New hope for breast cancer – with implications for prevention as well as survival

Breakthrough research demonstrates mindfulness and emotional expression maintain telomeres and offers new hope to women affected by breast cancer.

Speaking generally, people diagnosed with cancer who have shorter telomeres are more likely to die of that cancer than those with longer telomeres. Theoretically, anything that preserves telomeres, or better still, lengthens them could well lead to higher rates of survival, even recovery.

Considering breast cancer specifically, telomere length (TL) has been associated with prognosis. Again, the longer the telomeres, the longer the survival.

So this week, we report on a landmark study that shows learning mindfulness and emotional expression in a group setting offers new hope to women affected by breast cancer, but first

           Thought for the day

                   Meditation is acceptance. 
                   It is the acceptance of life 
                  Within us, 
                  Without us, 
                  And all around us. 

                  Acceptance of life 
                 Is the beginning of human satisfaction.

                                       Sri Chinmoy


Previous research has shown that group psychosocial interventions including mindfulness-based cancer recovery (MBCR) and supportive-expressive group therapy (SET) can help breast cancer survivors decrease distress and influence cortisol levels.

This is the first randomized controlled trial to examine how mindfulness and emotional expression impact on telomere length (TL) in women affected by breast cancer.

Eighty-eight distressed breast cancer survivors with a diagnosis of stage I to III cancer who had completed treatment at least 3 months prior participated.

They were separated into three groups  - one was asked to attend eight weekly, 90-minute group sessions that provided instructions on mindfulness meditation and gentle yoga. These participants were asked to practice meditation and yoga at home for 45 minutes daily.
The second group met up for 90 minutes each week for the three months and supported and guided by well-trained group leaders were encouraged to talk openly about their concerns and feelings.

The third control group simply attended a one day, six hour stress management seminar.
Before and after the study, all participants had their blood analysed and their telomere length measured.



Both groups who attended the support groups maintained their telomere length over the three-month period, while the telomeres of the control group had shortened.

The two groups who attended the therapeutic group sessions also reported lower stress levels and better moods.



RESULTS
Very interesting. MBRC and SET had almost the same positive effect on telomere length when compared to the control group. In both the MCBR and SET groups, telomere length was maintained, whereas it was found to decrease for those in the control group. It seems either MBRC or SET led to about the same benefit.

COMMENT
Curiously, there were no associations noted between changes in TL and changes in mood or stress scores over time.

Curiously, because previous studies that have examined the impact of group therapies on survival times for people affected by cancer have indeed demonstrated a strong correlation between state of mind and outcome.



To summarise, those groups studied that led to measurable improvements in  “quality of life" - (in inverted commas because quality of life is a broad term), generally were associated with increased survival times for the participants.



Where there was no improvement in quality of life following participation in a group, generally there was no increase in survival times.



The conclusion many reached based on these observations has been that a well run group will lead to improvements in quality of life for its participants, and that translates into or has a correlation with longer survival times. There is a certain logic to this.

Curious then that in this study, no association was found between telomere lengths and mood or stress levels. The researchers postulated on a number of reasons for this, but hopefully, it will not be long before more research groups look into the intriguing relationships between cancer, telomeres and the mind studied in this important piece of research and we will come to learn more of the science in this fascinating and important area..

CONCLUSIONS
Although this research is pretty exciting, it is still not known if these benefits will be long-term or what is causing this biological effect. But for now, we can take heart. This study does suggest that telomeres can be preserved. It is reasonable to suppose that if telomeres remain longer, then survival times may well go up.

Hopefully, this study will be followed up so that the effect of learning and practising mindfulness and emotional expression in a group setting on survival times for women with breast cancer will be reported. Many would anticipate from personal experience that those findings also will be positive.

This study has made the important contribution of demonstrating that a psychosocial intervention that lasted only 3 months and that taught and supported either mindfulness-based stress reduction or emotional support resulted in telomere length stabilisation in distressed breast cancer survivors, compared with decreases in those offered usual care.

Speaking more generally, these results provide provocative new data that suggest it is possible to influence telomere length in cancer survivors through the use of psychosocial interventions involving group support, emotional expression, stress reduction, and mindfulness meditation. By implication, the findings are of great interest for the prevention of breast cancer.

More research please.

REFERENCE
Carlson, L. E. et al. (Feb 2015), Mindfulness-based cancer recovery and supportive-expressive therapy maintain telomere length relative to controls in distressed breast cancer survivors. Cancer, 121: 476–484. doi: 10.1002/cncr.29063

RELATED BLOG
Service your car? Of course! Service your telomeres? What? – Examines how everyone can support their telomeres – and what the benefits are.

Is this the elixir of youth? – More on telomeres including another landmark study, this time from Dean Ornish, that showed a lifestyle-based group intervention increased telomerase levels in men affected by prostate cancer, and that this translated into longer telomeres after 5 years.

