Cancer Support Online

Cancer nutrition

"The old era of unthinking reliance on a synthetic existence is showing severe disadvantages, just as the urgency to forge new relationships with nature is becoming apparent. Plants and other whole foods are coming into their own new era as naturopathic physicians and other well-informed health practitioners rely on them for their central role in healing" ~ Colleen Huber

Cancer is a preventable lifestyle disease
Diet and exercise are keys factors in the prevention of cancer and many other lifestyle diseases. Research is continually showing a link between these factors and disease. Most of us know we should eat better and exercise more, but may find it difficult to actually make changes to our daily routine and diet for a number of reasons.

Many of us are caught in a busy lifestyle which revolves around responsibilities and commitments such as work, childcare, education etc, and it may be difficult to negotiate a more relaxed, less stressful way of living, and to find the time to eat well. Also, we may have poor lifestyle habits which contribute to a reluctance to change. It is important to remember that our unhealthy habits may lead to illness which may eventually force change upon us.

Regardless of our current lifestyle, with careful planning and preparation, it is possible to ensure that all family members have a healthy, nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, and time for rest, relaxation, enjoyable activities and exercise. By making this initial effort, we are ensuring the vitality and continuing good health of those we love the most, and helping to prevent chronic disease.

If you need some help to determine the right lifestyle for yourself and your family please follow the links on this page to Cancer Support Online, an interactive cancer information website, which contains the 'Wellness Questionnaire' a lifestyle decision support tool, and other important articles, information and online resources and products to help you make the transition to wellness as a way of life.

Nutrition in the cancer diet
When we are well what we eat is important for maintaining good health and preventing disease, but if we become ill what we eat becomes vitally important. For people with cancer or any other chronic disease, nutrition places a crucial role in the recovery process.

When healing from cancer and the side-effects of cancer therapies, the body's requirement for nutrient rich foods increases. You can forget the RDIs on labels, you may need much more to detoxify, stimulate digestion, nourish every cell of the body, and heal.

Regardless of the cause of disease, fresh organic wholefoods, enzyme-rich fresh vegetable juices and the right balance of nutritional supplements have the potential to heal like nothing else can. It is essential that you get the advice and assistance of a good naturopath or nutritionist before you begin any dietary regime to ensure you get the most from your food and supplements.

Cancer detoxification
Many natural health practitioners and nutritionists would agree that an important part of a nutritional program for cancer recovery is detoxification. Over years toxins and heavy metals could have accumulated in sensitive organs in the body such as the liver, which could have contributed to the disease process. Eliminating the cause of disease is a step towards curing it.

The importance of 'organic'
When healing from cancer, we also need to consider the quality of the food, any chemical residue in the food, whether or not the food has been genetically modified, nutrients lost in the commercial manufacture of the food, as well as the body's capacity for absorbing nutrients from the food.

There are many synthetic chemicals and additives in the food chain and in our environment which are dangerous for our health, and unless proven otherwise we should make every effort to avoid foods containing chemicals, additives, colours, flavours, residue herbicides or insecticides etc. Whenever possible, try to eat fresh, local organic foods which are now available in most areas in the developed world. If your local supermarket does not stock an organic range, request it. The more demand there is for certain products, the more likely they are to supply them. Or grow your own!

Genetically modified food and cancer
A link between genetically modified food and cancer hasn't been directly established, however if you have cancer it would be advisable to avoid GM foods and eat mainly fresh, organic wholefoods to avoid any potential harm. The author of the article below, Wendy Rosenfeldt, has the following to say about genetically modified food: "One of the dangers of genetically modified food is that it confuses the body. Our bodies have evolved with the food we eat over thousands and thousands of years. When it comes across a new type of food, such as an apple spliced with a fish gene, it cannot properly digest and assimilate it. The alien substance remains in the body and creates havoc with the system."

Cancer Nutrition information on the internet
Cancer Support Online contains a wealth of cancer nutrition, lifestyle and wellness information and resources, as well as a gateway to some of the best cancer information sites on the web. To minimise the dangers associated with following unsubstantiated web-based advice we have assessed many websites and compiled a list of recommended sites.

For people in Australia, Cancer Support Online also hosts an online Resources Guide to help in your selection of complementary cancer health care providers, products and cancer related services. You will also find all the online cancer support you need including live online counselling, library and online borrowing centre, wellness shop, as well as a huge archive of articles related to cancer, wellness, healing, nutrition and the environment.

You will initially need to become an Online Subscriber of the CSA to access Cancer Support Online, but thereafter will have full access to the site. There is no fee involved, and your details will never be given out to any organisation or individual. Additionally, all members will receive the inspiring and informative monthly e-newsletter Wellness News Online sent directly to your email inbox. Each newsletter contains a balance of the latest information on cancer treatments, wellness and healing, as well as personal stories, inspirational articles, food news and recipes.

"Forget what you ate until today. What you eat from now on is vitally important to your continued well-being" ~ Colleen Huber

Wellness magazine recommended articles

'How Intelligent is your Food?' by Wendy Rosenfeldt
Wendy Rosenfeldt explains that plant based foods contain an intelligence which protects themselves from pathogens and toxins. By consuming 'intelligent' food we contribute to the health of our physiology [Wellness News Online, June 2006]. Click here for article

'Eating our Way In and Out of Symptoms' by Colleen Huber
Naturopath Collen Huber explains why we need to revert to using wholefoods for their healing capacity and depend less on chemical laden foods, medicines and products [Wellness News Online, June 2007]. Click here for article

'Nourishing the Now' by Shira Shaiman
Nourishment consultant Hale Sofia Schatz says a secret to vibrant living resides in one of our most common daily activities -- how we feed ourselves [Wellness News Online, July 2006]. Click here for article

Click here for more articles from the Wellness archives and to subscribe to our monthly e-magazine. (You'll need to sign-in).

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The China Study

The nutritional advice in The China Study by T Colin Campbell and Thomas M Campbell is the basis for treating cancer nutritionally and could literally save your life.

While there are many benefits to becoming a free online subscriber of the CSA, if you take out full membership for $50 per annum you will receive a free copy of this important book and a place on our monthly 'Meeting the Challenge' cancer wellness seminar as part of your membership package. To become a full member of the CSA and receive this important book click here.

Existing CSA members can order a copy for $25 (RRP is $35) by contacting us by email or phone [08 9384 3544].