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Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on May 31, 2012
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The Great Debate: Is Dying of Cancer Optional?
Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on April 24, 2012
Is Dying of Cancer Optional?
I know for a fact that for many people – people who have lost loved ones to cancer – this question will seem grotesque.
But the fact that many people have died of cancer doesn’t mean that cancer is not curable. It is. It also doesn’t mean that the ways by which cancer can be cured are not known.
It is my belief that there are many ways of curing cancer – and that we know what they are. We may not have ‘proof’ but that’s something else again (a whole kettle of worms!)
No-one is saying that each ‘cure’ is 100% effective. But if these ways do cure cancer – even for a few – then it stands to reason that the more of these ways that you commit yourself to, the better your chances of recovering and becoming cancer-free again. The decision not to seek these ways out is a choice. The decision not to do them is a choice.
It is my calculation that if there is any substance at all to all the anecdotal stories (personal experiences are always categorised as ‘anecdotal’) that have come my way then if you commit yourself to 10-12 therapies then you are boosting your chances of recovering to well above 90%
I have listed well over 100 possible therapies in my book The Cancer Survivor’s Bible – www.fightingcancer.com for details.
So, not doing these therapies is a choice – if you know about them. No knowing about them may be the result of a decision not to look for them – which is a choice. Unfortunately, for some people, the idea that there might be something they can do beyond what their doctors suggest is simply not something they are aware of. Or they lack the confidence to explore these areas.
The question is: how can we spread this message?
It’s spreading fast but still I am finding very intelligent people completely disregarding natural approaches (because they are ‘unscientific’ or because they are in thrall to their doctors (and I completely understand why they would be, it’s a natural response to the supposed authority of Medicine)). That’s the choice they have made. They have to live with the consequences.
So let’s debate this question: Is dying of cancer a matter of personal choice? What do you think?
New thoughts
Since posting this, I have been slightly uncomfortable that I have put this question in a way that will appear to be a matter of willingness (willingness to search out options) but I do understand that cancer, for the person who has the cancer, is an existential issue, and for those who have not gone through the journey and embraced their fate, a matter of profound fear. On top of that cancer carries with it its own physical burden – and there is the issue of having the energy and the commitment to persevere with a life prolonging strategy. So there is no moral issue, no suggestion of blame, attached to the question.
Finally, in relation to what I have called ‘the journey’ , Sheryl Malin, wrote the following (on my Facebook Cancer Recovery site) which is so wonderfully expressed that I will leave it to say what it has to say:
FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN
It’s impossible, said pride. It’s risky, said experience. It’s pointless, said reason. Give it a try, whispered the heart. It’s early in the morning and this message came to me. I fear no more for I have managed the cancer. I trusted my heart to find another way to treat my cancer other than cut, poison, and burn. I also realized without having cancer I would have not met these amazing people that have taught me so much about life and I would have never experienced Mexico and their culture.
Through taking a detour in the road, I have better knowledge and have tried to educate others on other ways to control cancer. Through my journey I have been sharing my personal healing process in hopes that maybe your heart is whispering to you like it did me.
Through the knowledge that I have gained, I do not fear the unknown, I look past that and take each day with a grain of salt. The future will be full of experiences that will not be impossible for I took something bad and made it good. We all deserve to follow our hearts and choose our own journey, but first we have to research the unknown.
Research and you will find that life is not pointless. Your mind will grow full of hope and your journey will continue for many years.
To finish I must say that with our hearts we can change our fear of the unknown and give hope to our future. Enjoy the now, for the future depends on it.
Sheryl has a blog at http://www.thejourneytogoodhealth.blogspot.co.uk/
Note: The Cancer Survivor’s Bible is now out – 550 pages of discussion, analysis and therapies – seewww.fightingcancer.com
“You have succeeded in making a complicated subject accessible.”
Posted in Cancer cures? | Tagged: alternative medicine, cancer cure, natural therapies, The Cancer Survivor's Bible | 3 Comments »
Testimonials for The Cancer Survivor’s Bible
Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on April 24, 2012
Some Testimonials for Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide (Now also known as The Cancer Survivor’s Bible)
“I now can recommend your book to the people in my support group, as “the” book to read.,…The book is more precious than gold!” -Richard Thompson
Mr. Chamberlain has a voice that is at once humble and powerful. I like writers that cut to the chase, and then do not skimp on the practical details…and I really like his attitude. He speaks from the heart, but clearly wants you to use your head. Good combination. - Andrew Saul PhD. The DOCTOR YOURSELF NEWSLETTER
First of all let me say: Congratulations on your superb book! You have succeeded in making a complicated subject accessible. – Leonard S. Rosenbaum, M.A.
