After my husband's diagnosis, I really began researching the quality of our food in the U.S. I started by watching a documentary called Food Inc. and that was it. I knew we needed to change our lifestyle.
Has anyone else gone to organic types of eating after being diagnosed with cancer? We're only shopping at Farmer's Markets and buying our meat and dairy products from farms now.
I was just curious what types of things you've found that work for you.
Wow...I saw Food Inc about a year ago but haven't given it any thought. My wife has been researching what foods are helpful for the lymph system this week (and has been force feeding me many of them already :). I would also like to know what others are doing in the dietary arena.
Well, I am currently reading a book by Michael Pollan called In Defense of Food. He really believes that a lot of what we're exposing ourselves to in forms of food are a big factor in many cancers. When you have 1 in every 2 men and 1 in every 3 women being diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime in the U.S. it has to make you wonder. Or, it did me anyway.
We've also changed the type of household cleaners we use, and hygene products as well such as deodorant. For example, aluminum in anti-perspirants has been tied to Alzheimers as well as cancer. Crazy! I'm not trying to be one of those people that thing the government is out to get us, but at the same time, I wonder how much they are really trying to protect us.
Pollan argues that the government isn't doing much to help the regular joe because of what it would do to the food industry (who write big fat checks to government officials) and what it would do to the medical industry. If cancer rates went down, for example, what would they do with all of those people whose jobs revolve around those who get cancer. And, those who depend on cancer patients after care as well!
I don't know. It's a lot to digest, and I'm really trying to do my homework on it all. That's why I wanted to get the perspective of others on this topic. I thought if there was someone out there who discovered this awhile back and has changed their lifestyle because of it, that they might give me advice and pointers. LOL :)
My dad is an old hippie, and he's been preaching this stuff to me for years, but I never really listened until my husband was diagnosed. It just made me wonder. I'm reading all of the material I can. There's another book I picked up that I've only read parts of so far called Anti-cancer: A New Way of Life. It was written by a cancer survivor. I can't wait to delve a little deeper in to it.
Okay, I'll get off my soap box now. I would love to have a discussion about all of this though! Please chime in your thoughts... the good, the bad and the ugly!
Gregswife:
I applaud your dietary efforts, and there are several such avenues for patients to explore here. But I do want to counter the comment about the link between aluminum and Alzheimer's and cancer-- this association has been discredited. Aluminum is extremely difficult for the modern person to avoid-- you can throw out your antipersperants if you like, but aluminum is one of the most common elements on the planet, and in compound form it's in a lot of food we eat, it's in tap water, it's an aspect of some OTC medications that people take daily, and you ingest trace amounts when you eat or drink anything that's been exposed to the stuff, like soda or pots/pans you use.
Not to say the untold number of chemicals we ingest every day doing next to nothing aren't a potential factor in cancers-- they could be. Some we know for certain are. And any effort at removing them from your diet I think should be encouraged.
In fact, if you want to get the scariest idea of just what might be in your body, read this shocking 2009 article from Popular Science, no single article can tell you more about the subject.
Ross
Hmmm... well, the book I'm basing that off of was written by a doctor. It's called Anti-cancer, A New Way of Life. In his book he said it was especially important for women to avoid deodorants containing aluminum because most of us show which facilitates penetration. It's under the section of "Everyday Household Products to Avoid." Maybe that's old information... I believe the book was written in 2008.
But, that was just one of many examples from the book, and to be honest, I find it all overwhelming. I'm trying to take some baby steps here at first, change a few things, and then I'll try to add more as time goes on.
I will check out the article, too. Thanks!
Gregswife-
Here's a letter from the Alzheimer's Association to USA Today, it includes a response as well from the Alzheimer's Society, the largest AD non-profit in the UK.
Unfortunately, as the statements indicate, when it comes down to epidemiological studies, there's no such thing as certainty. For example the overwhelming preponderance of evidence says that smoking causes lung cancer. Few dispute this, even though it has never really been "proven"; nobody can point to the exact mechanism of action from smoking that causes the cancer. But about 70 years' worth of epidemiological evidence says smoking causes lung cancer.
It's something to keep in mind as you move along in your research. Be ready to deal with uncertainty, and in an effort not to get too overwhelmed, try to zero in on a dietitian or scientist or author or a couple of them who you like, meaning what they say makes sense to you and works for you, and stick with them.
Good luck!
Ross
Hi Greg's wife,
I saw your recent post about food, and I was compelled to write because I believe it makes a HUGE difference in the way a recovering cancer patient feels.
I just underwent a auto stem cell for Hodgkin's 15 days ago. I'm feeling quite well, and I attribute that to good food and exercise. Although I always ate well, I really bumped it into organic overdrive after diagnosis. Being a health freak diagnosed with a cancer that the cause is unknown and is simply chemicals, is a major wake up call. Sure, doctor's are slow to recommend any particular diet because not enough research has been done. Now, I am a strict follower of Dr. Andrew Weil's ( Harvard MD) anti-inflammatory diet(http://www.drweil.com/drw/ecs/pyramid/press-foodpyramid.html) Since my doctor advised me that Hodgkin's is something like 98% inflammation and only about 2% tumor, it makes perfect sense to avoid things that might cause inflammation: pesticides, chemicals, high sugar, preservative rich processed food, fried food. Also, you are absolutely right to avoid aluminum as much as you can. I switched to a mineral deodorant upon diagnosis. Post chemo, I can now smell the toxic pthalates in perfume and most personal care products -- it's sickening. If your husband is having the same problem, go to Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) to the cosmetic safety database to see low risk personal care items/ scentless/ products before you buy anything that might not be agreeable. The more we can do to avoid chemicals the better off we are! All the best to you and your husband.
Thanks NYGirl. I will check out the sources you've sent. :)