Melanoma and diet
Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 6:16 am
We received the following mail: -
“Do you know anything about melanoma that you could share with me? My brother died of melanoma about a year ago, and I have had 5 melanoma surgeries in the past 7 months. I was told that they are of a rare nature, where most of the cells are not pigmented, which makes it difficult.
I believe there to be spiritual problems associated with nearly every illness, and have a book about it. However, they say little about melanoma. However, I have heard of places on this earth where people are constantly exposed to the sun and are not particularly of dark complexion, and that it must be something in the diet.
And so, I wanted to inquire of someone there as to whether or not you know about this diet element in fighting recurring melanoma (all surgeries in same area on the arm--I am 58, blue eyes, blondish hair, and grew up in Florida sunshine).”
In reply, we sent to her the following “Research Work”: -
"Without going into the details of causes of melanoma, we may briefly tell you that the main cause can be increased exposure to carcinogens and other toxins in the environment. In the case of melanoma, it is possible that exposure to the carcinogen – the sun’s rays – may be greater now as a result of our outdoor lifestyle choices and thinning of the ozone layer that formerly more effectively limited the amount of ultraviolet light hitting the earth. Or could it be that our diets these days consist of fewer of the foods with cancer fighting properties? From the literature we have come across, it seems that the answer may be a bit of both. Rogue cells have always been part of our existence – but it is conceivable that an increasing exposure to environmental toxins and a decrease in our bodies’ ability to deal with cellular changes caused by these toxins because of poor diet and compromised immune systems might be playing a role in the current high rates of cancer.
One relatively recent study suggested that diet is second only to tobacco as a risk factor for cancer, accounting for about 30% of cancers in developed countries. It may not be so much the bad things we eat, but the good things that are missing from our diets. With the popularity of processed snack foods, many of us are not getting the recommended number of daily servings of fruits and vegetables containing natural plant phytochemicals. These phytochemicals have interested cancer researchers for some time and include phytoestrogens (such as isoflavones, coumestans, and lignans), isothiocyanates, and polyphenols such as flavonoids (i.e. catechins) and flavenols (i.e. quercetin). The risk of melanoma has been shown to be lower in people who get more vitamin D, alpha carotene, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and lycopene in their diets.
[An informative website for learning about these compounds and ways to incorporate them into your diet (including recipes) can be found at: http://www.cancerproject.org/medicine/p ... icals.html.]
Below is a list of foods, which are recommended to be incorporated into diet and some of the reasons why the particular food might be beneficial. Wherever possible, we have included foods that have been studied in relation to melanoma, but many have also generated interest for the prevention or treatment of other cancers as well.
Soy
Soybeans contain an abundance of phytoestrogens, including isoflavones, which are believed to protect against certain cancers. In a study on mice, adding soy protein to the diet dramatically reduced the extent of melanoma metastasis. Mice were intravenously injected with live melanoma cells and some were fed a diet high in soy protein while others received regular mouse food. After a period of time on this diet, it was discovered that 80 percent of the standard diet/control mice had more than ten distinct areas of melanoma growing in their lungs, while only 22 percent of the soy fed mice contained more than ten metastases. In addition, the median number of tumors in mice where soy protein comprised 0%, 10%, 15% and 20% of their diet was 53, 2, 2, and 1, respectively. A follow up study where mice were fed the soybean isoflavones genistein and daidzein showed a similarly dramatic reduction in tumor number and size.
How much soy to eat? It is hard to say since the same studies that have been done on mice have so far not been done on humans. What works for mice may not work for us. However, the amount that was shown to be effective in mice would equate to a lot of soy. While tofu and soymilk are good sources of isoflavones, we recommend trying to eat soy products that are less processed, such as edamame or soynuts. Both make great snacks.
Flax
Flax seed is a rich source of lignans, a natural plant phytoestrogen compound with cancer fighting properties. Lignans are found in many plants, but the concentration in flax is particularly high. Researchers have investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of flax on mice with melanoma, finding a substantial reduction in tumor occurrence compared to mice not fed flax13. The median number of tumors in mice fed diets supplemented with 2.5%, 5%, and 10% flax was 32%, 54%, and 63% lower than that of mice fed no flax, respectively. The addition of flaxseed to the diet also resulted in reduced tumor size and volume.