Board of Dirs., Intl. Assn. of Cancer Victors & Friends (IACVF; www.cancervictors.net)
“This is an incredibly informative and useful book. Every one of you needs it in your library. Jonathan’s book is called Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide …. This is, from now on, my primary encyclopaedia when I have a question about cancer and its treatment.’—Bill Henderson, author of Cancer-Free
‘An excellent, up-to-date resource…. I am the list administrator for several ACOR paediatric cancer support lists, and often need to look something up, as many list members are interested in CAM.’ ’—Patty Feist, website manager of CancerGuide.com
I recently bought your book because I have become very involved in the life of an old friend, and the challenges she faces with a diagnosis of secondary liver cancer. We were both comforted and somewhat inspired by the broad sweep of your book.” – Ron Crennel
‘Well done, I do think you have made a good job of covering such a wide variance in subjects and keeping it readable. I particularly like your writing style, factual and calm about what is frankly the ridiculous state of relationships between orthodox and alternative approaches.’—Patricia Peat, Cancer Options (cancer consultancy)
‘Having just been through surgery myself to remove a breast cancer lump and facing follow-up treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, I am so glad I was tipped off to read this book… This book helps to put things in perspective and was invaluable to me in making my decisions about follow-up treatment.’ – Lucy W. (Amazon review)
‘I work with cancer patients and have found this book incredibly helpful to them (and me & my work colleagues). Very well laid out, well written.’ – S. Lumley, cancer patient counsellor
“I want to say how inspirational your book and all its suggestions have been. It has enabled me to keep positive for my sister over the past terrible months.”
– Emma Greener
“I recommend this book to everyone, whether or not you have cancer, as ‘The’ reference book on cancer. This book gives hope…. It explains clearly the arguments for and against a multitude of treatments…. I wish I had read this before I was diagnosed as doctors and the cancer charities didn’t tell me any of this. ” - D. Bushell, cancer survivor
“Being someone diagnosed as a terminal cancer patient, I have scoured the ‘net and read many books. This is the best. And it gives hope too…Get this book; read it; be inspired by it.”- Ian Clements, cancer survivor
For more information go to www.fightingcancer.com
Available from all internet bookshops
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Coping with the Big C: Compassion by Jack and Colleen Pelar
Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on April 11, 2012
Coping with the Big C: Compassion by Jack and Colleen Pelar
I agreed to read this book because I believe in the importance of the individual experience of cancer. From the moment cancer is diagnosed to the end of treatment and beyond truly is a journey. We are changed. Just as you forget you have a thumb until you hit it, you forget you have a life until it is seriously threatened. And Jack and Colleen make this a particularly interesting journey because it is a dialogue between the two of them. The journey is not the same journey for Colleen as it is for Jack – it may be his cancer, but he is her husband.
What comes out of the book for me is the strength of their relationship – rock solid, despite the enormous differences between them. But what is interesting is how they are aware of these differences and work with them, around them even through them.
And then, of course, there are the details of how the cancer is treated by their doctors. There is nothing about ‘alternative therapies’ or diets or any of that stuff. The doctors are the experts and Jack and Colleen are unquestioningly committed to this route – and at the end of the book Jack has just finished a gruelling course of radiotherapy. So the book ends on a note of hopefulness about the future – and I do hope that hopefulness is justified (just as I hope Jack doesn’t just say: “Done that, Got the t-shirt” and go back to his sugary cereals and coca colas but does start to take an interest in diet and supplements and herbs)
What I particularly like about this book is how open Jack and Colleen are about their inner thoughts – so by the end of the book they are friends and we care about them.
This is a thoughtful, wry, funny and painful account of a year that Jack and Colleen will not want to revisit. Reading this book is very educative. This is a report from the front of a very personal war.
