Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI)

Dr Joel Fuhrman, MD, the author of Eat to Live, created and developed the Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI) for common foods. ANDI is an aggregated index for the density of nutrients in each type of foods, scoring out of the maximum of 1000 points, based on nutrients per calorie equation.

ANDI was created to support Dr Fuhrman's health formula H=N/C. This health equation Health equals Nutrient over Calories expresses the concept of eating for micronutrients per calorie density. However it must be noted that eating foods high in the index alone is not sufficient diet as some macronutrients should also be eaten as well.

The purpose of the ANDI index is to encourage us to eat more foods that have more higher indexes and to eat larger amounts of these foods. And rightly so vegetables have higher indexes.

A big thank you to Dr Joel Fuhrman for coming out with this index. Now that we know common foods nutrient density, we should be shopping for the best nutrient value per calorie.

Some of Dr Fuhrman's ANDI Scores for common foods are :

Kale - 1000
Water cress -  1000
Collards -1000
Book Choy - 865
Spinach - 707
Arugula - 604
Romaine Lettuse - 510
Brussels Spouts - 490
Carrots -  458
Cabbage - 434
Broccoli - 340
Cauliflower - 315

Low end of the ANDI Index score are:

Cola - 1
Corn chips - 7
Olive oil - 10
Low fat cheddar cheese - 11
White pasta - 16
White bread - 17
Ground beaf - 21
Chicken breast - 24


You can google for the full list of the ANDI index.


Take care.

Allen Lai

Human Initiated Therapeutic Vaccine Therapy (HITV)

Dr CK Beh

 Browsing the handouts

Dr Beh answering all the questions from the floor

Engrossed with the new developments in fighting cancer

Mr Dass presented a small momento of appreciationfrom NCSM to Dr Beh

The National Cancer Society Malaysia hosted a talk for the Prostrate Cancer Support Group on Human Initiated Therapeutic Vaccine Therapy (HITV) by Dr CK Beh on Saturday 13 July 2013.
The session was well attended as the topic covered is deemed the latest weapon in the fight against cancer and it is now available in Malaysia. HITV therapy involves Dendritic cells and the immune system in the body.

Dr Beh presented Dr Kenichiro Hasumi's HITVprotocol. Below is the link for further information on the protocol.

hitvlab.com/en/


Dr Beh also briefly introduced another protocol in gene therapy. Inoculation of the P53 cancer suppressor gene. This protocol is now available only in China, but Dr Beh will be able to facilitate it here in Malaysia if given proper documentation and approval by the Malaysian Ministry of Health.

 Google for Gene P53 tumour suppressor gene therapy for cancer as there are a lot of information about this new protocol.

Dr Beh is from the Mahameru International Medical Centre located in Bangsar Kuala Lumpur.

Allen Lai

Pain in cancer metastasis

Pain is an imminent symptom with cancer metastasis. Pain is mostly managed with medicinal drugs. But it generally does more harm than good in the long run. It does not solve the underlaying problem, save bringing temporary relief to the patient. All pain killers are toxic and additive. Pain is generally unbearable depending on one's level of pain tolerance.
The only recourse is prevention of cancer metastasis.
I append Dr Stephanie Harman's explanation and descriptions as posted in the popular cancer website GRACE:

Cancer Pain 101

In reviewing posts from GRACE, it’s not surprising to see that pain is major issue for many patients with cancer. Pain is not unique to cancer, but for most patients with cancer, their pain is related to the cancer in some way. In cancer, the causes of pain not only include the disease itself, but also the treatments and procedures involved. There are particular types of pain and pain syndromes that are seen primarily in patients with cancer compared to other illnesses. Within oncology and pain management, cancer pain is so crucial for patient care that it has become essentially its own specialty in recent years. Dr. Janet Abrahm, an oncologist and cancer pain expert at the Dana Farber, has written one of the definitive texts on cancer pain management which is a major reference for this post.

Cancer-related pain can be categorized in several ways into what time course it follows. Patients who have acute cancer-related pain have pain that is expected to improve with cancer-directed therapy or, if it is a treatment-related complication, will resolve after treatment. Chronic cancer-related pain is not expected to resolve or its source cannot be eradicated. This chronic pain is very frustrating; similar to non-cancer patients with chronic pain, treatment focuses on therapies that can help patients function and improve their quality of life.

In considering both the tumor itself and the treatments, there are three major types of pain that are experienced. These types can occur individually or simultaneously.

