Art of Qi
By DR AMIR FARID ISAHAK

OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and it is appropriate that I continue on the holistic strategies to help fight cancer. You can read my article on Fighting Breast Cancer and also other articles at www.superqigong.com.  

Today we will look at nutritional defences against cancer, and nothing is more important than understanding the role of antioxidants and how they protect us. 

Fighting free radicals 

At the molecular level, free radical damage is the real culprit for most cancers, chronic diseases, and ageing. Other predisposing factors only contribute by adding excess free radicals, or making the cells and genes more susceptible to injury by the free radicals. 

Genetic damage is occurring all the time, and cancerous cells emerge every minute due to the assault by at least 10,000 free radicals on each cell every day. In healthy people, the immune system is able to prevent gross cellular damage, and exterminate the ones that are mutated before they can start a cancer colony.  

The five indispensable intracellular antioxidants are vitamins C, E, co-enzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and glutathione. These work in synergy to fight free radicals.

Much of the free radicals is the product of normal metabolism, and is neutralised by antioxidants from our diet (and supplements). However, excessive free radical and chemical exposure from various sources have made it very difficult to sufficiently neutralise these damaging entities.  

Since it is difficult to reduce our free radical load, we have to rely on antioxidants from our food and supplements. Antioxidants are nutrients from various groups – vitamins, minerals, enzymes, peptides, phytonutrients (plant nutrients not yet classified into other groups) and others. It is important to have all these antioxidants because each performs duties that others cannot. They all work in tandem in what is termed the antioxidant cascade, with each being interdependent for optimum function.  

The cell membrane is the first defence barrier for the cell. Here, antioxidants protect it from damage that would lead to ageing, disease and cell death. For cancer, the most important events are within the cell itself, where the chromosomes and other important organelles are exposed to free radical damage. Chromosomal damage leads to mutation and cancer. The five indispensable intracellular antioxidants are vitamins C, E, co-enzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and glutathione. 

Vitamin C 

Vitamin C, being the most abundant water-soluble antioxidant, provides the main escape route for the body to get rid of free radicals – that is the wisdom in it being excreted in the urine within a few hours. As it is recycled by its other four companions, a deficit in any one of them would mean the recycling stops. So unless you have adequate supply of all, 50% of the vitamin C absorbed becomes useless (in fact, harmful, as it becomes a free-radical after doing its job) within a few hours.  

Even if you take a “sustained-release” form (“long-acting” is a misnomer), it actually means the absorption from the intestines into the blood is slowed down, so the dose you take provides a longer supply to your cells. Once inside the cell, it is not long-acting unless you have enough of the others as well. 

Taking plenty of vitamin C supplement does not mean that you don’t need the other antioxidants, now that you understand that they work as a team. You also need to take it every few hours to have continued protection (or take the sustained-release formula). There is much disagreement on how much to take. I recommend 1000mg every three to five hours. For the sustained-release form, you can take up to 3000mg once or twice a day. Since it is so cheap, cost is not a deterrent. 

Vitamin E – take all eight types 

Vitamin E is another very important antioxidant. I had previously stressed on the importance of taking vitamin E8 supplement, which contains all the eight isomers (or esters) of vitamin E.  

Unfortunately, almost all the available supplements only provide d-alpha-tocopherol, while a few provide mixed tocopherols or mixed tocotrienols, and only one that I know of provides all the four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. So, if you are taking a vitamin E supplement, you are most likely to be taking only d-alpha-tocopherol. Check the label! 

Vitamin E exists in nature as combinations of the eight, and they work in synergy. However, when present singly, or in unbalanced combinations, they are beneficial only to a certain level, and become harmful at higher levels. 

It is not surprising that in 2004, John Hopkins University researchers found that taking vitamin E supplements (read d-alpha-tocopherol) may do more harm than good. Because his review showed that those who took vitamin E supplements actually died earlier than those who didn’t, lead researcher Dr Edgar Miller advised that unless you are proven to be deficient in it, you should not take the supplement.  

Other researchers also found that taking d-alpha-tocopherol alone may reduce the levels of other isomers, namely gamma- and delta-tocopherols. 

In 2002, Life Extension magazine published an article in which it reviewed 12 different studies on vitamin E. Its conclusion was that tocotrienols, but not tocopherols, reduced breast cancer risk by as much as 60%.  

Vitamin E exists in nature as combinations of eight isomers, and they work in synergy. However, when present singly, or in unbalanced combinations, they are beneficial only to a certain level, and become harmful at higher levels.

Other studies have since shown that tocotrienols, but not tocopherols, kill breast cancer cells. Although thought to be weaker than tocopherols for fighting cancer, especially breast cancer, tocotrienols are more powerful. Malaysia is the world’s leading manufacturer of tocotrienols, so we all should be benefiting from that. It is best to have all eight isomers in adequate amounts. Vitamin E also works synergistically with vitamins A and C. 

Co-enzyme Q10 

Co-enzyme Q10 is not only important in the mitochondria for energy production, it is also needed as part of the intracellular antioxidant cascade. Thus it is abundant in the heart, liver and immune cells. The heart needs it most for its incessant work. The liver is the body’s detoxification centre, and the immune cells need it to fight invaders and cancer.  

Although in the last decade doctors have realised the importance of CoQ10, especially for heart health, its usefulness is still very much underestimated, especially for improving immunity and fighting cancer. A study on breast cancer showed that 90mg CoQ10 per day caused breast cancer tumour regression in six out of 32 patients. It can also reduce the side-effects of immunosuppressive and chemotherapy drugs. 

Similar doses have been shown to improve metabolism, help reduce weight, and improve sugar control. It is safe even in high doses, but the limiting factor is the price. 

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) 

ALA is a unique antioxidant because it is both water and fat-soluble, and can do its work at the cell membrane as well as inside the cell. It helps in recycling the antioxidant vitamins, while being a powerful antioxidant itself. It is needed for the recycling of glutathione, which is the most important intra-cellular antioxidant. 

Used together with CoQ10, it is especially beneficial for the heart, and for countering the side-effects of radiotherapy. 

Glutathione (GSH) 

Glutathione is a peptide (made of three amino acids). It is the cell’s master antioxidant. It is also an immune-booster and detoxifier, and therefore is most abundant in liver cells. It is produced within the cells, and to increase the production, we need to eat a diet rich in its component amino acids, especially cysteine (others are glycine and glutamic acid). Glutathione-boosting supplements are made of whey protein with a high content of these amino acids. 

Because of its crucial role as the main conductor of the intra-cellular antioxidant cascade, it is in fact the most important antioxidant to fight cancer, as well as combating degenerative chronic diseases and ageing.  

Some doctors use GSH intravenously as part of cancer therapy. Maintenance is by booster supplements. In lower doses, it is also used as part of the anti-ageing prescription. 

Other antioxidants 

Many other antioxidants are necessary for health and healing, but you must make sure you have enough of the above five first. There are thousands of nutrients with antioxidant properties, and they all complement and enhance the protection provided by this basic five. Some of these have been shown to be more effective against cancer than others. 

Special mention must be made of Dr Patrick Flanagan’s silica hydride, which is the most powerful general antioxidant known without itself becoming a free radical. It is a useful back-up for any antioxidant programme. 

Dr Amir Farid Isahak is a medical specialist who practises holistic medicine and has been teaching qi gong for more than 10 years. He is the former president of the Guolin Qi Gong Association, Malaysia. You can e-mail him at starhealth@thestar.com.my. The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.