Chinese Food Therapy for Cancer Patients

This is an article an we found in a Chinese book on integrated cancer treatment. While cancer has been treated by Chinese medicine for thousands of years and dedicated Chinese medicine cancer hospitals have existed in China for decades, we in the West are only just beginning to explore its potential. What follows is a fascinating, if extremely Chinese, read.

Dietary Therapy for Malignant Tumors

by

Yu Er-Xin, Assoc. Prof.

TCM Depart., Affiliated Tumor Hospital

First Medical University, Shanghai

(Compiled by the Shanghai People's Broadcasting Station. This article is one of the series of talks entitled “Diet and Health” broadcast as a special program in 1986.)

After contracting tumors or cancers, what kind of food is the patient advised to live on, and what kind of food should they avoid? This is a question which concerns many people.

Let's discuss the contraindications first. From the medical point of view, there are two kinds of contraindications. First, certain foods are likely to five rise to cancerous conditions. These should not be eaten not only by patients with cancer but also by normal persons as well. This is the first type of contraindication.

What kinds of foods possess such a carcinogenic effect? So far as it is known that moldy foods, such as foods contaminated with aflatoxin, can lead to cancerous conditions. Cereals contaminated by aflatoxin are believed to poison the liver and/or become liver cancer later on. Frequent ingestion of unfresh food, a low protein diet, and habitual ingestion of irritating, oily, fried, and preserved foods are believed to be responsible for stomach cancer. Imbalance in nutrients in the diet, such as too much fat and too little fiber, is also believed to be related to the incidence of colon cancer.

Therefore, it is important that the patient refrains from contaminated food and unfresh food and pays attention to the relative proportions of the nutrients in their daily life thus attempting to get more protein and less fat and more fresh vegetables and more ingredients with a high fiber content.

The second type of contraindicated food are those baed on the concept that fear of certain foods will result in the recurrence of the cancerous condition. Such foods should be avoided.

To be frank, no scientist can proclaim with certainty that a certain food is bound to make a cancerous condition relapse. Nor have we seen patients' conditions have deteriorated because of a particular food. On the contrary, we have often noticed that quite a number of patients do not believe in such contraindicated foods and that they eat a wide variety of things. The result is that they live for quite a long time without recurrence of their cancers and in generally good health. Some of the popularly contraindicated foods prevailing at the present time seem to lack any theoretical foundation not only from the perspective of TCM but also from the of modern western medicine as well. In fact, some of these commonly believed contraindicated foods are actually ideal ingredients for cancerous patients.

The first example is that many people believe crabs are contraindicated. As a matter of fact, this belief in the contraindication of crab for cancerous patients in groundless. According to TCM literature, crab possesses the pharmacological function of dispersing Nodulation and scattering the Blood. Cancer is usually a kind of Nodulation due to the Stagnation and Congelation of Blood. Crab can counteract such Stagnation and Congelation by unravelling the mass and dispersing the Accumulation of Blood. Therefore, because of its therapeutic properties, crabs as a food should be encouraged for cancer patients.

In some areas, people have the habit of eating burnt crab shell as an ingredient in the treatment of breast cancer. Crab feet and claws also possess the pharmacological function of cracking Blood Stasis. Crab has so many strong points, such as being highly nutritious with a high proportion of protein and a delicious taste. As a rule, cancer patients have poor appetites and eating crab can improve the appetite. Needless to say, crab has its weak points, too. Chinese medicine says crab is energetically Cold, and over-eating it may lead to indigestion. However, as long as the patient avoids over-eating crab, the problem of indigestion is easy to overcome.

It is also a common notion that cancer patients cannot eat chicken. Actually, this belief is also groundless. Chicken is highly nutritious. Chinese medicine holds that chicken is an essential ingredient for the tonification of Deficiency, emaciation, and exhaustion. Chicken eggs are also highly nutritious. Provision of highly nutritious foods is an important aspect of treatment. Poor nutrition not only renders the patient unable to endure their daily treatment, but it also affects the general health. So far it is known that lowered levels of nutrition in cancerous patients may lead to a decrease in immunological function of the body and may induce relapse of cancerous swellings. Good nutrition enables the patient to stand various treatments, it facilitates recuperation, promotes the restoration of the immunological function, and it enhances the healing process. Thus chicken and eggs should be regarded as effective ingredients for tonification in case of general debility.