1. Somatic, body-related: This type of pain involves bone, muscle, skin, and connective tissues. It is usually described as an ache in a particular location and can be constant. As in pain with arthritis, the pain is worsened by movement. An example would be a cancer metastasis to a hip bone.

2. Visceral, organ-related: This type of pain refers to pain involving the organs of the body (like the liver or the intestines) and their linings (“viscera” is a medical term for an organ). It is more difficult to pinpoint a particular location. The pain often is described as a cramping or “squeezing” sensation that is felt deeply—it may also feel like an ache. An example would be a stretched liver due to metastases.

3. Neuropathic, nerve-related: This type of pain involves the nerves of the body, including the spinal cord. This pain is described as burning, sharp and shooting, and electrical—“pins and needles,” or paresthesias can occur as well. Depending on how a nerve is injured, there can be associated numbness or weakness as well. While it may be related to a particular nerve, it can be difficult to pinpoint a specific location. An example of this would be neuropathic pain in the feet and hands from platinum chemotherapy.

A General Approach to Cancer-Related Pain

Having pain is a reflection of having the disease of cancer, not of the patient themselves. Patients often tell me that they don’t bring up pain because they do not want to complain or they perceive that they’re “expected” to handle the pain in order to be “strong.” Physicians 

have also contributed to these barriers as well, as there have been misconceptions in practice about the interpretation of pain and the use of pain medications. I will address misconceptions about pain management further in a later post.

Pain is experienced differently by each patient. For example, pain from the same bone marrow biopsy can be experienced differently by different patients. While it may be rated differently amongst patients, what is recognized is that if the pain is not treated, that rating will remain the same or worsen. Pain is measured based on what a patient reports–that is central to how physicians can assess and treat cancer-related pain. Physicians use assessment tools like numeric scales to measure pain for severity as well as other factors to guide the evaluation and treatment of pain, including the quality of the pain, exacerbating factors such as activity or position, relieving factors such as medications or resting, and timing of the pain. When pain is particularly difficult to control, a pain “diary” can be very helpful in determining patterns of pain—one example would be to track episodes of pain with the date/time, severity, duration, use of medications, and response to medications. I see pain as an area where physicians and patients have the opportunity to collaborate closely to tailor treatment regimens, so that physicians are asking about pain on a regular basis and patients are equipped to better control their pain.

Pain is a complex experience that involves and affects other dimensions beyond the physical, including emotional and psychological well-being, cognition, and spirituality. These are all intricately intertwined. Consider that both anxiety and depression are exacerbated by pain. Pain can affect cognitive functioning, even to the point of causing delirium. The non-physical aspects of pain constitute a vast area of therapy and study—I will review this in a later post.

This is the first in a series of posts on cancer-related pain—while they will by no means be exhaustive, I hope to address common and challenging topics for patients. 

Link to dr Harman's post in GRACE

http://cancergrace.org/cancer-treatments/2009/07/02/cancer-pain-101/

Take care.

Allen Lai 

Perineural Invasion (PNI)

PNI as detected in the nerves within the prostrate gland

I append an interesting post about PNI findings in biopsies for prostrate cancer. This is generally not discussed by the Urulogist/Oncologist when deciding the best course of treatments. Read below a detail explaination to PNI and its impact to treatment decisions. Discuss PNI with your Oncologist.

Perineural Invasion On Prostate Biopsy: How It May Change The Game Plan

A reader recently asked me to share my thoughts on perineural invasion found on a prostate biopsy. In formulating my response to this question, I was surprised that I did not cover this topic sooner. After all, perineural invasion (PNI) is found in approximately 30% of biopsies. The presence of PNI on a prostate biopsy can sometimes be a sign that the prostate cancer found on the biopsy may be just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the cancer within the prostate. As such, PNI can change both the prognosis and treatment course for men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. In this post, I will describe PNI and explain its impact on treatment plans and prognosis.

Defining Perineural Invasion

Before I explain the importance of perineural invasion, we must first be on the same page as to what this finding on a prostate biopsy actually means. The presence of PNI means that the pathologist has seen prostate cancer cells surrounding or tracking along a nerve fiber within the prostate. The importance of this finding becomes apparent when you realize that nerves within the prostate travel outside of the gland through microscopic holes within the prostate capsule. The capsule, as you may remember from my previous post about positive margins, is the outer covering of the prostate. This covering serves as a barrier preventing the spread of cancer outside of the prostate, at least for a while. Because nerves travel through holes in the capsule, prostate cancer growing around these nerves can follow them all the way out of the prostate without needing to overcome the resistance of the capsule. As a result, the presence of PNI on a biopsy portends a higher likelihood of prostate cancer that has or will escape the prostate gland. Studies have, indeed, validated this theory while also demonstrating other negative impacts of PNI.

