veNTIlATIoN - Green Cross Publishing

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patient’s perspective
Fighting cancer with food
Taking responsibility for one’s diet, the book says, gives the
patient a positive sense of control, known to enhance the
immune system. A cancer patient like myself, who also likes
cooking and eating, gets added benefits: 100 wonderfully
varied and imaginative recipes and up-to-date scientifically
researched explanations of the benefits for cancer prevention
and treatment of specific ingredients. Interestingly, the book
is a collaboration between a scientist, a dietitian, cancer
researchers and leading chefs.
Another book, Foods to Fight Cancer, concentrates on the
causes of cancer and, as the title suggests, the role played
by food in combating it. In the introduction, it explains the
challenge posed by all forms of cancer and outlines the path
of progression from the initial stages to metastasis: “… trying
to destroy these primitive cells is like trying to snuff out the
very adaptation skills and strengths that allowed us originally
to evolve into what we are now. It means trying to destroy the
forces that lie at the very heart of life.”
The best hope of counteracting cancer, say the authors, is
when and where it is at its most vulnerable: at the early stage
of angiogenesis, when the tumour is attempting to consolidate
its oxygen and nutrition supply through setting up a network
of feeder capillaries. And, of course, as the authors show,
significant quantities of anti-angiogenic molecules are present
in fruit and vegetables. Consuming these allows small doses of
natural cancer agents to be ingested daily — fighting cancer at
the source.
An insight into the subtle chemistry at work was the
presentation of research showing the synergistic anti-cancer
power of combining ingredients like turmeric and peppers;
tomatoes and olive oil etc. Of course, this makes the case for
the use of a broad range of ingredients in cooking.
science of nutrients
The science of this is clearly explained, starting with drawing
a distinction for the lay reader between macronutrients
(carbohydrates, proteins, fats), micronutrients (usually defined
as vitamins and minerals) and phytochemicals (essentially the
plant’s protective chemistry).
The latter target the processes used in the development
of a tumour, both in the anti-angiogenic process — already
mentioned and apoptosis — the amazing process by which
cells, compromised by disease, are programmed to selfdestruct.
In other words, the right nutrition provides a nontoxic
chemotherapy.
The author’s conclusion is as follows: “A diet based on a
regular intake of foods containing high levels of phytochemical
compounds represents the strongest weapon currently at our
disposal in the prevention of cancer ... cancer no longer has
to be a fatal disease; it can become a chronic one, requiring
constant and continuous treatment ... This is achieved over and
above all through diet.”
These ‘wonder foods’ are actually well known: cabbages,
broccoli, sprouts, cauliflower, garlic, the onion family, soya,
turmeric, green tea, berries, red tomato, oily fish, and citrus
fruit. These foods provide a virtual cocktail of anti-cancer
phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals. Red wine and dark
chocolate are also listed, but are only of benefit when eaten in
very modest quantities.
china syndrome
In The China Study by Colin Campbell, the topical example of
the promotion of lycopene by pharma companies as the latest
magic bullet is examined. Lycopene is a phytochemical which
gives tomatoes their red skin and is now known to have anticancer
properties. Campbell calls this promotion of isolated
qualities ‘scientific reductionism’.
“Consuming one carotenoid (in this case, lycopene) in the
form of a pill will never be the same as eating the whole food
which provides the natural network of health-supporting
nutrients.” Campbell has a right go at the food, agriculture
and pharma industries for what he perceives as their negative
influence on the formulation of health and nutrition policies
in the US. This is an issue not addressed in the other books
and one which ought to be of great interest to policy makers,
including the general public.
At the centre of The China Study is a report on an
international study of death rates from cancer across 2,400
Chinese counties: the New York Times called it the Grand Prix
of Epidemiology. On prostate cancer, the study found the
lowest death rates correlated with the lowest intake of meat,
dairy and other saturated fats, and vice versa. The book has
been criticised for advocating an extreme vegetarian diet,
even though Chinese cuisine includes, albeit small quantities
generally, meat and fish.
The clincher for me was the statement that migration from
all Asian to Western countries (and diets) is reflected in higher
prostate cancer rates, which also occurs amongst those Asians
who stay at home and migrate socially whereby they are able
to afford more meat in their diet.
On the theme of the quick fix of popping pills to counteract
an inadequate or inappropriate diet, a reviewer summed up
the importance of The China Study as follows: “If you want to
eat bacon and eggs for breakfast and then take cholesterollowering
medication, that’s your right. But if you truly want to
take charge of your health, read this book.”
conclusion
It is clear from all three books that prevention is the best cure.
That may be small consolation when you already have been
diagnosed with the disease. However, you have to start out
from where you’re at. In attempting to glean a sense of not
being entirely hopeless — that I can have some influence or
control over my cancer — I believe, these three books can help.
What’s in it for the health professional is accessible, up-todate
information on the science of identifying the optimal
health-promoting substances to be found in a range of foods.
Further reading
Healthy Eating: The Prostate Care Cookbook. Margaret Rayman,
et al. Kyle Cathie, London, 2009.
Foods to Fight Cancer. Richard Beliveau, Dennis Gingras. Dorling
Kindersley, London, 2007.
The China Study. T Colin Campbell, Thomas M Campbell. Ben
Bella Books, Dallas, 2006.