Amazing Vegan Cancer Story

"In 1991, at 69 years old, Mike Fremont was diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer. 

His doctors gave him 3 months to live without surgery. He declined the operation and adopted a whole food plant-based diet. 

Two years later, he had surgery to remove the tumor and the doctors found no metastasis.

A lifelong athlete, Mike holds several world records in running and canoe racing, proving that dedication to health can lead to extraordinary results.

As a 32-year cancer survivor and centenarian, Mike Fremont is a true inspiration, demonstrating that thriving on a plant-based diet is not only possible but powerful!" (LINK)

"In 1991 Mike was aged 69. “I contracted a cancer which the Cleveland Clinic said would kill me in 3 months unless operated upon. I said no, I was going on a diet! The tumor had metastasized into my lymphatic system and would have required efforts to treat the metastases with radiation and/or chemotherapy (with questionable results in those earlier days). In 2 and a quarter years the tumor began to bleed, I was operated upon.”

“The surgeon looked for metastasis in 35 places and found zero. In other words my Macrobiotic Diet, becoming a Vegan Diet, becoming a whole-Foods Plant-Based Diet, killed the metastases! The results of the diet have been perfect and it has been since that diet that all my world records have come about as well as such distinction in the U.S.” (LINK)

Plant Based Cancer Success Story

As a forward, this site does not claim to cure or prevent any disease. I am not a doctor or a medical professional. 

With that being said, this is an amazing story this man is sharing about his plant based success story. Personally I do believe in a mostly plant based diet that includes some fish (similar to the Chris Wark diet). Anyways, here's his exciting story!

Why I'm "mostly Plant Based," not "fully vegan"

First of all, I generally eat a plant-based diet. I agree with many of the beliefs found in veganism. However, I don't agree on everything. Below are some disagreements I have with some of the more militant vegan activists.

1) We don't know everything. Prior to the discovery of B-12 in 1947, humans have been omnivores for as long as history records. This "ancestral diet" involves many different nutrients, vitamins and minerals. But it also involves interactions - or certain essential pairings for optimal absorption. While our top scientists understand many of these things, I'm also convinced they don't know everything. 

2) "Judge Not" (Matthew 7:1). I prefer a tolerant and understanding mindset when approaching a historically omnivore species (humans). I feel that constant anger is detrimental to one's health. Some vegans can be downright cruel to those who exit the lifestyle. We must understand that dogs, cats, fish, whales, dolphins, birds, humans and many other species are not historically vegan. However, this is not a justification of cruelty found in factory farms or gluttonous lifestyles. 

3) Because of soy, gluten and nut allergies, some people do better on their ancestral diet (which includes animal products). This is where I'd prioritize health over ideology, personally. If someone is truly struggling to be healthy on an entirely vegan diet, I'm OK with them trying out non-vegan options, especially when those options are humanely raised.

Mikhaila Peterson seemed to only improve on a meat based diet. Either I can accept that I don't know everything, or I can judge her. I prefer the first option.

4)  While all of the blue zones were mostly plant-based, none of the blue zones were fully vegan. Yes, there are vegans living among the 7th Day Adventists, who did quite well in the Blue Zones studies. But the five blue zones including Ikaria Greece, Okinawa Japan, Nicoya Costa Rica, Sardinia Italy, Loma Linda California, all included a small amount of animal protein. It's easy to forget that veganism wouldn't even be possible without the discovery of B-12, which happened in the 20th century. DHA omega 3 from algae is another example of a modern breakthrough which allows vegans to be healthy. 

5) Supplements and planning can be pricey, ineffective and exhausting. Yes, I know that B12 is technically the only supplement vegans need for survival. However: zinc, Omega 3 DHA, Vitamin D, Many of the B vitamins, selenium, iodine, choline, iron, protein and many others are often limited on a vegan diet. Maintaining these supplements is an essential part of most vegan diets. 

Much of the world doesn't have access to these supplements. I lived overseas for about 4.5 years (in China) and witnessed true poverty. Many people there work for about a dollar an hour. 

It would be absurd to ask someone in this income bracket to purchase a $30 algae supplement for their DHA omega 3's or a $60 container of pea protein. Also, trusting the quality of these supplements is a huge problem in China and other countries.

6) Even vegan restaurants kill rats and mice, and it's probably a "necessary evil." 

Be honest, do you really want rat droppings on your black bean burger? Landlords generally take care of rodent issues for their tenants, including vegan restaurants. Sure, there's always the remote possibility that the rodents are caught and brought to another place. Is this likely, especially in a city setting? Absolutely not. Landlords are generally too busy to be driving rats and mice around. And dropping these rodents off in a forest is generally a death sentence anyways, according to PETA (Link).

It's also noteworthy that mice and rats will generally do anything possible to return to their homes and families (aka our favorite vegan restaurants or even our bedrooms), even from miles away. 

