Doug Prouty's Battle for Health

Saturday, September 30th

The Stinking Rose

garlic (15k image) So now that you know the importance of antioxidants, what are the best ones? You have to include garlic among the top. I still remember my colleague, Doc Prossinger, at the American International School in Vienna who ate garlic pills daily. A long time science teacher, he has a wealth of knowledge in so many subjects. Seems he was on to it.

Garlic has been prescribed over the past 6,000 years or since herbs have been used in medicine. Hippocrates used it as an antibiotic. It contains hundreds of compounds that defend cells from free radicals. When crushed or chewed, it releases enzymes that trigger chemical reactions inside the body. It’s antioxidants are the best for protecting against environmental toxins. It provides cardiovascular benefits, lowering blood pressure, preventing blood clotting (better than aspirin), reversing atherosclerosis, lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol. It is even recommended to defend against the effects of stress.

There are tons of studies that confirm the health benefits of garlic. Several have discovered its value against cancer. It inhibits the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells and stimulates natural immune killer cells. It is also great against fungal infections such as yeast infections and athlete’s foot.

As recommended, I have started eating 2 to 4 cloves a day. Unlike my daughter who eats fresh crushed garlic by the spoonfuls, I find that a little too strong and alienating. Place cloves on a plate in the microwave and cook on high for about 5 seconds a clove. This softens them and makes them palatable enough to eat as is or spread on toast. If this is still too strong, opt for supplements such as Garlicin Pro or Kyolic garlic pills, taking two to eight 250-milligram capsules a day.

Garlic doth have power to save from death
Bear with it though it maketh unsavory breath,
And scorn not garlic like some that think
It only maketh men wink and drink and stink.
- Sir John Harington (1561-1612)

Doug on 09.30.06 @ 10:12 AM PST [link]

Thursday, September 28th

A Hard Cell

I am beginning to believe that it is the conscious mind’s responsibility to take care of the body. If we are inactive, drink too much alcohol or soda, and feed our bodies with fast/junk food, then the body will put on weight and start to deteriorate. If we know this, and choose to eat and drink things that are bad for us anyway, would that then be considered slow suicide?

It doesn’t matter whether we are trying to keep the body healthy or fighting a degenerative disease, we have to look at it on a cellular level. Every ailment, pain and disease starts at our cells. From migraines to joint pain to cancer, if you work to take care of your cells, you can be healthy.

Cellular health is relatively simple. Our bodies are made up of 100 trillion of them. Believe it or not, about 20 billion free radicals per day attack each of these cells. Free radicals are created when molecules go through an oxidation process. This can be from within the body from natural causes like cellular “exhaust” or from external sources like toxins and food. Sources of dietary free radicals are the high-fat, processed, preserved, pesticide-laden, chemically treated foods that we all enjoy. Chemicals from our environment such as chlorine, carbon monoxide, tobacco smoke, etc., are also responsible. Radiation from the sun, electromagnetic fields and medical x-rays can also contribute. When free radicals are allowed to attack a cell, they can damage the membranes that protect the nucleus, mitochondria, lysomes and the cell itself. These membranes are primarily made up of fat molecules, which is why we need to be taking our Omega 3, 6 & 9 supplement. If free radicals get to the nucleus, they can damage the DNA causing mutation of the cell and cancer.

Antioxidants are the saviors that neutralize free radicals, protecting the cells. So it makes sense that our goal should be to avoid as many free radicals as possible and take in as many antioxidants as we can. The good news is that our cells are constantly renewing themselves in three ways. The first, PROTECTION, is the work of antioxidants. Next is, REPAIR, to keep up with those 20 billion hits a day. If your cells fall behind in repair, the aging process accelerates and disease develops. Luckily, our bodies are adept at this given the right nutrients. Finally, when those fail and the cell dies, it is up to REGENERATION. Cells divide all the time and have no problem as long as the DNA damage is not too great and the necessary nutrient building blocks are in place.

So if we want to avoid disease, stay healthy and live long, it is a matter of taking care of our cells. That means eating foods that increase the antioxidants and avoiding foods and toxins that increase our free radicals. It is too bad that it has to be such a lifestyle change, but it will change your life. “To your health!”

