Alternative Therapy Program for Prostate Cancer
The elements of an alternative cancer therapy are outlined to the patient and include: our avoid list, dietary changes, oral nutritional supplements, possible hormonal balancing, possible intravenous vitamin and mineral drips, an exercise program, fresh air and some sunlight exposure, stress management training if necessary, detoxification, possibly homeopathy, and possibly various other immune enhancing activities, such as chiropractic, massage, acupuncture or dental treatment. Certain medications, such as hydrazine sulfate are considered. If their is evidence the program isn’t working, the combined hormonal blockade therapy may be added to the alternative program. In my patients who have combined the two, the positive effects of the combined program seems to last longer than the conventional combined hormonal blockade alone.

I’ll go into a little more detail on a few of the components. Regarding the avoid list, the patient is asked to reduce or eliminate as much as possible: exposure to tobacco-either active or passive, caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar and starch, hydrogenated fats, impure water-including unfiltered chlorinated or fluoridated water, artificial chemicals including pesticides, preservatives and artificial sweeteners and amalgam mercury fillings.

The dietary program stresses organic whole foods with an emphasis on plants including fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains, some nuts and seeds, fresh organic vegetable and fruit juices and modest amounts of animal proteins, including fish, organic eggs and chicken.

Dietary Supplements in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
The oral supplements include vitamins, minerals, enzymes, essential fatty acids, herbs, amino acids, accessory food factors and special therapeutic foods. The vitamins we emphasize are high doses of vitamin C, antioxidants A and E, vitamin D, the B3 vitamin niacinamide, and modest amounts of other B vitamins. I consider amydalin or Laetrile to fall into the category of B vitamins and recommend it for all cancer patients. It is available in a number of foods and in tablet form from other countries. Patients are usually able to get their own supply.

Although all minerals are important, the mineral supplements we emphasize because of their strong anti-cancer properties are selenium, calcium and magnesium. Modest amounts of zinc are recommended and balanced with copper. A wide range of trace minerals, preferably in colloidal form are also prescribed. Enzymes help to digest food when taken with meals. When ingested in between meals, they have many therapeutic functions including anti-inflammatory activities and anti-cancer activities. They seem to help prevent metastases. Pancreatic enzymes and some plant based enzymes, such as bromelain from pineapple, are used. Enzymes may be given as rectal retention enemas as well.

Oral herbs include the use of a mixture suggested by the late Canadian cancer nurse, Rene Caisse, called Essiac. The brand name that we have been using is FlorEssence. Another herbal mixture we’ve used extensively is a purple mixture called Vitae Elixxir. We try to balance the essential fatty acids with flaxseed oil to increase omega three fatty acids and primrose oil to supply gamma linolenic acid, both of which have strong anti-cancer activities. We also recommend various flavonoids, coenzyme Q10 and pycnogenol. Among the specialized therapeutic foods we consider are: shark or bovine cartilage, soybean preparations, maitake mushrooms and others. Our intravenous programs consist of large doses of vitamin C, minerals, a few other vitamins and amygdalin or Laetrile. Exercise, detoxification and homeopathy are individualized. Next week I’ll conclude this series with a few case histories.