Flax seed oil is convenient and widely available, but not all of the good things about flax end up in the oil - lignans are most abundant in the hulls of flax seed. Some flax seed oil blends include plenty of hull particles. But because oils can change chemically with processing and storage, we recommend grinding whole fresh seeds into a coarse meal using a coffee grinder and adding them to cereal and smoothies. The whole raw seeds make an interesting nutty-tasting snack on their own. Eating the whole seeds requires quite a bit of chewing though… without chewing, the whole seeds mostly pass through the body undigested.
Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, beets and other orange and red vegetables
Carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lycopene that are found in many yellow and red vegetables are powerful antioxidants that protect cells from free radicals that can damage DNA and lead to cancer. The beneficial effects of beta-carotenes to the skin are shown by studies that have linked beta-carotene consumption with reduced reactions to sunburns. In addition, one recent study showed that mice with melanoma fed a diet supplemented with beta-carotene had 71% fewer tumors than mice not fed beta-carotene15. Some carotenoids are vitamin A precursors and vitamin A supplements have also been shown to reduce melanoma tumor size and extent of metastases in mice. [Note: Vitamin A supplements can be very toxic when taken in large amounts – so be careful.]
One great way of ingesting a large quantity of beta-carotene (and vitamin A precursors) is by drinking lots of fresh carrot juice. When making juice, we recommend adding a beet, celery stalks, a few collard green leaves, or even broccoli stalks and kale stems that might otherwise be thrown away, to the mix.
Lycopene -another type of carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red color - has been shown to reduce the risk of prostrate cancer. A diet consisting of one tomato product serving a day or five servings a week has been recommended for protection against prostate cancer and other malignancies.
Cruciferous vegetables
Studies have associated diets high in cruciferous vegetables with lower risk for breast, lung, stomach, colorectal, prostate, and bladder cancers in humans. Isothiocyanates and other plant phytochemicals with cancer fighting properties are very abundant in this vegetable group which includes broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, kohlrabi, collard greens, mustard greens, turnips, and water cress. Several laboratory studies have suggested that cruciferous vegetables help regulate a complex system of bodily enzymes that defend against cancer. Isothiocyanate compounds have been shown to arrest cell growth and even kill melanoma cells in culture in the laboratory. In the body, these compounds are thought to exert their anti-cancer effects by activating detoxifying proteins that scavenge for cancer-causing molecules. The more bitter the aftertaste may possibly mean the better for you – mustard greens, collard greens, and brussel sprouts contain among the highest
levels of several of these beneficial compounds.
Fruit
Many fruits contain phytochemicals including flavonoids such as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins, like other antioxidants, help neutralize the negative by-products of metabolism called free radicals, which can damage DNA molecules and lead to cancer. Antioxidants also counteract environmental carcinogens, protect against cardiovascular disease, fight sun damage to skin and may thwart the effects of Alzheimer's and other age-related diseases. Not all fruits are created equal. Wild blueberries apparently contain some of the highest levels of anthocyanins of any fruit. One study showed that isoprenoids found in fruits (and vegetables) actually suppressed the proliferation of mouse melanoma cells. A great way to get plenty of fruit in the diet is to make smoothies using frozen and/or fresh fruit. To enhance intake of phytoestrogens as well, we recommend use of soymilk when making smoothies and add a few tablespoons of ground flax seed to the mix.
Green tea
Green tea is rich in polyphenols such as catechins that have generated considerable interest among cancer researchers. Studies have linked regular green tea consumption with reduced cancer risk and there is some evidence that green tea might prove to be effective for cancer treatment as well. Compounds found in green tea are believed to be especially effective at preventing skin cancers. In one study, extracts of green tea applied to the skin of rats inhibited the development of skin cancer in response to exposure to carcinogens including ultraviolet light. Green tea has also been shown to inhibit some of the cellular changes that result in melanoma metastases, and even directly reduce the incidence of lung metastases in mice. Interestingly, some of the same beneficial catechins are also found in dark chocolate, providing the characteristic bitter aftertaste.
