A New Way of Life (Anti Cancer)

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2010

A New Way of Life

We made it home from beautiful Hawaii. On the last day, we were all lying under some palm trees on a grassy area at the beach. I couldn't help but think about going home and returning to reality. It has been so fun to spend time with Kaitlyn and Brian, but I know that things will not be so easy-going when I get home. I watched the white fluffy clouds pass in front of the sun, making it a little darker and less hot then, suddenly, the clouds would move and again make it brighter; I could again feel the warmth on my skin. So much like my life has been this past year, clouds of darkness have made it hard to see the future; sometimes, waiting for the cloud to move made me feel alone and helpless. Then, with Heavenly Father's help, he would lift those clouds, and I would feel warmth and comfort; knowing that HE loves me and will never leave gives me hope and a feeling of relief. 

I really hate the waiting game that VILLAIN patients have to live. I know I don't want to live in fear of everything I eat and everything I expose myself to, but I also can't treat this as if it were about pneumonia or a broken bone. Cancer is not a thing of my past, and the VILLAIN is now a part of my life, my new life.

I finished reading the book ANTI CANCER by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, Ph.D. I was totally intrigued by the information in this book and wonder why more oncologists don't suggest it to VILLAIN patients. I will refer to some of the information I learned in this book in future blogs because I think it is crucial.
Did you know:
1. Cancer feeds on sugar, cane and beet sugar, corn syrup, etc
2. Bleached flour, including white bread, white pasta, etc
3. Vegetable oils such as soybean, sunflower, corn, and trans fats
These three sources contain none of the proteins, vitamins, minerals, or omega-3 fatty acids we all need to keep our bodies functioning correctly, and they directly fuel the growth of the VILLAIN.

Tests have shown that women with high blood sugar levels (or who are diabetics) are 7 x more likely to develop breast cancer. We have become a nation of people who do not want to take the time to prepare home-cooked meals for our families. It is much easier to get "take out" I believe with all my heart that we need to get back to basics, and we need to be aware of what we are putting in our children's mouths. Processed foods, which are at every fast food restaurant in America, feed cancer cells. A list of recommended foods from the book are:
1. Green tea helps to reduce the growth of new vessels needed for tumor growth and metastases, and it is a beautiful antioxidant and detoxifier.
2. Olives and Olive Oil black olives are richer in antioxidants than green. Olive oil should be a cold-pressed extra virgin; you should get one tablespoon of oil daily, used in cooking fish, tofu, meat, veggies, or a salad.
3. Turmeric and Curry: these are the most potent natural anti-inflammatory; in laboratories, it was proven to help enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduces tumor growth. It can be added to olive oil with a pinch of black pepper, then added to veggies, soups, salad dressings, add a few drops of agave nectar to remove the bitter taste.
4. Ginger: a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant much more effective than vitamin E. It acts against specific cancer cells and can help with nausea from chemotherapy and radiation.
5. Cruciform Vegetables: cabbages (Brussel sprouts, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) contain anti-cancer molecules. They prevent precancerous cells from developing into malignant tumors.
6. Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Shallots, Chives: Garlic is one of the oldest medicinal herbs dating back to 3000 bc. During WW1, they were used to prevent infections. They all promote cell death in the colon, breast, lung, prostate cancer, and leukemia.
7. Vegetables and Fruit rich in Carotenoids: Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, persimmons, apricots, beets, and all bright colored fruits and vegetables (orange, red, yellow, and green) all have the proven ability to inhibit the growth of cells of several cancer lines including brain cancer. A study that tracked breast cancer patients for 6 years showed that those who consumed the most foods rich in carotenoids lived longer than those who consumed less.
8. Soy: they block the stimulation of cancer cells. Asian women who have eaten soy since adolescence have fewer cases of breast cancer, the ones who do have breast cancer are much less aggressive.
9. Mushrooms: A study done in 2009 showed that women who consumed 10 grams of mushrooms per day reduced their risk of developing breast cancer by 64 %.
10. Herbs and Spices: rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, and mint are rich in essential oils, and they help reduce the spread of cancer by blocking the enzymes they need.
11. Seaweed: slow down the growth of breast cancer cells, prostate, skin, and colon cancer.
12. Berries: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries are all good for eliminating cancer cells.
13. Plums, Peaches, and Nectarines: Researchers have proven that these are just as powerful as the berries and at much fewer costs. They had a significant effect on the growth of breast cancer.
14. Citrus Fruit: oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruits contain anti-inflammatory flavonoids.
15: Pomegranate Juice: an incredible antioxidant and has been used in Persian medicine for thousands of years; it reduces the development of prostate cancer, daily consumption slows the establishment of prostate cancer by 67%
16. Dark Chocolate: needs to be more than 70 % cocoa. It contains antioxidants, and the molecules in dark chocolate slow the growth of cancer cells. You need to eat at least 20 grams a day (one-fifth of a bar). AVOID ANY MILK CHOCOLATE
17. Vitamin D: Skin cells produce vitamin D when exposed to the sun. It has recently been proven that a significant supply of vitamin D reduces the risk of several types of cancers considerably by more than 75%. 20 minutes of noonday sun exposure to the entire body is sufficient, and be aware that over-exposure can lead to skin cancer.
18. Omega -3's: They reduce the cancer cell growth in many tumors lung, breast, colon, prostate, kidney. They also act to reduce the spread of tumors in the form of metastases. Remember that the larger the fish, the higher it is in the food chain and the more contaminated. Smaller fish are much healthier for you. Flaxseeds are also rich in omega-3s.
19. Probiotics: Organic yogurts and kefir are good sources of probiotics, and I purchase them at Sprouts. These are the good bacteria your intestines need; garlic, onions, tomatoes, asparagus, bananas, and wheat are excellent sources.
20. Foods rich in Selenium: Selenium is found in the soil; vegetables and cereals grown organically contain large quantities of selenium. Selenium boosts the immune system and the effects of antioxidant mechanisms on the body.

Anyone who has a history of cancer in their family should take note of all this information and consider establishing a new way of life. We could all probably improve our lives and our family's lives by changing a few things we eat and introducing fresh foods to our children.