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'How to Starve Cancer' book by Jane McLelland

User
Posted 22 Mar 2023 at 21:37

Hi All,

I've just discovered the book ' How to Starve Cancer' by Jane McLelland and am trying to make sense of it.  Has anyone else got their head around it?  It's all very scientific-sounding  and well referenced from scientific journals but some of the dietary advice is very complicated. 

Although the book is about cancers in general, (and her own personal experience of cervical cancer and lung metastases) she mentions that Prostate Cancer specifically is initially driven by fat and protein; so the advice is to cut back on these.  As the disease progresses, she says that prostate cancer (and other cancers) utilise sugar, glucose and insulin, so these also need to be reduced significantly.

Overall, she recommends a low glycaemic diet, avoidance of all red meat, eating oily fish, lots of vegetables and lots of dietary supplements.  She is also a big fan of green tea.

Jane also recommends taking Statins and Metformin, (even for people who don't have cholesterol or diabetes issues) because (apparently) they remove sources of 'fuel' for cancer.  I'm not sure how I would persuade a GP or Oncologist to issue these, as their use for cancer would be 'off-label'(?).

Has anybody any experience of using this diet?  I know the conventional wisdom is that diet makes a minimal impact on prostate cancer.  Her own survival story would seem to suggest that she is doing something right, but in such a large cocktail of medication, dietary advice and supplements, it would be hard to 'prove' which ones were working and which were superfluous. 

Any thoughts?

JedSee.

 

User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 10:40

"How to starve cancer" - is there anything in Jane McLelland's book which relates to the fact (or assumption) that  prostate cancer feeds on testosterone, rather than anything else?

User
Posted 23 Mar 2023 at 20:49
Iā€™d suggest eating what you enjoy. There is no evidence that diet can impact the progress of prostate cancer.

Cheers,

Chris

User
Posted 23 Mar 2023 at 22:05

Hi Jed See,

David my husband has been following the Jane McLelland protocol for 18 months, we have done her course, read the book and he sees a private oncologist at the Care Oncology Clinic, they have a very similar protocol to Jane. She has a Facebook page as well. David gets his metformin, statins, and other prescribed meds from them. I'm not sure on the guidelines of this blog, so I am being careful, but we are incredibly pleased with the results, the support from the C.O.C clinic and Jane's book, it takes a bit of work to read it, but I've been through it twice now. I am not sure how the NHS view it, David's last NHS consultant had heard of its but he'd not read anything about it. 

In my opinion it's well worth looking into, she was stage 4. 19 years ago, and as a trained physio so she had a bit of medical insight, she did her research, and gave life her best shot, tried all kinds of supplements and medication. She then had a different cancer from her chemo being too strong, but survived that as well. 

It's much more than diet, though diet comes into it, it's a change of perspective on cancer in my opinion. David was diagnosed just under 8 years ago,Gleason 9 Tb3  and he was diagnosed stage 4 last year, hence doing the research into other treatments and perspectives. His PSA is currently <0.1 and he is doing very well. We both wish we'd come across Jane earlier, but we can't change that. If you want any further info please ask. 

David has also had conventional HDR Brachytherapy, and RT and he is on HT for life. This is additional to the mainstream, but as he is stage 4 it was well worth the punt as he could say. He is 73 in July, we still work our smallholding, and live a fairly active life, he does regular exercise, drinks red wine twice a week, and we have a good life. Oh, he had a heart attack 19 months ago, start fitted and he's recovered very well. 

I hope this helps, please ask for more info, unless this gets scuppered as Ive broken the rules.

Good luck 

Leila 

 

User
Posted 23 Mar 2023 at 21:40

We changed our diet completely when my husband was diagnosed. Very little red meat, I don’t cook it at home. Lots of vegan/veggie dishes and fish. No dairy etc. and lots of veg and some fruits. And my husband had done very well. A lot of our old bad habits have crept in over many months though and his psa has started to rise….coincidence??….probably but definitely starting to look at diet again, if only to keep him as healthy as possible. 

As for the statins, I don’t think you’d have any problem convincing a gp to give them out for any reason. It’s seems to be the first thing they offer for most things šŸ¤¦šŸ»‍ā™€ļø

 

User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 13:13
I didn't change my diet but when diagnosed gave up added sugar in tea, coffee and cereals. Should have done it decades ago.
User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 14:58

We know that too much red meat and dairy and reduction of sugar plus increases in vegetables, fruit and nuts iand certain fish is healthy anyway but not especially for PCa. A number of people on this forum follow the Jane Plant diet which seems to have similarities. She did use her own case as an example and this did seem to work for a time. Unfortunately, her cancer came back with a tragic result. Eating healthily is good for all but I don't think it is proven to be of benefit at stopping or alleviating PCa.