RESOURCES

Product B - Herbal telomere support approved by the Australian TGA: CLICK HERE


NOTICEBOARD
MEDITATION POSSIBILITIES IN QUEENSLAND 
– Coming soon

Brisbane day workshop - Sunday, June 14th, 2015

A Relaxing, Regenerative Meditation Intensive 

Designed for experienced meditators, but definitely open to those newer to meditation

Date        Sunday, June 14th, 2015 from 10am (arrive 9.30) to 5pm
Venue     The Relaxation Centre, 15 South Pine Rd, Alderley, Brisbane
Enquiries and Bookings    The Relaxation Centre        Telephone: 07 3856 3733
                                                                                       
www.relaxationcentreqld.com.au

Cairns Weekend Meditation Intensive 
June 20 and 21 – Non-residential

Meditation is the greatest gift you can give to yourself, or someone you care for

Date              Saturday, Sunday 20th and 21st June. Starts 10am (arrive 9.30) to 5pm
Venue           Khacho Yulo Ling Buddhist Centre, 348 Severin Street, Cairns
Enquiries      Call  07 4041 5556    or email   info@yuloling.com
Bookings      Online, go to :  www.yuloling.com     or call Rinchen    07 4041 5556


Medicine of the Mind  
Cairns Evening Public Lecture – June 23

For everyone interested in the power within 

Date                Tuesday 23rd June, 2015      Starts 7pm (arrive 6.30) to 10pm
Venue             Khacho Yulo Ling Buddhist Centre, 348 Severin St
Enquiries        Call  07 4041 5556    or email   info@yuloling.com
Bookings        Online, go to :  www.yuloling.com     or call Rinchen    07 4041 5556

Service your car? Of course! Service your telomeres? What?

This week, with Ruth and I leading a cancer residential program in Auckland, my old veterinary friend Dr Trevor Chatham contributes a guest post on how just like servicing your car, you can support your telomeres, prevent illness, increase your quality of life and add years to your life.

We all know what happens if you get a new car, drive it, refuel it, keep driving it, but never service it. Nothing initially. It will keep going for a while. You will actually save both time and money in the short term. But we all know that sooner or later, things will start to go badly wrong.

Ever thought of taking routine care of your telomeres? Lets go Out on a Limb once more with Trevor and find out what is on offer; then more details of Meditation in the Desert, and also how you can obtain a 20% discount to one of the very best conferences, Mind and its Potential, but first





              Thought for the day

                      
                      A real friend
                      Is one who walks in
                      When the rest of the world walks out.
                                    
                                     Walter Winchell




Trevor writes:
If we do not service our cars, we do not know exactly what will breakdown first, but we can be sure that it will not be a happy ending. We can also be fairly sure that an unserviced car will cease to function many, many years earlier than an identical car, using identical fuel, and driven in the same manner.

Similarly, we know that we may not even notice any immediate changes when we do the right thing and we do have our car serviced routinely.

But the vast majority of people do it anyway because they are aware that by doing so, the vehicle will run well for a long time to come.

Looking after your car, servicing your car, is like looking after your telomeres.


Telomeres as many of you will know by now, are the recently discovered protective end pieces on our chromosomes (that contain our genes and are made up of DNA). Australian Elizabeth Blackburn was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2009 for the discovery of how chromosomes are protected by these things called telomeres along with the enzyme telomerase.

All the cells in our body need to divide and reproduce from time to time. As they do so, the chromosomes in each and every one of those cells need to divide and replicate. As the chromosomes do this, the telomeres at their ends gradually fray and become shorter.


As our telomeres become shorter, all sorts of difficult health issues arise and when they become too short, quite simply, our cells can no longer replicate and we die.


Telomere shortening is now well proven to be a key factor in ageing, the development of chronic degenerative disease and the key determinant in “dying of old age”. If nothing else causes death first, short telomeres will.


Cancer, Heart Attacks, Alzhiemer’s Disease, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and many other conditions have all been associated with short telomeres. People who develop cancer and have shorter telomeres, are much more likely to die of their illness than people with longer telomeres.

Clearly, telomere length is of vital significance to our health and our longevity.

The latest scientific discoveries would indicate that if you are not choosing to actively support your telomeres you are doing the same thing as the person who is choosing not to service their car. You may be saving money in the short term, but you are heading for trouble much sooner that you need be.

One key to a long life and to good health is to keep your telomeres long. How to do it?

“Well I eat well!”

You may do, but that is no different to using premium fuel in your car. It helps in the day-today running of the car and is useful, but you still need to service the vehicle. Even human cells kept in perfect conditions in a petri dish with all the nutrients they need cease operating and dividing due to telomere shortening.

Product B is the only product registered with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration for its capacity to support telomeres. Product B contains a blend of herbs carefully selected and researched for their capacity to support telomere function. Product B offers a simple solution.

There is good research showing the herbs in Product B also support immune function and have anti-cancer properties in their own right (see a summary of this research at www.herbalts.com).


You support your car with regular services because it is normal to do so and you understand why it is important.

What is worth more to you, your car or your health?

Both need regular servicing and support.

Actively supporting your telomeres will enable you to live a longer and healthier life.


At this point in time most people do not fully understand the importance of supporting their telomeres because this knowledge is something relatively new. Sadly, the vast majority of people are getting sicker and dying well before the 120 years that both scientists and God say we should be able to live.

For a full understanding of how Telomere Support will affect you and how it has already helped others watch Dr Bill Andrews as he presents to a large group of Anti-Aging medical specialists in the video on www.restoremybody.net
                                   
To order Product B, go to www.herbalts.com

May God bless you in all that you do.

