Cancer and the Immune System

Transcription

1 Cancer and the Immune System Contents Cancer and the Immune System... 1 Introduction... 2 What the immune system is... 2 How the Immune System Functions... 3 Your Immune System and Stress... 4 Your Immune system and Sleep... 5 Immune system and Nutrition... 6 Immune System Support... 7 Counselling, Therapy, EFT... 7 Vitamins and Supplements... 8 Beta-carotene... 8 Vitamin C... 8 Selenium Vitamin A Vitamin B Vitamin D Vitamin E Zinc Melatonin & Inflammation & Immune System Melatonin for Sleep to Improve Immunity Astragalus Foods, herbs and spices that boost immune system Garlic Mushrooms Fennel Ginseng... 12

2 Green Tea Inflammation Cruciferous Vegetables Cooked Shellfish And Fish(Cod) Chicken soup good for more than just the soul Supplements and Herbs Ginseng... Error! Bookmark not defined. Echinacea and Immune System Astragalus and Immune System... Error! Bookmark not defined. Exercise Benefits of Yoga for Cancer Patients Alternative Therapies based on the Immune System Dr. Joseph Issels Whole Body Therapy Gerson Therapy Introduction This PDF will teach you about the importance of the immune system in your cancer therapy in terms of fighting the cancer now and preventing cancer in the future. It includes the basic theory of the immune system as well as the foods, herbs and supplements that can help you to improve the immune system. It is important to realize that foods added to your diet in a normal fashion are generally safe and healthy but supplements and herbs have the potential to interfere with treatment. Some chemotherapy treatments are less effective when done in conjunction with some of these supplements and herbs, so it is important to discuss your choices and supplements with your cancer care professional during your treatment phase. What the immune system is As we evolved and we were vulnerable to the environment around us, the body evolved a specialized network of organs, tissues and cells that would act like the body s army to protect us against invaders. Your immune system protects you from invasion by bacteria, viruses, fungi, poisons and other things that may invade your body.

3 The immune system consists of various organs. The main organs and structures involved in the immune system include the bone marrow, the lymph nodes and lymphatic system, the thymus and the spleen. All of the organs and systems work together to produce immune system cells that make up the immune system s army. Immune cells include macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells, killer T cells and a whole bunch of other cells that have various ways of killing or removing invaders. How the Immune System Functions Essentially the immune system developed a way of distinguishing between cells that belong to you and cells that are foreign to the body. So, the immune system allows your cells to live in peace while it attacks invader cells that don t belong to you. That is why you need to take drugs after an organ transplant to suppress the immune system. When cancer cells occasionally develop in a healthy immune system environment, the immune system cells for the most part recognize that the cancer cells are different. They attack the cancer cells and destroy them. However, when the immune system is depleted by stress, or a lack of nutrition, or because you have been sick, then the immune system may not be there to attack the cancer cells to remove them. There does not seem to be scientific agreement on why the immune system stops fighting cancer. Some theories are that the cancer creates the ability to hide from the immune system, other theories say that the cells are too similar to our own and that the immune system does not recognize them, and other theories say the immune system is just not strong enough to fight all of the cancer cells that form.

4 Either way, it not that important to know why the immune system stops fighting cancer. What is important is that you need a strong immune system to fight other diseases while you are fighting cancer itself and you need a strong immune system to help you fight the cancer. Your Immune System and Stress Your thoughts can switch you immune system on or off. When we experience negative emotions, our bodies are designed to go into fight or flight mode and the body releases a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is nicknamed the death hormone by doctors and excess levels of cortisol are extremely bad for your immune system. Excess levels of cortisol switch off the immune system. This means your body does not produce the immune cells its needs to protect you from invasion, or from cancer for that matter. It is essential for cancer patients to find some sort of therapy or discipline that can teach them how to control and reduce stress. Let s face it, when you are diagnosed with cancer, you immediately feel you are dying, going to die or have been given a death sentence. This is often not true but negative thoughts like those have the ability to bring those thoughts to reality because feeling that way can physically shut the body down. You need to understand that cancer is not a death sentence but it a passport to a completely new life. Cancer is a huge warning that tells you to change the way you have been living. Unlike a heart attack which can kill you immediately, cancer can be a slow warning system that something is not right about what your have been eating, how you have been living or what you have been doing. Cancer is a life sentence but a life sentence to a better, healthier, happier life. Cancer can be beaten. The truth is that cancer survival rates are increasing daily. New therapies, drugs and alternative therapies are being discovered every year and there is a great chance that you will beat this disease. New research on diet, how to live well and eat properly, is available on almost a daily basis now. That s why we have launched the ongoing cancer library, so you can make the best and informed choices to help you change your life and get rid of the cancer. The famous saying, There is nothing to fear but fear itself, has never been more true than in the case of cancer and your thoughts. Fear, depression, anger and frustration all lead to excess cortisol in your body and this in turn switches off the immune system, digestion and metabolism, and these functions are vital in the fight against cancer.