Posted in Book Reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged: cancer treatment | Leave a Comment »
The Importance of Magnesium in the fight against cancer
Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on February 28, 2012
If you are seeking information to fight cancer – please browse this site – this supports and extends the info in my two cancer boojs – see www.fightingcancer.com for details
The Importance of Magnesium in the fight against cancer
Tony Isaacs – natural health advocate whose website can be found at http://www.tbyil.com/ – has written this on the importance of magnesium and the danger of calcium in relation to cancer:
Aleksandrowicz et al in Poland conclude that inadequacy of magnesium and antioxidants are important risk factors in predisposing to leukemias.[2] Other researchers found that 46% of the patients admitted to an ICU in a tertiary cancer center presented hypomagnesemia. They concluded that the incidence of hypomagnesemia in critically ill cancer patients is high.[3]In animal studies we find that magnesium deficiency has caused lymphopoietic neoplasms in young rats. A study of rats surviving magnesium deficiency sufficient to cause death in convulsions during early infancy in some, and cardiorenal lesions weeks later in others, disclosed that some of survivors had thymic nodules or lymphosarcoma.[4]
One would not normally think that Magnesium (Mg) deficiency can paradoxically increase the risk of, or protect against cancer yet we will find that just as severe dehydration or asphyxiation can cause death magnesium deficiency can directly lead to cancer. When you consider that over 300 enzymes and ion transport require magnesium and that its role in fatty acid and phospholipids acid metabolism affects permeability and stability of membranes, we can see that magnesium deficiency would lead to physiological decline in cells setting the stage for cancer. Anything that weakens cell physiology will lead to the infections that surround and penetrate tumor tissues. These infections are proving to be an integral part of cancer.
Magnesium deficiency poses a direct threat to the health of our cells. Without sufficient amounts our cells calcify and rot. Breeding grounds for yeast and fungi colonies they become, invaders all too ready to strangle our life force and kill us.
Over 300 different enzymes systems rely upon magnesium to facilitate their catalytic action, including ATP metabolism, creatine-kinase activation, adenylate-cyclase, and sodium-potassium-ATPase.[5]
It is known that carcinogenesis induces magnesium distribution disturbances, which cause magnesium mobilization through blood cells and magnesium depletion in non-neoplastic tissues.
Magnesium deficiency seems to be carcinogenic, and in case of solid tumors, a high level of supplemented magnesium inhibits carcinogenesis.[6] Both carcinogenesis and magnesium deficiency increase the plasma membrane permeability and fluidity. Scientists have in fact found out that there is much less Mg++ binding to membrane phospholipids of cancer cells, than to normal cell membranes.[7]
Magnesium protects cells from aluminum, mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium and nickel.
Magnesium in general is essential for the survival of our cells but takes on further importance in the age of toxicity where our bodies are being bombarded on a daily basis with heavy metals. Glutathione requires magnesium for its synthesis.[8] Glutathione synthetase requires ?-glutamyl cysteine, glycine, ATP, and magnesium ions to form glutathione.[9] In magnesium deficiency, the enzyme y-glutamyl transpeptidase is lowered.[10] According to Dr. Russell Blaylock, low magnesium is associated with dramatic increases in free radical generation as well as glutathione depletion and this is vital since glutathione is one of the few antioxidant molecules known to neutralize mercury.[11] Without the cleaning and chelating work of glutathione (magnesium) cells begin to decay as cellular filth and heavy metals accumulates; excellent environments to attract deadly infection/cancer.
There is drastic change in ionic flux from the outer and inner cell membranes both in the impaired membranes of cancer, and in Mg deficiency.
Anghileri et al[12],[13] proposed that modifications of cell membranes are principal triggering factors in cell transformation leading to cancer. Using cells from induced cancers, they found that there is much less magnesium binding to membrane phospholipids of cancer cells, than to normal cell membranes.[14] It has been suggested that Mg deficiency may trigger carcinogenesis by increasing membrane permeability.[15] Magnesium deficient cells membranes seem to have a smoother surface than normal, and decreased membrane viscosity, analogous to changes in human leukemia cells.[16],[17] There is drastic change in ionic flux from the outer and inner cell membranes (higher Ca and Na; lower Mg and K levels), both in the impaired membranes of cancer, and of Mg deficiency. And we find that lead (Pb) salts, are more leukemogenic when given to Mg deficient rats, than when they are given to Mg-adequate rats, suggesting that Mg is protective.[18]
Magnesium has an effect on a variety of cell membranes through a process involving calcium channels and ion transport mechanisms. Magnesium is responsible for the maintenance of the trans-membrane gradients of sodium and potassium.