Dr Trevor Chatham BVSc
Mobile  : +61(0)414 627 833
Email   : trevorchatham@gmail.com
Skype  : trevor.chatham

RELATED BLOGS
Size does matter. Dogs, telomeres, cancer and you

Is this the elixir of youth?

NOTICEBOARD

1. Meditation in the Desert  : August 29 – September 7 – FILLING FAST

Come, join Ruth and myself along with like-minded people for 7 days of meditation in the extraordinary atmosphere of the Central Australian desert, followed by several days of close contact with senior local indigenous leaders. Opportunity of a lifetime.

Secure your place with a deposit. For details CLICK HERE

Sharing stories as one part of Meditation in the Desert:

2. Mind and its Potential is one of the very best conferences and this year’s line-up of speakers is exceptional. As readers of my blog, you can use the code below and register with a 20% discount – very good value!!!


Mind & Its Potential 2014         27 & 28 October 2014 | The Concourse, Chatswood, Sydney

What is your true potential? Can you really train your brain?
How can you thrive?

Learn, network, be engaged and motivated at Mind & Its Potential 2014! Explore the latest science of neuroplasticity and discover how individuals, organisations and companies can do extraordinary things to improve wellbeing and productivity.

With 30+ world renowned international and local speakers this event is an essential ‘to-do’ for maximising your potential in all aspects of life.

As a supporting organisation we have secured a 20% discount for our contacts.

THE EARLIER YOU BOOK THE MORE YOU SAVE!
• Book before 27 June and save $380 off the full 2 day conference fee and $640 off the full 4 day gold pass fee (including workshops).
• Book before 19 September and save $300 off the full 2 day conference fee and $500 off the full 4 day gold pass fee (including workshops).

Book online using VIP code MBM or call (02) 8719 5118 to register. CLICK HERE


KEYNOTES INCLUDE:

• Professor Michael Merzenich, USA, world’s foremost expert on the science of brain training who featured in ABC TV hit series Redesign My Brain as Todd Sampson’s mentor
• Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, India, a remarkable woman who spent 12 years alone meditating in the Himalayas as featured in the international best-selling book Cave in the Snow
• Dr Linda E Carlson, Canada, pioneering psycho-oncology researcher and expert on mindfulness as a health intervention
• B. Alan Wallace, USA, inspiring teacher and leading scholar of Eastern and Western scientific, philosophical and contemplative modes of inquiry
• Dr Jenni Ogden, New Zealand, clinical neuropsychologist, blogger for Psychology Today and author of Trouble in Mind, a memoir in the spirit of Oliver Sacks
• Richard Gill OAM, internationally respected music educator and conductor and ABC TV’s Spicks and Specks panellist
• Adam Spencer, outstanding science communicator, broadcaster, author and maths geek with 1.2 million+ views for his famous TED talk!
www.mindanditspotential.com.au

Size does matter! Dogs, telomeres, cancer and you

Ever wondered why dogs age so much faster than their owners? Interested in how it may be possible to help dogs with cancer through natural means – and what we may infer from this for us humans?

This week we go Out on a Limb and consider how telomere support may not only delay aging but may even be helpful against cancer. Also, an important reminder that the early bird discounted rate to attend Meditation in the Desert closes soon – March 31st, but first




               Thought for the Day

                      When another person makes you suffer
                      It is because he suffers deeply within himself
                      And his suffering is spilling over.
                      He does not need punishment,
                      He needs help. 

                            Thich Nhat Hanh








Remember how we often say one year of dog life is equivalent to 7 years of human life? Remember telomeres? They are the protective caps on the end of our DNA. I have written a couple of previous blogs on how aging in humans is directly related to the rate at which our telomeres shorten (see links below) so maybe it is not surprising to learn that research published recently showed that the aging of dogs, cats and horses is all directly associated with telomere shortening.

This research also found that in broad terms the telomere biology of canines and humans is similar, but that dogs lose telomere DNA about 10 times faster than humans. Also, the lifespan of each particular dog breed correlates positively with the average telomere length of that particular breed.



This is linked to another fact you probably are aware of and that is certain breeds of dogs are much more likely to die at a younger age and also to get more cancers than other breeds.

Boxers are a good example of this – they die young and are very prone to cancer – and as a breed they have relatively short telomeres!




REFERENCE: Fick L J et al. Telomere Length Correlates with Life Span of Dog Breeds. Cell Reports 2, 1530–1536, December 27, 2012

The original paper includes a  ‘List of Average Telomere Lengths and Life Spans for 15 Major Breeds Examined’.  To read it CLICK HERE      

Coming from a veterinary background myself, I have been very interested to hear from people giving their animals Product B. Product B is the synergistic combination of herbs that is the only Australian product currently registered as providing telomere support by the TGA.

I have a friend whose Golden Retriever was diagnosed about 2 years ago with an extensive and very difficult cancer. I had referred this friend to a top Veterinary surgeon who was able to operate where others had said they could not, but even so the operation was only partially successful and the prognosis was given that the dog was very unlikely to live beyond Christmas of 2012.

