Recently Diagnosed or Relapsed? Stop Looking For a Miracle Cure, and Use Evidence-Based Therapies To Enhance Your Treatment and Prolong Your Remission

Multiple Myeloma an incurable disease, but I have spent the last 25 years in remission using a blend of conventional oncology and evidence-based nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle therapies from peer-reviewed studies that your oncologist probably hasn't told you about.

Click the orange button to the right to learn more about what you can start doing today.

Multiple Myeloma Diet- Flaxseeds/Budwig Diet

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“Flaxseeds are small but mighty; they come with a strong nutritional profile and are great for health. They have been termed as a ‘superfood…”

Once-in-awhile I have to write about simple multiple myeloma therapies. In this case, the day-in, day-out MM diet that I believe is essential for surviving MM. I consider flaxseeds to be  a complementary therapy for multiple myeloma. Though some people consider the Budwig Protocol/Diet to be a primary therapy for cancer, I just can’t get there. Let me explain why I feel this way.

Dr. Ralph Moss is one of the most knowledgable cancer coaches alive today. I know this is a big statement to make but I myself have been living with MM, reading, researching, etc. since 1994 and Ralph Moss has been with me every step of the way.

The fact that Dr. Moss studies both conventional (FDA approved) and evidence-based, non-conventional therapies sets him apart from all others.

According to the Moss Report below talking about the Budwig Diet, Dr. Moss cannot advocate it as a cancer therapy for cancer. It does have some action against breast cancer. But no where is myeloma mentioned.

So I guess I’m saying that there is no reason to think that the Budwig Diet can act as a therapy for multiple myeloma but I believe there are many healthful properties of flaxseeds that we MM survivors should take advantage of.

I know I do. To learn more about the benefits of flaxseeds as well as more about the Budwig Diet, scroll below the video below.

How I add flaxseeds to my diet:

I stir a tablespoon of ground flaxseed into my juice every morning. That’s it.  I swear by flaxseed’s many health benefits listed below. Keep in mind that anti-angiogenic therapies run throughout myeloma therapy be they conventional (Revlimid, Thalidomide) or supplementation (curcumin, resveratrol) and now foods like flaxseed.

While flaxseeds may be anti-angiogenic, boost my brain health, help my heart, cholesterol, etc, I don’t see enough evidence that the Budwig Diet is a therapy for multiple myeloma.

Flaxseeds as Complementary Therapy

Flaxseed has possible anticancer compounds called lignans, which are polyphenols that may help manage certain types of cancer, including multiple myeloma-

Where is it written the multiple myeloma therapy must be FDA approved? Where does it say that a multiple myeloma diet isn’t therapy? Flaxseeds (FS) are inexpensive, easy, nutritious, complementary multiple myeloma (MM) therapy.

The definition of complementary therapy is that the lifestyle, nutritional, supplement works with conventional therapy.

Let’s suppose for a moment that you have achieved some form of remission-

  • stringent complete response
  • complete response
  • very good partial response
  • partial response
  • stable disease

from your diagnosis of an incurable blood cancer. While achieving some form of remission is a positive step in managing your MM, you should understand that your real challenge when it comes to your first remission is achieving the longest and deepest remission possible.

Sure, we all can hope for a cure someday. But if you are like me, you have sustained short-term side effects from chemo and/or radiation and you may yet incur long-term and late stage side effects. Your multiple myeloma diet and lifestyle can help you manage/heal these side effects. The trick is knowing which evidence-based but non-conventional complementary therapies to choose. What is the right multiple myeloma diet for you?

According to the article linked below, flaxseeds can help with your remission and your side effects, depending on what they are.

I am promoting flaxseeds so strongly because I have been supplementing with them (whole, ground or oil at different times over the years- the image above is ground flaxseeds) for as long as I can remember.

I first began supplementing with flaxseed oil after I developed a blood clot from my induction chemotherapy regimen.  I then switched to stirring ground flaxseeds into my juice every morning to prevent constipation. My apologies if that is TMI…

What are the one or two foods (not supplements but foods) that you swear by in your anti-cancer lifestyle?

Scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thank you,

David Emerson

  • MM Survivor
  • MM Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Recommended Reading:


The Budwig Diet and Cancer— Separating Flax from Fiction.

“The Budwig Diet is one of the most popular home remedies for cancer. Its most famous ingredient is a mixture of flaxseed oil and cottage cheese. It is thus sometimes also called the Oil Protein Diet. The inventor of the Budwig diet for cancer, Dr. Johanna Budwig, recommended that each day patients consume 3 tablespoons of flaxseed oil thoroughly mixed with 6 tablespoons of low fat (2%) cottage cheese, as well as 2 tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseeds.

She also prohibited all animal fats, salad oils, meats, shellfish, processed foods, soy, butter and most dairy products, margarine, and sugar. As part of the protocol, she recommended daily sunbaths to help “energize” the fatty acids in the flaxseed oil. Supposedly, following this regimen one could cure even advanced cases of cancer…

What Is the Budwig Diet?

Overview-

The Budwig diet, sometimes called the Budwig protocol, is an eating plan that was developed to treat cancer.

The diet’s staples are flaxseed oil and cottage cheese, as well as fruit juice. The diet is named after its creator, Dr. Johanna Budwig, who theorized that a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids would energize healthy cells to keep cancer from spreading.

When you’re on the Budwig diet, you’re also supposed to spend time exposing your skin to the sun to stimulate immune function and promote vitamin D circulation throughout your body.

However, there’s no research-based proof that the Budwig diet as a whole is effective against cancer…”

Importance of Flaxseed

In 2017, the Italian scientists explained:

“It has been shown that flaxseed and/or its oil inhibit the formation of colon, breast, skin, and lung tumors, reduce blood vessel cell formation in female rats, thus suggesting a protective effect against breast, colon and ovarian cancer.”

