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My Alternative Cancer Diary

My Cancer-Beating Diet

The blood tests I was told to have every six months to monitor my progress measured two main things, or tumour markers:

1.  The level of telomerase.  Telomerase is an enzyme that helps a cell to self-replicate.  If an increased number of cells have active telomerase, it means that there is some destruction of transformed cells – the kind you would find in a cancerous tumour.
2.  Pyruvate kinase level.  Abnormal cells have an increased level of this enzyme in the blood.  High levels are associated with the presence of a cancerous tumour with an increased risk of spread (metastasis potential).  The normal reading in the blood should be 15 or below.


My first blood test showed the first tumour marker to have 1,500 cells per ul, and the second marker to have 21.00.

The doctos was encouraged by this result, and said the all important second tumour marker was just borderline abnormal (six points above the norm).  

I was advised to continue with my new diet.  By this time I had completely transformed my diet, incorporating these changes:

  • Vegetable juices three times a day
  • Increased levels of vitamins A, E and C
  • 25 apricot kernels a day for vitamin B17
  • Two vitamin B17 tablets twice a day
  • Other supplements, including EPA and flaxseed oil
  • More oily fish
  • Limited meat
  • Plenty of fruit and vegetables
  • No sweet foods


The doctor had told me that I could drink a few glasses of red wine each day if I wanted – until this point, I had been completely abstaining from alcohol.

This post is part of a weekly series in which Sue Insole describes her health journey.  Click here to read her earlier posts.  

Click here to get an email update when Sue writes her next post.


SUSAN INSOLE, BSYA (N Th.) is a former NHS nurse and is now a nutritional therapist in the field of natural health.  She worked in a health care setting for 16 years, firstly in the field of rehabilitation and then as a welfare officer and secretary within a hospital setting.  She was also an advisor for weight loss in 2001 - 2003. She achieved a diploma in 2006 for nutritional therapy. She is the author of a downloadable eBook, What Works in Health. Her website is: www.naturalhealthbenefits.com.
Published 15 October 2007 12:38 by Sue Insole

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Frank Jensen said:

Hi Susan

Keep it up... you will get there. Cancer is formed by the body when the immune system is suppressed. The obvious solution is to remove the immune suppressants as you are doing now..

I do not know whether you are interested in this, but I found this recipe on a website:

Traditional Herbal Blood Tonic Recipe Revealed by Medical Herbalist

by Leslee Dru Browning

Blood tonics today are used for cancer prevention; cancer treatment; liver health, viral and bacterial infections. In the days of old blood tonics were called Spring Tonics and farmers would religiously take them come Spring Time after a long sedentary winter to get their sluggish blood in shape for the upcoming season of farming. A custom that has been lost in today’s world. Why? And why aren’t blood tonics readily available for purchase from holistic healers or from health food stores? Could it be that pharmaceutical companies don’t want any competition from herbal and botanical medicines?

In Dr. Wright’s Newsletter dated September 17, 2007, he talked about Washington State's war on holistic M.D.s. Sad but true. Holistic healers are still being attacked in the USA that spouts that we are a Free Nation...except when it comes to health care, of course. The onslaught on alternative healers is brought about by Big Pharma, Big Business, the American Cancer Society, the AMA and our elected politicians who are bribed by lobbyists. They don’t want you healthy! Instead, they want the path cleared of anyone who can heal you so they can keep pushing their legal high-profit drugs. In today’s world where the propaganda mantra is “There is no cure”, holistic healers are being harassed, arrested and charged with “moral turpitude”, and put out of business simply because they can cure what ails you.

With the attacks on Natural Medicine it can be hard to find an Herbalist who can make up blood tonics for their cancer clients. Herbalists can be hard to locate, especially those who specialize in cancer treatments because they do not advertise since it is against the law in the USA for any health care practitioner to claim they can heal cancer; or any other illness for that matter, yet, it is not against the law to heal yourself. Therefore, why not learn to make your own? In this article I will give the recipe for the very first blood tonic I made.

Browning's Blended Spirits is a blood tonic I formulated years ago for an 80 year old man who had been diagnosed with Invasive Bladder Cancer that had spread to his lymph. During surgery it was found that his tumor had grown outside the wall of the bladder and the surgeon was unable to remove it all. He refused chemotherapy and radiation treatments and was given only 3-6 months to live. His family called me to see if I could help him. After hearing his case I couldn’t recommend herbal capsules because he had difficulty swallowing so I made him this blood tonic. Also included in his treatment was a Bladder and Kidney tonic along with diet changes.

