The Metabolic Approach in Conjunction with Standard of Care

Yes, keep moving until your last breath or, I would add, until you can't anymore. If I can still move then my last breath is still a ways off. I saw the converse scenario though with my brother. I knew he would soon be gone when surgical interventions for pancreatic cancer immobilized him.

Esther, we need to focus post-chemo, post-radiation or post-surgery on getting enough protein to help our body heal. That was the advice of a naturopath at a breast cancer center. Also, chemo stopped my weight loss. Due to mouth issues I had a lot of soft foods then like cottage cheese, yoghurt and ice cream. Probably enough protein there. If you are still losing weight, best to get advice from an oncology nutritionist.

I'll just chime in and say it is not necessary to eat animal protein. This gets lost so I like to bring it up once in a while - veganism is something I'm passionate about. I'm personally also convinced that there are dangers associated with animal protein so I see eating plant based as a benefit for mutliple reasons.

I absolutely agree that protein requirements for cancer patients are critical. The cachexia & sarcopenia society documents I've seen seem to recommending 1.2-1.5 g of daily protein intake/kg body weight. I use My Fitness Pal to track my protein. Many of the things we think of as 'carbs' are often quite high in protein. I don't do it daily but just intermittently to make sure that my intake is in line with my goals. .

Wavesofharmony, that’s great that you’ll be helping cancer patients. It is so important to stay active during treatment and after treatment. There needs to be more trainers that understand our special needs. Good luck

Soy is not a problem but soy supplements might be

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutri...

Also see https://foodforbreastcancer.com/

Personally I think the best idea is to implement changes that will be lifelong. Just slowly learn to eat differently and lower intake. Ymmv

HomeMom, you are so right about the empty carbs. I remember asking my doctor what kinds of carbs I need to get in my diet, and I'll never forget her clipped response: "None! Our bodies are made of fats and proteins." Okay then.

I lost an alarming amount of weight before and at diagnosis, and I lost even more once I corrected my diet during active treatment, and then I noticed that I didn't have any appetite once I cut out the carbs. I couldn't get in enough calories each day because I just wasn't hungry. Once I added back a few carbs, my appetite came back. I guess now I know how to stop gaining once I'm back up to a healthy weight.. back off the carbs.

Waves, I have been thinking of you! How long before you will be certified as a personal trainer for cancer patients? I think that is awesome! I have read how helpful it is to gain lean muscle and keep our bodies moving, moving, moving. I am walking, but I know I am not in a healthy exercise routine. Do you have any general recommendations? I.e., do we include an aerobic workout or just lifting weights?

We just finished tenting our home for termites and my seven weeks of radiation just ended, so nothing has calmed down around here yet, which is why I haven't been on here. I was very fortunate. I followed my IMD's advice to the letter, and I sailed through yucky radiation without any side effects other than range of motion issues and of course, getting very, very tan, both in front and in back where the radiation exits - but it faded away within 10 days. I never had any fatigue which surprised me. I imagine this was in large part because I did not have chemo before the radiation.

Love,

Esther

Thank you, Heidihill,

That is such good advice! Thank you for sharing this.

Love

Esther

wavesofharmony - That made sense at times and not at other times while I read. I guess I'm the type of person that needs a guide because I'm not fully understanding how it works and how I can implement it, especially reading the questions at the end. I'm very curious about keto because I have read in several places that it has helped a lot of cancer patients stay or achieve NED. It looks like a good website, with recipes etc., I just don't know how to structure it.

waves - I have followed this thread because the topic is of interest to me. I just happened to check it and saw that you posted your email address. This is a public forum - anyone on the internet can see these posts, not just the members here. If I were you I would edit your post to remove the email, and private message it to HomeMom instead.

Thanks, Waves! My 36 hour fast went great. I felt really good throughout and chose to just stick with water and really appreciated your advice. I recently bought the ingredients for bulletproof (keto) coffee so I'm looking forward to trying that. I liked the article. It reminded me how important magnesium is. I do use Optimag Neuro by Xymogen and mix it with my Vitality C (vitamin C) powder.

HomeMom, the keto diet has been wonderful for me. I am constantly meeting people who are doing really well with it. I am trying to branch out with more keto recipes just for some variety.

Blessings,

Esther

Esther you just keep hearing that a plant based diet is healthier for you. I've also read to stay away from red meat. I want to take off the weight and keep it off. My last weight loss also reduced my lymphedema arm to just about normal. I'm beginning to not care how I do it and keep it off, as long as it isn't detrimental to keeping the C word away!