Is Anyone Doing an Alkaline Approach

hlth4513

DesignerMom-

There is some good info at the Meridian Valley Labs website on what method is best for which hormones. http://meridianvalleylab.com/hormone-testing/. I beleive that Metametrix labs has similar tests. Dr. JOnathan Wright also has some good articles at the Meridian Valley website about bioidentical hormones and they recently made the website more user friendly.

I use the 24 Hr Urine COmprehensive PLUS hormone test for hormone levels. Because it is done over 24hrs, it gives you a more accurate rewading. I use saliva testing for cortisol levels and until I rewcently switched the the 24 Hr Urine test - I had used saliva testing for all of my hormone levels.

Beth

MBJ

Designermom:  Your oncologist probably wouldn't know much about the proper testing for hormones.  Yes they fluctuate, so when they are trying to find out where you are at it depends on if you still menstruate or not and if you still do then they test it at a certain period of time in the cycle to get more accurate results.  This is true for thyroid, also, which is usually done at the same time.  Any GP or Ob/Byn who specializes in bioidenticals could also do the testing and still be covered under insurance.   You can get complete "package" type blood tests run at the same time to save you money, too.

Beth:  Thank you for the links--I can never remember where I find anything, and then I have to re-do a google search for things that I forget to save!  Chemo brain doesn't help.

jsh22

I did saliva test, 24 urine test, and blood test for hormone levels and did them all when I was in the "Luteal" stage of my cycle.  They all came back with same results...maybe not exact numbers, but close.  Ratios were all the same.  When I retested on the iodine supplement and off tamoxifen, hormone levels and ratios came back into normal range according to the blood test.  I also did blood test in same stage of my cycle to be consistent.  I still have to do another 24 hour urine test to get more information. Hormone levels do fluctuate as to where you are in your cycle, but they have ranges for those different times, so you can still tell if your hormone levels are okay or not.

jsh22

Sorry about website...didn't have my glasses on. It is: www.dr-gonzalez.com.

jenn1975

Hi everyone... it has been a while since I have been on here but I wanted to let everyone know that great news. I got the results of my PET Scan this week and my cancer is still gone!!!!! I know it is from the alkaline lifestyle.

I am now waiting on the results of my Vitamin D tests. My onc actually said he is "starting to look into the connection between Vitamin D and cancer"

Jenn

heartnsoul76

I was wondering if anyone is doing iodine and DIM together to reduce estrogen in the breast. They seem to have similar benefits but not the same. I am supposed to start on AI's in a few weeks and not interested in doing so - way too many side effects and still feels sort of like it's in the guinea pig stage...

debbie6122

Jenn- That is such great news- Ya my first onco never mentioned anything about vit D levels to me but the one now is great and wanted me tested right away- Keep up the good scans!!!

debbie6122

Heartnsoul- Hopefull some one will answer that for you, im just starting to understand it all myself

hlth4513

heartnsoul-

I take both DIM and Iodine. They are not redundant in their function and they do not cancel each other. Iodine's benefit extend way beyond helping to convert estradiol to estriol. I'm in a rush - if no one else chimes in - I can come back later with more info.

Beth

BarbaraA

HnS- I take grape seed extract http://www.cbcrp.org/research/PageGrant.asp?grant_id=281 , DIM http://www.diindolylmethane.org/cliinical_applications.htm and mushroom extract http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/29068.php . These are just a few of the references available for you to research. So far, I have to say what I am doing is working. Having hot flashes again (finished meno 8 years ago), my last estrogen test indicated my estrogen levels were undetectable.

Am having my PCP look into my thyroid function and iodine will likely be next.

seaotter

Where can one find distilled drinking water that is not in plastic?

