4 Perfect Supplements
– 1 Perfect Diet –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

August 15, 2021

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Article

I am opinionated and controversial. I guess this has gotten me to where I am today.

Yet, after all my research and personal healing path, I believe I have discovered the 4 Perfect Supplements and the 1 Perfect Diet for myself. But in my opinion, these are also the perfect supplements and diet for most of us humans.

At 74 years old, you would think that I was set in my ways and could never change my routine. Well, not so.

My cancer journey has opened my eyes and challenged me to improve my life. Especially, recreating a robust immune system. That required learning new stuff and discarding old stuff.

So, I now have settled on 4 perfect supplements to consume that support my perfect diet.

 

4 Perfect Supplements

I don’t like the word “supplements”. It conjures up in my mind a bunch of synthetic chemicals or isolated nutrients taken out of its natural symbiotic source.

My choice of these 4 supplements is sourced from pastured cattle. These are organs that only have had their water removed. There are no additives or chemicals used or put into the capsules. And the capsules are bovine capsules – not vegetable capsules.

And my 4 Perfect Supplements provide practically all the bioavailable nutrients my body requires. My supplements consist of 4 desiccated, whole-food bovine products:

  1. Organ Complex (“Beef Organs” from Heart & Soil)
  2. Bone Marrow (“Bone Marrow & Liver” from Heart & Soil)
  3. Collagen (“Skin, Hair, & Nails” from Heart & Soil)
  4. Colostrum (“Colostrum-6” from Anovite, which is a multi-level marketing company. But you can purchase this product as a regular customer.)

If you order from Heart & Soil and use this discount code (DrAl10), you’ll receive 10% off any one-time purchase of Heart & Soil’s products.

 

1. Desiccated Beef Organ Complex

Beef organs usually contain a combination of liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, and spleen – all of which provide essential and bioavailable nutrients to the entire body. Here is a sampling of the nutrients in these organs:

  • Liver is the most nutrient dense food on the planet, and it’s the only significant source of vitamin A. Also, it’s rich in heme iron, vitamin B12, and folate. Liver is a key player in metabolism and methylation.
  • Heart is the richest source of naturally occurring coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 supports heart health and blood pressure regulation. It also plays an important role in the production of ATP by the mitochondria in cells.
  • Kidney is an excellent bio-available source of selenium and vitamin B12. It assists in detoxification pathways and the antioxidant defense system. It also supports the immune system.
  • Pancreas is the body’s source of enzymes. It supports blood sugar signaling and supplies an abundance of critical enzymes for optimal digestion.
  • Spleen is a concentrated source of heme iron. It supports a strong immune system and aids in blood cell health.

 

2. Desiccated Beef Bone Marrow

Bone marrow is a nutrient-dense food which is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K2; essential fatty acids DHA, EPA, and CLA; as well as stem cells, peptides, cofactors, and enzymes that nourish and support our whole body.

In fact, carnivore animals in the wild go for the marrow instinctively after they kill their prey. Also, consuming an abundance of fat in bone marrow significantly enhanced the development of the human brain in our primal ancestors.[1]

 

3. Desiccated Beef Collagen

Beef collagen is a whole-food matrix that includes cartilage and collagen-specific building blocks, peptides, and enzymes to support healthy joints, bones, cartilage, skin, hair, and nails.

Desiccated collagen is obtained from the cartilaginous parts of cattle including their trachea and scapula. Typically, it includes:

  • Glycine, Hydroxyproline & Proline amino acids
  • Trachea-Derived Collagen, which is rich in Type II Collagen
  • Scapula-Derived Collagen, which is rich In Type II Collagen
  • Bone-Derived Collagen, which is rich in Type I, II, III Collagen
  • Bioactive Growth Factors
  • Glycosaminoglycans Proteoglycans which are the fillers between cells which maintains the structure of the tissue
  • Chondroitin Sulfates which lubricate joints
  • Trace Minerals

 

4. Desiccated Beef Colostrum

In an article published in January 2021 in Nutrients, the authors described the elements in bovine colostrum and their benefits for humans.

Pure bovine colostrum is bioactive and nutritionally intact. It includes all the specific vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids to fight disease, destroy pathogens, and promote human growth and cellular repair. I wrote about Colostrum in a previous Blog post.

 

1 Perfect Diet

Now, let me talk about my perfect diet. Over 2.5 million years of human evolution, it has been the perfect diet for the human species.

A Perfect Diet should provide all the nutrients that our body requires in a bioavailable form with no substances that will hinder the absorption of these nutrients. This is my Perfect Diet.

Dr. Miki Ben-Dor described in his paper that was published in March 2021 that our primal ancestors ate mostly animal products – muscle meat, bones, fat, organs, their blood, and collagenous parts. Occasionally they ate some plants, but their principal diet was what today is called a Carnivore Diet.

Paul Saladino, MD has been one of my mentors regarding the human health benefits of the Carnivore Diet. In his book, Carnivore Code, he goes into exquisite detail citing hundreds of peer-reviewed medical articles to support the benefits of the Carnivore Diet.

I have tweaked the Carnivore Diet to include other researched metabolic pathways to create my Better Belly Blueprint. This is the way I eat. This is how I have helped my immune system to become robust. This is a major protocol in my Unconventional Cancer Protocols that has assisted my body to heal while deal with my cancer journey. This is my Perfect Diet.

Here are the essential points of my Better Belly Blueprint way of eating:

  • Eat nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods from grass-fed, grass-finished pastured animals – especially beef and lamb – nose-to-tail
  • If adding some plants, only include a small number of plants that are low in phytates, lectins, and oxalates
  • Drink natural spring water that is replete with trace minerals
  • Consume desiccated animal supplements as I listed above to assure receiving all the required nutrients
  • Ingest spore-based probiotics to improve the diversity of the gut microbiome

 

The Way to Health and Healing

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)[2] has stated that 60% of the US population has at least one chronic disease and that 70% of all deaths in the US is a result of chronic diseases.

These stats primarily are a result of the lifestyle and diet our society engages. Eating the Perfect Supplements and Perfect Diet will go a long way in helping to prevent chronic diseases.

[1] https://kurious.ku.edu.tr/en/news/did-bone-marrow-fuel-human-evolution/

[2] https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/center/index.htm

 

Check out my training on the Better Belly Blueprint! You can watch it HERE.

 

If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my “Belly Bites” Newsletter HERE.

We are Carnivores by Nature
– 2.5 Million Years of Facts –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

April 25, 2021

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Article

 

Humans have evolved for approximately 2.5 million years. For the first 2 million years or so, our ancestors primarily ate elephants and other very large animals – predominately the fatty tissues as well as muscle meat, organs, and collagen parts. In addition, they perfected ways to crack bones to savor the bone marrow and brain tissues.[1],[2] Then, as large mammals began to diminish around 300,000 years ago, Homo Sapiens turned to medium-sized animals. But all along, our human ancestors were predominately carnivores who relished fat.

 

And now this fact has been proven by a group of researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel and at the University of Minho in Portugal. They published their cutting-edge research in March 2021 in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.

 

The researchers stated, “It is hard to convince a devout vegetarian that his/her ancestors were not vegetarians, and people tend to confuse personal beliefs with scientific reality. Our study is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary.”

 

The investigators used genetics, metabolism, physiology, morphology and archaeology of tool development to settle the question: “Were Stone Age humans specialized carnivores or generalist omnivores?

