Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Protein List - Weight Gain

For weight gain, we have found protein through the following:

Hemp Seeds
Chia Seeds
Flax Seeds
Quinoa
Chicken Liver
Soaked legumes - garbanzo beans, black beans, edamame beans, mung beans, soy beans, cannelini beans, kidney beans (highest level of protein)
My father will put a small chicken in a crock pot and create fresh chicken broth for her\
Grass fed, hormone-free ground beef
Fresh turkey meat
Tofu (sparingly)
Fish - Top sources of protein are tuna, salmon, halibut, snapper, flounder, sole, cod, tilapia
Cottage Cheese
Yogurt
Milk
Nuts - almonds, peanuts, pistachios, mixed nuts
Seeds - Hemp seeds, Flax Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Chia Seeds
Rice Protein Powder
Seaweed


Astragalus - Immune Booster

My 

My mother uses an alcohol free astragalus extract. She mixes it with the powder from her life booster pills. 

Astragalus

Other common name(s): milk vetch, huang qi, huang ch', ogi, hwanggi, bei qi, radix astragali, goat's horn, green dragon, locoweed
Scientific/medical name(s): Astragalus membranaceus

Description

Astragalus is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine taken from a plant known as Astragalus membranaceus, which is a type of bean (legume). The root is used in herbal remedies.

Overview

Animal studies and preliminary human clinical studies suggest that astragalus may improve immune system function and boost the effect of conventional immune therapy for some cancers. But available scientific evidence does not support claims that astragalus can prevent cancer, cure cancer, extend survival, or reduce side effects of conventional cancer treatment. There is some suggestion that it may enhance the effects of certain chemotherapy drugs, but this theory needs to be tested more thoroughly.

How is it promoted for use?

The herb is promoted to kill cancer cells, reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy, help heal burns, protect against heart disease, fight the common cold, and help improve overall weakness. Proponents also claim astragalus can stimulate the spleen, liver, lungs, circulatory, and urinary system, and help treat arthritis, asthma, and nervous conditions. They further claim it can lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

What does it involve?

When dried, the root of the astragalus plant is sold in tea bags, tinctures, and capsules. It is also available as dried slices of the root and as a powder. In China, healers sometimes use the dried root in soups or roast the root in honey for use as a medicinal tonic. Astragalus is usually combined with other Chinese herbal remedies.

What is the history behind it?

For more than 2,000 years, Chinese herbalists have recommended astragalus to help the human body build up energy and resist diseases including cancer, heart disease, liver and kidney problems, and infections. It is the most commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine, though it is most often used with other herbs. Conventional medical researchers became interested in the possibility that astragalus might boost immune response and lessen the side effects of chemotherapy.

What is the evidence?

The scientific evidence for the ability of astragalus to enhance the immune system and fight diseases, including cancer and heart disease, comes mostly from lab and animal studies. Researchers at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found that astragalus extract boosted the cell-destroying ability, or cytotoxicity, of the conventional immune system drug interleukin-2 (IL-2) by helping cells of the immune system. (This study was done using cells in the lab, not in humans.)
Astragalus partly restored the immune function of cells in test tubes. Some studies have suggested that it can reduce the length of colds. Astragalus may stimulate the body to produce interferons, a group of substances used by the body to defend against viral infections.
Though animal and laboratory studies show promise, more study is needed to find out if the results apply to humans. A few human studies of astragalus have been done, mostly in China, and some suggest that this herb might help the immune system cells in people who have cancer. But most experts who have reviewed these studies said that flaws in the way the most of this research was designed, conducted, or analyzed make it difficult to say if their results are valid. If the herb is found to boost immune system effects and help fight tumors, it may be helpful as an adjunct to chemotherapy or other cancer treatments.
A 2006 review of the most reliable studies of astragalus and lung cancer found some evidence that this herb might enhance the effects of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin. The reviewers recommended that more rigorously designed studies be conducted. A non-randomized clinical trial of patients with lung cancer found no evidence that astragalus increased the effectiveness of a different type of chemotherapy drug, docetaxel.
The consensus of available scientific evidence does not support claims that astragalus can prevent or cure cancer in humans or decrease the toxic effects of chemotherapy or other conventional cancer treatments. Large-scale human trials are needed to learn about the benefits, if any, of astragalus in people with cancer.
Are there any possible problems or complications?
This product is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce drugs (which must be tested before being sold), the companies that make supplements are not required to prove to the Food and Drug Administration that their supplements are safe or effective, as long as they don't claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any specific disease.
Some such products may not contain the amount of the herb or substance that is on the label, and some may include other substances (contaminants). Actual amounts per dose may vary between brands or even between different batches of the same brand. In 2007, the FDA wrote new rules to improve the quality of manufacturing for dietary supplements and the proper listing of supplement ingredients. But these rules do not address the safety of the ingredients or their effects on health.
Most such supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.
Astragalus is generally thought to be safe. Reported side effects include belly bloating, loose stools, low blood pressure, and dehydration. People with autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus) or people taking drugs that suppress the immune system (such as corticosteroids or cyclosporin) should talk with their doctors before taking this herb.
There is some concern that astragalus might interfere with blood clotting, so some doctors say that it should not be taken before surgery or in people taking aspirin-like drugs or blood-thinning medicines. It may also affect blood pressure in some, so those taking blood pressure medicines may need to be watched more closely if they use this herb. There have also been reports of lowered blood sugar, which could be dangerous for those with diabetes or hypoglycemia.
Other potential interactions between herbs and medicines are possible, some of which may be dangerous. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about the herbs you are taking.
Allergic reactions are rare. People who are allergic to other legumes (peas and beans) may be more likely to be allergic to astragalus. Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.

