Cancer Conference Explores Non-Toxic Therapies

Last Labor Day weekend, when most people were at the beach or firing up their barbeques, the FoodTrients team and I were taking in the 46^th Annual Cancer Convention in Glendale, California presented by the Cancer Control Society. The mission of this non-profit is to “Prevent and control cancer and other diseases through nutrition and non-toxic therapies.”

More than 60 speakers presented their research, stories, products and services over the three days, along with dozens of exhibits and informational films — all of them showcasing alternative prevention and treatment therapies for cancer as well as other diseases. The speakers included medical doctors, clinical researchers, nutritionists and authors.

It was a lot to absorb, but there were a number of presenters and exhibits that caught our attention.

Earl Mindell, PhD – Dr. Mindell is a pharmacist, master herbalist and nutritionist who has written a number of best-selling books including the New Vitamin Bible, The Allergy Bible and his newest book, Healing with CDB Hemp Oil. This topic was of particular interest to us due to the exploding use of hemp and marijuana products for healing and treatment of a variety of illnesses and conditions.

In a nutshell, hemp is an excellent source of CBD, which is very effective for treating conditions such as seizures, arthritis and severe pain. Hemp has miniscule amounts of THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that can make you ‘high’.

Since the implementation of the Farm Bill in 2014, more than 30 states have passed laws regarding industrial hemp. At least 16 of those states have approved laws allowing for commercial production, giving growers rights beyond those listed in the Farm Bill.  However, the federal government still classifies hemp as a Class 1 drug.

CBD oil is a natural substance and has been found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, while also helping to decrease nausea, promote good sleep and is also an effective antioxidant. With the legalization of medical marijuana in 30 states and recreational pot in nine states, the domestic production of hemp oil should be expanded.

According to Dr. Mindell, CBD is the drug of the 21^st century. He recommends to, “1. Make sure the CBD you buy is 3^rd party certified; 2. Keep the dosage to 25-50 mg per day; 3. Work with a practitioner who is familiar with CBD oil and knows what they’re doing.”

Broccoli Seeds and Cancer: Michael Nelson, D.C., CS Health, LLC – We were particularly interested in hearing Dr. Nelson’s presentation,  ‘Sulforaphane: Broccoli’s Secret Weapon against Cancer (Your Mother Was Right)’. We all know about broccoli’s status a superfood. Apparently, it contains compounds that can fight cancer. The key is to ingest the highest concentration of immunity-boosting sulforaphane. It’s present in the broccoli you find on your dinner plate, but it is in higher concentration in broccoli sprouts and in even higher concentration in broccoli seeds. While broccoli is extremely healthful (and tasty), cooking it kills off the protective ingredients—sulforaphane and glucoraphanin.

CS Health represents a supplement called Vitalica Plus ™.  It’s made with its patented “Hopkins” variety broccoli seed extract, which contains the highest concentration of sulforaphane glucosinolate levels. Sulforaphane activates the body’s ability to eliminate toxins (pollution, hormones, pesticides) and protects your DNA from carcinogens. The supplement can help:

• Detoxify the liver
• Sustain healthy joints
• Reduce stress on the body from diabetes
• Eliminate free-radicals
• Inhibit inflammation
• Help protect against air pollutant

Onyx Black Fermented Garlic – I’ve heard of black garlic, but never tried it until we saw it at the conference. This is fresh, organic garlic from China (where most commercial garlic is grown) and it’s processed and packaged in Germany. The garlic cures under low temperatures and high humidity for four weeks. This process causes the garlic to caramelize and it stabilizes the pungent allicin, garlic’s active compound. It looks pretty much like the heads of garlic you find in the produce section, but peel off the papery skin and inside the bulbs are black. The taste is sweet, like a cross between a rare truffle and years-aged balsamic vinegar. You can spread it on crackers with cheese, on slices of cucumber or put it in sauces, soups and on salads. It comes in whole cloves or in a paste in convenient re-sealable jars.

You probably know that garlic is a super food, full of antioxidants that help prevent cells from aging.  Research indicates that black garlic has more than twice the antioxidants of fresh garlic. Also, the allicin in fresh garlic disintegrates rapidly. By fermenting the fresh garlic, it converts to highly beneficial sulfur compounds. Plus, black garlic is more easily digestible than fresh garlic.

Here are more of fermented black garlic’s health benefits. It:

• Stabilizes and supports healthy blood pressure levels
• Supports the immune system
• Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
• Supports the body’s  ability to fight inflammation
• Assists the body in detoxification

And did I mention it’s sweet, mild and delicious? Try it spread on a whole grain cracker with a good, sharp white cheddar cheese.

Palliative Care Corporation – Located in Huntington Beach, CA, this company provides something very much needed today—medical cannabis education, products and support. With the legalization of medical cannabis for treatment for everything from chronic arthritis to end-stage cancer, not all traditional medical practitioners are familiar with various cannabis products, the right dosage, and how they can help patients.

The average person can purchase cannabis products in dispensaries in California and 29 other  states for medical and/or recreational use, but the choice of products is overwhelming and often confusing to newcomeers. Workers in dispensaries may or may not be well-versed in the particulars of the medical uses for THC (the active, pyschographic ingredient in cannabis) or CBD (also an active ingredient in cannabis, but does not alter the mind or make one high).

PC Corp. staff have product knowledge and experience to help guide and educate patients and their families about the various products available and their effects. The staff will consult in person or over the phone with patients directly and their providers.

The company also has available for purchase tablets, sprays, edibles and salves in various formulations. At the show they were featuring Get Zen capsules that are formulated with, “A clinical healthcare approach aimed to treat pain, anxiety, insomnia and other ailments with consistent and long-lasting relief,” according to their literature. We were very impressed by their representatives’ professionalism and helpfulness. Until most mainstream physicians get up to speed on how to prescribe cannabis products for their patients, this company seems to close the knowledge/application gap.

New Vita® — This company is based on healing and prevention using traditional Chinese herbs and medical practice. Dr. Luke Cua is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, a licensed acupuncturist and National Board Certified in Chinese Herbology. He operates a clinic and American Herbal Laboratories, Inc. in Rosemead, CA.

New Vita offers herbal supplement products that Dr. Cua has developed over many years of clinical research using both Chinese and Western medicine. The result is a line of herbal dietary supplements to improve the body’s physiological balance and harmony. You hear the terms balance and harmony often in Chinese medicine, and while not commonly used to describe the goals of traditional Western treatments, Chinese medicine has been in practice for 5000 years, so there is definitely something to be said for incorporating these characteristics into an integrated medical practice.

A diagnostic tool Dr. Cua uses is the Meridian Energy Analysis System (MEAS™). It’s a non-invasive technology that measures function of the autonomic nervous system, vital organs, musculoskeletal balance and metabolism among other body systems. It provides a database to track vulnerable systems that can then be treated with targeted herbal formulations.

Our Team has the knowledge and experience to help guide and educate patients and products and

Please keep in mind, the FoodTrients team is always on the lookout for new foods, supplements and practices that show evidence of helping to fight aging and enable you to live your healthiest and most vibrant life. Be sure to always consult with your physician or health practitioner before starting any alternative treatments or therapies. Ideally, your health professional will help you to integrate these alternative therapies into your care with the goal of providing the ultimate positive results.