Gifts of the Magi: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrhh

Wise men from the East are among the favorite Christmas story characters along with the angels, shepherds, and, of course, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.  Tradition says there were three wise men, but the truth is that the exact number of wise men is unknown.  The Bible does not say how many wise men there were, but Scripture does specifically list three gifts brought by the wise men to present to the Christ child, resulting in the usual depiction of three wise men--one carrying each gift.  The gifts they brought to the newborn King were highly valued and worthy of royalty:  gold, frankincense, and myrhh.  Although these items don't usually make the top of our Christmas wish lists, we would be wise to learn about their uses and health benefits.

FRANKINCENSE essential oil is made by steam-distilling the raw resin of Boswellia trees, which grow in regions of Africa and Arabia.  It is traditionally burned as incense and has been revered in the Middle East for thousands of years as an anointing oil. 

Frankincense essential oil has been called the King of Oils, and is one of the top essential oils used for health today.  Inhaled or diffused, Frankincense oil is used in aromatherapy for its comforting and sedative properties.  It promotes feelings of peace, relaxation, and satisfaction while reducing feelings of anger, anxiety, and stress.  Frankincense essential oil (not fragrance oil) is considered a tonic since it benefits all of the body's operating systems, including the digestive, excretory, nervous, and respiratory systems.  It promotes healthy cell regeneration and keeps existing cells and tissues healthy.  It strengthens the immune system and aids in the absorption of nutrients.  Frankincense oil has anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, disinfectant, digestive, diuretic, and expectorant properties, and it can cross the blood-brain barrier.  It can be used to treat many conditions, including the following:

• Skin health (dry skin, scars and stretch marks, signs of aging, acne, insect bites, boils)
• Oral health (treats bad breath, mouth sores, cavities, tooth aches, infections; strengthens gums)
• Wound care (stops bleeding, speeds healing)
• Colds/respiratory conditions (breaks up phlegm, relieves bronchial-related congestion)
• Digestive disorders (speeds up secretion of gastric juices, bile, and acids; stimulates proper food movement through the intestines)
• Uterine health (regulates estrogen production, regulates the menstrual cycle of premenopausal women; reduces formation of post-menopause cysts and tumors, reducing the risk of uterine cancer)
• Arthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis (inhibits  production of key inflammatory molecules, helping prevent the breakdown of cartilage tissue; used topically as an effective natural painkiller)
• Cancer (an agent in this oil stops cancer from spreading and also induces cancerous cells to self-destruct).  I know of a young lady who cured her brain stem tumor by taking Frankincense oil drops on the roof of her mouth!

Using essential oils:  essential oils are very powerful, concentrated substances, and are best used under the guidance of a qualified health practitioner.  Both Frankincense and Myrhh oils may be inhaled (diffused or used in a vaporizer), and applied topically--either alone or with a carrier oil (People with skin sensitivities may want to test a small area of skin first.).  Frankincense oil may be ingested in very small amounts (a drop or two under the tongue/on the roof of the mouth, or one drop in an edible carrier oil such as coconut oil, with a teaspoon of honey, or in purified water).  For internal use, check the label to ensure the oil being used is made for internal use, as not all brands are.  Myrhh oil is approved by the FDA as a food additive and flavoring agent, but it is still recommended to get advice from a health professional.

Contraindications:  Neither oil is recommended internally for children ages six and under.  They can both have 

blood-thinning effects, so are not indicated for those with bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulants.  

Neither is recommended for pregnant or nursing women. 

MYRHH essential oil is made from the bark of the Commiphora myrrha tree, which is the same plant family as the Boswellia tree.  Myrhh has enjoyed popularity among ancient cultures:  the Chinese used it medicinally; ancient Egyptians used it medicinally, as an embalming agent for their pharoahs, and in the heavy kohl eyeliner worn by their women; ancient Greek soldiers took myrhh resin into battle to help stop bleeding wounds.  It has been used for thousands of years as an incense and as a holy oil in religious ceremonies. 

Myrhh oil is commonly used today in skin care products and fragrances, as a natural ingredient in mouthwashes and toothpaste, in food as flavoring, and in embalming.  Myrhh oil contains compounds that can affect the hypothalamus, amygdala, and pituitary--specific parts of the brain which control emotions and produce many important hormones.  These compounds are largely responsible for its calming effects on the mind and body.  Myrrh oil is valuable as an aromatherapy oil that can be used for massages, mixed in bathwater, or simply applied on the skin.

Myrhh oil is antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, expectorant, and antispasmodic.  It strengthens and activates your immune system to prevents infection and putrefaction, which helps clear toxins and promote tissue repair.  Myrhh oil can be beneficial for many health conditions, including the following:

• Skin infections (athlete's foot, ringworm, weeping eczema, bedsores, boils, carbuncles, acne)
• Skin care (prevents the signs of aging and soothes cracked or chapped skin, relieves sores and wounds)
• Oral diseases (eliminates dental infections, relieves toothache, gingivitis, mouth ulcers; freshens breath)
• Respiratory problems (relieves congestion and expels phlegm; works well against coughs, colds, and sore throats)
• Digestive ailments (helps cure upset stomach, diarrhea, dyspepsia, indigestion, flatulence and hemorrhoids; promotes digestive health)
• Cancer (effective against prostate and other  reproductive organ cancers)

GOLD  You might wonder what health benefits gold can offer.  Well, it has been suggested that the wise men's gift of gold may not have been the precious metal but rather a powerful golden spice.  Tumeric is a common spice used in Indian cooking and is a bright golden-yellow color.  It has a lengthy history of medicinal uses, and its bioactive ingredient, CURCUMIN, is one of the most well-studied nutrients in the world.

Curcumin's anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties are among its 150-plus potentially therapeutic activities.  Curcumin has a vast array of mechanisms using numerous pathways to affect many different cells, hormones, and molecules in the body, allowing it to have multiple health benefits and to prevent multiple diseases.  Curcumin can be therapeutic for lung and liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory diseases.  It supports brain, heart, and digestive health; promotes wound healing and relieves pain; suppresses rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and relieves osteoarthritis pain; protects against cataracts.  

Curcumin is able to pass the blood-brain barrier, and it, along with another nutrient in turmeric, has shown great promise in combatting neurological conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimers. 

Curcumin is also a super-hero nutrient in the cancer-fighting realm, which is how I first learned of it.  There is more evidence-based literature supporting the use of curcumin against cancer than for any other nutrient.  It is also unique in the fact that it is effective against any and all types of cancer due to its ability to affect more than 100 different intra-cellular molecular pathways.  Curcumin suppresses the formation, growth, and spread of tumors.  Research has also shown that curcumin can work in conjunction with conventional chemotherapy, making it more targeted and effective.  Unlike chemotherapy, however, curcumin has zero side effects and targets only the cancer cells, leaving normal cells unharmed.

Considering its abundance of health benefits, it should be a no-brainer to add the spice turmeric to your cooking.  It can also be taken in supplement form--just be sure you purchase a high-quality supplement (third party verified and satisfaction guaranteed) with at least 95% curcumin content and no fillers or unnecessary added ingredients.

Hopefully the next time you see or hear the Christmas nativity story with the wise men and their gifts to the Savior, you will think of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrhh in a whole new way!

Expecting the Unexpected

For the past week or so, I have been navigating the emotional spectrum of being 46 years old...and pregnant.  Yes, you read that correctly, and no, I wasn't experiencing the emotions you would probably expect. 

You see, my hubby has not had a vasectomy, so even though we haven't planned a baby for the past 13 years (Our fifth child, who is 9, was "unplanned by us, but planned by God"--we thought four was good, but God thought five was better!), we are fully aware that pregnancy is possible.  In fact, I have regularly said, "We are going to be that couple in their fifties who suddenly gets a...Surprise!"  :)  I am always very literally "expecting the unexpected" when it comes to pregnancy, so I was not at all shocked or dismayed.  We have chosen to "plan" our family using the natural cycles that God designed in a woman's body, while leaving the door open for God to perform His will.  I have never been comfortable with "telling God" how many children we will have.  Admittedly, this has been made easier by the fact that I have been blessed with a very regular cycle--which also allows me to know very quickly if I am pregnant.  I have never had to use a pregnancy test.  I know, I know--I am now at the age where menopause can begin, and being a little late could just mean my body is changing, but there have been no significant signs of that time of life beginning yet.

