VITAMINS AND MINERALS FOR MESOTHELIOMA CANCER

The poor quality of diet for many people could leave them deficient in several important vitamins and minerals. These molecules are important for everyday health. Your body cannot make enough vitamins and minerals, so they are an essential part of a healthy diet. Certain vitamins and minerals in very small amounts can help protect you from cancer.

It can be difficult to eat a diet balanced enough to include all the essential vitamins and minerals that you need. For this reason, many people, including healthy individuals and patients who have malignant mesothelioma or other diseases, turn to dietary supplements. While supplements are not a substitute for necessary protein or sufficient caloric intake, they can make it easier to obtain necessary vitamins and minerals that may otherwise be missing.

Some vitamins and minerals may indeed help to prevent cancer. But there is no evidence that taking extra vitamins and minerals makes any difference when you have cancer, unless you are eating less and your diet is lacking in these

supplements can be good for you but these products can be ineffective, or even harmful, if not used properly.  A healthy diet is still the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need. It is possible, and perhaps even preferable to obtain these vitamins and minerals from food.

Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or other malignant diseases may feel that it is especially important to consume enough vitamins and minerals every day. However, you must never forget that these products may interact with any therapeutic regimens that you are currently taking.

For example, experts wrote in Cure Magazine that dietary supplements containing antioxidants may interfere with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Furthermore, you should remember that vitamins and minerals often work in concert, rather than in isolation, with the food that you eat.

Their bottom line, then, is that no single vitamin or mineral may be as beneficial as manufacturers would claim. Instead, you’re likely better off acquiring these essentials from natural sources. The following vitamins, minerals show you exactly what natural sources of these vitamins and minerals may help to provide relief for symptoms:

ESSENTIAL VITAMINS FOR MESOTHELIOMA CANCER

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the most popular of the vitamin supplements used for cancer. It is said to reduce the spread of cancer cells and boost the immune system. The antioxidant effect of vitamin C works best in conjunction with the bioflavonoids to provide a huge boost to the immune system, to help it function more effectively in ridding the body of free radicals, viruses and bacteria and ensuring the cells in the body are healthy and normal.

Vitamin C, if taken consistently, can help prevent cancer cells from growing as well as strengthen bones and help the body produce collagen. In addition to this, vitamin C helps to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy medications

Natural Sources of Vitamin C

Fruits that are pack with vitamin C are: Cantaloupe, Plums, Black Currant, Kiwi, Orange, Melon, Banana, Avocado, Guava, Strawberries, Papaya, all kinds of Berries, and Citrus fruits. And vegetables are Tomatoes, Potatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Red and Green Bell Peppers, Cabbage, and Spinach. Sweet Red peppers have more than three times the vitamin C of Orange juice.

Vitamin A

Right nutrition and diet is very important to resist and fight many illness and especially cancer related illness. Special diets are recommended for people with mesothelioma. Diet with a ratio of high vitamin A is suggested, as it decreases the spreading of mesothelioma cells and helps the body to build immunity to fight the condition of mesothelioma.

Vitamin A/beta carotene also reduces the risk of infection and inhibits tumor development. The antioxidant effect of vitamin A is needed to boost the function of the immune system to help it rid the body of free radicals, viruses and bacteria and ensuring the cells in the body are healthy and normal. Vitamin A is also needed to ensure the mucous membranes are supple, moist and healthy and this is important for people with mesothelioma.

Natural Sources of Vitamin A

There two different types of vitamin A, depending on the type of food source it comes from:

Pre-formed Vitamin A comes from animal sources, such as eggs, meat, fortified milk, cheese, cream, liver, kidney, cod liver oil, and halibut fish oil. However, all of these sources -- except for skim milk that has been fortified with Vitamin A -- are high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Pro-vitamin A is found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables. The most common type of pro-vitamin A is beta-carotene, which are converted to retinol by the body after the food is ingested. Bright yellow and orange fruits such as Cantaloupe, Pink Grapefruit, peaches, papaya mangoes and Apricots, Vegetables such as Carrots, Pumpkin, Sweet potatoes, Turnip greens, Beetroot Red pepper and Winter squash. Other sources of beta-carotene include most dark green leafy vegetables like Broccoli, Collard greens, Kale, Cilantro, lettuce, Swiss chard and Spinach are just a few of them.