The weak point of chicken is that it generates Heat and tends to stir up Wind. Therefore, it is not advised for patients with Hot conditions. Excessive ingestion of chicken may also lead to indigestion. But small, frequent meals of this are recommended. Chicken has been listed as a medicinal ingredient throughout age-long history. Black Bone Chicken is a well-known, precious ingredient. Wai Ji Bai Feng Wan, in which Black Bone Chicken is the main ingredient, is a commonly used patient medicine in gynecology, and it is also useful in the alleviated of gynecological tumors. Chicken stomach as a digestive ingredient in TCM is also beneficial in the treatment of various tumors.

So should the patient avoid certain foods? According to TCM theory, yes. However, the contraindications depend upon the idiosyncratic situation of each individual.

What are the general principles for the compatibility of foods and medicinal ingredients for cancerous conditions? Foods with Warm properties are preferred in case of Cold symptoms and chemical agents, (i.e. Cold chemotherapies), and Cool and Cold foods are contraindicated. For those signs of Hot nature, Cold and Cool ingredients are advises, and Hot foods are contraindicated.

Next I will say something about the preferable foods which should be eaten by cancer patients.

The first category of such foods is seafood. Many people my be opposed to even the mention of seafood as appropriate in the treatment of cancer since they believe that seafood is absolutely contraindicated for tumors. This prevalent notion is incorrect. Seafood is not only not contraindicated but should be regarded as the most appropriate food for cancer patients.

Sea Turtle: Everybody knows this is a good ingredient for patients because it promotes recuperation. A few years ago, we attempted to apply sea turtle in the treatment of various cancers. Although its therapeutic effect is not very strong, it was confirmed that it does possess a certain adjunctive therapeutic effect and a tonifying effect as well.

Jellyfish: TCM believes jellyfish possess the properties of transforming Phlegm and softening the Hard. Some cancers are characterized by their hard and solid nature. Softening the Hard means to make the mass or lump compliant and tender. Another strong point of jellyfish is its Neutral nature which is conducive to normalizing the digestion.

Kelp: Being a commonly used ingredient in TCM herbal treatment, it has the property of being able to soften the Hard. Therefore, of course it can be used as a dietary ingredient.

Laver (Porphyra): Being delicious and tasteful, laver has a similar function to kelp above.

The above two ingredients can be prepared as a cold dish or made into soup. In addition, they can also be cooked with pork, chicken, and other foods.

Mussel: these can be cooked together with pork. Or they may be steamed and then eaten with soy sauce and sesame oil. They are highly nutritious and are helpful in improving the appetite.

Clam: There are many ways to cook clams. Some people like to eat them raw, some like to eat them just by dipping them in hot water, and some like to cook them together with eggs. All these dietary approaches are delicious and allow clams' function of softening the Hard to be fully displayed.

Besides these foods, there are some others, such as Sea Slug. It can not only soften the Hard but also nourish the Yin, which is very important as an adjunctive function for the recuperating patient, the late stage patient, or patients receiving radiation and chemotherapy.

Abalone: These are an expensive seafood but are well known for their dietary functions.

All the above seafoods are described in the Ben Cao Gang Mu (An Outline of the Materia Medica) as being capable of removing masses, Accumulations, lumps, and Nodulations. This is to say that they have the properties of dispersing and scattering swellings and masses and therefore are worthwhile to be recommended to the cancer patient. Not only that, but because of their high protein content, their taste, and non-greasy nature, they are helpful in improving patients' appetites.

In addition to seafoods, fresh water foods are also advised.

Brasenia Schreberi: Brasenia Schreberi from West Lake (in Hangzhou, Zhejiang) is renowned worldwide for its delicacy. It possesses similar functions as seafoods.