Orgain - Alternative to Ensure & Boost. Weight Gain. Meal during Chemo.

An alternative to Boost and Ensure is Orgain. Orgain was created to be "the world's healthiest drink". It was created by a cancer survivor and practicing physician. All the information can be found here:

http://www.drinkorgain.com/

This is a great meal supplement for cancer patients going through chemo or have very little appetite. I found that the vitamin store had great deals on this product from time to time. Check online.


Erom Organic Raw Meal 45

I wanted to share this product as this is something my father came across in Korea town and bought for my mother when she had reached a point of zero appetite. She would take this every morning along with her life booster pills (see blog). Additionally she drinks Orgain (see blog) to help with the weight gain. 

Description



 Erom Organic Raw Meal 45 (40 g x 60 packs)

 
Affordable Health Diet1 Serving = 1 Meal : 40g (1 pack, 140 calories)

Erom Organic Raw Meal 45
(40 g x 120 packs)

 
Erom natural raw meal made with over 45 healthful ingredients including whole grains, vegetables, fruits, seaweed, mushrooms. It's packaged individually, and very convenient to carry on bag or take it wherever you go.
 
Raw food diet is known to help fight cancer and is good for preventive measures as well. Almost every cancer-fighting diet is actually a variation of the raw food diet!
 
Erom Saeng Sik, what is Saeng Sik?
The term " Saeng Sik" (Uncooked Food Diet) literally means eating something right after it has been harvested. The main benefit of a " Saeng Sik " is that it enables us to maintain optimal health and sound METABOLISM, while at the same time protecting our bodies from the harmful effects of cooked and processed foods. However, it is not reasonable to expect everyone to go out into the fields and eat uncooked "raw" foods everyday. We need a more convenient way to eat natural uncooked foods and benefit from their nutritional values.
 
Saeng Sik uses the latest freeze-drying methods to freeze uncooked foods, under pressure, to a temperature below -40°C and then powder the nutrients contained in the uncooked whole foods,and keeps the chlorophyll, seed yolk, and various enzymes intact.
 
Good for those who:
1.   Need improvement in their dietary habits for a healthy life
2.   Skip breakfast
3.   Are students and spend a lot of time studying
4.   Love wating fast food
5.   Are constantly in fatigue conditions
6.   Are suffering from any sort of adult diseases
7.   Have increased their blood thickness by smoking and alcohol
8.   Have been suffering from constipation or diarrhea for a long time
9.   Want to improve their physical constitution
10. Want to go ona diet
11. Want to have clear skin.
 
Ingredients:
Brown rice, glutinous millet, Indian millet, millet, Job's tears, glutinious brown rice, barley, red bean, agaricus rice, black sesame, soy bean powder, small black soybean, potato, kale, anglica utilis, cabbage, dropwort, radish leaves, broccoli, leek, barley leaves, carrot, burdock, radish, codonopsis lanceolata, pumpkin, citron, tomato, mugwort, pine needle, lentinus edodes, reishi mushroom, laver, brown seaweed, tabgle, sea lettuce, yeast, lactobacillus acidophillus, spirulina, oligo saccharide, pediococcus pentosaceus.
 
