Building up the immune system

[MarsiJay]

I am very new to the metastatic breast cancer journey having been diagnosed last March. I am eighty-five and outside the age for chemo but prescribed letrozole. I am pleased to say the lumps in my neck and skull are greatly reduced. I have no way of knowing about my lungs except that I am no longer breathless. My grandson mentioned C60 to me and referred to experiments on rats. I am trying it although it is quite expensive. Has anyone else tried it and with what effect? I am also into making my own kefir, fermenting etc. I have been told there will be no cure but, in the meantime, I am trying to build up my immune system to fight the cancer. I feel very much better all round. I should be grateful for any advice and accounts of similar efforts.

[ba5083]

I would recommend a vitamin profile to see if you might be deficient in any vitamins. Many times a multi vitamin is not enough to provide the sufficient amount of vitimans your body might need. I would also suggest looking into broccoli sprouts which contains a high level of glucoraphanin (far higher amount than mature broccoli). Your body converts this compound into sulforaphane, which protects your cells against inflammation and a wide variety of diseases.

[MarsiJay in reply to ba5083]

Thank you for that. It's the sort of information I can work with.

[Dancing in reply to ba5083]

Hi ba5083...my friend bought me a cook book The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson. I was amazed as I read all of the veggies, fruits and spices that help fight cancer.

[MarsiJay in reply to Dancing]

I have been researching this online and the information is tremendous. It certainly adds meaning to: 'Let food be your medicine'. I have gone all out on fermenting too. I ferment vegetables and make kefir and sourdough. Apparently, the gut is the powerhouse of the body's immunity.

[Sashay2020 in reply to MarsiJay]

The Microbiome Solution by Robynne Chutkan, MD (gastroenterologist) is an excellent book. Really opened my eyes as to how important our gut is to our immune system. Also, have a look at time restricted eating (aka intermittent fasting). This is not starving. It means you only eat during a 6-8 hour period each day and give your digestion a good rest each night. My pulmonologist suggested I look into this. Google “Prolonged Nightly Fasting and Breast Cancer Prognosis” and see what you think. I don’t have breast cancer. I’m stage 4 ovarian, but some of you ladies helped me out when I needed information a while back, so I thought I would share this. Take care and best wishes.

Sashay

[MarsiJay in reply to Dancing]

Thanks for the reference. I have made a note

[Tantalon7211 in reply to ba5083]

Thanks for this info - I am going to do this and get a vitamin profile - I guess it had to done by a naturopath -I’ve had radiation to pelvis and prescribed Ibrance - which I hear so many side effects - thanks for this info

[mariootsi in reply to Tantalon7211]

My primary care did a vitamin profile for me

[TammyCross in reply to Tantalon7211]

I get bloods drawn every month and they test for vitamins and minerals. They were overdosing me on Vit. D, and too much of anything is no good. Test before you take. Also better to get them through food than through supplements.

[MarsiJay in reply to TammyCross]

I am under the NHS which gives excellent cancer care but are not susceptible to request for additional blood tests. I try to make food my supplier of vitamins except for D because sunshine is not over supplies in Wales

[NPmary]

So glad you are feeling better and not breathless.

[8576]

I am 82. Have tried various drugs and ended up on Verzenio and Tamoxifen. It works at the moment. Has for 6 months. They are all expensive so my oncologist applied to Phizer for compassionate care. I now receive it free.

Cheers, June S.

[8576]

Also I have decided to follow the National Food Guide. We are all different but under the care of at least two doctors. Surely they will tell you if you are deficient in any way. Just my thinking. I do get a second opinion if I feel it is needed.

Cheers, June S.

[love2golfwell]

I'm glad you are doing well on letrozole and that you are seeking to improve your immune system. I use Kefir every day in smoothies (although I buy a brand called Lifeway) and add berries, flax seeds, organic kale, organic peanut butter, a half of a banana and proten powder made of fruits and vegetables and sprinkle turmeric or cinnamon on top as they are both inflammation fighting spices. I am also adding more fruits and vegetables to my diet and less meat. I have also read about and listened to various webinars that state the key to good health is through your gut and that diseases are mostly caused by inflammation. I have bought a very good book called Beating Cancer Through Nutrition and it is very informative and helpful. I don't know what C60 is though as I have not heard of that. I take a good multivitamin and a raw calcium/Vitamin D. I also use immune boosting essential oils on my skin or in a diffuser at night. I am feeling good so far. Good luck with your journey. Glad you came to this site.

[MarsiJay in reply to love2golfwell]

Good luck with yours too. We seem to be following the same path.

[PJBinMI]

This is one time that being "older" is an advantage! Our cancer cells tend to be less energetic than if were younger! (I'm 76) I don't remember where I got this info, but curcumin (aka turmeric), fish oil, vit D and tart cherry juice help the immune system. Tomatoes, bell peppers and egg plant do the opposite and should be avoided, (Spaghetti is one of my favorite things to eat so I haven't been able to totally eliminate tomatoes!) I don't like the taste of tart cherry juice, but mixed with prune juice it tastes pretty good. I was diagnosed with MBC the month of my 58th birthday, with extensive bone mets. I got almost five years from Letrozole, The only side effect I had was extreme hot flashes and the Rx med Effexor has done a great job managing that, the long acting variety and I never can remember what the two letters that mean that are. I have had no "chemo" and am on just third hormonal treatment. And I've met quite a few woman with estrogen receptor + mbc who have lived over 10 years, and most of us have been over 55.

[MarsiJay in reply to PJBinMI]

I am up to speed with your suggestions - except for the cherry juice. I did not know the negatives re. tomatoes etc. Thanks for the information