Supporting Cancer’s Side Effects With Proper Nutrition during and after treatment and surgery.

This article is dedicated to my very special friend, Edith who is working with her body and her doctors to rid herself of cancer.  From Edith and I, we dedicate this article to all of you, each and everyone, in the spirit of love and healing. I am featuring a guest writer.  I hope you enjoy her work.

It is critical to remember that nutrition provides the foundational building blocks of the body.  Cancer patients can do a great deal to support their health and healing before, during and after treatment and surgery by adopting appropriate dietary changes for their specific condition and needs.  There are several books written about cancer and the importance of nutrition to cancer patients as well as many scientific studies, published and on-going, that support good nutrition for cancer patients.  There are professionals, like myself, who can guide and coach you to better, more supportive nutrition as walk this path.

Be aware, that as a cancer patient, you may get resistance from your oncologist regarding diet and dietary changes.  One oncologist told a client of mine to make absolutely no dietary changes to their daily junk food diet of burgers, wings, pizza and soda from fast food restaurants.  This individual ate no vegetables or fruit that weren't pasted with tomato sauce, ketchup or mustard to a pizza or burger.  Surely, our gut tells us that a diet of healthy vegetables, fruits and lean proteins has to be more supportive of the body than that!  We know instinctively that a good, wholesome diet can do no harm while a "trash" diet can.  No-one needs to tell you this, you know it to be true deep within yourself.   

Some foods and nutrients can alter the effects or effective dosage rates of chemo drugs by augmenting the effect of the medication. Many oncologists are concerned that a patient will go hog wild supplementing with nutrients that can affect the doctor's ability to control the medication doses, so they prefer to tell you to make no changes than to take chances. I know great oncologists who fully support good nutrition for their patients with the proper support and guidance of a knowledgeable professional like myself or a nutritionist or dietitian. I know oncologists who make a nutrition program an integral part of the treatment plan.   Please use your common sense.  You must realize, that eating whole foods, that contain no colorants, preservatives, antibiotics, hormones or artificial ingredients is going to boost your body and help it meet it's needs during these stressful times. Most importantly it will reduce the strain on the body of having to filter out "junk" you're putting into your system.  Your body is already under stress and assault, don't stress it and assault it further by putting junk in your mouth.  Please feed your body helpful, healing, whole foods and become very sugar conscious. Become very aware of added sugars in the diet.  Limit, restrict or best of all go sugar free. You will need energy and sometimes fast energy, but you can get it from eating fruit, good whole grain breads and other sources without loading your body and feeding your cancer with refined sugar.  Consider smoothies and juices as a way to get powerful, action packed nutrition in a palatable, digestible and enjoyable form.


Realize that the people who support you lovingly and with care, are under stress too.  They should also be caring for themselves with a good, clean, healthy diet and perhaps some supplements to support a stressed system like vitamin B or other blended supplements that help support the immune system and combat the effects of stress on the body.


I hope you find this article helpful and if you need any further support or guidance you can contact me at Nature and Nurture Nutrition.  My e-mail is drcoen@natureandnurture.co and my phone number is 315-945-4565




Supporting Cancer’s Side Effects With Proper Nutrition during and after treatment and surgery by JILLIAN McKEE

Going through cancer treatments can be rough. The side effects of medication, radiation, chemotherapy and surgical interventions can cause a wide variety of issues that lead to malnutrition. Proper nutrition is important before, during and after treatment. Choosing the right foods can help cancer patients like those with mesothelioma feel better, increase their energy and gain the strength they need to cope with their side effects. In addition, eating foods that supply adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and essential fatty acids can help fight infection, keep weight steady and give patients a better chance at recovery.

Certain tumors will change the way the body uses particular nutrients. This is especially true for those fighting stomach or intestinal cancers. When digestion is affected, consuming enough nutrients can be difficult. While it may appear the diet is adequate, the body might not be absorbing certain macronutrients due to inflammation. As a result, the side effects of treatment can cause malnutrition. Vomiting, diarrhea, trouble swallowing or anorexia can lead to weakness, exhaustion and an inability to emotionally make it through treatment.

Paying attention to good nutritional principles can help support cancer patients during this difficult time. It can help the body to heal, decrease side effects and improve a patient’s quality of life. Those fighting cancer have special dietary needs. They need a higher protein intake, plenty of nutrient-dense foods and adequate liquids. The emotional impact of surgery or other cancer treatments also play a major role in appetite. With over one-half of all cancer patients undergoing some form of surgery, the side effects of chewing, swallowing and taste difficulties can add to a person’s load.

When side effects become a major problem, a liquid or soft-foods diet that can settle the stomach might be the best approach. While a liquid diet isn’t nutritionally adequate, it can be helpful for short periods of time when side effects need some additional support. The National Cancer Institute has made suggestions for those who need these temporary measures:

•                   pulp-free citrus juices or lemonade
•                   strained vegetable broth or juices
•                   tea or sports drinks
•                   fruit ices
•                   honey or jelly
•                   milkshakes
•                   fresh or frozen yogurt
•                   soft puddings or baked custards
•                   potatoes pureed into soup
•                   very thin fruit purees

Full liquids are highly suggested and are easy to pour or can be sucked through a straw. When made from whole foods such as fruit, yogurt or potatoes, they can be more nutritious than tea or strained juices. Keeping calorie intake up while experiencing side effects is extremely important so the body receives everything it needs to heal and survive.