Patty

ananda8

Jenn1975,

What wonderful news.  I am so excited for you.   Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gutsy

Awesome Jenn, thank you so much for sharing. I am really working hard on taking an alkaline approach, cut out many things and focus on the healthy vegetables, fruits and grains, etc. I am taking a whole bunch of supplements prescribed by my integrative physician. My oncologist does not believe in any of it. Most people think that I do well to do things for myself, but in their minds I may as well take a sugar pill or skip rope. I do believe that the whole food thing is huge when it comes to cancer, but sometimes I get discouraged because when I explain it to people they look at me like whatever, allow yourself to splurge. So when I read and hear the stories here, I feel empowered and know that I am helping my body heal. For what it is worth, I have way more energy, hardly ever get a headache (I used to get so many many headaches)

dlb823

I just read and wanted to share a very interesting commentary on alkaline water.  I don't know how many of you are familiar with Jon Barron, but I really like his academic approach and the extensive research he puts into what he writes about, and this article is no exception.  I hope you'll find it helpful.

http://www.jonbarron.org/natural-health/nl101004/newsletter-mercola-alkaline-water-ph.php

debbie6122

Deanna- This was a great article- made a lot of sense to although at times i was a bit confused as  when he was quoting dr mercula (sp) or if it was jon barron speaking, so had to reread it. really liked the fact that the higher alkaline had more oxygen and having asthma makes me even want to stick to my alkaline water ive been doing. I know i never drank the alkaline water and had bc so it makes sense to be more alkaline which dr M states that it could be detramental to our health to be too alkaline, i dont believe that at all, I like jon barrons point of views seems to know what he is talking about. Thanks for the article!

painterly

I just read Jon Barron's article.

He makes a lot of sense to me especially about being too alkaline being dangerous. For example this past couple of weeks I have been concentrating on eating foods that are alkaline, the result being I wasn't feeling very well.  My PH strips were very black indeed, so why was my tummy upset towards late afternoon? The answer was logical to me that I was getting too much of the alkaline diet and that I should introduce more acid into my diet, such as beginning the morning with a glass of orange juice instead of a sweet tasting fruit. And when I ate my vegetables to make sure I followed it with something acidic.

Too much alkaline food was making me feel sick and my tummy was telling me so.  Now I feel back on track. So it's important to get a good balance in our diet.

Glenis

jsh22

From what I understand, your 1st morning urine ph should range between 6.5 and 7.5, with an occasional, but not constant every day 7.5 reading.  7.0 is the neutral state, not acid or alkaline.  The body functions best in an alkaline state for health promotion and we should avoid highly acidic metabolic states.  Having a ph that is slightly alkaline means a healthy body.  I know that BC usually happens in someone who is in an acidic state, so being more alkaline is a huge protector.  There are some cancers that are more predominant in an acidic body, and others in an alkaline. I cannot remember all of them, but I am pretty sure lymphoma was one of the cancers that happens more often in an overly alkaline state.  I was very acidic and have been trying to get more alkaline.  Was around 5.0 and now range between 6.4 and 7.2 depending on how I did during day.  I workout alot and it always causes my morning urine to be a little more acidic.  Not sure how to fix that.  Any suggestions? Thanx!

Lorita1960

Is anyone taking MonaVie?

debbie6122

Hi lorita and welcome- what is monavie? never heard of it i dont think!

ibcmets

My view point on the alkaline approach:  When you have something as life-threatening as cancer; you want to do everything possible to get your body healthy again.  I see the alkaline approach as a complimentery treatment that certainly could not harm you. 

When I was diagnosed; I thought it was time to change a few things to regain some health.  I did my research and decided that the typical American diet was not healthy for anyone let alone a cancer patient.  I  also got some tips from watching  the movie "Food Inc".  I decided to be more careful and to eliminate foods with anitbiotics added such as milk, beef & chicken.  I eat more veggies & fruits and drink alkaline water.  I try to buy organic chicken or chicken at Costco or Whole Foods that does not have hormones added.  I'm not 100% on this diet; but I do try to eat healthier.  I also buy some foods from Trader Joes.  I also juice at least once a day.

I really think that a good diet could very well prevent a lot of diseases and help us live healthier lives; but I would not avoid good medical treatment or take a complete alternative approach to health.