The Impact of Perineural Invasion on Final Pathology

Numerous clinical studies have compared the final pathologic findings (after radical prostatectomy) of those patients with and without PNI on initial biopsy. The results are very striking. Large studies have demonstrated that men with PNI have a 2-3 times higher rate of extracapsular extension (prostate cancer outside of the gland) and nearly twice the likelihood of positive margins after prostatectomy when compared to men without PNI on their prostate biopsy. That means that the presence of PNI at least doubles the chance of T3 disease in a man undergoing treatment for what is clinically localized, T2 disease. In addition, numerous studies have demonstrated that PNI on biopsy is associated with higher grade disease (Gleason 8-10) on final pathology even when only low grade disease (Gleason <7) is found on biopsy. In fact, one study demonstrated that over 40% of men with PNI and low grade disease on biopsy are subsequently found to have high grade disease on final pathology after prostatectomy. The reason for this disparity appears to be sampling error, with high grade disease not caught in the original biopsy specimens. Hence when a prostate biopsy demonstrates Gleason 6 disease and PNI, there is a high likelihood that higher grade, more aggressive cancer is present in the prostate but was not detected. Other studies have also demonstrated a higher risk of seminal vesicle invasion and lymph node metastases in men found to have PNI.

Perineural Invasion and Prognosis After Prostatectomy

Given the significant adverse impact of PNI on final pathology, it is not surprising that PNI has also been demonstrated to negatively affect prognosis after surgery. One study out of Johns Hopkins followed 1256 men with prostate cancer for an average of 3 years after radical prostatectomy. Out of this patient population, 188 men (15%) were found to have PNI on prostate biopsy. Even over this relatively short follow up period, men with PNI on biopsy were found to have three times the likelihood of PSA recurrence as compared to those men without PNI. Similar findings were reported in 6 out of 10 studies of the impact of PNI on men undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Not surprisingly, men with low risk prostate cancer (Gleason 6, T1-T2a, and PSA<1O) and PNI are three times more likely to require salvage radiation than their low risk counterparts without PNI.

Perineural Invasion and Prognosis After Radiation Therapy

The prognosis after radiation therapy, as well, appears to be negatively impacted by the presence of PNI on prostate biopsy. One study followed 381 men undergoing radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer, 86(23%) of whom were found to have PNI on prostate biopsy. After 5 years of follow up, 69% of men without PNI were free of cancer as compared to only 47% of men with PNI. When dividing men into risk categories, the study demonstrated that only 50% of men with low risk prostate cancer (Gleason 6, T1a-T2a, PSA <10) and PNI were free of cancer at 5 years of follow up. This rate of cancer free survival was lower than the 53% rate achieved by men with high risk prostate cancer (Gleason 8-10 or T2c-T4 or PSA >20) but without PNI. Hence, the presence of PNI could instantly transform an otherwise low risk prostate cancer into a high risk disease. Such findings were validated in 5 out of 10 large studies of men treated with radiation therapy. Interestingly, one large study of men undergoing brachytherapy for prostate cancer did not demonstrate a difference in treatment outcomes of men with and without PNI. Of note, however, is that men selected for brachytherapy generally have lower risk disease than those who undergo external beam radiation.

How Perineural Invasion Can Change the Treatment Plan

Given the significant impact of PNI on final pathology and prognosis, it seems obvious that the presence of PNI can influence the treatment course chosen by patients and their doctors. A study of surgical approaches in men with PNI demonstrated that removing the nerves on the side of the prostate with PNI on biopsy led to a positive margin rate of 11%. In contrast, the positive margin rate was 100% when the nerves were spared on the side of PNI. Of note, a recent study from Johns Hopkins reported that nerve sparing did not impact positive margin rates or prognosis in men with PNI. This data needs to be taken with an enormous grain of salt however in that all men in the study were operated on by Dr Patrick Walsh, the urologist credited for the development of the modern day open radical prostatectomy. It would see unlikely (at best) that such outcomes could be replicated by the typical urologist performing the surgery. As a result, most urologists will sacrifice nerve sparing in order to assure negative margins in men with PNI. In addition, given the high likelihood of positive margins and T3 disease, urologists often counsel patients with PNI on biopsy that they may likely need to undergo radiation therapy following radical prostatectomy. Similarly, radiation oncologists treating men with PNI often approach them as high risk patients regardless of clinical stage, PSA, or Gleason score. As a result, they often treat men with PNI with a combination of radiation and hormonal therapy rather than radiation therapy alone. In addition, they may also use dose escalation as part of their radiation protocol.