 

The scientific team came to this conclusion: Stone Age humans were specialized carnivores until about 20,000 years ago. Then, some plants were brought into their diet.

 

The scientists based this statement on facts:

  • Human stomach acidity is extremely acidic, indicating a meat diet in which the acid not only would kill harmful bacteria that was decaying meat but also would break down animal protein.
  • Human fat is stored in large numbers of small fat cells like other carnivore predators, whereas omnivores have few but large fat cells. Humans can make use of these high fat reserves by rapidly turning them into fatty acids and ketones for energy when needed.
  • Areas of the human genome are closed off to enable a fat-rich diet, but the areas of the omnivore genome are open to enable a sugar-rich diet.
  • Archaeological evidence supports a meat-based diet.
  • Stable nitrogen isotopes in the bones and teeth of prehistoric humans point to consumption of meat with a high fat content.
  • Specialized tools for obtaining and processing vegetable foods only appeared more recently along the evolutionary continuum.

 

Here is a 10-minute radio interview where Andrew Pinsent speaks with Dr. Miki Ben-Dor, one of the study’s authors and a researcher at Tel Aviv University in Israel.

 

 

For a more in-depth discussion, watch and listen to Dr. Paul Saladino’s Podcast with Dr. Miki Ben-Dor in this informative, 2-hour interview.

 

 

Diet & Disease

Starting about 12,000 years ago, farming slowly ushered in what would become a dramatic change in the human diet and in human development. Over time, farming forced humans to eat more and more processed foods and less and less nutrient-dense, animal-based foods. These abrupt changes along with various agricultural and food processing chemicals have been major factors in the development of chronic diseases. And these changes are contrary to “Mother Nature” and go against our DNA Blueprint.

 

The Paleomedicina Clinic in Budapest Hungary has been treating severe chronic disease and cancer since 2011. The doctors in the clinic have treated over 5,000 patients. The clinic’s treatment primarily consists of a diet that is reminiscent of the diet through which our ancestors flourished during 2.5 million years of evolution – a diet that is animal-based.

 

An animal-based or carnivore diet emphasizes fat along with muscle meat, organs, and collagen parts. Generally, 70% or more of the volume of a plate of food should consist of animal products, and less than 30% could be some plants that are low in anti-nutrients (i.e., phytates, oxalates, lectins). In addition, there should be more animal fat measured in grams than animal protein. You can read how I eat an animal-based diet in my mini-eBook, Better Belly Blueprint.

 

The doctors at the Paleomedicina Clinic have published their patients’ case reports, which show compelling evidence for the healing qualities of our ancestral way of eating. A carnivore-based diet not only is good for the human body, but also is the ideal nourishment to heal the human body.

 

This way of eating is one of my ten Unconventional Cancer Protocols.

 

 

Highest Fat-to-Meat Content

If you are eating an animal-based diet, you are always looking for sources of high quality, pastured and grass-fed, grass-finished meats and organs. My local butcher has access to some of these cuts. But not always. Several farms that offer this high standard and will ship to a home address include:

 

 

In your search for the best, select the fattier choices. Here are cuts of meat ranging from the highest fat grams to the lowest per 100 grams of total weight. Unfortunately, the fat content in these cuts can vary from sample to sample. Also, the way you cook the meat will determine how much fat remains to be consumed. But this table lists suggestions of the meats to buy if a high-fat content is your goal. And that’s my goal!

If you prefer to add more fat to your plate of food, consider adding suet (kidney fat) to your preparation of the meat. Suet is high in saturated and monosaturated fats with some omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. For example, when I am making one of my many recipes using ground beef or ground lamb, I add a couple of tablespoons of suet into the hot saucepan. After it melts, I add my ground meat and do my thing.

 

 

My Takeaway

I did not have to be convinced that a nose-to-tail, animal-based diet is the healthy way of eating for humankind. But it was fascinating to read and learn the new research that confirms my understanding and conviction. Although modern diets have changed, our biology has not. We are still carnivores biologically.

 

Most readers know that I am in the throes of a cancer journey which has its ups and downs. One observation that stands out for me is that primal societies today rarely have chronic diseases or cancers. Our environment (including diet and all the external insults we put our body through) is the major culprit for these diseases in the civilized world. Just after my diagnosis in 2018, I wrote about the reasons I developed multiple myeloma. By incorporating a carnivore diet into my Protocols, I provide a nutritional means to regain my health.

 

For the most part, I am enjoying a quality of life. On the other hand, I am not in remission. I have not created a cure for cancer. But my excitement is that I am healing my body by establishing a robust immune system. And my animal-based diet with an emphasis on fat is a vital factor in my development of a healthy gut and an efficient and effective immune system.

 

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S104061821500097X?via%3Dihub

[2] https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/advances/5/10/eaav9822.full.pdf

 

 

 

Check out my training on the Better Belly Blueprint! You can watch it HERE.

 

If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my “Belly Bites” Newsletter HERE.

My Better Belly Blueprint Recipes
– Animal-Based Eating –

 

 

As most of you know, I started the Carnivore Diet on 1/1/20. It’s now been over 12 months. And for me, this animal-based diet has been impressive. It’s a major part of my Unconventional Cancer Protocols. Although I can’t isolate it as the most important, it is a critical component.

 

What I know is this:

 

  • I have abundant energy, improved lean muscle mass, and excellent Body Mass Index
    (BMI = 23.2).
  • My blood chemistries and complete blood count are in the “normal” range, some of which were out of range earlier.
  • My PET Scan on May 8, 2020 showed no active cancer cells in my entire body, but I am not in remission from my multiple myeloma.

 

Where did I get the idea to include this way of eating in my Cancer Protocols?

 

I did some research and eventually found the Paleomedicina Clinic in Budapest, Hungary. The doctors at the clinic have treated over 5,000 patients since 2011 with an animal-based diet. This clinic treats patients with various serious chronic diseases including cancers. The physicians who treat these patients place them on an animal-based way of eating. They call their diet the Paleolithic Ketogenic Diet (PKD). Patient results were impressive. In certain cases, this program allows small amounts of paleo-friendly vegetables and fruits.[1]

 

With all this in mind, I tweaked the PKD. I integrated the elements to recreate a healthy gut and provide all the necessary nutrients that our DNA blueprint requires. Also, I eliminated any plants with significant levels of antinutrients (i.e. phytates, lectins, and oxalates). I redefined the food proportions and called my animal-based way of eating the Better Belly Blueprint (BBB)

 

The BBB is designed to reduce inflammation, improve digestion, burn fat, identify food sensitivities, reduce allergic reactions, boost energy, regulate blood sugar and stabilize mood. It almost seems too good to be true, but I’ve done this myself. Science shows that no other therapy – natural or otherwise – can come close to accomplishing all of these goals in such a short period of time. Some people may need 30, 60, or even 90 days to get the full benefits from this new lifestyle eating program.

 

A typical volume of a “plate of food” representing the Better Belly Blueprint is made up of at least 70% animal-based foods and less than 30% fruits and vegetables. All nuts and seeds are “no-nos” because of their high level of antinutrients.

 

As I mentioned above, it is important that these fruits and vegetables be low in phytates, oxalates, and lectins. Phytates, oxalates, and lectins are inflammatory substances. These antinutrients can damage the gut microbiome and the gut epithelial lining. A damaged gut will lead to a “leaky gut”. This is when toxic and undigested foods in the gut leak through the gut lining into the blood circulation. The immune system reacts by creating systemic inflammation. When this inflammation becomes continuous and chronic, it increases the risk of all chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, dental diseases, skin rashes, cancer, and many others.