Doug on 09.28.06 @ 10:13 AM PST [link]

Monday, September 25th

Longevity

The talented young Sacramento musician Jackie Greene, has a lyric on his latest album that says, “Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one is ready to die.” So the goal is to live as long as you can and as healthy as you can. Scientists are starting to report that the human body should be able to live 150 years. This month’s Oprah even has it as the theme. So my situation is really not much different from everyone else. We are all trying to live longer. Hopefully that includes healthier as well. The two go hand in hand, I hope.

The next few posts will be dedicated to longevity. What will it take to get a good handful of long healthy years out of our bodies? In western medicine, we treat the symptoms. In eastern medicine, they treat the cause and work towards prevention. The doctor isn’t paid unless the patient remains healthy. To look at cause, we have to get down to a cellular level where life happens. Make your cells healthy and your body lives a long and healthy life.

We always look for silver linings in life. Cancer has forced me to learn about and lead an uber-healthy life. If I make it through and kick this thing, then my family and I couldn’t be happier. If you come along for the ride and are inspired to change your lifestyle, then I am assured of your health and happiness as well. A double bonus and a big silver lining. My payback and thanks for all of your support and love.

Doug on 09.25.06 @ 11:25 PM PST [link]

Sunday, September 24th

gotta tri…

I just finished my first Olympic distance triathlon! I started training about 2 months ago with this event as my goal. The Santa Cruz Triathlon is a 1 mile swim around the pier, a 24 mile bike ride north along Hwy 1 to the town of Davenport and a 6 mile run along the bike trail that looks over the lighthouse and the most famous surf area.

It was a perfect day as we got there about 6:30 in the morning to set up our gear. After Tim and I felt comfortable with our transition area setup, we went for a warm-up jog along the beach as the sun rose. We talked about how great it felt to be able to be fit enough to compete and lucky enough to be there on that beautiful morning.

The first picture here is of Tim and I before the race, discussing how to tackle the waves, avoid the seal, and make it around the pier.

At the end of the race, I felt I had left it all on the course with little to spare. I finished the race in 2 hours and 39 minutes. There were about 856 finishers and I placed 294th overall. In my age group, 45-49 year “old” men, I was 29th out of 64. Of those finishers, I am not sure how many of them are battling advanced stage cancer. I was thinking that next year, they should give those of us a little head start.

Here I am with Nick at the finish line.
nick-dad-web (55k image)
Doug on 09.24.06 @ 08:52 PM PST [link]

Wednesday, September 20th

A Lending Library

Over the past year or so I have collected a few books that have helped me move towards a healthier lifestyle. These are of great benefit to everyone (not just us cancer patients). So I decided that anyone reading my blog is welcome to check them out. I have included the author and ISBN number in case you want to buy your own copy. Contact me if you want to borrow one.

The Acid – Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health
Christopher Vasey, ND
ISBN 0-8928-1099-8
“Recently a massage therapist reminded me of the connection with cancer and body acidity. Cancer is only found in people with acidic body fluids and organs. The major cause for this is diet. This book goes into how you can add more alkalinity to your body. Guess what – more veggies!”

Alpha Lipoic Acid: Nature’s Ultimate Antioxidant
Allan Sosin, MD & Beth Ley Jacobs, PhD
ISBN 1-57566-366-X
“I read about Alpha Lipoic Acid in my search for and understanding of antioxidants. It is not one you hear of in the press but as you research, it appears to be the best. You can by it in any health food or drug store. This book goes into detail as to why it is so amazing.”

Beating Cancer with Nutrition
Patrick Quillin, PhD, RD, CNS
ISBN 0-9638372-9-X
“This was my first book as I searched for things that I could do to help myself. It has some great suggestions and like much I have read since, recommends an increase in raw and slightly cooked vegetables.”

A Cancer Battle Plan: Six Strategies for Beating Cancer, from a Recovered “Hopeless Case”
Anne E. Frahm & David J. Frahm
ISBN 0-87477-893-X
“I loved this book because it gave me hope and an action plan. When you learn you have cancer, you feel pretty helpless. This gives you back some control and sets you on a path to helping yourself.”