Whole grains
Whole grains are rich in antioxidants and phytoestrogens and studies have shown that diets high in whole grains are protective against cancer. In addition, the beta-glucan found in whole grains such as barley and oats may play a role in enhancing immune response by stimulating macrophages to attack foreign bodies such as viruses and cancer cells. One study showed that treatment with beta-glucan increased the survival of mice with metastatic liver disease. Unfortunately, many of the grains we get in our diet are highly processed and have reduced levels of beneficial compounds.
Nuts
It is believed that vitamin E confers protection against some types of cancers. Nuts contain particularly high concentrations of this vitamin. In addition, compounds found in black walnuts, such as ellagic acid and juglone have been shown to reduce tumor growth rate in mice. Almonds also contain many phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants.
What to avoid
The only “food” for which we could find evidence about a positive association with melanoma was alcohol. In a study of a limited number of Australian women, those consuming two or more drinks a day had 2.5 times the risk of developing melanoma. This was only an observational study with many other possible confounding lifestyle factors. However, researchers have hypothesized that alcohol reduces the bodies’ ability to repair certain types of cell damage that can lead to cancer. Heavy drinking is probably something to avoid.
While many of the foods listed above are thought to help prevent certain cancers, their efficacy as cancer treatment has not been demonstrated, at least in humans. Studies on mice provide tantalizing clues that at least some plant phytochemicals may eventually prove useful in the treatment realm. Until much more is known, what we eat should be viewed as a supplement to other medical treatment, and not a substitute. However, with the adjuvant therapies available for melanoma today having only a limited apparent benefit to survival, the proportional impact of eating the right foods, even if it not great, may still is important.”
Can we have further comments about diet and treatment?
Alka Jain and Dr. Syed Mohsin Rizvi
http://www.homoeohelpline.netfirms.com
Have you visited our Web Site http://www.homoeohelpline.netfirms.com ? If you have not, please spare a few minutes and do so. After visiting the Site, do record your comments in the 'Visitor's Book'. They shall be valuable. We will be obliged.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
“Do you know anything about melanoma that you could share with me? My brother died of melanoma about a year ago, and I have had 5 melanoma surgeries in the past 7 months. I was told that they are of a rare nature, where most of the cells are not pigmented, which makes it difficult.
I believe there to be spiritual problems associated with nearly every illness, and have a book about it. However, they say little about melanoma. However, I have heard of places on this earth where people are constantly exposed to the sun and are not particularly of dark complexion, and that it must be something in the diet.
And so, I wanted to inquire of someone there as to whether or not you know about this diet element in fighting recurring melanoma (all surgeries in same area on the arm--I am 58, blue eyes, blondish hair, and grew up in Florida sunshine).”
In reply, we sent to her the following “Research Work”: -
"Without going into the details of causes of melanoma, we may briefly tell you that the main cause can be increased exposure to carcinogens and other toxins in the environment. In the case of melanoma, it is possible that exposure to the carcinogen – the sun’s rays – may be greater now as a result of our outdoor lifestyle choices and thinning of the ozone layer that formerly more effectively limited the amount of ultraviolet light hitting the earth. Or could it be that our diets these days consist of fewer of the foods with cancer fighting properties? From the literature we have come across, it seems that the answer may be a bit of both. Rogue cells have always been part of our existence – but it is conceivable that an increasing exposure to environmental toxins and a decrease in our bodies’ ability to deal with cellular changes caused by these toxins because of poor diet and compromised immune systems might be playing a role in the current high rates of cancer.
One relatively recent study suggested that diet is second only to tobacco as a risk factor for cancer, accounting for about 30% of cancers in developed countries. It may not be so much the bad things we eat, but the good things that are missing from our diets. With the popularity of processed snack foods, many of us are not getting the recommended number of daily servings of fruits and vegetables containing natural plant phytochemicals. These phytochemicals have interested cancer researchers for some time and include phytoestrogens (such as isoflavones, coumestans, and lignans), isothiocyanates, and polyphenols such as flavonoids (i.e. catechins) and flavenols (i.e. quercetin). The risk of melanoma has been shown to be lower in people who get more vitamin D, alpha carotene, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and lycopene in their diets.