 

A major nutrient of an animal-based diet is saturated fat (animal fat). Animal fat is essential in the Better Belly Blueprint. You should consume approximately “2 grams of fat” for every “1 gram of protein”. This is not a “high protein” diet. It is a high-fat but moderate-protein way of eating.

 

 

My Way of Eating

My personal diet looks like this:

 

For 6 continuous days, I eat one or two meals a day based on my hunger. Looking at the volume on my plate, I eat more than 90% animal-based foods and less than 10% selected fruits and raw honey.

On the 7th day, I cycle out of ketosis and eat 100-150 grams of carbohydrates and reduce my fat content. My carbs come from manuka or local honey, bee bread, and a few fruits.

 

This way of eating helps me maintain metabolic flexibility.

 

My wife and I are enjoying these foods. As a matter of fact, I’ve gotten so excited that I created my own recipes that follow the guidelines of this diet. Some of these recipes are not appropriate for a person who is on a strict 100% animal-based diet. Obviously, you must be the judge of what you eat and what you don’t eat.

 

To date, I have created and shared 24 original or tweaked recipes. I continue to experiment, prepare, and photograph new ideas all the time.

 

As you will notice almost immediately, I am not a professional food photographer. All the shots are taken with my iPhone – and an old iPhone to boot. So, how sophisticated could they be? Give me some leeway, please!!

 

But I love my recipes and sharing them. As soon as I create a new dish that pleases my wife and me, I post it on my website. These dishes have been proven through the critical gastronomic criteria of my wife. I usually love everything I create, but my wife is not so kind. So, if she doesn’t give me an enthusiastic nod, then I don’t publish it.

 

Here are the 24-individual links to each of my food creations:

 

1.  Pork Belly & Chicken Thigh Chunks

2.  Nutritious Smoothie

3.  Salmon Roe & High-fat, Zero-carb Cheese

4.  Pork Belly

5.  Liver Pâté with Smoked Salmon

6.  Rich & Creamy Coffee

7.  Shrimp & Spicy Mayo 

8.  Ground Beef, Sauce, & Cracklins 

9.  Beef Soup

10. Beef Short Ribs

11. Osso Buco

12. Succulent Sweetbreads

13. Best Burgers

14. Ghee

15. Apple Crisp with Honey

16. Shrimp & Noodles

17. Egg Salad Crunch

18. Beef Bone Broth

19. Surf & Turf Soup

20. Egg Drop Soup

21. Air Crisp Chicken Wings

22. Beef Jerky

23. Beef Liver Jerky

24. Hydrating Water

 

To help you, I’ve added photos of my favorite food sources, which I personally consume or use as ingredients in my recipes.

 

Also, to make it easier for my readers, I created a dedicated website page to house the Better Belly Blueprint Recipes.

 

So, check out my recipes. Experiment with them and try them. Tweak them to your own tastes. I relish your comments. Let me know what you think. I’m all about improving them to make them better.

 

[1] https://paleomedicina.com/en/#blog

 

 

 

 

Check out my new training on the Better Belly Blueprint! You can watch it HERE.

 

If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my “Belly Bites” Newsletter HERE.

My Cancer Journey
– 1 Year on Carnivore –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

January 17, 2021

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Article

 

January 1, 2021 was my first anniversary – 1 year being on a carnivore diet. This new way of eating changed my world. And it continues to be a significant factor in my Unconventional Cancer Protocols, which are responsible for the creation of my robust immune system and healing.

 

To bring you up to date, I received a diagnosis of incurable bone marrow cancer in September 2018. At that time, my oncologist gave me 3-6 months to live. I rejected chemotherapy, created my Unconventional Cancer Protocols, and am thriving today. But in August 2019, I suffered several severe pathological fractures on the right side of my body all at one time. These put me into a hospice hospital to die. Yes, to die.

 

Yet, I rallied!

 

In May 2020, my PET Scan showed no active cancer cells in my entire body, but I never entered remission. And today, I don’t know if more malignant plasma cells will continue to overwhelm my body in the future.

 

That brings me to my 1-year history of being on the carnivore diet.

 

 

Carnivore Diet

As I said, I began a strict animal-based diet on 1/1/20. My research leading up to my decision to replace my way of eating with a carnivore diet was extensive. Since my diagnosis in 2018, I had been eating an autoimmune paleo-type diet.

 

My research about the carnivore diet was replete with anecdotal stories. I also was impressed that published medical papers suggested that an anti-inflammatory diet, which created ketosis, would be ideal for cancer patients.

 

Then, I discovered compelling human case reports documenting the success cancer patients had with a strict animal-based diet emphasizing a 2:1 fat ratio measured in grams. Most of those individual studies were reported by a medical facility in Hungary – the Paleomedicina Clinic.

 

Since 2011, the Paleomedicina Clinic in Budapest, Hungary has treated over 5000 patients with severe chronic diseases and cancer. The treatment for all these patients primarily consisted of the clinic’s Paleolithic Ketogenic Diet (PKD) with no supplements or drugs. The PKD is a strict animal-based diet reminiscent of the way our primal ancestors ate. Many results of these medical successes have been published, but I focused on the clinic’s individual cancer cases. While these were not double-blind studies, they were convincing.

 

In addition, I found an abundance of support and excellent research from Paul Saladino, MD, the author of The Carnivore Code. Dr. Saladino’s book is a treasure trove of peer-reviewed research. Being rather “geeky”, I discovered his book to be “just up my alley”.

 

 

Human Evolutionary Experience

If we take a broader view of human evolution, we realize that our omnivorous ancestors preferred a nose-to-tail animal diet. Also, their meals often were intermittent with unintentional periods of fasting.

 

This way of eating provided a state of ketosis for our primal ancestors most of the time. Ketosis allows the body to use its abundant storage of fat as fuel. It also allows the liver to create ketones, which are clean burning fuels for the brain, heart, and muscles.

 

Ketosis and ketones are potentially beneficial for cancer patients. Cancer cells are generally unable to use ketones for their fuel, and glucose (the preferred fuel of cancer cells) is no longer in abundance.

 

In addition, ketones decrease excessive free radicals, stimulate the production of endogenous antioxidants, and improve the production of ATP by healthy mitochondria. Human studies show that ketones improve lipid profiles, reduce insulin levels, and enhance weight loss without decreasing muscle mass. Also, ketones provide an anti-inflammatory effect, important signaling for biological pathways, and the ability to affect gene expression.

 

All of these factors assist in the mitigation of cancer.

 

Below is an informative interview of Dr. Thomas Seyfried discussing this subject:

 

My Status

If you looked at me, I don’t look like a guy who is dying from cancer. I am 5’7” tall and weigh 147 pounds. Since 1/1/20, I’ve lost several pounds of body fat while maintaining my lean muscle mass. I feel and look like a metabolically healthy guy – at the tender age of 73.

 

Since being on an animal-based diet, my blood chemistries and complete blood count have remained within normal ranges. My oncologist orders these blood tests every 4 weeks. He also orders specific protein blood studies to evaluate my immunoglobulins every 2-3 months. The dysfunctional IgA antibodies in my body still remain high but at relatively unchanged levels.

 

My energy level is stellar. And my biomarkers, which I described in my article “5 Important Tools for a Robust Immune System”, have suggested I have a strong and efficient immune system.

 

To help identify my current status, my doctor scheduled a bone density scan in March 2021 and another PET Scan in May 2021. I’ll be reporting the results following the tests.