So, once I was more than three days "late", I immediately began paying close attention.  And as more and more days passed, I began contemplating the reality of being pregnant at 46.  I would be giving birth at age 47...my oldest and youngest children would be 20 years apart...the baby's next oldest sibling would be 10 years older...Bob and I would be in our late sixties by the time this baby graduates high school.  I'm also aware of the reality of how pregnancy affects cancer--my body which had had a hormone-receptive cancer would be raging with hormones.  I will have to be vigilant and diligent.  But there was still excitement.  When should I tell Bob?  This could be the healthiest pregnancy and baby I've ever had!  I already know several things I'll do differently...  This is another opportunity to share the importance, hope, and benefits of a healthy lifestyle...and another opportunity to point people to God!  Rather than viewing another baby as a hindrance, an inconvenience, or a hardship at our age, I viewed this baby as a precious blessing from God--whose timing and plan are always perfect.  I wasn't upset or worried...I was happy! 

That is, until thoughts and doubts planted by the Enemy started to creep in.  Oh, boy, what are people going to think?  What are my KIDS going to say?  Are they going to be embarrassed?  What will our relatives say--I mean, our nieces and nephews have just started having babies!  Are they going to think I'm stealing their thunder--grabbing limelight when I'm supposed to have already had my turn?  Are they going to be critical...think we're stupid and crazy and irresponsible to let this happen?  Is this going to rub unfairness in the faces of young couples who haven't been able to bear children yet?  I could already hear the shocked comments and responses from family and friends, most of whom would view a baby at our age as a definite negative.  I considered how to best convey my joy in a situation which most people were going to view as awkward, at best.   I began dreading having to tell people.  I started planning how I would delay telling people as long as possible and make sure to keep it very low-key to avoid appearing like I want undue attention.  I didn't want to deal with the drama.  I started feeling embarrassed and somewhat shameful just anticipating others' reactions.  I allowed it to steal my joy. 

I quickly realized this was wrong.  First of all, I was borrowing trouble--none of this had happened yet, and I didn't even know for sure that it would happen.  I don't think my concerns were unfounded, because in the past I have heard negative comments and people's negative views about pregnancy at what was considered to be "too old."  But, although my concerns were based in real experience, it still didn't necessarily mean I would be directly faced with it.  I was sinfully worrying about something that hadn't yet occurred.  Secondly, I couldn't allow my joy to be dependent upon the reactions of others.  As long as I am comfortable and happy with what God allows in my life and am able to glorify Him and thank Him for it, then that is what matters.  I am responsible for my responses only--not the responses of other people.

Almost as soon as I processed all this, it all came to naught.  I started bleeding.  I was miscarrying.  No, I don't have a doctor's confirmation that this is the case, but I know my body, and I've experienced early miscarriages like this before between the births of my children--when I've been a few weeks late for my cycle, and then have had a very heavy period.  Not to be too graphic, but when the bleeding is heavier than normal and it's more clotty with what appears to be tissue-like substances passing, it's kind of obvious. 

Am I crushed, heartbroken?  No, because it was in the very early stages, and I was just getting accustomed to it.  But I definitely have a sense of disappointment--of loss, because I was just to the point of getting excited about having another child.  Obviously there are pros and cons--blessings and challenges--involved in being pregnant at my age.  But in the ending of the pregnancy, too, I know God's timing is perfect, and His plan is best.  It has been another lesson in trusting my Father completely, no matter what scenario plays out.

This experience, though brief, carried me through a lot of different emotions, which has been a little trying.  I kept debating whether or not to even share it, because it was basically my own private, secret, short-lived struggle.  But I think there could be value in sharing this brief joy-turned-to-heartache experience if only to encourage someone else who may be experiencing it at any age, and to encourage everyone to value the precious gift of life at any age.  God is the Author of Life, and I wonder if believers are too comfortable trying to control that aspect without considering that the Father may have a perfect plan that we don't allow Him to accomplish, because it doesn't fit with our own plans.  Just something to think about. 

Although this current "surprise" won't come to fruition, I will continue to expect the unexpected.  :)

The Importance of Iodine

Iodine is one of the most important elements necessary for the optimum health and wellness of our bodies.  Iodine is responsible for the production of almost every hormone in the body, and iodine is found at high levels in the thyroid, breasts, liver, lungs, heart, and adrenal glands.  Iodine deficiency leads to endocrine system cancers (breast, prostate, ovaries, uterus, thyroid), infertility, and also mental retardation.  Iodine is effective in treating goiter, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.

The thyroid depends upon iodine to create the thyroid hormone thyroxin, and the thyroid gland has a specialized system to concentrate a large amount of iodine relative to its size.  In the absence of iodine, thyroid hormones have been found to produce abnormalities in breast cells--more often than estrogen-produced abnormalities.  Breasts are one of the body's main storage and utilization sites for iodine, and adequate iodine levels are vital for the development and maintenance of "normal breast architecture."  It has been reported that Vitamin D deficiency and iodine deficiency are two of the biggest causes of breast cancer.  This is good news, because these two deficiencies are easy to fix!

Following are more important benefits of iodine:

• Eliminates heavy metals like lead and mercury from the body
• Has anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties.
• Improves breast health and prevents fibrocystic breast disease.
• Improves thyroid function.
• Provides for optimal functioning of the entire endocrine system.
• Increases energy levels, body temperatures, and improves circulation.
• Stops cancer cell reproduction and may kill cancer cells (apoptosis).
• Protects from radiation exposure.
• Assists in detoxification.
• Lowers blood pressure.
• Lowers the risk of diabetes and helps control weight.  (Dr. Daniel Nuzum claims that it is impossible for Type 2 Diabetes to exist if there is adequate iodine.)
• Essential during pregnancy for proper brain development of the baby.

Do we get enough iodine from our diets?  No; it is reported that today, 96% of Americans are deficient.  We need 12-25 mg of iodine per day; the U.S. recommended amount of iodine is only in micrograms not milligrams--and that is only enough to prevent goiter.  

Iodized table salt is a poor source of iodine.  First of all, we would need about 20 teaspoons of it per day!  Secondly, table salt in the U.S. contains only iodide not iodine, and our bodies require both iodide and iodine in combination.  While all tissues and organs utilize iodine, they don't necessarily utilize the same form of it.  Thirdly, if you recall, I wrote a previous article on how toxic and nutrient-deficient table salt is.  In that article, I also shared how salt is required for proper use of iodine and recommended natural salts such as sea salt, pink Himalayan salt, and Real Salt brand salt.  (Selenium is also necessary for iodine to work properly.)

In America's past, iodine was actually added to bread and other baked goods, but in the 1970s, iodine was replaced with bromine.  Bromine, chlorine, fluorine, and iodine are from the same family of elements, so they can all fill the iodine receptors in our cells, pushing out what little iodine may be present.  Americans are ingesting large amounts of these toxic chemicals while getting very little of the vital iodine.  Think about all the brominated baked goods we consume, the chlorinated water which we drink and use for bathing and swimming, the chlorinated "bleached" products we use and ingest, and the fluoridated water supply.  It would be wise to decrease or eliminate our use, consumption, and exposure to bromine, chlorine, and fluoride.  Admittedly, this may be a difficult task, but adequate levels of iodine will push these other chemicals out, helping the body detoxify from them.

Seaweed and kelp are excellent sources of iodine, but the Fukushima fallout in Japan has irradiated the oceans, contaminating nature's best sources.  There are some foods known to contain iodine, but the amount is directly dependent upon the iodine levels of the soil in which they are grown.  Since most soil is depleted of many nutrients, including iodine, again, these food sources would not provide sufficient iodine.

