HOME | cancer

INTRODUCTION AND MEDICAL HISTORY
Hello, my name is Lloyd Krassner and I am a cancer patient. My diagnosis is Stage 4 Colon cancer with mets in the liver and lungs. I have undergone 1 Bowel and 2 Liver resections. I have recently had a liver ablation and radiation for mets in the lung. I have had several courses of Folfuri chemo early on. I have been in 1 clinical study involving Stivarga. For the last couple of years I have been on a continuous regimen of Xeloda and Avastin.

PRECANCER DIET AND HISTORY
I was diagnosed just before I turned 41. I was slightly overweight (in the 190's) and out of shape. I would eat whatever I wanted. I was a junk food junkie. Burgers, hot dogs, fries, soft drinks, pizza, wings, donuts, whatever. The richer, the greasier, the better. I was a greedy eater. I didn't use drugs, cigarettes, and very little alcohol. There was a history of cancer in my family. A, fatty diet, second hand smoke, little exercise, and poor genetics I presume are the main culprits.

DIETARY HISTORY
Over a period of five years I have made many alterations to my diet. It took a couple of years but I finally gave up carbonated soft drinks. Changing my eating habits has been very difficult and is still hard. During strong chemo I was still eating donuts, cookies, and cupcakes. I still have a sweet tooth and like to dip my bread in oil. The literature is full of therapeutic and dietary suggestions, many of which I have attempted.

DISCLAIMERS
First off, I'm not cured yet, so whatever I'm doing has not worked. However I'm hoping that it is working, that it is helping.
Secondly, I cheat on my diets fairly often, but I'm getting better about controlling myself.
Third, I don't know if any of this is safe or effective. Fourth, I'm still doing whatever my oncologist tells me. I attribute my survival to his care and modern medicine 95% more than my own dietary adventures. Having said all that, you still have to eat, and if bad eating helped me get into this mess, than maybe good eating will help get me out of it. If you look at Wikipedia's list of unproven and

disproven cancer treatments you will find most all of my supplements and past diets listed there, so proceed with caution.

DIET PROTOCOLS

The following are various "diets" I have attempted:

SMOOTHIES
I started drinking these early on regularly during heavy chemo, mostly as a way increase my fluid intake.

My favorite was called Island Green from Tropical Smoothies. It included some healthy stuff.

LOW CARB DIET
I tried this early on. At the time I didn't have the discipline to stick to it.

The premise is that cancer feeds on sugar. I'm not entirely sold on this concept.

It would follow that diabetics should have greater incidence and worse prognosis for

cancer, but they don't.

FASTING
I was pretty good about this for awhile.
Also ketogenic like the low carb diet although I didn't know about it at the time.
My workdays are 12-14 hours long and I would just not eat at work. Then I would pig-out.
I'm not sure if it helped with my cancer.
I guess there's no way to know for sure.

80/20 RAW DIET
Buddha Bowls and whatnot. Likewise I lacked the willpower to keep this up.

LOW ACID DIET
An impossible diet to maintain. Plus the sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) was making my blood pressure go way up.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET
This lasted for a short time until I got distracted.
I am also taking prescription Celebrex for back, hip, and heel pain so I always figured that that was anti-inflammatory enough.

MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Over time through swaps and minor adjustments my current regular diet has started to resemble this.

I would recommend this as a good, healthy, balanced place to start.
Big on Pita and Hummus. Unfortunately I don't live near any
Mediterranean style restaurants and I can never get my homemade Tahini to come out right.

ANTI-ANGIOGENIC DIET
These foods prevent blood vessels from growing into and feeding solid tumors. This diet is awesome because you don't have to actually give anything up, you just have to add foods that supposedly have this property. I have completely incorporated this into my current diet.

IMMUNE BOOSTING DIET
Lots of Probiotics. Re-colonized yogurt.
Non-pasteurized Pickles, Sauerkraut, Kim-Chee, Tofu-type stuff.
More of an add on (but more than a fad).

KETOGENIC DIET
Atkins or Paleo Diet. No Carbs.
Ketosis starves the cancer cells of sugar in theory.
After 2 Days I was getting terrible stomach pains.
That ended that. The biochemistry behind why this diet should work is absolutely beautiful. However, my readings produced very few actual success stories and more tales of disaster.

There is a ton of literature warning against sugar, starch, and gluten. My approach has been to reduce but not

eliminate grains. I am trying to incorporate more whole grains.

STARCH BASED DIET
The exact opposite of the Ketogenic Diet. Vegan with all carbs and no fat. The literature behind this is very convincing.
After 2 days I had a very frightening hypoglycemic episode after missing a meal.

It scared me back into my Mediterranean style diet.

JUICE DIET

Carrot, Apple, Orange, Green, Cranberry juices.