African Safari's

Nature and Nurture Enterprises is a parent company that does two things really well.  We offer exceptional nutritional and health counseling services and we offer fabulous, customized, mobile tented safaris to Botswana, Africa for small groups.

February is Black History Month and so we featured our speciality market.  Through years of friendship with our African American counterparts we have developed specialized safaris for the discerning African American traveler and American of color who is interested in traveling to Africa but is daunted by where to go, there are after all 52 countries in Africa, which one do you go to?  And when you get there, how do you know you're going to have the cultural experience and interact with Africans in a way that will leave you with a meaningful experience.  We have taken care of all of it for you, we'll get you to Africa and back safely and provide you with a fabulous combination of cultural, historical, ethical and wildlife experience that will allow you to explore your heritage along the the way.  These safaris are not for African Americans alone...However, check out our Soul Sisters Safari and consider spending valentines day 2013 with us, let your heart beat in Botswana with your love for black history month.

Visit our face book page:    http://www.facebook.com/NANSafaris
for more information or contact me, Dr. Claudia Coen at cicicoen@gmail.com for more information. 
Check out our website at www.kalahari-skies.com

Be sure to check out some of our other wonderful offerings

Bush Biology
Artists in Africa: Plein Air Artists in the Bush
Family Safaris
Classic Safaris

 Don't worry, luxury lodges are part of the package too, but you never reach the depth of your soul until you get into the depth of the African bush.  Camp life is liberating, you'll set your soul free in camp, the food is excellent, the expectations simple and the rhythm of the day rolls with the rising and setting of the sun and the earth and the wildlife that occupy it.

Come to Africa with us....Discovery awaits you on your Safari, you may even meet yourself there.

Welcome to Wellness Wednesdays with Dr. Claudia Coen

Welcome to Wellness Wednesdays with Dr. Claudia Coen                       

 

In today’s world, relying solely on your health insurance is not enough because it is no more than prepaid medical expenses.  The only guaranteed insurance you have is the steps you daily to ensure your own health.  Being healthy and staying healthy is a process. To stay on track, many of us need the support, vision and long-term partnership that come from a comprehensive wellness team dedicated to our particular health and wellness goals.

As a nutritional physiologist, I specialize in customized nutritional therapy and integrated counseling programs to help you achieve your optimum health goals.  I have a Ph.D. from Cornell University, a certificate in health counseling from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, board certification from the American Association of Drug Free Practitioners, and membership in the International College of Integrative Medicine.  My practice is dedicated to guiding clients, patients and health professionals implement nutritional programming as a front-line approach to well being and as a lifelong defense against disease and illness.

            Dr. Solomon and I are committed to comprehensive patient care and your individual well-being.  We share a common approach rooted in integrated medicine and a common core philosophy rooted in the basic definitions of the words “health” and “wellness.”  The definition of “health” is the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit with freedom from physical disease or pain. The definition of “well-being” is to be in a flourishing condition.

            Our objective is to see you flourish, which means your physical and mental condition is sound, your life is balanced and you are free of pain and illness. To help you achieve this state of “optimum health”, I consider how all areas of your life are connected and affecting your current state of health. Then, together, we develop a customized program to meet your specific needs and goals. I seek the root causes of your symptoms and we work together to resolve or alleviate them. We provide your body with tools and time to heal or recover so that you can achieve optimum health in a flexible, fun and rewarding manner in an environment that is comfortable and judgment free. My clients are committed to a path of improved health and quality of life. 

            Nutritional therapists use whole, natural foods and supplements, in conjunction with positive lifestyle, to help you reach and maintain optimum health.  The core principle is that proper nutrition is key to good health.  Practiced alone or in co-therapy with modern medicine and other treatments, nutritional therapy is a safe and effective form of healing and prevention from many diseases today.  It is appropriate for people of all ages, and at all life stages.  Just as bricks and mortar form the structure of a building, so basic nutrients provide the essential elements and building blocks of the body.  Available in the correct forms and concentrations, nutrients allow the body to function at maximum capacity for optimum health. The body defaults to a balanced state and becomes the lean, mean machine it is meant to be.  Most of us poison our bodies daily with inappropriate “foods”, yet our bodies continue to function.  But, eventually they do become “bogged down” or “gummed up” and we get ill.

            Through years of study and experience, I understand the difference between feeding your face and nourishing your body at the cellular level. Health counseling is a way to apply this information in a program customized to your specific needs.  This approach allows the practitioner to treat the “whole” person over a period of time with on-going support.  I provide ongoing support and guidance as you set goals and make sustainable changes.  I listen carefully and help you navigate the world of contradictory nutrition advice so you can determine what changes are necessary for you.  Together we will explore concerns specific to you, your body and discover the tools you need for a lifetime of balance.