Long ago researchers postulated that magnesium supplementation of those who are Mg deficient, like chronic alcoholics, might decrease emergence of malignancies[19] and now modern researchers have found that all types of alcohol ¡ª wine, beer or liquor ¡ª add equally to the risk of developing breast cancer in women. The researchers, led by Dr. Arthur Klatsky of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Oakland, Calif., revealed their findings at a meeting of the European Cancer Organization in Barcelona in late 2007. It was found that women who had one or two drinks a day increased their risk of developing breast cancer by 10 percent. Women who had more than three drinks a day raised their risk by 30 percent. The more one drinks the more one drives down magnesium levels.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer killer of women, after lung cancer. It will be diagnosed in 1.2 million people globally this year and will kill 500,000. According to data published in the British Journal of Cancer in 2002, 4 percent of all breast cancers ¡ª about 44,000 cases a year ¡ª in the United Kingdom are due to alcohol consumption. It¡¯s an important question though, and one not asked by medical or health officials, is it the alcohol itself or the resultant drop in magnesium levels that is cancer provoking? Though some studies have shown that light- to moderate alcohol use can protect against heart attacks it does us no good to drink if it causes cancer. Perhaps if magnesium was supplemented in women drinkers who were studied there would have been no increase of cancer from drinking. Alcohol has always been known to deplete magnesium, and is one of the first supplements given to alcoholics when they stop and attempt to detoxify and withdraw.
Researchers from the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota have just concluded that diets rich in magnesium reduced the occurrence of colon cancer.[20] A previous study from Sweden[21] reported that women with the highest magnesium intake had a 40 per cent lower risk of developing the cancer than those with the lowest intake of the mineral.
Magnesium stabilizes ATP[22], allowing DNA and RNA transcriptions and repairs.[23]
The anti-colon cancer effects of calcium are linked to magnesium levels, says a new study. Researchers from Vanderbilt University found that low ratios of the minerals were associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer, according to findings presented at the Seventh Annual American Association for Cancer Research International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research. Both high magnesium and calcium levels have been linked to reduced risks of colon cancer but studies have also shown that high calcium levels inhibit the absorption of magnesium. According to Qi Dai, MD, PhD, and co-workers, Americans have high calcium intake, but also a high incidence of colorectal cancer. ¡°If calcium levels were involved alone, you¡¯d expect the opposite direction. There may be something about these two factors combined ¨C the ratio of one to the other ¨C that might be at play,¡± said Dai. The risk of colorectal cancer adenoma recurrence was reduced by 32 per cent among those with baseline calcium to magnesium ratio below the median in comparison to no reduction for those above the median,¡± said Dai.[24]
Pre-treatment hypomagnesemia has been reported in young leukemic children, 78% of whom have histories of anorexia, and have excessive gut and urinary losses of Mg.[25]
Several studies have shown an increased cancer rate in regions with low magnesium levels in soil and drinking water, and the same for selenium. In Egypt the cancer rate was only about 10% of that in Europe and America. In the rural fellah it was practically non-existent. The main difference was an extremely high magnesium intake of 2.5 to 3g in these cancer-free populations, ten times more than in most western countries.[26]
The School of Public Health at the Kaohsiung Medical College in, Taiwan, found that magnesium also exerts a protective effect against gastric cancer, but only for the group with the highest levels.[27]
If we looked it would probably be very difficult to find a cancer patient with anywhere near normal levels of cellular magnesium meaning cancer probably does not exist in a physical cellular environment full of magnesium. It makes perfect medical sense to saturate the body with magnesium through transdermal means. Magnesium deficiency has been implicated in a host of clinical disorders but the medical establishment just cannot get it through its thick skull that it is an important medicine.
It is as if the collective medical profession had just pulled the plug on medical intelligence. In fact it has done exactly this and it seems too late for it to redefine itself, which is a tragedy. Though magnesium improves the internal production of defensive substances, such as antibodies and considerably improves the operational activity of white granulozytic blood cells (shown by Delbert with magnesium chloride), and contributes to many other functions that insure the integrity of cellular metabolism, no one thinks to use it in cancer as a primary treatment. It is even worse than this, the medical establishment does not even use magnesium as a secondary treatment or even use it at all and gladly uses radiation and chemo therapy, both of which force magnesium levels down further.
