Our Lady of Van

[Scene: Luka’s small clinic in Dalmatia. The Adriatic light spills in through the window. Vinko sits nervously on the chair across from Luka, who leans forward with a notebook, speaking softly but firmly.]

Luka:
Vinko… listen to me. Cancer is a hard enemy. But the body is not helpless. Every choice you make — every sip, every bite — can tip the scales. Think of this as arming yourself for war.

Vinko:
I’ll do whatever it takes, Luka. Tell me what I need.

Luka:
First, water. Only clean, filtered, mineral-rich. If you can, alkaline water, pH seven or eight. Drink plenty. Hydration is your foundation.

Vinko:
And food?

Luka:
Fruits — nature’s medicine. Apricots, and yes, the apricot seeds… they contain compounds people believe can fight cancer. Berries — blueberries, raspberries, blackberries — full of antioxidants. Grapes with resveratrol, pomegranates rich in polyphenols, papaya with papain. Citrus fruits, apples with their skins. These are not luxuries; they are ammunition.

Vinko:
I like apples.

Luka:
Good. Eat them whole. Now vegetables. The cruciferous family — broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts — they carry compounds that break down cancer’s defenses. And don’t forget your allies: leeks, onions, garlic. These humble foods have power. Spinach, beets, carrots, tomatoes — each one a weapon.

Vinko:
Garlic my grandmother always swore by.

Luka:
She was right. The old ways knew truth. Then, herbs and roots. Turmeric — the golden spice, with curcumin to calm inflammation. Ginger for circulation, ginseng and astragalus to strengthen your immunity. Milk thistle protects your liver, moringa nourishes every cell. Burdock root, Essiac tea… these are old allies from many traditions. Green tea, especially matcha, fights with antioxidants.

Vinko:
And supplements?

Luka:
Yes. Vitamin D3 with K2 — most of us here are deficient. Vitamin C, even high doses under supervision, can help the immune system. Magnesium, zinc, selenium. Omega-3s from flax or fish oil. Probiotics for the gut. Medicinal mushrooms — reishi, shiitake, maitake, turkey tail — they teach your immune system how to fight. Coenzyme Q10 for your mitochondria.

Vinko:
It’s a lot, Luka…

Luka:
I know. But cancer thrives on weakness. We cut off its supply. That means no processed sugar, no refined white bread, no sausages full of nitrates, no trans fats, no chemicals, no alcohol. Only clean, real food.

Vinko:
And the maple syrup and baking soda I heard about?

Luka:
Yes… some use it. The theory is simple: cancer cells crave sugar, so maple syrup draws them in. The baking soda delivers alkalinity that disrupts them. It is controversial, not accepted in hospitals, but I have seen people try it. If you do, you do it carefully, in balance with everything else.

Vinko:
So, food as medicine.

Luka:
Exactly. Food, water, herbs, roots, supplements. And your spirit. You must believe you are not a victim, Vinko. You are a fighter. Every meal, every sip, every breath — you remind the cancer: I am stronger than you.

[Vinko nods, tears in his eyes. Luka puts a steady hand on his shoulder.]

Luka:
We fight together. You, me, and every root and seed the earth gave us.

🌊 Water & Alkalinity

• Alkaline water (pH ~7–8) – believed by some to help balance body pH.
• Filtered spring water – clean, mineral-rich water supports detoxification.
• Hydration – at least 2–3 liters daily for cellular health.

🍯 Alternative Remedies

• Maple syrup + baking soda mixture – promoted in some alternative circles (controversial, no mainstream medical backing). Idea: maple syrup carries baking soda to cancer cells (since cancer feeds on sugar).
• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) – alkalinizing agent, sometimes suggested in moderation.

🍎 Anti-Cancer Fruits

• Apricots & apricot seeds (B17/laetrile/amygladin) – often cited in natural cancer circles.
• Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries) – rich in anthocyanins & antioxidants.
• Pomegranates – high in ellagic acid, polyphenols.
• Grapes (especially red/purple) – resveratrol-rich.
• Papaya – papain enzyme supports digestion & immunity.
• Citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits) – vitamin C, limonoids.
• Apples (with skin) – quercetin & pectin detox benefits.

🥦 Anti-Cancer Vegetables

• Cruciferous vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage (sulforaphane, indole-3-carbinol).
• Allium family – leeks, onions, garlic, shallots, chives (organosulfur compounds).
• Spinach & dark leafy greens – chlorophyll, folate, magnesium.
• Carrots – beta-carotene, falcarinol.
• Beets – betalains support detox pathways.
• Tomatoes – lycopene, especially when cooked.

🌿 Herbs & Roots

• Turmeric (curcumin) – strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant.
• Ginger – anti-nausea, circulation, digestive aid.
• Ginseng – immune modulator, adaptogen.
• Astragalus root – immune booster.
• Milk thistle – liver detox support (silymarin).
• Green tea (matcha) – catechins (EGCG) with anticancer properties.
• Moringa leaves – rich in antioxidants & micronutrients.
• Burdock root – detox, used in Essiac tea blends.
• Essiac tea herbs – burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm, Indian rhubarb root.

💊 Supplements & Nutrients

• Vitamin D3 + K2 – immune support, anti-cancer correlation.
• Vitamin C (high dose, sometimes IV in integrative oncology).
• Zinc – supports immunity & cellular repair.
• Magnesium – cellular function, alkalinity.
• Selenium – antioxidant, often linked to reduced cancer risk.
• Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil, flaxseed oil, chia seeds) – anti-inflammatory.
• Probiotics – gut health, immunity.
• Medicinal mushrooms – reishi, shiitake, maitake, turkey tail (beta-glucans for immune support).
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – mitochondrial & heart support.

🚫 Foods to Avoid (often noted in anti-cancer protocols)

• Processed sugar, refined carbs.
• Processed meats (nitrates, nitrites).
• Hydrogenated oils & trans fats.
• Excess dairy (some protocols recommend plant alternatives).
• Alcohol, artificial sweeteners, chemical additives.

⚕️ Summary in Luka’s style:
“Vinko, the body is a battleground. You want to give it allies, not enemies. Clean water, whole foods, anti-inflammatory herbs, and immune-supporting roots — these are your weapons. Apricot seeds, garlic, turmeric, berries — they all have compounds that fight disease at the cellular level. Stay away from sugar and chemicals, because cancer feeds on weakness. And remember, this is not magic, it’s support. Your body and mind must fight together.”