Article Navigation

Back To Main Page


 

More Articles

Cancer Diet - The Role of Fibre


by: Marilyn Bennett

This article in the series on Cancer Diet explores the importance of fibre.

Fibre’s role in the body is to assist in the timely expulsion of waste matter from the bowel. If this waste matter stays put for too long, the body starts to reabsorb the antigens and toxins from the bowel bacteria through the gut wall.

One of the easiest ways to tell if you are getting enough fibre is to inspect your stools. Sounds most unsavoury, I know, but all you need to do is see whether they float or sink in the toilet. If they are floating you are getting enough fibre, if they sink you are not.

The reason a good cancer diet will address the need for good elimination is that as the body fights the cancer it produces even more waste matter. This puts a very heavy load on the elimination systems. If the bowels are clogged up as well, then the body struggles under a highly toxic load. This in turn takes much needed resources away from healing functions. Of course, if the patient is also having chemotherapy treatment, good elimination is even more crucial.

In a well managed cancer diet, there will already be a good proportion of raw foods, particularly fruits and vegetables. These raw foods are one of the best sources of natural dietary fibre.

Other much touted remedies such as psyllium husks can be very helpful, but it is preferable to get your fibre directly from your foods, which also contain other elements such as enzymes that help digestion.

Water is also absolutely critical for good bowel function, assisting in the flushing of the bulk material and the toxins that accumulate there. Absolutely no point in upping the fibre content then depriving the body of water so that it all becomes a big plug!

Many medications can cause constipation so be on the lookout for this side effect when starting any new ones. Also high levels of calcium and low thyroid hormones can play havoc, so if you continue having constipation after increasing your fibre and water content, make a beeline for your doctor. Constipation has far too many negative side-effects to allow it to continue too long.

Just a quick PS – every cancer diet should include pears, as they are full of fibre, water and highly nutritious to boot. If you are constipated, a full ripe pear on an empty stomach first thing in the morning followed by a glass of water has a very good chance of doing the trick!





Latest Cancer News:



Cancer Connection: Survivor's guilt can be painful side effect of cancer


People going through cancer treatment at the same time often form their own peer group. They see each other in chemo, in radiation and in various support groups. The fortunate ones do well, but they often feel guilty when others in their cohort succumb to the disease. Cancer institute celebrates opening of expansion


LITTLE ROCK ? Forty cancer survivors shared the stage with dignitaries such as Gov. Mike Beebe and former U.S. Sen. David Pryor at a ceremony today marking the opening of a 12-story expansion to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Cancer Research UK launches new £18 million Biotherapeutics Development Unit


Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office marks the launch of its Biotherapeutics Development Unit (BDU) today (Friday) with the manufacture of its first product - an antibody for treating a range of cancers. Cancer Vaccine: 4 Months of Life Worth $100K?


Prostate cancer vaccine, Provenge, adds 4 months to life, at a pricetag of 100K. The first-ever approved cancer vaccine, Provenge offers hope to men with advanced prostate cancer, but the high cost of this new treatment raises healthcare policy questions. Prostate cancer - Sipuleucel-T - Cancer - Cancer vaccine - Health CÁNCER (Julio 30)


CÁNCER: No olvides desarrollar tu trabajo con organización y perseverancia. Trata de hacer algo totalmente nuevo; tus amistades serán tus mejores aliadas. Breast Cancer's DNA Yields More Secrets


Title: Breast Cancer's DNA Yields More Secrets Category: Health News Created: 7/29/2010 2:10:00 PM Last Editorial Review: 7/30/2010 Cancer Group Says State Failing To Combat Disease


The American Cancer Society released a statement saying Tennessee is falling short on legislative efforts to fight the disease. Cancer patients in windpipe swap op


Doctors have successfully transplanted windpipes into two cancer patients in an innovative procedure that uses stem cells to allow a donated trachea to regenerate tissue and create an organ biologically close to the original. Related Stories Two killed in Los Angeles explosion Billy the Kid pardon considered Chelsea Clinton set to tie the knot Everglades added to UN danger list Wilders denied ... Cancer survivors show how to LiveStrong


 Oklahoma cancer patients and survivors will pitch for a future free of cancer at the annual LiveStrong Night with the Oklahoma City RedHawks. Turner Mason Swink, an Oklahoma City eighth-grader first diagnosed with cancer when he was only a year old, and 8-year-old Caitlin Schemmel, a third-grader from Colbert diagnosed with leukemia in December, will throw out the first pitch at the event ... Male Breast Cancer In Family Leads To High Perception Of Risk, Low Likelihood Of Genetic Counseling


People with a family history of male breast cancer perceive themselves to be at higher risk of developing the disease than do patients with a family history of female breast cancer; however those with male breast cancer in their families are less likely to know about or seek genetic testing than those with a family history of female breast cancer, according to a study led by researchers at the ... Showtime stays true to form with 'The Big C,' a cancer comedy - Dallas Morning News


