Cancerfighter’s Weblog

Alternative cancer therapies and ideas

Archive for July, 2010

Dr Ben Goldacre, homeopathy and the question of scientific evidence

Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on July 30, 2010


Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide – www.fightingcancer.com

Dr Ben Goldacre, a columnist of London’s Guardian newspaper, is a scourge of anyone who does not conduct impeccable science. He has often expressed himself contemptuously on the subject of homeopathy. Here is an exchange of emails I had with him a few months ago.
> Dear Dr Goldacre
>
> It is of course bad science to prefer theory to factual evidence. It’s no
> good saying X is impossible if in fact X happens. It’s also no good saying
> “We cannot accept it because we cannot understand how it can possible be” –  not if X happens. That is the point of experiments.
>
> So I now point you to evidence that homoeopathy works and look forward to your discussion of this.
>
> A paper on homeopathy and cancer was published in the February 2010 issue of  the International Journal of Oncology. Scientists at the University of Texas  M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDA), led by Moshe Frenkel, MD, have confirmed  the ability of four homeopathic remedies to induce apoptosis (programmed  cell death) in breast cancer cell lines in the laboratory. The scientists in  question were from the Integrative Medicine Program, the Department of  Molecular Pathology, and the Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology of MDA.
> Their two Indian collaborators were from the Banerji Homeopathic Research
> Foundation, Kolkata, India, where these same remedies are employed
> clinically with apparent success. The four ultra-dilute remedies in question
> were Carcinosin, Phytolacca, Conium and Thuja.
> “The remedies exerted preferential cytotoxic effects against the two breast
> cancer cell lines, causing cell cycle delay/arrest and apoptosis” the
> authors wrote.
>
> Yours sincerely
>
> Jonathan Chamberlain

His reply:
>

you do understand these arent people, these are cells in a dish?

dr ben goldacre
ben@goldacre.net
http://www.badscience.net/

My response:
It is evidence that even with cells in a dish a homoeopathic substance has an effect – ie placebo effect doesn’t come into it.

Jonathan

Dr Goldacre’s response:

can you think of any other explanations for the finding?

dr ben goldacre
ben@goldacre.net
http://www.badscience.net/

My response:
If lab tests have any validity at all it is that they indicate possibilities – in this case the possibility that 4 homoeopathic preparations might have a beneficial anti-cancer effect. Of course there are many possible events that might have affected the results – contamination for one. However, until these have been tested one at least has to recognise that there appears to be some sort of effect caused by homoeopathic preparations. Critics of homoeopathy argue that these preparations simply cannot possibly have any effect at all.

We can now say that these same critics – if they persist in arguing that there is no evidence – will be falsifying the record – that is they will be arguing ideologically rather than scientifically if they continue to  say there is no evidence that homoeopathic preparations have any effect at all. This research shows that there is evidence. That evidence may be suspect or weak but it exists.

Regards

Jonathan

There was no further comment from Dr Goldacre

Posted in Cancer cures? | Tagged: | 3 Comments »

liposomal vitamin C

Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on July 12, 2010


Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide – www.fightingcancer.com

Liposomal Vitamin C

The key difference between ordinary vitamin C and the liposomal variety is absorbability. It is known that a great deal of normal vitamin C intake re-emerges in the urine. With liposomal vitamin C virtually all gets taken into the body – this makes liposomal vitamin C equal to, or better than taking vitamin C intravenously.

Naturally, it is quite expensive to buy liposomal vitamin C but here is a discussion of the subject along with a recipe to make your own.

http://www.pdazzler.com/archives/62

Note: The Cancer Survivor’s Bible (2012) is now available – see www.fightingcancer.com

“Everyone of you needs this book in your library.”- Bill Henderson

Posted in Interesting products, Links | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Arthritis cure – personal experience

Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on July 8, 2010


Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide – www.fightingcancer.com

Effective Arthritis treatment

It appears that there is a great deal of overlap between cancer, heart disease and cancer – probably because they are all diseases of inflammation. Here is a personal account of an arthritis cure that was published on one of the Yahoo chat groups I monitor:

“Some arthritis is viral or bacterial. It can be killed by taking olive leaf extract . Vitamin defieciencies can make it far worse.

However, I had good success with mine just heating the area with an electric heat pad and then rubbing wintergreen and peppermint essential oils on it and then just resting with the heat pad against my lower back. Mine was degenerative arthritis according to an x-ray teclh who spotted it after I had x-rays following a motorcycle accident. Anyway, I did this twice a day for around 2 weeks at the most and it cleared it up. My wife avoided knee replacement surgery by doing that with just the wintergreen oil for around 2 months. She had gotten to where she could no longer shop and yard work was out of the question as even housework was quite painful. It has never returned.