A juicer would be better, but I'm just buying refrigerated bottles. No sugar added. It's easier.

The idea is to have all your nutrient intake be easily digestible. Cooked food is approved. Raw food is harder to digest.

Finding it's easier and cheaper to drink water. Limiting myself to 2 juices per day.

Anything moore has a major laxative effect on me.

EARTH DIET

Basic minimum once daily: Lemon water, Fresh Juice, An unprocessed Whole Food item.

These rules can be incorporated into any more involved diet regimen.

AFRICAN DIET

High Carbohydrates, Starches, and Fiber. Low Protein, Fats, and Oils.

Kind of in-between the Mediterranean and Starch Based Diets.

PLANT BASED DIET

All fruits, vegetables, whole grains.

Minimize processed foods, sugar, oils.

No meats, no dairy, no eggs.

Occasionally some salmon or tuna.

This is working better than the all starch diet. It includes more protein and oils so I don't crash.

MEATS
Recently I've given up all meat, chicken and eggs.

Trying to reduce animal source foods to 5% of my diet.
I started by eating much smaller portions of it.

Think of it as a seasoning instead of the main course.

Yes you can give up bacon.

FISH AND SEAFOOD
I eat more fish more than other types.

Tuna and Salmon are considered to be antiangiogenic.

OTHER PROTEIN SOURCES

I try to get more protein from beans and peas and nuts.

With nuts I look for Almonds and avoid Peanuts.

Invest in a jar of Almond butter to replace peanut butter.

I try to avoid soy based meat substitutes.

OILS

This includes most salad dressing.

Butter and lard are out.

Olive oil and coconut oil are better than other vegetable oils.
I try to avoid Oils and Fried foods.
The main exception is Falafels!

If possible when coking use a non-stick pan and no oils all.

DAIRY

Greek Yogurt is a good source of probiotics.
I have recently eliminated my dairy intake.

Replaced it with almond milk.

Yes you can give up ice cream.

May try rice milk soon.

REFINED SUGAR
Replaced sugar with Stevia.
I can often circumvent a craving with a small piece of Dark Chocolate.

Avoid anything with added sugar.

Very occasionally go for some jelly or jam.

Yes you can give up donuts.

STARCHES
I try to pick healthier choices:
Multigrain or Sourdough breads.
Brown rice instead of white.
Sweet Potatoes over white potatoes.
Flax Seed in my morning Oatmeal.

FRUITS
Fruit consumption has increased.
Lots of berries. They are rich in phytochemicals.

A small bowl of blueberries has replaced the desire for

cookies or ice cream after dinner.

VEGETABLES
Vegetable consumption has tremendously increased.
I'm even growing tomatoes and peppers in the backyard.
Broccoli, onions, spinach, have become staples.

The more healthy stuff you eat, the more you like it.

SNACKS

Horseradish on Matzoh.

Pistachios/Almonds/Apricot Seeds

Blueberries/Strawberries

Trail Mix

Sprouts (with soy sauce)

Dark Chocolate

Salsa or Guac on tortilla (not chips)

Pita and Hummus

Pickle (raw variety)

Slivers of raw garlic on bread

Orange (Not Grapefruit: too many drug interactions)

Grapes (red/purple)

Applesauce or apples (Granny Smith)

WATER
I have gotten used to drinking plain water.
I am up to 2+ liters per day. My goal is 3 liters a day.

Starting to substitute juices for straight water.

BOOST
Nutritional Drink. An old favorite.
I used to have one in the morning when I woke up.
Protein, Carbs, Lipids, Fiber, and Vitamins!
All in one tasty chocolate drink.

More recently I've realized this contains corn syrup and oils.

It got me through some tough times but now I'm saying goodbye to an old friend.

Since replaced this with a Superfood powder drink.

ALMONDS AND APRICOT SEEDS

Yes you can find Apricot Seeds in health stores.
They contain Vitamin B-17. Don't overdo it though, it breaks down to cyanide.
Raw almonds. Dark Chocolate covered Almonds are awesome.

LEMONS
On Days off I put lemons in my Water. Really I do this.
It's citrus but theoretically it will make your body more alkaline.
Whatever. It can't hurt.

