Dog-Breath

In part lll of this series, you learned that all cancer cells were once normal body cells until a compromised oxygen supply damaged the cells’ ability to produce energy — forcing it to switch metabolic gears in an effort to survive.

Eric Christensen/Hook Images

Rosie, my 11 year old white Boxer pup.

Normally, when cells become damaged beyond repair, an automatic programmed cell death mechanism called apoptosis follows. In the event these damaged oxygen starved cells manage to avoid apoptosis and cheat death, they can exist by switching to a primitive method of energy production called fermentation (discussed in part lll), which demands a constant high supply of glucose fuel.

Understanding how cancer cells produce energy and the voracious appetite they have for glucose molecules (provided by sugar and carbohydrates) — twenty times higher than normal cells — leads us to discover natural chemo treatments designed to starve cancer cells. Otto Warburg’s research revealed how cancer cell engines create energy which unlocked the mystery and opened the door to finding real cancer cures — the subject of Part V in this series.

The goal of part lV in this cancer series is to map out how we can ensure higher oxygen transfer into the cell and prevent damage to cellular respiration. Equally important is alerting you to the secondary triggers (events that disturb normal cell functions), allowing a cancerous transformation to begin.

In the simplest of terms, it is the cell membrane that determines which nutrients (oxygen, vitamins, minerals, glucose) get transported across cell membranes and into the cell contents. Referred to as the plasma membrane, it is composed of two main molecules: fats (made from essential fatty acids) and sulfur rich proteins. The fats are arranged in a double layer with large protein molecules dotted about in the membrane (see diagram).

Diagram of the cell membrane, showing fat and protein molecules.

It is important to realize that fats are a crucial component of cell membranes and have in fact been referred to as natural oxygen magnets. Maintaining the integrity of the cell membrane is vital for the passage of oxygen into the cell and to kick waste products back out. Ponder this for a moment: if completely deprived of oxygen, you will die in a matter of minutes. Cancer is just a slower death sentence that begins when individual cells are able to survive without oxygen. And as we know, these sinister cells do not play by the rules!

STEP ONE: The anti-cancer diet plan and nutrient enrichment

As a reader of this blog, you have already been lectured on this topic numerous times. You know that you cannot skip over your dog’s diet for the simple sake of bagged convenience or modify a junk diet with flavored Pet Tabs (imitation vitamin supplement) and expect a healthy result. And you have been taught how to read pet food labels (see Beneful By Purina —Another Pet Food Disaster). Remember the famous adage: garbage in garbage out?  Here’s my twist: garbage in, cancer out!

Prepare meals (or modify a good quality commercial diet) by making protein the most important ingredient. I commonly rotate my dog’s diet between several different protein sources: Poultry (chicken and turkey), whole eggs (scrambled or hard boiled), fish (canned salmon, tuna, and sardines) and diary (cottage cheese and plain yogurt). As I have said before, if you can boil water, you can become a dog chef. See how easy it can be to improve your dog’s diet in just 30 Minutes with a copy of How to Feed your Dog if your Flunked Rocket Science —The smart way to feed your dog on your budget.

I stress diet and nutrition (for humans too) as the best health insurance policy your grocery money can buy! To keep with our topic of cancer prevention, I have engineered a sample diet using foods known to contain specific nutrients (essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals) required for optimal cell function — decreasing the probability for a cancer to develop.

Plan B would be to modify a good commercial diet: cut back on the kibble and add fresh sources of protein listed above as often as you can. And don’t forget to share your leftover veggies!

Why your dog should eat plants

Phytochemicals are compounds found naturally in plants and can protect our cells from damage that can lead to cancer. Here are a few of the most promising discoveries:

• All berries, but particularly strawberries and raspberries, are rich in a phytochemical called ellagic acid. Research suggests that ellagic acid is able to utilize several different cancer-fighting methods at once: acts as an antioxidant, helps the body deactivate specific carcinogens, and slows the reproduction of cancer cells.
• The cruciferous vegetables are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and kale. Laboratory studies suggest that cruciferous vegetables help regulate a complex system of bodily enzymes that defend against cancer.
• Garlic belongs to the group of vegetables called Allium. The National Cancer Institute recognizes garlic as one of several vegetables with potential anticancer properties. One garlic component, called diallyl disulfide, has been shown to exert preventive effects against cancers of the skin, colon, and lung.

Why your dog needs good fats

Only two essential fatty acids are referred to as parent fatty acids — from which the body will make all other important fats needed to synthesize hormones, produce energy, enhance brain function, and more. For purposes of our discussion, we must appreciate the fact that fatty acids are found in all cell membranes and are vital to the transport of oxygen into the cell. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have been referred to as oxygen magnets — pulling oxygen into the cell:

• Linoleic acid (LA)—parent omega-6 fatty acid. Good plant sources: seeds and oils of sunflower, safflower, and hemp plants.
• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)—parent omega-3 fatty acid. Good plant sources: flax seeds* and walnuts.

*Note: I use Udo’s Oil 3-6-9 Blend by Flora which contains the seed sources listed above. It is believed that dogs (and some humans) may lack a necessary enzyme needed to convert the parent fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) into the omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA). That means dogs and some people may have a limited ability to derive omega-3’s from flax seeds or walnuts. Therefore, animals that make omega-3 fats from the parent fat (ALA) can be eaten to obtain the omega-3 fats. FYI: Wild caught fish (consume ALA by feeding on algae), grass (contains ALA) fed cattle — not grain fed feedlot beef — and chickens (that are fed more natural diets containing ALA) can all make omega-3 fats. Many health enthusiasts are popping fish oil capsules like candy or like me, eating a lot more sushi — which I find much more enjoyable! For a more thorough discussion on why you need to supply good fats in your dog’s diet, please refer to an earlier post Good Fat, Bad Fat And Myth Of Low Fat Diets.

