2 lemons a day keeps George Kleynhans positive amid struggle
2019 was not a good year for George Kleynhans. First he lost his wife and shortly after, he was diagnosed with prostate as well as bone cancer.
POLOKWANE – “My legs started to feel weird and stiff. It felt like gout. I went to a general practitioner who referred me to a urologist.
“The specialist sent me for a bone scan and the outcome was phase four bone cancer. Furthermore, my prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 630 nanograms per millilitre (ng/ml), and it is supposed to be no more than four ng/ml. Doctors began treatment with eligard and oestrogen, respectively.
The treatment prevents the cancer from spreading and keeps it under control.”
George was also referred to an oncologist for chemotherapy treatment.
“I began chemotherapy on 15 January but just before that, my blood was tested again and my Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) score was 4,9. With the first test after my first chemotherapy, the score was 2,9 and last week it was 2,4.” George believes that even though chemotherapy assisted, his diet played a major role in this.
“Chemotherapy attacks all the cells, the bad and the good. I believe the fact that I take two lemons a day is the reason. I put a whole lemon, peel, kernels and meat in a food processor and drink the mixture.”
Another advantage George has is that he is a veteran. “I was in the air force in the late 1970’s and recently applied to the South African Veterans in Hatfield. They pay all my medical expenses. Most importantly, Dr Tumelo Mayoba gave me chemotherapy for free.
“I have four more treatment sessions left.” Meanwhile, George is engaged to Jakkie Oosthuyse and, as soon as he is declared cancer-free, the wedding bells will sound.
BONUS spoke with dietitian Anke van Waveren about the influence that lemons have on one’s body. “Lemons are high in vitamin C and low in pH, so it should be seen as acidic and not alkaline.” Some studies have shown how people whose diets are rich in citrus have a lower chance of being diagnosed with cancer. Other studies, again, failed to draw a line between the two.
“A healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables can help prevent some cancers. During certain studies, certain components of lemons have been found to kill cancer cells.” Studies conducted on rats have indicated that the components found in the pulp of pines and also found in lemons prevent the formation of malignant tumours on their tongue, lungs and colon.
“Although some plant components in lemons and other citrus fruits have anti-cancer potential, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that lemons can fight cancer in humans.”