[An informative website for learning about these compounds and ways to incorporate them into your diet (including recipes) can be found at: http://www.cancerproject.org/medicine/p ... icals.html.]
Below is a list of foods, which are recommended to be incorporated into diet and some of the reasons why the particular food might be beneficial. Wherever possible, we have included foods that have been studied in relation to melanoma, but many have also generated interest for the prevention or treatment of other cancers as well.
Soy
Soybeans contain an abundance of phytoestrogens, including isoflavones, which are believed to protect against certain cancers. In a study on mice, adding soy protein to the diet dramatically reduced the extent of melanoma metastasis. Mice were intravenously injected with live melanoma cells and some were fed a diet high in soy protein while others received regular mouse food. After a period of time on this diet, it was discovered that 80 percent of the standard diet/control mice had more than ten distinct areas of melanoma growing in their lungs, while only 22 percent of the soy fed mice contained more than ten metastases. In addition, the median number of tumors in mice where soy protein comprised 0%, 10%, 15% and 20% of their diet was 53, 2, 2, and 1, respectively. A follow up study where mice were fed the soybean isoflavones genistein and daidzein showed a similarly dramatic reduction in tumor number and size.
How much soy to eat? It is hard to say since the same studies that have been done on mice have so far not been done on humans. What works for mice may not work for us. However, the amount that was shown to be effective in mice would equate to a lot of soy. While tofu and soymilk are good sources of isoflavones, we recommend trying to eat soy products that are less processed, such as edamame or soynuts. Both make great snacks.
Flax
Flax seed is a rich source of lignans, a natural plant phytoestrogen compound with cancer fighting properties. Lignans are found in many plants, but the concentration in flax is particularly high. Researchers have investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of flax on mice with melanoma, finding a substantial reduction in tumor occurrence compared to mice not fed flax13. The median number of tumors in mice fed diets supplemented with 2.5%, 5%, and 10% flax was 32%, 54%, and 63% lower than that of mice fed no flax, respectively. The addition of flaxseed to the diet also resulted in reduced tumor size and volume.
Flax seed oil is convenient and widely available, but not all of the good things about flax end up in the oil - lignans are most abundant in the hulls of flax seed. Some flax seed oil blends include plenty of hull particles. But because oils can change chemically with processing and storage, we recommend grinding whole fresh seeds into a coarse meal using a coffee grinder and adding them to cereal and smoothies. The whole raw seeds make an interesting nutty-tasting snack on their own. Eating the whole seeds requires quite a bit of chewing though… without chewing, the whole seeds mostly pass through the body undigested.
Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, beets and other orange and red vegetables
Carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lycopene that are found in many yellow and red vegetables are powerful antioxidants that protect cells from free radicals that can damage DNA and lead to cancer. The beneficial effects of beta-carotenes to the skin are shown by studies that have linked beta-carotene consumption with reduced reactions to sunburns. In addition, one recent study showed that mice with melanoma fed a diet supplemented with beta-carotene had 71% fewer tumors than mice not fed beta-carotene15. Some carotenoids are vitamin A precursors and vitamin A supplements have also been shown to reduce melanoma tumor size and extent of metastases in mice. [Note: Vitamin A supplements can be very toxic when taken in large amounts – so be careful.]
One great way of ingesting a large quantity of beta-carotene (and vitamin A precursors) is by drinking lots of fresh carrot juice. When making juice, we recommend adding a beet, celery stalks, a few collard green leaves, or even broccoli stalks and kale stems that might otherwise be thrown away, to the mix.
Lycopene -another type of carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red color - has been shown to reduce the risk of prostrate cancer. A diet consisting of one tomato product serving a day or five servings a week has been recommended for protection against prostate cancer and other malignancies.