Take Home Message

Perineural invasion is a very significant finding on a prostate biopsy. It often indicates high risk prostate cancer, even in men with seemingly low risk disease. PNI is also usually associated with a poorer prognosis, leading to a higher risk of recurrent disease. As a result, men with prostate cancer that are found to have PNI on prostate biopsy are often provided with more aggressive therapy, whether it be in the form of surgery or radiation. Understanding the significance of PNI on prostate biopsy is crucial to formulating a successful battle plan against prostate cancer.

Link to the post above:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2135015


Take care

Allen Lai

The Water Secret

It is no secret really. Don't we all know that water is essential to all forms of life? But hey, Dr Howard Murad, MD the author of the above book says it is more complex than that we already know. The truth of the matter is there are two category of water in our body, useful water and waste water. Useful water is what counts most in maintaining a healthy body and healthy life. Useful water is the water that are retained within our cell's membrane. It is in every cell and connecting tissues in our body. Waste water is outside the cells and connecting tissues and are trapped within the space in-between the cells and connecting tissues. Waste water can be harmful to the body as in the case if water retention, due to diseases etc.

The water secret is all about how to capture water and ensure it is kept inside our cell membranes. How do we have a water tight membrane and stop the leakage?

Dr Murad explains the four dimensions in good health; physical, psychological, spiritual and cultural,

Dr Howard Murad explains that nutrients in the fruits, nuts and vegetables are the key to the water secret. The concepts and ideas in this book are simple to understand and practical. Dr Murad proposed a 10 days water secret diet for a healthier and youthful body. A hydrated cell is key to optimal metabolism.

From the bottom up :

 Fruits and Vegetables, Whole grains, Proteins, Fats, Supplements and Water.

Read this book for a new you in 90 days. Don't just drink 8 glasses of water every day. Dr Murad says 'eating your water' is the answer. All foods, particularly fruits and vegetables contain in excess of 80% water content. Water in foods are structured water constituted with nutrient, minerals and vitamins.

What more is there to explain?  Go buy the book.

Take care

Allen Lai

Immunotherapy

What is Immunotherapy?

 What ever it is, it is the latest focus in cancer therapy. In future the course for medical treatments will be radiation, chemotherapy and surgery and immunotherapy. Surgery and immunotherapy are targeted therapies.

Immunotherapy is the treatment that uses our own body's immune system to help fight cancer. Immunotherapy is used to stimulate our own body's immune system to work harder and smarter to attack cancer cells. Immunotherapy comprise drugs such as man made immune system proteins for the various components of our immune system. Researches and clinical trials are making steady progress in this new field.

Whilst clinical trials and approvals of new drugs are in the pipeline. Let us do our part to assist and enhance our immune system for now. It is not too late to start.

See the chart below for a graphical presentation on immunotherapy by the Cancer Research Institute:

Cheer up Guys

Look whats in the pipeline in store for us. We will be able to see at least several new drugs in the Immunotherapy category. The new drugs for prostrate cancer are Yervoy (ipilimumab) and Prostvac. Hope these two clinical trials will be successful and approved by the FDA within 24 months.
See the chart for all the ongoing clinical trials as released by Cancer Research Institute below:

The End of Illness

This is the most thought provoking book on health I have ever read. Very controversial and boldly argued. Dr David B Agus MD from the University of Southern California, leaves one breathless and somewhat confused with his outrages stand against all that we all know as the golden standards to good health.

He espouses on prevention is better that cure, that our body is a very complex and marvellous complete system and should be viewed in totality.

We do not disagree with him in the complexities of the body.The body is capable to heal itself, if given the chance to do so. There is no right answer to the treatment to illness. Everybody is unique. Knowing our personal health profile and health metrics is the best way to secure a personalised treatment.

He brings forward new findings in the fields of Homeostasis, Metabolomics and metabolic profiling.