Tortoise & Soft-Shelled Turtle: These are common foods (amongst Chinese). They possess not only the function of softening the Hard but also of nourish the Yin and clearing Heat. Besides, they are extremely delicious. For those patients with Yin Deficiency and those with Hot conditions, plainly steamed turtle is more suitable. However, these days, the fad of cancerous patients' eating turtle seems to have gone too far. It is necessary to warn that turtles and tortoises are greasier and harder to digest than most other seafoods. That is why many patients feel they loose their appetites. Strong and weak points may exist simultaneously, and therefore the patient is advised not to eat turtle every day. One aspect of dietary therapy is to protect the patient's appetite. Poor appetite will surely influence the therapeutic result.

How can good appetite be maintained? Apart from foods with fresh and delicious taste, frequent change in variety, attention paid to cooking, and the addition of certain digestive ingredients are also very effective approaches.

What are the foods that aid digestion and absorption?

Hawthorn Fruit: This tastes slightly sour, and it improves the appetite. It is not only helpful for improving the patient's digestion but also helps to prevent stomach cancer due to atrophic gastric inflammation. According to the Ben Cao Gang Mu, hawthorn fruit is able to eliminate muscular lumps and substantial and insubstantial masses, and it also can resolve blood clots. It says that hawthorn fruit can remove Food Stagnation but that it also removes swelling and lumps. Therefore, it should be recommended as a daily snack for cancer patients.

Radish: These also help the digestive function, especially in those who have eaten excessively greasy food. Radish is effective in transforming Phlegm and is therefore beneficial to aged people. There is a popular saying that goes, “Radish before bed; ginger after bed.” Quite a number of old people tend to produce profuse Phlegm due to cough, and in some severe cases, they cannot even fall asleep. If such persons eat radish at dinner, it will help improve their signs and symptoms. Therefore, this popular folk saying has considerable meaning underlying it. Radish is also good for profuse Phlegm in case of lung cancer and for excessive saliva in case of esophageal cancer. Radish is also good for removing abdominal distention. If the patient complains of abdominal distention due to over-eating Ginseng, radish in indicated.

Roasted Barley: This can be used to make a tea. It helps to improve the appetite when drunk frequently.

In order to increase the appetite of the patient, the variety of staple foods should be changed frequently. Staples can be altered between rice, congee (xi fan), noodles, steamed bread, buns, and dumplings.

Amongst these last mentioned foods, congee (dilute rice soup or porridge) is an important food. Ancient Chinese considered congee extremely beneficial when one is sick or during recuperation. When the congee is done, the uppermost layer of sticky juice is the essence of the rice nutrient. Cancer patients are recommended to eat this frequently. If a bit of salt is added, this then tonifies the Kidneys. If the congee juice is used as an enema, it promotes the healing of ulcerous lesions and helps stop bleeding in cases of intestinal ulceration.

Making congee is not a simple thing that it can dismissed out of hand. In case of general debility, patients should take congee made with fish, mutton, or chicken depending on personal preference and appetite. For those with poor appetite accompanied by nausea and vomiting, one can take congee mixed with ginger. Ginger congee has the function of suppressing vomiting. Or one may also eat pickled ginger as a side-dish. Congee made from radish also helps digestion. Whereas, congee made from mustard leaf facilitates the removal of Phlegm. And congee made from lotus root helps to cure hemoptysis.

Cooking congee is an art. The quality of the food influences the appetite greatly, especially of patients. Family members of cancer patients need to be expert cooks! We have often been told that certain relatives are not good at food selection and preparation, not at cooking itself. The meals they make remain the same day after day. But how can a patient have the same meals everyday and still keep a good appetite?

