While pharmaceutical companies search for the next cancer-fighting drug, scientists in Japan and China may have already found it. They have developed extracts made from natural substances that have no side effects, help prevent cancer, and are beneficial in both conventional and integrative therapies. One Japanese extract is so effective against various tumors that it's considered to be a drug covered by the Japanese healthcare plan.

The raw materials used to make these extracts are whole foods with a great many cancer-fighting properties. Although they've been used successfully for thousands of years, scientists have only recently been studying them.

I first talked about their ability to strengthen immunity and detoxify pharmaceutical drugs six years ago. Later, I explained how they improve athletic performance and enhance recovery from exercising. Now I want you to know about their benefits as part of a cancer prevention or treatment program.

Their nutrients increase immunity, have anti-tumor properties, and interrupt the food supply to cancerous tumors. In addition, they have antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties.

I'm talking about medicinal mushrooms. 

While there are around 140,000 different mushrooms in the world, only a scant few dozen are grown commercially for nutritional supplements or medications. If you think mushrooms are popular now, just wait. I predict that they will continue to gain in popularity as additional varieties are studied and we learn more about their specific nutrients.

Mushrooms fight cancer

Mushrooms contain complex carbohydrates called polysaccharides that have anti-tumor and immunostimulating properties. They don't actually attack cancer cells, but rather activate immune responses that have anti-tumor effects. Different mushroom polysaccharides have different chemical compositions and properties. This is why I prefer a supplement with several medicinal mushrooms over a single extract.

Nutrients are absorbed into growing mushrooms via its thread-like mycelium. The most effective medicinal mushroom supplements I have found are made from mycelium grown on organic materials, such as brown rice.

Although extracts are more concentrated than the whole mushroom, the balance found in a whole food frequently has deeper, longer-lasting effects. Besides, we still don't know all of a mushroom's ingredients and their actions. Extracts are like drugs and may be helpful for short periods of time. Use them under the direction of a knowledgeable acupuncturist, MD, or naturopath. Whole mushroom supplements are safe for all of us to take any time.

Turkey Tail (Coriolus versicolor)

Years ago while walking in the country with an herbalist friend, we came upon a dead tree covered with half-moon-shaped fungi. They had distinctive dark brown markings. "This is called Turkey Tail," she said, "because its pattern looks like the bird's feathers. It's a mushroom that's used to fight cancer." Since then I discovered that its extract, PSK (polysaccharide Krestin), is the same one covered by health insurance in Japan. A similar extract, PSP (polysaccharide peptide), has been developed in China.

Studies showed that taking Turkey Tail for two months can double a person's natural killer cells, greatly boosting immune activity. Its polysaccharides support chemotherapy and radiation treatments, reducing symptoms. Turkey Tail has strong anti-tumor effects and slows the progression of various cancers.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

The ancient Chinese called reishi the mushroom of immortality and used it both preventively and for treating cancer. In fact, they used its dried powder as chemotherapy.

Centuries later, scientists discovered that reishi inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and keeps these cells from sticking to one another and migrating to other sites. It's anti-viral (some cancers are thought to be viral in nature) and is also used with cancer patients who are in remission. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, or if you get a questionable thermogram (read about thermography in past articles, available on my website), you'll want to include reishi mushrooms.

Agaracus blazei

This relatively unknown mushroom has strong anti-tumor and anti-metastatic actions. This means it keeps cancers from spreading. It also stops the body from making blood vessels that feed hungry cancerous tumors (angiogenesis).

In one South Korean study, an extract of Agaricus blazei was given to 100 women on chemotherapy for cervical, ovarian, or endome- trial cancer. Those taking this mushroom had a significantly higher number of natural killer cells. They also had fewer chemotherapy-associated symptoms, such as loss of appetite, weakness, hair loss, and emotional ups and downs. Include this mushroom if you're on chemotherapy and for cancer prevention.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa) is both a medicinal and a hard-to-find culinary mushroom. Its extract, D-fraction or MD-fraction, is often added to whole maitake powder to make it more potent. But studies indicate that both the extract and the mycelium have beneficial properties – like protecting the liver. This is extremely important, whether you're on chemotherapy or just detoxifying.

While many studies concentrate on the D-fraction extract, powdered maitake also has potent cancer-fighting properties. It inhibited tumor growth in 86% of lab animals with tumors. In another study, 25% of the mice with cancer went into complete remission.

Shiitake (Letinus edodes) is a popular culinary mushroom used in many Chinese foods. You can find them fresh in some grocery stores or buy dried shiitakes at Asian markets.

Shiitakes contain a water-soluble anti-tumor polysaccharide, called "lentinan," that prevents tumor development from viruses and chemicals. Lentinan is found in abundance in this mushroom's mycelium.