 

The reality of my prognosis is unknown today. I have outlived my original prognosis by over 2 years. My quality of life is impressive. And my mental cognition has never been better. Yet, I have constant discomfort from my multiple pathological fractures, which I have experienced since my diagnosis.

 

I rarely take any medication for pain. Interestingly, I have noticed that my daily use of PEMF Therapy, which is part of my Unconventional Cancer Protocols, has significantly reduced the degree of pain I experience.

 

Exercise is another important component for healing along my cancer journey. I use a rollator to walk outside about one mile a day weather permitting. The rollator is my security if my legs were to weaken, or if I were to lose my balance. Also, I do modified body-weight exercises indoors 2-3 days a week and modified high-intensity-interval-training every 7-10 days.

 

If you have been reading my Blogs since my diagnosis, you know me. I will forge ahead. My attitude is proactive, and my resolution is to heal my body as best as I can. I want to be known as the senior poster boy for a healthy lifestyle despite my diagnosis of incurable bone marrow cancer.  

 

 

 

Check out my new training on the Better Belly Blueprint! You can watch it HERE.

 

If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my “Belly Bites” Newsletter HERE.

Why I Eat Carnivore?
– Ketones & Metabolic Flexibility –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

September 13, 2020

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Article

 

Carnivore Diet Foods

 

I Eat a Carnivore Diet Because:

  • I have cancer
     
  • It reduces dietary carbohydrates to minimal levels and allows my body to enter ketosis and become metabolically flexible
     
  • When I am in ketosis, my body uses ketones as a clean burning fuel with less production of free radicals and less dependence on insulin
     
  • Restricting glucose prevents growth of some cancer cells[1]
     
  • Most cancer cells are unable to effectively use ketones for energy[2],[3]
     
  • By keeping carbs and insulin low, I improve my natural antioxidant capacity and reduce the fluctuations in my blood glucose levels (i.e. glycemic variability)
     
  • A low glycemic variability is a biomarker for improved function of the immune system[4]
     
  • A robust immune system can help my body heal from cancer

 

My Carnivore Diet

If you have been following my cancer journey since I was diagnosed in September 2018, you know that my diet has played a key role in my health. Diet is one of the critical elements in my Unconventional Cancer Protocols.

 

I started a Paleo-type diet about 6 years before I was diagnosed in September 2018. My Paleo style of eating allowed me to become fat adapted. When I was diagnosed with IgA Kappa Light Chain Multiple Myeloma, I changed my Paleo-type diet to a modified Paleo Autoimmune Diet. Basically, I eliminated pasteurized dairy, nightshades, nuts and seeds from my way of eating. But after doing some additional due diligence, I tweaked my diet on 1/1/20 to start a strict Carnivore Diet. At that time, I eliminated all plants. The reason was abundantly clear to me after doing my research.

 

As I documented in my Blog in January, individual case reports of a strict animal-based diet showed profound beneficial effects for cancer patients. Specifically, the Paleomedicina Medical Clinic[5] in Budapest, Hungary identified that ketosis along with an intact gut epithelial barrier were vital factors in resolving or reducing the progression of many malignances.

 

 

Ketosis & Ketones

My body went into ketosis about two weeks after I reduced my carbohydrate level to less than 10 grams a day. I also increased my fat-to-protein ratio to 2:l measured in grams.

 

The science reported by the Paleomedicina Clinic and by Dr. Paul Saladino[6] proved that the Carnivore Diet provided all the nutrients my body required in a biologically available form. In addition, this animal-based way of eating eliminated all plants that contained antinutrients. Antinutrients are substances that might damage my gut microbiome, the mucus layer in my gut, and the epithelial barrier that prevents toxic substances from entering the circulatory system from the gut lumen. These include phytates, lectins, and oxalates.

 

With carbohydrates at extremely low levels, fat levels high, and protein levels moderate, my insulin levels remained low. Low insulin tells fat cells to breakdown triglycerides, which are the stored body fat. Triglycerides are broken down in the fat cells into fatty acids and glycerol, both of which then enter the circulation. The free fatty acids bind to serum albumin in the blood stream, which carries the free fatty acids to the tissues that need energy. Glycerol is absorbed by the liver, where it is converted into glucose.

 

With insulin levels low, fatty acids are converted in the liver into ketones (called acetoacetate and later beta-hydroxybutyrate). Ketones are released into the bloodstream and are a preferred and efficient fuel for cells to burn. In addition, ketones can cross the blood-brain barrier and are available as fuel for the brain.

 

 

Cycling In & Out Of Ketosis

My goal is to maintain metabolic flexibility. Metabolic flexibility is when the body can switch back and forth between burning fat or carbohydrates as fuel based on their availability. By being metabolically flexible, I rarely have any food cravings. I eat when I’m hungry, and I drink when I’m thirsty.

 

I practice intermittent fasting along with cycling in and out of ketosis to improve my metabolic flexibility. Cycling gets my body used to using the fuel that’s available.

 

To maintain metabolic flexibility, I cycle about every 7 days. I decrease the amount of fat I eat and increase my carbohydrate intake to about 100 -150 grams once a week. To do this, I eat plants that are low in phytates, oxalates, and lectins as well as some raw honey during the course of a day. The benefit of cycling out of ketosis about once a week is to stimulate my insulin production to activate pathways to repair my body.[7]

 

 

Ketosis and Antioxidant Efficiency[8]

Beta-hydroxybutyrate, the most studied ketone body, has been shown to reduce the excessive production of free radicals. It also improves the creation of energy in the mitochondria of the cells in the body. In addition, ketones stimulate our own cell’s ability to produce endogenous antioxidants.

 

 

Immune System and Cancer[9]

The immune system protects the body against bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxins. It also fights disease-causing changes in the body, such as cancer cells. So, a robust immune system is critical for health and healing.  However, cancer can weaken the immune system, and conventional cancer treatment can weaken the immune system further.

 

Cancer can weaken the immune system by creating systemic inflammation and by spreading into the bone marrow. Since bone marrow makes blood cells for the immune system, a malignancy spreading into the bone marrow will decrease the production of healthy blood cells.

 

Specific cancer treatments also can weaken the immune system by decreasing the number of white blood cells made in the bone marrow. Some of the cancer treatments that will weaken the immune system are:

 

  • Chemotherapy
  • Targeted cancer drugs
  • Radiation therapy
  • High dose steroids

 

If possible, someone with cancer should do everything in his or her power to improve the immune system. A robust immune system has the ability to recognize cancer cells as abnormal and kill them.

 

 

Glycemic Variability as a Biomarker

I wrote two Blogs where I described the benefits of monitoring my glycemic variability (GV) over a 2-week span (HERE, HERE). The data collected through the use of a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) will provide a record of the fluctuations of tissue glucose 24/7. The GV can suggest the robustness of your immune system and your future risk for metabolic and chronic diseases. The statistical measurement of the fluctuation of glucose levels is called the standard deviation (SD). The SD of GV is a relatively new biomarker. It may be one of the most important biomarkers that a proactive individual should know. If the SD were not in a healthy range, the individual could take steps to improve his or her diet and other environmental factors that could improve glycemic variability, thereby improving the immune system.

 

Here is a table that suggests an interpretation of the SD of GV[10],[11]:

 

Standard Deviation of Glycemic Variability

 

My Bottom Line

My Carnivore Diet is one of my Unconventional Cancer Protocols. It has been a significant factor for me to improve my immune system to help my body heal from cancer.

