Stomach Cancer - Symptoms, Risks and Prevention

Stomach cancer causes about 800,000 deathsbroccoli sprouts eaten over a course of 2 months
worldwide per year, making it the second mostsignificantly reduced the number of HP colonies in
common cause of cancer death worldwide afterboth mice and humans by more than 40%. When
lung cancer.the broccoli sprouts were discontinued the
Metastasis (spreading of the initial tumors to othercolonies returned to their previous levels.
parts of the body) occurs in 80-90% of individualsCurcumin - Curcumin from Tumeric is both a
with stomach cancer, with a six month survivalpowerful antioxidant and anti-inflammator, both of
rate of 65% in those diagnosed in early stageswhich fight the effects of free radical generation
and less than 15% of those diagnosed in lateand inflammation caused by infection with HP.
stages.Curcumin is one of my favorite supplements with
Other studies show that less than 5% ofmultiple benefits. I would suggest 1000mg per day
stomach cancers occur in people under 40 yearstaken with 5mg of piperine to enhance absorption
of age.of the curcumin.
Gastric cancer shows a male predominance in itsProbiotics - Another study published in the journal
incidence as up to three males are affected for"Nutrition" in 2003 found that the probiotic
every female. Estrogen may protect womenlactobacillus both reduced the need for antibiotic
against the development of this cancer form.treatment of HP and made the antibiotic
Possible signs of stomach cancer (pleasetreatment more effective as well.
remember that these signs can show up in otherGreen Tea Extract - findings in the February 2008
conditions that are much less serious as well).issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology,
Early Stage SignsBiomarkers & Prevention indicated that the
- Indegestion or a burning sensation (heartburn)EGCG component of green tea extract
- Loss of appetite, especially for meat Laterdecreased the risk of stomach cancer in women
Stage Signsby 75% yet slightly increased the risk in men. I
- Abdominal pain or discomfort in the upperwould recommend a 1500mg per day extract of
abdomengreen tea containing at least 20% EGCG for
- Nausea and vomitingwomen. Though I suspect the men's result was
- Diarrhea or constipationsomehow misleading or misinterpreted or had
- Bloating of the stomach after mealsother confounding variables, for the time being,
- Weight lossmen at risk for stomach cancer should probably
- Weakness and fatigueavoid EGCG from green tea.
- Bleeding (vomiting blood or having blood in theVitamin C - Research published in the American
stool), which can lead to anemiaJournal of Clinical Nutrition found that people with
- Dysphagia (the inability to swallow); this featurehigher levels of vitamin C intake had lower levels
suggests a tumor in the cardia or extension ofof HP and lower incidence of both gastric ulcers
the gastric tumor in to the esophagus To find theand stomach cancer. I would suggest 1000mg per
cause of symptoms, your physician will ask aboutday.
the your medical history, do a physical exam, andL-Glutamine - In the May 2008 issue of the
may order laboratory studies. He/She may alsoJournal of Nutrition reported results concluded that
order one or all of the following exams:L-glutamine may prove beneficial in offsetting
- Gastroscopic exam is the diagnostic method ofgastric damage caused by H. pylori infection. The
choice. This involves insertion of a fibre opticresearch was conducted at the Beth Israel
camera into the stomachDeaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and the
- Upper GI seriesMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It is
- Computed tomography or CT scanning of thesuggested that L-glutamine may serve as a
abdomen can visualize gastric cancer, but isnatural alternative to the use of antibiotics which
especially helpful to determine if metastasis hasare commonly used for treating stomach ulcers
spread to nearby tissues or the lymph systemand HP damage that leads to stomach cancer. I
Causes of Stomach Cancerwould recommend 2 grams per day of
Helicobacter pylori bacteria cause ulcers.L-glutamine.
Infection by Helicobacter pylori (HP) is believed toZinc Carnosine - Recently published research
be the cause of most stomach cancer. The HPdemonstrated the 150mg of Zinc Carnosine
results in inflammation of the stomach lining leadingcomplex twice per day, made antibiotics used to
to its destruction, thus causing peptic ulcers andtreat stomach ulcer and HP work significantly
or gastric cancer.better.
AS YOU WILL READ LATER ON - THIS IS WHYMy purpose in writing this article is to provide you
CURCUMIN MAY BE PROTECTIVE - IT'S BOTHwith a basic understanding of this condition, what
AN EXCELLENT ANTIOXIDANT ANDis believed to cause it, and what you can do to
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY!decrease your risk of it occurring.
Preventing Stomach Cancer via Diet andThis is not a comprehensive article on all of the
Supplementationinformation that is available to those readers who
I have reviewed many studies suggesting that H.interested or concerned in or about stomach
pylori activity could be suppressed via dietarycancer. I wrote this to give you a basis of
methods and supplement use. The following seemknowledge from which you can proceed to ask
to have the most promise.intelligent questions and identify areas that you
Broccoli Sprouts - A study that I recently readmay choose to explore in more detail.
which was published in the journal of CancerHelping you to get well, stay well, and stay young
Prevention, 2009, found that 2.5 ounces dailyand vibrant well into the later years of life!