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!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Sunday, February 1, 2015
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:
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.
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."
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
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.
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.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
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! :)
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! :)
Saturday, November 15, 2014
HOPE 2--Brittany Maynard Had None
Brittany Maynard became famous for murdering herself on a self-appointed day and time rather than suffer through a process that she interpreted as inevitable and horrible and undignified--dying from a glioblastoma brain tumor. I could go on and on about the fact that there's nothing "brave" or "dignified" about suicide for any reason--assisted or not. God alone is the author of life and He alone has sovereignty over death. But that's not the focus of this post.
Brittany Maynard had no hope. She had no hope of surviving her brain tumor. She had no hope of avoiding the difficult process of her body succumbing to the cancer. She had no hope of any treatment being able to improve her odds or her quality of life. Instead of choosing to fight for her life, she not only chose to take it, she chose to publicize her decision and actively encourage others to follow her--to believe the lie that giving up and killing yourself is brave and dignified and honorable. To believe that there is no HOPE.
She didn't look hard enough. She gave up too soon. I agree that standard medical treatment most likely wouldn't have helped her. But standard treatment wasn't her only option. I just wrote a post on the Ketogenic diet and its efficacy in fighting cancer. This diet is even effective against brain tumors like Brittany's. The link at the bottom is research on this very topic. It's fascinating and filled with HOPE. But Brittany will never know now. She robbed her loved ones of knowing. She tried to convince countless others that it doesn't matter if there are answers out there somewhere.
By the way, my hope doesn't lie in a diet. My HOPE lies in the fact that I've personally placed my trust in Christ as my Savior. He placed his righteousness on me as he took my sin on himself. He loves me, and whatever he allows in my life will work out for good. Whenever I die--in God's perfect timing, not my own, I have HOPE (a confidence, not a wish) that I will be in the presence of God and His Son for eternity.
How dare I try to skip out on His refining process of my life because in my short-sighted, pitiful human mind, I decide I don't like His plan, and it's not worth it. How dare any of us. Instead of giving up, can I encourage you to put your HOPE in Christ and embrace His perfect plan for your life? As long as we draw breath, there is HOPE.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005272810006857/
Ketogenic Diet
**NOTE: Since I published this post, I have read more about the Ketogenic diet, and there may be some questions as to its efficacy in treating cancer. Apparently there isn't a lot of data regarding its success in actual cancer patients, and there is some evidence that it is effective in the short term, but not necessarily in the long term. The premise still has merit, but there are other natural, nutritional treatments for cancer that may be more effective.
*********************************************************************************
I regularly research cancer topics, and the "Ketogenic" diet has come up several times, so I started looking into it more in depth. A Ketogenic diet is a high fat, low-to-moderate protein, low carb diet, basically eliminating all carbs except those from non-starchy vegetables. This diet is very effective in treating cancer, epileptic seizures, Alzheimer's, autism, diabetes, and very effective for weight loss. Many professional athletes are also exchanging their typical carb-loading diets with a Ketogenic diet, because it provides better and more sustained energy, not to mention better overall health.
It is common knowledge that cancer cells feed on sugar, so, simply put, a Ketogenic diet starves cancer cells of their energy source, annihilating them. Additionally, low-protein consumption minimizes the mTor pathway--a pathway which is known to accelerate cell proliferation. (Most people consume too much protein. Half a gram of protein per pound of lean body mass--or 40-70g per day for most people--is the goal.) Cancer cells, specifically, have insufficient respiration, so they must obtain an alternate source of energy, which is fermentation--and the primary fuel for fermentation is glucose. Normal cells burn sugar, too, but when the sugar supply is inadequate, normal cells will switch to burning ketones, which are a product of fat metabolization. Cancer cells do not have this ability to adapt to using ketone bodies due to their respiration insufficiency, so they are placed under metabolic stress and starved. A Ketogenic diet lowers glucose levels and, when combined with intermittent fasting, changes the body's metabolic state from carb-burning mode to fat-burning mode.
