| Cancer
Diet - Minerals
by: Marilyn
Bennett
A cancer diet needs a good balance
of minerals because minerals are needed by all
cells for proper function. Patients are often
found to be mineral deficient, so this is an area
of the diet that needs particular attention.
There are two classes of minerals.
Macrominerals, such as the well known calcium,
magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus, and
microminerals, such as boron, chromium, copper,
iron, iodine, germanium, sulfur, silicon, vanadium,
zinc, manganese and molybdenum.
The good news is we will get most
of the minerals we need, provided we are eating
a diet based on a wide variety of fruits and veggies,
with the addition of nuts, seeds and grains.
Where we can get in to trouble is
that minerals are washed out of soils with constant
rain, and modern fertilizers don't usually contain
the wide variety of minerals we need. Organic
gardeners usually use rock minerals on their soils
and this results in organic produce have a much
higher and broader range of minerals.
Germanium is one micromineral that
cancer patients are often low on. It is essential
for immune function and is critical to tissue
oxygenation. Cancer grows rapidly where there
is low oxygenation of cells. Germanium is found
in broccoli, celery, garlic, onions, rhubarb,
sauerkraut and tomato juice as well as aloevera
and ginseng.
Iodine deficiency has been linked
to breast cancer in more than one study. Seasalt
contains iodine and a variety of minerals rather
than the isolated highly processed iodine additive
in table salt. Asparagus, garlic, lima beans,
soybeans, sesame seeds all contain natural iodine
along with the nutrients needed for good absorption.
Large amounts of brassicas eg brussels
sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, along with peaches,
pears and spinach can block absorption of iodine,
so ensure there is a balance of iodine rich foods
in your diet.
Selenium has been linked to cancer.
Selenium and Vitamin E work together to attack
free radicals. Selenium is critical for pancreatic
function, and pancreatic enzymes are critical
to the bodies ability to fight tumour activity.
This mineral is generally found in meat and grains,
however countries such as New Zealand and much
of America is known to have selenium deficient
soils.
As there have been several studies
showing that good selenium levels have significantly
reduced the risk of cancer, this is one mineral
you want to have enough of.
Food sources that should be included
frequently in a cancer diet are: brazil nuts,
broccoli, brown rice, brewers yeast, chicken,
kelp, onions, salmon, seafood, tuna, wheatgerm
and whole grains. Garlic, chamomile, ginseng and
parsley are all easy to use concentrated forms
that can be added to the diet daily.
A couple of warnings:
Be very careful about self-dosing
with minerals as several of them will block absorption
of others if the dose is too high.
Again, eating a variety of foods,
with particular notice taken of those that have
high mineral levels is the safest way to go. If
you wish to explore mineral supplementation further,
talk to your naturopath or nutritionist. But whatever
you do, don't ignore the importance of these vital
elements to your well being. |