To not replete cellular magnesium levels would be negligent especially in the case of cancer where a person¡¯s life is on the line. An oncologist who ignores his patient¡¯s magnesium levels would be analogous to an emergency room physician not rushing resuscitation when a person stops breathing. If one elects to have or has already had chemotherapy they have four times the reason to pay attention to a concentrated protocol aimed at replenishing full magnesium cellular stores.
Magnesium chloride is the first and most important item in any person¡¯s cancer treatment strategy. Put in the clearest terms possible, our suggestion from the first day on the Survival Medicine Cancer Protocol is to almost drown oneself in transdermally applied magnesium chloride. It should be the first not the last thing we think of when it comes to cancer. It takes about three to four months to drive up cellular magnesium levels to where they should be when treated intensely transdermally but within days patients will commonly experience its life saving medical/healing effects. For many people whose bodies are starving for magnesium the experience is not too much different than for a person coming out of a desert desperate for water. It is that basic to life, that important, that necessary.
That same power found in magnesium that will save your life in the emergency room during cardiac arrest, that will diminish damage of a stroke if administered in a timely fashion is the same power that can save one¡¯s life if one has cancer. All a patient has to do is pour it into their baths or spray it right onto their bodies. What could be simpler?
Magnesium chloride, when applied directly to the skin, is transdermally absorbed and has an almost immediate effect on chronic and acute pain.
Special Note on Calcium and Cancer:
Experts say excessive calcium intake may be unwise in light of recent studies showing that high amounts of the mineral may increase risk of prostate cancer. ¡°There is reasonable evidence to suggest that calcium may play an important role in the development of prostate cancer,¡± says Dr. Carmen Rodriguez, senior epidemiologist in the epidemiology and surveillance research department of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Rodriguez says that a 1998 Harvard School of Public Health study of 47,781 men found those consuming between 1,500 and 1,999 mg of calcium per day had about double the risk of being diagnosed with metastatic (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) prostate cancer as those getting 500 mg per day or less. And those taking in 2,000 mg or more had over four times the risk of developing metastatic prostate cancer as those taking in less than 500 mg.
Calcium and magnesium are opposites in their effects on our body structure. As a general rule, the more rigid and inflexible our body structure is, the less calcium and the more magnesium we need.
Later in 1998, Harvard researchers published a study of dairy product intake among 526 men diagnosed with prostate cancer and 536 similar men not diagnosed with the disease. That study found a 50% increase in prostate cancer risk and a near doubling of risk of metastatic prostate cancer among men consuming high amounts of dairy products, likely due, say the researchers, to the high total amount of calcium in such a diet. The most recent Harvard study on the topic, published in October 2001, looked at dairy product intake among 20,885 men and found men consuming the most dairy products had about 32% higher risk of developing prostate cancer than those consuming the least.
The adverse effects of excessive calcium intake may include high blood calcium levels, kidney stone formation and kidney complications.[28] Elevated calcium levels are also associated with arthritic/joint and vascular degeneration, calcification of soft tissue, hypertension and stroke, and increase in VLDL triglycerides, gastrointestinal disturbances, mood and depressive disorders, chronic fatigue, and general mineral imbalances including magnesium, zinc, iron and phosphorus. High calcium levels interfere with Vitamin D and subsequently inhibit the vitamin¡¯s cancer protective effect unless extra amounts of Vitamin D are supplemented.[29]
Magnesium is the mineral of rejuvenation and prevents the calcification of our organs and tissues that is characteristic of the old-age related degeneration of our body.
Recommendations of magnesium to calcium ratios range from 1:2 to 1:1. For those interested in preventing cancer one should look closely at the 1:1 camp and during the first six months of treatment one should be looking at ten parts magnesium to one part calcium. In reality one need not even count the ratio during the first months for the only real danger of extremely high magnesium levels comes with patients suffering from kidney failure. If one is at all concerned about their calcium intake one should eat foods high in both calcium and magnesium like toasted sesame seeds.
Up to 30% of the energy of cells is used to pump calcium out of the cells.