ANTICANCER MECHANISMS OF SUPPLEMENTS

Factors that Increase Survival

ANTIOXIDANTS

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

CoQ10

Fruit Extracts: blueberry, bilberry, pomegranate

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Astaxanthin

Coffee

Oregano

Melatonin

Resveratrol

Selenium

Milk Thistle

Essiac

Stevia

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: COX-2

Celebrex

Apigenen (Fruits, vegetables, tea)

Astaxanthin

Ginger

Green Tea

Quercetin

Resveratrol

Milk Thistle

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: COX-1

Aspirin

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: 5-LOX ENZYME

Boswellia

Fish Oil

Lycopene

Curcumin

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: TPA

Stevia

ALKILINIZERS

Lemons

Baking Soda

INCREASE IMMUNE FUNCTION

Beta Glucan

Probiotics

Astaxanthin

Astragalus

Cimetidine

Garlic

IP-6

Melatonin

Reishi

Essiac

ANTIANGIOGENESIS

Avastin

Blueberry

Flax

NAC

Vitamin D

Grape Seed

Curcumin

Green Tea

STOP/SLOW METASTISIS

Apigenen (Fruits, vegetables, tea)

Astaxanthin

Blueberry

Coffee

Curcumin

Cimetidine

Modified Citrus Pectin

NAC

Ginseng

Pomegranate

Coriolis Versicolor

KILL VIA NUCLEOTIDE SUBSTITUTION

Xeloda

APOPTOSIS

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Blueberry

Carotenoids

Coffee

Flax

Ginseng

Pomegranate

Selenium

Quercetin (Oregano, Berries, Red Grapes)

Sulforaphane (Broccoli, Horseraddish)

CYTOTOXIC EFFECT

Dandelion Root Extract

Amygdalin

REVERT CANCER CELLS/ DIFFERENTIATION

IP-6

Resveratrol

Milk Thistle

Vitamin D

SUPRESS TNF (TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR)

Milk Thistle

Vitamin C

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Astaxanthin

Fish Oil

TUMOR REGRESSION

Aloe

Astragalus

IP-6

CHEMOTHERAPY POTENTIATION

MSM

Glutamine

INHIBIT CANCER CELL GROWTH

INHIBIT TUMOR GROWTH

STOP PROLIFERATION

Apigenen (Fruits, vegetables, tea)

Coffee

Blueberry

Cimetidine

Green Tea

Glutamine

IP-6

Flax

Soy (preferably fermented)

MITOCHONDRIAL REGENERATION

Exercise

Caloric Restriction

CoQ10

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Resveratrol

B Vitamins

THEORIES ABOUT CANCER

Much of this is very contoversial according to who you ask.

I try to stay away from the conspiracy stuff.

Some of these address the causes, some the treatment.

STANDARD MODEL

Basic accepted consensus of establishment modern medical practice.

Carcinogens mutate the DNA of cells. If enough of the right genes in a cell are altered it becomes cancerous.

This may be entirely correct. However this crowd also subscribes almost exclusively to the treatment

modalities of cut, poison, and burn. Nutrition and supplements are almost entirely ignored.

Known Carcinogens include: Radiation, Radioisotopes, viruses, smoking, second hand smoke,

asbestos, fatty diet, grilled and charred meats, acrylamide (fried foods), gasoline, lead, etc.

MINERAL DEFICIENCY THEORY

The idea that a lack of minerals in the diet is the cause of many diseases including cancer.

A supplemental liquid mineral preparation would be indicated in this case.

MICROBE THEORY

The idea that bacteria/parasites living inside our cells cause cancer.

FLATWORM THEORY

The idea that helminthic parasites in our gut produce chemicals that induce/promote cancer.

TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR

TNF is an endogenous signal protein produced by many tissue types.

A double edged sword. Can kill cancer cells as well as promote their growth.

The best strategy so far seems to be to supress it if possible.

THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND CANCER

The immune system uses 2 main strategies to fight invaders:

1. Non-specific inflammatory response.

2. A very specific immune response.

In dealing with cancer inflammation is bad but a healthy immune system is good.

So simultaneously we must promote immune function while supressing

the unwanted inflammation it causes.

THE CHIROPRACTIC CONNECTION

The central nervous system influences the well-being of all other organ systems.

To have a top functioning Immune system would therefore require a CNS in good order.

Visits to the chiropractor to improve spinal alignment might aid in this.

NONGENOTOXINS

This idea is that there are specific substances in our food and environment that do not damage DNA,

but by various mechanisms they do cause and/or promote the growth of cancer. Examples would include:

Growth hormones (in meats), Estrogen, Immunosuppressants,

Inflammatory substances, benzene, arsenic, saccharin, ethanol

Ideally the cancer patient would avoid these chemicals.

METABOLIC THEORY

The idea that cancer is the result of damaged mitochondria incapable of oxidative respiration.

This results in their need for sugar for fermentation which is evidenced by PET scans.

Treatment would entail a ketogenic diet which would make chemotherapy more effective.

TUMOR STEM CELLS

Cancer cells that can still make use of cellular respiration.

Possible reason ketogenic diets seem to be ultimately ineffective after a while.

IMMUNOTHERAPY

Newest big thing. Laboratory enhancement of your immune cells to make them better target the cancer.

Very expensive. Some good responses. Some less so. Plus you have to have the right genetic markers.