5 When cortisol, the "stress" hormone, triggered by our thoughts and our emotions like anxiety, it plays an important role in the development and worsening of cancer and other conditions. 1 Cortisol helps to regulate immune system activity and to ensure we remain healthy. Cortisol regulates the release of our "natural killer" cells that help your body fight cancer. Cortisol also regulates the inflammatory process. These functions are affected by excessive cortisol levels caused by stress and negative thoughts. Cortisol levels are normally highest at dawn, after hours of sleep, and decline throughout the day. 2 Unless of course, you had a stressful day or bad sleep patterns. A study, in the October issue of Brain, Behavior and Immunity, indicated why it is important to get quality sleep. It shows that sleep and stress are two of the important mind-body factors that might affect the outcome of cancer 3 In another study, Swedish researchers found that women who were under a lot of stress had double the risk of breast cancer compared with women who remained calm when life threw them a curveball. 4 For more on stress, cancer and thoughts, please watch or read the Thoughts and Cancer video or PDF. Your Immune System and Sleep Sleep is an essential part of the stress and healing cycle. There is a ton of research that prove that a good night s rest relieves symptoms and improves stress levels and these in turn have a real effect on the treatment outcomes of cancer patients how long they live, how much pain they experience and whether they experience a recurrence of the cancer. When patients get enough rest they are less likely to be depressed, and there is evidence that depression may be associated with an increased risk of recurrence. A study published at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, showed that depressed women with breast cancer had a 50 percent greater chance of recurrence than women with breast cancer who were not depressed

6 By learning to reduce your stress and increasing your support network of friends, family, cancer support groups and therapists, you halve your chances of recurrence, if not more. Sleep may have a positive effect on the risk of cancer recurrence. During sleep, the brain produces the hormone melatonin. Melatonin a very potent stimulant for the immune system. Melatonin has cancer-regulating properties. This means it actually helps to reduce the risk of cancer growing and spreading. 6 A study by Dr. Spiegel proved that night shift workers had higher rates of breast cancer than most women who sleep normal hours. He showed that these women have shifted cortisol rhythms. Their cortisol peaked in the afternoon instead of the morning. At least two more studies showed that these women typically die faster from breast cancer. 7 The main hormone affected by sleep is melatonin. Melatonin is produced by the brain while we are sleeping in the dark. Some speculate that melatonin may have antioxidant properties that help to stop the damage to cells that often leads to cancer. 8 "There's a definite hormonal pattern that is affected by sleep that in itself, can predict a more rapid progression of cancer," Dr. Spiegel said. 9 Researchers used to believe that cancer-related fatigue was merely a normal and temporary reaction to the cancer itself and to the treatments for cancer. They now know there is more to this theory. More and more research has shown that the quality of a cancer patient s sleep directly influences the outcome and success of the treatment. Studies show that: Fatigued patients are less likely to comply with the therapy. Fatigued patients are likely to miss appointments. Fatigued patients complain of more pain. Sleep disorders may increase inflammation, which can influence cancer growth. Sleep disorders may influence immune system functions. 10 For more information on sleep and cancer, read the Sleep and Cancer PDF. Immune System and Nutrition Good nutrition is vital for a healthy immune system. The body uses nutrients, vitamins and minerals to build the new immune cells and chemicals you need to fight the cancer