Posted in Other Health Conditions, pain | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Dr Mark Sircus’s Sodium Bicarbonate Book

Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on July 8, 2010


Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide – www.fightingcancer.com

Dr Mark Sircus’s Sodium Bicarbonate Book

Follow this link for further details

http://publications.imva.info/index.php/e-books/sodium-bicarbonate-rich-man-s-poor-man-s-cancer-treatment-e-book.html
or http://tinyurl.com/yksr9p4

You can download the first chapter for free.

Posted in Interesting products, Links | Leave a Comment »

Homeopathy (Homoeopathy) can cure cancer?

Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on July 6, 2010


Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide – www.fightingcancer.com

Homeopathy and Cancer

Perhaps no other approach to cancer treatment is as contentious as whether homeopathy can have a curative impact.

On the one side we have those who say there is no evidence whatsoever that homeopathy is any better than a placebo and against that there are those who will point to recent research conducted at M.D.Anderson and published in the February 2010 issue of the International Journal of Oncology in which homeopathic solutions were shown to have an impact on cancer cells in lab settings.

A full account of this can be found here:

http://www.gaia-health.com/articles151/000187-study-shows-homeopathic-remedies-kill-cancer-cells-without-harming-healthy-cells.shtm

This is somewhat embarrassing to the anti-homeopathic brigade who have not stopped calling homeopathic unscientific.

The problem is that to now say that there is no evidence for homeopathy is itself an unscientific statement – it is an ideological statement.

This new study is very embarrassing to people who have been banging their tub against homeopathy because their key argument is that homeopathy cannot have any effect at all as there is nothing there to cause this effect – Homeopathic solutions being so dilute that they almost certainly do not contain even one molecule of the substance of which they are homeopathic versions. But this of course is a statement not of fact but of theory (it is therefore not scientific but philosophical or conjectural)

So next time someone says there is no evidence supporting homeopathy you should just say “I would like to refer you to the  February 2010 issue of the International Journal of Oncology. I think you’ll find there is evidence.”

The Cancer Survivor’s Bible is now out – http://www.fightingcancer.com

“Very user friendly.”

Posted in Cancer Perspectives | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

Anxiety, panic attacks and depression

Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on July 5, 2010


Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide – www.fightingcancer.com

Anxiety, panic attacks and depression

Many cancer patients suffer these conditions – certainly my own wife did – and not just in response to a diagnosis of cancer. It may be that cancer grows as a result of shallow breathing induced by these conditions. Louella May of the Oleandersoup Yahoo Chat group gives the following list of remedies:

Inositol is effecttive against when treating anxiety and depression.  Actually, it works the same as SSRI’s,  If she is suffering from panic attacks, it reduces their intensity and frequency.  The best supplement I can direct you to is carried by Cell Forte, carried by Utopia Silver.  Have her contact her doctor as to the proper dosage.

Another supplement carried by Utopia Silver is colloidal gold.  This is a supplement that brings the whole being into balance, Body, Mind, and Spirit.  Colloidal gold works on the brain receptors and is excellent when addressing depression.

When ordering these two supplements, don’t forget to use coupon code LR001 for a 15% discount.  Also, if she is a first time buyer, I believe they have a special offer where you receive one free bottle of colloidal gold for every 8 oz bottle ordered, but she must call to receive this offer as it only applies to members of our forum.

Other supplements that will help her are:

5-HTP turns into serotonin. Serotonin is important in regulating anxiety.

I-Theanine is a natural relaxant which supports the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

GABA – Low levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid may be responsible for a person not being able to handle day-to-day stress. GABA decreases anxiety, induces relaxation and increases alertness.

KAVA elevates mood, wellbeing and contentment.

Omega 3`s – Among their many benefits, Omega 3`s relieve depression and maintain emotional balance.

Hawthorne Berry Syrup, besides supporting the cardiovascular system, has been reported to be beneficial for heart symptoms suffered during anxiety and panic attacks.

Iodine Supplementation. Oftentimes, anxiety is the result of an iodine deficiency. It is recommended that anyone suffering from anxiety and panic symptoms have their thyroid checked.

Bach Flower Remedies aid in relieving a variety of emotional disorders.

Diet cannot be overlooked. Proper nourishment will result in less anxiety. The ideal diet consists of as many raw fruits and vegetables as possible with a little chicken, turkey, and fresh water fish. Foods containing L-Tryptophan, such as turkey, help the body to relax.

