Cancer is the second major cause of death (after heart disease) in the United States. It claims the lives of more than half a million Americans a year out of the nearly 1.4 million who get the disease. The probability of getting cancer increases with age. Two-thirds of all cases are in people older than 65. According to the American Cancer Society, one in two men and one in three women will face cancer during their lifetimes.

How much do you know about cancer? Please take this short quiz.

1. About 25% of all cancers are caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices. True or False?

2. Excess fat and insufficient fiber are the primary culprits in your diet that stimulate cancer growth. True or False?

3. If you have a family history of cancer, there isn't much you can do to prevent a similar diagnosis. True or False?

4. The leading cause of death among women over age 50 is cancer. True or False?

5. Antioxidants like vitamin E, selenium, and beta-carotene can help prevent cancer. True or False?

1. False -- An estimated 80% to 90% of cancers are the result of poor lifestyle choices -- which means that you can dramatically decrease your risk of cancer simply by choosing a healthy lifestyle.

2.True -- The easiest way to avoid these is to eat a plant-based diet, which is naturally low in fat and high in fiber.

3.False -- Although your risk of cancer increases if you have a family history, there are many things you can do to lessen your risk. For instance, a healthy diet, low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables, as well as targeted nutritional supplements, have many healthy benefits, including lowering your risk of cancer.

4.False -- Though many women fear cancer -- in particular, breast cancer -- more than any other illness, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women and men over age 50.

5.True -- Antioxidants like vitamin E and Selenium are critical in fighting free radicals, potential cancer triggers. One of the many studies supporting the protective properties of supplemental antioxidants was conducted by the National Institute of Cancer and carried out in the Linxian province of China, an area with a high incidence of cancer of the esophagus. Over 30,000 people were followed for five years on various combinations of nutritional supplements. The group taking vitamin E and selenium had a 13% reduction in cancer mortality and a 21% drop in incidence of stomach cancer.  

It appears that you significantly cut your cancer risk by how you choose to lead your life. That is the bright consensus of an international panel convened by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund.

The panel found four keyways to reduce the odds of getting cancer: eat the right foods, exercise, watch your weight, and do not smoke. The experts reviewed diet and cancer findings from over 4,500 studies to reach this consensus.

The key to preventing cancer is to minimize your exposure to carcinogens. Quitting smoking is essential. Reduce your intake of smoked, charred, pickled, and salt-cured meat is also believed to be helpful. Refined grains (such as white flour) may also increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Eating a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may also lower your chance of developing various forms of cancer. Vegetables in the broccoli family may be particularly helpful for breast cancer prevention.

IP-6 is a naturally occurring substance found in grains, especially corn, and in legumes. It has several special qualities but perhaps the most dramatic effect of this remarkable substance is that of an anti-cancer agent. IP-6 improves natural killer cell activity and is absorbed by cancer cells, where it stops cell proliferation and restores normal function.

IP -6 is thought to be the substance in fiber that prevents colon cancer. Also, studies in Finland show that eating a high fat diet along with a diet rich in this substance yields a much lower incidence of cancer e.g. breast cancer, than countries such as the USA with less fat consumption. IP -6 is among the most powerful cancer prevention substances known, even more so than Green Tea. Malignant cells instantly absorb these nutrients where it persuades them to convert to normal cells. Tumors given these nutrients tend to shrink and disappear. Regular chemotherapy destroys cancer cells and adds a toxic load onto the body as it attempts to clear cellular debris. IP -6 do not do this. Chemotherapy wrecks the immune system. IP -6 boosts the immune system, especially the Natural Killer (NK) cells that attack cancer. Cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapy drugs. They cannot become resistant to IP -6. IP -6 increases the activity of the tumor suppressor gene, P53 by seventeen fold. The P53 gene is responsible for inhibiting the pathway that allows normal cells to become cancerous.