News Image
Seattle Post Intelligencer

News Image
Showtime stays true to form with 'The Big C,' a cancer comedy
Dallas Morning News
"It's time for a cancer comedy," said Jane Lipsitz, executive producer. If a comedy about a mom with cancer isn't extreme or quirky enough for you, ...
Showtime's 'The Big C' combines cancer with comedyWashington Post (blog)
Laura Linney is Showtime's comedic cancer victimUSA Today
Laura Linney ponders living with 'The Big C'Los Angeles Times
Salt Lake Tribune -Forbes (blog) -Hollywood Life (blog)
all 243 news articles »
Supporting Breast Cancer and Having a Ropin' N Ridin' Good Time - KFBB NewsChannel 5


News Image
Private MD

News Image
Supporting Breast Cancer and Having a Ropin' N Ridin' Good Time
KFBB NewsChannel 5
By KFBB News Team Fair events are stretching beyond Great Falls tonight as over 150 women in Helena came together to support breast cancer and along the way ...
Fire trucks going pink for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation fundraiserTerre Haute Tribune Star
Project Pink - Boston Breakers Battle Breast CancerBostonist
Common Household Chemicals Linked to Breast CancerLive in the Now
Medscape -Patch -Daily News & Analysis
all 68 news articles »
Major Development Discovered for Prostate Cancer: Cell of Origin Identified - Gossip Jackal


News Image
Daily Mail

News Image
Doctors: Transplant advance in windpipe cancer - The Associated Press



News Image
Doctors: Transplant advance in windpipe cancer
The Associated Press
ROME ? Doctors have successfully transplanted windpipes into two cancer patients in an innovative procedure that uses stem cells to allow a donated trachea ...

and more »
Guerrero fights Casamayor for cancer-free wife - San Francisco Chronicle


News Image
Hollister Free Lance

News Image
Guerrero fights Casamayor for cancer-free wife
San Francisco Chronicle
He will be looking for his wife, Casey, who has been battling leukemia since November 2007 and is newly "cancer-free" after a successful bone marrow ...
Wife's cancer fight gives Guerrero new outlook on life, careerUSA Today

all 19 news articles »
Relay For Life ceremony to honor cancer survivors - Chronicle Times


News Image
Pinnacle News

News Image
Relay For Life ceremony to honor cancer survivors
Chronicle Times
A special Luminaria Ceremony to be held during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Cherokee County will remember those lost to cancer and honor ...
Report: Alabama lags in cancer prevention legislationBizjournals.com
American Cancer Society wants Michigan to step up its gameDetroit Free Press
Pink News Flash: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer kicks off Aug. 17!TCPalm
Othello Outlook -Los Angeles Times -Stillwater Gazette
all 84 news articles »
Why Cancer Screening Campaigns Can Backfire - BusinessWeek



News Image
Why Cancer Screening Campaigns Can Backfire
BusinessWeek
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- Health campaigns that highlight the problem of low screening rates for prostate cancer to promote such screenings seem ...
Motivating men to be tested for cancerUPI.com

all 8 news articles »
Celgene Corp. sees increase in revenue fueled by sales of Revlimid cancer drug - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com


News Image
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com

News Image
Celgene Corp. sees increase in revenue fueled by sales of Revlimid cancer drug
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
BUSINESS: The company makes powerful cancer medicines, including Revlimid, which is one of the leading treatments for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. ...
Celgene 2Q net income rises on cancer drug salesBusinessWeek
Celgene earnings top expectations, shares riseReuters
Celgene 2Q Profit Up 8.8%; Again Boosts 2010 ViewWall Street Journal
TradersHuddle.com -RTT News
all 37 news articles »
'Hutch' names AIDS expert as its new leader - Seattle Times


News Image
Bizjournals.com

News Image
'Hutch' names AIDS expert as its new leader
Seattle Times
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has selected an AIDS expert as its new president. By Sandi Doughton Dr. Lawrence Corey will be the next president ...
Seattle cancer center picks new leaderSeattle Post Intelligencer
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Announces Selection of Its New ...PR Newswire (press release)
Lawrence Corey, infectious disease expert, new Hutchinson Center presidentSeattle Post Intelligencer
KPLU
all 28 news articles »
Applegate: Cancer motivated me - The Press Association


News Image
Monsters and Critics.com

News Image
Applegate: Cancer motivated me
The Press Association
Christina Applegate has said beating breast cancer motivated her to "make things happen". The actress underwent a double masectomy in July 2008 after being ...
Christina Applegate's Pregnancy After Cancer Treatment Isn't RiskyABC News
Christina Applegate concerned about how pet dog will react to babyAnimal Friends Pet Insurance
Christina Applegate's film 'legacy'The Press Association

all 111 news articles »

 



Home | Resource Links | Contact Us
Copyright © 2006 CancerAdvice.org