Be ready to be shocked and refreshed if you wish to read this book published in 2012. The book need to be read twice. A most convincing guide to some of the most confusing issues currently discussed in popular health writings. It is a dynamic new way of thinking about our health. And it it is about time we do so. It is not a Number One New York Times best seller for nothing.

Take care

Allen Lai

Of Up Regulating and Down Regulating Receptors

Protein Receptors in a cell

Dr David B Agus MD in his book The End of Illness, described candidly that our body is deemed as a fantastic machine. Our body incorporates total systems to balance input and outputs to our cells. The acidity- alkalic balance in our body is very fine tuned to sustain life.

Likewise our cells also balance its inputs via receptors in the cells. These receptors are protein molecules embedded in each cell. Their function is to facilitates the physical attachments of other proteins or molecules to have the intended effect. Our cells have different receptors for different proteins or molecules.

These receptors up regulate or down regulate its reception nodes, depending on the supply and demands of the particular protein or molecule. For example, if there are excess say Vitamin D in the body, the cell shuts down its Vitamin D receptors and if there are inadequate Vitamin D in the body, the cell opens up more Vitamin D receptors. Wonderful mechanism for check and balance.

I would like to propose some food for thought, (pun intended).  Why does cancer cells have so many receptors for simple sugar and proteins? Cancer patients are often undernourished as in malnutrition and our bodies slowly falls into in a wasted stage. It is in these body environment that our cells, particularly cancer cells up regulate its protein and simple sugars receptors.

We have to eat a well balanced meal and keep our bodies well nourished and balanced so that cancer cells do not up regulate receptors and grow like wild weeds.

Take care.

Allen Lai

Genetic or Environmental Risks Factors ?

Genes

Environmental

Generally it can be accepted that our genetic factor does play a role in us having diseases including cancers. How much does risks stems from our genes? Perhaps environmental factors have a bigger impact on us being ill.

Dr David B. Agus, MD from University of Southern California in his latest New York best seller book The End Of Illness, presented some revealing statistics on the risk ratio between genetics and environment.  Environmental factors include those ingredients like drugs, foods and toxics that affect us at the cellular level.

It is interesting to note that breast cancers, Glaucoma, abdominal Aneurysm, Sarcoidosis, Lupus have higher risks from our genes. Glaucoma, an eye disease scores the highest at 87 percent. And Prostrate cancer is only 42 percent due to our genes.

The figures below show the percentage ratio between genetic and environment factors affecting the diseases. (The first figure being genetic risk)

Type 2 Dibetes 64:36
Alzheimer Disease 62:38
Muscular diseases 67:33
Breast Cancers 73:27
Obesity 67:33
Colon Cancer 35:65
Crohn Disease 80:20
Celiac Disease 57:43
Graves Disease 64:36
Heart attacks (Male) 57:43
Heart attacks (Female) 62:38
Glaucoma 87:13
Prostrate Cancer 42:58
Lupus 62:38
Lung Cancer 14:86
Stomach Cancer 28:72
Melanoma 21:79
Sarcoldosis 66:35
Abdominal Aneurysm 72:28

Now that you know, please dont' blame on your ancestors.

While you are interested to know your risks to diseases, visit Dr David's blog with disease risks calculators to do a quick review here:

http://davidagus.com/resources/



Take care

Allen Lai

The Whole Life Prostrate Book

This is not just a book. It is a desk reference book to say the least. Published in 2012, this book is the most comprehensive and factual book written about the male prostrate organ, its health and diseases.

This book is co-authored by  Dr H. Ballentine Carter and  Gerald Secor Couzens. The former is a professor and practicing Urologist for the past three decades in the John Hopkins Hospital.

This book separate the hypes, and myths from the facts about the prostrate organ. With this book in hand, one does not need to google Prostrate anymore in the Internet. This book is complete and unbiased. The book covers prostatitis (inflammation), pelvic pain syndrome (PPS), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and prostrate cancer. LUTS is the new definition to BPH. 

Dr Bellantine describes the issues in non medical terms and progressively chapters the issues from taking care of the prostrate, protecting it and suggest remedies to treat cancer and all ailments and disorders related to the prostrate. 

This book is for the non urologist and for all men at all ages. The book addresses benign prostrate enlargement (BPE) also known as BPH, Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), Overactive bladder (OAB) and prostrate cancer.

A must read book for all men.

Take care.