You may get a DDTP shot before hand to prime your immune system.

GENETIC ANALYSIS

Still in its infancy. Looking at the genome of your particular cancer to determine if unexpected

drugs might be effective.

OFF LABEL PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Celebrex is a prime example as a COX-2 anti-inflammatory.

Simvastatin (supplemented with CoQ10).

Metformin is supposed to help mitochondrial health.

OFF LABEL OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS

Aspirin

Tagamet

LIGHT AND SOUND

Experimental noninvasive phototherapies (not lasers) and focused ultrasonic energy have been shown to destroy tumors.

So far only for brain tumors.

TUMOR TREATING FIELDS

Machine generated electrical fields that selectively disrupt mitotic spindle formation in cancer cells.

Noninvasive. No Side Effects. Medical Device. Treatment lasts months. Again only for brain cancer.

Synergy with chemotherapy.

PERSONAL SUPPLEMENT REGIMEN

DAILY SUPPLEMENTS

Celebrex

Garlic and Parsley

Blueberry Extract

Black Seed Oil (PM)

Curcumin (AM; found in Turmeric))

Probiotic (immunity booster)

Beta Glucan (immunity booster; twice a day)

Astaxanthin (Antioxidant)

Alpha Lipoic Acid (rejuvenates Glutathione)

Flax (Lignans; packets or softgel)

CoQ10 (Also good for the Heart)

MOST DAYS

Apricot Seeds

Lemon Water

Horseradish

Boswellia (boosts the curcumin)

Green Tea with Dandelion Root
Decaffeinated Coffee with Stevia, Cinnamon, and Astragalus

Milk Thistle (good for the liver)

Reseveratrol Softgel

ONE TO TWO TIMES A WEEK

Beta Carotene (Vitamin A complex)

Bilberry (Good for the eyes)

Pomegranate (Catechins, also in apples)

Colloidal Trace Minerals (liquid)

Vitamin D (5000mg also good for the bones)

Japanese Mushrooms

Aspirin

Grape Seed

Black Raspberry (it was on sale)

Vitamin C

B-Complex

THINGS I OWN BUT RARELY TAKE

NAC (Glutathione precursor)

MSM (Also good for the joints)

Omega 3 (Fish oil)
Oregano
Ginger

Selenium

Essiac (A combo of 4 herbs)

Vitamin E

Cayenne (Capsaicin)

Artichoke (Antiangiogenic)

Aloe (Juice or softgel)

SUPERFOODS

Currently on a powdered superfood supplement.

Once a day in my Almond Milk:

Amazing Grass Green Superfood Cacao Chocolate Infusion

Contains wheatgrass, maca, spirulina, enzymes, etc.

PRN AS NEEDED
-- Melatonin for insomnia
-- Tagamet for indigestion (Watch out: Drug Interactions)

-- Ginseng Tea with Honey for stomach upset

-- Magnesium for constipation
-- Echinacea caps for colds

DISCUSSION TOPICS

FIBER PAIN
Fiber pain is a common side effect of increasing vegetable and fruit intake. Things that help include: drinking water, exercise, and of course eating less fiber.

PILL SIZE
I will occasionally choke on a large capsule. Very scary.

Have plenty of water available. Drink in big gulps.

Thoroughly wet your throat, esophagus before attempting.

I will open capsules into coffee, oatmeal, and applesauce.

Tablets and softgels go down better than capsues.

I try to avoid anything bigger than 500mg.

FUTURE SUPLEMENTS
Some other supplements I'm thinking of adding:

Coriolus versicolor mushroom

Modified Citrus Pectin

Glutamine

IP6 (Immune booster)

Pancreatic Enzymes

PolyMVA

Quetcitin

Activated Charcoal

FUTURE SUPERFOODS

Some other "superfoods" I might add to the regimen:

Noni juice (expensive Pacific Fruit Juice)

Gogi juice (expensive Chinese Fruit Juice)

Coconut water

Phytoplankton

Moringa Oleifera

POLYPHARMACY
High doses of a single entity increases risk of Side effects.
Taking lower doses of many agents is a strategy known as
polypharmacy and increases the chances of drug interactions.

By taking many different supplements I am hedging my bets.

ANTIOXIDANTS

Radiation and some forms of chemotherapy are less effective in the

presence of antioxidants. Practically all the things listed in the

supplements list are Antioxidants. The exceptions would be

Probiotics, Celebrex, Magnesium, the Vitamin B's and Vitamin D,

Omegas 3's, and technically Beta Glucan.

Still taking Flax and Aloe anyway.

ANTIHELMINTHIC PROTOCOL

One theory is that parasitic worms under certain conditions

promote cancer. Eventually I plan to do a 10-14 day course

where I add Artemisinin (Wormwood) / Black Walnut Hull Tincture