Vitamin E

Studies specific for vitamin E have shown it to significantly decrease risk for prostate, colon, and lung cancers. Animal studies show that vitamin E help to kills off cancer cells in mice with malignant mesothelioma. The fat-soluble Vitamin E is a natural cancer fighter; its major function in the body is to act as an antioxidant. Vitamin E works quickly and reacts with destructive substances called free radicals, rendering them harmless before they get a chance to harm DNA, therefore preventing mutations and tumor growth.

In addition to this, vitamin E helps the chemotherapy/radiotherapy drugs kill off more of the cancer cells and it also helps to reduce the toxicity of the chemotherapy medications. Vitamin E stimulates the immune system; also protects cells from toxic effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Studies have suggested that if you are running low on vitamin E, you may be at increased cancer risk.

Natural Sources of Vitamin E

Food sources of vitamin E, which may keep you healthy, include Sunflower seeds, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Peanuts and other raw nuts and seeds are excellent sources of natural vitamin E. Other good sources are Cold-pressed vegetable oils (soybean, corn, cottonseed, safflower), liver; egg yolks ,wheat germ oil, whole-grain products, dried beans, legumes, corn and asparagus, Leafy green vegetables Swiss chard, cooked spinach and other dark leafy greens Swiss Chard, Turnip Greens, Sweet potatoes, Avocados, papaya, peaches, prunes, tomatoes, cabbage, asparagus Bell Peppers, Dried Apricots and Blueberries.

Vitamin D

The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium. Without enough vitamin D, one can’t form enough of the hormone calcitriol (known as the “active vitamin D”). This in turn leads to insufficient calcium absorption from the diet.

The hormone vitamin D is required by the immune system for it to function properly Additionally to this, vitamin D is very effective helping the body uptake the benefits of the chemotherapy medication Thiotepa for mesothelioma in the lungs, by growing the amount of most cancers cells which are killed off.

Natural Sources of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is not available in as many foods as other antioxidant vitamins. You can get vitamin D from two natural sources: through the skin, and from the diet. Natural sources include saltwater and fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and fish liver oil. Other sources are shrimps, liver, egg yolks, cheese, soy and rice beverages, fortified orange juice, margarine and milk with vitamin D.

Vitamin D is sometimes called the sunshine vitamin because your body produces a critical form of vitamin D -- vitamin D3 -- when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun stimulates production of vitamin D in human skin, and just a few minutes (15 minutes a day is generally enough) of exposure to sunlight each day (without sunscreen) will insure your body is producing adequate amounts of vitamin D.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K has amazing anti-cancer effects. This newly identified mechanism of vitamin K shows that vitamin K has an uncanny capability to combat cancer at multiple stages.

Researchers have shown the unique approaches that vitamin K2 stops the proliferation of cancer cells. These studies confirm the healthiest way to curtail malignancies is through diet and supplementation.

Vitamin k is a group name for a number of related compounds. Each one serves an important reason in the prevention of most cancers. Vitamin K1 and K2 are the two natural forms of the vitamin – which can target cancer at multiple stages of development.

The anti-tumor action of vitamin K has been under investigation since 1947. However, best lately, has it been found out that different forms of vitamin K can certainly stop the creation of cancer cells.  Vitamin K affects the tumors by modifying growth factors and receptor molecules – which make cells less able to stimulate tumor growth and progression.

Vitamin K is an essential nutrient necessary for responding to injuries - it regulates normal blood clotting. It is important to have sufficient intake of vitamin K as it help the blood clot properly and this is important when there are any injuries in the body.

People who have surgery to remove the tumour may need extra vitamin K to help their body heal more quickly - discuss supplementation with your doctor prior to surgery. Additionally to this, vitamin K, in conjunction with vitamin C, helps to kill tumour cells.

Natural Sources of Vitamin K

There are two main types of vitamin K:

K1, which is involved in photosynthesis, is produced by plants and algae, its highest concentrations found in green leafy vegetables. Primary dietary sources of K1 are leafy greens, such as parsley, Swiss chard, collards greens, watercress, Mustard Greens, Lettuce, Endive, Escarole and kale; and vegetables in the cabbage family; spinach, cabbage, turnip green, Brussels sprout, alfalfa, broccoli and cauliflower.