Edited by member 25 Mar 2023 at 01:08  | Reason: Removal of split infinitive

Barry
User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 20:32

Hi Jed See,

Berbarine is a bit like metformin, and David takes  an anti-parasitic  and a strong  antibiotic and a statin prescribed by COC . His supplement regime is fish oil, turmeric, vitamin D, B12, Betaglucans, vitamin k, rosemary extract , magnesium,occasional green tea as he doesn’t like it,  sugar free pomegranate juice, apple cider vinegar, hot pure lemon juice, he takes all these daily. 

Diet is, soy milk, low dairy, chicken once a week, fish, low carbs, lots of fresh veggies.No sugar, limited red wine, very limited real ale. No processed foods, I cook all from scratch. 

We found the course complimented the book and helped, she also does occasional webinars with the COC.

We have contact with is a GP who  is well versed in mainstream and alternative treatments and we have taken their advice too. 

David’s weight is about 12 stone and he’s just under 6’ and reasonably fit.

He’s a young72, and wants to squeeze the best out of life, so we do all we can to stay well and healthy. 

Leila 




 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by member 25 Mar 2023 at 09:29  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 28 Aug 2023 at 19:52
Here's a link I posted the other day, see the section about Statins.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10252630/

User
Posted 28 Aug 2023 at 23:54
Quote:

Well yes, you would have thought so, but my GP has surprisingly turned down my request for them!

I mentioned that I'd read that statins were considered beneficial for elderly patients, especially those like me in my 80th year diagnosed with metastatic PC whose cholesteral had risen to risky levels following six (hellish) months on hormone therapy. I'd recently managed to bring the readings back under control having terminated the HT treatment.

She explained that the NHS was now starting to row back on their previously strong pro-statins approach, even for those with conditions like mine who were otherwise in good health thanks to following a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

Yes this definitely surprises me, Robs GP always likes to tell us that he’s on statins so therefore they should be good enough for him šŸ¤·šŸ»‍ā™€ļøI would always like to try a diet and lifestyle change first and if no improvement then go for the medication.

Glad your levels are back to some normality and hope you are recovering well after hormones šŸ‘

Edited by member 29 Aug 2023 at 00:00  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 29 Aug 2023 at 19:38
Hi JedSee,

Yes I thought it was a good read.

In my case I happened to be on statins long before the T2 diagnosis anyway.

Whether they help or not I guess is subject to more research. You see lots of good and bad press about statins for all sorts of reasons.

Although my heart consultant is pressing me to move to the full 80mg dose.

User
Posted 30 Aug 2023 at 01:04

It seems Berberine is quite similar to metformin, and it can be bought without a prescription. 

Leila 

User
Posted 30 Aug 2023 at 20:40
Hi JedSee,

On the point you asked about statin dose. I'm already on 40 and was advised that's the real target (no noticeable side effects so far), they just request 80 as a sort of "precaution". There is some evidence that 80 can have some unpleasant side effects but difficult to know until I give it a go...which I think likely I will.

Anyway if I wasn't taking statin but had PCa, I'd be pressing the GP to prescribe.

Really hope the supplements you've put together help.

User
Posted 30 Aug 2023 at 20:51

Every now and then you read or hear about  a diet that can cure cancer or slow it down but there is no scientific basis for it. Healthy diet is obviously a good thing

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 01 Sep 2023 at 07:13
Probably better to just remove sugar and avoid carbohydrates as that is the root cause of issues Metformin and statins seek to remediate.
User
Posted 01 Sep 2023 at 09:27

One of the UK's experts in men's health, and also a specialist in both diabetes and hormone therapy, thinks all men on hormone therapy should be offered Metformin and a statin automatically, just to counter the effects loss of Testosterone has on those related body functions, pushing you more towards metabolic syndrome.

The other thing is that without Testosterone, HDL cholesterol is no longer a "good" cholesterol, as it can't carry LDL back to the liver. This means the HDL/LDL ratio (which is what people tend to keep an eye on) becomes meaningless, and it's the total cholesterol level you need to keep an eye on instead.