His cancer was eliminated in 6 months and was verified by a cat scan his doctor did in the hospital. The doctors were mystified when they could not find any cancer in his body, yet they never asked what he did to eliminate his cancer. That alone suggested that his doctors not only didn’t care how he healed himself; but that his doctors weren’t the least bit curious about alternative medicine and how they might learn from his recovery. The gentleman is no longer living, but he did not die of cancer. He died of old age from natural causes. I continued to use this blood tonic recipe for several types of cancer and bacterial illnesses in my practice up until the day I retired.

About the Ingredients:

Browning’s Blended Spirits Blood Tonic contains a comprehensive blend of all-natural ingredients of herbs that are effective for blood purification and detoxification. The ingredients in this blend provide nutritive support to the body and are historically proven to provide both cleansing action and detoxification of the cells throughout the body including the lymph, lungs, liver, heart, colon and bloodstream. Many of the ingredients like burdock root, chaparral, poke root, red clover and yellow dock have been used for years to treat cancer.

What ingredients you will need make the tonic:

3oz each of the following dried herbs:

Anise seed (pimpinella anisum)

Blue violet (viola odorata)

Burdock root (arctium lappa)

Chaparral (larrea tridentate)

Dandelion root (taraxacum officinale),

Fennel (foeniculum vulgare),

Licorice root (glycyrrhiza glabra),

Oregon grape (mahonia aquifolium),

Poke root (phytolacca Americana),

Red clover (trifolium pretense)

Yellow dock root (rumex crispus).

40 oz of Honey or Black Strap Molasses, your choice.

16 oz of Vegetable glycerin.

4 Tablespoons of Citric acid which can be found in health food stores or from herb companies on-line.

5 gallons of distilled water

Purchase the whole herb (cut root and cut leaf) instead of the powdered herb if you can. The reason for this is two-fold. First, the powder absorbs more water leaving you with less liquid; second, the powder takes longer and is harder to strain. I purchase most of my dried herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs. Their herbs are processed and handled according to strict organic standards and they will sell individual herbs in a 4oz quantity so you will not have to purchase a full pound. I am sure there are many other herb company’s and health food stores that carry the herbs you will need. Just make sure they are organic.

What cooking tools you will need:

You will also need two stainless steel or glass 20 quart pots with lids.

A large strainer.

A candy or water thermometer.

Cheesecloth.

For bottling you can use regular canning jars. If using pint jars you will need about 24 – 28 jars. If using quart jars you will need about 14 jars. This is a large recipe that will provide one year worth of tonics for the cancer patient, or, if using for a preventative go together with friends or family and share it.

How to make the tonic:

Making this tonic is like canning fruit from your garden. If you can cook you can make it. It takes a few days but is well worth it. You will not find this tonic on the market because it is time intense. The cost would be prohibitive to manufacture it, yet you can make it in your home for around $3.00 a pint. This tonic stores for up to a year if placed in a dark cool closet. They key to keeping tonics fresh is to prevent them from exposure to extreme temperature fluctuations. Don’t let them freeze and don’t let them sit in temperatures above 75*.

In one pot add:

Anise seed, burdock root, chaparral, dandelion root, fennel, licorice root, oregon grape root, poke root, yellow dock root and add 3 gallons of distilled water.

Cover with lid and set on stove on warm heat overnight so that the roots can be softened for extraction.

In the morning turn up the heat and bring the water to a low simmer for about 4 hours then bring to a boil for 15-30 minutes. After boiling turn off heat and strain the liquid into a clean container by laying a layer of cheesecloth over your strainer.

In another pot add:

Blue violet, red clover and add 1.5 gallons of distilled water. Set on counter and let soak in water over night.

In the morning place the pot on the stove on warm/medium heat to steep (not boil) the herbs like you would a cup of tea. Let them steep for at least 4 hours then strain the liquid by laying a layer of cheesecloth over your strainer.

Compost the strained herbs in your garden.

Mixing the pots:

Once the liquid is strained from both pots mix it together in one of the 20 quart pots and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.

Then add

16 oz of vegetable glycerin,

40 oz of honey (or black strap molasses for those allergic to honey)

4 heaping tablespoons of citric acid

Stir and let the mixture mingle for 15 minutes or so. When ready to bottle use a candy thermometer to check the temperature of the liquid. You want the temperature between 185* - 190* to prevent any bacteria to grow in the tonics. Maintain this heat temperature throughout bottling.

While waiting for your liquid to reach the accurate bottling temperature prepare your canning jars. Sterilize jars and lids.