So, how do we get enough iodine?  I suggest purchasing iodine supplements such as Ioderal (tablets) or Lugol's Solution (liquid drops). 

While some express concern that excessive amounts of iodine may have adverse effects on the thyroid, if one takes into consideration the iodine deficiency epidemic in America and the prevalence of thyroid conditions and diseases in America due to iodine deficiency, it seems unlikely that overdosing is an urgent problem.  Once iodine sufficiency is achieved in the body, the amount of iodine absorbed is quantitatively excreted in the urine as iodide--protecting the body against iodine overload.

I very recently had my iodine and heavy metals levels tested.  As expected, my iodine was low (70% saturation when 90% saturation is the goal), and I had a slightly elevated mercury level.  The doctor who reviewed the results with me recommended I take 23-25 mg of iodine per day for three months and then re-test.  He also said that as my iodine levels increased, the iodine would push out the mercury--but that would take a full year, so I should retest the heavy metals in one year.

Dr. David Brownstein and Dr. George Flechas are two of the leading researchers on iodine, and I would highly recommend looking up their work.  Also, the organization I used to do my testing is www.breastcancerchoices.org

They offer free iodine testing to breast cancer patients who are willing to be part of their study, and they raise funds to do that by selling iodine supplements, other supplements, and books and publications on the research.  Their website is a wealth of information on thyroid issues, breast cancer, and more.

Cancer Cell Tidbits

Free Radicals

A "free radical" is an oxygen molecule which is missing an electron, so it steals an electron from another cell.  Cells cannot function properly without their electrons--which could cause them to become cancerous cells.

Antioxidants

"Antioxidants" are molecules with extra electrons which they donate to free radicals--keeping them functioning normally and preventing them from becoming cancerous.  Many fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices contain anti-oxidants, which is one reason why a raw, organic, whole-food diet is so important.  (*Side note:  many doctors tell their cancer patients to avoid consuming antioxidants while taking chemotherapy, because they believe the nutrients interfere with the chemo.  Not only has this been proven false through scientific testing [in fact the opposite has been shown:  antioxidants help chemo work better], it just plain doesn't make sense--"Don't consume healthy nutrients when your body is fighting a disease, because that healthy stuff will interfere with the toxic poisons we're pumping into your body to 'cure' that disease."  Really?!)

Sugar

Cancer cells are "obligate glucose metabolizers"--they must have sugar as their energy and fuel source.  SUGAR FEEDS CANCER.  (I have written previous articles on this subject.)  Yet what does one find in conventional oncology

offices?  Dishes of candy for the patients.  What types of food are served to children in pediatric cancer wards?  Sugary desserts and junk food, because "a calorie is a calorie--we just want them to eat."  Conventional medical staffs feed the very disease they are supposedly treating!

Anaerobic

Cancer cells are "anaerobic" which means they thrive in a low-oxygen or no-oxygen environment.  A nutrient-rich diet aids in getting adequate amounts of oxygen to the cells, and some alternative cancer treatments incorporate oxygen therapies which kill cancer cells by introducing oxygen into them.

Electrical Charge 

Cancer cells have the opposite electrical charge as normal cells.  Pancreatic enzymes chew up the proteins in the cell membranes of cancer cells, but the enzymes don't harm normal cells, because their electrical charge repels the enzymes.  

Cancer cells also have a protein coating which serves as a "cloaking device" against the body's immune cells that are supposed to identify and eliminate the enemy cancer cells.  The protein coating has a negative electrostatic charge just like immune cells, causing them to be repelled by cancer cells.  (70%-80% of immune cells are made up of "neutrophils" which can't "see" the cancer cells due to their cloaking device.  "Natural Killer Cells" make up a small percentage of immune cells, and they are the only immune cells that are not fooled by the cloaking device and can still identify the invaders.)  Pancreatic enzymes expose cancer cells to the body's immune cells by chewing through that protective protein coating, making pancreatic enzymes an important supplementation to the diet.

Cancer cells have very low electric activity; delivering electric energy to cancer cells kills them.  Interestingly, every cancer patient known to have been struck by lightning had no evidence of cancer following the lightning strike!  Fulvic acid is a substance that delivers that electric energy to cancer cells. 

Phases

Cancer cells go through four phases; chemotherapy only works during one of those four phases:  the synthesis phase.  Therefore, chemo only has a 25% chance of working.  "Insulin Potentiated Targeted Low Dose" chemotherapy (IPTLD) is an alternative treatment that changes chemo from a "hand grenade" (wide spread destruction) to a "sniper rifle" (narrowly focused targeting).  Patients are administered insulin in order to significantly lower blood sugar levels, causing cancer cells to "starve."  This puts cancer cells in the synthesis stage which is when chemo works.  IPTLD makes chemo 20 times more effective with 1/10 of the dose.

The more I learn about cancer, the body, cells, and how everything works, the more fascinated I am--and the more confident I am that conventional cancer treatments are not the answer!

One Weed That Deserves a Status Change

When I was a kid, my parents had a pretty good sized garden, and every summer my siblings and I were given the chore of weeding it every day before we could go swimming.  At first my mom had a rule that we had to weed one hour or one whole row, whichever was completed first.  She quickly realized that we were choosing the hour time limit--and that we spent that hour goofing off and having dirt clod fights, rotten tomato fights, etc., instead of weeding.  So then the rule became that we had to weed an entire row before we could quit.  It would be an understatement for me to say that I HATED weeding the garden.

It's funny how things change, because now, as an adult with my own gardens, I LOVE to weed!  I really do.  I find it therapeutic, and I gain a great sense of satisfaction from pulling every last little weed out of my garden boxes and flower beds.  (To answer your next question, no, unfortunately I don't have time to come weed your garden for you.)  ;) 

A couple weeks ago I discovered that in my conscientious endeavors to keep my gardens weed-free, I had been throwing away an abundant (and free!) crop of a very nutritious, tasty plant which I had been mistaking for a weed my whole life.  That plant is purslane--sometimes referred to as pigweed or verdolaga.

Purslane's scientific name is Portulaca oleracea.  Purslane is native to India, and is widely cultivated in India and Europe as a staple leafy vegetable.  Unfortunately, in its spread across other continents, it is generally recognized as a wild weed.  The seeds are viable for 40 years, and it is a very hardy plant which explains why it is so prolific.  It has small, round, thick dark green leaves, reddish stems, and yellow flowers.  Fresh tender leaves and stems can be served raw in salads, steamed gently as a side dish, or stir-fried with other similar greens and vegetables.  Fresh leaves can be used for juicing.  It is also used in soups and stews, and the mucilaginous substance in the leaves works as a thickening agent.  Its yellow flower buds are also edible and are most often used in salads.  Its seeds look like black tea powder granules and are often used in herbal beverages.  It has a slightly sour, salty yet mild taste, and I find it quite pleasant.

The health benefits of purslane are astounding.  It has very high levels of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA (the most of any green leafy vegetable) and small amounts of EPA and DHA (more than some fish oils), high levels of vitamin A, and significant levels of numerous other vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, pyridoxine, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium, copper, phosphorous, selenium, and zinc.  The surprising levels of Omega-3s are vital for proper heart health and maintaining proper cholesterol balance.  Potassium helps lower blood pressure.  The high levels of vitamin A make purslane ideal for eye health, treating skin conditions when used topically and consumed internally, and preventing cancer.  The wide range of minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and manganese promote strong healthy bones.  The high iron and copper content stimulate red blood cell production and boost circulation.  Purslane has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine, and is still used today, to treat a wide range of intestinal problems.  One caution regarding purslane is that it contains high levels of oxalic acid, so if you are susceptible to developing calcium-oxalate kidney stones, you may want to avoid consuming purslane.