Lastly, it is important that she works on addressing emotional conflicts and implement relaxation techniques.  Dealing with emotional issues is a crucial part of healing.

Posted in Comments and Suggestions, Other Health Conditions | 1 Comment »

apricot kernels

Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on July 5, 2010


Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide – www.fightingcancer.com

Recommended sources for apricot kernels

Here are three sites that someone recommended to me for apricot kernels

http://www.apricotking.com

www.Cancerchoices. com.

http://www.clarksnutrition.com/shop/product_view.asp?id=1210538&StoreID=2691B1FE187D41ACB869A85CA5957A0A&private_product=1

Posted in Comments and Suggestions, Links | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

qigong booklet

Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on July 5, 2010


Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide – www.fightingcancer.com

Qigong Booklet

Here is a link to a book in pdf > format called “Practical Chinese Qigong for Home Health Care” published in > Beijing by the Foreign Languages Press. It has many exercises and tips for the practice of Qi Gong at home to treat many conditions, including some  types of cancer (from page 175 onward).
>
> You can access it and download it from  this link:
>
> https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B7zuG2u2SVFcNjM2OGVkOGMtZjc0Mi00YWE5LTkwMDUtMmJhZDRjNjQ0ZGFk&hl=en
>

Posted in Comments and Suggestions, Interesting products, Links | Leave a Comment »

Erectile dysfunction and Carnitine

Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on July 5, 2010


Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide – www.fightingcancer.com

Acetyl-l-carnitine for Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, and Male Sexual Function
_http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/acetyl-l-carnitine_for_blo
od_pressure_blood_sugar_and_male_sexual_func/_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/acetyl-l-carnitine_for_blood_pressure_blood_sugar_and_m
ale_sexual_func/)
Friday, June 18, 2010 – Byron Richards, CCN

Imagine the commercials on TV if a drug could help fix high blood
pressure, high blood sugar, and male erectile problems with no side effects. No
doubt, it would be a blockbuster. Welcome to the world of
acetyl-l-carnitine, a nutrient with human science showing that it does just that.
Italian researchers recently demonstrated in people at risk for increased
cardiovascular disease that _2,000 mgs per day of acetyl-l-carnitine _
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/studies/entry/acetyl-l-carnitine_helps_blood_pr
essure_and_blood_sugar_in_at-risk_patients) (ALC) over a 24 week period
lowered blood pressure and improved insulin resistance. Interestingly,
improvement continued even in the 8 weeks following discontinuation of the ALC.
ALC was shown to boost the all-important blood sugar regulating compound
adiponectin. Of course, ALC is well known as a nutrient that is essential
for the burning of fat by cells, helping to clear away fat sludge and
consequent liver-related insulin resistance.
An earlier study with 4,000 mgs of carnitine (2,000 mg was in the
acetyl-l-carnitine form) in men ages 60 – 74 showed that this vital nutrient was
far more effective than testosterone at improving male erectile function and
offsetting age-associated decline. ALC restored normal erections during
sleep (nocturnal penile tumescence), which is the key marker of physiological
health of male sexual function. Additionally, ALC directly improved the
sex lives of these men, based on significant improvement in International
Index of Erectile Function scores.
The combination of elevating blood pressure, elevating blood sugar, and
declining sexual function is common in men over the age of 50. Blood
pressure medication is well known for its adverse sexual side effects, as it
actually reduces blood flow to the penis. Here is a natural solution that
simultaneously addresses three important health issues. I would suggest 500 mg
– 1000 mg of ALC at each meal and at bed. 1000 mg of ALC before aerobic
exercise will also enhance fat burning from exercise, and this could be done
on exercise days instead of one of the before meal doses.
Related Entries:
_Acetyl-l-carnitine Extends Cellular Lifespan_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/acetyl-l-carnitine_extends_cellular_lifespan/)
Acetyl-l-carnitine is a popular dietary supplement for cardiovascular
health, nerve health, memory, fat metabolism, and sex hormone function (in both
men and women). A new study with yeast cells shows that acetyl-l-carnitine
can significantly extend their lifespan. _Read more_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/acetyl-l-carnitine_extends_cellular_lifespan/)

_R-Alpha Lipoic Acid and Acetyl-L-Carnitine Protect Against Parkinson’s_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/r-alpha_lipoic_acid_and_ace
tyl-l-carnitine_protect_against_parkinsons/)

_Acetyl-L-Carnitine Regenerates Injured Nerves_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/acetyl-l-carnitine_regenerates_injured_nerves/)