Once your bottles are sterilized and your herbal liquid is at the right temperature add the tonic liquid to the hot jars. Fill to ½” from top of jar and cap. Let cool overnight. Check to make sure all the jars are sealed properly then store them.

Once you open a jar of tonic for use you must Refrigerate it. The tonic will last for a month in the refrigerator once it has been opened. Sediment in the bottom of the jars is normal. Give the jar a little shake or stir to mix the sediment before taking.

How much to take:

Adult Folklore Dosage: 2 Tablespoon 2 times a day for cancer, tumors, liver, viral and bacterial infections. In my practice I recommended that cancer patients take this tonic for at least a year and then drop to a maintenance dose of taking it once a day for another year. Some of my cancer patients continue to take it on and off throughout their life to keep their blood and lymph clear of toxins.

For cancer prevention use a bottle of this tonic every 3 months taking 1 Tablespoon 2 times a day.

Do use if you are pregnant. Do not use if you are taking blood thinning agents like Warfarin (also known under the brand names of Coumadin, Jantoven, Marevan, and Waran).

Disclaimer—The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your health care professional. You should not use the information in this article for self-diagnosis or to replace any prescriptive medication. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem, suffer from allergies, are pregnant or nursing.

About the author

Leslee Dru Browning is a 6th generation Medical Herbalist & Nutritionist from the ancestral line of Patty Bartlett Sessions; Pioneer Mid-Wife & Herbalist. Leslee practiced Medical Herbalism and Nutritional Healing for over 25 years and specialized in Cancer Wellness along with Chronic Illness. She now devotes her career to teaching people, through her writing, about Natural Healing from An Herbal Perspective.

October 16, 2007 16:37
 

Susan Insole said:

Thanks for the recipe and the article about blood tonics!  i will place it on my website so other people can get the benefits of it too!  I may make some up myself for my own use if I can get the right ingredients.  By the way, I forgot to mention in my last post that there is also NO DAIRY FOODS, in the anti-cancer diet but alternatives like rice and nut or soya milk instead of cows milk.

October 16, 2007 17:27
 

gsimmonds said:

Why don't you go on the Gerson therapy. Read "A Time To Heal" by Beata Bishop who I have met and who is one incredible lady. This is one step further on from what you are doing.

October 16, 2007 22:27
 

Jana Marko said:

I would strongly recommend Johanna Budwig's Cottage Cheese/Flaxseed Diet, it is not only very delicious but had tremendous results all over continental Europe, especially in German speaking countries with cancer patients. It is very easy to follow and if interested I have the full protocol as I was prescribing it to my patients please contact me at: jana@usmev.com.au

October 16, 2007 22:50
 

hankleyfarmer said:

Is there a natural alternative to citric acid? One of my children suffers from terrible migraines, often but not always brought on by what might be (hopefully a temporary, he's ten years old) citrus intolerance. I wouldn't give the blood tonic to him, but we are avoiding all foods and other products with citric acid in an attempt to restore his balance (also through a more alkaline diet).

October 16, 2007 23:48
 

alimaree said:

Aren't apricot kernals toxic? I heard a recomendation of not more than 4 a day.

Red wine is full of antioxidants, though personally i wouldn't drink more than 1 glass a day. Green tea, and pure dark chocolate are also good (there is a brand that does raw chocolate, naturally sugar free, I will see if I can find it).

Good luck with the diet sounds like a great trial of cancer treatment.

October 17, 2007 13:50
 

Brennan Kingsland said:

Where do you find apricot kernels? Isn't this an extremely large dose? I know they were using them in some anti-cancer treatments available in Mexico, but not anywhere near this quantity.

Please respond. My husband has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is not a candidate for surgery due to his heart.

October 17, 2007 14:39
 

Rowell said:

I read medical journals that show proof some alternative meds are slowly being 'embraced' by medical doctors.... herbs such as proanthocyanidins (50 times more potent than vit A and  E) or primrose oil.

The latter is now also mentioned in a Surgery Textbook ( By Dr. Marshall ) as a means of relieving breast pain used for conditions affecting women's health, such as breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle, menopausal symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

October 17, 2007 16:50
 

Dr Arthur Bailey said:

Re Apricot Kernels.

There is a lot of mythology about the toxicity of these. Read Philip Day's book about it all.  Yes they are toxic taken in VERY large quantities. They are far more toxic to cancer cells than normal ones. There is a lot of scaremongering about vitamin B17 and apricot kernels (Now I wonder who could be spreading those false stories?). The statement goes - They contain cyanide and are therefore toxic. In fact they contain the cyanogen radical - not free cyanide (as in vitamin B12). i have taken 15 apricot kernels at a time three times per day and never showed the slightest toxic symptoms. When you consider that there are two people employed in orthodox medicine for every cancer patient who would want to make them unemployed?