I remember visiting in October 2013. The dog was running around like a spring puppy, full of beans and showing no signs of the cancer. Sadly she did deteriorate rapidly just before this last Christmas and died having lived both very well and way beyond reasonable expectations.

Was the dog just lucky? Was it the Product B she was given twice daily?

Through my old veterinary friend Trevor Chatham who many will know is passionate about Product B, I have become aware of numerous other dogs that have been given Product B. It seems that in nearly every case the dogs have responded very well to the product and have started aging youthfully!

According to Trevor, conditions in dogs and cats that may be helped by giving them a Telomere Support product such as Product B include:
1.   Slowing down and decreased mobility due to old age

2.   Hormonal issues related to old age

3.   Some cancers

Trevor has collected some amazing stories that support his conclusions and you will find them inspiring. I would love to hear from anyone else who has an animal and Product B story.

1. Vicky’s dog had a Grade 2 Mast Cell Tumour :  Click here.

2. Margo’s 18 year old dog :  Click here.

3. Garth’s 10 year old dog :  Click here.

WHY PRODUCT B?
The significance of telomeres and their length is becoming more and more evident. The faster your telomeres shorten, the more rapidly you show the signs of ageing and the more likely you are to get any of the chronic degenerative diseases. For anyone who does happens to get cancer, the evidence is clear. The more you can protect or lengthen your telomeres, the more likely you are to survive.

Speaking more generally again, the evidence also suggests that the more you can protect your telomeres and maintain their length, the more good health is likely to last into a long and vibrant old age.

We know that a healthy lifestyle and meditation can protect telomeres and both have been associated with actually lengthening them. Both make sense on telomere grounds!

Product B is the only product to have been registered to date with the TGA (Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration) as a formulation that provides telomere support as well as for its other potential benefits. I have been recommending it to others for around 18 months now and have had nothing but good feedback,

Speaking personally, I have been taking Product B myself for over 18months and notice real benefits. I am convinced my memory has improved, my energy levels are higher (they were already pretty good) and from all the science, it is highly likely the telomeres are longer! It is the only supplement I take these days unless travelling when I usually take some extra multivitamin/minerals and Vit C.

Also, if cancer came again, Product B would be the one herbal combination I would take. This is based on the research collated on the HerbalTS website I put together where Product B can be ordered: CLICK HERE www.herbalts.net

Wishing you and your animals long and healthy lives!

RELATED BLOGS
Is this the elixir of youth?

DNA and the dangly bits

NOTICEBOARD
Meditation in the Desert – Early bird discounted rates close March 31st, 2014

Dates: Friday August  29th; meeting at 4pm, to Sunday September 7th around 4pm, 2014.

For thousands of years, deserts have been places of inspiration and renewal for those on the spiritual journey. Join like-minded people and share a unique experience in the Central Australian Desert. Immerse yourself in meditation, join in noble conversation amidst noble company, and take the opportunity to reconnect with the essence of who you really are.

After a week of meditation in the desert north west of Alice Springs comes an extraordinary invitation to enter into the spirit of this land sharing several days with its senior indigenous custodians. The experience of a lifetime.

Venue
Hamilton Downs, an historic homestead 1 ½ hours drive from Alice Springs that looks out over the Western MacDonnell Ranges (photo above). This is a remote location and as such basic good health is a pre-requisite to attend.

Departure and return point: The Chifley Hotel, Stott Terrace, Alice Springs. Special rates are available at the Chifley.

Cost
Includes accommodation* and dinner at the Chifley for August 29th along with breakfast August 30th. Also included is bus transport from Alice Springs to Hamilton Downs and back, the retreat, basic bunk style accommodation or choice of using a swag to sleep under the stars (swag complementary), high quality vegetarian meals and the Indigenous cultural exchange content.

More details CLICK HERE

Enquiries and Bookings
Email info@insighthealth.com.au or call +61 (3) 59666130

This retreat is very popular and regularly fills, so we recommend early booking secured with your deposit. Remember, the early bird discounted rate closes March 31st.

Add on Tour
Many people take the opportunity to visit other places of significance when they come to the Central Desert. We have negotiated a specific post retreat tour that you may like to consider and participate in with your fellow retreatants. This tour will need to be booked directly with the organizers Wayoutback Safaris LINK HERE

Ian Gawler Blog: Is this the elixir of youth?

Who would like to live longer? Who would like less risk of illness and the prospect of recovering quicker if one did become sick? Who would not?

This week we go Out on a Limb and consider the implications of groundbreaking new research that shows how all this may be possible – and tap into how we can gain the benefits, but first

Thought for the day
In just 60 seconds, there are:
• 2 million searches on Google,
• 571 new websites created
• 204 million emails sent
• Amazon sells $83,000 worth of goods.
Tell me – exactly when did the world change?

THE IMPORTANCE of TELOMERES and TELOMERASE

Telomeres are like the protective caps on the end of shoelaces that protect them from fraying. Only telomeres protect your DNA from fraying.

Short telomeres are associated with many things that can go wrong with your health right up to premature death. Shortening telomeres are also crucial in the process of aging. Delay telomere shortening, have longer telomeres, and all the evidence points to significantly better health, delayed aging, and increased longevity.