Shiitakes also have other anti-tumor and immune-boosting polysaccharides, as do other medicinal mushrooms. This is why I take whole mushroom products daily, rather than extracts. In one study, the powdered mycelium — the same form as found in many supplements — was given to mice with cancer. It inhibited tumors in 50-80% of the mice.

If you're cooking with dried shiitake mushrooms, remember that its active polysaccharides are water-soluble. When you reconstitute the dried mushrooms in warm water prior to adding them to your soups or stir-fry dishes, use the water as well. Or put it aside and drink it as an herb tea.

Shiitake is effective in all diseases of immune suppression including candida, AIDS, and environmental allergies. It also blocks the formation of some carcinogenic compounds found in meat and processed foods.

White Button (Agaricus bisporus) is the common mushroom found in just about every grocery store in the country. It, too, has medicinal qualities, although not to the same degree as the other mushrooms mentioned here.

Button mushrooms block the production of estrogens. We know that high estrogen levels can contribute to breast cancer. So if you're looking to keep your estrogen down, consider adding button mushrooms to your diet on a regular basis. Like shiitake, button mushrooms also block carcinogens.

Not all mushrooms are alike in their properties. This is another reason I prefer taking a blend of several mushrooms. In addition, make button and shiitake mushrooms a regular part of your diet.

If you're looking for a mushroom supplement, I know of no better combination than MycoPhyto Complex (800-728-2288 or www.advancedbionutritionals.com). I particularly like this product because all of the ingredients are grown on immune- regulating herbs. Also, the doctor who developed it, Isaac Eliaz, MD, has seen MycoPhyto to be effective when added to the protocols of many of his cancer patients. Interestingly, it wasn't until after I had researched and written this article, that I noticed it contains most of the mushrooms mentioned here.

Ahn, W.S., et al. "Natural killer cell activity and quality of life were improved by consumption of a mushroom extract, Agaricus blazei Murill Kyowa, in gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy," Int J Gynecol Cancer, July-August 2004.

Cui, J. and Y. Chisti. "Polysaccharopeptides of Coriolus versicolor: physiological activity, uses, and production," Biotechnol Adv, April 2003.

Grube, B.J., et al. "White button mushroom phytochemicals inhibit aromatase activity and breast cancer cell proliferation," J Nutr, December 2001.

Huber, Luke G., ND, "Green tea catechins and l-theanine in integrative cancer care," Alternative & Complementary Therapies, December 2003.

Jiang, J., et al. "Ganoderma lucidum suppresses growth of breast cancer cells through the inhibition of Akt/NF-kappaB signaling,"

Nutr Cancer, 2004; 49(2).

Kimura, Y., et al. "Isolation of an anti-angiogenic substance from Agaricus blazei Murill: Its anti-tumor and antimetastatic actions," Cancer Sci, September 2004.

Monro, J.A., "Treatment of cancer with mushroom products," Arch Environ Health, August 2003.

Wasser, S.P. "Medicinal mushrooms as a source of anti-tumor and immunomodulating polysaccharides," Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, November 2002.

Wasser, S.P. "Review of medicinal mushrooms advances: Good news from old allies," HerbalGram, American Botanical Council, 2002.

This Simple Laboratory Test Can Give You Early Information on Bone Loss

Your bones are not dry, dead sticks holding your body together. They're made from living tissue that is constantly breaking down and rebuilding itself. Old bone cells are being replaced with new ones in a process known as "remodeling."

When you were young, your body made large numbers of new cells to keep up with your bone growth. But when you were in your 30s, your bones stopped growing and your need for new cells decreased.

At this time, your body began to make fewer new cells. Your bone tissue still kept breaking down, however. This increased the gap between your bones breaking down and building up. As we get older, this gap continues to widen. By the time we reach menopause, our bone tissue may very well be breaking down faster than it can build. The consequence is thinner bones and a higher risk for fractures.

You're never too old — or too young — to take a look at how your bones are being formed. The problem is, doctors are relying on one method alone, and it's not enough. They usually measure bone density — one marker for osteoporosis — with tests like dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and ultrasound. I've never particularly liked either as accurate predictors of bone health. All they do is take a snapshot of your bone that says, "This is what your bone looks like today." They can't tell you how quickly your bones are breaking down and how well they're rebuilding themselves.

But I've found a simple urine test that can do this very thing. It's not expensive and most insurance companies, including Medicare, pay for it. This test will tell you if your rate of bone loss is high before anything can be detected with common bone scans. Just how important is it to identify how fast your bones are breaking down? One study I just read shows that bone resorption (breakdown) is a better predictor for hip fractures than the more familiar tests that measure bone mass.

This urine test does not subject you to even minute quantities of harmful radiation. What's more, instead of having to wait a year or two for another bone density test to measure your progress or deterioration, you can repeat this urine test in three months and find out whether or not the particular therapy you've chosen is working.

