Poppycath, Your Help Please

Good Afternoon Cath;

I attached the following article from CancerCompass' home page on nutrition and was curious as to know whether you, being a fellow Australian, can provide any input on this manufacturer or their products?

I know photog speaks highly of curcumin and that's listed as an ingredient. But this sells for $40.00 a bottle! Have you ever tried any of their products?

I appreciate your help.

Kevin

Hi Kevin! 

Hi Kevin!

 I have never heard of Blueberry Punch nor have I ever seen it in stores, however that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist here. Initially I would be a bit sceptical because real Australian medical doctors are not as eager as those in other parts of the world to endorse any products making these sorts of claims unless there is a mountain of scientific data to support it -- and even then they are generally reluctant with endorsements. I will have a look today in both the local supermarkets as well as the health food shops and see what I can find out.  The latest trend down here seems to be red gojo berries -- tablets and drinks.  They too, are very expensive and to be honest I haven't tried them because of the lack of real data to verify their efficacy.  Certainly the blurb for this Punch sounds good, but then spin doctors can make one believe anything!  I'll talk to you tonight and let you know if/what I can find.  Tomorrow is our local Cancer Support Group meeting and I will also ask the other members if they know of the Punch.

Catch you later, Cath

OOPS Kevin -- sorry, but it's not gojo berry, but rather Goji Berries and apparently the best ones are grown in the Himilayan mountains! People seem to swing from one 'natural' product to the next, staying with them for a couple of months then trying the next one depending on how frequently they are having blood tests and what the results are showing.  I haven't reached that situation yet for the medical treatment that I am receiving (Revlimid) is still managing to keep my paraprotein down and my other blood results in a near normal state.  I'm not really sure what I will try when/if this situation changes, but being aware of what is out there is the first step!

I'm off now -- its a perfectly lovely day here today and I've still got a bit of Christmas shopping to finish!!  Talk to you tonight, Cath

Dear Cath;

For U.S.A. customers we need to purchase 6 bottles and s/h totaling $240.00! That's a sizeable investment if the punch is GOOD! Even more expensive if I have to pour it down the kitchen drain! 

I was more curious regarding the flavor than the therapeutic value.

Now you local islanders, you get to imbibe on medicinal red wine. And you only have to purchase one.

Kevin

Hi Kevin!

Back from shopping!  They have never heard of Blueberry Punch or Dr. Red in the health food section of the local (big) supermarket.

The comprehensive little health food shop carries Dr. Red juices - two types - and has Blueberry Punch on order.  They have never sold it before and would have been happy to put my name on a waiting list for one of the 50 bottles that they have ordered -- slight hitch is that they have no idea when they will receive them!  So, it is probably new to the Dr. Red. stable of products, but I will follow up with our group tomorrow as there should be over 30 present because it is a Christmas Luncheon/Meeting and usually the best attendence meeting of the year!  I'll be sure to ask about taste and theraputic values if anyone has tried it!  Take good care, until tomorrow, Cath

The ingredients look good. The two questions would be 1) are they at high enough levels to be therapeutic and 2) are they bioavailable. Getting results in "culture" is step 1 and in mice step 2. Getting these substances through the digestive system and all the way to the cancer cell can be a difficult path, but it's worth a try. At the very least it can really help build the strength of the body to also fight the cancer and/or reduce side effects of chemo.

Regards,

Craig 

Hi Kevin and Craig~~

I asked everyone at our Christmas party today and no one had ever heard of Dr. Red or any of their products.  Several mentioned the nutritional value of blueberry's and raspberries, but they are eating rather than juicing them.  I take Craigs point in just how arduous the journey is for these things to be 'proven', but on the face of it if the juice is pure blueberry, with no additives and preservatives, then it probably isn't harmful and could possibly do some good.  However, their claims are very strong and I am very wary, particularly as I am doing well at the moment -- I don't want to add something into the mix and risk upsetting the balance.  Sorry I can't be of more use down here -- but if I see anything in the news or hear of anyone who is using it -- I will be sure to let you know.  Best wishes, Cath

Good Evening Cath;

I appreciate your help in searching this out.

Perhaps next years Christmans party you'll be able put this punch in the punch bowl.

Take care;

Kevin