Stage IV Survivors and Alternative Medicine/Diet

Ashley, no doubt that you'll find lots of different opinions here (as evidenced by similar threads).  I've made no drastic changes since being diagnosed Stage IV approx 18-19 mos ago (other than when I had ipi-induced colitis).  I also don't take supplements or use holistic treatments.  (I'm not necessarily against any of those things, but I'm also not aware of proven benefits from a pure melanoma standpoint.)  I'd recommend the book Anti-Cancer (which others here have recommended) if you're interested in dietary changes, etc.  I've made some small changes based on that book.  The author's other books are also good.

Ashley, no doubt that you'll find lots of different opinions here (as evidenced by similar threads).  I've made no drastic changes since being diagnosed Stage IV approx 18-19 mos ago (other than when I had ipi-induced colitis).  I also don't take supplements or use holistic treatments.  (I'm not necessarily against any of those things, but I'm also not aware of proven benefits from a pure melanoma standpoint.)  I'd recommend the book Anti-Cancer (which others here have recommended) if you're interested in dietary changes, etc.  I've made some small changes based on that book.  The author's other books are also good.

Ashley, no doubt that you'll find lots of different opinions here (as evidenced by similar threads).  I've made no drastic changes since being diagnosed Stage IV approx 18-19 mos ago (other than when I had ipi-induced colitis).  I also don't take supplements or use holistic treatments.  (I'm not necessarily against any of those things, but I'm also not aware of proven benefits from a pure melanoma standpoint.)  I'd recommend the book Anti-Cancer (which others here have recommended) if you're interested in dietary changes, etc.  I've made some small changes based on that book.  The author's other books are also good.

Hi there Ashley,

I know this is a hot-botton topic….with people arguing both sides.  For me, it comes down to how my body has responded when I have changed my diet for the healthier.

I've proved it to myself twice now, that living a healthier, less processed chemicals, more natural foods life, with more raw organic fruits and veggies makes my body healthier.  And that's all the proof I need. I changed a lot of things when I was diagnosed as stage 4, and I am doing great.  So I just keep up with all the healthy ways, as I know they are working for me.

All my best to you, Laurie

Hi there Ashley,

I know this is a hot-botton topic….with people arguing both sides.  For me, it comes down to how my body has responded when I have changed my diet for the healthier.

I've proved it to myself twice now, that living a healthier, less processed chemicals, more natural foods life, with more raw organic fruits and veggies makes my body healthier.  And that's all the proof I need. I changed a lot of things when I was diagnosed as stage 4, and I am doing great.  So I just keep up with all the healthy ways, as I know they are working for me.

All my best to you, Laurie

Hi there Ashley,

I know this is a hot-botton topic….with people arguing both sides.  For me, it comes down to how my body has responded when I have changed my diet for the healthier.

I've proved it to myself twice now, that living a healthier, less processed chemicals, more natural foods life, with more raw organic fruits and veggies makes my body healthier.  And that's all the proof I need. I changed a lot of things when I was diagnosed as stage 4, and I am doing great.  So I just keep up with all the healthy ways, as I know they are working for me.

All my best to you, Laurie

hi ashley-

Though I am not stage IV, I thought I would add this.

I have seen several Melanoma specialists (oncologists) in the NY and Phila area.

One of them told me she has her melanoma patients taking the following:

Resveratrol- 500 mg one pill once a day

Tumeric- 500 mg one pill twice a day

Paba- (para-ameno- benzoic- acid) 500 mg or 1000mg tablets- take total of 1000mg per day

She explained her rationale…had an interesting story about the PABA.

There is lots written about the benefits of Resveratrol and Melanoma  ….

I dont have anythng to add on diet, nor have i ever been a "supplement" taker, but i will certainly take my docrots suggestion on these three above mentipend supplements.

Hope that helps!

hi ashley-

Though I am not stage IV, I thought I would add this.

I have seen several Melanoma specialists (oncologists) in the NY and Phila area.

One of them told me she has her melanoma patients taking the following:

Resveratrol- 500 mg one pill once a day

Tumeric- 500 mg one pill twice a day

Paba- (para-ameno- benzoic- acid) 500 mg or 1000mg tablets- take total of 1000mg per day

She explained her rationale…had an interesting story about the PABA.

There is lots written about the benefits of Resveratrol and Melanoma  ….

I dont have anythng to add on diet, nor have i ever been a "supplement" taker, but i will certainly take my docrots suggestion on these three above mentipend supplements.

Hope that helps!

hi ashley-

Though I am not stage IV, I thought I would add this.