In related blogs, I have presented evidence that shows shorter telomeres are associated with an increased likelihood of developing cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases, and that for people who do develop cancer, the longer their telomeres, the less likely they are to die of cancer. (See the links below)

So clearly, looking after our telomeres, preventing them from shortening and lengthening them if possible, is crucial to our good health and a vibrant old age.

Happily the body has it’s own built in telomere protector and regenerator. Telomerase is the enzyme that does just this and evidence has been mounting that increased telomerase levels increase telomere length and reduce wear and tear on telomeres.

To date the things that have been shown to increase telomerase activity are a fairly seriously healthy lifestyle (which includes a way of eating very similar to the Wellness (or maintenance) Diet I have advocated for years and is detailed in You Can Conquer Cancer), meditation and some herbs.

On the herb front, Product B (a synergistic blend of herbs) which I researched thoroughly and began to recommend about a year ago, has recently been approved for registration by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as a therapeutic substance that provides telomere support (the only substance registered by the TGA so far for that purpose) and is a protector of liver function. For full details CLICK HERE.

Now the exciting new research

In a small pilot study, Dean Ornish, along with Australia’s own Nobel Prize winner for medicine Elizabeth Blackburn, have investigated the long-term effects of a programme of comprehensive lifestyle changes (diet, activity, stress management, and social support).

The results are compelling, showing that in this small pilot study, comprehensive lifestyle intervention, when compared with controls, was associated with increases in relative telomere length after 5 years of follow-up.

To quote directly from the research
Relative telomere length increased from baseline by a median of 0·06 telomere to single-copy gene ratio (T/S) units (IQR—0·05 to 0·11) in the lifestyle intervention group, but decreased in the control group (−0·03 T/S units, −0·05 to 0·03, difference p=0·03). 

When data from the two groups were combined, adherence to lifestyle changes was significantly associated with relative telomere length after adjustment for age and the length of follow-up (for each percentage point increase in lifestyle adherence score, T/S units increased by 0·07, 95% CI 0·02—0·12, p=0·005). 

Larger randomised controlled trials are warranted to confirm this finding.

COMMENTS

1. A major new rationale
Currently there are many ways to explain the seemingly obvious suggestion that a healthy lifestyle is good for us. However, this new research offers a whole new way of understanding how this may unfold on a cellular level.

We know longer telomeres are associated with lower risks of the chronic degenerative diseases including cancer. We know longer telomeres are associated with longer cancer survival and even a longer life span for everyone.

We have known for a while that activating the enzyme telomerase was possible through a healthy lifestyle, meditation and some herbs.

This new research suggests is the first to suggest that increasing telomerase activity does translate into longer telomeres over time. The implications for preventive medicine, recovery from the chronic degenerative diseases and for longer, vibrant lifespans are exciting indeed and this pilot study is bound to stimulate a mass of follow-up research to test these implications.

Are we seeing a benefit or a norm?
When research shows us that a healthy lifestyle is associated with longer telomeres over time compared to controls, I suspect what it is really telling us is that the controls, who are really ordinary people doing what ordinary people do these days, are knocking their telomeres around unduly.

I suspect the healthy lifestyle tells us what a normal, healthy telomere does; the controls tell us what so many in our current society are doing – eating badly, not exercising, getting stressed out – and prematurely shortening their telomeres with all the unhappy consequences that follow.

What we do not know yet is can we do better than a thoroughly healthy lifestyle. Do the herbs such as those in Product B add an extra benefit, or are they too just helping protect people with an unhealthy lifestyle and supporting them to return to normal telomere function? Time and research will tell.

What to do?
Obviously, this research provides another compelling reason to take up on a really healthy lifestyle and to meditate regularly. The research showed a “dose dependent relationship”. The more thorough you are, the greater the benefit. It is worth developing healthy habits and sticking to them.

For me, it makes sense to use herbs to support telomerase activity and by implication, to extend telomere length. I take Product B regularly and this research makes me feel even better about it.

RESOURCES
Product B: Product B is available on-line and I have created a website that details the contents of Product B, some of the research on the herbs it contains and makes ordering easy.
For details, CLICK HERE

You Can Conquer Cancer – not just for those seeking to recover from cancer, this book details what a healthy lifestyle really is and points to how we can actively prevent chronic degenerative disease including cancer.

RELATED BLOGS

DNA and the dangly bits

Telomeres, meditation and length of life

NOTICEBOARD
1. Melbourne Day seminar with Ian Gawler and Dr Nimrod Sheinman coming soon
 MIND-BODY MEDICINE in DAILY LIFE
Relaxation, meditation and creative imagery for health, business, healing and wellbeing.
A healthy lunch is included.

ii) IMAGES, WORDS and SILENCE 
Training/retreat for those interested in mind made healing – either for personal use or as a health professional.
With Dr Nimrod Sheinman, Ruth and myself in the Yarra Valley.

