Just Ask Terry

Just Ask Terry - April 30, 2010

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Hello, “It seems that cancer runs in my family, and I would like to take something to help prevent me from getting cancer. Are there any important nutrients for protecting the body from getting cancer?” Helen D., San Diego, CA A. Dear Helen, There is no definitive answer to suggest a supplement will prevent you from getting cancer. I wish it were that easy, but there are so many unknown facts about cancer that it would be inappropriate to suggest a specific protocol could absolutely guarantee you a cancer-free life. However, we can certainly take measures that may help prevent cancer from occurring. First, do your best to avoid many of the chemicals that cause cancer. Try to avoid synthetic chemicals of any kind and, in particular, the fluorides and chlorine which are found in toothpaste and city drinking water. Also, avoid ingesting any other form of fluoride. These are highly cancer causing chemicals. Avoid as many chemicals as you can by choosing wisely the foods you eat, and look for organic foods when possible. Avoid hair dyes, as they can have very harsh chemicals in their formulas. Avoid colors and dyes in food. Avoid smoking and soft drinks, both regular and diet. Strive to eat a healthy diet, lean proteins, small quantities of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats such as olive oil and flax seed oil, and make it a goal to eat 7 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Beyond a diet full of fresh foods and eliminating toxins, there are a number of doctors and scientists who are suggesting specific nutrients that may be of great benefit to prevent cancer. Much research has been done by Dr. Holick and Dr. De Luca that suggests that the lack of vitamin D is one of the root causes of cancer, multiple sclerosis and many other diseases that are more prevalent in the northern latitudes because of the lack of sunshine –and sunshine is a primary source of our bodies’ vitamin D resources These doctors suggest 3,000 to 10,000 IUs of vitamin D daily, using the higher dosage to saturate the body over several months, and then reducing to a maintenance dosage of 3,000 IUs daily. Do not avoid the sun, as it is our primary source of vitamin D. 15 to 30 minutes of sunshine, three or four times weekly, without a sun blocker, and with our hands, arms, face and legs exposed, will give us vitamin D and much more. Get enough sun to obtain a light pink color to the skin and gradually get a little tanning. Avoid at all cost any kind of sunburn that will cause blistering and damage to the skin. In addition to healthy amounts of vitamin D, I’d also suggest a good, bioavailable curcumin. Doctors at Baylor University and at the MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center are researching curcumin, and they have found it to be one of the most powerful and natural anticancer and cancer chemotherapeutics of any agent tested in their laboratory. While more research needs to be done to completely unlock curcumin’s cancer preventing/cancer fighting capabilities, after reading the research by Dr. Holick, Dr. De Luca, Dr. Goel and Dr. Aggarwahl—researchers studying vitamin D and curcumin for the prevention of cancer–I have personally increased my dosage of vitamin D and curcumin daily.

Q. Hi Terry, “I have been on Armour Thyroid for several years and would like to get off this medication. I would like something natural and not have to rely on a prescription. Is there a nutritional supplement that I can take to support my thyroid function?” Cathy J., Iron Mountain, MI A. Dear Cathy, You are fortunate that the doctor has put you on Armour Thyroid and not one of the synthetic thyroid hormones. Armour Thyroid is a natural approach to supporting thyroid function. If your thyroid is underactive, Armour Thyroid is supporting your gland by supplying supplementary amounts of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Synthetic thyroid hormones only supply T4. I compliment your doctor for prescribing Armour Thyroid. Most doctors do not see Armour Thyroid as an advantage, but it truly is. Most integrative health care practitioners also recommend the combination of iodine and L-Tyrosine, usually in the dosage of 50 mg to 60 mg of iodine and 400 mg of L-Tyrosine daily. I attended one seminar where the integrative physician suggested this dosage for four months and then reduced the dosage by half. This “dynamic duo” is able in most cases to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce healthier amounts of thyroid hormone. However, it is possible that it will lower the requirement of Armour Thyroid. Iodine and tyrosine are the basic building blocks of proper thyroid function. I would suggest you inform your physician that you would like to supplement with iodine and tyrosine, as it may be necessary to monitor your dosage of Armour Thyroid. If your thyroid function improves greatly, that is the time to discuss with your physician the possibility of discontinuing your Armour Thyroid hormone to see if healthy amounts of iodine and L-tyrosine can sustain you.

Q. Dear Terry, “I’ve had carpal tunnel syndrome for the last several years, and now it’s getting to the point where I have constant pain. The doctor suggested surgery, but is there anything you are aware of that I could try before going under the knife?” Jack C., Phoenix, AZ A. Dear Jack, From my experience, and from testimonials that I heard from people who have had carpal tunnel syndrome, I would most certainly try a natural alternative approach before I elect surgery. However, you may want to inform your doctor as to what you’re doing, and that you would like time to try a natural recommendation before resorting to surgery. I would use a good B-complex, 50 mg per capsule of all the B vitamins, 1 capsule twice daily. I would add the biologically active form of vitamin B6, called pyridoxal 5 phosphate, or P-5-P for short. The best formula that I’ve seen is 30 mg of P-5-P with 100 mg of magnesium. I would suggest 2 capsules daily. I would also suggest an excellent formulation to help reduce pain and inflammation that would contain about 2,200 mg of DLPA, curcumin, boswellia and nattokinase. This should give you an excellent foundation to help relieve the pain and inflammation that accompanies carpal tunnel syndrome and help heal the underlying cause of this disorder.