Doctors who have used intravenous magnesium treatments know the benefits of peaking magnesium levels, even if only temporarily. For the cancer patient the transdermal approach combined with oral use offers the opportunity to take magnesium levels up strongly and quickly. For emergency situations three applications a day, for urgent two treatments would be indicated though one strong treatment with an ounce of a natural magnesium chloride solution spread all over the body like a sun screen is a powerful systemic treatment.
It is medical wisdom that tells us that magnesium is actually the key to the body¡¯s proper assimilation and use of calcium, as well as other important nutrients. If we consume too much calcium, without sufficient magnesium, the excess calcium is not utilized correctly and may actually become toxic, causing painful conditions in the body. Hypocalcemia is a prominent manifestation of magnesium deficiency in humans (Rude et al., 1976). Even mild degrees of magnesium depletion significantly decreases the serum calcium concentration (Fatemi et al., 1991).
Calcium requirement for men and women is lower than previously estimated.[30]
[1] Hunt, B.J., Belanger, L.F. Localized, multiform, sub-periosteal hyperplasia and generalized osteomyelosclerosis in magnesium-deficient rats. Calcif. Tiss. Res. 1972; 9:17-27.
[2]Aleksandrowicz, J., Blicharski, J., Dzigowska, A., Lisiewicz, J. Leuko- and oncogenesis in the light of studies on metabolism of magnesium and its turnover in biocenosis. Acta Med. Pol. 1970; 11:289-302. (abstr: Blood 1971; 37:245)
[3] D. Deheinzelin, E.M. Negri1, M.R. Tucci, M.Z. Salem1, V.M. da Cruz1, R.M. Oliveira, I.N. Nishimoto and C. Hoelz. Hypomagnesemia in critically ill cancer patients: a prospective study of predictive factors. Braz J Med Biol Res, December 2000, Volume 33(12) 1443-1448
[4] Bois, P. Tumour of the thymus in magnesium-deficient rat. Nature 1964; 204:1316.
[5] Magnesium is used in the creatine-phosphate formation, activates the alkaline phosphatase and pyrophosphatase, stabilizes nucleic acid synthesis, concerning DNA synthesis and degradation, as well as the physical integrity of the DNA helix, activates amino acid and protein synthesis, and regulates numerous hormones.
[6] Durlach J, Bara M, Guiet-Bara A, Collery P. Relationship between magnesium, cancer and carcinogenic or anticancer metals. Anticancer Res. 1986 Nov-Dec;6(6):1353-61.
[7]Anghileri, L.J. Magnesium concentration variations during carcinogenesis. Magnesium Bull. 1979; 1:46-48.
[8] Linus Pauling Institute http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/magnesium/index.html#function
[9] Virginia Minnich, M. B. Smith, M. J. Brauner, and Philip W. Majerus. Glutathione biosynthesis in human erythrocytes. Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, J Clin Invest. 1971 March; 50(3): 507¨C513. Abstract: The two enzymes required for de novo glutathione synthesis, glutamyl cysteine synthetase and glutathione synthetase, have been demonstrated in hemolysates of human erythrocytes. Glutamyl cysteine synthetase requires glutamic acid, cysteine, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and magnesium ions to form ?-glutamyl cysteine. The activity of this enzyme in hemolysates from 25 normal subjects was 0.43¡À0.04 ?mole glutamyl cysteine formed per g hemoglobin per min. Glutathione synthetase requires ?-glutamyl cysteine, glycine, ATP, and magnesium ions to form glutathione. The activity of this enzyme in hemolysates from 25 normal subjects was 0.19¡À0.03 ?mole glutathione formed per g hemoglobin per min. Glutathione synthetase also catalyzes an exchange reaction between glycine and glutathione, but this reaction is not significant under the conditions used for assay of hemolysates. The capacity for erythrocytes to synthesize glutathione exceeds the rate of glutathione turnover by 150-fold, indicating that there is considerable reserve capacity for glutathione synthesis. A patient with erythrocyte glutathione synthetase deficiency has been described. The inability of patients¡¯ extracts to synthesize glutathione is corrected by the addition of pure glutathione synthetase, indicating that there is no inhibitor in the patients¡¯ erythrocytes.