 

 

[1] https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(19)30924-6?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2211124719309246%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4235292/

[3] https://cancerandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40170-018-0180-9

[4] https://cardiab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12933-020-01085-6

[5] https://paleomedicina.com/en/#blog

[6] https://carnivoremd.com/podcast/

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525983/

[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5981249/#sec5-antioxidants-07-00063title

[9] https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/body-systems-and-cancer/the-immune-system-and-cancer

[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4455369/#!po=34.6154

[11] https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/67/Supplement_1/1542-P

 

 

Check out my new training on the Better Belly Blueprint! You can watch it HERE.

 

If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my “Belly Bites” Newsletter HERE.

Dr. Shawn Baker
Interviews
Dr. Al Danenberg

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

April 7, 2020

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Article

 

 

Shawn Baker, MD and Zach Bitter interviewed me for their HPO (Human Performance Outliers) Podcast. I discussed my unconventional cancer journey and my incorporation of the Carnivore Diet with my cancer protocols.

 

Shawn Baker is a busy boy. He is an orthopedic surgeon, a world-renowned athlete, the CEO of MeatRx, and the author of The Carnivore Diet. He served as a combat trauma surgeon and chief of orthopedics while deployed to Afghanistan with the United States Air Force. His focus in recent years has been on using nutrition as a tool for health, performance, and overall well-being.

 

Zach Bitter is an American ultramarathon runner. He holds world records for the 100-mile run and the 12-hour run.

 

This is a great interview. It will take an hour of your time to watch. Here is a link just to the audio:

 

 

 

If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my email alert list here.

Return From The Edge

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

March 16, 2020

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Article

 

Return from the Edge

 

At this time with the coronavirus pandemic upon all of us, my Unconventional Cancer Protocols are even more critical for me to follow. I am in the highest risk category for this virus to cause me harm. I’ve already returned from the edge of death. Now I am striving to stay ahead of this mysterious and potential killer virus.

 

 

My Return from the Edge

At 10 PM on August 21, 2019, I was at home brushing and flossing my teeth in my bathroom. I turned to my left to throw the used floss into my trashcan. My right foot was planted on my bathroom floor. As I twisted ninety degrees to my left, I heard a snap. In that instant, I fractured my right femur in half and collapsed onto my floor’s ceramic tile. Pain was excruciating! I screamed for my wife who was in the other room. Crumpled on my bathroom floor, I believed that the edge of death was near. My diagnosis in September 2018 was incurable bone marrow cancer called IgA Kappa Light Chain Multiple Myeloma. And I knew I already had outlived my oncologist’s original prognosis by six months.

 

EMS arrived within minutes and transported me to the ER.

 

I understood after being diagnosed that my skeleton was fragile, but I had no idea how fragile I was. Still, I was progressing well since my diagnosis while following my unconventional cancer protocols to maintain a quality of life. Then came this disaster in my bathroom.

 

My right femur broke like a chicken bone; 2 right ribs were broken, and my right humerus was fractured in half. I was heavily sedated. The surgeons repaired my right femur because the bone fragments could have pierced my femoral artery. My right humerus was left unset. A couple of days later, I was transported to a Hospice facility to die. I was at the end of my life.

 

To make matters worse, a hurricane was bearing down on Charleston, SC, on September 4, 2019. My city was preparing for a direct hit, and the Hospice facility was ordered to evacuate. The hospital had no place to send me; so, my wife scampered to find a hospital bed to be delivered ASAP to my house. I was then transported by ambulance to my home.

 

Basically, I was immobile, catheterized, requiring a bedpan, and lying in a hospital bed in my living room. My level of narcotic sedation made me constipated and groggy. When the hurricane hit, the power in my area went out for about 12 hours. Hospital beds are electric; so, now the bed was immobile too. No lights, no air conditioning, no phones – everything was working against me.

 

 

On the Mend

My wife, immediate family, and a few hospice nurses helped me at home. Once the hurricane passed, I had to make a decision – would I stay in Hospice or would I fight to survive? And I needed to get off all sedation meds.

 

My wife is an amazing woman. As an intensive care nurse, she knew of death and how to deal with those at death’s door. She saved my life. Her strength and determination helped me realize I could recover. My wife was the light at the end of the tunnel. She helped me return from the edge of death.

 

She arranged for an in-home nurse and a physical therapist to change my path from dying to healing. Within weeks I was able to get out of bed and then get rid of that damn catheter. My wife also helped me wean off all narcotics and related meds. By the end of September, I returned to my cancer protocols to heal my body.

 

With the help of my in-home physical therapist, I also was able to walk using a “rollator” not only inside my home but also outside. My recovery was rolling along amazingly well.

 

My oncologist was surprised and pleased with my recovery. In early October 2019, he suggested I consider two immunotherapies recently approved by the FDA for multiple myeloma, which I researched and incorporated into my cancer protocols. These were not chemotherapy drugs. They were targeted human-derived monoclonal antibodies to strengthen my bones and destroy my malignant plasma cells. Innovative medicine meets natural healing.

 

Then on October 16, 2019, I had another major setback when I fractured the lesser trochanter in my left femur. However, it was not as severe as my fracture in August. To help heal and recover from this fracture, I entered in-hospital physical therapy and did well. For the most part, I am a miracle on the mend both physically and mentally.

 

 

A Work in Progress

Shortly after recovering from my left femur fracture, I learned about the benefits of a Carnivore Diet for cancer patients. Once again, I delved into the science. Published case studies described how the Carnivore Diet could help patients with incurable cancers to heal. That was enough for me. So, on January 1, 2020, I changed my diet from an autoimmune Paleo-type diet to the Carnivore Diet.

 

I am a living example of an unfolding experiment. And I am a work in progress. All my previous events guided me to where I am today. My current blood chemistries and CBC are encouragingly positive. Specific blood tests to evaluate my malignant plasma cells also are showing significant improvement. My hope over the next few weeks is that this bone marrow cancer may go into remission. From there, who knows? I even might be able to eventually claim, “I am cured!”

 

As I stated at the beginning of this article, I am one in the highest risk category for the coronavirus. Importantly, I took a test two weeks ago to determine if I have increased intestinal permeability in my gut barrier membrane. “Increased intestinal permeability” is also known as a “leaky gut”. In my opinion, this is a vital test because a leaky gut is the gateway for chronic systemic inflammation and a compromised immune system. Chronic systemic inflammation and a compromised immune system are factors in the development of cancer as well as many other chronic diseases. One of the critical arenas for health, which my cancer protocols address, is the gut. Specifically, the gut’s microbiome, its mucus layer, and outer epithelial barrier must be functioning efficiently. If there is damage to my epithelial barrier, then my immune system would be compromised. I must have total control over this contingency.

 

The test is called the PEG 400 Permeability Test, which is not available in the US but is available in the UK as well as in Hungary. I used BioLab Ltd[1] in England for the test. I’ll have the results in another week or two, and I will write a Blog about the test, its interpretation, and my path going forward.

 

Physically, my life has turned around. I’m walking outside about one mile every other day. I’m also doing half-squats and modified pushups. And I’ve been able to walk up my stairs to the room-over-the-garage where I am able to use my NordicTrack Cross Country Skier once a week. I’m not going to win any athletic medals, but I am getting to move my body in healthy ways.

