I am of the belief cancer is a metabolic disease. There are many researchers who claim the history as well. there's many very good books on the subject. Most diseases are caused by some issue of a body that's not functioning as it was intended. When nutrition is addressed symptoms reduce or reverse.

I also don't believe you can starve cancer. The diet we eat will strengthen our body or starve our body of nutrients. I'm using an integrated approach to my cancer treatments. My thought is surgery and chemotherapy gave me time to figure out how I want to live knowing I had an aggressive cancer that is resistant to conventional therapy. I decided that it's my responsibility to live in a manner that will support my body. I am working with both a functional/holistic Doctor and an oncologist. I'm still early in my cancer experience and I'm not ready to try unproven, but interesting treatments weather that's a medical trial or alternative treatments.

I started following a metabolic syndrome diet before starting chemotherapy. It's not that easy especially if it's foreign to your old food patterns. I also used fast mimicking product around chemotherapy. I stayed metabolically healthy through the 4 1/2 months of chemotherapy. The main side effect was the diminished immune system and you don't feel that until there is an infection.

Going forward I plan to stay as close to this diet as possible. I don't think I can actually get to a point of ketosis. It's to difficult to cut out carbohydrates to 20 or 40 grams per day and keep the diet diverse and enjoyable.

I am also trying to follow the he 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise. There is also some pretty compelling research for exercise after a cancer diagnosis.

I'm trying to limit exposure to toxins but that's nearly impossible.

I've read some great books written by either PHDs or MDs that try to convince the reader that these are valid approaches. We will never have the level of research that chemical drugs have. Who would fund that the Leafy Green industry?

Fuel your body for success. I am. I've lost so much weight and I was just outside my BMI when I started. Now I'm skinny, but muscular. I'm not wasting. If it weren't for the wrinkles I look like I did 40 years ago. Because what I eat is dense in nutrients and low on calories I can not over eat.

I miss pineapples and I miss potatoes the most. I have cheat moments when I'll take a few off my daughter or Mel's plate. I've also ate chocolate pie at Thanksgiving. I've tried to cut highly processed foods. It's difficult because my partner keeps bringing chocolate bars and potato chips into the house. It's really hard when people around you don't get it and are commenting on my food choices and figure. "You need to put on weight"

Social networks are important, but the ones I have aren't always supportive of my path to health.

Denise