Nutrient enrichment

Specific nutrients (vitamins and minerals) in whole foods work as co-factors to help essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) transport and utilize oxygen in the cell — previously referred to as cellular respiration.

Key point to remember: oxygen starved cells open the primitive energy pathway to fermentation — the dangerous first step that defines all cancer cells. Eating a variety of whole, unprocessed foods and taking a daily vitamin mineral supplement will help protect against nutrient deficiencies that impair vital oxygen transport systems.

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals — produced continuously in cells as by-products of metabolism. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage fats in cell membranes, proteins and DNA. Damage to cells caused by free radical attack (stealing electrons) has been implicated in the development of cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases.

Important anti-cancer nutrients can be added as supplements and also increased by the intake of good food sources:

• Antioxidants: Vitamins A (or its precursor, the family of caratenoids) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid), alpha Lipoic Acid
• Minerals: selenium, zinc
• Essential fats: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• Phytochemicals: ellagic acid, garlic, medicinal mushrooms (maitake, shiitake, and reishi — one well researched product is AHCC, discussed in part ll of this series)

The antioxidants, minerals, and essential fats listed above are the hammer and nails in your cancer prevention tool kit. Phytochemicals add more muscle — if your dog is a known cancer risk, include one or more of these cancer busters.

Remember, vegetables and fruits are natural sources of antioxidants and offer beneficial phytochemicals at no extra charge!

STEP TWO: Apply a healthy dose of common sense

Just like their human companions, dogs live longer, healthier lives when they eat good foods, get enough exercise, breathe clean air, drink clean water, and stay away from harmful substances. Let’s start by looking at your dog’s environment: Air, water, yard, and people house.   

It’s the environment, stupid

Humans, along with all other animals on the planet, are living in a chemical wonderland which can spell toxic overload for many. In the last 50 years, more than 5,000 chemicals have received patents. From pesticides to engineered plastics to color dyes…these wonder materials paint the world we live in today. Naturally, our pets also consume, breathe and wear our synthetic chemical make-up. Join the Go Green movement — help your pet and the planet — reduce toxic chemical build up.

Fire the bug man!

Dogs pick up pesticides (and herbicides) by paw licking and through an intense desire to smell everything crossing their path. There are natural and much safer methods to deal with fleas and other pests. See Natural Remedies for Fleas and Other Pests.

As a bonus: Practicing good environmental flea control along with frequent bathing may also allow you to reduce or eliminate the need to apply topical flea control products (Advantage and Frontline). Further reducing your dog’s chemical load.

Only Natural Pet Store
carries a good line of non-chemical flea products.

Second hand smoke

If you or a family member are still lighting up — take it outside! Better yet, quit this nasty habit. Studies have shown that pets (cats and dogs) that live with smokers have a higher incidence of cancer.

Even if you can avoid smokers, industrialized air still carries a host of other pollutants. Consider investing in high quality HEPA Air Purifiers for your home. Air filters will help those plagued with seasonal allergies and asthma too! 4Cloud9.com offers an array of high ranking air purifiers.

Simple soap and water for safer produce

Wash all veggies and fruits — fill your sink with water and add a few drops of dish soap. Soak and rinse well. No need to buy costly produce washes. And go organic whenever you can.

Filtered water—it’s for pets too!

Install a home water filter and stop buying all those plastic water bottles. You will save money in the long run by filtering your own water and keep more plastic out of landfills. Dump the plastic and get Sigg water bottles — lightweight aluminum with a special coating that will not leach any mental or chemical residues into the water. BTW: your dog’s water and feeding dishes should be stainless steel or ceramic. Plastic containers can contaminate food and water with chemical resides. Go Green with reusable, attractive Sigg water bottles and get one for your traveling dog too! Got mine on Amazon.com

Before there was Lysol

Household cleaners run the gamut of man-made chemicals — many which carry warning labels for children because they are considered harmful! Commercials coerce you to buy these expensive quick fixes and the joke is on you, the consumer. You can make your own cleaners using good old fashioned baking soda, borax, white vinegar and distilled water — get a spray bottle and add a little elbow grease. My good friend Cindy Scott (she wrote the book on enlightened dog training) convinced me. Cindy says she never uses anything but baking soda and white vinegar — and she’s got one husband, 2 kids, a cat, and 4 dogs! A simple Google search will find dozens of recipes for natural house cleaners. You can also add essential plant oils (such as lemon oil) that have natural disinfectant properties and smell great too. Or, at the very least, choose only earth friendly biodegradable cleaners, like Simple Green or Nature’s Sunshine products.

Be vaccine conservative

I wrote the book warning dog owners of needless vaccines. Refer to How to Protect Your Dog from a Vaccine Junkie — protect your dog from unnecessary vaccines. Don’t be bamboozled by vaccine-happy vets!

In conclusion

Cancer has been called a nutrient deficiency disease by some experts. And there is a lot of truth to this. The body has both repair mechanisms to fix damaged cells — preventing a cell from going bad — and a Special Ops immune system trained for search and destroy missions to find cancer cells and blow them up. But you must supply the raw ingredients for these systems to work properly.

Taking the proactive healthy measures mentioned here will decrease your dog’s cancer risk and at the very least will extend your dog’s expiration date — living longer, living better!