User
Posted 06 Sep 2023 at 06:30

Talk about caught between a rock and a hard place. I am on ADT for life and got put on alendronic acid, due to osteperosis risk. My oncologist said that diet would have little impact on bones as a result. I have largely cut out dairy, so am hoping the alendronic acid is doing its job. I also try to get some calcium via vegetables and it milk with added calcium, but am probably not getting as much as I used to. 

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User
Posted 23 Mar 2023 at 20:49
Iā€™d suggest eating what you enjoy. There is no evidence that diet can impact the progress of prostate cancer.

Cheers,

Chris

User
Posted 23 Mar 2023 at 21:40

We changed our diet completely when my husband was diagnosed. Very little red meat, I don’t cook it at home. Lots of vegan/veggie dishes and fish. No dairy etc. and lots of veg and some fruits. And my husband had done very well. A lot of our old bad habits have crept in over many months though and his psa has started to rise….coincidence??….probably but definitely starting to look at diet again, if only to keep him as healthy as possible. 

As for the statins, I don’t think you’d have any problem convincing a gp to give them out for any reason. It’s seems to be the first thing they offer for most things šŸ¤¦šŸ»‍ā™€ļø

 

User
Posted 23 Mar 2023 at 21:59

Thanks Chris.  Your input is always very level-headed.  Much appreciated.

JedSee.

User
Posted 23 Mar 2023 at 22:02

Thanks Elaine.

Sorry to hear that your partner's PSA is creeping up again.  It's always a worry when that happens.  And it may not be related to diet at all.  Hope it can be resolved for you quickly.

Good luck.

JedSee.

User
Posted 23 Mar 2023 at 22:05

Hi Jed See,

David my husband has been following the Jane McLelland protocol for 18 months, we have done her course, read the book and he sees a private oncologist at the Care Oncology Clinic, they have a very similar protocol to Jane. She has a Facebook page as well. David gets his metformin, statins, and other prescribed meds from them. I'm not sure on the guidelines of this blog, so I am being careful, but we are incredibly pleased with the results, the support from the C.O.C clinic and Jane's book, it takes a bit of work to read it, but I've been through it twice now. I am not sure how the NHS view it, David's last NHS consultant had heard of its but he'd not read anything about it. 

In my opinion it's well worth looking into, she was stage 4. 19 years ago, and as a trained physio so she had a bit of medical insight, she did her research, and gave life her best shot, tried all kinds of supplements and medication. She then had a different cancer from her chemo being too strong, but survived that as well. 

It's much more than diet, though diet comes into it, it's a change of perspective on cancer in my opinion. David was diagnosed just under 8 years ago,Gleason 9 Tb3  and he was diagnosed stage 4 last year, hence doing the research into other treatments and perspectives. His PSA is currently <0.1 and he is doing very well. We both wish we'd come across Jane earlier, but we can't change that. If you want any further info please ask. 

David has also had conventional HDR Brachytherapy, and RT and he is on HT for life. This is additional to the mainstream, but as he is stage 4 it was well worth the punt as he could say. He is 73 in July, we still work our smallholding, and live a fairly active life, he does regular exercise, drinks red wine twice a week, and we have a good life. Oh, he had a heart attack 19 months ago, start fitted and he's recovered very well. 

I hope this helps, please ask for more info, unless this gets scuppered as Ive broken the rules.

Good luck 

Leila 

 

User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 10:40

"How to starve cancer" - is there anything in Jane McLelland's book which relates to the fact (or assumption) that  prostate cancer feeds on testosterone, rather than anything else?

User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 13:13
I didn't change my diet but when diagnosed gave up added sugar in tea, coffee and cereals. Should have done it decades ago.
User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 14:58

We know that too much red meat and dairy and reduction of sugar plus increases in vegetables, fruit and nuts iand certain fish is healthy anyway but not especially for PCa. A number of people on this forum follow the Jane Plant diet which seems to have similarities. She did use her own case as an example and this did seem to work for a time. Unfortunately, her cancer came back with a tragic result. Eating healthily is good for all but I don't think it is proven to be of benefit at stopping or alleviating PCa.

Edited by member 25 Mar 2023 at 01:08  | Reason: Removal of split infinitive

Barry
User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 15:36

The book is far more than just diet, it looks at off label drugs, supplements. Of course it’s every individuals personal choice, but we’ve both looked into this in depth and have decided to follow the protocol along with the Care Oncology Clinic. David is stage 4 Gleason 9 Tb3, so what has he got to loose, and plenty to gain. His current PSA is <0.1  he was diagnosed in  2015. 

