Special Lemonade Alleviates Chemotherapy-Associated Nausea

Ginger has been used as a spice in Asia for at least 4,400 years and a medicinal plant in Arabic, Indian, and Asian cultures for more than 2,000 years. In the U.S., ginger is more commonly used as a spice, but health care professionals are now embracing the many medicinal uses of this miraculous root.… Continue reading →

Ginger has been used as a spice in Asia for at least 4,400 years and a medicinal plant in Arabic, Indian, and Asian cultures for more than 2,000 years. In the U.S., ginger is more commonly used as a spice, but health care professionals are now embracing the many medicinal uses of this miraculous root. Besides recommending ginger root for pain and inflammation, upset stomach, and colds, health care professionals may use ginger to help prevent or treat several unpleasant (but common) side effects of chemotherapy treatments.

A number of human studies have shown that ginger may reduce the severity and duration of nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. A National Cancer Institute (NCI) study found that if patients take 0.5g to 1g of ginger three days before and after chemotherapy, along with anti-nausea medication, nausea is reduced by an additional 40%.

Another potential benefit of ginger? It is believed that one of the principal molecules present in ginger – known as gingerol – may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

And about those lemons…

Lemons are loaded with vitamin C and flavonoids, which have been shown to inhibit cancer cell division. Lemons have also been shown to help prevent nausea during chemotherapy. An added benefit of fresh lemons? The vitamin C in lemons calms inflammation and pain, boosts the immune system, and it can even help prevent heart disease.

If you’re ready to start reaping the benefits of ginger and lemon, try this delicious ginger-zapped lemonade recipe by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Fresh ginger
  • Lemons
  • Pure water (if you are undergoing chemotherapy, this will protect you from the chemicals and bacteria that can be found in some drinking water)
  • Sugar

To make 8 servings (1 cup each), you’ll need:

  • 1/4 cup of ginger
  • 8-9 lemons to make 1 ½ cups of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • 6 cups of pure water
  • 1 cup of sugar

The rest is easy. All you have to do is:

  1. Pour the water and sugar into a saucepan and stir with a whisk over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves (approx. 5 minutes).
  2. Place the ginger in a double layer of cheesecloth and tie securely.
  3. Cheesecloth substitutes: coffee filters, gauze
  4. Place the wrapped ginger in a large pitcher, add the lemon juice.
  5. Add the sugar mixture and 5 cups of water to the pitcher, stir.
  6. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
  7. Toss the ginger and enjoy!

Cool fact: Cardamom and turmeric are also members of the ginger family and may offer some of the same therapeutic benefits as ginger root.

Sources

Amphibole Asbestos, Erionite Have Adverse Effect on Immune System

For decades it was believed that mesothelioma, a particularly aggressive form of cancer, was caused exclusively by asbestos exposure. Now, a number of studies suggest that exposure to another mineral known as “erionite” may also cause mesothelioma. Some studies have progressed a step further to suggest that not only are exposure to asbestos and erionite… Continue reading →

For decades it was believed that mesothelioma, a particularly aggressive form of cancer, was caused exclusively by asbestos exposure. Now, a number of studies suggest that exposure to another mineral known as “erionite” may also cause mesothelioma. Some studies have progressed a step further to suggest that not only are exposure to asbestos and erionite the main causes of mesothelioma, they may also have an adverse effect on the body’s immune system.

A team of researchers from Idaho State University’s (ISU) Department of Biological Sciences and Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) found that:

“Erionite and tremolite caused increased cytokine {nonantibody proteins released by a specific type of cell as part of the body’s immune response} production belonging to the TH17 profile including IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β, and TNF-α. The frequency of ANA was increased in mice treated with erionite or amphibole compared to saline-treated mice. IL-17 and TNF-α were elevated in the sera of mice treated with erionite. The frequency of immune complex deposition in the kidneys increased from 33% in saline-treated mice to 90% with erionite.”

From this, the ISU team concluded that “both erionite and amphibole asbestos induce autoimmune responses in mice, suggesting a potential for adverse effects in exposed communities.” Among other benefits, this discovery may help doctors and researchers detect erionite and asbestos-exposure in the absence of other signs and symptoms which, in many cases, do not appear until decades after exposure.

About Erionite

Erionite is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that belongs to a group of minerals called zeolites. Once considered “full-fledged mineral commodities,” zeolites have been used in everything from pet litter, animal feed, and horticultural applications to oil and gas absorbent, odor control, and water purification, with pet litter, animal feed, and horticultural applications accounting for 65% of all applications.