Important Note:
This product is fiber-rich and has undiluted nutrients. Drink 1 additional cup (8 oz.) of water to maximize digestion.
 
 
How to prepare healthy meal in a minuate

Healthy meal has never been easier!
Start your day the right way with Natural Organic Raw Meal Erom45 or JUVO

Erom natural raw meal made with over 45 healthful ingredients including whole grains, vegetables, fruits, seaweed, mushrooms. It's packaged individually, and very convenient to carry on bag or take it wherever you go.

Total Time: less than 1 min
Shake and ready

What need: Soy Milk (1 pack or 1 cup), Natural Organic Raw Meal Erom45 or JUVO (1 pack), Erom Easy Shaker Cup.

1. Prepare Soy Milk, Natural Organic Raw Meal Erom45 (1 pack), Erom Easy Shaker Cup.
2. Pour soy milk into Erom Easy Shaker Cup.
3. Pour Natural Organic Raw Meal Erom45 (1 pack) into Erom Easy Shaker Cup.
4. Put a lid on the Erom Easy Shaker Cup.
5. Shake until well-blended.
6. Now, please enjoy your healthy meal.

She lives

After spending 2 1/2 months in LA fighting to save my mom's life with nutrition and love alone, I am back in San Francisco. My mother lives. Below is an email to a dear friend of mine detailing the latest situation in her stage 4 cancer journey. I will continue to update this blog with the information and research I found surrounding fighting cancer with nutrition however life is crazy and I can't post daily. Please do check in from time to time though because I will make a concerted effort to get the information out as quickly as possible.


Dear Erika,

So I have been back almost two weeks now and I tell you, life just simply does not stop. In fact I think it's gotten faster. I can hardly keep up. In the two and a half month while I was in my underworld, I wondered what life back on top would be like again. Now here I am and i'm still so lost in the moment, I hardly have time to reflect. Too much I think. I have gone absent from writing for almost two weeks. 


Everything has changed with my mom's situation. The moment I left, my father changed her health plan (which was a monumental task I tell you) and got her out of the LA County system and into a non-public hospital. I went to visit last weekend and in the new hospital, the walls are purple and there are paintings and there is a very, very looooong cushioned stretch of platform near a desk for which the family member can stay. In LA County, as you know, I slept in chairs, small nooks, her bed and would sometimes get kicked out for being there with her. If only I had been privy to such a palace! No wonder it's not a thing for my father to spend the night with her. I did all the brunt of the work! She now has doctors that come in the form of one in lieu of dozens upon dozens of revolving students with an attending not so much looking at her as someone to treat but someone to learn from. I didn't realize the drastic difference until I sat in that hospital room and met, for the first time, her very own oncologist...and he was Chinese and he spoke Chinese. All translation duties for me were instantly eliminated. 

Her CT Scan has come back and her tumors are all gone again. We don't doubt that she still has cancer...but this is a mind bending shift from the last CT results which showed tumors in her liver, kidney, colon and stomach. At LAC USC they told her that the two tubes would never come out of her stomach. At White Memorial, the liver specialist asked us why she had those? Now they are in the process of removing them. Today she called me and told me she has gained six pounds. As we come upon 1 1/2 years of living with stage 4 cancer, although I am open and hold no expectations, it would be nice to make it past 5 years and enter the top 4% who have figured out how to live with cancer. My mother's cancer went away again with no chemo treatment. I accepted the inevitable and simply fell back on nutrition to sustain the body. That says something about nutrition which I was nazi-like in executing.

For two months I lived in hospitals and went through the thousand shades of how to die alongside her. I now know that the act of death itself is not so torturous as the anticipation of it. At our most poignant moment, I had driven her to the ocean. She was, by the time we arrived there, so listless that I parked the car along the road by the ocean and took out a spoon and slowly fed her soup while her head barely moved. I told her that we had to at least get out and smell the ocean air. I walked over to the other side to open the door and helped lift her out so she could stand. We walked three steps so that we could at least see the ocean. That walk to the other side was one of the most reflective and heart touching moment of my life. I thought to myself, "this is the end". I held her fragile, 79 lb body as she leaned all of herself on me and we closed our eyes and breathed three breaths. 


Love,