The Health Diva

You may have been diagnosed with prostate cancer yourself or be supporting someone who has. Being diagnosed with cancer can be a traumatic and life-changing event. People often describe feeling shocked, disorientated, angry, frustrated, scared, isolated, in need of support and often unsure what to do for the best.

Your Doctor will guide you along the allopathic route and will explain all the possible medical interventions.

If you are interested in complementary approaches, then Penny Brohn Cancer Care based in Bristol, should be your first point of call, they are the leading the way in research and developing complementary cancer care stragtegies.

The Penny Brohn Approach, developed by doctors, nurses, therapists and people with cancer, is a unique combination of complementary therapies and self-help techniques. It is designed to work alongside medical treatment and is supported by leading oncologists and others in the healthcare field.

They are on hand to advise and help you feel fully supported on this journey. They are aware that a diagnosis of cancer does not just affect the person diagnosed, but impacts on the family or those close to that person. It is for this reason that they extend their services to a family member or carer supporting a person living with cancer.

Diet is often the last thing on your mind, anxiety and generally feeling unwell, can leave your energy low and your appetite diminished.

The trick is not to over load your self, graze eating, and snacking on healthy snacks such as oatcakes with hummus, chopped up vegetables with guacamole, or organic cottage cheese, blueberries and red grapes are healthy snacks that you can nibble on easily.

When you have the energy, (failing that persuade a good friend) make a big batch of fresh vegetable soup, which you can freeze and then always have a quick healthy snack, when you are feeling a bit tired.

The following foods are packed with anti-oxidants, to help keep your vitality levels topped up, try making soups, smoothies, salads, or just plain nibbling on these wonderful foods:

Tomatoes
Water Melon
Guava
Papaya
Pink Grapefruit
Apricots
Mangoes
Red Grapes
Cherries
Blue Berries
Broccoli
Peppers
Sweet Potatoes
Watercress
Butternut Squash
Carrots
Garlic
Almonds
Brazil Nuts
Pumpkin Seeds

As with diet, the aim of any supplementation should be about improving your basic constitutional strength, supporting your immune system, and improving your over all energy and vitality.

The following nutrients are some of my favourite supportive remedies, which are all safe along side traditional medical treatments, however we always advise that you tell your Doctor/Consultant about any herbal or nutritional supplements you are taking.

Viridian Multi Phytonutrient Complex, is a brilliant little multi vitamin and mineral, which contains no Iron and has good levels of all the antioxidant nutrients. I like to think of my multi as a little insurance policy, making sure that you are covering all the bases daily.

Healing mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake, and maitake mushrooms, have been held in high regard for hundreds of years for their immune boosting and rejuvenating properties. There are many clinical trials that show their effectiveness along side chemotherapy agents to help support and strengthen an individual.

Horny Goat Weed, whilst renowned for its aphrodisiac properties, it is the ability of this herb to restore basic constitutional strength, which make it one of my favorite herbs.

Garlic has many immune supporting, healing qualities, that make this common herb such a prized possession.

Probiotic capsules are like little atom bombs of friendly bacteria, designed to avoid the perils of stomach acid, that can destroy many of the bacteria found in live yoghurt and yoghurt drinks. Probiotics helping to support the immune system, and ease symptoms of thrush and digestive discomfort associated with many chemotherapy agents.

For more information about Penny Brohn Cancer Care log on to www.pennybrohncancercare.org