            At Solomon Family Chiropractic, our chiropractic and nutrition team has a variety of powerful tools and skills to help you regain mind/body/life balance including Meridian Energy Analysis and Electromagnetic Stimulation.  Results are reduced pain, stress, illness and medications, benefits are improved health, immune system function, physical and mental energy, vitality, sleep patterns and a significantly greater happiness factor in your life.

            Could one conversation change your life?   

For a free, no obligation consultation, in a friendly and supportive environment, call Solomon Family Chiropractic at 315-789-2602 or 315-945-4564.

If you don't live in our area, its no problem, no matter where you live we can work together very effectively on Skype from the comfort of your home or office.  The most important thing is that we do work together to get you healthy and well and feeling great so that you can live your  best life.  Contact me via e-mail at drcoen@natureandnurturenutrition.com

To Supplement or Not To Supplement?

Welcome to Wellness Wednesday with Dr. Coen

1.  Do You Take Nutritional Supplements?
2.  Should You Take Nutritional Supplements?
3.  Do You Take The Right Nutritional Supplements?
4. Do You Take Too Many Nutritional Supplements?

    Our technological world bombards us daily with advertisements, promotional materials and new-found scientific evidence for the benefits of nutrient supplements.  How do we navigate the endless and conflicting nutritional information?  How do we know whether we should be taking supplements, which supplements are right for us and how much we should take?
    Rule number one is to follow the current advice of your primary care physician or health specialist.  If you have been prescribed a vitamin, mineral or supplement, take it according to the directions, and follow-up with your physician at regular intervals to track your status.
    There are three primary schools of thought on the role of nutrient supplements. (1)  Individuals with The Minimalist View  believe that all nutritional requirements can be met by food alone.  Underpinning this view is adherence to a highly balanced and seasonal diet of locally grown and whole foods that are free of pesticides and chemicals. You should drink filtered water free of contaminants, be in good health, exercise regularly, manage stress well and live a balanced life.  In other words, you should be in a state of optimum health.  I am awed by the people I meet who can achieve this.  Sadly, few people can actually sustain this lifestyle or state of well-being.
    (2) Individuals with the The Enthusiast View believe that supplements can cure most ills, maintain youthful vigor and support a longer life.  The foundation of this view is that supplementation is absolutely essential for absolutely everyone.  When used correctly, supplements can indeed prevent, alleviate or cure many of your ills.  They can help to slow the aging process of cells, and thereby the body.  If your body is healthy and well-nourished at the cellular level, with sufficient anti-oxidants and omega III oils to meet its needs, it will age more slowly and gracefully.  I have met well-informed enthusiasts who have a thorough understanding of their supplement regimes.  Regrettably, most others end up over supplementing themselves, overlapping nutrients across supplements, and spending far too much money on supplements they do not necessarily need.  Their best approach would be to visit a nutritional physiologist, naturopath, integrative medicine practitioner or other similarly qualified doctor to implement a balanced diet and lifestyle that is supported by a supplementation regime effectively tailored to the specific needs of the individual.
    (3) Individuals with The Temperatist View (moderate) believe that supplementation is a valuable and necessary health practice, but one that must be custom fit to each bio-individual. Joshua Rosenthal at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition uses the term “bio-individual” to express how each of us functions biologically differently from others, and how our biological function changes over time.  Your current state of health, age, lifestyle, nutrition, stressors, emotional and mental well-being, for instance, determine your biological function and your need for supplements or not.  These needs  change over time as our bodies and circumstances change. I subscribe to this view.
    Given the modern challenges of our world - high stress, little down time, environmental pollutants, processed foods, inactive lifestyles - I seldom meet an individual who would not benefit from supplemental vitamins, minerals, omega IIIs and anti-oxidants. But I do not believe in unnecessary supplementation or taking supplements that are poor quality or have low bio-availability.  I believe that the core source of all nutrients must be a well-planned and well-balanced diet.  There is no substitute for fresh, whole foods prepared at home.  All nutrients require co-factors to function optimally in the body.  The quality and utility of nutrients from a pill, gel or powder is far inferior to that from fresh food.  Different foods working together inside the body offer greater benefit than single nutrient supplements.  Sadly, most of us are not eating well-balanced, whole food diets, nor living calm, low stress lives. Many of us take multiple prescription medications.  Therefore we should consider supplementation as an informed approach to our nutritional gaps.
    There is no one-size-fits-all regime. Come and see me. Bring your bottles and jars.  Bring your concerns about whether you should be taking a supplement, whether you are taking too many supplements or if the supplements you are taking are the right ones for you.  We will spend an hour  assessing your supplementation regimen and ensure that it is meeting your specific needs.  No matter where in the world you live, you can contact me, we can work together very effectively over skype.  The most important thing is to give you the support and information you need to empower you to be healthy and well so you can live your best life.

Call me at Solomon Family Chiropractic, Geneva, NY, 315-789-2602 or contact me via e-mail at drcoen@natureandnurturenutrition.com