IP -6 has been used against a wide variety of cancers. Blood based cancers such as leukemia are the most sensitive, with solid tumors needing a larger dose. Most studies at this point have used either animals or human cancer cells in vitro, i.e. in a test tube. As an example, adding IP -6 to human liver cancer cells resulted in complete inhibition of tumors. Human liver cancer cells injected into mice resulted in 71% tumors. Cells pretreated with IP -6 resulted in no tumors. Pre-existing liver cancers regressed. In another study with Rhabdomyosarcoma, tumors were suppressed from 25 to 49 fold!

AbulKalam M. Shamsuddin, MD, PhD., a professor of pathology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, has written a book (Nature's Revolutionary Cancer-Fighter, Kensington Publishing Corp.) about his studies of IP-6. His research has shown that it can slow or stop the growth of liver cancer cells in the laboratory and in mice. Dr. Shamsuddin has reported that while IP-6 doesn't actually kill cancer cells, it makes them behave like normal cells, thus eliminating the danger they pose. A number of laboratory studies have confirmed his findings. Research suggests that IP-6 can boost immune function, help lower cholesterol, prevent formation of kidney stones, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and prevent the complications of diabetes.

IP -6 is a strong antioxidant and also a strong anti-inflammatory. Asbestos given to rats resulted in lung inflammation and fibrosis. IP -6 reduced this by 6 to 30 fold! IP -6 reduces the incidence of kidney stones in those prone to them. It is also useful in cardiovascular disease. IP -6 inhibited platelet aggregation (stickiness) by 45% in rats. Platelet aggregation causes blood clots which cause heart attacks and stroke. Other studies with animals showed cholesterol lowered by 19% and triglycerides by 65% when IP -6 was added to their chow.

IP -6 inhibits hemoglobin S, the agent that is responsible for sickle cell anemia. This is the only known substance which affects the source of sickle cell anemia.

IP -6 prevents fatty liver, prevents and treats the neural complications of diabetes, is an antidepressant at high doses and helps obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic attacks (also at high doses.)

For daily prevention, take IP -6 2 to 4 capsules per day in two divided doses is sufficient. Those at high risk for cancer, fatty liver, kidney stones, etc should take from 4 to 8 per day in two divided doses. Anyone with an active case of cancer should take from 10 to 16 capsules per day in two divided doses. All doses should be taken on an empty stomach.

Resistance Support Formula provides support for healthy immune function

Resistance Support Formula contains Siberian ginseng, Echinacea, Elderberry Powder, Goldenseal, Garlic, deglycyrrhizinated Licorice, Astragalus, Korean Ginseng, Bioflavonoids, Beta- Carotene, Lycopene, Reishi Mushroom and Lutein. Each component has been proved by clinical studies to be effective in improving immune function against infections.

Coenzyme Q10 has demonstrated its potent anti-cancer properties. In the early 1970s, Dr. Karl Folkers began testing CoQ10 as a supplement for cancer patients and documented unexpectedly longer survival with CoQ10 use. CoQ10 has been found to protect against chemotherapy induced cardiac toxicity, specifically from Adriamycin, which is known to cause heart damage. Studies have shown that cancer patients who take 90mg of CoQ10 per day may experience a reduction in pain and weight loss, increased appetite, and decrease of metastases. However, when doses are increased to 300-390mg daily, studies have reported partial and total tumor remission in some cancer patients. In several studies, CoQ10 worked wonders with patients who had chosen to take chemotherapy, reducing the toxicity of such treatment. In one study, patients who were given CoQ10 had little or no toxicity, even though they were given much larger doses of the toxic chemotherapy agent than were given to the control group. But now a new series of studies are turning up some even more exciting news. CoQ10 may be able to halt cancer. Dr. William Campbell Douglass reports low levels of CoQ10 were found in women with breast cancer and increased levels were associated with regression and remission. Among the studies, Dr. Karl Folkers of the University of Texas, Austin reports regression of breast cancer, not only at the original site, but even of cancer that had spread (metastasized) to the liver. European studies have confirmed this in breast and prostate cancer where patients who initially responded to CoQ10 continue to do well. This is a new development and not well understood but is being intensively researched. According to some recent research, "cancer may be thought of as a CoQ10 deficiency disease."

