Thursday, September 26, 2019
Insights From An Oasis Of Healing #16 The Best Treatment For Cancer Is Prevention
Watch on YouTube here: Insights From An Oasis Of Healing #16 The Best Treatment For Cancer Is Prevention
Via
Monday, September 23, 2019
Monday, September 16, 2019
Estrogen Metabolism Pathway And The 3 Primary Estrogen Metabolites
Estrogen metabolism pathway: there are three pathways and I label them as the good, bad, and ugly.
Previously, I mentioned the 3 primary estrogens: estradiol, estrone, and estriol. That is the simple. The complex is that there are many more estrogens that are actually produced by the body through the process of estrogen metabolism—estrogen metabolites.
Estrogen metabolites have been shown to have different effects on cancer risk. This difference in risk is the result of an interplay between an individuals genetics and their environment. The vast majority of the research on estrogen metabolism is with cancer. The majority of the research on estrogen metabolism with cancer is with breast cancer.
When it comes to estrogen metabolism and cancer there are 3 primary estrogen metabolism pathways to highlight. I call them the good, the bad and the ugly. There are 3 primary estrogen metabolites from these 3 pathways: 2-hydroxy estrone (2OH-estrone), 4-hydroxy estrone (4OH-estrone), and 16alpha-hydroxy estrone (16alphaOH-estrone).
The origin estrogens for these 3 metabolites are primarily Estradiol (the most potent estrogen) and Estrone (the second most potent estrogen). Estriol, the weakest estrogen, can be converted to the 16alpha-OH-estrone metabolite, but not to the 2OH-estrone or 4OH-estrone metabolites. Additional estrogen metabolites include:
- 2-OH Estradiol
- 4-OH Estradiol
- 16alpha-OH Estradiol
- 2-methoxy Estrone
- 2-methoxy Estradiol
- 16-epi Estriol
- 17-epi Estriol
- 16-keto Estradiol
For the purpose of the brevity of this blog post, I will stick to a brief discussion of these 3 primary estrogen metabolites.
Dr. Nathan Goodyear Explains The 3 Primary Estrogen Metabolism Pathways
2OH-Estrone Metabolite
The 2OH-estrone metabolite is the safest estrogen metabolite. The better descriptive term to describe the 2OH-estrone metabolite is “safest” or “lowest risk” and that may too be overly simplistic. The 2OH-estrone metabolite is the most prevalent estrogen metabolite circulating in the blood [63].
Research points to the 2OH-estrone metabolite as the byproduct of the CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1 detoxification enzymes [64] [65] though studies do suggest that CYP1A1 is the primary enzyme involved in the production of the 2OH-estrone metabolite [66] [67] [68]. This “good” term for the 2OH-estrone metabolite is also an oversimplification of the scientific evidence on this estrogen metabolite as some more recent evidence points to an increased breast cancer risk with the 2-hydroxyestrone metabolite.
There are several mechanisms that support 2OH-estrone metabolite as the safest estrogen metabolite. First, all of the estrogen metabolites are particularly unstable compounds. The 2OH-estrone metabolite is the most stable of the 3 estrogen metabolites discussed [69] which translates to less potential DNA damage.
It is DNA damage that is critical in carcinogenesis. Second, the 2OH-estrone metabolite elicits a very weak, almost anti-estrogenic activity [70] [71]. Low binding affinity for the estrogen receptor and increased removal from the estrogen receptor are the primary reasons for the weak estrogenic activity of the 2OH-estrone metabolite. This estrogenic activity is the weakest of the 3 estrogen metabolites.
Third, though weak as indicated above, the 2OH-estrone metabolite is easily methylated and thus inactivated. Last, the 2OH-estrone metabolite lacks significant anti-apoptosis activity [72] which maintains a strong anti-growth potential check through the active process of apoptosis (programmed cell death).
4OH-Estrone Metabolite
The bad estrogen or what I call the “ugly” estrogen metabolite is the 4OH-estrone metabolite. The overwhelming evidence points to the 4OH-estrone metabolite as pro-carcinogenic and pro-growth.