7 That is why it is important to have sufficient building blocks to create the immune cells and to create new healthy cells to replace the cancer cells that die or are killed. To create immune cells and new healthy cells, the body needs: 1. Enough proteins to build the cell itself many of the cells are produced using protein 2. Enough good fat all cell membranes are made of healthy fats 3. Enough energy to make the cells in the form of complex carbohydrates It is important to get your energy from as few carbohydrates as possible. To see why, watch the Cancer and Sugar video. It is also important to make sure you are getting all the vitamins and nutrients needed so that the body has all the raw materials it needs to produce the new healthy cells and the new immune cells to fight the cancer and replace it with healthy cells. Immune System Support The following therapies and approaches can be considered to help you support and improve your immune system: Counselling Vitamins and Minerals Foods, Herbs and Spices Exercise Counselling, Therapy, EFT You have seen the link between sleep, stress and cancer. It is imperative that your approach to cancer treatment includes healthy ways to deal with the stress of the disease and to create positive emotions about how you are taking care of yourself. For more information read the Stress and Cancer PDF and the Sleep and Cancer PDF. There are many studies about how therapy can influence the outcome of your cancer, recurrence and the symptoms that you experience. In a review published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, researchers compared various studies on the efficacy of therapy on various treatment outcomes and cancer related symptoms. They wanted to see what affect different types of therapy had on different symptoms and outcomes. They classified the different types of therapies into relaxation, imagery and hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), coping skills training, meditation, music and virtual reality training.

8 They then took all of the studies and collected data about how much pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance was experienced by the various patients. 11 The study found that: Imagery/Hypnosis and CBT had produced improvements in all the areas. Patients who had received therapy for imagery, hypnosis and CBT had less pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance. 12 Meditation proved beneficial for fatigue and sleep disturbance and music was beneficial for pain and fatigue. 13 Vitamins and Supplements Here are a list of supplements that have shown to help support the immune system: Beta-carotene Beta-carotene is essential for a healthy immune system. Foods high in beta-carotene include: Sweet potato, carrots, dark leafy vegetables, red peppers and broccoli. Betacarotene is essential for the body in order to produce Vitamin A. 14 Vitamin C Vitamin C has been used for thousands of years as a way to fight colds and flu and as a way to support the immune system. Vitamin C is also offered by alternative healers as a way to treat and cure cancer. In this section, we are only talking about vitamin C consumed through regular dietary sources or through a vitamin supplement. Please note that if you are going to take a vitamin C supplement, it is important to discuss this with your oncologist or cancer care professional. Vitamin C can interact with certain types of chemotherapy, vitamin C may cause adverse reactions to vitamin B17 as a therapy and vitamin C cannot be taking in high doses if you are on hydrazine sulfate. Therefore, it is essential to discuss your intake of vitamin C with your cancer care specialist. Foods high in vitamin C include: Papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, oranges, lemons, cantaloupe, and cauliflower. Most cruciferous vegetables are high in vitamin C. 15 Selenium Selenium is essential to the immune system. Some studies show that people with low selenium levels are at greater risk of bladder, breast, colon, rectum, lung, and prostate

9 cancers. A large-scale, multiyear study is currently in progress to look at the effects of combining selenium and vitamin E on prostate cancer prevention. 16 Vitamin A Scientists have known for a long time that vitamin A plays an important role in fighting infections and supporting a healthy immune system. Vitamin A influences various types of T cells and B cells in the body. A deficiency of vitamin A can weaken the immune system and place us at a higher risk for infection. You therefore need to ensure you get enough vitamin A in your diet to support the immune system. 17 Vitamin B6 Many studies show that a vitamin B6 deficiency can suppress the immune system. The deficiency may stop lymphocytes from maturing, and influence the B and T cells you need to fight cancer. Supplementation of vitamin B6 is needed to support the immune system but you need to be careful of taking too much vitamin B6, as there are studies that show an excess of vitamin B6 can actually promote the growth rate of tumors. 18 Vitamin D The body produces vitamin D when we spend time in the sun. Studies show that vitamin D affects the immune system s ability to fight off certain invaders like TB. Although there is no real research on vitamin D yet, it is important to make sure you get enough vitamin D. 19 Vitamin E In a study involving healthy patients who were over the age 65, researchers showed that by increasing the daily dose of vitamin E patients had an increased immune. They could not repeat the results when the patients received diphtheria and pneumococcal vaccines, but one has to assume vitamin E plays a role in the immune system and how well it functions. 20 Zinc Zinc is a trace element. Zinc is a vital component for the immune system cells and for the immune system to function correctly. In studies, a zinc deficiency has been shown to