The Complete Cancer Cleanse
Cherie Calbom, John Calbom, Michael Mahaffey
ISBN 0-7852-6295-4
“Based on the theory that one has cancer because of the toxicity of the body, this book explains how you can cleanse or detox using whole foods. It also makes you aware of what everyday daily exposures are toxic to our bodies.”

A Dialogue with Cancer: reflections on illness and healing
Edited by Susan Nessim & Diane Shader Smith
ISBN 0-9636333-9-2
“This was sent to me by my aunt Karen who has a story printed amongst many. It is great to read when you feel like you are alone and no one understands.”

Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You to Know About
Kevin Trudeau
ISBN 0-9755995-1-8
“Loan to us by our cousin Kathleen, I read this book while I was in the hospital in Mexico. It is an amazing collection of information that forces you to question the whole medical merry-go-round and whether the FDA has our interests at heart.”

Questioning Chemotherapy
Ralph W. Moss PhD
ISBN 1-881025-25-X
“If you have to go into chemotherapy, this book is a must. I only got this book after my first round and wish I would have had it earlier. You go into this process so ignorant and unarmed when it comes to talking with nurses and your doctor.”

Running On Empty: Life Lessons to Refuel Your Faith
Arron Chambers
ISBN: 1-56292-304-8
“My friend Ann recommended this book. It is a good book for getting you back to God when all of your hard work keeps you away.”

Renewal: The Anti-Aging Revolution
Timothy J. Smith, MD
ISBN 0-87596-508-3
“This is a great reference book and a good read. It approaches aging and degenerative diseases such as cancer, from all fronts. Diet and supplements are the focus.”

Supercharge Your Immunity
Norman D. Ford
ISBN 0-87983-894-9
“The approach for treating cancer in Mexico, and many other countries, is to supercharge your immune system so that your own body can fight it off. This is very different from what we do here in the US. This book takes many angles and comes up with 18 natural ways to build your immunity.”

What to Eat if You Have Cancer: A Guide to Adding Nutritional Therapy to Your Treatment Plan
Maureen Keane, MS & Daniella Chace, MS
ISBN 0-8092-3261-8
“This gets very prescriptive as to what your diet should be. It is also helpful for cancer patients that are having complications such as nausea because of chemo & radiation.”

World Without Cancer: The Story of Vitamin B17
G. Edward Griffin MD
ISBN 0-912986-19-0
“Medical lobbyist got a law passed in this country that says only a patentable drug can claim to cure a disease. So much for Vitamin C curing Scurvy. Since the 60’s there has been a lot of research on whether cancer is a vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B17 shows great promise, yet is all but banned in this country. Guess who is taking it…”

Your Body’s Many Cries for Water
F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.
ISBN 0-9629942-3-5
“I came across Dr. Batman’s web site while searching the web for cures. He has an amazing amount of research that has proven his claims. That is, dehydration is the cause of many of our ailments. Drink at least a gallon a day!”

Doug on 09.20.06 @ 10:22 AM PST [link]

Saturday, September 16th

The Last 2/3 of the Race

bike (72k image) Last Sunday’s triathlon at Pacific Grove was considered a “sprint” distance. Sprint distances can vary. This one had a ¼ mile swim, a 12 mile bike ride and a 2 mile run. I entered this race to try and get ready to what I consider a “big” race. In a week, I will be in the Santa Cruz Sentinel triathlon. This one is the Olympic Distance. The swim will be 4 times longer at 1 mile. The bike, twice as long at 24 miles and the run, 3 times longer at 6.2 miles. I am looking forward to a longer swim as that is my strongest leg and could give me some separation from some of the great cyclists out there.

Considering how my legs felt coming off the bike and heading into the run last week, I decided to try the Olympic Distance as practice. Yesterday, I rode a good strong 24 miles on the bike, hopped off and ran 6 miles. It was a challenge but I wanted to make sure I could handle it at this stage of my training. Also, by doing it, I get a little more confidence and a little less butterflies the day of the race. I won’t kid you, it was a challenge and my legs are a little sore this morning, but I am happy with the results.