7) Nobody is 100% vegan. Yes, vegans generally do a far better job at protecting animals than those eating factory-farmed meat. Vegans also generally use less land, since much of the grains grown in the world end up feeding animals for meat.

However, even vegan farms require deforesting, which destroys animal homes and habitats. Simply mowing the lawn kills rodents and insects. Rodents and other animals are killed during combine harvesting. Farms often require pesticides and insecticides that kill bees and other insects. Roadkill is possible for anyone who owns cars. 

8) Some prominent vegans (including "Vegan Gains") call for "culling" or killing predatory animals. This is absolutely absurd in my mind, as it would involve killing most species of fish and birds, who often eat smaller fish. insects or even smaller rodents. The only time I'd be in favor of killing an animal is to use it as food, when other better foods aren't available.

9) I do believe in promoting my own species over other species. While fish often eat smaller fish, they will almost never eat their own species (Link). This "speciesism" is true throughout the animal kingdom.  If I had to choose between the life of a human or an animal, I would protect a human. Some vegans make no such distinction. 

10) Factory farming and gluttony are huge problems. I'm actually in agreement with most vegan ideals and principles. I'm also 100% against the evils of factory farming. Currently, I eat a plant-based diet. That being said, I personally put health and science before any sort of ideology, rather than vice versa.

11) Eating a big fish saves many small fish. Most fish are omnivores, and hunt insects or even other small fish. So for those who eat big fish, they are effectively saving the lives of many smaller fish.

12) "I like whales." The simple statement, "I like whales" is extremely anti vegan. Why? Because whales eat roughly 5,500 pounds of fish PER DAY (2,500 kg) (Link)! These lovable creatures are killing machines, and yet I don't judge them for it. Their natural diet is fish. They are entitled to eat their natural diet, as are humans. 

Delicious and high protein plant based breakfast

BBQ Tofu with avocado. Delicious, 40g of protein, plus healthy fats and Lutein. 

Can a Whole Foods Plant Based Diet Reverse Heart Disease?

1) "Researchers compiled the findings of 95 different studies and concluded: Eating more fruits and vegetables daily reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Apples, pears, citrus fruits and leafy greens all helped heart health" (Link).

2) "A study published in 2014 looked at 198 patients to further investigate whether eating a strict plant-based diet could stop or reverse heart disease. It found of the 177 patients who stuck to the diet, the majority reported a reduction in symptoms and 22 per cent had disease reversal confirmed by test results" (Link).

3) "An early randomised trial comparing a low-fat, plant-based diet with exercise and stress management to usual care in 46 CHD patients reported significant increases in exercise capacity and left ventricular ejection fraction as well as significant decreases in total cholesterol and angina frequency in the intervention group after just 24 days" (Link)

4) "It appears that plant-based diets high in antioxidants, micronutrients, dietary nitrate and fibre but low in saturated/trans fats and sodium are associated with decreased heart failure incidence/severity (Link).

5) "Research presented during the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2017 showed that plant-based diets decreased the risk of heart failure by 42 percent among people with no history of heart disease" (Link)

6)  A 2016 study states that "participants in the highest versus lowest quintile for adherence to overall plant‐based diet index or provegetarian diet had a 16%, 31% to 32%, and 18% to 25% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular disease mortality, and all‐cause mortality, respectively, after adjusting for important confounders" (Link).

7) "A 2014 study from the American Heart Association showed that men ages 45 to 79 who ate 75 grams or more per day of processed red meat, like cold cuts, sausage, bacon, and hot dogs, had a 28% higher risk of heart failure compared with men who ate less than 25 grams" (Link).

Fighting ALS With Diet and Supplements

As a preface, I am not a doctor and am not claiming to cure, treat or diagnose any condition. The below citations and studies are simply for your information and consideration.

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While ALS is generally viewed as a "death sentence," several people have claimed to stop its progression and even reverse some of its symptoms through diet and herbs.

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1) Check out how Pam Bartha was able to recover from MS (similar to ALS) by treating underlying parasitic infections through Dr. prescribed anti-parasite medications. Note that Pam is not a vegan or a vegetarian, but eats whole foods and avoids processed sugars, grains, breads, etc. 

2) Ariel Belloso claims to have beaten peripheral neuropathy - a similar disease - on a raw vegan diet. "The weakness I felt through the muscles of my legs got so bad that at one point that it made standing up very difficult...At the same time, I noticed it was becoming increasingly more difficult to chew certain foods, especially meat. And just to remind you, the year was 2004 and I was eating the standard western diet" (Link).

After doing research online, Ariel changed his diet to a raw vegan lifestyle. "Four months into my new raw vegan diet, all my symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy were soon receding. I stopped feeling those electric shock pains, and my balance and coordination was fully restored" (Link).