I am always interested in the cancer-fighting potential of foods, and purslane packs quite a punch!  In addition to the antioxidants vitamins A and C, the reddish stems contain two important betalain alkaloid pigments, beta-cyanin and beta-xanthin, which are anti-mutagenic as well as antioxidant.  They prevent free radicals from causing mutations in healthy cells, which helps prevent the development of cancer.

Dandelions are another "weed" that have been shown to have strong anti-cancer properties.  You can look up my April, 2014, blog post about dandelions. 

I'm still enthusiastic about weeding, but I am more careful about which "weeds" I eliminate...and which ones I eat!

The Case For Salt

We've been told for years that too much salt intake causes high blood pressure, fluid retention, swelling, shortness of breath, and can lead to kidney and heart disease, heart attacks, etc.  However, the evidence from recent studies indicates that there is no connection between salt and heart disease.  In fact, reduction of salt intake actually increases the risk of heart failure.  So what's going on?

First of all, we need to understand the important role that salt plays.  There are Four Pillars that every human body requires:  Water, Iodine, proper Nutrition/Diet, and Salt.  Salt is actually the second-most needed compound after water.  The immune system needs it; the hormonal systems (adrenal & thyroid) need it; iodine needs it in order to work.  Salt influences nerve and heart function, blood pressure, blood sugar, brain function, digestive health, reproductive health, bone health (bones contain over 1/4 of the body's salt content), cellular processes,  water content, muscle cramps/tension, electrolytes, sleep, allergies, asthma and sinus issues.  Salt provides two elements which are essential for life, sodium and chloride.  The body cannot produce these on its own, so they must be obtained from the diet.  Salt intake must also be balanced with proper potassium levels.  Proper salt intake is especially important in hot weather or after strenuous workouts to replace nutrients lost through sweating.

Secondly, we need to understand that not all salt is equal.   Studies indicating the harm caused by high sodium diets don't distinguish between natural salt and table salt.  Natural salt is 84% sodium chloride and 16% naturally occurring trace minerals.  Table salt is 97.5% sodium chloride and 2.5% man-made chemicals.  Table salt is chemically processed, bleached, stripped of its beneficial minerals, dried at very high temperatures which changes its natural chemical structure, and has added anti-caking agents including aluminum, which is linked to Alzheimer's and cancer.  Although iodine may be added, any health benefit is negated.  Chemical table salt is added to almost all processed foods, meats, and snacks, and it is the overconsumption of this salt along with the high levels of refined sugar/fructose also present in processed foods that is linked to health problems.  The food industry has responded to the health concerns by creating waves of low-sodium food products.  However, instead of replacing the sodium with necessary minerals or other healthier alternatives, they substitute MSG or other artificial chemical ingredients to achieve the desired flavor.  "Low-sodium" doesn't equal "healthy."

There are many types of natural unrefined salt available including Himalayan Salt, Celtic Sea Salt, black lava salt, and Real Salt.  Remove the table salt from the table and replace it with natural salt for all seasoning and cooking.  (You could save the table salt for cleaning purposes.)  Avoid processed foods containing high amounts of sodium, and instead consume a diet of whole, raw, fresh foods salted to taste.

Now that you know the benefits...Pass the salt, please!

Cancer Villains: the "Dirty Dozen"

Have you ever wondered how young children get cancer?  Normally, they haven't been alive long enough to have damaged their bodies with poor diet, smoking, or drinking, so what is it?  Genetics?  Bad luck?

A compromised immune system is what allows cancer cells to reproduce and thrive, but what causes cancer cells in the first place?   It is reported that 85% of all cancers are caused by environmental toxins.  Genetics don't play nearly as large a role in cancer as was previously believed, and, frankly, "bad luck" has nothing to do with it.  Back to the children--again, it seems they couldn't possibly have absorbed that many toxins in their short lives, but the shocking truth is that they have been absorbing toxins even in the womb!

The Environmental Working Group analyzed the umbilical cord blood of 10 random babies born in August-September, 2004, in U.S. hospitals, and the babies' cord blood contained an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants.  A total of 287 different chemicals were identified--180 of those are known carcinogens, 217 toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 of them known to cause abnormal development or birth defects in animal tests.  The study was repeated in 2009, using the cord blood of 10 minority babies, and the results were nearly the same.  Again, more than 200 chemicals were identified with special attention given to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) which is a xenoestrogen found commonly in plastics.

In 2013, the Environmental Defense group of Canada studied the cord blood of only three infants, but found similar results.  They identified 137 total chemicals (ranging from 55-121 per infant) of which 132 are carcinogens, 110 are neurotoxins, and 133 cause reproductive and developmental problems in mammals.  Present were flame retardants, PFCs (compounds used in non-stick coatings of cookware and clothing), and PCBs (carcinogens which were banned in Canada in 1977).  One conclusion of this study is that even when dangerous chemicals are banned, that doesn't mean they just disappear.  They remain in the environment, continuing to cause harm.

I don't know about you, but I found this information to be pretty disturbing!  I tend to think of the womb as being a safe place for an infant, but even in the womb our babies are being poisoned by all the toxins that their mothers are absorbing.

Following is a list of the top 12 "Dirty Dozen" environmental toxins:

1. Heavy metals including mercury and aluminum commonly found in dental fillings, antiperspirants, vaccines, and cookware.
2. Xenoestrogens  The Greek word "xeno" means false--these are synthetic compounds that mimic estrogen and disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system.  Xenoestrogens cause increases in reproductive site cancers (prostate, breast, uterine, ovarian), estrogen dominance, fertility problems, thyroid problems, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, uterine and ovarian issues, endometriosis, and Testicular Dysgensis Syndrome.  Xenoestrogens are found in sunscreens, parabens, plastics, flame retardants, red food dye and BHA (a food preservative), chlorine, thermal receipt paper, cleaning agents, building supplies, insecticides, the oral contraceptive pill, and HRT (hormone replacement therapy).
3. GMOs  Genetically Modified Organisms or "God Move Over."  Virtually all commercially grown corn, soy, cottonseed, sugar beets, and papaya are now GMOs.  Monsanto, the giant producer of GMOs, has already successfully gotten congress to declare them immune from prosecution, is attempting to get laws passed stating that GMO-containing foods do not have to be labeled, and have propagated false studies and narratives on the "safety" of GMOs.  GMOs have already been banned in some other European countries.
4. Pesticides/glyphosate  Namely Roundup as well as all other chemical pesticides.  This is why it is best to eat organic foods.
5. Emotional toxicities  One doesn't have to look far to find information about the impact of negative emotions (stress, anger, anxiety, etc.) on physiological health.
6. Non-organic makeup, skin and hair care products  These products are full of chemicals and toxins.  Skin is the largest organ of the body, and anything that contacts the skin is easily absorbed into the body.
7. Radiation  This includes not only radiation from x-rays, mammograms, and other diagnostic tests, but also radiation from nuclear disasters like Fukushima in Japan, and radioactive waste. It contaminates ocean water and the seafood it contains.  Radioactive particles from disasters/accidents are spread through the air and atmosphere to other areas of the globe.  The West Coast of the United States is affected by radiation from Fukushima.
8. Root canals/dental toxins  Old root canal sites are almost always a hotbed of toxic bacteria which are able to access the blood stream and travel throughout the body, causing harm.
9. Aspartame  A poisonous manmade artificial sweetener.  When aspartame is broken down in the body it produces formaldehyde, a known neurotoxin.  We northerners know the caustic effects that road salt has on automobiles--aspartame is to the brain what road salt is to vehicles.
10. Flouride/chlorine  Contrary to what the American Dental Association preaches, fluoride is not a nutrient that helps "make strong teeth and bones."  Flouride can occur naturally in the earth, but the vast majority of it is toxic industrial waste byproduct.  Rather than bearing the heavy financial and logistical burden of disposing of it as toxic waste, industrial manufacturer lobbyists managed to convince authorities that flouride was beneficial to humans; thus it became dumped into the water supply starting in the 1950s.  Flouride is a toxin that causes bone to become brittle, not strong, and it is linked to bone cancer.  Interestingly, the rise of osteoporosis correlates with the onset of fluoridated public water supply.  Our water supplies are also chlorinated, so not only are we consuming it internally, our skin is absorbing it, too with every bath, shower, and swim in a chlorinated pool.
11. EMFs  "Electromagnetic Frequencies" disrupt the normal flow of energy in the body causing cancer, interrupting sleep, and affecting the immune and reproductive systems.  In May, 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared EMFs to be Class B carcinogens.  EMFs are emitted by cordless and cell phones, cell towers, baby monitors, WIFI, and smart meters (smart meters emit 30 electrical pulses per minute!).
12. Sunscreens  Sunscreens contain many harmful chemicals which, ironically, cause cancer instead of providing protection from cancer.  Natural sunscreens without xenoestrogens and parabens are available, and another option is wearing a hat and covering up with light, loose-fitting clothing.