K2 is produced by bacteria and also via the conversion of K1 to K2 by beneficial bacteria in the intestines of animals, including humans. Natto (fermented soybeans) is the richest dietary source of vitamin K2. Dairy products (milk, butter, cottage cheese, cheese) Liver, olive and canola oils, green tea and egg yolk also provide small amounts.

ESSENTIAL MINERALS FOR MESOTHELIOMA CANCER

Calcium

Calcium is needed for our heart, muscles, and nerves to function properly and for blood to clot. Inadequate calcium significantly contributes to the development of osteoporosis.

The mineral calcium is very effective helping the body uptake the benefits of the chemotherapy medication Thiotepa for mesothelioma in the lungs, by increasing the amount of cancer cells that are killed off.

Natural Sources of Calcium

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt – low-fat ones are best, and it doesn't matter if they come from cows or other animals, for example goats, skimmed and semi-skimmed milk contains more calcium than full-fat milk. Fortified products such as cereals, oats, orange juice, tofu and soya milk. Fish with the bones such as tinned sardines and salmon, Calcium also found in some nuts, seeds and dried fruits. Calcium is present in leafy green vegetables watercress, beans and chickpeas, some dark green leafy vegetables especially spinach, rhubarb, turnip and mustard greens, kale, Chinese cabbage, and broccoli.

Coral Calcium: Coral calcium is a natural source of Calcium obtained from sea corals. Coral calcium helps to increase bone mass and thereby helping your bones to strong and healthy.

Selenium

The anti-oxidant trace mineral selenium protects against free radical damage that Asbestos causes, reducing the risk of cancer, and also enhances the antioxidant properties of Vitamin E. Researchers are testing the idea that selenium may offer protection against cancer.

The potent antioxidant mineral selenium helps the immune system function more effectively and may be a useful adjunct to conventional therapy to help boost white blood cell function in fighting the spread of the tumour. In addition to this, selenium helps to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy medications.

Natural Sources of Selenium

Selenium is found naturally in seafood like crab, shrimp, lobster and other coldwater fish especially tuna and salmon, halibut, chicken, liver, dark mushrooms, Yeast, brown rice wheat germ whole grain bread , pasta, nuts, eggs, onions, broccoli and garlic are all great sources of selenium. The richest natural source of selenium is Brazil nuts.

Zinc

Zinc is an excellent immune system booster; the antioxidant mineral zinc has excellent healing properties. It provides a boost to the body to heal more quickly from any infection, illness or injury because it greatly boosts the function of the white blood cells and the immune system especially in conjunction with magnesium.

Zinc is claimed to be a strong antioxidant, which blocks free radical cells in the blood system, by its strongest supporters. Though necessary for normal body functioning and a possible cancer inhibitor, too little scientific evidence exists as to whether this element represents an effective mesothelioma treatment in itself.

Although tests have confirmed patients taking compounds which include zinc do reduce cancer rates, the mineral’s uncertain role makes it impossible to determine its value. Although several patients have seen positive results from adopting diets rich in essential vitamins and nutrients like zinc, all mesothelioma sufferers are encouraged to consult a medical professional firsthand.

Natural Sources of Zinc

Best food sources of zinc include oysters, Dungeness crab, and other seafood, red meat like beef, poultry as turkey, eggs, but vegetarians can get zinc from asparagus, soy beans, grains, black-eyed peas, wheat germ, fortified cereals, nuts, almonds, peanuts, chickpeas, soy foods tofu, chocolate and dairy products.

Chromium

Trace mineral Chromium is a blood sugar stabilizer and is usually deficient in 90% of all healthy people, it enhances the activity of insulin, helps maintain normal blood sugar (glucose) levels, and is needed to free energy from glucose. The powerful anti-inflammatory trace mineral Chromium may also help block cancer-causing enzymes.

Natural Sources of Chromium

Chromium is found in some cereals and grains like green beans, barley, and oats. One of the best food sources of chromium is Broccoli. Turkey, Fish, Grape juice, Nuts, Tomatoes, Romaine lettuce, Egg yolk, Brewer's yeast, Beef, Cheese, Liver, Wine, wheat Bread, whole meal, wheat, Black pepper, Rye bread, Chilli fresh, Apple peel, Potatoes, old, Oysters, Potatoes, new, Margarine, Spaghetti, Cornflakes, Spirits, Butter, Spinach, Egg white, Oranges, Beer, Garlic, Basil, and mushrooms are also good sources.