The rest of this week will be easier workouts as I let my muscles and body rest and recover.

Doug on 09.16.06 @ 05:41 PM PST [link]

Thursday, September 14th

Did You Know...

The Bad News:

Since the 60’s, cancer has moved from the tenth leading cause of death to number two, even after Richard Nixon’s “War on Cancer” spent thirty billion dollars attempting to find a cure.

Cancer was unknown among the Eskimos until sugar and refined carbohydrates were introduced to their diet.

Diabetes has increased 700 percent since 1959.

The Environmental Health Commission predicts that by the year 2020, twenty-nine million American adults will suffer from asthma.

Approximately fifty million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases, with 75 percent of these being female. Many of these conditions were practically non-existent thirty years ago.

Eight million American children are drugged daily for the treatment of ADD & ADHD.

Autism has gone from 1 in 10,000 children to 1 in 150 in just ten years.

Adult-onset diabetes is occurring at epidemic rates in children as young as eight.

The Good News:

Avocados are cholesterol-free and provide heart-healthy vitamin E, folic acid and potassium. They are high in fat for a fruit, but most of this is the healthy unsaturated type.

All types of fruit and vegetables count towards the recommended five servings a day, whether they're fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned.

Research from the University of Cardiff found that people who ate high-fiber breakfast cereal (bran flakes, All Bran) every day reported feeling less tired and stressed than those who ate low-fiber cereals such as cornflakes.

Food eaten late at night is not more fattening. Studies have found that it's your total calorie intake over the day that counts.

Oysters are the richest source of the mineral zinc, needed for immunity, wound healing, healthy skin and fertility. They were also reputed to be Cassanova's favourite food!

A pound of body fat contains 3,500 calories. So to lose a pound in a week you need to eat 500 calories less each day (7 x 500 = 3,500) and vice versa for weight gain.

Cyclists can expect to live for at least two years longer on average than non-cyclists.

Occasional and regular cyclists enjoy a level of fitness equivalent to being between five and ten years younger.

Doug on 09.14.06 @ 09:04 AM PST [link]

Sunday, September 10th

A Good Tri

bike Well, this morning I competed in my first triathlon in 25 years. First of all, a big thanks to Tim and his family for hosting Nick, Jeanette and I for the weekend.

It seems that triathlons have become very popular. Today’s event was capped at 500 registrants and with so many, we had to take off on our swim in waves (no pun intended). Even with that slight delay, when I ran down the beach this morning and dove into the kelp for the first leg of the race, it was grey, misty and only 7:30 am. I was nervous and the cold water took my breath away. I needed it however for the fast quarter mile swim. And I use the word "swim" loosely as much of the time we ran into a wall of kelp and had to climb over the top of it giving new meaning to the term "Crawl Stroke."

Still, I was happy with the result of the swim as I quickly transitioned on to my bike. I shed my wetsuit, pulled on a shirt and tried to get socks on. With wet feet it was too difficult so I decided to slip my shoes on and go without.

As great as my new bike is, the cycling leg hurt the worst. I pushed hard but didn’t seem to be able to maintain the speed that I wanted. Jumping off the bike, I had trouble getting my helmet off. Seems my fingers had gotten so cold riding that they weren’t working too well. Just as I finally got my helmet off my head and started my run, I realized that my legs didn’t want to work either. After a mile or so, I did start to feel better and crossed the finish line with a smile.

I am happy to say that I placed 47th out of the 433 people who finished the race. And of the 52 competitors age 40 – 49, only 12 finished ahead of me. So now it is time to start thinking about the Santa Cruz Sentinel race. Longer distance and a little more pain.

Doug on 09.10.06 @ 09:49 PM PST [link]

Saturday, September 9th

Gearing Up

I had a little trouble sleeping last night as I kept thinking about tomorrow’s triathlon. I am not too anxious about the actual event; I seem to be worried most about forgetting some piece of equipment.