I have seen several Melanoma specialists (oncologists) in the NY and Phila area.

One of them told me she has her melanoma patients taking the following:

Resveratrol- 500 mg one pill once a day

Tumeric- 500 mg one pill twice a day

Paba- (para-ameno- benzoic- acid) 500 mg or 1000mg tablets- take total of 1000mg per day

She explained her rationale…had an interesting story about the PABA.

There is lots written about the benefits of Resveratrol and Melanoma  ….

I dont have anythng to add on diet, nor have i ever been a "supplement" taker, but i will certainly take my docrots suggestion on these three above mentipend supplements.

Hope that helps!

Ashley,

This does tend to be a hot button topic. I am stage 4 – been NED a little over a year now since the surgery to remove the fist-sized tumor in my small intestine. I have been taking vitamin D3 and vitamin C supplements prior to advancing to stage 4 and continue to do so. Since advancing, I added turmeric to the list. I exercise several times a week and have always done so. 

What I have not done in any way is change my diet. I drink alcohol – really into bourbon actually. I eat dessert – chocolate, ice cream… love it. I eat plenty of meat and do not care much for fruits and vegetables (although my wife occassionally forces me to eat some). Food is part of life and if you cannot eat and drink the things you like then you are not living. I am 40 years old – if someone told me that I could be guaranteed another 40 years if all I did was give up eating meat, give up drinking alcohol, give up all forms of sugar… then I would take my chances on not making it those 40 more years. Life is short. Do what makes you happy. Have faith in God above. My two cents.

Kevin 

Ashley,

This does tend to be a hot button topic. I am stage 4 – been NED a little over a year now since the surgery to remove the fist-sized tumor in my small intestine. I have been taking vitamin D3 and vitamin C supplements prior to advancing to stage 4 and continue to do so. Since advancing, I added turmeric to the list. I exercise several times a week and have always done so. 

What I have not done in any way is change my diet. I drink alcohol – really into bourbon actually. I eat dessert – chocolate, ice cream… love it. I eat plenty of meat and do not care much for fruits and vegetables (although my wife occassionally forces me to eat some). Food is part of life and if you cannot eat and drink the things you like then you are not living. I am 40 years old – if someone told me that I could be guaranteed another 40 years if all I did was give up eating meat, give up drinking alcohol, give up all forms of sugar… then I would take my chances on not making it those 40 more years. Life is short. Do what makes you happy. Have faith in God above. My two cents.

Kevin 

Ashley,

This does tend to be a hot button topic. I am stage 4 – been NED a little over a year now since the surgery to remove the fist-sized tumor in my small intestine. I have been taking vitamin D3 and vitamin C supplements prior to advancing to stage 4 and continue to do so. Since advancing, I added turmeric to the list. I exercise several times a week and have always done so. 

What I have not done in any way is change my diet. I drink alcohol – really into bourbon actually. I eat dessert – chocolate, ice cream… love it. I eat plenty of meat and do not care much for fruits and vegetables (although my wife occassionally forces me to eat some). Food is part of life and if you cannot eat and drink the things you like then you are not living. I am 40 years old – if someone told me that I could be guaranteed another 40 years if all I did was give up eating meat, give up drinking alcohol, give up all forms of sugar… then I would take my chances on not making it those 40 more years. Life is short. Do what makes you happy. Have faith in God above. My two cents.

Kevin 

Yes, Ashley,

For some reason things can get pretty crazy around here when folks start talking about diet.  As a pediatric nurse practitioner, I have spent years teaching parents how to feed their children a healthy diet filled with veggies and fruit, a little meat, no junk!!!  I am a pretty good individual case study about melanoma and diet as well!!  I have been dubbed something of a health food and exercise fanatic my entire life!  I think "fanatic" is an over statement….but I was eating quinoa and spaghetti squash long before they were cool. I eat almost no processed or fast food.  I eat very little sweets.  Don't like them.  I know!  Weird, right?  And this is for a lifetime!  Yet, at the age of 39 I developed melanoma.  I continued my good diet and exercise plan.  I progressed to Stage IV in 2010.  With anti-PD1, surgeries, and SRS….I am NED.  I still believe that diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are important to human health and well being.  However, it will not prevent or cure melanoma.  Dang sure wish it would!!!!  Yours, Celeste