There are several reasons why the 4OH-estrone metabolite is the most dangerous estrogen metabolite. First, the 4OH-estrone metabolite is the most unstable of the estrogen metabolites and it is this instability that can lead to DNA damage which is important in carcinogenesis. Second, of the 3 metabolites, the 4OH-estrone metabolite elicits the strongest estrogenic activity via its high affinity and tight binding to the estrogen receptor and lower disassociation rate from the estrogen receptor.
Third, in contrast to the 2OH-estrone metabolite, the 4OH-estrone metabolite is not easily deactivated through methylation. Last, the 4OH-estrone metabolite has a significant anti-apoptotic effect which favors such cancer cell survival. All this at an estimated 15-25% less circulating volume than the 2OH-estrone metabolite.
16alphaOH-Estrone Metabolite
The 16alphaOH-estrone metabolite has been historically labeled as a “bad” estrogen. This pathway of estrogen metabolism, as a whole, is the dominant pathway of estrogen metabolism 16. The proposed high cancer risk of the 16alphaOH-estrone metabolite is due to its increased estrogen signaling and growth capacity through its tight binding to the estrogen receptor. In addition, it is not easily removed leaving the metabolite tightly bound to the estrogen receptor resulting in a prolonged growth signal.
In addition, the 16alphaOH-estrone metabolite does not down-regulate the estrogen receptor, which is a key mechanism by which cells can turn down the potential signal. Finally, 16alphaOH-estrone metabolite has a strong anti-apoptotic effect [73]. The jury is out on the “bad” label for this metabolite. The 16alpha-OH-estrone metabolite has a strong positive link to breast cancer in post-menopause women [74] yet, other studies have found no link between 16alpha-OH-estrone and cancer risk [75] [76].
The implication is that it may not only be the estrogen levels or the estrogen receptors that are involved in cancer risk, but it is, in fact, what the body is doing with the estrogens through estrogen metabolism that also poises the cancer risk.
[63] Adlercreutz H, Fotsis T, Hockerstedt K, Hamalainen E, Bannwart C, Bloigu S, Valtonen A & Ollus A 1989 Diet and urinary estrogen profile in premenopausal omnivorous and vegetarian women and premenopausal women with breast cancer. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 34 527–530.
[64] Cribb AE et al. Role of polymorphic human cytochrome P450 enzymes in estrone oxidation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006 Mar. 15/551.
[65] Sowers MR et al. CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 polymorphism and their association with estradiol and estrogen metabolites in women who are premenopausal and perimenopausal. Am J Med. Sep 2006;119(9 Suppl 1): S44-51.
[66] Lee AJ, Cai MX, Thomas PE, Conney AH, Zhu BT. Characterization of the oxidative metabolites of 17β-estradiol and estrone formed by 15 selectively expressed human cytochrome p450 isoforms. Endocrinology 2003;144:3382–98.
[67] Shimada T, Watanabe J, Kawajiri K, et al. Catalytic properties of polymorphic human cytochrome P450 1B1 variants. Carcinogenesis 1999;20:1607–13.
[68] Kisselev P, Schunck WH, Roots I, Schwarz D. Association of CYP1A1 polymorphisms with differential metabolic activation of 17β-estradiol and estrone. Cancer Res 2005;65:2972–8.
[69] Bradlow HL, Telang NT, Sepkovic DW, Osborne MP. 2-Hydroxyestrone: the ‘good’ estrogen. J Endocrinol 1996;150 Suppl:S259–65.
[70] Schneider J, Huh MM, Bradlow HL, Fishman J. Antiestrogen action of 2-hydroxy estrone on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. J Biol Chem. 1984;259:4840–5.
[71] Vandewalle B, Lefebvre J. Opposite effects of estrogen and catechol estrogen on hormone-sensitive breast cancer cell growth and differentiation. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 1989;61:239–46.
[72] Seeger H, Wallwiener D, Kraemer E, Mueck AO. Comparison of possible carcinogenic estradiol metabolites: effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis of human breast cancer cells. Maturitas 2006;54:72–7.