Leila 

User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 19:43

Thanks Leila.  It's great that you're so well informed about this book.  And I'm delighted that your husband David's PSA is <0.1, especially as he was diagnosed  8 years ago.  You must be doing something right!

I looked at Jane McLelland's online course, but it was approx. US$140, which I thought was expensive.  If it only goes over the same material as is in the book, I'm reluctant to pay that kind of money.

I've read the book once and am now going through it for the second time, as it's quite a complicated regime.  My impression is that there seem to be many opportunities to get the regime 'wrong', depending on where (you think) you are in the cancer cycle.  (E.G. Should I be in 'starvation' mode, the 'weakening' phase, or the 'kill' phase?!)  I've just bought some Cod Liver Oil capsules because at one stage in the book she says that DHEA is very helpful.  However, I've just noticed that further on she says that they are not suitable for the 'starvation' phase.  So, now I'm not sure whether to take them or not!  The same seems to be true for anti-oxidants: at some stages they're good, at other times, not so.  She repeatedly warns against taking low-dose Vitamin C, because of its anti-oxidant effects, but says that taking high-dose intravenous Vitamin C changes this anti-oxidant to an oxidant (which apparently weakens cancer).  Yet she also strongly recommends Berberine, which is an anti-oxidant.

I have looked up some of the scientific references she gives (e.g. Berberine and Quercetin) and they do indeed seem to suggest that they may be beneficial in prostate cancer, but those references do not mention anything about taking them at any particular stage of cancer's development,, so I've just bought some, in the hope that they are at least harmless.

It's interesting that you are also receiving treatment from the Care Oncology Clinic.  Jane is full of praise for them.  I will look into it.

Thanks again for your reply.

Good luck to you and David.

 

JedSee.

User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 19:58

Thanks Barry, your experience and insights are always appreciated.

Yes, I agree that it is now well-established that red meat, dairy and a lot of sugar are not good and can cause a variety of health conditions. 

Of course, Jane McLelland's approach to cancer treatment is unproven, and it is so complex a regime that it would be difficult to prove in a randomised double-blind trial.  There are just too many variables.  However, her survival story seems remarkable.  To go from Stage 4 Cancer to undetectable is impressive.  But I find it hard to believe that all of the dietary restrictions, supplements, and use of 'off-label' drugs are required.  One problem might be that, once started, and if it seemed to be working, I might be loathe to change anything, in case that single change proved critical and rendered the entire regime ineffective.  Catch 22, or Russian Roulette?

Thanks again for your input.

JedSee.

 

User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 20:04

Hi Hopeful Oldie,

I don't think that Jane McLelland mentions testosterone in particular, but she does address "hormone-driven cancers" as a group and has some specific advice on supplements for those cancers.

Good luck.

JedSee..

User
Posted 24 Mar 2023 at 20:32

Hi Jed See,

Berbarine is a bit like metformin, and David takes  an anti-parasitic  and a strong  antibiotic and a statin prescribed by COC . His supplement regime is fish oil, turmeric, vitamin D, B12, Betaglucans, vitamin k, rosemary extract , magnesium,occasional green tea as he doesn’t like it,  sugar free pomegranate juice, apple cider vinegar, hot pure lemon juice, he takes all these daily. 

Diet is, soy milk, low dairy, chicken once a week, fish, low carbs, lots of fresh veggies.No sugar, limited red wine, very limited real ale. No processed foods, I cook all from scratch. 

We found the course complimented the book and helped, she also does occasional webinars with the COC.

We have contact with is a GP who  is well versed in mainstream and alternative treatments and we have taken their advice too. 

David’s weight is about 12 stone and he’s just under 6’ and reasonably fit.

He’s a young72, and wants to squeeze the best out of life, so we do all we can to stay well and healthy. 

Leila 




 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by member 25 Mar 2023 at 09:29  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 25 Mar 2023 at 19:15

Hi Leila.

Many thanks for all the detailed information - that's really helpful.  The medication and supplements that David is taking all sound good.  It's great that you've had support from your G.P. too.  I will look into Jane's Online Course.  I've contacted the Care Oncology Clinic, so we'll see what they come up with.

