Donnie Yance is an internationally known master herbalist and nutritionist. He is the author of the book, "Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer" and "Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism"
By Donnie Yance
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This review examines one of breast cancer’s most challenging aspects: dormant disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) that fuel cancer recurrence. Despite initial treatment success, 25-45% of breast cancer patients relapse months or years later with fatal secondary or metastatic disease, with dormancy being the key culprit behind both early and late recurrence.
Continue reading “Natural Compounds for Beating Dormant Breast Cancer Stem Cells”
By Donnie Yance
September 23 marks the birthday of musical legend, John Coltrane.
When Coltrane stepped to the microphone, he wasn’t just performing—he was giving a homily or a sermon. His saxophone became a conduit for what he called “spirit communications,” transforming concert halls into sanctuaries. Each solo was a sermon without words, each phrase a prayer ascending.
The very structure of his improvisation mirrored the rhythm of spiritual practice: the patient building of themes, the sudden eruptions of divine insight, the return to contemplative quietude. In “A Love Supreme,” you can hear him cycling through the stages of devotion—supplication, gratitude, ecstasy, surrender—all within the span of a single breath through his horn.
This wasn’t performance for its own sake. Coltrane understood what mystics have always known: that repetition opens doors to transcendence. His famous “sheets of sound” weren’t technical showmanship but spiritual discipline made audible, like the repeated mantras of monks or the circular breathing of ancient prayer practices.
Continue reading “John Coltrane Wasn’t Just Playing the Saxophone—He Was Preaching a Homily”
by Donnie Yance
Parmigiano Reggiano, a cheese to which I am somewhat addicted, offers a delicious sharp, nutty, and slightly salty flavor that has earned it the nickname “King of Cheeses” among culinary enthusiasts worldwide.
The Health Paradox of Cheese
Cheese is a nutrient-dense fermented dairy product consumed worldwide, though its health effects remain controversial. It provides high-quality protein (mainly casein), essential minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium), vitamins (A, K2, B2, B12, folate), and beneficial bioactive compounds including probiotics. However, cheese also contains significant amounts of saturated fat and sodium, which are generally considered unfavorable for cardiovascular health.
The molecular structure and nutritional profile of cheese varies substantially by type. While many varieties contain potentially problematic levels of fat and sodium with limited nutritional value, others like Parmigiano Reggiano offer exceptional health benefits despite being cheese.
Multiple meta-analysis studies provide comprehensive perspectives on cheese consumption research, identifying uncertainties, biases, and knowledge gaps in existing evidence.1 Parmigiano Reggiano is characterized by exceptional nutritional qualities, containing substances with specific biological actions. According to the definition established by the European Union, it can be fully classified as a ‘functional’ food.2
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By Donnie Yance
Is baking soda for cancer a valid idea? Cancer (The Cancer Energy/Intelligence) alters the tumor microenvironment in several ways, and one of them is by creating an acidic zone around the tumor that promotes cancer progression and treatment resistance. Recent research suggests that sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or potassium bicarbonate supplementation can offer significant benefits for prostate and other cancer patients by neutralizing this tumor acidity.
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, serves multiple clinical purposes beyond its well-established role as an antacid for treating gastric hyperacidity. Recent research by Chao et al.1 has demonstrated promising applications in oncology through a novel approach targeting intratumor lactic acidosis during chemoembolization procedures. Chemoembolization is a treatment where chemotherapy drugs are delivered directly to a tumor, while simultaneously blocking the tumor’s blood supply to reduce side effects and maximize drug concentration at the tumor site. In their clinical trial, the researchers modified conventional chemoembolization by incorporating a 5% sodium bicarbonate solution alongside standard cytotoxic drugs, achieving remarkably high local tumor control rates. This use of baking soda for cancer by injecting it directly into the tumor has profound implications. The underlying mechanism for sodium bicarbonate’s antitumor efficacy appears to be its ability to neutralize the acidic tumor microenvironment, which typically promotes cancer cell proliferation and therapeutic resistance.2
Continue reading “The Benefits of Baking Soda For Cancer?”
By Donnie Yance
Kefir is a fermented beverage, usually made from dairy, that has beneficial health effects due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.1 Kefir originates from the Caucasus region (between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea), and from Tibet (between China and India). Research also suggests its probiotic content directly influences the immune system’s cancer surveillance capabilities.
Recent research has illuminated kefir’s remarkable immune modulating properties. The fermentation process creates bioactive peptides, exopolysaccharides, and diverse probiotic strains that work synergistically to enhance immune function. Studies have demonstrated that regular kefir consumption may increase natural killer cell activity, modulate inflammatory responses, and strengthen intestinal barrier function.2
Continue reading “Kefir: A Potent Immune-Enhancing Fermented Food with Promising Cancer Prevention Properties”
By Donnie Yance
Contrary to popular belief, carbohydrates can be powerful allies in your weight loss journey when you understand how to use them properly. There are better carbs and worse carbs, and healthy carbs can actually help you lose weight.
For years, carbohydrates have been villainized in diet culture, portrayed as guaranteed weight-gain culprits. This misconception has been reinforced by the popularity and widely publicized success stories of low-carb approaches like the Atkins and ketogenic diets. However, this oversimplified advice lacks crucial nuance about how carbohydrates actually function in our bodies.
In reality, high-quality carbohydrates, for example from whole grains, play an essential role in fat-burning and metabolic health, and just might be the missing piece in your fitness puzzle.
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