_Acetyl-L-Carnitine Protects Against Stress Induced Neurodegeneration_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/acetyl-l-carnitine_protects_ag
ainst_stress_induced_neurodegeneration/)

_Acetyl-L-Carnitine Prevents Alzheimer’s Brain Tangles_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/acetyl-l-carnitine_prevents_alzheimers_brain_
tangles/)

_Acetyl-L-Carnitine Enhances Longevity_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/acetyl-l-carnitine_enhances_longevity/)

_Acetyl-L-Carnitine Reduces Nerve Pain_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/acetyl_l_carnitine_reduces_nerve_pain/)

_Lipoic Acid in Combination with Acetyl-L-Carnitine Activates Fat Cell
Metabolism_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/weight/articles/lipoic_acid_in_combination_with_acetyl_l_carnitine_activates_fat_cell_metab/)

_Acetyl-l-carnitine Extends Cellular Lifespan_
(http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/acetyl-l-carnitine_extends_cellular_lifespan/)

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

bicarbonate and diabetes

Posted by Jonathan Chamberlain on July 5, 2010


Cancer: the Complete Recovery Guide – www.fightingcancer.com

The Pancreas, Bicarbonate and Diabetes

Here is an extract of a discussion of bicarnonate chemistry and diabetes from Dr Sircus’s IMVA website
_http://blog.imva.info/?p=649_ (http://blog.imva.info/?p=649)

Bicarbonate physiology is entirely ignored in diabetes as it is in
oncology though a wide range of clinicians use sodium bicarbonate for a host of
medical problems. Who would stop long enough to think deeply enough to make
the connection between acid producing diets (junk foods) and destruction of
the pancreas after decades of obsessing with sugar as the main culprit?

Parhatsathid Napatalung from Thailand writes, “The pancreas is harmed if
the body is metabolically acid as it tries to maintain bicarbonates. Without
sufficient bicarbonates, the pancreas is slowly destroyed, insulin becomes
a problem and hence diabetes becomes an issue. Without sufficient
bicarbonate buffer, the effect of disease is far reaching as the body becomes acid.”

Understanding of the use of sodium bicarbonate begins with a trip to the
pancreas, which is the organ most responsible for producing the bicarbonate
our bodies need. The pancreas is a long, narrow gland which stretches from
the spleen to about the middle of the duodenum. It has three main
functions. Firstly, it is to provide digestive juices, which contain pancreatic
enzymes in an alkaline solution to provide the right conditions for the
digestive process to be completed in the small intestines. Secondly, the pancreas
produces insulin, the hormone which controls blood sugar by the metabolism
of sugar and other carbohydrates. Thirdly, it produces bicarbonate to
neutralize acids coming from the stomach to provide the right environment for
the pancreatic enzymes to be effective.

Allergies generally start with the body’s inability to produce a certain
enzyme, or to produce enough enzymes for the digestive process to work
effectively. In conjunction with this is an inability to produce enough
bicarbonate essential for the pancreatic enzymes to function properly. When this
happens undigested proteins penetrate the bloodstream inducing more allergic
reactions. Inflammation in such a scenario is systemic but can focus on the
pancreas forcing decreases in the production of bicarbonate, insulin and
necessary enzymes. [1]

The bicarbonate ion acts as a buffer to maintain the normal levels of
acidity (pH) in blood and other fluids in the body. Bicarbonate levels are
measured to monitor the acidity of the blood and body fluids. The acidity is
affected by foods or medications that we ingest and the function of the
kidneys and _lungs_
(http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4209) . . The chemical notation for bicarbonate on most lab reports is HCO3-
or represented as the concentration of _carbon dioxide_
(http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20132) (CO2).

The normal serum range for bicarbonate is 22-30 mmol/L. A bicarbonate test
is usually performed along with tests for other blood electrolytes.
Disruptions in normal bicarbonate levels may be due to diseases that interfere
with respiratory function, kidney diseases, metabolic conditions and a
failing pancreas.The pancreas, an organ largely responsible for pH control,[2] is
one of the first organs affected when general pH shifts to the acidic. “
Monitoring of blood-sugar levels, insulin production, acid-base balance, and
pancreatic bicarbonate and enzyme production before and after test
exposures to potentially allergic substances reveals that the pancreas is the first
organ to develop inhibited function from varied stresses,[3] writes Dr.
William Philpott and Dr. Dwight K. Kalita in their book Brain Allergies.