Pretty depressing, huh?  In our quest for evermore convenience and progress, we are sacrificing our health.  But all is not lost!  Although it is virtually impossible to avoid all environmental toxins, many of them can be eliminated or greatly reduced just by consciously making better choices in what we put in and on our bodies, what we use in our homes, and with what we surround ourselves.  And, of course, the most basic defense against toxins is choosing a truly healthy diet and nutrition that keep the body and all its systems functioning the way they were designed to function, able to neutralize and eliminate harmful invaders.

Natural Cancer Therapies Work!

Not long ago I posted about heartbreaking stories of too many cancer patients dying anyway after undergoing standard cancer therapies like chemo and radiation, and I've been thinking that I need to post something about the positives of alternative treatments instead of focusing so much on the negatives of standard treatments.

First, I'd like to share that recently I heard from two different people who personally knew someone with end-stage cancer--cancer patients whom their doctors told to basically go home and die because they had no treatments to offer them--who pursued natural, alternative treatments and beat their cancer and are alive today.  That's so awesome!  :)

Secondly, I would like to share an incredible website created by a young man who beat Stage III colon cancer about 10 years ago with natural treatments.  His website is full of super-important and super-helpful information about fighting cancer naturally, so if you or someone you know is battling cancer, you definitely want to check out his website!  The site also contains dozens of Survivor Stories of real cancer patients who all beat serious or end-stage cancers with natural treatments.  The stories are incredibly encouraging and inspiring, and these people are living proof that there is a better way to treat cancer!

So check it out:  http://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/

God's Plan or Wisdom of Man? Part III: Discipline

In Part I we covered the fact that God designed our bodies to heal themselves, and when He created the world, He provided everything our bodies need to function at optimal levels (animals and plants, sunshine, water, fresh air). 

Part II talked about the decline of medicine (man refusing to acknowledge and work with God's design), the decline of the environment (producing less nutritious food sources but adding innumerable toxins), the decline of the human body, and the decline of diet (from consuming living, nutrient-dense food to eating unnatural, fake, man-made foods that our bodies weren't designed to consume).

The third thing I would like to discuss is discipline.  There is often a failure to be good stewards of our bodies.  I have already made several references to my faith, so it should come as no surprise that my views are based on what God says in His Word.  The Bible actually speaks about discipline in relation to our bodies quite a bit. 

First of all, the Bible is very clear that for those who have trusted Christ, their bodies are no longer their own.  1 Corinthians 3:16  Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  1 Corinthians 6:15  Do you not know that your bodies are the members of Christ?  1 Corinthians 6:19  What?  Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?  Although the context of these verses mostly concerns sexual sins, the teaching is still clear, and the principle applies:  we shouldn't sin with our bodies because they no longer belong to us.

It follows that, since our bodies belong to God, we need to honor them and care for them in a way that honors God.  Self-control, or temperance, is a major factor in caring for our bodies.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27,  "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."  Galatians 5:22-23 and 1 Peter 1:5-7 both list self-control as one of the qualities that should be evident in the lives of Christians.  Proverbs 25:28 says that a man without self-control is like a broken down, unprotected city. 

So how does all this relate to my topic?  Many Christians are quick and adamant to declare the necessity of discipline and self-control in body-relevant areas like sexual conduct, alcohol, smoking, drugs, and modesty; however, many of those same Christians don't consider their diets to be one of those relevant areas.  Overeating, gluttony, unhealthy eating--these are considered "acceptable"--but the other end of the spectrum--eating disorders like anorexia or bulemia--would be considered problems.  Addiction to nicotine, tobacco, drugs, alcohol, and pornography are decried as clear sins, whereas addiction to caffeine (coffee or soda) or chocolate is found harmless and amusing.  There is an undeniable hypocrisy in that kind of attitude.  1 Corinthians 10:31 makes it pretty clear that even the most basic, fundamental daily human activities--eating and drinking--are to be done to the glory of God.  So there really is no excuse for keeping diet, nutrition, and healthy bodies on the list of things that don't really matter in the Christian life.  Unfortunately, many Christians are in the same boat as the rest of society--we live to eat instead of eating to live.

I think it's obvious that choosing a healthy diet takes discipline and self-control, because, unfortunately, most of the things we like to eat that taste really good aren't good for us.  And a lot of the foods that are truly healthy aren't always the most appealing to our taste buds.  The standard American diet, in which sugar is added to virtually everything, has actually spoiled us and ruined our ability to enjoy the bitter/sour/fermented flavors of a lot of the natural foods that were common for our ancestors.  Personally, I have found that my tastes have changed right along with my diet change.  There were several foods that at first I didn't really enjoy their taste, but I ate them anyway because of their nutritive value.  The more I ate them, though, my taste buds adjusted, and now I actually enjoy those flavors!  We are addicted to sugar.  If you don't believe me, just experiment on yourself and commit to going without any sugar at all for just one day--or maybe three days, or a whole week.  It won't take long to discover how much you crave sugar.  Not only do most of us struggle with discipline in what we eat, we also struggle to control how much we eat.  I think that's pretty self-evident and self-explanatory.  I have to say that once I began eating only nutritious foods and avoided unhealthy foods, I didn't pay attention to how much I was eating because it became unnecessary.  Nutrient-dense foods satisfy better than calorie-dense foods, and once the body is broken from craving sugar, the desire to overeat is greatly reduced.

Balance is key as well.  Nutrition is not an exact science, and I'm not prepared to state that every single time you consume something that isn't 100% healthy, that you are sinning.  Enjoying a special treat or dessert occasionally isn't a big deal when you are eating healthy the majority of the time.  (Although, in our society, "treats" aren't treats anymore--they are standard several-times-a-day indulgences.)  For one thing, not everyone agrees on what foods are 100% healthy.  For another thing, it's not very practical to live that way--how would you ever be able to eat at someone else's house or a restaurant, because you can't guarantee that only "approved" foods are available.  Then, we must avoid being prideful about this subject--we can't start being food Nazis and looking down on people who don't eat all organic food, etc.  We need to follow the principle of being a good steward of the body God gave us as opposed to following an exhaustive list of acceptable and unacceptable foods that can't realistically be kept.

I understand that it's difficult to keep up with the recommendations on what is healthy and what is unhealthy, because they seem to be constantly changing.  One year eggs are bad for you; the next they are good.  The same with butter, or coffee, or chocolate, and on and on.  Which is exactly why I think it's safest to stick with God's plan and eat the food He provided for us in its natural forms.  There shouldn't be a question whether or not meat, eggs, milk, and butter are healthy, especially when they are produced by animals that are allowed to eat the way they were designed to eat--because God provided those animals as food for us!  There shouldn't be a question whether or not any naturally occurring fruit, vegetable, or grain is good for us, because God provided it all, and our bodies are designed to consume them.  The problem comes when God's provisions are contaminated by chemicals, pollutants, and pesticides, or compromised and changed from their original forms by unnatural processing.  It also shouldn't be a question whether unnatural, man-made substances full of artificial ingredients and chemicals created in a lab and labeled "food" are unhealthy.  Likewise, there shouldn't be a question about whether the nutrients and substances from God-given plants, herbs, and animals are superior for treating illnesses in the body compared to man-made chemicals and drugs which the body is not designed to consume.  Why would anyone in their right mind think that a man-made product is in any way superior to what Almighty God provided specifically for the body He designed?! 