One of the nice things about being a runner is that you really only have to worry about bringing shoes. You could include a hat, sunblock, and some other incidentals, but you can always compete as long as you have your shoes. Triathlons are a different story. With three different events plus transitions, there is much to remember. Here is my list:

Pre Race:

Sweat pants and shirt

Breakfast and snack

Sunscreen

Lipbalm

Photo ID

Registration

Large Sharpie for drawing race number on arm and leg

Pin race number on jersey

Swimming:

Suit/Tri Shorts (this is a cross between a Speedo and Cycling Shorts)

Swim Cap

Goggles (and spare pair)

Wetsuit

Body Glide (a grease to prevent chaffing and make wetsuit removal easy)

Towels

Biking:

Helmet

Dark Glasses

Gloves

Jersey/Shirt

Arm Warmers (sleeves)

Shoes

Socks

Bike (most important)

Spare tire

Spare tubes

Repair kit

Tools

3 Water Bottles (1 water, 1 electrolytes, 1 recovery drink)

Racing Food (Carbo Gels, energy bar, etc.)

Tire pumps (one large for topping off tires before race and one for bike)

Running:

Shoes

Coming out of the water or off the bike, you are a little dizzy and confused as you search to find your stuff amongst a sea of others. All of this equipment gets squeezed into a little space that you are allotted in the transition area. It is important to arrange it in such a way that you are able to quickly grab it and put it on then head out without forgetting anything.

Doug on 09.09.06 @ 10:16 AM PST [link]

Thursday, September 7th

A Chilly Swim with a View

I bought a second hand wetsuit several weeks ago to use on the swimming part of my upcoming triathlons. I suppose I could use it for the biking part as well but that would look a little silly. Anyway, I had only tried it on once and had yet to swim in it. I thought about trying it out in the lap pool at the club, but figured that would draw some looks.

So my friend Helen suggested I try a swim at Aquatic Park in the City. Today, I rode BART out to Powell Street station and then hopped the cable car to Ghiradelli Square and Fisherman’s Warf. From there I paid the $6.50 to use the South End Rowing Club’s facility next to Aquatic Park. It is a great old building with a great history of wooden rowing craft and bay swimmers. The club has been in existence since 1823. Though clean, the lockers are wooden with old saunas that look out on the bay.

I suited up and jumped in for a swim and an unusual view of Fisherman’s Warf and the walk to Fort Mason. Though cold, it was a really nice swim. Afterwards, I quickly jumped on a stationary bike in the club’s 3rd floor weight room that looked out on Alcatraz, and then walked several miles over to the Presidio.

It was a beautiful day in San Francisco today and the sites made me realize why it is the most visited city in the world.

Doug on 09.07.06 @ 10:20 PM PST [link]

Tuesday, September 5th

A New Bike! I’m Blown Away!

When I decided to sign up for a few triathlons and start training, the only road bike I had to use was Jeanette’s 20 year old Centurion. She reminded me that it was high tech for its day and at least $500. I was excited and dusted it off, added new handlebar tape, new tires and a new seat. It felt pretty good but I am far from an expert on road bikes, particularly new ones. I was also not sure whether my health would allow me to get into triathlons and biking.

Then about 2 weeks ago, my friend Tim talked his sister into loaning me a newer bike to try. It is a very high end Cannondale and it is amazing. That cinched it; I needed a newer bike if I was going to be serious about racing. So I started researching, dropping in to local bike shops and test driving. About that same time, my buddy Mac, decided to check with work mates about taking up a collection to buy me a new bike.

Ever since I was diagnosed with cancer, people have been very generous to my family and me. My work colleagues have been incredible. I don’t think I will ever be comfortable with people doing things for me. And now they have gone too far and it is amazing. On Friday I picked up my new $2500 bike! It is a Trek 5200 and made of all Carbon Fiber. It is light, fast and beautiful.

I will never ride that bike alone or race alone, always as a part of my team of supporters. Thank you so much!

5200-1 (51k image)
Doug on 09.05.06 @ 11:50 PM PST [link]

Past Posts

Doug's Battle for Health

Life's too good to leave it unfinished!