists of the grueling 3-4 hours in-between their bowl of “heart healthy” breakfast cereal or a muffin and their sandwich for lunch. This was not the case in our not-very-distant past. Back then, good old-fashioned fasting likely consisted of a lack of food for a large portion of the day or even several days — fasting from breakfast to lunch was a walk in the park.
Fasting to fight cancer?
Fast-forwarding several hundred centuries, a recent hot topic has been one of trying to discover methods to “starve” cancer cells, whether through carbohydrate restriction,1 calorie restriction,2 a ketogenic diet,3 or fasting,4 as has been discussed in the recent study entitled Fasting Enhances the Response of Glioma to Chemo- and Radiotherapy.
In this study, the authors attempt to increase our ability to kill glioma cells, the pesky brain tumors that are exquisitely resistant to most treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. They also appear to have microscopic tentacle-like extensions and therefore are difficult to resect surgically, as the process of uprooting these tentacles would take out precious brain tissue as well. Thus, a method to help treat these pests is desperately needed.
After millions of years it appears that nature may have been providing us with this treatment, we just never knew it. In their study, Safdie and Brandhorst tested the effects of “starving” both cancer cells and normal cells without food for 48 hours. This was no modern-day fast (at least for us Americans) and it was performed in the face of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which may be a daunting task for most cancer patients.
What they found was that the fast-sensitized mouse, rat, and human glioma cells to the treatment with chemoradiation, i.e. it resulted in significant killing of the cancer cells. They also found a significant decrease in blood sugar and IGF-1 in these animals during the fast and suggested that this may have played a large role, as we have discussed before here and here.
An interesting twist to their findings is the fact that while fasting may sensitize the bad guys to treatment, it appears to spare our good cells from much of the toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Other words, when they decreased the amount of available sugar available to cancer cells, cell death significantly occurred in these cells with no change in the normal cells exposed to chemotherapy. The fasted mice also experienced delayed tumor progression and lived significantly longer. Not a bad result from simply removing food for a couple days.
We published similar data from my last institution showing that, for mice who have breast cancer and undergo nutrient restriction (overall or alternate day fasting), radiation therapy works significantly better to slow tumor growth and downregulate vital cancer pathways.5 A review of the available data further points toward carbohydrate restriction.1 If fasting is too difficult for cancer patients, perhaps simply removing carbohydrates may be an easier dietary change.

Treating and fighting cancer
Like many cancer studies, if it helps chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill cancer cells, it likely helps those of us without cancer to ward it off. Fasting is no different. Some have even recommended alternate daily fasts for health benefit,8 though that may be somewhat difficult to get most of us to follow (including me).
So what do I do?
Alternate daily fasts would leave me unbearable to be around during the work week, as I am constantly running around my department seeing patients, treating patients, and checking films. Every time I try an extended fast during a work day I end up running ragged. Though, I am still able to fast from dinner until the following lunch (14-16 hours) during my research days when I see fewer patients.
In my opinion, the easiest and favorite time to fast is on the weekends. Most Saturdays and Sundays I do not eat until lunch starting at the dinner before. I do drink a cup of coffee in the morning and usually follow this with some sort of physical activity, or if it is 12 degrees in January in Pittsburgh, I walk on the treadmill while reading a book or listening to a podcast. These types of fasts are quite easy and enjoyable, and leave me with a great feeling of accomplishment on the weekends.
What kind of fast will work for you? There is only one way to find out...

So there we have it, fasting can have significant healing benefits, not least it can slow and disrupt cancer growth. And as most of us eat far more food than we actually need, (thus we pile on the pounds) and...commonly eat foods with questionable parentage, it may be a good idea to consider fasting as part of a strategy to ultimately avoid cancer, or even conquer it. Yes we must get vital nutrients, but minor fasts have major benefits. And if, (as is logical), you starve cancer cells...that require mainly large amounts of sugar to thrive, then that must be something the medical profession should encourage! But instead they tell you to eat anything you want!! Don't ask me why!



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