Yet, sadly, this is where we find ourselves today. 

In conclusion, I firmly believe that we will be far healthier when we acknowledge that God designed our bodies and provided the best foods and medicines to keep them healthy and heal them; that our bodies, our food sources, and our philosophy of health care has declined; and that it takes the biblically-mandated attribute of self-control to make right choices regarding the stewardship of these bodies given to us by God.

God's Plan or Wisdom of Man? Part II: Decline

I realize that we no longer live in a perfect Eden.  Our bodies are imperfect and can have genetic abnormalities resulting in body parts or systems that may need medical intervention in order to operate properly.  Our world is not improving--it is degenerating and is full of contamination and corruption that can cause conditions which are not treatable by nutrition alone.  I recognize the obvious need for doctors and medicine.  Doctors and scientists are valuable and necessary, and God has gifted them with intelligence and the abilities to make life-changing advances in medicine.  But medicine, in a way, is also declining as it gets farther and farther from recognizing and working with the Design.  Things are done because they can be done--but not because they should be done.

If I'm in some kind of accident and sustain traumatic injuries, I would like to be taken to a hospital and treated by qualified doctors, thank you very much!  If I break a bone or need an organ transplant, I would like a qualified doctor or surgeon to operate on me.  Our country is arguably the best in the world in trauma care; but when it comes to health care, we fall disgracefully short.  The problem is the arrogance of the medical community at large, believing that medical intervention and "new" substances created by humans are an improvement on the original design.  Homeopaths, naturopaths, nutritionists, herbalists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, etc., all provide alternative treatments that work with the body and recognize its design, but they have been labeled quacks, vilified, and targeted by the medical establishment in our country.  [Actually, it's modern medicine that should be labeled "alternative" since it has only been around for a couple hundred years.]  In modern medicine doctors are taught to rely on new technology, invasive techniques, and man-made drugs without taking into consideration the original design.  They are not, however, educated in the foundation of health, which is nutrition.  When addressing virtually any health condition, nutrition and diet should be addressed FIRST.  Western medicine pushes pills first.  This approach is backward. 

Let me give a few other examples of how modern medicine replaces original design with manmade wisdom.

1. Childbirth.  A perfectly natural process that has been totally transformed by modern medicine.  We have forgotten that a woman's body was specifically designed to carry and deliver a baby without any outside intervention.  We no longer believe that a healthy baby will result unless the woman and baby are examined, tested, poked, and prodded monthly, if not more often.  We no longer trust women's bodies to go into labor naturally when the time is right; instead, artificial time lines are followed and unnatural interventions imposed when the body's timing doesn't coincide with the mother's or doctor's schedule.  Women no longer trust their own God-given ability to tolerate labor and delivery without medications or procedures.  Convenience and comfort trump design.
2. Illness.  Virtually every illness is treated with medicine (over-the-counter or prescription).  Fevers are suppressed.  We have forgotten that our bodies have immune systems to fight illness and that a fever is simply a sign that the immune system is functioning.  Suppressing fever is suppressing the immune system. The original design is forgotten.  In recent years, due to the over-use of antibiotics, we have learned to allow a virus to run its course, but bacterial illnesses or infections still must be treated with man-made antibiotics.  We have forgotten that the body is designed to fight both viral and bacterial illness.  We are unaware that many foods/herbs contain potent natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial nutrients which have no side effects and are as effective or more effective than man-made medicines--all of which have negative side-effects. 
3. Vaccinations.  Again, we do not trust the immune system to do the job it was designed to do.  We forget that diseases can be defeated without man-made substances.  We forget that natural immune-boosting nutrients are able to prevent disease altogether or greatly reduce severity of symptoms.  We fail to realize that vaccines bypass the natural processes of how viruses/bacteria are introduced into the body and subsequently attacked by the immune system, which results in a compromised, temporary, and inadequate immune response.  We don't realize that the presence of antibodies does not represent immunity.  We forget that a natural response to disease is healthy and offers permanent immunity.  We also forget that natural exposure and natural response to germs, pathogens, and disease is vital to strengthening the immune system.  We don't trust the design.

**The above statements are generalities.  Obviously there are cases where the body, for whatever reason, doesn't function the way it was designed and requires medical intervention.  The problem is that Western medicine has moved from intervening only when necessary to intervening in almost all cases unnecessarily.

Another thing to consider is that our food itself--the source of nutrition--has changed and degenerated over time.  In the beginning, when God created all the animals, water creatures, birds, and plant life, it was all declared "good."  Perfect, sufficient, and complete.  But the animals we eat today are not the same as the animals God created in the beginning.  Today, the water creatures are contaminated by pollutants in the water.  The birds and animals are fed diets they weren't designed to eat and given hormones to make them grow faster and fatter than they were designed to grow.  Then they are given antibiotics to fight the disease and sickness caused by those unnatural diets and hormones.  We eat obese, unhealthy meat from unhealthy animals, and the drugs in their systems end up in our systems.  Even wild fowl and animals are not the same, because their diets are also contaminated by pesticides and pollutants.  The plants we eat now are not the same as the plants God created.  Our nuts, grain, fruits, vegetables, and herbs are sprayed with toxic pesticides.  With the development of GMOs (genetically modified organisms), those toxic chemicals aren't just sprayed on the outside of plants, they are now inside the very seeds and are part of the genetic coding of the plants--you can't wash those pesticides off!  The soil itself is not the same; it has been drastically depleted of nutrients by modern farming practices which means the plants grown in the soil are nutrient-deficient from the start.  Then there is the fact that much of the "food" we consume can barely be considered real food.  The original grains/plants are left with little nutritional value after all the processing they undergo.  Rather than fresh, living food full of naturally-occurring nutrients, we tend to consume large amounts of refined, processed, chemically-laden food products full of artificial ingredients that have little to no nutritive value of their own, so vitamins and minerals have to be "added."  Very little of the standard American diet resembles the living, nutrient-dense foods God created in the beginning.

Step 2 in changing the way we view health is to recognize the difference between the state of affairs at the beginning of time and during ancient cultures and the state of affairs in our modern world.

 

God's Plan or Wisdom of Man? Part I: Design

I think beliefs about God and world views have a lot more to do with health than most people admit or realize.

If one believes that humans are the result of a process of evolution and adaptation over millions of years, and that humans have managed to emerge as the life form with superior intelligence, it would make sense that humans need to come up with ways to heal our evolved bodies.  On the other hand, if one believes in Intelligent Design, it would make sense that the Designer who created the human body knows exactly how it works and what is needed to keep it functioning optimally.  Modern "Western" medicine has, in a lot of ways, ignored the intelligent design of the human body and its Designer, believing that Man is best qualified to come up with treatments and cures.  And sadly, too many Christians have been convinced that the wisdom of man is the ultimate authority in the areas of health and medicine.

As I have researched alternative cancer treatments and learned more and more about real nutrition and how fundamental it is to the proper functioning of the body, I realized how logically it fits with my belief in God as creator. God designed and created our bodies.  He created the body with intricate systems designed to remove harmful toxic substances, eliminate and neutralize foreign invaders, and heal itself.  He also created EVERYTHING the body needs to be sustained and equipped to function properly and effectively.  He gave us air, sunshine, water, and food. He created all the animals, plants, fruits, vegetables, and herbs on the earth necessary for food and healing. God did not design our bodies to need man-made medicines or interventions for proper function and healing.