2. NEW ZEALAND
i) AUCKLAND
Evening Public Lecture: Medicine of the Mind.  Thursday November 14th.
Let go of stress, activate healing, maximise performance in all you do. The power of the mind at work in everyday life.

ii) Weekend workshop: A New Way of Living
Saturday November 30th: Meditation and the power of the mind
Sunday December 1st: Living Well, Being Well –
A way of living that generates good health, profound healing and log-term wellbeing.

iii) Rotorua: Health, Healing and Wellbeing – Saturday 16th November 2013
The essence of what Ian has found most helpful.

iv) Christchurch: Inner peace, Outer health. Sunday November 24th.
A free event - find peace and clarity amidst troubled times.

v) Nelson: Mind-Body Medicine in Daily Life. Evening of November 26th.
Relaxation, meditation and creative imagery for health, business, healing and wellbeing

vi) Meditation Under the Long White Cloud. December 2nd – 8th. Seven day meditation retreat – the first from Ian and Ruth in New Zealand.
Ian will detail how to deepen your understanding and experience of relaxation, mindfulness and meditation; then he and Ruth will guide you into the direct experience of inner peace.

vii) Five day follow-up cancer program.
Specifically for people who have attended a CanLive program in NZ, or Gawler Foundation program. November 18 – 22 at Wanaka out of Queenstown - one of the most beautiful environments there is. Details: CLICK HERE

NEXT WEEK - A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY FROM MEDITATION IN THE DESERT
Here is a taster!






The evening walking meditation heads out from Hamilton Downs

The iconic Uluru or Ayers Rock,
photographed during the add-on tour










KEY REFERENCE WITH LINK

Ornish D, Lin J, Blackburn E, et al. Effect of comprehensive lifestyle changes on telomerase activity and telomere length in men with biopsy-proven low-risk prostate cancer: 5-year follow-up of a descriptive pilot study. Lancet Oncol. 17 September 2013. DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70366-8.

Ian Gawler Blog: Eating well, Being well – and the new edition of “You Can Conquer Cancer” is released.

What a delight to speak at the Gawler Foundation’s conference this last weekend, presenting dietary guidelines and some of the exciting research linking nutritional changes with increased survival.

Great chance to catch up with old friends like Petrea King and Dr Craig Hassed and to have the honour of sharing the stage with them. Then there was the opportunity to meet up again with people who came to groups in days gone by. People like the lady who had secondary breast cancer 7 years ago and looks radiantly well. When asked what had helped her most, she thought for a moment, then shared the fact of learning to love herself enough to really care about what she ate, how often she meditated and so on. A real confirmation of Jess' guest blog from last week. Her new husband chimed in with how much he admires her capacity to make those choices and stick by them; how diligent she is.

Lots of new people to meet as well and my new edition of “You Can Conquer Cancer” arrived mid morning on the Saturday, hot of the press as they say! That’s synchronicity for you.

I had the opportunity to speak on the therapeutic potential of food – a vast topic!

A key point. Anyone who might be silly enough these days to say there is no evidence that changing your diet can improve cancer outcomes is just not keeping up with the research.

At the conference I shared 17 recent studies that come from the last few years and typify the exciting times we live in as research is making clear the powerful the between what you eat and cancer recovery. For over 30 years my clinical experience has been that food can be used therapeutically in cancer medicine, now we are getting some good confirmation via the research.

In the new edition of “You Can Conquer Cancer”, there are several fully rewritten chapters on cancer and food and nutrition, providing the detail of how to put all this into action; how to convert the theory into a meal.

The new book is just that, virtually a new book given the rewrite has been so thorough. So for anyone dealing with cancer, for anyone keen on not getting cancer, for anyone interested in a comprehensive, healthy lifestyle, the new book is recommended.

As promised here are the research articles linking cancer and nutrition, reproduced via “Out on a Limb”, and the dietary guidelines in summary. Again, the details are in the new book.

1. NUTRITION & LIFESTYLE prevents 40% of breast cancers by
i) Being lean
ii) Exercising 30 mins/day
iii) One alcoholic drink/day - max
iv) Women breastfeeding exclusively for 6mths
                                     Based on 954 studies: AICR & WCRF 2009

2. FOOD & EXERCISE SAVE LIVES
A major review of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer concluded:
i) Observational studies suggest a low-fat, high-fibre diet might be protective against cancer recurrence and progression.
ii) There is more support for physical activity, with a dose response for better outcomes.
                                     Davies, N J, Br J Cancer, 2011
      More detail:Blog:  Let food be your medicine – 18 & 25/6/2012

3. LIFESTYLE CHANGES AFFECT BREAST CANCER RECURRENCES
i) Healthy weight decreases secondaries by 40 – 50% c.w. being obese.
ii) Seven or more alcoholic drinks per week almost doubles the risk of cancer in the opposite breast.
iii) Smoking & drinking:  increases the risk of cancer in the opposite breast by 7.2 times.

4. META-INFLAMMATION FEEDS DEGENERATIVE DISEASES
Meta-inflammation is low-level, systemic inflammation:
   - A major factor in most chronic degenerative diseases including cancer
   - Modern nutrition is a significant “inducer”
          Egger,G ACNEM Journal, Mar 2012, Vol 31 No 1 P12-14
 Inflammation potentiates active cancers.
 Improve the diet, reduce inflammation, assist recovery.