Many seasonings also have therapeutic effects, too. Ginger has the function of improving the appetite and suppressing vomiting. Pepper can stimulate the appetite and also disperses the Blood and activates the Qi. It also helps remove distention. Vinegar can be used to scatter Stagnant Blood and to help digestion. Moderate use of MSG (monosodium glutamate) helps tremendously in hepatic coma due to liver cancer. Lightly salted soup is good for tonifying the Kidneys and also has the function of softening the Hard. A little wine facilitates Qi and Blood circulation, keeps the MERIDIANS free-flowing, and improves the appetite. Crystal sugar is used for moistening the Lungs and for nourishing the Yin. Therefore, it is highly recommended for patients with dry cough.

Certain other foods are also beneficial for the patient, such as fresh fruits which contain a broad spectrum of vitamins. Vitamin C is capable of interrupting the carcinogenic function of some carcinogens inside the human body. And Vitamin A can improve the immunological function of the body.

Watermelon: This clears Summer Heat and dissipates Heat in general. Patients with fever due to cancer are advised to eat this at will. The greenish part close to the skin of the watermelon is the most effective part.

Red Bayberry: This is beneficial in the treatment of abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Tomatoes: These are inexpensive and delicious and are most appropriate for patients with intestinal tumors.

Loquats: These can be eaten to stop coughing.

Pears: These can be eaten in the winter to moisten the Lungs and to stop coughing. Pear juice is also a very good beverage for patients with esophageal cancer.

Sugarcane Juice: This has a stop vomiting function.

Fresh vegetables are the essential ingredients the patient should eat. The dietary formula for the patient should include fish, meat, and vegetables. Vegetables contain not only various vitamins, inorganic salts, and trace elements but also large quantities of fiber which helps keep the bowels open and helps maintain a good appetite.

Water Chestnut are known for their softening the Hard properties. Water chestnuts can be eaten either raw or fried with sliced pork. If cooked together with jellyfish, their softening the Hard property can be enhanced even more. This is a famous formula from ancient times.

Taro: This is also effective in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the same family of plants as Rhizoma Pinelliae (Ban Xia) and Rhizoma Arisaematis (Tian Nan Xing), which are commonly used in the treatment of tumors by Chinese herbs. Taro can also be used with other herbal ingredients in the manufacture of pills.

Fungus of all kinds is an ideal food for patients also. It is characterized not only by its delicious taste and rich supply of nutrients but also by its anti-cancerous effect. Fresh mushrooms are cheap and preferable for frequent use. Hericium Erinaceus has been made into a patent medicine and can be used as an adjunctive dietary ingredient. Black mushrooms, though more expensive, are popularly used. There is a folk remedy to treat liver cancer by steaming chicken together with black mushrooms.

Mutton and beef can be used to tonify general deficiency. Aduki beans, lotus seeds, Semen Coicis (Yi Yi Ren) and Semen Ziziphi (Suan Zao Ren) can all be used to tonify Deficiency, especially Deficiency due to stomach and intestinal tumors. Lily bulb, white fungus, black fungus, and Cordyceps steamed together with duck are recommended for patients with lung cancer. Patients with esophageal cancer are advised to drink more milk or a mixture of milk and Chinese chives.

In case of abdominal distention, all patients can take chicken stomach, duck stomach, Fructus Fortunellac Margarita, and Fructus Citri Sarcodactylis (finger citron or Fo Shou) and may drink a tea made from (aged) tangerine peel.

In case of profuse Phlegm, patients are advised to easy radishes or turnips, bamboo shoots, Aristichthys Nobilis (a species of fish), and mustard greens. Mustard greens can be used to promote the circulation of Lung Qi and transform Phlegm and also for tonification.

If edema is encountered, feng pi (sheet gelatin made from mung beans), white gourds, Chinese lettuce, Carassius Auratus (another species of fish), and field snails are recommended.

If bleeding is present, lotus root, Capsella Bursa Pastoris (Shepherd's Purse), and cuttlebone can be eaten. Tea can also be made out of the flower of Shepherd's Purse.

This article comes from The Treatment of Cancer by Intergrated Chinese-Western Medicine by Zhang Dai-zhao, translated by Zhang Ting-liang and Bob Flaws (1989).