Think of the body as an engine and food and beverages as its fuel and oil.  If the wrong kind of fuel/oil is put into an engine, the engine will not run smoothly or function correctly.  Sometimes it may cause immediate, obvious problems.  Other times, it may not be as noticeable--maybe a more gradual effect of realizing over time that the engine is running "rough" or just not at its peak performance.  Likewise, if the body isn't getting the food and beverage it was designed to need and use, it will not function and perform correctly.  Sometimes the problems are immediate and acute; other times they are gradual, chronic conditions.   I think people are generally more careful with their engines than they are with their bodies.  If the car engine is running rough, most people will try to identify the problem and correct it.  And if they find out they've been using the wrong fuel or putting things into the engine that don't belong in it, it's a quick and easy decision to remedy it.  But when the body is malfunctioning, changing the diet is too often the last thing people correct.  Instead, people take medicine/drugs to treat the symptoms, or they just ignore the problem altogether, chalking it up to "getting old." 

The first step in changing the way we view health is recognizing that the human body was intelligently designed by the Creator who also provided everything necessary for its sustenance and optimal function. 

If Not Chemo, What?

In my last post I lamented the shortcomings of chemotherapy, but I didn't offer any alternative solutions, so I'll address that now.

Chemo, radiation, and drugs treat the symptoms of cancer without addressing the causes of cancer.  They are trying to kill cancer cells without addressing the conditions that are allowing the cancer cells to thrive in the first place.  If that isn't bad enough, chemo and radiation further compound the problem by actually creating more cancer cells.  But what are the alternatives?

I believe the most important step that must be taken when fighting cancer is to change the environment of the body which is allowing the cancer to thrive and proliferate. 

The human body is designed to kill and eliminate harmful cells like cancer cells.  Virtually every human being alive has had cancer cells in the body, but not everyone has cancer.  Why not?  Because the immune system did its job and neutralized the threat before it could take over.  If the immune system is weakened or overrun and unable to do its job, a host of problems can result, including cancer.  It seems obvious that one of the best ways to prevent or fight cancer is to restore the immune system to its highest level, so that it can function the way it's designed.  Chemotherapy, however, is highly counterproductive to this endeavor.  Chemo indiscriminately targets ALL cells of the body, decimating the immune system in the process, and leaving patients in danger of being unable to fight off even common viruses with which healthy people don't usually struggle.  It's not uncommon for cancer patients to die of pneumonia, for instance.  Cancer cannot be defeated without a strong, effective immune system.

Anywhere from 70-90% of the immune system is located in the gut, so if the gut is unhealthy, the immune system is unhealthy.  And what affects the gut more than anything else?  WHAT YOU EAT AND DRINK.  Nutrition is paramount in maintaining a strong immune system, and thus, in preventing and fighting cancer.  The standard American diet is full of highly processed, refined, sugary, chemical-laden "foods" and beverages that contribute to a highly inflammatory, acidic environment in the body.  The immune system's resources can be depleted by constantly trying to counteract the harmful effects of this type of diet, leaving the body vulnerable to any number of health conditions and diseases. 

This is exactly why the very first thing I did after being diagnosed with cancer was to change my diet.  I eliminated grains and processed, refined, sugary foods and started eating only living, real food:  mostly raw, fresh vegetables and fruits, raw organic dairy from healthy cows, and eggs and meat only from pastured healthy animals.  I also focused on foods, herbs, spices, and supplements which contain nutrients that are known to fight or kill cancer cells.

The body is constantly exposed to and bombarded by a vast array of toxins, chemicals, and carcinogens that are in everything from the air we breathe to the health and beauty products we use, medicines, our clothing, building materials, furniture fabrics, flooring, the plastics and metals in which we cook and store our food, food itself, and the water we drink.  It is impossible to avoid exposure to harmful toxins in our modern, civilized society, so the best alternative is to mitigate toxin exposure when we can and provide our bodies with the best environment we can, so it can do its job efficiently and effectively.  This is why I did some detoxing as well as changing my diet.  The human body is designed with its own detoxification systems, too, but again, when those systems are overwhelmed, they can't function properly.  There are countless methods for detoxing and cleansing the body, but not all are equal or harmless, so do your research and seek a professional's advice.

The body is designed to neutralize and eliminate harmful substances and cells.  What we eat and drink provides the fuel for the body.  Just like putting the wrong fuel into an engine can cause malfunction, putting the wrong fuel into the body causes malfunction.  Proper nutrition is fundamental to a healthy body.  Yet most doctors have little to no training in nutrition!  Instead, they are trained to prescribe medications or procedures that address symptoms, but DO NOT ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CAUSE.  This is equivalent to repairing or replacing damaged parts in an engine without addressing the fact that the damage is being caused by using the wrong fuel.  And this is precisely why chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are not curing cancer.

Death by Chemo Strikes Again

The stories are heartbreaking and maddening, and they occur all-too-frequently.  Every week I hear or read about another cancer patient who died even though they went through all the chemotherapy treatments handed out to them.  There were two more this week, and my circles aren't very big.  One was a very young man, one an elderly woman, but the results were the same.  Both died--of cancer, or, more likely, of the cancer treatments that ravaged their bodies. 

It makes me want to simultaneously cry and scream.  Cry due to the suffering and loss of another precious life, and scream, "You didn't have to suffer like that!"  Fellow cancer patients, I beg you to start advocating for yourself, doing your homework, and stop believing that surgery, chemo, radiation, and drugs are your best and/or only options!

CHEMO CAUSES MORE CANCER.  RADIATION CAUSES MORE CANCER.  These are not opinions, they are facts.  Both treatments, although able to kill existing cancer cells, cause mutations in healthy cells which turn those healthy cells into cancer cells.  I personally know and have heard--and I know you have, too--of countless cancer patients who go through the prescribed radiation and chemo treatments and achieve a state of "no evidence of cancer" for a period of time (too often only a matter of months), but inevitably the cancer returns, it has spread, and it is stronger.  Next step:  more chemo--stronger and more toxic.  And the cycle repeats.  But there are also so many cases in which the cancer never goes into remission at all--it keeps growing and spreading, and the only alternatives are different, stronger, more toxic chemo medicines.  Eventually, when there are no more chemotherapies left to try, the patient (whose body has been ravaged and has little to no strength left to fight) is told that death is inevitable.  This cycle is a direct result of the chemotherapy that is supposed to "cure" the cancer.  The problem is that the medical industry has no other options to offer. 

Incidences of cancer and cancer deaths are not going down, they are going up.  If chemo and radiation are so effective against cancer, why do people keep dying?   I want to offer you HOPE:  there are alternatives that are more effective against cancer while actually promoting overall health instead of destroying it.  You don't have to settle for the failed status quo!

The Benefits of Bone Broth

Another food that I didn't think much about before cancer, but now consume regularly due to its incredible nutrition benefits is bone broth.  Just like its name states, bone broth is broth or stock made from meat bones (beef, chicken, turkey, fish, lamb, etc.).  Bone broth is very light on the pocketbook and heavy in nutrients, because it is made from animal bones/carcasses that normally get thrown away, but are actually loaded with important nutrients!


I buy beef soup bones from my local farm store, and I use the carcasses from whole chickens/turkeys that I roast.  The entire carcass from a bird can be used including the "yucky" stuff that you normally toss like the skin, fat, wings, joints, bones, and even the head and feet if available.  Throw all the "parts" into a pot full of water, add a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (which really helps draw out the nutrients), and bring to a boil.  Then let it simmer on the stove or in a crock pot for anywhere from 24-48 hours.  You can add vegetables while it's simmering, too, like onions, celery, garlic, etc.  Any meat left attached to the bones will eventually fall right off.  When it's done, just strain out the bones, etc., that you don't want to eat.  While you can skim off the foam that forms when it's being boiled, don't throw away the "skin" that may form on the top while simmering, or the gelatin-like substance that forms on the top of the broth when it's cooling--those are both nutrient-dense substances, so just mix them back in.  The bone broth can be used immediately in soups or stews, drunk as a warm beverage, or frozen for later use.


