May 2011
Dear Friends,
With spring arriving rather late this year we seem to be exasperated from a “too long, too cold” winter. Here in the northeast it has seemed more like Siberia. Just when I was ready to put in early crops like onions, beans and spinach at the end of March, we got 8 inches of heavy wet snow. A day later we got 3 more inches which was followed by a week of subfreezing cold which covered the ground with solid ice for weeks. Sigh….
But as promised, here is the second installment of the Cancer Prevention Series. We talked last time about the things to avoid that can be harmful, THINGS TO STOP DOING/USING IMMEDIATELY! So this time we will talk about the positive things you can add to your diet, routine and…to your life in general that have cancer preventative properties.
Good Things to Consume
Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens contain antioxidants called carotenoids that absorb cancer causing free radicals. And while you’re cooking up some of these delicious greens, be sure to add plenty of fresh garlic to them, which has compounds that protect against cancer; especially colon, skin and lungs. And why not add some friendly fungi (mushrooms) to fight cancer and build the immune system.
Tomatoes, especially the cooked form, contain lycopene that has been found to protect against prostate, lung, breast and stomach cancer. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts and cabbage also decrease cancer. Fiber rich whole grains and legumes (beans) have antioxidants and phytoestrogens that decrease cancer risks. Colorful fruits are high in cancer fighting compounds; blueberries are richer in cancer fighting antioxidants than any other berry.
Nuts are high in selenium, which helps locate and kill tumor cells and repairs DNA and is rich with heart healthy oils.
Eat fermented foods such as kimchi, kefir, yogurt, naturally fermented vinegar and fresh sauerkraut. This helps the immune system by balancing the healthy flora in the intestines and preventing the toxic effects of candida overgrowth.
Just think of all the wonderfully deliciously healthy meals you can make! Chicken and collard greens, spinach quiche, whole grain spaghetti with garlicky tomato sauce and mushrooms, caramelized brussels sprouts with garlic and soy sauce, broccoli with homemade cheese sauce, blueberries with cashews in fresh yogurt or kefir…. well you get the idea.
Supplements
There are herbs and vitamins that are very helpful for immune support and cancer prevention. Some herbs that support the immune system and have anti-cancer properties are, pau d’arco, echinacea, ginger, licorice and kelp; all of which can be found in my Endocrine Strengthener. Red clover, turmeric, burdock root, poke root buckthorn and many more wonderful herbs too numerous to mention.
Vitamins play an extremely important role in helping our bodies fight off cancer and other debilitating diseases. Vitamin D is a very complex vitamin that acts much like a hormone. Since we don’t get as much sunlight as we should and when we are outside we have been taught to slather ourselves with sunscreen that prevents us from absorbing Vit. D from the sun and to compound the dilemma until recently the FDA set a limit of 400 IU on Vit D, which isn’t nearly enough to remain healthy. Consequently, as a society we find ourselves in a perpetual state of Vit. D deficiency. Several studies have shown that if Americans would take 1,000 IU of Vit. D daily, the colon cancer rate would drop by 50%. Another study has shown that the survival rate of a person diagnosed with cancer increases by 50% if they are not vitamin D deficient at the time of the diagnosis.
I would suggest a minimum of 1000 IU a day. I take 2,500 IU daily.
Vitamin C has long been understood to be highly beneficial since Nobel laureate Linus Pauling famously and controversially suggested that vitamin C supplements can prevent cancer. More recently it was proven by a team of Johns Hopkins scientists that vitamin C prevented tumor growth in mice. Vitamin E and selenium are also a wise choice.
There is a growing body of evidence that sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can prevent and even cure cancer. There are many reasons why it works; it alkalizes and oxygenates the body and controls candida. It is known that cancer prefers an acidic environment that is low in oxygen. Candida overgrowth is associated with cancer risk. Start your own research on Baking soda for Cancer.
Good Habits
There are some wise choices we can make in our daily lives that can decrease our cancer risks. We all understand that quitting smoking ranks right around the top of that list. I also suggest getting a filter for your tap water that will remove fluoride and chlorine.
Drink hot green tea, which helps the lymphatic system, remove unwanted toxins from the body. Take a walk after dinner; it’s good to clear your mind and has been known to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Exercise helps improve your immune system and expels toxins through deep breathing and sweat. It also helps regulate hormones.
Mental Emotional Aspects
Keep a good relationship with those closest to you. It has a very positive long-term effect on your health. If a good relationship is not possible then perhaps it is time to put some distance between you and that person.
Have a hobby, sport, cause or activity that you enjoy. Doing something that you are passionate about creates balance, purpose and self worth in your life. Meditation has a positive influence in all areas of your life. Through meditation, you quite the mental chatter and listen to the voice which remembers your propose in life. Laugh out loud and often!
Improve your problem solving skills because when you search for a solution to your problems (and remember to think outside the box) you are less apt to feel trapped, which increases your stress hormones and can interfere with a healthy immune system. And let’s not forget the healing effects of a good healthy sex life. It improves circulation and increases endorphin production.
It is my hope you are able to use some of these suggestions to improve your health and enhance your quality of life. Now go do what (or who LOL) you love! Live Love and Laugh!!!
Love and Light, Lori
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