“Can you please get me
rid from the chemotherapy, Will I live long undergoing these?” asks Muniyamma, aged 55 from Kolar suffering
from cervical cancer with her shredded tears. The overwhelming situation of this
elderly woman will get no other answer than saying “Please be strong “.The history of the lady was neither the smoking
or chewing tobacco nor the Pollution as she came from a remote village Kolar.
“Every fortnight I take
injections but I feel deteriorated every hour of my life..! “Says Prema, aged 68 who
throughout her life lived amidst the green beauty of Karnataka’s coastal belt.
She suffered from bone cancer detected at stage 3.
Cancer has been the most dreadful disease in India now. We
are exponentially growing high on Cancer death statistics. According to ICMR from
8, 19,354 total cancer patients in 2004,
9,62,832 in 2009, 9,79,786 patients in 2010 we are scaling up to 12,00,000 by
2020 is the prediction. It is clear from this figure that the number of cancer
cases has increased gradually with time. The most common among types being
Lung, breast, Oral, stomach, gall bladder & cervical cancers.
What causes cancer? Are we still
in dark?
The cancer causes in India are almost same as in other parts
of the world. The chemical, biological and other environmental identities are
responsible for uncontrolled and unorganized proliferation of cells
(carcinogens). The causes for cancers can be both either internal factors like
inherited mutations (genes), hormones, and immune conditions or environmental
factors such as tobacco, diet, radiation, and other infectious agents. Improper
diet is one of the main causes of cancer prevalence in India. About 70%
colorectal cancer cases are believed to be due to imbalanced diet. The role of
diet towards cancer varies greatly according to the type of cancers
Muniyamma worked in the fields growing Ragi & millets
with timely nutritious food .Prema cultivated the cashews & areca nuts in
her farms while consuming freshly grown grains & vegetables. Was Early marriage, age of first pregnancy,
multiple pregnancies, decreased genital hygiene, and sexual contact influence
cancer of the cervix or Penile hygiene of male partner which was also an
important factor as HPV is well associated with carcinoma of the cervix & Was
it endosulfan or the chemical fertilizers harming Prema triggering her on low
immunity to catch up with carcinogenesis.
Even though we as doctors can
seldom explain why one person gets cancer and another does not, it is clear
that cancer is not caused by injury and it is not contagious. Cancer develops overtime. It results due to a complex mix of factors
related to lifestyle, hereditary, and environment. Some people are more sensitive than others to
these factors and hence get cancer.
Let “Prevention” be the Mantra
In Ayurveda, there are three pillars of health: ahara (food), nidra (sleep) and brahmacharya
(sexual celibacy). When all three are in balance, they make for a properly
nourished, adequately rested and sexually healthy human being. Lacking this
critical balance, the individual will suffer from a myriad of disorders,
ranging from headaches to infertility, cough to cancer.
How SLEEP effects to
prevent Cancer? -
Cortisol is a hormone which normally reaches peak levels at dawn and then
declines during the day. It is one of many hormones that help regulate the
immune system, including the activity of cells that help the body fight cancer.
Therefore, cortisol rhythm thrown off by troubled sleep could make a person
more cancer-prone. Another hormone called melatonin, pumped out by the brain
during sleep, was an anti-oxidant capable of preventing damage to DNA that can
lead to cancer.
AHARA (Food):- Do you
have enough colours on your plate? It reduces the carbohydrate intake.
Phytonutrients, the pigments that give fresh foods
their vibrant hues of red, green, purple, yellow and orange do more than just
make a pretty meal; they contain powerful antioxidant properties that can have
a profound effect on total health. The main benefit of this type of a diet is
that it reduces inflammatory changes and oxidative stress in the body. By
reducing inflammatory changes and delaying the age related changes in body it
increases longevity and improves health.
Phytochemicals have been shown to aid in protecting plant
from environmental challenges. They help to protect plants from disease,
insects, drought, excessive heat, ultraviolet rays, and poisons or pollutants
in the air and soil. They form part of a plant’s ‘immune system’.
Despite the fact that most phytonutrients are officially
considered ‘non-essential nutrients,’ and their consumption isn’t essential for
survival, phytochemicals do seem to be essential for deep-seated good health,
wellbeing, immunity - and probably, longevity. Some of the health benefits of
consuming the phytonutrients contained in colourful foods, include enhancing
immune system activity, protecting against cancer, supporting eye and heart
health, improving communication between cells and repairing DNA damage.
Lycopene, Beta-Carotenes (http://shop.samidirect.com/nutraceutical/phytochemical-dietary-antioxidant-supplements/lycopene-30-softgels,)
Lutein, Zeaxanthin (http://shop.samidirect.com/nutraceutical/zealutein-eyecare-vision-supplement-nutrients/macumax-macumax) anthocyanin, flavonoids,
Glucosinolates, Proanthocyanidins (http://shop.samidirect.com/nutraceutical/phytonutrient-uti-remedy-supplement/crandmplus-30-caps)
Ursolic acid, benzoic acid,
hydroxycinnamic acid, Elligtannins, Gamma-tocopherol, Alpha-linolenic
acid, phytosterols , Melatonin are the cancer fighters found in different
coloured fruits & vegetables which can prevent cancer.
1. Are Spices added in your recipe? Or nutraceuticals part of your life?
Moderate spices in your food is also one of the ways to
prevent cancer. The King Spice Turmeric contains the powerful cancer-fighting
polyphenol Curcumin. The complex Curcuminoids (http://www.sabinsa.com/products/standardized-phytoextracts/c3/curcumin-c3-complex.pdf/) are versatile pronutrients which can also kill many
different types of cancer cells by triggering apoptosis (programmed cell death)
without affecting normal cells. Read www.curcuminoids.com.
Also spices like Garlic, Ginger, Clove, Cinnamon, Basil,
Fennel, Dill, Cumin, Oregano, Saffron, Thyme, Rosemary, coriander, red pepper
etc. has the ability to serve as inhibitors of carcinogen bio activation,
decrease free radical formation, suppress cell division and promote apoptosis
in cancerous cells, suppress microbial growth, and regulate inflammation and
immune competence will be discussed as plausible mechanisms by which selected
spices may promote health and disease resistance. The low toxicity and wide
acceptance of spices may make them particularly useful as a subtle personal
dietary change that may decrease risk for several diseases.
Rasayana Chikitsa (Rejuvenative therapy) in Ayurveda
also speaks about Restoration and preservation of the strength of the body by
acting at the level of Digestion and metabolism, increasing the nutritional
quality of Rasa dhatu (Nutritive plasma) which is the key to prevent &
protect from Cancer. The formulations in Rasayana
has a base of adding the herbs, phytopigments, and spices together to make it a
complete nutritional pack. The nutraceuticals are the next gen Rasayana to be followed as preventive
& protective methods against dreadful diseases such as cancer.
Let’s dream & walk for cancer free India.
-Dr Pallavi K
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