Thanks again, and good luck to you and David.

JedSee.

User
Posted 28 Aug 2023 at 18:01

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

We changed our diet completely when my husband was diagnosed. Very little red meat, I don’t cook it at home. Lots of vegan/veggie dishes and fish. No dairy etc. and lots of veg and some fruits. And my husband had done very well. A lot of our old bad habits have crept in over many months though and his psa has started to rise….coincidence??….probably but definitely starting to look at diet again, if only to keep him as healthy as possible. 

As for the statins, I don’t think you’d have any problem convincing a gp to give them out for any reason. It’s seems to be the first thing they offer for most things šŸ¤¦šŸ»‍ā™€ļø

Well yes, you would have thought so, but my GP has surprisingly turned down my request for them!

I mentioned that I'd read that statins were considered beneficial for elderly patients, especially those like me in my 80th year diagnosed with metastatic PC whose cholesteral had risen to risky levels following six (hellish) months on hormone therapy. I'd recently managed to bring the readings back under control having terminated the HT treatment.

She explained that the NHS was now starting to row back on their previously strong pro-statins approach, even for those with conditions like mine who were otherwise in good health thanks to following a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

 

User
Posted 28 Aug 2023 at 19:52
Here's a link I posted the other day, see the section about Statins.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10252630/

User
Posted 28 Aug 2023 at 23:54
Quote:

Well yes, you would have thought so, but my GP has surprisingly turned down my request for them!

I mentioned that I'd read that statins were considered beneficial for elderly patients, especially those like me in my 80th year diagnosed with metastatic PC whose cholesteral had risen to risky levels following six (hellish) months on hormone therapy. I'd recently managed to bring the readings back under control having terminated the HT treatment.

She explained that the NHS was now starting to row back on their previously strong pro-statins approach, even for those with conditions like mine who were otherwise in good health thanks to following a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

Yes this definitely surprises me, Robs GP always likes to tell us that he’s on statins so therefore they should be good enough for him šŸ¤·šŸ»‍ā™€ļøI would always like to try a diet and lifestyle change first and if no improvement then go for the medication.

Glad your levels are back to some normality and hope you are recovering well after hormones šŸ‘

Edited by member 29 Aug 2023 at 00:00  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 29 Aug 2023 at 11:18

Thanks ohwow,

I've read the science paper that you posted.  Very interesting. 

My only comment would be is that, even if there is some doubt as to the benefit of statins for men with prostate cancer, surely it would be prudent to offer them to those who would like to add them to their treatment regime.  These are generally well-tolerated drugs, and are cheap to supply.  If people should have an adverse reaction, then of course th doctors could stop prescribing them, but it seems worth a try. 

Thanks for bring the paper to our attention.

Best wishes,

JedSee.

User
Posted 29 Aug 2023 at 19:38
Hi JedSee,

Yes I thought it was a good read.

In my case I happened to be on statins long before the T2 diagnosis anyway.

Whether they help or not I guess is subject to more research. You see lots of good and bad press about statins for all sorts of reasons.

Although my heart consultant is pressing me to move to the full 80mg dose.

User
Posted 29 Aug 2023 at 20:36

Hi ohwow,

Yes, I think it's worth sticking with the statins.  If your heart consultant thinks you should increase the dose, would that be a problem for you?

As an aside, I was previously prescribed 75 mg. Aspirin, but the G.P. took me off that about a year before I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.  In her book, Jane McLelland recommends Aspirin, and I understand that Cancer Research UK are now conducting trials of a variety of doses of Aspirin, to see which (if any) are an effective dose.  As a consequence, I have  bought some privately, as they are available without prescription. but you can't do that with some of Jane McLelland's other recommendations (e.g. Metformin).

Best wishes,

JedSee.

User
Posted 30 Aug 2023 at 01:04

It seems Berberine is quite similar to metformin, and it can be bought without a prescription. 

Leila 

User
Posted 30 Aug 2023 at 14:59

Thanks Leila,

Yes, Berberine is supposed to work to lower blood sugar levels (similar to Metformin), so I've added it to my cocktail of vitamins and minerals.

By the way, I don't know if you ever listen to The Food Programme on BBC Radio 4.  the presenter, Sheila Dillon, is a cancer survivor, and she did a programme recently on diet and cancer.  She mentioned "Lion's Mane", a derivative of a special mushroom.  I've added that to the mix too - lol.  