_Dr. Robert Young_
(http://diabetesdietdialogue.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/acid-to-alkaline-the-ph-path-to-health/) , states, “Excess acidity is a
condition that weakens all body systems. The pancreas is one of our body’s
organs charged with the awesome responsibility to “alkalinize” us. Can you
start to see how our serious acidosis has overwhelmed our pancreas’ ability to
operate effectively, which then results in a state called “diabetes?”

Vulnerable Pancreas

When one of many possible biological stresses weigh down on the pancreas
it will, as any other organ will, begin to function improperly. When this
happens the first thing we will see is a reduction in pancreatic bicarbonate
production. Once there is an inhibition of pancreatic function and
pancreatic bicarbonate flow there naturally follows a chain reaction of
inflammatory reactions throughout the body. The reactions would include the brain as
acidic conditions begin to generally prevail. Decreasing bicarbonate flow
would boomerang hardest right back on the pancreas, which itself needs proper
alkaline conditions to provide the full amount of bicarbonate necessary
for the body.

A highly acidic pH level puts the pancreas, liver, and all the body’s
organs at risk. Because of the important role played by the liver in removing
acid waste from the body, liver function is also particularly at risk when
acids accumulate. When acidity prevents the liver and pancreas from
regulating blood sugar, the risk of diabetes and thus cancer increases.

There are many causes of diabetes. Heavy metals, toxic chemicals and
radiation contamination will affect, weaken and destroy pancreatic tissues. When
the body is bicarbonate sufficient it is more capable of resisting the
toxicity of chemical insults. That is why the army suggests its use to protect
the kidneys from radiological contamination.[4] Much the same can be said
for magnesium levels. Magnesium, bicarbonate and iodine all protect us from
the constant assault of noxious chemicals and radiation exposure we are
subjected to everyday in our water, food and air.

The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta declares that
33% of the babies born this year will be diabetic by the year 2050.
Dr. Alan Cantwell

Diabetes, which is expanding rapidly, can in part be traced to the
increasing radiation to which we are all being exposed. Every physician knows that
radiation can lead to cancer, but making a connection between depleted
uranium (DU), for example, and diabetes seems ludicrous at first glance but is
not. Most medical doctors have never heard of this but neither have they
paid attention to the fact that mercury and other toxic chemicals are also
primary causes of diabetes.

Diabetes is a fundamental disease that affects the entire colony
of cells in a person because it has to do with energy metabolism
and the vastly important hormone insulin and its receptor sites.

Diabetes is actually an extremely serious warning to civilization; it is
an announcement that the rising tide of radiation, mercury, other deadly
chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs are poisoning humanity. We even have to
look at how antibiotics are leading to diabetes as well as a host of other
problems for the human body. These toxic insults are slamming head on to
nutritional deficiencies in the body and the results are telling though still
being ignored by the orthodox medical establishment, which has its heart dead
set on adding not subtracting to these insults

Dr. Lisa Landymore-Lim in her book Poisonous Prescriptions explains how
many drugs used by the unsuspecting public today, are involved in the onset
of impaired glucose control and diabetes. She explains using the example of
the drugs streptozocin and alloxan, which are both used in research to
make lab rats diabetic. Vacor is a rat poison known to cause insulin dependent
diabetes in humans. Allopathic medicine will eventually have to face up to
the fact that many drugs, including most surprisingly, the antibiotics
including penicillin, as well as an entire host of others, causes changes in
the beta cells affecting both insulin and bicarbonate production.

Mark Sircus Ac., OMD
Director International Medical Veritas Association
_http://publications.imva.info_ (http://publications.imva.info/) Email:
_director@_ (mailto:director@imva.info) imva.info

———————————————————-
—-

[1]
_www.docstoc.com/docs/24767241/Allergy-Effects-On-The-Pancreas-And-Small-Intestine/_
(http://www.docstoc.com/docs/24767241/Allergy-Effects-On-The-Pancreas-And-Small-Intestine/)

[2] Epithelial cells in pancreatic ducts are the source of the bicarbonate
and water secreted by the pancreas. Bicarbonate is a base and critical to
neutralizing the acid coming into the small intestine from the stomach. The
mechanism underlying bicarbonate secretion is essentially the same as for
acid secretion parietal cells and is dependent on the enzyme carbonic
anhydrase. In pancreatic duct cells, the bicarbonate is secreted into the lumen
of the duct and hence into pancreatic juice.

[3] Brain Allergies: The Psychonutrient and Magnetic Connections.By
William Philpott, Dwight K. Kalita Published by McGraw-Hill Professional, 2000

[4] _www.remm.nlm.gov/int_contamination.htm_
(http://www.remm.nlm.gov/int_contamination.htm)

Posted in Other Health Conditions | 2 Comments »