 

Based on what my oncologist tells me, there is no other patient with multiple myeloma who has done what I have done with my unconventional cancer journey. I’ve often said that I am a study of N=1. Perhaps my protocols have been successful because they provide a “shotgun approach” to get my body prepared to heal overall. My cancer protocols enhance various vital activities of my body: efficient nutrition and digestion, gut health, immune support, bone metabolism, and mitochondrial repair. I offer a PDF of my most updated cancer protocols to anyone who would like it. If you would like a copy, email me (Dr.Danenberg@iCloud.com). Caveat: My Cancer Protocols have never been proven to cure cancer. My personal research suggests that these protocols may have a positive effect on my body’s ability to heal itself. I make no other claims except this is what I am doing for myself.

 

[1] https://www.biolab.co.uk/docs/peginst.pdf

 

 

If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my email alert list here.

Mouth Ulcers
some get them; some don’t

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

March 2, 2020

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Article

 

Mouth Ulcers

 

Hippocrates was a Greek physician who lived over 2000 years ago. Today, he is known as the “Father of Modern Medicine”. Reportedly, he succinctly stated: “All disease begins in the gut.” And most often, mouth ulcers can be traced back to problems in your gut.[1]

 

It is critical to realize that the mouth is not an island unto itself. Whatever happens to one cell in the body ultimately can affect every other cell in the body. As a matter of fact, the mouth may be one of the first visible areas of the body which can show signs and symptoms of many systemic diseases.

 

 

Your Gut

Your gut has more beneficial bacteria than you have human cells in your body – about 38 trillion bacteria cells and about 30 trillion human cells. The microbes in your gut perform so many tasks that help you survive and thrive. The bacteria stimulate and enhance the immune system, prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, manufacture various vitamins, and produce short-chain fatty acids from the fermentation of various amino acids and dietary fibers.

 

Short chain fatty acids are vital to your health. They are a source of energy for the cells making up the wall of the colon (colonocytes). They assist in sugar metabolism, curb your hunger, and help with weight loss. In addition, short chain fatty acids improve the absorption of minerals, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve overall intestinal health. All this is accomplished by the short chain fatty acids that are created by the beneficial garden of bacteria that live in your gut.

 

But what would happen if these bacteria got out of balance and bad guys began to overgrow?

 

 

Gut Dysbiosis

The result, which is called “gut dysbiosis”, would be havoc. Havoc in the gut, havoc in the blood system, and havoc in your mouth and other areas throughout your body.

 

Harmful cascading events occur when there is gut dysbiosis.

 

The epithelial barrier, which is the outer wall of the gut, starts to break down. This barrier is made up of only one cell layer. These cells are held together by “tight junctions”, which are like hinges that hold a door in place. These “tight junctions” become weakened when there is gut dysbiosis and become unhinged, creating opening between cells. Stuff in the gut that should never leak into the blood system starts passing through these unhinged openings and contaminating the blood system. This is called a “leaky gut”.

 

At the same time, the unhealthy growing mass of gut bacteria stimulates the immune system leading to an explosion of inflammation. If gut dysbiosis is not treated quickly, the inflammation continues and spreads throughout the body affecting every cell and organ system in the body.

 

Chronic diseases and autoimmune diseases have their origin in this untreated and unhealthy gut. Some of the specific diseases associated with gut dysbiosis are ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, allergies, systemic lupus erythematosus, Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, food intolerances, cancer, periodontal disease, and mouth ulcers – just to name a few!

 

 

Mouth Ulcers and Lesions

Have you had sores on your tongue, sores on the inside surface lining of your cheeks, sores on your gum tissues, or sores in the corners of your mouth? Many of these ulcers and lesions are painful. Some are red and inflamed, some look like white lines, some appear to be clear “pimples”. But all are signs of your body reacting to something going wrong in your immune system. Most of the time, gut dysbiosis is the source of these disturbances. These ulcers and lesions have different names. Examples are aphthous ulcers, angular cheilitis, glossitis, lichen planus, etc. These ulcers and lesions may heal and disappear if the health of the gut is restored.

 

 

Treatment

To heal mouth ulcers and lesions, which have resulted from a disturbance in the healthy garden of bacteria in the gut, the gut must be healed. To do this, whatever factors that caused gut dysbiosis also must be understood and corrected. If the causes are not identified and removed, then the gut could never heal.

 

For example, if you had a splinter in your finger, the area could not heal until the splinter was removed. Likewise, if there are irritants or “splinters” causing your gut to become unhealthy, there would be no way to return to a healthy gut until all the “splinters” were eliminated.

 

The gut microbiome and the epithelial lining of the gut become damaged from many different irritants. Some of these irritating influences are:

 

    • Stresses on the body (including emotional, physical, or chemical)
      These could be serious but unrecognized causes. A significant chemical stress to the gut is glyphosate herbicide (Roundup) that damages the DNA in human cells; inhibits the growth of healthy bacteria, and directly causes leaky gut. In addition, stress to the immune system from metal ions leaking from titanium implants placed in the body and chemicals leaking from breast implants can cause chronic systemic inflammation, damaging the gut microbiome. Also, failing dental work; toxic dental materials; and oral infections in the gum tissues, teeth, and jawbone could be significant factors.

 

    • Other lifestyle and environmental stresses to the body
      Included are heavy metal toxicity, over exercising, lack of exercise, sleep deprivation and sleep apnea, continuous exposure to dirty electromagnetic fields, excessive blue-light exposure especially in the evening, smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of proper sunlight that is essential for the production of vitamin D3.

 

    • Processed foods
      Overly processed vegetable and seed oils, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats and oils, packaged prepared foods, processed sugars and carbohydrates, or other junk and chemicals in foods will have a harmful effect on the gut.

 

    • All plant foods
      Plants have the potential to irritate the gut by way of their anti-nutrients. Substances like phytates, oxalates, and lectins that exist in plants could damage the gut bacteria and intestinal barrier. Eliminating all plant foods for a period of time could assist the gut in healing itself. Then, plant foods could be reintroduced individually and slowly later. The Carnivore Diet could be used as an elimination diet to allow the gut to heal.

 

    • Specific medications
      Over-the-counter and prescription medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, alcohol, narcotics, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, hydrogen peroxide, and birth control pills could result in leaky gut.

 

    • Low dose ionizing radiation
      X-rays have a cumulative harmful effect. In our society, excessive dental and medical x-rays over the course of time can cause damage to the gut bacteria and the epithelial lining.

 

At the same time that irritants to the gut are removed or avoided, the healthy garden of gut bacteria must be restored, and the gut epithelial barrier must be repaired. I have prepared two PDFs that I give to my patients: Dr. Danenberg’s 30-Day Transition to the Carnivore Diet and a Protocol to Restore Normal Gut Bacteria.

 

 

From Me to You

Recently, I was asked to write a chapter for a peer-reviewed medical textbook tentatively titled, “Digestion, Metabolism and Immune Health”. My chapter is titled, “The Etiology of Gut Dysbiosis and its Role in Chronic Disease”. It will be one of 25 tentatively scheduled chapters for the book. My chapter has been accepted by the publishers. The tentative date of publication is the end of 2020 or early 2021. However, I have prepared an extensive paper that I titled, Your Gut is Killing You, which is based on my chapter. As more research comes to my attention, I have been updating this paper regularly. Currently, it is over 12,200 words in length and includes 260 cited peer-reviewed references.

 

My goals at this juncture in my life are to “give back” and “pay it forward”. If you would like a copy of Dr. Danenberg’s 30-Day Transition to the Carnivore Diet, my Protocol to Restore Normal Gut Bacteria, and my updated paper Your Gut is Killing You, send an email to me (Dr.Danenberg@iCloud.com), and I’ll get those PDFs to you.

