A very good friend has been told she has advanced, stage 3 colon cancer, I would like to get this info to her, she is only in her early 40's. Thank you.

I am so sorry to hear of your friend. Since my father died from colon cancer (he was only 37 and he left a wife and seven children) I am aware of many of the implications that situation has for your friend and for you.

Key areas to focus for maximizing the strength of the immune system are:

• Positive mental and emotional state of existence (i.e. there is actually a situation where a man with cancer made sure that he laughed several times a day. He attributed his cancer remission to that happy status.) [Martin et al. "Sense of Humor, Hassles, and Immunoglobulin A: Evidence for a Stress-Moderating Effect of Humor." Internal Journal of Psychiatric Medicine Vol.18 (1988) Pgs 93-105] An important part of this is the elimination of stress since stress "depresses" the immune system. [Dillon et al. "Positive Emotional States and Enhancement of the Immune System." Internal Journal of Psychiatric Medicine Vol.15 (1986) Pgs 13-17]
  
  
• Low immune function is most commonly related to nutrient deficiencies. These deficiencies allow toxic byproducts to buildup in the tissues and liver. Antioxidants are a group of identified nutrients that help remove free radicals and toxins from the system. The existence of colon cancer would somewhat confirm that nutrient absorption through the intestine and colon walls has for some time been compromised. Supplementing with a broad coverage of multiple vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids has clinically resulted in significant immune system function [Pike et al. "Effect of Vitamin and Trace Element Supplementation on Immune Indices in Healthy Elderly." International Journal on Vitamin Nutrition Research Vol. 65 (1995) Pgs. 117-120]
  
  

The role of vitamins and minerals are quite widely published, but we include here a segment from our website on Arginine because it is an amino acid with immune system power. Most texts and research articles do not involve amino acids, but you should include them in a complete program for maximum results.

Arginine significantly contributes to insulin production, muscle metabolism, liver lipid metabolism, and is a component of collagen. It enhances the immune system, specifically by stimulating the thymus gland and the manufacture of T cells. This increase in T cell activity can be effective in fighting bacteria, viruses, cancer, tumor cells, AIDS, chronic fatigue, and other immune system related health challenges.

The following program contains specific nutrient levels found in the research documentation that we have reviewed. We have included a jump to our products because we have found them to be the most comprehensive in quality, coverage, and quantity for the price.

• High-potency multiple vitamin/mineral/amino acid supplement: Ultra Body Toddy (16 vitamins, 72 minerals, 18 amino acids, phytonutrients, and antioxidants).
  
  
• Essential Fatty Acids: EFA Plus (cell formation, protects lining of the colon).

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Foods that provide antioxidant and immune system support are those food sources of antioxidant nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Selenium. Also, studies show that thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2, and pantothenic acid (B5) deficiencies lead to reduced antibody response, decreased white blood cell response, and atrophy of the thymus and lymph tissue. Deficiency of vitamins B6, B12, and Folic Acid have also been shown to result in atrophy (shrinkage) of the thumus and lymph nodes and significantly impaired white blood cell function. Food sources of each of these nutrients as well as many others is contained within the discussion of that nutrient in our web area "Pick A Nutrient..."

For example, look at niacin (Vitamin B3) and you will see that fish, poultry, eggs, rice and sunflower seeds are good sources of niacin. Click here for natural sources of vitamin B5.

We have had several individuals on chemotherapy that felt the toddy supplement gave them a greater the ability to handle their compromised body system. We do have a 100% money back guarantee, so unless other issues dominate the decision, your sister should give our program a try.

The best program is full spectrum supplementation with Ultra Body Toddy (vitamins, minerals and amino acids) and EFA Plus for essential fatty acids to assure the presence of all nutrients every day. Hope this helps. If you have added questions call us, or write again!

I'm looking forward to your Cancer site, due March 2nd, 2000. I'm looking for information, about Children with Leukemia, and diets they should be following. Time is of the essence, as Zachary is currently fighting this disease. Can you provide any information, or let me know of a good site I can visit? Thanks in advance.

Here is a list of nutrients that are important in any cancer:

• Coenzyme Q10: Improves cellular oxygenation.
  
