My Anti-Cancer Treatments: Maitake Mushrooms

It's autumn now, which means . . . . it's a good time to take a hike and gather up some maitake mushrooms!

Maitake mushrooms (a.k.a. "Hen of the Woods", beta-glucans, or Grifola frondosa) have very potent anti-cancer benefits.

Here in Connecticut, maitake can be found at the base of oak (and sometimes maple) trees from late August until late November.

Maitake mushrooms should be sauteed in butter or coconut oil (my preference), and never consumed raw.

They are absolutely delicious!!

If they are covered in the little honey button mushrooms you see above, those little mushrooms should be removed and boiled before sauteing or consuming (to remove toxins).

Anti-tumor effect of polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa (maitake) and its influence on immunological function:

When the polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa (PGF) was taken orally by S180 (sarcoma 180) bearing mice at the dosage of 50-150 mg/kg.d for 9 d, the inhibitory rate to S180 was 27.97%-38.46%. The PGF can also enhance thymus index, the ability of splenic lymphocyte proliferation and formation of antibody in splenic cells, and promote the production of IgM hemolysin significantly in S-180 bearing mice.

I have low IgM levels.

I am very grateful to live in an area of the world where these grow wild in the fall, as maitake mushrooms are very expensive.

:)

Mushrooms That Fight Cancer and Boost the Immune System

My Refrigerator . . . .

Health Care: Flashmob Protests Whole Foods' CEO in Oakland CA Branch

Feeling conservatives had been winning the limelight in the debate over healthcare reform through a series of high profile stunts and remarks, advocates of reform decided to steal back some of the media's attention, forming a flash mob Sept. 26 in an Oakland Whole Foods in response to the CEO's recent Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal in which he opposed reform.

At 6:11 p.m., 35 protesters, who had been fake-shopping the aisles of the green foods giant, convened at the middle of the store, and launched into singing "Hey Mackey, you're a swine," some shouting it into a megaphone and others dancing a choreographed jig as a live orchestra blared from all directions.

Read more here.

My Anti-Cancer Treatments: Kefir

My raw goat's milk kefir grains, in a clean Mason jar, just prior to adding raw milk.

Kefir, which can be made with any kind of milk (including soy milk and coconut milk) has very potent anti-neoplastic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It also significantly increases cancer-fighting natural killer (NK) cells.

Kefir is also rich in vitamins B6, B12 and K, biotin, calcium, folic acid, potassium and magnesium.

It is very easy to make at home. Simply mix milk with kefir grains, and let it sit at room temperature for about 24 hours. Strain the milk and retrieve the kefir grains for your next batch of kefir.

(2002) Anti-tumor activity of milk kefir and soy milk kefir in tumor-bearing mice:

The effects of oral administration of milk and soy milk kefirs on tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice and the mucosal immunoglobulin A response in mice were studied. Oral administration of milk and soy milk kefirs to mice inoculated with sarcoma 180 tumor cells resulted in 64.8% and 70.9% inhibition of tumor growth, respectively, compared with controls.

(2006) Antitumoural antibacterial and antifungal activities of kefir and kefir grain:

The daily intraperitoneal administration of 0.50 mL kefir for 20 days to mice; containing transplanted fusiform cell sarcomas resulted in a significant decrease in tumour size. Kefir-induced disappearance of tumoural necrosis was also evident. With respect to the antibacterial activity of kefir, the greatest activity was exhibited against gram-positive coccus, staphylococcus, and gram-positive bacillus. Kefir grains showed higher antibacterial activity than kefir. Kefir also demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida, Saccharomyces, Rhodotorula, Torulopsis, Microsporum and Trichopyton species. The results demonstrate that kefir possesses antibacterial, antifungal and antineoplastic activities, and provides credence to the folklorec use of kefir for a variety of infectious and neoplastic diseases.

(2007) Effects of a fermented milk drink containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on the human NK-cell activity:

In the experiments with middle-aged volunteers, NK activity significantly increased 3 wk after the start of intake, elevated NK cell activity remained for the next 3 wk, and this effect was particularly prominent in the low-NK-activity individuals.

(2009) Probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented dairy milks on antiproliferation of colon cancer cells:

The probiotic strains of E. faecium RM11 and L. fermentum RM28 also triggered antiproliferation of colon cancer cells at the rates of 21-29%, and 22-29%, respectively. This suggested that both strains could be used as potential probiotics in functional food or for colon cancer biological products.

(2000) Anti-Metastatic Effect of Kefir Grain Components on Lewis Lung Carcinoma and Highly Metastatic B16 Melanoma in Mice.

(2007) Kefir extracts suppress in vitro proliferation of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cells but not normal mammary epithelial cells:

Anti-tumorigenic effects have been demonstrated in animal studies from the intake of kefir, a traditional fermented milk product believed to originate from the Caucasian mountains of Russia. In the present study, the antiproliferative effects of extracts of kefir, yogurt, and pasteurized cow's milk on human mammary cancer cells (MCF-7) and normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) was investigated at doses of 0.31%, 0.63%, 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% (vol/vol). After 6 days of culture, extracts of kefir-fermented milk depressed MCF-7 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, showing 29% inhibition of proliferation at a concentration as low as 0.63%, whereas yogurt extracts began to show dose-dependent antiproliferative effects only at the 2.5% dose. Moreover, at the 2.5% dose, kefir extracts decreased the MCF-7 cell numbers by 56%, while yogurt extracts decreased MCF-7 cell proliferation by only 14%. No antiproliferative effects of kefir extracts were observed in the HMECs, while the yogurt extracts exerted antiproliferative effects on HMECs at the 5% and 10% doses. Unfermented (pasteurized) milk extracts stimulated proliferation of MCF-7 cells and HMECs at concentrations above 0.31%. Peptide content and capillary electrophoresis analyses showed that kefir-mediated milk fermentation led to an increase in peptide concentrations and a change in peptide profiles relative to milk or yogurt. The present findings suggest that kefir extracts contain constituents that specifically inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells, which might eventually be useful in the prevention or treatment of breast cancer.