8 Health Benefits Of Flaxseeds

“Flaxseeds are small but mighty; they come with a strong nutritional profile and are great for health. They have been termed as a ‘superfood.’ Apart from containing many minerals and vitamins, they are high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and lignans.

The omega-3s found in flaxseeds can reduce inflammation which stands at the core of several health problems. They are also packed with high-quality proteins which can boost immunity and give them anti-fungal properties…

1 – Boost Cognitive Functionality

Flaxseeds are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids which is why they are great for your brain. They have a particularly high content of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3, that can improve cognitive working.

2 – Regulate Bowel Movements

Flaxseeds contain fiber which helps with digestion. Fiber also eliminates toxins and unnecessary fats from the body. Since flaxseeds comprise of both soluble as well as insoluble fiber they can improve gut health as well as regulate normal bowel movements.

3 – Encourage Weight Loss

Flaxseeds don’t only trim your physique by flushing out toxins and removing excess fats from your body. They also do so by making you feel fuller for longer. Since they suppress your appetite, you don’t indulge in calories all that much.

4 – Regulate Healthy Cholesterol Levels

These seeds also improve cholesterol levels. They don’t only lower bad LDL cholesterol levels, but they also boost the markers of good HDL cholesterol. This is because flaxseeds contain fiber which binds to bile salts and then leaves the body, a process in which cholesterol is also taken along.

5 – Support Heart Health

Flaxseeds are not only good for your brain but also for your heart. They don’t only maintain healthy cholesterol levels, but they also regulate healthy blood pressure markers. Studies show that flaxseeds are good for high blood pressure patients as they can lower blood pressure.

6 – Control Blood Sugar Markers

Flaxseeds also control blood sugar levels as they contain insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber can slow down sugar’s release into blood. However, more research is needed to show whether or not flaxseeds can help with diabetes management.

7 – Improve Skin And Hair

Flaxseeds can also benefit in the beauty department. They contain omega-3 fatty acids which promote faster wound healing and reduce the appearance of skin redness, rashes, and irritation. They also prevent hair breakage by strengthening hair.

8 – May Reduce Cancer Risk

Flaxseeds contain specific plant compounds called lignans which have antioxidant properties and hence, can reduce the risk of developing cancer. Studies show that the consumption of flaxseeds is linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and skin cancers. However, more research is needed here.

Flaxseed A-Z: What the Superfood Offers and How to Add It to Your Diet

What Are the Nutrition Facts of Flaxseed? Calories, Carbs, Fiber, and More

The usual serving size of ground flaxseed is 2 tablespoons (tbsp). That serving includes: (3)

  • 80 calories
  • 3 grams (g) protein (6 percent daily value, or DV) (4)
  • 4 g carbohydrate (1.33 percent DV) (5)
  • 6 g fat (9.23 percent DV). Flaxseed is one of the best sources of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). (6,7)
  • 4 g fiber (16 percent DV) (8)
  • 100 milligram (mg) phosphorus (8 percent DV) (9)
  • 60 mg magnesium (14.28 percent DV)
  • 120 mg potassium (2.55 percent DV)

Health Benefits: A Look at Your Body on Flaxseed

Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are chock-full of protein, and as per the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate guidelines, has been linked to several health benefits shown to help with:

  • Digestion: Flaxseed can help with digestive issues like constipation, thanks to its high-fiber content. (10,11)
  • Lowering cholesterol levels: Flaxseed’s been linked to lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol, which means it can help prevent other health issues such as heart disease and stroke. (10,12)
  • Manage some cancers: FS has possible anticancer compounds called lignans, which are polyphenols that may help manage certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. (13)
  • Weight management: This proposed benefit mostly stems from flaxseed’s fiber, which can help you feel full. (14)
  • Improving insulin sensitivity: Insulin resistance, or an inability to effectively use the hormone insulin to ferry glucose to cells, is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes, and some research suggests FS oil may help with this problem. (15)…
Is FS Good for Weight Loss? Here’s What the Research Suggests

FS may be able to help with your weight loss efforts because of its fiber content. Fiber helps you feel full more quickly, which could lead to weight loss if you end up taking in fewer calories over the course of the day. (19)

A small study from 2012 found consuming a flax drink containing 2.5 g of fiber increased feelings of fullness and helped to successfully suppress the appetites of the study participants. (20)

In a 2017 review of 45 studies, researchers concluded that supplementing one’s diet with whole flaxseed led to a reduction in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. The study authors concluded FS may help overweight or obese people slim down. (21)

How to Select and Store Flaxseed: Seeds, Meal, Oil, and More

You can find whole FS at the store, but you’ll probably want to chop or grind it up before eating. For most people, ground FS is easier to digest than whole seeds. It also ensures the nutrients are more easily absorbed by the body. (10)

You can find ground FS at the store (also called flaxseed meal or FS flour), or you can buy whole flaxseed and grind it yourself in a coffee grinder. You can also find FS oil as well as flaxseed oil supplements available for purchase.

FS can be sensitive to heat and sunlight and has a reputation of spoiling quickly. It’s best to store your whole FS in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer. (10)

If you grind your own FS, keep the seeds in the fridge and take them out just before you’re ready to grind them. Then store the ground FS in an airtight container, where it should stay fresh for a few months. (10)

FS oil is usually sold in dark-colored bottles to minimize its exposure to light. Read the bottle’s label for storage details — most recommend storing in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.”

 

 

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1 comment
Joe says last year

Looking for natural treatments for MM. I’ve been in remission for 8 years but recently found 2new lesions. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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