As with most foods, although benefit can be obtained from using conventional ingredients, the health benefits are superior when using superior ingredients such as meat from healthy, free-range or grass-fed animals uncontaminated by hormones and antibiotics; organic vegetables; purified water.


Why should you consume bone broth?  Well, your mom or grandma were more right than you know when they told you that you need chicken soup when you're sick.  As for me, I've said it in previous posts, and I'll say it again:  one of the most important things you need to fight or prevent cancer is a strong, healthy immune system, the majority of which is found in the gut.  Bone broth not only contributes to gut and immune health, but so much more!  Some of the benefits of consuming bone broth include:

• Boosts the immune system
• Heals leaky gut syndrome and the health problems associated with it
• Heals allergies, asthma, and arthritis
• Fights inflammation
• Inhibits infections from cold/flu viruses, etc.
• Works as a detoxifier
• Improves joint health
• Promotes strong, healthy bones, healthy hair and nail growth, and even inhibits cellulite

Let's talk about some of the nutrients in bone broth which are all easily digested and absorbed:
Collagen is the protein found abundantly in the connective tissues of bone, marrow, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.  Gelatin is formed by the breakdown of collagen in simmering bone broth.  Collagen protects and soothes the intestinal tract lining, which can aid in healing conditions associated with a compromised or unhealthy gut.

• Gelatin can help people with food allergies/sensitivities, including cow milk and gluten, by encouraging the growth and balance of probiotics.
• Gelatin helps break down proteins, making the nutrients in bone broth easily absorbable.
• Collagen and gelatin provide bone-building minerals.
• Gelatin promotes healthy hair and nail growth.
• Collagen increases connective tissues, leading to tighter, smoother skin, and decreased cellulite.

Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, and other trace minerals are all easily absorbed in bone broth.


Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates reduce inflammation, joint pain, and arthritis.  These nutrients can be purchased in supplement form for a pretty penny, but are inexpensively and readily available from bone broth.
The conditionally essential amino acids arginine, proline, glycine, and glutamine are all effective as anti-inflammatories.  "Conditional essential" amino acids are categorized as non-essential--essential only in certain circumstances.  However, due to most people consuming a very unhealthy Western diet, these amino acids could be considered "chronically essential."

• Arginine is necessary for proper immune system function, wound healing, the production and release of growth hormone, and sperm production; it also helps regenerate damaged liver cells.
• Glycine prevents the breakdown of protein tissue like muscle, is used in the production of bile salts and glutathione, helps in detoxification, is an antioxidant, and is a neurotransmitter which improves sleep, memory, and performance.
• Proline helps heal joints and regenerate cartilage, reduces cellulite and improves skin, and helps repair a leaky gut.

Bone broth is another fantastic super-food that is well worth the minimum effort required to make it.  So save those carcasses!  :)

Fermented Foods: Kefir

One of the first things I realized after I was diagnosed with cancer was that I needed to take care of my gut.  Why?  Because estimates state anywhere from 70-90% of the immune system is located in the gut, and one of the most important things necessary to fighting cancer is a strong, healthy immune system.  The obvious first step in caring for my gut was to replace the unnatural, unhealthy foods I had been eating (processed, refined grains and sugars, conventional dairy and meats) which cause inflammation and an imbalance of the "good" and "bad" bacteria in the gut with living, healthy foods (raw organic fruits and vegetables, dairy and meat from healthy animals).  The second step was to start consuming fermented foods.  Fermented foods are an excellent, natural source of probiotics--the good bacteria that need to be present in the gut--and enzymes that are necessary to maintain healthy intestinal walls. 

A healthy gut affects a lot more than just digestion.  The entire intestinal system is designed to protect the body by blocking harmful toxins, parasites and other organisms, and cancerous cells.  When the gut is compromised by poor diet, pesticides, preservatives, antibiotics (either from medicinal use or consuming antibiotic-laden meat), vaccines, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and a lack of probiotics, the intestinal walls are weakened and become "leaky," allowing harmful substances into the bloodstream or directly into the body.  Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, Chrohn's disease, colitis, food sensitivities and allergies, periodontal disease, thyroid issues, cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune conditions, Autism, inflammatory skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema, even depression and anxiety can all be linked to an unhealthy gut, "leaky gut," or imbalances in the gut. 

Fermented foods include sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, ozuke, kombucha, kefir, yogurt, and cheeses.  I consume all of these foods, and my new favorite is kefir (pronounced KEE-fur).  Kefir has existed since ancient times; fermenting milk was how milk was preserved when there was no refrigeration.  Kefir also has superior heath benefits, and it is arguably the best source of natural probiotics.  Kefir is a fermented drink made from any kind of milk--cow milk, goat milk, almond milk, coconut milk.  Conventional pasteurized cow milk can be used, and it will provide benefits, but raw, organic milk from healthy cows is far better.  Sometimes raw, unpasteurized goat milk is more easily obtained. 

Kefir is made by adding kefir "grains" to milk.  Kefir grains are curd-like clumps of bacteria and yeasts combined with casein (milk protein) and complex sugars.  The kefir microbes "eat" the sugars in the milk, creating the perfect environment in which good bacteria thrive, and giving kefir its sour/tart taste.  The enzyme lactase consumes most of the lactose in the milk, making kefir 99% lactose free.  These little grains are amazing!

Homemade kefir contains over 50 beneficial bacteria and good yeasts, compared to only 7-10 in yogurt.  These large amounts of good bacteria colonies dominate, suppressing any harmful bacteria, and they are so strong that it is said that even antibiotics can't kill them.  Kefir bacteria colonize in the intestinal tract and attach themselves to the colon, pushing harmful substances away.  Kefir lasts in the gut indefinitely while yogurt only lasts 24 hours.  Yogurt is food for the colonic bacteria, ensuring that the good bacteria grow and remain stable, so yogurt is important, too.  In addition to the host of good bacteria, the good yeasts in kefir are also very important--they kill and control pathogens in the gut, making it more difficult for parasites and pathogens to exist.

Besides the good bacteria and yeasts, kefir contains many other nutrients.  It is rich in vitamin B12, vitamin K, niacin, folic acid, biotin, protein (which is partially digested during fermentation, thus more easily absorbed), and calcium.  Kefir's excess digestive enzymes aid in digesting everything, preventing constipation and acid reflux.  It also has an abundance of minerals and essential amino acids.  One such long chain amino acid found in kefir and other dairy products is conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has demonstrated anti-cancer activities in tests.  It also contains the amino acid tryptophan, which promotes relaxation and sleep.

I have known of kefir for a year or so, but only recently I obtained some kefir grains from a friend and started making my own.  It's so easy and so good!  Simply add one tablespoon of kefir grains to one quart of milk, filling the jar to within an inch of the top.  Screw the lid on tightly, cover with a cloth, or screw the jar ring on over some cheesecloth.  Place the jar in a cupboard or somewhere out of direct sunlight, and within 12-48 hours, you will have kefir.  Strain out the kefir grains and start another batch, or store the grains in a jar with some milk in the refrigerator until you're ready to start another batch.  The finished kefir can be stored in the fridge as well.  You'll know it's finished when it has turned more solid.  It's winter, so my batches have been taking right around 36 hours to ferment; in the hotter months, it may only take 12 hours.  Placing the jar in a warmer spot, like on top of the refrigerator, may help it ferment faster, too.

Just about anything you want can be added to the kefir to make a smoothie.  So far I have used frozen blueberries/frozen strawberries/banana/raw honey, frozen Door County cherries/vanilla, and very ripe pineapple/coconut.  My most recent batch turned out thicker and more yogurt-like, so I just added some fruit and ate it that way.  I intend to try making a soft cheese with kefir by putting the finished kefir in cheesecloth and draining the whey out.

This is a good website with information, instructions, and recipes for kefir:  http://www.culturedfoodlife.com/the-trilogy/kefir/what-is-kefir/

It isn't hard to find kefir in stores, but it may contain unwanted extra ingredients.  Why not just make it at home, which is healthier, cheaper and way more fun!  :)