Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that involves severe and progressive, or "malignant" tumors. It is less common than other skin cancers but much more dangerous. Dietary modification should not be a substitute for medical treatment, but diet can play a supportive role in maximizing the quality of life in melanoma sufferers.
Foods to Reduce and Eliminate
According to Phyllis Balch in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," if you have melanoma, you should eat a diet that is high in antioxidants and low in fat. The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, or CSNN, says to reduce your consumption of cholesterol and saturated fats, and to eliminate trans fats, hydrogenated fats and all fried and greasy foods because they contain these harmful fats. Other substances that are considered harmful and should be eliminated include tobacco, salt, sugar, caffeine and alcohol, as well as all foods that contain these substances.
Foods to Emphasize
CSNN recommends consuming a diet that is based primarily on fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and legumes. Balch says that carrots, yams, squash and spinach are high in a powerful antioxidant substance called beta carotene, and they should be emphasized. Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant, and Balch says it may help to protect your skin form UV-induced damage. Good sources of vitamin E are leafy green vegetables, raw nuts, wheat germ, asparagus and cold-pressed vegetable oils. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, turnips and cabbage, are also thought to be particularly beneficial to cancer sufferers. Finally, garlic may be helpful in fighting the replication of melanoma cancer cells and boosting the body's immune system, and Balch recommends consuming fresh garlic daily.
Fiber and Modified Citrus Pectin
Fiber is important to promote regular elimination, because the longer food sits in your bowels, the more chance it has to become toxic to your body. CSNN recommends taking 5g of a fiber supplement, such as ground flaxseed, three times daily. Modified citrus pectin, or MCP, is a soluble fiber, which means that it dissolves in water, and it is composed of a substance called polysaccharide. CSNN says that preliminary research suggests that polysaccharides may help to inhibit cancer cells from spreading in your body. As such, the school recommends taking 5 to 30g of a modified citrus pectin supplement, diluted in water, in divided doses throughout the day. All supplements can interfere or interact negatively with medications, however, so it is important to talk to your health-care practitioner before taking them.
Green Tea and Spices
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, and studies have shown that green tea has anti-cancer properties. For therapeutic purposes, Balch recommends drinking 4 cups of freshly brewed green tea daily. Finally, spices such as cayenne pepper, ginger and the Indian spice turmeric, are all thought to stimulate the liver and cleanse the blood. Balch says that more research needs to be done, but such spices may help halt the replication of cancer cells. Adding these spices to your meals, or drinking ginger tea, may also be beneficial to you.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "Pathology and Nutrition"; The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition; Lilieana Stradler Mitrea; 2008