It's about measuring your Dpd

Let me explain how this test works. When bone breaks down, it produces a byproduct called deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) that's excreted into the urine. A simple urine test, called Pyrilinks-D, measures the Dpd in your urine and determines whether or not your bones are breaking down faster than they're being rebuilt. If they are, you can talk with your doctor about some form of bone-saving therapy: exercise, hormones, medications, dietary changes, supplements, etc.

Then you can try the therapy of your choice and repeat this test in three months to see how well you're doing. No guesswork or waiting until it's too late. Combined with the DEXA or ultrasound, Pyrilinks-D gives a more complete evaluation than either one alone.

How accurate is this test?

A group of researchers compared the Pyrilinks-D test to other bone resorption tests like Osteomark and CrossLaps. The Pyrilinks-D test had less variability than the others. In addition, its precision and accuracy was either equal or superior to the other two tests in all areas. This is an accurate test to measure your rate of bone loss.

The Dpd urine test is most valuable for pre- and perimenopausal women whose bones are beginning to thin. They can use the information to begin a bone-conserving program before a great deal of damage has been done. But it can be helpful for postmenopausal women as well, especially for those who are using either hormone therapy or bisphosphanates (drugs like Fosamax) that could reduce bone turnover. After all, if you're being told to take Fosamax for the rest of your life, don't you want to know it's working? How about your exercise program? If you want to know whether or not it's working, or whether or not you're taking the proper balance of supplements, this test will take the guesswork out. The normal range for this test is 2.5-6.5. If your results are 6.5 or greater, you will want to take action.

Where to get it

A number of different kinds of health care practitioners can order this test, including MDs, osteopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and nurse practitioners. Once you've found someone to order the test, you need to find a lab to run it.

Check with your local labs to see if they perform the Pyrilinks-D test. If they regularly check for hormone levels, there's a good chance that they do. Many labs charge a reasonable $80. Be sure to ask about coverage with your current insurance plan. You need a doctor's order in most states before your insurance will pay for it.

If you can't find a lab near you to run this test, contact Aeron Life Cycles Laboratory (877-222-3766). Their staff can answer your questions, and Donna, a personal friend of mine, will help you solve any problem if no one else can. She's a true magician! By the way, Aeron accepts Medicare for payment in full for this test.

The test itself couldn't be simpler. You or your doctor contact the lab with the doctor's order and ask to have a test kit mailed to you. Then you collect some of your urine the next morning and put it into the vial that's included in the kit. Mail it back in the enclosed pre-paid padded envelope, and the lab will take care of the rest.

Making "young bones"

Any information I give you on osteoporosis would be incomplete without my frequently stated caveat about bone structure. When bone tissues are both thinner and brittle, you're at an increased risk for fractures. All of the tests I've mentioned measure bone density. They don't measure fragility — or brittleness. There is no test for this. However, it's a huge factor in whether or not you'll break any bones if you fall.

High amounts of calcium create brittle bones. Magnesium makes bones less brittle and more flexible. I've talked about this in greater length in past articles, available on my website, and in my book, User's Guide to Calcium and Magnesium (800-728-2288). If you're taking supplemental calcium, or eating a lot of dairy, make sure you get as much magnesium as calcium. That way, any bone you have is more likely to be supple, like young bones.

Always remember that most fractures occur after a fall. That's why I've included information in this issue about preventing falls. 

Garnero, P., "Markers of bone resorption predict hip fracture in elderly women the EPIDOS prospective study," Journ of Bone and Min Res, vol. 11, no. 10, 1996.

Ju, H-S.J., et al. "Comparison of analytical performance and biological variability of three bone resorption assays." Clinical Chemistry, 1999.

Miller, P.D., MD, et al. "Practical clinical application of biochemical markers of bone turnover," Journ of Clin Densitometry, vol. 2, no. 3, 1999.

Improving Your Balance

Last month, I wrote about Pilates, a form of exercise that helps prevent falls by re-aligning your body from the core (tummy) to your head and feet. There's no substitute for this kind of muscle re-education and strengthening. But there are other things you can do at home to increase your balance and reduce your risk for falling.

Betty Perkins-Carpenter has come up with a great little book, How to Prevent Falls, filled with balancing exercises specifically geared to seniors. If you're a little shaky on your feet, or just want to improve your balance for the future, this book may offer the simplest solutions.

The problem with most books and tapes of this kind is that they're too difficult for people with limitations to do. This book is different. It won't overwhelm you. The exercises are explained in a few clear sentences and there are delightful drawings to help you see just how to do them step-by-step.

Here's another thing I like. Each set of exercises assumes you're a beginner and just gets you started on improving your balance. Then, Betty gives an advanced version of that exercise for you to try when you're ready. There's an appendix that you can use as a checklist to help make your home safer.