[73] Seeger H et al. Comparison of possible carcinogenic estradiol metabolites: effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis of human breast cancer cells. Maturitas. 2006 Apr;54(1):72-7.
[74] Kabat GC, Chang CJ, Sparano JA, et al. Urinary estrogen metabolites and breast cancer: a case-control study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1997;6(7):505-509.
[75] Mackey RH et al. Hormone therapy, estrogen metabolism and risk of breast cancer in the Women’s Health Initiative. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2012 Nov;21(11):2022-2032.
[76] Arslan AA et al. Circulating estrogen metabolites and risk for breast cancer in premenopausal women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009 Aug;18(8):2273-9.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Monday, September 9, 2019
Stage 4 Breast Cancer With Bone Metastasis PET Scan Is Clear
Stage 4 breast cancer with bone metastasis had Shirley M. searching for alternative treatments for cancer.
Ten years ago, Shirley M. was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and chemotherapy and even adapted a (kind of) vegetarian diet. The cancer was gone.
Or so she thought.
Fast forward to early 2019: Shirley noticed a knot under her arm and had it checked out. It was cancer again.
Shirley knew that she could not go through the aggressive treatments again. She searched online and found An Oasis of Healing as the best website.
“I called, and talking to Andy, I never had any doubt that this was the best place to come,” she said. “I never would have dreamed of how caring and passionate everybody is here. Every person here cares truly and does their best to help and encourage.”
When she first arrived at the Arizona-based alternative cancer treatment center, she was understandably worried. As Dr. Nathan Goodyear, senior medical staff member, pointed out, stage 4 bone cancer metastasis is a “big challenge.”
Understanding Bone Cancer Metastasis
Bone cancer can start as primary or secondary cancer. Primary bone cancer is when “cancer starts in the bone.”
Secondary bone cancer, or bone metastasis, means that cancer started elsewhere but has now metastasized or spread to the bone. This is considered the most advanced stage of bone cancer aka stage 4.
Bone metastasis is more likely to occur in the spine, pelvis or thigh. Symptoms include broken bones, bone pain, urinary and bowel incontinence, weakness in the arms and legs, and hypercalcemia or high levels of calcium in the blood which can then cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
At stage 4, the tumor will have appeared in more than one part of the body—possibly the lungs, lymph nodes or other organs.
The Beginning Of A Healing Journey
Shirley imagined that the process might be some sort of a “little vacation” for her but as it turns out, the healing journey required “hard work” from her end. Although she’s had her doubts, fears, and struggles halfway through the process, her perseverance paid off.
Shirley had cancer in her bones, liver, and breast but when the PET (positron emission tomography) scan came back, the cancer was gone. There were no more tumors.
Shirley’s favorite therapy was hyperthermia. “I got to sleep the day away. That was kind of fun,” she shared.
Hyperthermia, also sometimes called thermal therapy or thermotherapy, is a type of treatment wherein the body tissue is exposed to high temperatures with the intent of damaging and eventually, killing cancer cells. Hypothermia damages the proteins and structures within cancer cells to facilitate the shrinking of tumors.
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy As Part Of Shirley’s Bone Metastasis Treatment Allowed The Immune System To Do Its Job
Shirley added, “I loved going to lymphatics. Without that, my arm would just balloon and that kept it under control.” Lymphatic therapy helps the body “clear its informational highway” so that the body, especially the immune and lymphatic systems, can function at its optimal level.
The treatment device at An Oasis of Healing painlessly breaks down congestion using inert gas ionization. This allows trapped proteins to “become disassociated,” thus releasing the stagnate lymph. In effect, the excess, blocked, stagnate or retained fluid are released and flow out into normal filtration and reabsorption channels.
“If everybody knew about this healing center, they could forego all the negative side effects of conventional oncology,” she said. And as long as she stays with her current wellness routine, she knows that she can continue to enjoy the post-treatment quality of life she is living now.
Find out how An Oasis of Healing can help you or a loved one. Get in touch today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)