Allen Lai

Take control of your cancer

Take control of your cancer. Yes you. Dr James W. Forsythe, MD, HMD an Oncologist in Nevada is the author of the above book. He has seen thousands of patients as a conventional oncologist. Today Dr Forsythe advocates integrating the best of alternative and conventional treatments as integrated treatments. Other non conventional oncology are ALTERNATIVE ONCOLOGY and COMPLEMENTARY ONCOLOGY.

Yes conventional treatments has a major role to play in the treatment of cancers, but sadly they are skilled in clinical protocols only, which basically address to eliminate the cancerous cells and mitigate the inherent symptoms. Such protocols does not address the root cause(s) to cancer.

Dr Forsythe is one of the early Integrative Oncologist, breaking away from conventional treatments. He joins the ranks with:
Dr Linus Pauling,
Harry Hoxsey,
Renee Caise, RN
Dr Ernest T. Krebs,
Dr John Richardson,
Dr W. Douglas Brodie,
Dr Stanislov Burzynski,
Dr Michael B. Schlachter,
Dr W. John Diamond,
and Dr William D. Kelley among others. Google to read their works. All advocates healthy diets, supplements, enzymes and herbal medicines.

Take care of your cancer is a good book to read, particularly if you are already in Cancer Stage 4. This book is published in 2012 and describe many successful case studies under integrative treatments.

Take care

Allen Lai

Supplements Exposed

Supplement Exposed. The TRUTH they don't want you to know about vitamins, minerals and their effects on your health. This is another book to read if you take supplements daily. A well researched and argued book about the myths abound vitamins and mineral supplements in the health industry. It takes a lot of courage , efforts and conviction to write an expose on this subject. Brian R Clement Phd is the Director of Hippocrates Health Institute. He has seen enough in complimentary health care. The book discuss the four major misconceptions namely:
1. Food contains all the vitamins you need.
2. Synthetics are equal to natural nutrients.
3. Vitamin science are results reliable.
4. You can trust the natural label.

Be warned that synthetics are pure chemical and it may be toxic to the body. Our bodies reacts differently to natural whole foods that contains the nutritions therein and synthetic nutritions. For example Ascorbic acid is not Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is just part of the Vitamin C complexity.

The author says the only standards to trust is the Naturally Occurring Standard (NOS). Ensure that you see the NOS label in each bottle of supplements you purchase.

Now that you know.

Take care

Allen Lai

The truth about cancer

Hi all,
Here is a new look into what is cancer. It is natural and about survivorship of your cells. Just like you, your cells adapt to survive under all threats to the body. It is God's way to ensure our cells mutate to exist in  an induced unfriendly environment to the body.

See this video for a clear understanding of what is cancer.

I subscribe to this message. I walk the talk. Today I am in full remission from my prostrate cancer. I do what this video tells us to, and more. I only wish to add a bit more than what is shown in this video.

We need the best immune system in our body all the time to fight off the carcinogens now easily coming into contact with our body. Eating relevant and functional food is just not enough. Present day foods are sadly depleted of its nutrients. Processed foods are the real culprits to cause of cancer.


Thank you Leyu Chong for the lead. See the video here:

http://www.redefineyourreality.com/what-is-cancer.htm

Take care

Allen Lai

Nutrition and physical activities after cancer treatment

Hi all,
You may wish to visit www.cancer.org to take the free class on nutrition and physical activities after cancer treatment.

 The class work consist of 28 informative and comprehensive slides to guide you along with the nutrition needed and physical activities.

Visit here :
http://www.cancer.org/icancope/nutrition_and_physical_activity_after_cancer_treatment/na_i_can_cope-nutrition_and_physical_activity_after_cancer_treatment.htm

Take care

Allen Lai

Latest drug approved by the FDA - Xofigo

Another drug has been approved by the FDA in May 2013. Xofigo (radium -233 dichloride). This drug is to be used for prostrate cancer survivors who are now in an unfortunate castration resistant stage. Xofigo is approved for treating cancer that had spread to the bones but not yet to any organ in the body.

Xofigo is marketed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

Read Xofigo here :

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/news/fda-approves-xofigo-for-advanced-prostate-cancer

Take care
Allen

Good Luck, bad luck, maybe

My philosophy..You will live a day longer for each and every step you run.

Have you heard about the fabled story of the farmer, his son and their horse? Good Luck, bad luck, maybe.