5. WESTERN DIET is BAD NEWS
High intake of meat, fat, refined grains & sugary desserts is associated with a
3x increase in colon cancer recurrence and death
                 Meyerhardt, JA et al, JAMA 2007;298:754-764

6. LOW CARBS REDUCE RISK of CANCER DEATH
High carbohydrate intake and high glycaemic load is associated with a
2x increase in colon cancer recurrence and death.
But only in the overweight and obese.
             Meyerhardt JA et al, J Natl Cancer Inst Nov 2012

7. Differential Stress Resistance
FASTING
For normal cells – increases protection
For cancer cells – increases vulnerability
Fasting around chemotherapy leads to:  
i) Better outcomes
ii) Less side-effects
                             Lee C, Volgo et al, Sci Trans Med 2012

8. CUT the CAMOUFLAGE, CURE the CANCER
Cancer’s “camouflage” seems to rely on the protein CD47.
Animal trials show anti-bodies to CD47 remove the camouflage, allowing the body’s immune system to recognise and destroy cancer.
                          Wellingham SB et al, Proc Nat Academy Sci, 2012
                          More detail: Blog - 2 April 2012

9. Multivitamins Reduce the Risk of Developing (or Dying) of Cancer
A very large randomized trial over 11 years concluded multivitamins produced:
1. No effect on prostate cancer
2. 12% risk reduction in total for developing all other cancers
3. Also, a 12% reduction in the risk of dying from cancer (not statistically significant)
                                   Gaziano, MJ et al, JAMA Oct 2012

10. Multi-vitamins & Breast Cancer
Another big study concluded:
1. Multivitamins are not harmful
2. Improved outcomes with radiation, or radiation and chemotherapy
3. Consistent multivitamins use before and after diagnosis, eating more fruits and vegetables, as well as being more physically active is associated with better overall survival.

           Kwan ML et al, Breast Ca Res Treat. 2011 Nov;130(1):195-205

11. SOY is Safe for Breast Cancer
This is the conclusion drawn from this extensive review of the available literature
              Messina MJ and Wood CE; Nutrition Journal 2008

12. MILK increases the risk of Prostate Cancer
Higher levels of cow’s milk consumption in boy’s is strongly associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in men
                              Torfadottir et al; Am J Epidemiol, 2012

13. TELOMERES are protective, DNA—protein complexes at the end of chromosomes.
Telomere shortness is emerging as a powerful indicator of disease risk, progression, and premature mortality in many illnesses, including cancer.

Telomere shortening is counteracted by the cellular enzyme telomerase.

Increased telomerase activity is associated with
      1. Reduced disease risk generally
      2. Increased cancer survival    
      3. A longer, healthier life

There is a statistically significant inverse relationship between telomere length and both cancer incidence and mortality
                     Willeit P et al, JAMA 2010;304 (1): 69–75

14. WHAT INCREASES TELOMERASE ? 
1.  LIFESTYLE PROGRAMS  - LIKE TGF
          After 3 mths, 10% increase
                            Ornish, D et al, 2008,The Lancet Oncology

 2.  LIFESTYLE FACTORS
            HARMFUL EFFECTS  . Smoking
                                                      . Processed meats
                                                      . High BMI – overweight, obese
            HELPFUL EFFECTS    . Vitamins C,D & E, + Folate
                                                       . Omega 3 Fatty Acids
                            Lin j, Epel E, Blackburn E, 2011, Mutation Research

3.  MEDITATION - The Shamatha Project
       After 3 mth intensive retreat, 30% increase
                                            Jacobs TL, Wallace A, Blackburn E et al,
                                                    2010, Psychoneuroimmunology Jnl

4.  SPECIFIC HERBS   –  Product B – a combination of telomerase activating herbs. For details go to iangawler.isagenix.com

15. TUMERIC & PEPPER target breast cancer stem cells
Turmeric (curcumin) and black pepper (piperine) separately, and in combination, inhibit breast cancer stem cell self-renewal
      Kakarala, M et al, 2010, Br Ca Research & Treatment, Vol 122, No 3, 777-785

16. CURCUMIN (turmeric)
Reduces the side-effects and increases the benefits of radiotherapy
                              Jagetia G C; Adv Exp Med Biol, 2007

17. POMEGRANATE JUICE targets Prostate Cancer
8 ozs each day increases PSA doubling time - by almost 4 times : from 15 – 54 mths
                              Pantuck et al. 2006 Clin Ca Research
                              Pantuck et al. Abstract of follow-up Am Soc Clin Onc 2008

DIETARY GUIDELINES
In broad terms: ADOPT a PLANT-BASED, WHOLEFOOD DIET

1. READ the summary of The Wellness Diet

2. STUDY and APPLY the detail in the new edition of “You Can Conquer Cancer”

3. LISTEN to the 2 food CDs

4. ENJOY the recipes in “Eat Well, Be Well”

5. SEEK personal help if needed

6. DELIGHT in the fact, and the tastes of eating well

RESOURCES

1. DOCTORS & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
When you need a doctor trained in nutritional medicine, refer to

i) The Australian College of Nutritional Medicine (ACNEM)
   www.acnem.org

ii) The Australasian Integrative Medical Association (AIMA)
   www.aima.net.au

2. You Can Conquer Cancer – buy the new edition online (or over the phone) via the Foundation’s bookshop and support the Foundation – NOTE: check to make sure you order the new edition, not the old one!