10 affect the way T cells and other immune cells function. Once again, ensuring you get enough zinc is crucial, but an excess of zinc can also impair the immune system. 21 The best way to ensure you are getting the right balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals is to work out the right balance with your cancer care professional or with your nutritionist. Melatonin, Inflammation and the Immune System As you have seen, sleep is vital for a healthy immune system. Lack of sleep has been linked to lowered immune responses in many studies. Since melatonin aids and improves sleep, once again, it should be no wonder that it improves the immune system and fights inflammation. Research for inflammation and the immune system shows that: Melatonin improves inflammation and oxidative stress in young, diabetic fatty rats. 22 Melatonin may be useful in the treatment of gallstones and the gallbladder to help to reduce inflammation. 23 It was discovered in 1993 that melatonin is a powerful free-radical scavenger and wide-spectrum antioxidant. 24 Melatonin has been proven twice as active as vitamin E, believed to be the most effective lipophilic antioxidant. 25 Melatonin improves inflammation processes in the liver of age-accelerated prone male mice. 26 Melatonin for Sleep to Improve Immunity Since melatonin is linked to circadian rhythms, it should be no wonder that melatonin is linked to sleep improvements. Melatonin can decreases the time it takes to fall asleep and may increase sleep quality. Melatonin is not like a sleeping pill though so if your melatonin levels are normal and you are not sleeping properly, then taking melatonin is not necessarily going to have the effect of improving sleep. For research and information on Melatonin, read the Melatonin PDF

11 Melatonin supplements are available from your physician. Astragalus There are over two hundred studies related to Astragalus and the immune system. 27 The majority of the studies show that Astragalus has the ability to support and improve the immune system. According to Smart Publications, Astragalus supports the immune system by enhancing the activity of white blood cells that increases the production of certain antibodies. 28 It increases the production of interferon that is a natural anti-tumor agent in the body. 29 And it stimulates the natural killer cells within the body. 30 For more information on Astragalus, read the Astragalus PDF. Foods, Herbs and Spices that Boost the Immune System Foods found to boost the immune system include: Garlic The studies on garlic and the immune system are comprehensive to say the least. A recent review of these studies with regards to cancer, inflammation and the immune system, seem to agree that garlic boosts the immune system cells and chemicals that possesses anti-tumor qualities and at the same reduces inflammation that promotes the spread and progression of the tumor. 31 There are numerous studies on the benefits of garlic as an immune booster and an antiinflammatory agent. Read the Garlic PDF to see the studies. Garlic can be added to the diet as fresh minced garlic and there are garlic supplements available. It is important to let your oncologist or cancer care team know if you are taking the supplement to ensure there are no medical interactions between your current treatment and the supplement See the GarlicImmunePDF. The Immunomodulation and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Garlic. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 2014, Vol. 14

12 Mushrooms There are over species of different mushrooms and scientific studies on their benefits are too numerous to mention here. For more information on mushrooms for cancer, read the Mushroom PDF. Mushrooms contain two very important compounds that have been shown to improve the immune system and even fight cancer. These compounds are called beta-glucans and polysaccharides. 32 Certain medicinal mushrooms have been shown to be highly effective in boosting the immune system and fighting cancer at the same time. Their power to boost the immune system stems from the beta glucan compound they contain. Adding mushrooms to your diet could help you in the fight but it is important to note that foods are medicine too, so if you plan to add an abundance of mushrooms, then always check with your nutritionist or cancer care specialist to ensure its fine with your current medications. Fennel Fennel is very high in vitamin C. This is part of fennel s ability to support the immune system. 33 Vitamin C is the body's primary water-soluble antioxidant, able to neutralize free radicals in all aqueous environments of the body. 34 One cup of Fennel contains 10mg of vitamin C. Ginseng Ginseng has also been studied for its effects to help boost the immune system. Ginseng offers a number of immune system benefits. Ginseng regulates the immune system. 35 It regulates immune system cells. 36 It controls inflammation. 37 For more information on studies and ginseng, feel free to download the Ginseng PDF Medical Review. Green Tea and Inflammation Green tea has a number of anti-inflammatory properties and studies show that green tea can help reduce and fight chronic inflammation