• Dimethylglycine: Enhances oxygen utilization
  
• Garlic: Enhances immune function
  
• Melatonin: A powerful antioxidant that also aids sleep
  
• Natural beta-carotene: Needed by all cells for repair and rebuilding
  
• Omega 3,6 & 9: For repair and production of new cells
  
• Grape seed extract: Powerful free radical scavengers
  
• Selenium: Powerful free radical scavenger also aids in protein digestion
  
• Shark Cartilage: Has been shown to inhibit and even reverse the growth of some types of tumors. Also stimulates the immune system.
  
• Superoxide dismutase (SOD): Destroys free radicals
  
• Vitamin A: People with cancer require higher than normal amounts of this antioxidant
  
• Vitamin E: A powerful antioxidant and cancer fighter
  
• Vitamin B complex plus brewer's yeast: Necessary for normal cell division and function
  
• Vitamin C: Powerful anticancer agent that promotes the production of interferon in the body
  
• Acidophilus: Has an antibacterial effect on the body. Use a nondairy formula.
  
  

The Ultra Body Toddy is a good source of all the vitamins and minerals with the extra supplements such as Coenzyme Q10, SOD, Dimethylglycine, etc.

Ideas on foods to eat: Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Also yellow and deep-orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, squash, and yams. Apples, berries, Brazil nuts, cantaloupes, cherries, grapes, legumes and plums all help to fight cancer. Berries protect DNA from damage.

Drink beet juice (from roots and greens), carrot juice, fresh cabbage juice, and asparagus juice often. Grape, black cherry and all dark-colored juices are good, as are black currants. Also beneficial is apple juice, if it is fresh. Fruit juices are best taken in the AM vegetable juices in PM. Drink spring or steam-distilled water only, not tap water. Do not eat any animal protein-never eat luncheon meat, hot dogs, or smoked or cured meats. Eat ten raw almonds every day. They contain laetrile, which has anticancer properties. Eat onions and garlic, or take garlic in supplement form. Cat's claw (an herb) enhances immune function and has anti-tumor properties. As far as alternative choices for cancer, here are a few books that you might want to check out.

Richard Walters' Options: The Alternative Cancer Therapy Book (Avery Publishing Group, 1993). Ralph Moss's Cancer Therapy: The Independent Consumer's Guide to Non-Toxic Treatment and prevention (Equinox Press, 1995).

Another good source of information is John Fink's Third Opinion: An International Directory to Alternative Therapy Centers for the treatment and Prevention of Cancer and Other Degenerative Diseases (Avery Publishing Group, 1992).

Hope this information will be helpful to you.

My wife recently had a complete hysterectomy due to cancer. She was taking Esclim 0.1 mg a day. She began having side effects such as acheness in the arms, blurred vision at times, hard to sleep at night due to the acheness, & burning of the kidney (she only has one). We would like to pursue natural medicine to replace the Esclim and now the Premarin 0.9 mg a day. The Premarin was given as a replacement to the Esclim. Once she stopped the Esclim the side effects went away. She is now on the Premarin and they have returned. We thought about taking her off the estrogen completely but her Dr. warned us about the side effects not taking the Premarin. So we're caught between a rock and a hard place. We want natural medicine! What resource can you recommend or even better an herb(s) to replace the Premarin...or is there any? If she decides to go off the Premarin is there an herb she can take to counter the associated side effects such as heart disease?

Yes there is something you can take. There is a supplement that contains herbs and vitamins with phytoestrogens (a plant that has natural estrogen). It's a supplement especially for women going through menopause or estrogen deficient problems. Unfortunately, the company that we are affiliated with, doesn't carry it. A gym called "Curves for Women" does carry a product called herbalfem. Dr. Whiting is the brains behind the formula. He is associated with our company and recommended this supplement for you. He said that women are raving about it. You need to take the formula and keep a check on your hormone levels to see where you're at as far as getting completely off of the premarin. I'm sure you can eventually get off of it. I wouldn't do it "cold turkey". The great news about it is that there are no side effects!

