Download and print: Immune Support Diet

Cancer cells consume only glucose for their energy needs – most people who “die of cancer” actually die of starvation because the cancer grows so aggressively that it sucks all the nutrients out of the person’s bloodstream. But they feed very inefficiently on blood sugar, using up vast quantities and excreting lactic acid into the blood stream, which in turn increases the metabolic burden on the liver which must re-convert the lactic acid to sugar. Spikes in blood sugar for any reason feed the cancer cells directly and also cause the body to secrete insulin. Insulin is a mitogen for cancer cells, meaning it stimulates cancer cells to divide and multiply faster.

One central aspect of this diet then is to keep the circulating levels of glucose as low as possible without affecting you own body’s metabolism. It is NOT, however, a low-carbohydrate diet, since it allows unlimited consumption of pulses and liberal consumption of non-starchy vegetables and whole fruits. It does minimize grains and starchy vegetables in order to prevent spikes in blood sugar and insulin. Eliminating starch has an added benefit of making the digestion much more efficient. The diet is naturally very high in fibre.

This diet also includes higher levels of protein which is critical to keeping the immune system fully activated and fighting. Fish is the most beneficial protein in this regard, but wild game and organically raised lamb is also beneficial and easier to digest. Organically raised vegetable protein found in nuts, seeds, and pulses are also excellent. Poultry and beef should be limited, even when grown organically. Commercially raised meats of any kind should be avoided, as they contain hormones, pesticides and fertilizers that are harmful to you. Pork and Dairy in any form should also be avoided. Digestion takes up a lot of energy and most patients benefit enormously from supplementing hydrochloric acid and plant-based digestive enzymes.

The last element of the diet is related to fat. The amount of fat one eats is not terribly important within reason but the type of fat you eat is. Omega-3 fats, especially those found in fish, are very beneficial. Fish oil supplementation is also universally beneficial. Olive oil should be your main eating and cooking oil. Use extra virgin olive oil for salads, etc. and pure olive oil for sautéing and cooking. All other fats should be eliminated, especially vegetable oils (linolenic acid) which, like insulin, stimulates cancer cells to divide more rapidly and increases the spread of the cancer.

TM Culp

Download and print the full Immune Support Diet here.