Hope your husband David continues to do well.

Best wishes,

JedSee.

User
Posted 30 Aug 2023 at 20:40
Hi JedSee,

On the point you asked about statin dose. I'm already on 40 and was advised that's the real target (no noticeable side effects so far), they just request 80 as a sort of "precaution". There is some evidence that 80 can have some unpleasant side effects but difficult to know until I give it a go...which I think likely I will.

Anyway if I wasn't taking statin but had PCa, I'd be pressing the GP to prescribe.

Really hope the supplements you've put together help.

User
Posted 30 Aug 2023 at 20:51

Every now and then you read or hear about  a diet that can cure cancer or slow it down but there is no scientific basis for it. Healthy diet is obviously a good thing

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 31 Aug 2023 at 21:28

Thanks Ohwow,

Glad to hear that you're already taking a good dose of statins.  As you say, you have to weigh up whether an even higher dose is likely to have unpleasant side effects, especially if the benefits are uncertain.  Quality of life is important too.

I don't know whether the supplements that I'm taking are make the slightest difference, but they don't see to be doing me any harm, so I'll keep taking them for now - lol.

Best wishes,

JedSee. 

User
Posted 31 Aug 2023 at 21:41

Thanks Pratap,

I take your point about the lack of scientific evidence for diets in relation to cancer.  However, one problem is that a lot of the research into treatments is funded by the pharmaceutical industry.  They have little to gain from researching treatments which might make people less reliant on new pharmaceuticals.   (Jane Mc Lelland's book focusses on diet and cheap off-label drugs whose patent has expired).  One might think that the government would have a vested interest in doing their own research into such cheap options, since it would save the NHS a lot of money, but it doesn't seem to be the case.  Although Cancer Research UK is now undertaking a trial called "Add Aspirin" which, as the name suggests, is looking into whether Aspirin can have beneficial effects in conjunction with standard treatments.  (Jane McLelland would also say "Add Statins and Metformin").

Always appreciate your input.

Best wishes,

JedSee.

User
Posted 01 Sep 2023 at 07:13
Probably better to just remove sugar and avoid carbohydrates as that is the root cause of issues Metformin and statins seek to remediate.
User
Posted 01 Sep 2023 at 09:27

One of the UK's experts in men's health, and also a specialist in both diabetes and hormone therapy, thinks all men on hormone therapy should be offered Metformin and a statin automatically, just to counter the effects loss of Testosterone has on those related body functions, pushing you more towards metabolic syndrome.

The other thing is that without Testosterone, HDL cholesterol is no longer a "good" cholesterol, as it can't carry LDL back to the liver. This means the HDL/LDL ratio (which is what people tend to keep an eye on) becomes meaningless, and it's the total cholesterol level you need to keep an eye on instead.

User
Posted 01 Sep 2023 at 12:56

Hi francij1,

Yes, that would seem to make sense: go to the source.

Best wishes,

JedSee.

User
Posted 01 Sep 2023 at 12:57

Thanks Andy62,

That's certainly worth remembering.

Best wishes,

JedSee.

User
Posted 01 Sep 2023 at 22:31
I started on the late Dr Jane Plant's diet and lifestyle changes back in 2008/9 which were based on her own fight against breast cancer.

Her advice was based on the studies she made into the diet of people in countries with low incidence of breast and prostate cancer.

Much of her advice has strong similarities to that of Jane McLelland's

.

I find it interesting that back in the late 2000s when I discussed the diary free, no red meats concept with consultants most refused to accept that it would be of any benefit to men seeking to prevent/slow the progress of PCa, yet now many of them readily advice adopting such dietary changes.

Roger
User
Posted 01 Sep 2023 at 22:36
Err no they don't! In fact the true culprit is slowly emerging sugar, carbs and processed food!

The obsession with cutting out nutrient dense foods we have evolved to eat is frankly dangerous.

User
Posted 04 Sep 2023 at 17:15

Thanks for your input, Rogcal.

Hope the diet works for you.

Best wishes,

JedSee.

User
Posted 04 Sep 2023 at 17:17

Thanks Francij1

I don't know anything about the Jane Plant diet.  I've just read the Jane McLelland book, but I don't  claim to be a disciple - just interested enough to have tried some of her theories.  She advocates white meat and fish, but minimal red meat and dairy (e.g.using soya instead).  She would completely agree that sugar, high carbs and processed foods are all bad.  

Thanks for your input.