Some of the ingredients in the formula are: Vit. B family, flavones, saponins, phytoestrogens, isoflavones (soy life), ligans (flaxseed), ipriflavones, lectihin, damiana leaf, donquai root extract, licorice root, mexican yam root, black cohosh root, white peony root, schizandra berries, hesperidin, suma root, and red raspberry leaf. If you can find anything close to this formula, you'll be doing good. I'm not sure where you live, but if you have a "Curves for Women" gym in your area, you can get this supplement from them. I called Livingston, MT and they sell it for $20.00 a bottle that has 90 capsules. You would need to take 6 caps. a day. Their toll free# is 877-306-1655.

It's also very important to nourish the entire body. It could be that she's experiencing some of the side effects because her body doesn't have enough nutrients to take care of the toxins that come from the medicine. I would highly recommend getting on a full spectrum supplement. The Ultra Toddy would be the best because of all the antioxidants and the liquid form makes it more bio-available to her body. Also extra trace minerals and EFA (essential fatty acids). All of these are very important in maintaining your health and giving the body what it needs to deal with repairing, healing and balancing the body.

Any kind of cancer needs to be treated with a lot of antioxidants. This is important for prevention as well as treatment. Garlic is another great supplement. The essential fatty acids are important as well. Shark cartilage is great for constricting new blood growth so it reduces tumors.

Acidophilus is a helpful in rebuilding the body's immune system also has a antibacterial effect on the body. Raw almonds are a good food to eat. They contain laetrile, which has anticancer properties. Always drink plenty of water and add to your daily menu lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

You'll also want to get on a full spectrum daily supplement. This will make sure your body has everything it needs to help heal itself. Also this will balance your body and anything extra you supplement with will not throw your body out of balance. Check out our web site for the Ultra Toddy. This has an extra amount of antioxidants and things specifically you would need for the pre-cancer.

Adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet is also important for diverticulitis. If you're not used to eating a lot of fiber you'll have to take it easy at first. Be careful not to add too much too soon. You don't want to cause an increase of stress on your body by pushing things through too fast.

Smoking and stress make the symptoms worse, so along with eating better you need to decrease stress and smoking.

It's very important with diverticulitis to take acidophilus, this replaces the flora that is lost and it aids assimilation and elimination. Fiber like oat bran, psyllium, or ground flaxseeds is very important as well. My husband uses psyllium husks and gets great results with it.

You'll want to get on a multi-enzyme as well to help with assimilation which is one of the problems with diverticulitis. We do carry one, you can check the website for this as well. Good luck in your quest for successful options.

You have a wonderful website! It is very informative and in laymen's terms. My mother has breast cancer at age 52, for the second time, and is terminal. She is the first in the family to have breast cancer. She had a full radical masectomy back in 1995 and went into remission.

I am concerned about myself. I am a 29 year old with a good health history. I work out, do not smoke, however, I do drink occasionally. I take a multi-vitamin everyday and sometimes extra doses of vitamin C. And as you can imagine, I have high stress right now due to my mother's condition.

Do you have any other suggestions for me as far as preventative actions I can take now? Am I too young for a mammogram? Thanks for your time,

You are correct to maintain a high level of concern since you may have a genetic tendency to have the same weak areas in your body where cancer can develop. My father and grandfather both died from colon cancer; so we are very colon health conscious in my family. You are not too young for a mammogram, although most likely it would show nothing developing since you are still quite young.

Remember that every living organism fights cancerous substances every day from air, food, water, etc. Your best defense is a healthy lifestyle (which it sounds like you are trying to have with daily exercise and supplementation). To minimize the chance that cancer will develop in a weak area of your body you will want to take high levels of proven cancer preventing antioxidants, like those in our Cell Shield product.

Also, make sure your multivitamin/mineral is very comprehensive in its coverage of vitamins and minerals (compare Nutrient Quantities to our Ultra Body Toddy).

Avoiding toxins and keeping supplementation to rid the body of toxins are two mandatory areas that should exist in a cancer prevention program. I like the Ultra Toddy because it is a complete liquid, and on a high stress day you can just pour out a little more and get an extra amount of all nutrients in proportional relation to each other. Something that is impossible to do with capsule supplements.

Good luck in your health program. We would love to serve you with our supplement line. If you have more questions or items to discuss please call or e-mail.