AIDS victims have far less CoQ10 in their blood than healthy people. In one study, patients given 200 mg a day of CoQ10 started feeling better soon after beginning treatment. The results were "very encouraging and, at times, even striking." In another study, patients with ARC (AIDS Related Complex) survived 4 to 5 years without exhibiting signs of the disease. CoQ10 is an immune system stimulant.

Anticholesterol "statin" drugs such as Mevacor, Zocor, Lescol,or Lipitor stop the body's ability to make CoQ10. Patients who are taking these statin drugs should supplement with 100mg of CoQ10 everyday. This will provide optimal antioxidant protection for LDL cholesterol, and it is oxidized cholesterol that causes problems.

NAC is a very potent antioxidant, chelating agent, and the precursor of one of the body's primary protective agents, Glutathione. NAC is easily absorbed and converted to l-cysteine, which is then converted to Glutathione. Glutathione neutralizes many free radicals and toxic chemicals. NAC and glutathione are two of the body's primary detoxifiers.

NAC has been shown to antidote acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning, Mercury poisoning, and even Arsenic poisoning. Mercury is especially important because of the increasing evidence linking Mercury amalgam dental fillings with the onset of degenerative diseases such as MS. NAC chelates, i.e. "grabs" heavy metals and removes them from the body.

NAC has been shown to be a protective agent in many diseases and conditions in which free radicals play a role. This includes cancer, AIDS, cirrhosis, as well as pollution damage from smoking or other chemicals. Rats given NAC were completely protected against cigarette smoke caused DNA cross-linking.

Cancer research has shown that NAC dramatically reduces the ability of a tumor to invade surrounding tissue. In one study, NAC decreased the number of metastases by 80% when cancer cells were pretreated with NAC. NAC has delayed the appearance of many kinds of tumors. NAC can be used for Colon Cancer Prevention. A preliminary double-blind placebo-controlled study of NAC enrolled 62 individuals, each of whom had had a polyp removed from the colon.11 The abnormal growth of polyps is closely associated with the development of colon cancer. In this study, the potential anticancer benefits of NAC treatment were evaluated by taking a biopsy of the rectum. Individuals taking NAC at 800 mg daily for 12 weeks showed more normal cells in the biopsied tissue as compared to those in the placebo group.

NAC has a long history of beneficial results in lung disease. In one study of patients with chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema, NAC significantly improved lung capacity, reduced coughing, and reduced mucous. In fact, NAC is marketed as an inhalant prescription drug under the name, Mucomyst, for dissolving mucous in the lungs. NAC also reduced the number of pathogenic bacteria growing in the lungs of these patients. Studies show that individuals who take NAC are only 1/3rd as likely to get flu symptoms when exposed to the virus as those who don't.

Immunologically, NAC greatly enhances T-cell production. In fact, all AIDS patients are deficient in NAC and glutathione. NAC suppresses the replication of HIV in vitro and enhances the ability of certain immune cells to kill pathogens. Low levels of glutathione were a better predictor of longevity than low CD4 cell counts. A double-blind study at Stanford University of 45 people, suggest that NAC may increase levels of CD4+ cells (a type of immune cell) in healthy people and slow CD4+ cell decline in people with HIV. Patient given 3200mg to 8000mg of NAC daily for six weeks were "roughly twice as likely to survive for two years as the subject that did not take NAC."

As a sulfur amino acid, NAC may cause nails and hair to grow as much as 100% faster.

NAC may inhibit aging. According to one theory it is mitrochondrial hydrogen peroxide that is the primary culprit in the aging process. NAC reduces 93% of intracellular hydrogen peroxide damage.

L-Cysteine is converted into toxic l-Cystine without Vitamin C. Vitamin C should always be taken with NAC.

Melatonin is a hormone excreted by the pineal gland at the base of the brain.