3) "No Egg Craig" is a popular vegan Youtuber who beat a similar, but less severe, condition known as CIPD. This disease also attacks nerve cells and led him to being paralyzed in his bed. Craig says that a fully raw, vegan diet helped him overcome CIPD.

4) Anthony Quan has had ALS for 11 years now. "After being diagnosed with ALS, I soon found myself in a state of total paralysis, or as I called it, 'you’re totally f****, bro.' But I credit my diet of veganism and hardcore juicing with helping me to regain some control of my body" (Link).

Though Anthony is still mostly paralyzed, he's regained some movement in his limbs, which is nothing short of miraculous. Anthony also stays active painting with his eyes, using a technology that allows him to be creative even while in his bed.

5) Dr. Craig has had ALS since 1995. He says, "Most importantly, my breathing is way better than it was three years ago...I am not meaning to imply that a 100% raw foods diet is the best choice for everyone’s optimal wellness, although I have read enough that has me believing that those who would like to achieve the optimal wellness possible for them to consume a high alkaline diet that is at least 60-80% raw...I use avocado, an abundance of healthy oils and raw almonds as some of my nutrient dense strategies for maintaining weight." (Link).

"Daily [Dr. Craig] drinks lots of filtered alkaline water, juices, and eats a very clean mostly a raw food diet, with plenty of healthy fats and protein" (Link).

Things That Seem To Help

1) Treat Hidden Infections and Parasites - Veterinarians have known for hundreds of years that parasites and worms can cause debilitating neuropathy and eventual paralysis in animals (Link). Doctors are finally discovering that this is also true for humans: 

"Researchers at the University of California-Riverside have shown, for the first time, that infection from the common parasite Toxoplasma gondii disrupts neurotransmitter glutamate function in the brain, potentially leading to neuronal death and neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)" (Link). 

For fighting parasite infections naturally, check out my post HERE!

2) Take L- Serine - "Researchers have shown that, when treated with L-serine, a non-human primate model of ALS had fewer pathologies associated with the disease" (Link).

3) Focus on a whole foods, plant-based diet.

4) Lion's Mane - "Some research suggests that extracts of lion’s mane mushrooms may encourage nerve cells to grow and repair more quickly. One study showed that rats with nerve damage receiving a daily extract of lion’s mane mushrooms had quicker nerve regeneration than control animals" (Link).

5) Probiotics - "The study published in the journal Clinical Therapeutics found profound evidence suggesting that gut microbiota targeted with natural bacteria products successfully alleviated ALS progression in animal models" (Link).

6) ALA (alpha lipoic acid) - "Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant and also a cofactor for mitochondrial enzymes. In a study with G93A/SOD-1 mice, ALA...showed a significant delay in onset of impaired motor performance, increased survival, and attenuated weight loss in treated mice compared to controls" (Link).

7) Beta Carotene - "The new study showed that people whose diets were higher in beta-carotene and lutein had a lower risk of developing ALS. Lutein is a type of oxygen-rich carotenoid called a xanthophyll, which is found in deep green vegetables like kale and broccoli" (Link). Since raw kale can lead to iodine absorption issues, I recommend adding some raw carrots to your morning smoothie for beta carotene. My favorite smoothie recipe is by the amazing medical doctor Brooke Goldner HERE.

Another study showed that "fruit consumption was negatively associated with the risk of ALS, but intake of beef, fish, and fast food were positively associated with the risk of ALS. In addition, the risk of ALS was negatively associated with intake of plant calcium and beta-carotene, while positively associated with intake of total calcium and animal calcium. Intake of vegetables and other antioxidant nutrients had no effect on the risk of ALS in the present study" (Link).

8) NAC - "Recently, Louwerse reported on a double-blind trial of NAC in 111 patients with ALS. Patients with limb onset but not bulbar onset of ALS had a 50% decrease in the one year mortality rate with NAC treatment" (Link).

10) Tudca - "Research has shown that TUDCA can decrease nerve cell death, a hallmark of ALS, through its ability to act as an antioxidant that prevents toxic reactive oxygen species from accumulating inside cells. The molecule also has the ability to control immune function" (Link).

11) Take wheatgrass. 

One animal study concludes, "Wheatgrass treatment ameliorated the oxidative damage of sciatic nerves by increasing the antioxidant enzymes SOD, Catalase, GSH levels and by decreasing the formation of TBARS in diabetic rat sciatic nerves" (Link).

Here are some personal testimonies about wheatgrass: 

"I have now completed two months of oral wheatgrass extract to see if the wheatgrass would be beneficial to my Multiple Sclerosis... I am astounded by how much energy I now have. I started to notice the change after about 3.5 weeks of taking wheatgrass, and my energy levels continue to increase. I am truly amazed." 

"I am SO happy with the improvement in sensation, and my hair and nails look GREAT! My skin is still really sore but I have much hope that will change soon" (Link).