Intermittent fasting can be worked up to gradually, starting by not eating within three hours of bedtime, then gradually extending the length of time before breakfast is eaten until the first meal isn't until lunch. The goal is to contain eating within a six- to eight-hour period. Intermittent fasting basically breaks the body's addiction to glucose.
One of the best sources of knowledge about the Ketogenic diet is Dr. Thomas Seyfried, who has published a groundbreaking book, Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On the Origin, Management, and Prevention of Cancer. Dr. Seyfried has been teaching at Yale University and Boston College for the past 25 years about neurogenetics and neurochemistry as they are related to cancer treatment, and he has written a significant amount of peer-reviewed scientific literature.
The anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting diet I have been following is very similar to the Ketogenic diet in that I have mostly eliminate refined/added sugars, but I still consume fruit and vegetables containing naturally-occurring sugars. I believe that the anti-oxidants and other nutrients in fruits and vegetables outweigh the negative effects of the sugars.
Here is a link to one of Dr. Seyfried's papers:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1743-7075-7-7.pdf
Here are links to two other sources explaining the Ketogenic diet:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/06/16/ketogenic-diet-benefits.aspx
http://www.seasonjohnson.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-is-ketogenic-diet-where-do-i-begin.html (This blogger is using the Ketogenic diet to counteract the harmful effects of chemo and to fight cancer for her toddler who is fighting leukemia and must undergo chemo--or risk being taken away from his family if they refused chemo.)
*********************************************************************************
I regularly research cancer topics, and the "Ketogenic" diet has come up several times, so I started looking into it more in depth. A Ketogenic diet is a high fat, low-to-moderate protein, low carb diet, basically eliminating all carbs except those from non-starchy vegetables. This diet is very effective in treating cancer, epileptic seizures, Alzheimer's, autism, diabetes, and very effective for weight loss. Many professional athletes are also exchanging their typical carb-loading diets with a Ketogenic diet, because it provides better and more sustained energy, not to mention better overall health.
It is common knowledge that cancer cells feed on sugar, so, simply put, a Ketogenic diet starves cancer cells of their energy source, annihilating them. Additionally, low-protein consumption minimizes the mTor pathway--a pathway which is known to accelerate cell proliferation. (Most people consume too much protein. Half a gram of protein per pound of lean body mass--or 40-70g per day for most people--is the goal.) Cancer cells, specifically, have insufficient respiration, so they must obtain an alternate source of energy, which is fermentation--and the primary fuel for fermentation is glucose. Normal cells burn sugar, too, but when the sugar supply is inadequate, normal cells will switch to burning ketones, which are a product of fat metabolization. Cancer cells do not have this ability to adapt to using ketone bodies due to their respiration insufficiency, so they are placed under metabolic stress and starved. A Ketogenic diet lowers glucose levels and, when combined with intermittent fasting, changes the body's metabolic state from carb-burning mode to fat-burning mode.
Intermittent fasting can be worked up to gradually, starting by not eating within three hours of bedtime, then gradually extending the length of time before breakfast is eaten until the first meal isn't until lunch. The goal is to contain eating within a six- to eight-hour period. Intermittent fasting basically breaks the body's addiction to glucose.
One of the best sources of knowledge about the Ketogenic diet is Dr. Thomas Seyfried, who has published a groundbreaking book, Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On the Origin, Management, and Prevention of Cancer. Dr. Seyfried has been teaching at Yale University and Boston College for the past 25 years about neurogenetics and neurochemistry as they are related to cancer treatment, and he has written a significant amount of peer-reviewed scientific literature.
The anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting diet I have been following is very similar to the Ketogenic diet in that I have mostly eliminate refined/added sugars, but I still consume fruit and vegetables containing naturally-occurring sugars. I believe that the anti-oxidants and other nutrients in fruits and vegetables outweigh the negative effects of the sugars.