3. CDS 
i) Eating Well, Being Well – Outines the Gawler Wellness Diet – the key to good health for everyone.

ii) Eating for Recovery – Outlines the Gawler Healing Diet specifically developed for people dealing with cancer. Please Note: This CD builds upon the information on "Eating Well, Being Well”. For those dealing with cancer, you need both CDs for completeness.

RELATED BLOGS

DNA and the dangly bits

Food 101 – what fuel goes into your tank?

Eating for recovery

DNA and the dangly bits

This week, more important news about telomeres, their links to ageing and cancer and what to do about it. Then some more useful feedback from the recent blog survey, and a glimpse of things to come as a result. 

Also, I must say how good it is to be back home after a long and wonderful trip and retreat overseas. More of that next week, but first:

Thought for the Day

I do not want to achieve immortality through the legacy of my work

I want to achieve immortality by not dying

                                                                            Woody Allen

Good luck with that fantasy!!!

Telomere length, the risk of cancer and cancer mortality

Some of you may have seen this post already. It had a few days on the blog having been posted in error while I was travelling home. If so, my apologies and maybe you skip to the feedback.

Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes at the end of our DNA. The dangly bits! Telomeres shorten each time our cells reproduce and therefore reflect organism aging at a cellular level. At a critically short telomere length, cells loose the ability to divide and replicate, eg they die. Malignant cells, in contrast, reactivate and overexpress the enzyme telomerase that lengthens telomeres and allows for plentiful divisions.

Critically short telomeres may increase cancer risk.

Recent research investigated associations between baseline telomere length, the incidence of cancer and cancer mortality over a follow-up period of 10 years.

The conclusions reached were that there was a statistically significant inverse relationship between telomere length and both cancer incidence and mortality, suggesting that keeping telomeres long through telomerase activation could likely prevent cancer and/or increase the chance of survival for individuals who develop cancer.

Link here for the full article. REFERENCE: Peter Willeit P et al, JAMA. 2010;304(1):69-75.

It has been reported in previous blogs that telomerase levels have been shown to be increased by a healthy lifestyle and meditation. Not surprisingly, a lot of research is now searching for compounds, natural or chemical that might lengthen telomeres.

Of interest is TA-65, a Telomerase Activator that has been available for nearly 5 years and that has been used in some people with cancer.

Dr Ed Park from California reports that a metastatic lung cancer in a dog that had a leg amputated due to an osteosarcoma, and a brain cancer in a man both cleared after being on TA-65. TA-65 is a single extract from the root of the Astragalus plant.

It seems a metastatic pancreatic cancer has also been helped by Product B – a combination of natural compounds thought to lengthen telomeres.

Short videos detailing the above 3 cases can be viewed by linking here.

WHAT TO DO? 

Know that when you are reasonably diligent with a healthy lifestyle, especially eating well, exercising and meditating regularly, you are protecting and quite possibly strengthening and extending your telomeres, and as such, your life span and good health! We just get more and more research evidence of the benefits of living well - now there is a surprise!

As a direction for research, it would be very interesting to  measure the telomere lengths of long-term, remarkable cancer survivors. If as expected, they are longer than the norm, then the question again has to be, what either keeps them long in these people, or extends them. My guess it has to do with lifestyle factors.

RELATED BLOG

Telomeres, meditation and length of life

NEWS 

1. SURVEY FEEDBACK

The range of practical and inspiring suggestions from the blog survey was really useful. But first, who else is reading along with you!

Most of you readers are in good health, while around a quarter are dealing with significant illness. The majority are over 50, in full or part-time work (although around a quarter are retired and there is a good percentage of younger people), and there was a high level of interest in all the common blog topics (with relationships being the exception – only half the level).

Most people have been reading the blog for over 2 months; around 90% prefer to read the blog weekly or fortnightly and most prefer guest bloggers monthly or even less frequently. Most of you forward posts frequently or occasionally and many enjoy feeling connected through the blog to other like-minded people.

There were many great suggestions for future blogs; the most immediate one I will address is how to travel well – without jet lag and illness; but with heaps of energy and delight!

2.  TWO FULL DAY WORKSHOPS IN SYDNEY

Including all the latest research on telomeres!

Saturday, 20 October, 2012

THE MIND THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

When: 9.30am (for 10am start) - 4pm 

Where: Veterinary Science Conference Centre, Webster Theatre, Sydney University

Sunday, 21 October, 2012

HEALTH, HEALING AND WELLBEING

When: 9.30am (for 10am start) - 4pm 

Where: Veterinary Science Conference Centre, Webster Theatre, Sydney University

Bookings Essential: Call Sarah Tail 0418 22 0590 or Tina Rae (02) 4294 8361

Register on line: at www.rigpa.com.au 

3. THE GAWLER FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE COMING SOON

I will be speaking amidst a wonderful array of 20 speakers at this year's Annual Conference of the Gawler Foundation in Melbourne this November: 17 - 18. Hope to see you there - it is always a great event and a highlight of TGF's year; not the least because so many supporters, participants and friends of the Foundation gather.