Yes, Ashley,

For some reason things can get pretty crazy around here when folks start talking about diet.  As a pediatric nurse practitioner, I have spent years teaching parents how to feed their children a healthy diet filled with veggies and fruit, a little meat, no junk!!!  I am a pretty good individual case study about melanoma and diet as well!!  I have been dubbed something of a health food and exercise fanatic my entire life!  I think "fanatic" is an over statement….but I was eating quinoa and spaghetti squash long before they were cool. I eat almost no processed or fast food.  I eat very little sweets.  Don't like them.  I know!  Weird, right?  And this is for a lifetime!  Yet, at the age of 39 I developed melanoma.  I continued my good diet and exercise plan.  I progressed to Stage IV in 2010.  With anti-PD1, surgeries, and SRS….I am NED.  I still believe that diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are important to human health and well being.  However, it will not prevent or cure melanoma.  Dang sure wish it would!!!!  Yours, Celeste

Yes, Ashley,

For some reason things can get pretty crazy around here when folks start talking about diet.  As a pediatric nurse practitioner, I have spent years teaching parents how to feed their children a healthy diet filled with veggies and fruit, a little meat, no junk!!!  I am a pretty good individual case study about melanoma and diet as well!!  I have been dubbed something of a health food and exercise fanatic my entire life!  I think "fanatic" is an over statement….but I was eating quinoa and spaghetti squash long before they were cool. I eat almost no processed or fast food.  I eat very little sweets.  Don't like them.  I know!  Weird, right?  And this is for a lifetime!  Yet, at the age of 39 I developed melanoma.  I continued my good diet and exercise plan.  I progressed to Stage IV in 2010.  With anti-PD1, surgeries, and SRS….I am NED.  I still believe that diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are important to human health and well being.  However, it will not prevent or cure melanoma.  Dang sure wish it would!!!!  Yours, Celeste

I think it is imperative that you look at diet, lifestyle and supplements.

It is best you do all you can to stack the odds in your favour.

I think you need a good naturopath or experienced cancer healer to help you.

The best researched supplements and the number one supplement for melamano should be Avemar or fermented wheat germ extract. I would also add large doses of good quality pancreatic enzymes.

I would add other supplements like IP6 inositol, Coenzyme Q10, mistletoe, betaglucans, reservatol, green tea extract, curcumin, flaxseed oil, krill oil, quercitin.

I would also look at detox like near infrared saunas, liver flushes, coffeee enemas, juice fasts , colonics, heavy metal detox using sodium alginate , wholistic dental approaches.

For diet organic foods eating plenty of good fats and oils along with grass fed beef, lamb.

Off label drugs that have proven effective in some people with melanoma include: cimitidene tagamet, celebrex, metaformin and tamifoxin.(not sure i spelled those right!}

Alternative treatments for melanoma include local and whole body hyperthermia, electrotherapy ie zappers,

I think it is imperative that you look at diet, lifestyle and supplements.

It is best you do all you can to stack the odds in your favour.

I think you need a good naturopath or experienced cancer healer to help you.

The best researched supplements and the number one supplement for melamano should be Avemar or fermented wheat germ extract. I would also add large doses of good quality pancreatic enzymes.

I would add other supplements like IP6 inositol, Coenzyme Q10, mistletoe, betaglucans, reservatol, green tea extract, curcumin, flaxseed oil, krill oil, quercitin.

I would also look at detox like near infrared saunas, liver flushes, coffeee enemas, juice fasts , colonics, heavy metal detox using sodium alginate , wholistic dental approaches.

For diet organic foods eating plenty of good fats and oils along with grass fed beef, lamb.

Off label drugs that have proven effective in some people with melanoma include: cimitidene tagamet, celebrex, metaformin and tamifoxin.(not sure i spelled those right!}

Alternative treatments for melanoma include local and whole body hyperthermia, electrotherapy ie zappers,

I think it is imperative that you look at diet, lifestyle and supplements.

It is best you do all you can to stack the odds in your favour.

I think you need a good naturopath or experienced cancer healer to help you.

The best researched supplements and the number one supplement for melamano should be Avemar or fermented wheat germ extract. I would also add large doses of good quality pancreatic enzymes.

I would add other supplements like IP6 inositol, Coenzyme Q10, mistletoe, betaglucans, reservatol, green tea extract, curcumin, flaxseed oil, krill oil, quercitin.

I would also look at detox like near infrared saunas, liver flushes, coffeee enemas, juice fasts , colonics, heavy metal detox using sodium alginate , wholistic dental approaches.

For diet organic foods eating plenty of good fats and oils along with grass fed beef, lamb.

Off label drugs that have proven effective in some people with melanoma include: cimitidene tagamet, celebrex, metaformin and tamifoxin.(not sure i spelled those right!}

Alternative treatments for melanoma include local and whole body hyperthermia, electrotherapy ie zappers,