13 There are over 300 studies listed for green tea and inflammation on the National Health Institute s database. 38 Green tea is an anti-inflammatory. 39 It reduces inflammation For more information on Green Team, read the Green Tea PDF. Cruciferous Vegetables The cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower and bok choi, should form a part of any healthy diet and these vegetables offer added benefits for cancer patients too since there are over 600 studies, and counting, on the beneficial cancer prevention and cancer fighting properties that these vegetables contain. 42 Read the Cruciferous Vegetables PDF for more information on the benefits of cruciferous vegetables. Cooked Shellfish and Fish (Cod) Well-cooked shellfish, and fish like cod, are an excellent source of selenium, vitamin B12, protein, zinc and vitamin A. Just 4 ounces of steamed shrimp contains 102% of your daily selenium RDA. 43 It is however important to make sure that all of your seafood and shrimp has been cooked properly to avoid any chances of bacterial infections. 44 Chicken soup Good for More than Just the Soul It turns out that good, old-fashioned chicken soup makes most of the top ten lists for foods that boost the immune system. Chicken soup even made the list on WebMD! 45 Chicken soup benefits the immune system and helps to fight off viruses and flu. There is one recipe we found that takes old-fashioned chicken soup to the next level of immune busters by adding shitake mushrooms, Astragalus and garlic for added immune boosting qualities. The recipe can be found here:

14 Supplements and Herbs Garlic extract, and extracts of the above foods like mushrooms and Green Tea can be used as supplements to boost the immune system. Echinacea and Immune System Echinacea is most widely known and used for its ability to strengthen and support the immune system. It has been used for hundreds of years for this purpose and studies involving immune system support include both human, animal and lab studies. For studies on Echinacea and the immune system, there are over 150 studies on the National Health Institute database. 46 It regulates the immune system. 47 It regulates T cell response. 48 It also corrects immune system function More studies including human trials are available that show the immune boosting power of Echinacea. 51 Exercise Exercise is essential for both a healthy mind and a healthy body and exercise boosts the immune system. Getting enough exercise is essential for your treatment plan. This doesn t mean you have to go jogging every day. In fact, there are studies on yoga which show that yoga can actually improve sleep disorders in cancer patients. By learning yoga or similar exercises, you will be helping to improve the immune system. 52 Yoga will also teach you beneficial mind/body exercises that will improve your relaxation that in turn will help to reduce daily stress, which will ultimately also improve your immune system. Benefits of Yoga for Cancer Patients Here are the proven benefits of yoga: Significant pain relief and lower pain levels Significant improvement in fatigue and fatigue related symptoms Significant improvements in relaxation Yoga may impact survival times Improvements in stress Improvements in mood

15 Anti-inflammatory effects Improvement in sleep quality From the above list, it is easy to see why yoga is included in our list of complementary therapies. Alternative Therapies based on the Immune System Alternative and complementary therapies that are based on immune system function: Dr. Joseph Issels Whole Body Therapy The Issels Integrative Oncology Centers offer whole body approaches to treating cancer using the immune system and the functions of the immune system as the core basis of the treatment. The center creates an individualized plan for each patient using genomic testing to help them create personalized vaccines and treatments that are designed to teach the immune system to recognize and then fight the cancer cells. The treatment can be undertaken along with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation and according to the Issels Foundation, their treatment protocol has been shown to enhance the effects of standard treatments and to also reduce the side effects of chemo and radiation. For more on the Issels Integrative Approach, read the Issels PDF. Gerson Therapy Gerson Therapy is aimed at restoring the immune system and helping the liver cope. Gerson therapy can be followed where patients have had limited radiation but not where patients have chosen chemotherapy. The Gerson approach consists of a very strict vegetarian diet with coffee enemas and specific supplements. For more information on the Gerson Approach, please read the Gerson Therapy PDF.