[10] Braverman, E.R. (with Pfeiffer, C.C.)(1987). The healing nutrients within: Facts, findings and new research on amino acids. New Canaan: Keats Publishing
[11] http://www.dorway.org/blayautism.txt
[12] Anghileri, L.J. Magnesium concentration variations during carcinogenesis. Magnesium Bull. 1979; 1:46-48.
[13] Anghileri, L.J., Collery, P., Coudoux, P., Durlach, J. (Experimental relationships between magnesium and cancer.) Magnesium Bull. 1981; 3:1-5
[14] Anghileri, L.J., Heidbreder, M., Weiler, G., Dermietzel, R. Hepatocarcinogenesis by thioacetamide: correlations of histological and biochemical changes, and possible role of cell injury. Exp. Cell. Biol. 1977; 45:34-47.
[15] Blondell, J.W. The anticancer effect of magnesium. Medical Hypothesis 1980; 6:863-871.
[16] Whitney, R.B., Sutherland, R.M. The influence of calcium, magnesium and cyclic adenosine 3¡¯5¡ä-monophosphate on the mixed lymphocyte reaction. J. Immunol. 1972; 108:1179-1183.
[17] Petitou, M., Tuy, F., Rosenfeld, C., Mishal, Z., Paintrand, M., Jasmin, C., Mathe, G., Inbar, M. Decreased microviscosity of membrane lipids in leukemic cells; two possible mechanisms. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1978; 75:2306-2310.
[18] Hass, G.M., McCreary, P.A., Laing, G.H., Galt, R.M. Lymphoproliferative and immumunologic aspects of magnesium deficiency. In Magnesium in Health and Disease (from 2nd Intl Mg Sympos, Montreal, Canada, 1976), b Eds. M. Cantin, M.S. Seelig, Publ. Spectrum Press, NY, 1980, pp 185-200
[19] Collery, P., Anghileri, L.J., Coudoux, P., Durlach, J. (Magnesium and cancer: Clinical data.) Magnesium Bull. 1981; 3:11-20.
[20] American Journal of Epidemiology (Vol. 163, pp. 232-235)
[21] Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 293, pp. 86-89
[22] Mg2+ is critical for all of the energetics of the cells because it is absolutely required that Mg2+ be bound (chelated) by ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the central high energy compound of the body. ATP without Mg2+ bound cannot create the energy normally used by specific enzymes of the body to make protein, DNA, RNA, transport sodium or potassium or calcium in and out of cells, nor to phosphorylate proteins in response to hormone signals, etc. In fact, ATP without enough Mg2+ is non-functional and leads to cell death. Bound Mg2+ holds the triphosphate in the correct stereochemical position so that it can interact with ATP using enzymes and the Mg2+ also polarizes the phosphate backbone so that the ¡®backside of the phosphorous¡¯ is more positive and susceptible to attack by nucleophilic agents such as hydroxide ion or other negatively charged compounds. Bottom line, Mg2+ at critical concentrations is essential to life,¡± says Dr. Boyd Haley who asserts strongly that, ¡°All detoxification mechanisms have as the bases of the energy required to remove a toxicant the need for Mg-ATP to drive the process. There is nothing done in the body that does not use energy and without Mg2+ this energy can neither be made nor used.¡± Detoxification of carcinogenic chemical poisons is essential for people want to avoid the ravages of cancer. The importance of magnesium in cancer prevention should not be underestimated. [23] Magnesium has a central regulatory role in the cell cycle including that of affecting transphorylation and DNA synthesis, has been proposed as the controller of cell growth, rather than calcium. It is postulated that Mg++ controls the timing of spindle and chromosome cycles by changes in intracellular concentration during the cell cycle. Magnesium levels fall as cells enlarge until they reach a level that allows for spindle formation. Mg influx then causes spindle breakdown and cell division.
[24] http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Magnesium-may-be-key-to-calcium-s-cancer-benefits-study
[25] Paunier, L., Radde, I.C.: Normal and abnormal magnesium metabolism. Bull. of Hosp. for Sick Childr. (Toronto) 1965; 14:16-23.