There was this farmer who had a male horse to assist in his family farm. One day the horse broke away from the paddock and ran away. The villagers all felt sorry for the farmer and said what bad luck. Good luck, bad luck, maybe.

A week later the farmer’s horse returned to the farm and proudly brought back a mare with it. The villagers rejoiced and said what good luck. Now the farmer had two horses to assist in his farm. Good luck bad luck, maybe.

One day, the farmer’s son rode on their new horse. He fell off the horse and broke his legs and had to be hospitalized for a few months. The villagers again felt sorry for the farmer for his son’s mishap. Good luck, bad luck, maybe.

A civil war then broke out. The army was recruiting all able bodied young men to the war. Most of the soldiers did not come home. The farmer’s son was exempted for conscript because he was no longer considered able bodied. The villagers were very happy for the farmer. Good luck, bad luck, maybe.

So the story goes. Good luck, bad luck, maybe.

Survivorship from cancer have various degrees of ‘luck’. Good luck, bad luck, maybe.

Our Oncologist follow standard surveys data and statistics in their prognosis. Most says you have a good chance but then, it is known that there are some who are not so lucky. So the prognosis goes. Good luck, bad luck, maybe.

I take it that, even if there is a low percentage of survivorship of say the standard 20/80 percent rule. I will still wished to be in the 20 percent who will survive. But I cannot be satisfied by wishing only. I must place myself into that group. Now is not a time for Good luck, bad luck, maybe. I must will myself to be in the good luck group by practicing the best lifestyles with strict discipline. With these efforts I will surely be placed in the survivors’ group. No?

Good luck, bad luck, maybe.

Allen Lai

Another Food Pyramid like no other

Healthy for Life food pyramid. curtesy of Ray D Strand, MD

Here is a very logical food pyramid taking into account insulin spikes and insulin resistance.
Ray D Strand, MD propagates that the current concept and understanding of metabolism by the medical profession is outdated. The current universal food pyramid does not take into account Glycemic Indexes (GI) and Glycemic Loads (GL).

Ray D Strand has shared his believes and undertaking to promote GI and GL and its fundamental effects at the cellular level. His recent book Healthy for Life is a well researched and well argued rationale for his works and approach as a practising physician.

Note the differences between the current universal food pyramid and the food pyramid above, particularly high GL of whole grain bread, cereals pasta and rice.

I believe and subscribe strongly to the above food pyramid.

Take care
Allen Lai

PSA Review

16 May 2013.

Today I did my second quarterly PSA test post hormonal treatment. The last Zoladex administration was exactly 6 months ago. My Oncologist and I are delighted that my PSA level had remained 0.02. No change to last reading.

My Oncologist ordered me to do what I have been doing, which obviously was effective to contain my PSA level. I have a complete new lifestyle. I walk, run, cycle and swim for my exercises. I do simple light weight training to boot. I try to eat as best as I can of the recommended foods and avoid those foods not recommended. The latter is more difficult than I thought. I eat quality relevant supplements to augment my daily intake of food.

I am to do quarterly PSA tests for the time being to ascertain that I do not have a relapse of the prostrate cancer. It had been a tough 3 years treatment. I am glad that I am doing fine and hope all is well soon.

Take care

Allen Lai

Be a healthier you

Yes I read any book on health. Even all the books say the same things over and over again. Boring ? Not really. It is not about what we already know, but it is about how and what to do or not to do. Thats the difficult part. So as I read different authors, same matters are always presented in different ways. It is refreshing and looking at health from every angle.

The two books that I have just finished are Healthy for Life by Ray D Strand, MD and Healthiest you ever 365 ways to, by a team of writers ; Meera Lester, Susan Reynolds, Murdoc Khalgh,MD and Brett Aved. The team have written several books in the same series ....You ever 365 ways to.

Ray D Strand, Md has written several other books on health. He produces his writings with medical evidence. Ray D Strand is an allopathic practitioner who understands the importance of nutrition. This is a fact book instead of a "fad" book. It is very important to understand health at the cellular level. What is going on inside us.

The second book by the team of authors apply to daily practical and effective activities/things we could do to have a healthier us.This book covers all aspects of health including Diet and Nutrition, Strength, Mental agility, Endurance, Flexibility, Recreation and Rest. You will be energised from head to toe.

Yes you can now explain why you are still on the couch, just say you are allowing your cells to rejuvenate and repair.

Google for reviews of the books. Both are excellent readings.

Take care

Allen Lai