Best wishes,

JedSee.

Edited by member 04 Sep 2023 at 17:24  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 04 Sep 2023 at 17:46

Seems to be working for me.  Almost two decades and no treatment required.  Good luck to you all and keep on fighting the little buggers.

Roger
User
Posted 06 Sep 2023 at 00:29
I fell and broke my hip in 2019 leading to a total hip replacement (huge thanks to our wonderful NHS!). The consultant enquired about my diet so I explained the reason why it included minmal dairy.

To which he responded that this lack of dairy may explain why my hip had broken rather than just bruised. He said tests showed my bones were brittle, therefore to reduce the risk of further problems I should switch to drinking a pint of milk daily as well as adding vitamin D supplements daily and increasing my exposure to sunshine.

Eighteen months later my psa had shot up from around 2.1 to 6.9, leading to a diagnosis of recurrent PCa. Now of course I am wondering to what extent, if any, this outcome related to switching to a dairy-rich diet.

all of which leaves me wondering, which diet do I now follow, one that's dairy rich and may reduce the risk of more broken bones in the future or one that's sans dairy and may therefore help slow the advance of recurrent PCa?

Thoughts?

User
Posted 06 Sep 2023 at 06:30

Talk about caught between a rock and a hard place. I am on ADT for life and got put on alendronic acid, due to osteperosis risk. My oncologist said that diet would have little impact on bones as a result. I have largely cut out dairy, so am hoping the alendronic acid is doing its job. I also try to get some calcium via vegetables and it milk with added calcium, but am probably not getting as much as I used to. 

User
Posted 06 Sep 2023 at 11:38

I wonder why the consultant didn't suggest calciferol instead of milk, given that you'd told him why you avoided dairy products.

Although I'm no expert in such matters but after keeping my PCa under control through dietary changes I made almost 20 years ago, I feel I've learnt a bit about somethings and milk is one of them.

It is believed that the hormones in the milk are what impacts upon the prostate and how the cells are adversely affected and as far as I am aware calcium plays no part in affecting those cells.

Calciferol is an effective calcium replacement and it would have been safer for someone in your position than milk to ensure sufficient calcium absorption into the bones.

Edited by member 06 Sep 2023 at 11:39  | Reason: Not specified

Roger
User
Posted 06 Sep 2023 at 12:10

Cancer is a very complicated disease, therefor anyone recommending a diet to delay and/or cure the disease should not be taken seriously. Certain diets are better for our health generally and avoiding too much sugar, fat etc is a good thing. One of the arguments put forward is that commercial  interests stop the developments of cheap and easy solutions to serious health issues has some merit (see below) but there is no substitute for scientific evidence. People are desperate so they will clutch at straws and I don't blame them.

This is Pratap's wife writing now:

A case in point being that plant based menopausal treatment through the use of transdermal natural progesterone cream, which I have used for decades now, has taken decades to reach any kind of universal acceptance. Since it is a naturally derived substance, plant based and not a highly chemicalised product, Big Pharma is not interested in it as they can't make big bucks from its development. See www.wellsprings-health.com. Many wives of a vast majority of men suffering from cancer are in the age group would benefit from looking at this site if they can't tolerate conventional HRT.

 

Edited by member 06 Sep 2023 at 12:26  | Reason: Not specified

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 06 Sep 2023 at 12:30

Thank you for that, very useful on calciferol. There was a typo on my part, I meant to type oat milk. Apologies. 

User
Posted 06 Sep 2023 at 12:36

I should like to point out that since joining this forum in 2006 I have made it a rule never to recommend anything.

I just tell it who it is/was for me and leave it up to others to make their own decisions on how they should proceed, hopefully by reading peer reviewed research papers in learned publications.

If people are naive enough to follow others advice and or recommendations without first doing the research, then do not blame those who are only telling their story in the hopes it may generate the urge to further explore matters.

Roger
User
Posted 06 Sep 2023 at 16:04

I second that. I follow the same rule. I give the facts about me and the experiences I have had and that's about it. The only helpful advice I modestly give is about incontinence and ED issues which I experienced following my prostatectomy, even then I describe how I handled my  incontinence (and deal with urine leakage even now after 12 years) and how we managed to re-establish our sex life. From the response I have had I think other men and couples find my/our experience useful to read even if it just giving them the confidence in handling this catastrophe in their lives in their own way. This is a great forum.

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

 
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