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.
About the author:
Marilyn's partner Glenn was declared cancer-free after 11 months
using a nutritional approach. She spent many hours researching
an alternative to the barbaric surgery offered as Glenn's only
hope. He never did have the surgery. They are now on a mission
to "spread the word" about the many things they discovered we
can all do to fight cancer. For more crucial, potentially
lifesaving information please visit
http://www.cancer-einfo.com