October 17, 2007 18:14
 

Susan Insole said:

I agree - B17 is definitely NOT toxic - I have been taking 10-15 kernels a day (up to 35-50 kernels a day for about 6 months at the beginning) for nearly 4 years and up to 6 amygdalin (B17) 500mg tablets a day with no toxic effects - but I had to drink plenty of water otherwise my blood pressure went too low. As for the flaxseed oil and cottage cheese - I can't eat dairy - but I do have a tablespoon of flaxseed oil every morning.  

October 18, 2007 22:43
 

Eric Monk said:

Dear Brennan Kingsland.  

I have two skin cancers (possibly from taking 'Celebrex' for my Rheumatoid Arthritis.)    I also have prostate cancer diagnosed in May 2003.    I have taken Apricot kernels for two years at the recommended dose of 1 kernel for every 10 lb of body weight and although I believe they have now been banned from sale in the U.K. since 2002, nevertheless I purchased them in 2003 from:-

'Shalkur' Apricot Kernels (2lb Bag) cost approximately £38.00 per bag www.vitalminerals.org or telephone 0800 085 1484.

With regard to the B17 pills obtained in the U.K. came from (anything@thevitaminservice.co.uk).    However, from Mexico which you may find is cheaper they can be obtained from Medicina Alternativa (admin@tjsupply.com).

Hope this information is of help to you.

Kindest regards,

Eric.  

October 24, 2007 21:38
 

Susan Insole said:

Apricot kernels are still for sale in the UK - I buy mine from "Dayspring" (Tel: 01483 418258) and they cost £13 for a 500g bag. Hope this helps.

October 27, 2007 17:29
 

My Alternative Cancer Diary said:

My decision to become a nutritionist was directly related to my own experiences using nutrition to cure

December 17, 2007 11:50
 

My Alternative Cancer Diary said:

I have thermo scans periodically and my blood continues to be tested at 6 monthly intervals. The trend

January 14, 2008 10:50
 

susan firth said:

hi,after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 i decided to refuse a lymph node operation and chemotherapy and wait to have radiotherapy on my arm.i wanted to keep my immune system healthy.i became vegan as i believe the root cause of cancer is parasites in meat and animal biproducts.....see bse/vcjd....

i started to take vitamin b17......i took 35/40 per day  in pure pinapple juice along    with 30mg of zinc per day.i did not get a doctors permission and i sufferd no ill effects whatsoever.

its a shame that a millionaire can't invest money into research into b/17......or look at how we were gatherer hunters and not the other way round....we are not meant to eat animals,,,,,....the great ape has carnivore shaped teeth....they are for stripping fruit  ect.

i am proof that b17 will not harm you.

good luck with all the people who dare defy the medical establishment

susan

March 22, 2008 12:43
 

laura Sears said:

hello susan, i was diagnosed with breast cancer in december 2006, and proceeded to have both breasts removed and having refused the 'gold standard treatment of chemotherapy and herceptin i went ahead with an alternative treatment and massive dietary changes. my treatment was Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) which had very few side effects and didn't fill my body with toxic and potentially carcinogenic chemicals !! I am a registered nurse and therefore i felt in a better position to make the choice that i did. The problem is that at such a stressful time at diagnosis you are bombarded with all this information and are told that the conventional treatment is a cure, when in fact cancer is multifactorial. So we need to treat it as such and change the diet, reduce the stress levels, reduce our exposure to toxins, and as i did remove the tumour surgically. I wasn't brave enough to try to reduce the tumour size with dietary supplements alone.

Since my diagnosis i have taken B17 daily in the form of crushed apricot kernels, shittake mushroom extract fro my immune system, high dose fish oils, pancreatic enzymes, a liver supplement, cut out all dairy and visible sugars- to eradicate any candida. I did drink lots of vegetable juice but have got a bit lazy lately, and lots of water, eat very little grain and walk the dog briskly twice a day. Went back to work as Community Nurse and cut my days to 3  and am happy.

Just like you i have had no ill effects from B17 and will continue to take 20 each day. Lets hope that the powers to be will not be able to ban their use eh?? after all they are food !!

April 21, 2008 09:27
 

The Boneman said:

Hello Sue,

I came across your website while surfing for articles on naturopathic cancer care. I am an osteopath and cancer survivor; since my illness I have taken an active interest in researching the alternatives to the cut/burn/poison approach.

