Gyllenhaal said she found it surprising that many patients adopted a healthy diet on their own while the rest of their family ate a typical American diet. The patients reported very strong adherence to the program of dietary and lifestyle change. A majority of the patients were over age 55 when they started the program, indicating that major lifestyle changes are not restricted to younger patients, but are clearly within the reach of more elderly patients as well. Block believes that the fewer animal products and animal proteins that patients eat, and the more vegetables and soy products, the better their chances of outliving their cancer. There is some controversy on these subjects but, for the most part, the vast amount of literature seems to indicate that increasing calories and fat does promote tumor growth.
Exercise is another important component in building muscle mass.
Another benefit of the diet-fitness regimen is helping patients overcome the devastating effects of chemotherapy. There is strong evidence that phytochemicals in cabbage, onions, garlic and other cruciferous vegetables act as blood detoxifiers. Animal fats, on the other hand, provide an environment more suitable for cancer promotion and immune suppression. However, our research is still in preliminary phases and will take more time to confirm what we think we are observing. Building up the immune system is especially important for cancer patients trying to fight the effects of cancer.