I don't usually review books, but this one strikes me as an important one for many of you. You can order How to Prevent Falls online, or send $14.95 (includes shipping) to Senior Fitness, Inc, 1780 Penfield Road, Penfield, NY 14526-2104.

Health Detective

It's Smart to Take Antioxidants

One of our greatest fears as we grow older is loss of memory. It's not just dementia and Alzheimer's that's a concern, but also those frequent "senior moments." Where did I put my car keys? Did I put the garbage out? Am I meeting a friend for lunch today or next Friday? A recurring question is whether or not vitamins and minerals can actually help preserve our memory. And the answer — based on science — is that antioxidants keep us smarter longer.

An impressive study followed nearly 15,000 women, who were between the ages of 70-79 when the study began, for five years. Two antioxidants were tested: vitamins E and C. The researchers found that long-term use of vitamin E resulted in significantly better memory and verbal skills than those who didn't. Vitamin E was beneficial to a clearer mind, while vitamin C appeared to have no affect on memory.

What about other antioxidants like vitamin A, resveratrol, and selenium? We don't know. Their memory-preserving qualities have not been determined. As you can probably tell, I'm a big proponent of multivitamins and minerals ... along with other specific nutrients as needed. In my opinion, it's a smart investment in how my brain and body function as I get older. Now we have confirmation on memory and vitamin E.

I recommend you take 400-800 IU a day. Vitamin E is best absorbed when it's made from natural sources, not synthetic. Synthetic vitamin E is marked "dl-tocopherol." Think of the "l" as meaning "lousy." And dry vitamin E is absorbed many times better than the liquid gelatin capsules. So make sure any vitamin E you take is the dry, natural form.

Grodstein F., J. Chen, and W.C. Willett. "High-dose antioxidant supplements and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly women," Am J Clin Nutr, 2003 April, 77(4):762-3.

Ask Dr. Nan

Q: In the China Study, which describes a higher rate of cancers among people who ate higher amounts of animal proteins, do you know if raw, organic milk or grass-fed, organic beef and poultry were used? — P.L.B., e-mail

A: The China Study does not indicate that the animal protein was organic. Most likely it was not. The findings indicated that the more protein a person ate, the more likely they were to get cancer and other degenerative diseases. Obviously, not everyone who eats a lot of animal protein is going to get sick. But when you look at a large study like this one, it's important to take it seriously. There appears to be a strong association with high protein and illnesses. Of all the proteins, dairy led to the most diseases.

Many doctors of integrative medicine who specialize in cancer and other immune problems take their patients off of all poultry. They believe it is the least healthy form of protein due to the hormones, antibiotics, and diseases present in commercially raised chickens and turkeys. It's significant that the China Study found dairy to be worse than chicken. This is why I don't think the results would change dramatically if the foods eaten were organic. Of course, there's no doubt in my mind that organic is always best.

Q: I cannot swallow pills easily, and I heard that powder is more absorbable than pills. Will you be making Vitality Plus in a powder in the future? — B.J., e-mail

A: Probably not. There are several reasons for this. The ingredients in Vitality Plus are designed to dissolve at various rates to allow nutrients to be combined in one formula that would otherwise be better absorbed separately. The vitamins and minerals in this product, and the pills themselves, have coatings that break down very effectively and are extremely well absorbed.

As you know, many people chew up a mouthful of food and swallow it and a vitamin at the same time. That's what I do. I find it takes very little time for me to open a packet of Vitality Plus, and in four mouthfuls, I've taken my daily vitamins. And since there are no powdered supplements I've seen that equal the quality, strength, and absorption of Vitality Plus, I think that taking an extra five minutes a day is the simplest solution.

Q: You recommend alpha lipoic acid (ALA) as a good antioxidant, but I have hypoglycemia, and ALA lowers my blood sugar. I work in a health food store and we have diabetic customers taking it to lower their blood sugar. I think people should be made aware of that. There are many people with hypoglycemia. — D.M, e-mail

A: ALA is an important nutrient with a wide number of benefits. In low amounts, 20-100 mg/day, it acts as a powerful antioxidant. But German doctors suggest 200-400 mg/per day to help reduce blood sugar in diabetics. The effects you get from ALA are dose-dependent.

If you have diabetes, consider the higher amount and make sure that your doctor is aware of what you're doing and monitoring your blood sugar carefully.

However, people with hypoglycemia can safely take ALA in the lower amounts without having it lower their blood sugar. For example, Vitality Plus, the multi I helped formulate, contains just 25 mg of ALA in a daily dose. Since this supplement is taken twice a day, that translates into merely 12.5 mg at a time.

Jack Challem. "The Prediabetic Epidemic." Nutrition Science News, March 2001.