Diet May Affect How Our Bodies Fight Cancer. Article

[COUNTRYBUMPKIN]

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

[crdurham]

I am a fish eater....lol... lots of the good stuff!!

Thanks for sharing this with us.