Colon cancer

Colon Cancer Home Remedies

Colon Cancer can be a devastating condition, but a number of natural remedies have been found to relieve cancer symptoms and even reverse the growth of cancerous tumors.

Sometimes more formally called colorectal cancer — which includes colon cancer and rectal cancer — this medical condition involves the cancerous growth of the polyps that line the lower intestinal tract.

Increasing the number of colon cancer screenings has become a major social imperative because this form of cancer is easy to treat at the outset but becomes much more difficult to treat and critically dangerous to one’s health and quality of life as colon cancer advances to later stages.

Symptoms of colon cancer include changes in the pattern of your bowel movements, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and intestinal discomforts.

 

Managing side effects

During treatment for colorectal cancer, you can do things at home to help manage your side effects and symptoms. If your doctor has given you instructions or medicines to treat these problems, be sure to also use them.

In general, healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep and exercise may help control your symptoms.

You can try home treatments:

  • For nausea or vomiting, such as ginger tea, peppermint candy or gum, or drinking enough fluids so that you don’t get dehydrated.
  • For diarrhea, such as taking small, frequent sips of water and bites of salty crackers.
  • For constipation, such as getting plenty of water and fiber in yourdiet. Do not use a laxative without first talking to your doctor.

Other problems that can be treated at home include:

  • Sleep problems. If you have trouble sleeping, try having a regular bedtime, getting exercise daily, and avoiding caffeine late in the day.
  • Feeling very tired. If you lack energy or become weak easily, try to get extra rest and plan your schedule to make the most of the energy you have.
  • Pain. There are many home treatments that can help when you have pain, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, heat packs, or cold packs. Talk to your doctor before using any home treatment for pain.
  • Mouth sores. This includes watching what you eat and drink and rinsing regularly with mouthwash or an antacid.

 

Managing stress from having cancer

Having cancer can be very stressful. Finding new ways of coping with your stress may improve your overall quality of life.

These ideas may help:

    • Take steps to reduce your stress. Find new ways to relax, such asyoga or visualization exercises.
    • Get the support you need. Spend time with people who care about you. Let them help you.
    • Talk about your feelings. Try meeting with a counselor or joining a support group where you can share your experience

Here are 8 proven  steps you can take right now to promote  a healthy anti-cancer intestinal environment and fight colorectal cancer (bowel cancer) naturally.

Colorectal cancer is a “food-related” cancer. (1) Everything you eat passes over the lining of your digestive tract. The lining of the large intestine and the rectum at the lower end of the digestive tube contains waste, digestive fluids, bile acids and fiber. That lining is bathed by chemicals in food, your own hormones and secretions, healthy and unhealthy bacteria. The contents of your intestines has a direct impact on the health of the tissue is touches as it passes through. Colorectal cancer is directly impacted by your diet.

  • Eat Less Red Meat: Studies show that eating red meat “frequently” increases the incidence of colon cancer. Eating red meat daily and especially more than one serving pers day increased risk. Plant based diets showed lowest risk (1). Increased risk is associated with increased inflammation associated with chemicals released by digestion of red meat. These chemicals increase damage to and inhibit the repair of DNA (genetic material) in the cells lining your intestines. (2) Damage to DNA is a primary cause of all cancers.
  • Eat More Garlic: According to the National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet on Garlic and Cancer Prevention,

    Preliminary studies suggest that garlic consumption may reduce the risk of developing several types of cancer, especially cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Protective effects from garlic may arise from its antibacterial properties or from its ability to block the formation of cancer-causing substances, halt the activation of cancer-causing substances, enhance repair, reduce cell proliferation, or induce cell death. Garlic is high in the minerals sulfur and selenium as well as plant chemicals such as allicilin and flavonoids, all known to be beneficial to health.  The World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for general health promotion for adults is a daily dose of 2 to 5 g of fresh garlic (approximately one clove) daily. (3) (4)

    Other food plants in this family with similar properties include onions, leeks, scallions, and chives.

  • Eat A Rainbow of Plant Antioxidants: The deep, bright colors of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices contributes a wide variety of antioxidants to the diet. Examples of antioxidant rich, deeply pigmented foods are blueberries, cranberries, pomegranates, carrots, apricots, canteloupe, kale, broccoli, spinach, avocado, tomato, apples, red cabbage, red and purple grapes, pink grapefruit, tumeric, saffron, oregano, sage, rosemary. Color signals the presence of anti oxidant plant chemicals that turn on cancer suppressor genes and turn off cancer promoter genes. Studies show increased levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in the colon with diets lacking plant antioxidants. Increased inflammation and low antioxidant levels is an environment that promotes colon cancer.(6) (7) Eat 6-10 servings daily.
  • Use Olive Oil Olive oil contains plant chemicals that have anti-cancer properties. Olive oil reduces bile acid and increases enzymes that regulate cell turn over in the lining of theinstestines promoting healthy tissue. Antioxidant compounds (phenolics) present in olive oil also exert a cancer protective antioxidant effect. (8)
  • Include Selenium Rich Foods  Studies show that selenium not only inhibits colon cancer but can also enhance or work with some cancer drugs. Selenium not only protects colon cancer cells but also inhibit growth and promotes death of colon cancer cells. (9) Foods rich in selenium include garlic and onions, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, whole grains (brown rice, oats, wheat germ), brazil nuts, fish (tuna, halibut, sardines, salmon). In some areas the soil is very poor in selenium. Therefore taking a supplement of methyselenocysteine, a biologically active form of oral selenium, may provide a source absent in the diet.
  • Include Spices and Herbs That Inhibit Colon Cancer Studies show that Garlic, Ginger, Tumeric, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, and Peppermint all inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells. (11)
  • Include Omega 3 Oils  A diet rich in anti-inflammatory Omega 3 oils (EPA and DHA) decreases incidence of colon cancer.  Omega 3 oils are found in cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and cod as well as flax oil. Omega 3 oils decrease the levels of pro-inflammatory molecules that promote cancer. Because it is not always easy to get adequate levels of Omega 3 oils (EPA and DHA) in the modern diet, oral supplementation is a good alternative. (12)
  • Drink Ginseng Tea Numerous studies have shown that several species of  the prized longevity herb ginseng root decrease growth and proliferation of colon cancer cells, increases their demise (increases apoptosis) and act as potent protective anti-cancer anti-oxidant.  Asian ginsengs (Panax ginseng, Panax notoginseng) as well as American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) all exhibit these properties. Ginseng root is widely available in tea and extract form as a beverage tea.  Under the guidance of a knowledgable clinician ginseng root has been traditionally used as a medicinal herbal medicine for a wide variety of applications. (13) (14)

Summary Reflecting upon these recommendations for dietary choices, we are describing both traditional Mediterranean  and traditional Asian Diets. These diets are naturally low in red meats and animal proteins, high in fish and omega 3 oils, high in olive oil and a wide variety of whole grains and fruits and vegetables as well as herbs and spices with known anti-cancer properties.  Cultures where traditional diets are still eaten today have lower rates of colon cancer than countries such as the United and some European countries where a modern diet seems to promote and create higher risk for colon cancer.  (1) (2) (7) (8) (10) (11) (12). The choices seem clear and pretty tasty.