Cruciferous vegetables
Studies have associated diets high in cruciferous vegetables with lower risk for breast, lung, stomach, colorectal, prostate, and bladder cancers in humans. Isothiocyanates and other plant phytochemicals with cancer fighting properties are very abundant in this vegetable group which includes broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, kohlrabi, collard greens, mustard greens, turnips, and water cress. Several laboratory studies have suggested that cruciferous vegetables help regulate a complex system of bodily enzymes that defend against cancer. Isothiocyanate compounds have been shown to arrest cell growth and even kill melanoma cells in culture in the laboratory. In the body, these compounds are thought to exert their anti-cancer effects by activating detoxifying proteins that scavenge for cancer-causing molecules. The more bitter the aftertaste may possibly mean the better for you – mustard greens, collard greens, and brussel sprouts contain among the highest
levels of several of these beneficial compounds.
Fruit
Many fruits contain phytochemicals including flavonoids such as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins, like other antioxidants, help neutralize the negative by-products of metabolism called free radicals, which can damage DNA molecules and lead to cancer. Antioxidants also counteract environmental carcinogens, protect against cardiovascular disease, fight sun damage to skin and may thwart the effects of Alzheimer's and other age-related diseases. Not all fruits are created equal. Wild blueberries apparently contain some of the highest levels of anthocyanins of any fruit. One study showed that isoprenoids found in fruits (and vegetables) actually suppressed the proliferation of mouse melanoma cells. A great way to get plenty of fruit in the diet is to make smoothies using frozen and/or fresh fruit. To enhance intake of phytoestrogens as well, we recommend use of soymilk when making smoothies and add a few tablespoons of ground flax seed to the mix.
Green tea
Green tea is rich in polyphenols such as catechins that have generated considerable interest among cancer researchers. Studies have linked regular green tea consumption with reduced cancer risk and there is some evidence that green tea might prove to be effective for cancer treatment as well. Compounds found in green tea are believed to be especially effective at preventing skin cancers. In one study, extracts of green tea applied to the skin of rats inhibited the development of skin cancer in response to exposure to carcinogens including ultraviolet light. Green tea has also been shown to inhibit some of the cellular changes that result in melanoma metastases, and even directly reduce the incidence of lung metastases in mice. Interestingly, some of the same beneficial catechins are also found in dark chocolate, providing the characteristic bitter aftertaste.
Whole grains
Whole grains are rich in antioxidants and phytoestrogens and studies have shown that diets high in whole grains are protective against cancer. In addition, the beta-glucan found in whole grains such as barley and oats may play a role in enhancing immune response by stimulating macrophages to attack foreign bodies such as viruses and cancer cells. One study showed that treatment with beta-glucan increased the survival of mice with metastatic liver disease. Unfortunately, many of the grains we get in our diet are highly processed and have reduced levels of beneficial compounds.
Nuts
It is believed that vitamin E confers protection against some types of cancers. Nuts contain particularly high concentrations of this vitamin. In addition, compounds found in black walnuts, such as ellagic acid and juglone have been shown to reduce tumor growth rate in mice. Almonds also contain many phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants.
What to avoid
The only “food” for which we could find evidence about a positive association with melanoma was alcohol. In a study of a limited number of Australian women, those consuming two or more drinks a day had 2.5 times the risk of developing melanoma. This was only an observational study with many other possible confounding lifestyle factors. However, researchers have hypothesized that alcohol reduces the bodies’ ability to repair certain types of cell damage that can lead to cancer. Heavy drinking is probably something to avoid.
While many of the foods listed above are thought to help prevent certain cancers, their efficacy as cancer treatment has not been demonstrated, at least in humans. Studies on mice provide tantalizing clues that at least some plant phytochemicals may eventually prove useful in the treatment realm. Until much more is known, what we eat should be viewed as a supplement to other medical treatment, and not a substitute. However, with the adjuvant therapies available for melanoma today having only a limited apparent benefit to survival, the proportional impact of eating the right foods, even if it not great, may still is important.”
Can we have further comments about diet and treatment?
Alka Jain and Dr. Syed Mohsin Rizvi
http://www.homoeohelpline.netfirms.com
Have you visited our Web Site http://www.homoeohelpline.netfirms.com ? If you have not, please spare a few minutes and do so. After visiting the Site, do record your comments in the 'Visitor's Book'. They shall be valuable. We will be obliged.
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