One breast cancer remedy you may not (or may) be aware of is wormwood (artemesia absinthum). Prof Henry Lai at the University of Washington has done some in vitro research with this herb, in which breast cancer cells exposed to the active ingredient  (artemesinin) were all dead in 48 hours! A herbalist of my acquaintance has used wormwood capsules, together with an anti-candida diet, to bring metastasised breast cancers into remission. I have seen the letters and hospital reports for his patients, so I know that his claims are valid. Hope this is of interest - best wishes.

August 15, 2008 23:12
 

Nicola said:

Hi, I've been reading everyone's comments, especially those in relation to the B17/Apricot Kernals.  I did a lot of research on the internet about their ability to kill off cancer cells.  I purchased apricot kernals recently for my dad, who had bowel cancer in 2006 - but was told a few weeks ago that it had returned in the lymph nodes within his stomach and one side of his neck.  I have been frightened about my dad continuing to use the kernals, but also feel that these could provide the hope we are looking  for.  Please, Please Please - if anyone is reading  this please can you advise me as how many my dad should take - and if there are any positive results from people who have had cancer and successfully treated it with b17.  2 medical herbalist I spoke to about them have told me not to use them.  Please can you help me as I do not know what to do - and am desperate to help my dad.

August 19, 2008 22:43
 

erin said:

I just wanted to inform everyone of a great doctor who works with late stage cancer patients, dr. joe brown. he is a stage four cancer survivor himself and did no chemo or radiation! his website is drjoebrown.com or office number is 602 421 2613. he is very informative, hopes this helps anyone who needs it!

August 30, 2008 01:32
 

Debra Hanton said:

Hi,

It's so good to find sites like this when you are fighting this disease. It is so easy to loose faith and want to give up because it gets so confusing and difficult at times. The other sites I have found are helpful but offer suggestions that are impractical such as the Budwig diet - an allergy problem! I'm looking for a bit of help and advice and it may well be something you've already encountered and have an answer for.

I am all at sea with this. My husband has a secondary ademocarcenoma of the lymphatic system after converntional treatment for eosophageal cancer. I have an alternative therapist and he makes a huge difference to my husbands health and quality of life but is very vague on diet. He is treating him and reassures me he can heal him but it isn't working quickly enough. He is four months past his six month survival deadline and reasonably able but the cancer is still growing.

I am trying to change his diet to almost vegan but he is very allergic to dairy so the Budwig diet is out of the question and he finds it difficult as he loves meat. Many foods act as irritants to his very sensitive bowel. Peppers, onions and spices all cause irritation and pain as do acidic fruit juices. Many of the flavours and things that spice up a vegan diet are out of bounds because of this. He has spent the last week ill in bed after trying the Budwig diet in case the combination changed the chemical makeup enough for him to tolerate it. He can't afford not to eat for a week if we get it wrong again.

I'm not a nutrition expert and really struggle to come up with food he might even want ot eat. His appetite is small as he only has half a stomach left and he is loosing weight because of the pain when we get it wrong. I do him water melon, kiwi fruit, sproted veg powder and honey every morning to try to get some nutrients in him. He eats plenty of fruit willingly but is so fed up of salads and vegetable soups.

He has no dairy, little meat or fish, no soda pops, no tea or coffee, fitered water or spring water only and I have even changed his toothpaste but am struggling to remove all toxins. It is so difficult to find a good supplier.

He is taking echinea, ginseng, purple lapachio, garlic, cell defence, cod liver oil, flaxseed oil, liquid zeolite and honey along with the diet and regular massge, accupuncture and hypnotherapy and ensuring he drinks 2 litres of fruit teas, water or juice a day. Cancer Tutor suggested Budwig diet (cancelled due to allergy) and Cellect and that is due to arrive and be added soon.

It is very lonley when everyone thinks your slightly mad and desperate to try all this and some support and advice would be useful, especially on the diet, foods to give him energy and weight gain if possible without sugar or fat. The joy of food has gone and he needs to get it back but I need some help and don't know where to start.

Any way you can help me?

September 16, 2008 09:01
 

yigal said:

some plants we use in israel:

Convolvulus arvensis

http://www.encognitive.com/files/C-Statin%20cancer%20treatment.pdf

herb robert

http://www.reclaimaustralia.net/Herbs_are_special/HERB_ROBERT.pdf

graviola

http://www.rain-tree.com/graviola.htm

Pomegranate seed oil ,and pericap

also very good for cancer .especially for brest cancer.

papaya

http://www.huldaclarkzappers.com/papaya_cancer_cure.html

greeting

May 18, 2009 12:13

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