Terri

jsh22

Terri...I also do alot of the things you are doing now to create a healthier environment in my body.  Since I had cancer twice I thought it important to do something different this time around.  I eat alot of organic, take more supplements and try to eat more alkaline foods since my ph was very acidic before.  It is hard to do 100%, but am trying to do what I can and keeping an eye on my ph. I do believe you need good medical treatment whether it is alternative or conventional.  I choose to use both and wish both fields would work more together in helping cancer patients.  Hopefully we will see more of this in the future as both "worlds" have successes and are willing to work with each other.  I have found out so much about what was wrong with my body making it susceptable to cancer by going to a homeopathic doctor in addition to my regular doctor.  Unfortunately, insurance doesn't cover much of this so it gets quite costly...it would be nice if insurance companies would recognize alternative medicine too so all patients can afford to at least look into an alternative doctor.  But I do agree everyone need "good" medical treatment!  -Janet

jbaudit

Pure,

Are you post menopausal? The reason for this question is that my wife and I read the info posted on foodforbreastcancer.com which quotes various clinical studies and results all over the world.

What it shows is broken down in specfic categories ie: postmenopausal ER+PR+ which is wifes situation.

I believe they show that tests have lead to conclusions which prohibit Avacado for this condition. Also i believe that studies on Flaxseed show prohibition for those with the above receptors in post menopausal stages as well.

On another note, do any of you wonderful ladies live in South florida? I am desperately trying to find an Md or nutritionist who is concentrated and knowlegeable about food and supplements for BC women.

God bless you all for taking the time and energy to help each other

JB

DesignerMom

jbaudit-  I'm sure some of the other Florida ladies might help you with a Florida nutritionist.  In the meantime, I have found the karenhurd.com website very informative.  I know she does phone consultations too.  Her "poison rug" story is amazing.  Best of luck!

BarbaraA

JB, IK had no luck finding a good nutritional biochemist here in FL. I use Dr Joe Veltmann from NM. His website is http://www.iimsite.com/ I am having great success.

jsh22

JB...I go to FL 3-4 months of the year.  Last year I went to a Doc in Sunny Isles Beach, FL (Miami).  His name was Martin Dayton and I visited his clinic when I was down in Naples.  I wasn't impressed with the clinic, but I did like Dr. Dayton...he did give me some good information.  Decided to go with a homeopathic Dr. up here in Wisconsin since the Dayton Clinic was quite a drive from Naples for appointments.  When in Naples I did drive by a holistic treatment place right on Hwy 41, but not sure what they offer...may check out next time I am down.  Hope you find someone to go to...I think it is important to have someone helping in those areas!  -Janet

a4e

I would be interested in what exactly that approach is.....where do you get the info for such a diet....are their foods and supplements that interfere with Herceptin doing it's job...I have also refused chemo and radiation but am doing herceptin and having a double mascectomy.

debbie6122

Hi a4e- Sorry you had to join us but welcome. You will have a lot of support here from all of these ladies here, when you get ready to have your mx and have any questions just ask away we will be here for you. When are you having it done?

The alkaline diet that pure started is about eating and drinking the right foods, drinking alkaline water, you can buy an ionizer for healthier drinking water but i bought the alkaline drops and put them in my distilled drinking water instead because i didnt want to pay the extra money for the ionizer, i got the strips and test my urine to make sure im not too low or to high, i stay around 7.5 to 8. i put lemon in my water a few times a day, dont know if you read this thread from the beginning but lemon is actually not acidic like some people may think, lemons and limes are good, cutting out foods like meat i still eat meat but only chx and fish mostly, avacodos,  no sugar or starches for me right now, If you go to your search engine you can type in alkaline diet and it will give you a list of all the foods you should and shouldnt eat.

Im sure some one else will chime in here to give more info than me, hope this helps and keep us posted on how you are doing.

((((((hugs))))))

Debbie

stayhealthy

See my post under active topics and  post made by stayhealthy

best.

debbie6122

to stayhealthy, well i read your post and im curious other than you trying to promote your husbands book, what is your dx?

educateoneself

The PH does not drive health. One should never money around with the PH.....You have to watch that as we are being misled....