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Cancer
Diet - Minerals
by: Marilyn Bennett
A cancer diet
needs a good balance of minerals because minerals are needed by all
cells for proper function. Patients are often found to be mineral deficient,
so this is an area of the diet that needs particular attention.
There are two
classes of minerals. Macrominerals, such as the well known calcium,
magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus, and microminerals, such
as boron, chromium, copper, iron, iodine, germanium, sulfur, silicon,
vanadium, zinc, manganese and molybdenum.
The good news
is we will get most of the minerals we need, provided we are eating
a diet based on a wide variety of fruits and veggies, with the addition
of nuts, seeds and grains.
Where we can
get in to trouble is that minerals are washed out of soils with constant
rain, and modern fertilizers don't usually contain the wide variety
of minerals we need. Organic gardeners usually use rock minerals on
their soils and this results in organic produce have a much higher and
broader range of minerals.
Germanium is
one micromineral that cancer patients are often low on. It is essential
for immune function and is critical to tissue oxygenation. Cancer grows
rapidly where there is low oxygenation of cells. Germanium is found
in broccoli, celery, garlic, onions, rhubarb, sauerkraut and tomato
juice as well as aloevera and ginseng.
Iodine deficiency
has been linked to breast cancer in more than one study. Seasalt contains
iodine and a variety of minerals rather than the isolated highly processed
iodine additive in table salt. Asparagus, garlic, lima beans, soybeans,
sesame seeds all contain natural iodine along with the nutrients needed
for good absorption.
Large amounts
of brassicas eg brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, along with
peaches, pears and spinach can block absorption of iodine, so ensure
there is a balance of iodine rich foods in your diet.
Selenium has
been linked to cancer. Selenium and Vitamin E work together to attack
free radicals. Selenium is critical for pancreatic function, and pancreatic
enzymes are critical to the bodies ability to fight tumour activity.
This mineral is generally found in meat and grains, however countries
such as New Zealand and much of America is known to have selenium deficient
soils.
As there have
been several studies showing that good selenium levels have significantly
reduced the risk of cancer, this is one mineral you want to have enough
of.
Food sources
that should be included frequently in a cancer diet are: brazil nuts,
broccoli, brown rice, brewers yeast, chicken, kelp, onions, salmon,
seafood, tuna, wheatgerm and whole grains. Garlic, chamomile, ginseng
and parsley are all easy to use concentrated forms that can be added
to the diet daily.
A couple of
warnings:
Be very careful
about self-dosing with minerals as several of them will block absorption
of others if the dose is too high.
Again, eating
a variety of foods, with particular notice taken of those that have
high mineral levels is the safest way to go. If you wish to explore
mineral supplementation further, talk to your naturopath or nutritionist.
But whatever you do, don't ignore the importance of these vital elements
to your well being.
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