 

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6834154/

 

 

If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my email alert list here.

Buy My Book

Crazy-Good Living

“Are You a Paid Shill
Or Just Plain Stupid?”

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

February 24, 2020

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Article

 

I had a virtual dagger thrown at me. So much rage, loathing, and mistrust are out there.

 

Someone in the cyber universe read my recent article about the Carnivore Diet. Yet, that stranger who read my words was so offended that he or she took the time to message me and questioned my integrity and intelligence. He or she wrote, “Are you a paid shill or just plain stupid?”

 

In that Blog I explained how I integrated an animal-based way of eating into my Daily Cancer Protocol. I described my current experiences and reasons why this diet made sense to me. In that article as well as my other updates, I explained the medical science that I could find that supported the biological benefits of the Carnivore Diet.

 

I did not hold a gun up to the head of anybody to read my thoughts or to agree with me. I did not push over-marketed, ineffective, and expensive gimmicks for purchase. I did not produce fake news to cloud and confuse my personal research and desire to get healthy. I just cited peer-reviewed research and case studies that impressed me enough to begin the Carnivore Diet to help me heal from incurable bone marrow cancer. I just wanted to share.

 

 

My First Impression

The reason I wanted to bring life to this reader’s comment is because it is indicative of the world in which we live today. What brought me to writing today’s blog is reminiscent of what stimulated me to write a blog I published on my website on March 9, 2019. I titled that post, Vitriol in Healthcare.

 

When I opened Messenger and read “Are you a paid shill or just plain stupid?”, I was taken aback. My first thoughts were how could someone accuse me of being “on the take” for some unsavory or fraudulent company pushing a worthless product? And why did he or she accuse me of blatant stupidity?

 

Then, I was disappointed that this person did not use a real name so that I could have some sort of discourse with him or her. I really wanted to know who my accuser was and what prompted that statement.

 

And then I rationalized that this person was in personal pain – possibly intense pain. I thought he or she was severely led astray in the past. Maybe this individual had serious medical problems. Perhaps he or she knew a close friend or relative whose life had been gravely damaged or ended by a medical mistake or complication. I’m just guessing here; I don’t know. But I don’t have any resentment toward this person. I just wish I could help this individual deal with his or her sadness and discomfort.

 

Coincidentally, while trying to unpack what that message really meant to me, I received an email from a reader who also read the same article about my Carnivore Diet and my Cancer Journey. In contrast, Melissa G. wrote to me:

 

“I now consider you a hero: what Dr. Wahl’s is to multiple sclerosis, you are to multiple myeloma, the carnivorous diet, and the importance of oral hygiene in health! I am grateful that you are sharing your experience so that all of us can learn and benefit from it. As you know, it is so difficult to know “what is what” in the medical field, and your background and training make you such a perfect and trustworthy conduit of complicated research and information. You empower us to take control of what we can. You inspire us with your positive attitude. You tell us Your Gut is Killing You!  But you tell us why and what we can do to regain control and foster good health.”

 

 

My Place Now

Since my diagnosis and realization of my mortality, I’m in a place where I want to “give back” and “pay it forward”. I have so much for which to be thankful.

 

I literally am dying to communicate with you, but not because I was diagnosed with an incurable bone marrow cancer in September 2018. And not because I was told at the time of my diagnosis that I probably would be dead by the end of 2018.

 

I wish to convey to you that I have taken this devastating life challenge and changed it into an inspiration for me to heal my body without chemotherapy or other chemical insults. How could I accept caustic drugs destroying my immune system and other cells and then still die from the complications of this aggressive multiple myeloma? Remember, I said this disease of malignant plasma cells is not curable through conventional methods today and will eventually kill me.

 

I hope to impress in you that no matter what life-shattering or life-threatening challenges you or your loved-ones have, you can reframe your outlook. As I see it, there are two paths you could travel:

 

  • In one direction, you have the option to go into denial, falling into an abyss of depression, and believing you are the victim. I’ve been there; I’m only human too. But I never stayed there. 
  • In the other direction, you could see your glass-of-life half-full and ready for you to become proactive and create memories for your family and close friends. You could create a quality of life for your remaining months, years, or decades on this earth. You could begin to “give back” and “pay it forward”. You could establish a legacy of whom you really are in this universe.

 

I want to encourage you to research your situation, ask all the pertinent questions, and never take “no” or “it can’t be done” for answers. Acknowledge your support group of family and close friends who are there for you. Don’t reject them or push them away. They are hurting – not as you are but in their own special ways. For me, my wife is my strongest pillar. She is the star in my unconventional cancer journey. She pulls me up when I get depressed (as I said, I get deeply depressed at times). She gives me tough love when necessary to get me back on the straight and narrow. She is undaunting in her commitment to me and my struggle. You too have someone who cares about you as much as my wife cares about me. Show that person unconditional love and appreciation for what he or she is going through and doing for you.

 

I’m excited to let you know that I am doing exceptionally well and may actually cure this incurable monster that has attacked my skeleton and immune system. I’ve had too many fractured bones stemming from this cancer coursing through my body. However, my experiences after the diagnosis have strengthened my resolve, my spiritual being, and my physical body. My life has been dramatically changed by this malignancy, but it has been changed for the better.

 

Take this home with you. You are the author, producer, and director of this play called “Your Life”. You are in control. You can make things happen. You could include many scenarios in your play. Make your play as memorable as the best Broadway production ever casted.

 

My newest news about the benefits of the Carnivore Diet as it relates to my Unconventional Cancer Journey is just an extension of me “giving back” and “paying it forward”. I’m neither a “shill” nor “just stupid”. I am sincere and honest. My aims are to inform and help wherever and whomever I can. In turn, I want to celebrate a quality life for as long as possible with those I hold dear.

 

 

If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my email alert list here.

Buy My Book

Crazy-Good Living

Carnivore Diet & Cancer
– My Newest News –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

February 17, 2020

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Article

 

Carnivore Diet & Cancer

 

It’s been almost 7 weeks since I started my new way of eating. The Carnivore Diet has become my most recent lifestyle change, and I’m lovin’ it.

 

I’m Lovin’ the Carnivore Diet

I’m loving this way of eating not only because there is evolutionary evidence that our primal ancestors may have been more carnivorous than previously thought.

 

While humans are omnivorous, we have a stomach, small intestine, and large intestine that are better designed to digest animal foods rather than plant foods. Our small intestines are relatively larger than that of other primates, and our colon is relative smaller. Other primates’ large colon is ideal for handling plant foods. In addition, primates other than humans have a cecum that helps them ferment plant foods into energy. Humans don’t have a cecum large enough to do this. Finally, the larger-sized human small intestine, compared to the smaller-sized small intestines of other primates, is better designed to digest animal proteins, fish, eggs, and some cooked plants. So, humans’ digestive tract seems to function better on animal-based foods rather than plant-based foods. As a matter of fact, researchers determined from fossil remains that Neanderthal Man was mostly carnivorous.[1] And new evidence has been uncovered that homo sapiens in Morocco predominately ate meat on a regular basis.[2]

 

And I’m loving this way of eating not only because the nutritional benefits from an animal-based diet makes digestive and biological sense to me.

 

The Carnivore Diet does not have the anti-nutrients that are associated with plants. Some of the anti-nutrients are lectins and oxalates, which I discussed in my previous Blog. Although some of these anti-nutrients are minimal and may not affect everyone who eats them, many of them cause slow damage in our gut over a long period of time.