If I had breast cancer I would use raw unpasteurized grass fed cow's milk (which is loaded with conjugated linoleic acid) in making kefir, but based on the abstract above, I would limit (Dr. Campbell pointed out in "The China Study" that low intake of animal protein is safe **) or completely eliminate my intake of unfermented and/or pasteurized milk products (I personally will not eat or drink any pasteurized milk or diary products containing pasteurized milk):

(2000) Milk fat conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) inhibits growth of human mammary MCF-7 cancer cells.

(2008) Conjugated Linoleic Acid causes apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

(2008) Growth inhibition of osteosarcoma cell MG-63 by a mixture of trans,trans conjugated linoleic acid isomers: possible mechanistic actions.

(2009) Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) inhibits expression of the Spot 14 (THRSP) and fatty acid synthase genes and impairs the growth of human breast cancer and liposarcoma cells.

Health Benefits of Conjugated Linoleic Acid, by Dr. Mercola:

Pasture-grazed cows had 500% more CLA in their milk than those fed silage.
CLA may be one of the most potent cancer-fighting substances in our diet.
In animal studies, as little as one half of one percent CLA in the diet has reduced tumor burden by more than 50 percent.

CLA: The Secret Weapon in the Battle Against Cancer

(2008) Unpasteurized milk consumption and subsequent risk of cancer:

These data suggest that consumption of unpasteurized milk does not increase risk of cancer.

Health Benefits of Grass-Fed Products, by Eat Wild - very comprehensive

Milk kefir is an alkalizing food (from BodyEcology):

Kefir means "feel good" in Turkish and has been used for centuries to create energy and health. A wonderful alkalizing meal, milk kefir should be added only when your intestines lining is not inflamed so that the casein protein will not "leak" through the wounded gut lining.

Health care experts recommend healing a leaky gut by consuming coconut kefir for three weeks prior to using milk kefir.

The Magical Power of Fermented Foods

I got my kefir grains HERE.
My grains are multiplying like crazy, and if you need grains, you may also email me privately (click on my blogger profile).

You can find raw milk HERE.

I sweeten my kefir with a little bit of alkalizing stevia.
It is delicious . . . .

** Dr. Colin T. Campbell recommends that we obtain 80% of our protein from plant sources, 10% from fish, and 10% from "other" sources.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA: Hollywood Speaks Out To Help Insurance Companies

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

From: MoveOn.org

With almost 20 years inside the health insurance industry, Wendell Potter saw for-profit insurers hijack our health care system and put profits before patients. Now, he speaks with Bill Moyers about how those companies are standing in the way of health care reform. Watch it HERE.

Please also see:
Why Are Holistic Dentists So Against National Socialist Healthcare?

Music: Dana Pomfret and Dirty Laundry

On Saturday, September 19 we kick off our first double-bill show at Pia's magical gallery in Canton!
Two Bands!
Dana Pomfret, with Stefani Langol, Tim McDonald, Jon Peckman and special guest, Danny Kortchmar and "Dirty Laundry" - Danny Kortchmar, Tim McDonald, Jon Peckman and Ed Corvo (with occasional harmonies from Dana Pomfret and Stefani Langol).

Where:
Pia Sjolin Design -The Shoppes at Farmington Valley
110 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT
860.693.4454: Suggested donation $10. If you can't pay it, no worries: come enjoy the music free of charge!
7-11PM

Please BYOB.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Dana P.

A Little Background on "Dirty Laundry"
Danny Kortchmar was an integral part of the 70s and 80s music scene. He recorded, toured, wrote with and produced such artists as James Taylor, Carole King, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Jackson Browne. Danny wrote "Dirty Laundry," "Honey Don't Leave LA," "All She Wants To Do Is Dance" and more.
Tim McDonald relocated to CT from California about 9 years ago, and instantly became well-known for his incredible vocals and guitar playing. Featuring a wonderful rhythm section, Jon Peckman on drums and Ed Corvo on bass, this is going to be a great show!

Faux Painting: TOTEM COATINGS Lime Plaster Classes, September 17 and 18

Class Description: Two day class on TOTEM COATINGS® Lime Plasters,
green friendly synthetics

Instructor: Joe Greco

Host: Pia Sjölin Design
110 Albany Turnpike (Rt 44) Suite 209
Canton CT 06019
Phone 860 693-4454

DATE: September 17th and 18th. 2009
Class Hours: 9 to 5

Outline: Student will learn all the fundamentals of Lime Plasters and green friendly synthetic materials.

• Preparation
• History and process of manufacturing
• Uses and advantages over lime
• Mixing color and tools needed
• Uses of Waxes, Lime sealers and Metallic
• Basic application of the following
•
o Marmorino 3 samples
o Stucco Marmo 2 samples
o Cocciopesto 1 sample
o Lime Paint 3 samples
o Velvet Plaster 1 sample
o Stone 2 sample
o VP Antico 1 sample
o Travertino 1 sample

TOTAL BOARDS COMPLETED 14 16”X16”
Fee: $275.00

Things to Bring: Open Mind, Trowel, Japan Scrapers, brush and your choice
of stencil.

If you require a trowel please contact TOTEM
COATINGS AT 905-488-0535 OR VISIT their website.

Butterfly Landed On My Sunflower Today . . . .

Beautiful and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable, butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life. And everyone deserves a little sunshine. ~Jeffrey Glassberg

Taking A Real Finnish Sauna Yesterday

Faux Painting: Yellow Rag Finish