Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is a disease strongly associated with diet.
The consumption of nitrites in processed or "cured" meats
and fish contributes to the development of stomach cancer.
Nitrates are converted to cancer-causing nitrites by
bacteria in the stomach, and Helicobacter pylori is the bacterium
most closely linked to this process. Stomach cancer is
found most often among people age fifty-five or older, and
is more common among African-Americans than among
members of other ethnic groups.
The early symptoms of stomach cancer include a feeling
of fullness or discomfort after eating. Weakness, weight
loss, indigestion, and
vomiting after eating also may occur.
Low-level bleeding may cause anemia. In rare instances,
the person will vomit blood or pass tarry, black stools. As
the cancer spreads it can affect the liver, causing jaundice
and abdominal fluid accumulations.
Because the early symptoms of stomach cancer are so
vague and so easily mistaken for those of other digestive
problems, this cancer often is not detected until it is has
spread beyond the stomach. Surgery is most successful if the
cancer is contained within the stomach itself. If the cancer has
spread, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be used.
Herbal medicine should always be used as part of a
medically directed overall treatment plan for stomach cancer.
Supplements and herbs
- Garlic enteric-coated tablets. Take at least 900 mg daily for 3-4 weeks.
Contains compounds that prevent spread of cancer to lymph nodes.
Consult a doctor before using garlic on a regular basis if you are taking anticoagulant medications
such as warfarin (Coumadin). Garlic will counteract the effects of bifidus and
lactobacillus
cultures taken as digestive aids. Discuss the use of this herb with your doctor before having
any type of surgery.
- Lentinan intramuscular injection or powder given by health care professional.
Has been used successfully to treat stomach cancer.
- Maitake maitake-D. Take as directed on the label.
Stimulates immune system to act against stomach cancer.
Do not take maitake if you have multiple sclerosis.
What else you can do
- Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, rice, pasta, and
beans, with limited meat products.
- Limit your consumption of smoked, barbecued, pickled,
or salt-cured foods.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco products.
- Shiitake can be used to help prevent stomach cancer in
people who cannot tolerate garlic. It works by blocking
the formation of cancer-causing chemicals from dietary
nitrates. Use the fresh or dried mushroom in food, 1/4 to 1/3
ounce (6 to 9 grams) daily. Or take one of the following
types of shiitake extract three times daily: three 1-gram
tablets, 1/2 tablespoon (4 to 6 milliliters) syrup, or 1
tablespoon (10 milliliters) tincture in 2 tablespoons water, taken
in a single sip.
- A Japanese study found "excellent" results in treating
stomach cancer with lentinan, but only in people who had
normal protein levels. Amino acid supplementation will
help lentinan work better.
- Zinc deficiency is implicated as a cause of stomach
cancer, since a lack of zinc reduces the immune system's effectiveness.
- Eating two or more servings of fish per week reduces
the chances of developing cancer of the stomach or
esophagus by 30 to 40 percent. Avoiding deficiencies of
vitamin E
(by taking 200 international units per day and eating one or
two servings of eggs or nuts weekly) and selenium (by
taking no more than 150 micrograms per day) also reduces the
risk of developing stomach cancer, especially in men. In
addition, regular consumption of celery,
broccoli, and
cabbage (preferably raw), and regular use of
cloves and the
related Indian spice jambul are associated with a greatly
reduced risk.
More useful herbs
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