Melatonin has been shown to have increasing benefit for cancer. Studies suggest that it has immune system stimulating properties, and have benefits for preventing or treating cancer. Melatonin has been used with conventional anticancer therapy in more than a dozen clinical studies. Results have been surprisingly good. A double-blind study on 30 patients with advanced brain tumors suggested that melatonin might prolong life and also improve the quality of life. Participants received standard radiation treatment with or without 20 mg daily of melatonin. After 1 year, 6 of 14 individuals in the melatonin group were still alive, compared with just 1 of 16 from the control group. The melatonin group also had fewer side effects due to the radiation treatment -a notable improvement in their quality of life. Improvements in symptoms and a possible reduction of mortality were also seen in other studies. Melatonin appears to work by increasing levels of the body's own tumor-fighting proteins, known as cytokines. Studies show that Melatonin deficiency may be a cause of breast and prostate cancer or at least a guard against it. Melatonin prevents breast cancer cell division in estrogen-dependent and non-estrogen dependent cancers. In fact, one study showed that the reason meditation is beneficial in cancer therapy is that it boosts Melatonin production. Another study showed that Melatonin amplifies the immune effects of Interleukin-2 and protects against chemotherapy toxicity and radiation. 30 days of 10 mg per night Melatonin in solid tumor patients boosted their levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by 28%, gamma interferon by 51% and Interleukin-2 by 41%, a radical increase. In fact, the prescription drug, Neupogen, given to cancer and AIDS patients to stimulate their immune systems works by stimulating Melatonin secretion but it costs thousands of dollars. Melatonin rhythmicity (nightly secretion) is suppressed in cancer patients. Melatonin also counteracts the atrophy of the thymus gland, the master immune system gland. In another study, Melatonin protected the bone marrow from toxicity from cancer chemotherapy.

In one study, Melatonin was more effective than other antioxidants in protecting against oxidative damage. Melatonin protects against the degenerative diseases of aging, especially since Melatonin levels decrease with age. Melatonin scavenges the hydroxyl radical, perhaps the ultimate source of aging

According to one theory, the ratio of Melatonin to serotonin determines more than anything the rate of aging. Decreasing Melatonin (and subsequent higher levels of serotonin) output leads to aging and age-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's. Doses above 5 mg per night depress core body temperature and that is also thought to lead to longer life by suppressing metabolic activity (sort of like suspended animation or hibernation.) Also, Melatonin levels are 5 times less in heart disease patients than controls.

Lycopene is a carotenoid (plant pigment) which colors fruits and vegetables a red color. It is particularly found in tomatoes, watermelon and guava. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and the source of a tomato's red coloring.

Lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid in the prostate gland and this pigment is the most powerful of all, including beta-carotene, at preventing cancer. The protection extends to other cancers, too, such as gastrointestinal cancers (30 - 60% less,) lung, or cervical cancers in women. Large studies have shown that this carotenoid akin to beta carotene to be particularly good at reducing the risk of various deadly cancers, including prostate, colon and rectum cancer, as well as heart disease. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. Its singlet oxygen quenching potential is 10 times greater than Vitamin E. It is most famous for preventing and possibly treating prostate cancer. It was found that those who consumed 6.5 mg or more per day had a 21% decreased risk of prostate cancer compared with those who consumed the least Lycopene. Those consuming 10 or more servings of tomato based foods per week had a 35% less chance of having prostate cancer compared to those eating less than 1.5 servings per week. When researchers looked only at advanced (stage D) prostate cancer, heavy Lycopene eaters had an amazing 86% decreased risk. New evidence is finding that Lycopene may also treat early stage prostate cancer. Men with early prostate cancer who took Lycopene supplements made from tomato extract showed signs of disease regression and decreased malignancy. The study found that supplementation with a tomato extract significantly lowered the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients with prostate cancer.

High levels of Lycopene in fatty tissues have been correlated with a reduced risk of heart attack, also.

Exercise induced asthma may also respond. A study showed that 30mg per day resulted in a significant improvement for 55% of the subjects when exposed to exercise challenge. The controls had a 15% decrease in lung function.

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Dr. Tsang wishes to share his knowledge & Opinion with the public regarding the importance of " Nutritional Supplements ". This is for your information only. This is not a medical advice. Drugs have powerful effects on the body, so please don't abruptly stop taking any prescription medication. Always consult your physician or health care provider before you use any nutritional supplement or switch from drugs to natural health products.