Although erionite remains unregulated, applications have been somewhat limited to materials used to pave roads. Still, according to a recent report by the National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NTP), deposits of fibrous erionite can be found in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. Erionite fibers have been detected in samples of road dust in Nevada and in erionite-contaminated gravel on roads in North Dakota.

As such, residents of these areas may be exposed to erionite in ambient air, says the NTP, thus increasing the risk of developing mesothelioma.

About Amphibole Asbestos

There are six types of asbestos: amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, actinolite, tremolite, and chrysotile. The first five types are called amphibole asbestos. Although amphibole asbestos is not the most common form of asbestos used in industrial applications (chrysotile, or “white asbestos,” is the most common), it is still considered deadly. Some studies suggest that it is more cancer-causing than chrysotile, while others claim it’s less potent in causing mesothelioma. The topic still remains controversial.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the attorneys at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. can help. Contact us today at 800-782-8492 (toll-free) to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation or click here to email us. We look forward to discussing your case.

100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma, Second EditionSources

  • Harvey I. Pass, MD, NYU School of Medicine and Clinical Cancer Center
  • Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR)
    ATSDR.cdc.gov
  • American Cancer Society (ACS)
    Cancer.org
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    CDC.gov
  • Merriam-Webster, MedlinePlus
    Merriam-webster.com/medlineplus
  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
    Cancer.gov
  • National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    NTP.niehs.nih.gov
  • Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Volume 275, Issue 3, 15 March 2014, Pages 257-264
    Sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0041008X14000349<
  • U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH), PubMed
    NCBI.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

Infused Water Recipe

Every life-sustaining body process, cell, organ, and tissue needs water to function. In fact, water is so essential to life that it is the number one consumed beverage in the world. Water is important to the body because it: Transports nutrients and oxygen to body cells Carries waste products away Regulates body temperature Moistens body… Continue reading →

Every life-sustaining body process, cell, organ, and tissue needs water to function. In fact, water is so essential to life that it is the number one consumed beverage in the world. Water is important to the body because it:

  • Transports nutrients and oxygen to body cells
  • Carries waste products away
  • Regulates body temperature
  • Moistens body tissues (eyes, nose, mouth)
  • Lubricates joints
  • Cushions organs and tissues

According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), when the body lacks even a small amount of water, you’ll feel thirsty. With a little more loss, the body can lose strength and endurance, hindering the ability to perform simple physical tasks and fight disease. If the loss is greater say, a 20 percent loss in water weight, a person can barely survive.

For proper functioning, the body needs a constant supply of water. Recommended intakes are:

  • 9 cups daily for women (minimum)
  • 12 ½ cups for men (minimum)

More water should be consumed on hot days and before, during, and after exercise. Nine to 12 ½ cups may seem like a lot, but it’s not. Each cup is a mere 8 ounces. And because many beverages such as juice and non-caffeinated drinks count toward your daily water intake, you have an abundance of flavorful options to choose from.

One option that seems to be growing in popularity within the medical community is infused water. Not the mass-produced kind you’ll find on store shelves, but rather water that’s infused with fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs–right before your eyes. And what a beautiful sight to see!

Besides providing mood-enhancing visuals, these colorful disease-fighters deliver vitamins and nutrients to the body. This is just one reason infused water is often recommended for cancer patients in undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Infused water can also help cancer patients feel better by boosting energy levels and delivering fiber to the body, which can help prevent associated bowel issues such as constipation. It can also help minimize consumption of processed sugar, preservatives, and additives–all of the things that are counterproductive to treatment.

Infused water is also easy to make. Even better is–you can choose the herbs, fruit, and vegetables your taste commands on any given day.

So, here’s what you’ll need to start infusing:

  • Fresh fruit, vegetables, and/or herbs of your choice, quantity is up to you
  • Container (pitcher, mason jar, water bottle, any BPA-free plastic container)
  • Pure water (if you are undergoing chemotherapy, this will protect you from the chemicals and bacteria that can be found in some drinking water)

Next up:

  1. Chop the fruit, vegetables, herbs
  2. Add them to the pitcher/container
  3. Press the ingredients lightly with a spoon (or other utensil) to release the flavors
  4. Add water, let sit for a few minutes, drink

Need suggestions? The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute offers the following tasty combinations:

Blueberry, basil, lemon
Cucumber, watermelon, mint
Grapefruit, cucumber and rosemary
Lemon, ginger (helpful for nausea)
Pineapple, mango
Raspberry, lime (or lemon)
Strawberry, cantaloupe

Sources

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
    Dana-farber.org
  • American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide
    Roberta Larson Duyff, MS, RD, FADA, CHCS
    Print, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey
  • Photo credit: GlassDharma.com / Foter / CC BY