 

In contrast, animals digest plants and are biologically able to remove toxic substances and absorb the nutrients better than humans. Then, the stored nutrients, which are present in their muscles, fat, and organs, are basically “predigested” for us. When we eat animals, we can easily and efficiently absorb these nutrients. In this 1979 paper titled “Importance of Animal Products in the Human Diet”[3], the authors impress the importance of the nutrient-density in animal-based foods.

 

In addition, when we avoid carbohydrates, many nutrients (like Vitamin C) are not required in large amounts because carbohydrates require more nutrients for proper digestion and absorption. For example, glucose inhibits cellular absorption of Vitamin C. So, when there is little blood glucose, then the daily requirement of Vitamin C for cellular health is greatly reduced.[4] A somewhat similar scenario goes for fiber. The requirement of fiber for the gut to ferment into necessary Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) is not critical since the garden of healthy gut bacteria can ferment the same necessary SCFAs from amino acids.[5]

 

But also, and most importantly, I’m loving this way of eating because it has the potential to assist my body in healing my bone marrow cancer.

 

In a past Blog, I talked about two published case studies of patients with non-treatable cancers being cured only from the consumption of animal-based foods.[6],[7] Certainly, I am aware that there is no proof that the Carnivore Diet will cure my multiple myeloma – maybe not even be beneficial for my malignancy. But I measure my life expectancy in months – not years or decades. Therefore, I’m not going to wait years for medical science to undeniably verify that the Carnivore Diet can heal cancers. I am confident that the current success stories of many cancer patients treated metabolically is real.

 

Fortunately, my oncologist’s original prognosis was incorrect when he gave me only 3-6 months to live. His prediction was made when he first diagnosed me in September 2018. Now, he is somewhat dumbfounded but fascinated with what I have been doing. And I am interested and responsive to all of his recommendations. We have an excellent and respectful rapport. However, I rejected all chemotherapy he recommended at the outset because putting caustic chemicals into my body did not make sense to me. The cocktail of these chemicals most likely would decrease the quality of my life going forward. So, since my cancer was incurable, what benefits would chemotherapy provide me?

 

My New Restrictions

Starting with my original cancer diagnosis, my research led me to many unconventional methods to heal my body. I incorporated these concepts into my Daily Cancer Protocol which I have tweaked frequently along the way. I make changes when I learn new facts or when I realize something in my protocol is not working as I expected. (If you would like a copy of my most recently modified Protocol, send me an email , and I’ll send it to you: Dr.Danenberg@iCloud.com)

 

Only a few months ago, my investigation led me to the Paleomedicini Clinic[8] in Budapest, Hungary. The doctors in the clinic have perfected a form of the Carnivore Diet which they call the Paleolithic Ketogenic Diet (PKD). Their published case studies and reports during the last 10 years have documented PKD’s results for a variety of cancers as well as many various chronic diseases. It appears to me from my reading of these individual case studies that some patients have completely cured their cancer from a strict adherence to the PKD.

 

The strict PKD does not allow any dairy, any plant food, or any supplements. As a matter of fact, the Paleomedicini Clinic attempts to wean all of their patients off prescription medications and to allow the PKD to be the only therapeutic treatment.

 

If I adhered to the strict PKD completely, then I would have to remove not only my heavy cream, triple-cream brie cheese, my coffee, my MCT oil, all supplements, and all medications. But also, I would have to discontinue the immunotherapy I am receiving from my oncologist. Whoa, that’s a lot for me to toss aside! Especially, since my biweekly bloodwork is getting stronger, and my quarterly multiple myeloma biomarkers are improving.

 

That said, I am OK with removing the large amounts of triple-cream brie cheeses I was eating as well as some supplements for 1-2 months to determine how I am doing at that time. I will not change any other elements of my modified Carnivore Diet, and definitely I will not stop my immunotherapy treatments.

 

As I’ve clearly stated, my initial impetus to research the Carnivore Diet was its potential to heal cancer patients. I’m also impressed that this way of eating will provide sufficient animal protein, which will maintain my muscle mass. Currently, I am moving forward with my modified Carnivore Diet experiment and will make these adjustments. I have no problem giving up some of what I have enjoyed to-date. Therefore, “good-bye” to some of my favorites for the time being.

 

For my diet, I need to find foods that are high in healthy fats. This is important so that I can maintain a state of ketosis. My gram-based “fat-to-protein ratio” should be at least 2:1. Leaving my triple-cream cheeses behind, I am on the lookout for high-fat animal products that I find delicious.

 

Just a week ago, I discovered a farm in Florida that raises grass-fed, grass-finished pure Wagyu beef – fatty, tasty, and affordable. I have purchased their Wagyu ground beef and their Wagyu short ribs. If you never tried Wagyu, you owe it to yourself to take the plunge. Do some research to find the US farms where Wagyu is raised. I found this one and am very pleased. Check out Pasture Prime Family Farm. Here is their webpage describing their Wagyu products.

 

 

The Here & Now

At this moment in my Unconventional Cancer Journey, I am doing amazingly well. I feel good energy, minimal pain, and a clear mind. My limitations consist of inabilities to travel distances by car as well as anywhere by airplane. I also have difficulty using my right arm because of my previously fractured humerus, walking distances because of my previous fractures in both my right and left femurs, and staying awake past 8 PM because I get very tired.

 

Believe me; I am not complaining. I have so much for which to be grateful. These limitations are nothing compared to what I had to endure when I entered hospice in August 2019 because my body had been severely compromised from my pathological fractures.

 

Going forward, staying in ketosis and effectively maintaining a healthy gut barrier are critical for my cancer healing. Ketosis can be measured by blood ketone levels with a ketone meter (ex. Keto-Mojo Meter[9]). Gut barrier stability is more difficult to measure but can be maintained by a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet, which is the Carnivore Diet. Also, spore-based probiotics and supplements to specifically assist the mucus layer and epithelial barrier of the gut can be helpful. There is a PEG 400 Intestinal Permeability Test Kit that is available from Paleomedicini in Budapest, Hungary.[10] The cost is approximately $250 US for 2 kits – one to record a basis reading and the other to re-evaluate the intestinal barrier health several months later.

 

My outlook is fervently positive, and my degree of health is improving daily. Possibly, my body will go into remission or even be cured in the near future. This would be against conventional medicine since my disease is supposed to be terminal. I’ve been told that I never should be able to cure this aggressive form of multiple myeloma. Well, I just may make medical history!

 

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Abraham Lincoln

[1] https://www.academia.edu/463164/Isotopic_biogeochemistry_13C_15N_of_fossil_vertebrate_collagen_application_to_the_study_of_a_past_food_web_including_Neandertal_man

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28593953

[3] https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(79)83366-4/pdf

[4] https://escholarship.org/content/qt2z34h0kw/qt2z34h0kw.pdf?t=q3qpcv&v=lg

[5] https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-019-0704-8/tables/2

[6] http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajmcr/4/8/8/

[7] https://www.openfuture.biz/expertise/AndrewScarborough.html

[8] https://paleomedicina.com/en/

[9] https://keto-mojo.com/

[10] https://c.nutriintervention.com/order?fbclid=IwAR1gPG1I18rVFJTAJoghXyGjb4BxXjCAYiVe0z8XTtWaiaJnIc10mx_P5ug

 

 

If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my email alert list here.

Buy My Book

Crazy-Good Living