[26] MAY 19, 1931, Dr. P. Schrumpf-Pierron presented a paper entitled ¡°On the Cause Of the Rarity of Cancer in Egypt,¡± which was printed in the Bulletin of the Academy of Medicine, and the Bulletin of the French Association for the Study of Cancer in July, 1931. http://www.mgwater.com/rod02.shtml
[27] Yang CY et al. Jpn J Cancer Res.1998 Feb;89 (2):124-30. Calcium, magnesium, and nitrate in drinking water and gastric cancer mortality.
[28] New York State Department of Health; http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/conditions/osteoporosis/qanda.htm
[29] Accu-Cell Nutrition; Calcium and Magnesium http://www.acu-cell.com/acn.html
[30] Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Oct;86(4):1054-1063. Calcium requirements: new estimations for men and women by cross-sectional statistical analyses of calcium balance data from metabolic studies.Hunt CD, Johnson LK. US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, Grand Forks, ND.
April 20, 2011
http://magnesiumforlife.com/medical-application/magnesium-and-cancer/
Note: The Cancer Survivor’s Bible (2012 edition) is now out – 550 pages of discussion, analysis and therapies – see www.fightingcancer.com
“You have succeeded in making a complicated subject accessible.”
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: calcium caqncer, calcium dangers, magnesium cancer, magnesium deficiency | Leave a Comment »
Cancer as an Emergent System
Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on February 27, 2012
Cancer as an Emergent System
What causes cancer? Is it A or B or C? Is it bad diet, depression, chemicals in the atmosphere or what? This is the way most people approach the question of causation. This approach is reductionist. If there is a problem there must be a chain of causation. A causes B and that makes C happen and the result of that is cancer.
This is the way ALL medical research approaches the problems they study. They look for linear chains of cause and effect. “The problem with this approach is that it has trouble explaining dynamic complexity,” David Books ( The Social Animal, Short Books 20012 p.131)
It seems so obvious a way of thinking that to imagine there is another way of looking at a problem is at first difficult to conceive. But there is another way.
Emergent Systems is the term given to situations where there is a dynamic context underlying a problem but where no specific element of the dynamic context appears to be causative.
Let’s take the example of poverty and IQ . Poverty has the effect of reducing IQ – but how? Is it a question of genes? Parental relationships? Bad diet? Poor living conditions? Living in crime-ridden neighbourhoods? Well, it appears that none of the above single conditions on its own causes lower IQs. Lower IQs occur when they – and other factors – are all present together. It is the combination of factors that causes the negative cascade one of the results of which is a lower IQ.
What is interesting about this way of looking at the problem is that it leads us to a different way of trying to solve the problem. Instead of tinkering ( by, say, improving diet or trying to add special remedial classes etc) the only way to change the result is to change the entire underlying context – change everything all at once.
If we apply this idea to cancer, that is if we see cancer as being an emergent system, then we need to change everything at once: habits, diet, relationships, activities, attitudes, goals, biochemical terrain – everything. The more we can change in a positive direction the more likely we are to induce a new emergent system – one that will initiate a positive cascade of results.
That leads to a very interesting conclusion: the more things you do, the more likely you are to live longer, the more likely you are to recover.
(c) Jonathan Chamberlain 2012
Note: The Cancer Survivor’s Bible (2012) is now available – see www.fightingcancer.com
“The book is more precious than gold.”
Posted in Cancer Perspectives | Tagged: cancer causes | Leave a Comment »
kidney cancer life expectancy calculator
Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on February 24, 2012
How long have I got, doc? Is the sort of natural question anyone with cancer is likely to ask when they’re talking about their diagnosis. Unfortunately being give a life expectancy can be a) depressing b) self-fulfilling c) life affirming. We simply don’t know how we are going to react. Some people given three months die within days, others – like my wife – die on precise schedule and some gird their loins and go out and set out to disprove it – many succeeding gloriously. So this info is dangerous. But almost everyone hates uncertainty and imprecision. That’s the problem. Anyway, here is a kidney cancer life expectancy calculator that was posted on my Facebook Cancer Recovery group. Use it as you wish
http://lifemath.net/cancer/renalcell/outcome/index.php. (www.kidneycancer.org)
Note: The Cancer Survivor’s Bible (2012) is now available – see www.fightingcancer.com
“This book gives hope. …I wish I had read this book before I was diagnosed. My doctors and the cancer charities didn’t tell me any of this.”
Posted in Comments and Suggestions | Tagged: reactions to diagnosis | Leave a Comment »