Here is a link to one of Dr. Seyfried's papers:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1743-7075-7-7.pdf
Here are links to two other sources explaining the Ketogenic diet:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/06/16/ketogenic-diet-benefits.aspx
http://www.seasonjohnson.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-is-ketogenic-diet-where-do-i-begin.html (This blogger is using the Ketogenic diet to counteract the harmful effects of chemo and to fight cancer for her toddler who is fighting leukemia and must undergo chemo--or risk being taken away from his family if they refused chemo.)
HOPE!
After my first thermography scan in mid-July (just over one year past my diagnosis), the doctor who read the scan recommended that I have another scan in three months to establish a good baseline. The report from my first scan was that both breasts were at "low risk", and the lymph node areas near the arm pits looked good. I had the follow-up thermography done in mid-October, and not only did everything still look good (both breasts still "low risk"), it was even better than the July scan! Thermography gives a full-color image of the body, with yellow/orange/red indicating warmth and green/blue indicating coolness. Areas of inflammation and increased vascular activity (both signs of possible cancer as well as other health problems) will show up warm. My entire upper body was noticeably "cooler" than it had been in July, which was great news!
So, a year and a half after being diagnosed with Stage II, Grade 3 invasive breast cancer, there are no signs of cancer. I think it's likely that I would also have no signs of cancer at this point if I had undergone radiation and chemotherapy. The big difference is that instead of spending a good portion of that 18 months making regular visits to doctors and treatment facilities and experiencing the undesirable side effects of those treatments, I spent the time detoxing, strengthening my immune system, improving my health, and fighting the cancer cells through nutrition and lifestyle changes. Instead of feeling fatigued and sick, losing my hair, and having my immune system destroyed, I felt better than I had for years, was in better shape, and was experiencing true health.
I want people to know that there are better ways to fight cancer. I want people to know that they don't have to accept standard medical treatment which can be so destructive and too often a failure. I want people to know that they can effectively fight cancer while maintaining--and even improving--their overall health. I want people to know that a cancer diagnosis doesn't have to invoke fear, stress, and physical suffering. I want people to know that there is real HOPE.
So, a year and a half after being diagnosed with Stage II, Grade 3 invasive breast cancer, there are no signs of cancer. I think it's likely that I would also have no signs of cancer at this point if I had undergone radiation and chemotherapy. The big difference is that instead of spending a good portion of that 18 months making regular visits to doctors and treatment facilities and experiencing the undesirable side effects of those treatments, I spent the time detoxing, strengthening my immune system, improving my health, and fighting the cancer cells through nutrition and lifestyle changes. Instead of feeling fatigued and sick, losing my hair, and having my immune system destroyed, I felt better than I had for years, was in better shape, and was experiencing true health.
I want people to know that there are better ways to fight cancer. I want people to know that they don't have to accept standard medical treatment which can be so destructive and too often a failure. I want people to know that they can effectively fight cancer while maintaining--and even improving--their overall health. I want people to know that a cancer diagnosis doesn't have to invoke fear, stress, and physical suffering. I want people to know that there is real HOPE.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Why I Don't Use Deoderant or Shampoo or Laundry Detergent or....
Fighting cancer is more than eating a cancer-fighting diet...it also includes eliminating or avoiding outside toxins. So many of the products we use daily contain toxic or carcinogenic substances, and I have taken steps to avoid some of them. It's just not possible to avoid all environmental toxins, but I am doing what I can right now.
Our skin is the largest organ of the body, and it absorbs everything we put on it.
Our skin is the largest organ of the body, and it absorbs everything we put on it.
- Deodorant--Antiperspirants contain aluminum which is a known carcinogen. I have known this for a long time, and I have tried "natural" deodorants in the past, but they never seemed to work very well. My breast cancer diagnosis motivated me to look into it again, and I found something very interesting. I came across a blog post in which the author experienced the same problems with natural deodorants "not working." She ended up solving that problem by detoxing her armpits. After she detoxed, the natural deodorants worked! The pores in our arm pits get clogged with build up and residue from dirt, sweat, deodorant, soap, lotion, etc., and the pores need to be cleansed and opened up. She described the process and her experiences in detail, so I decided to give it a try. I jumped right in, and stopped using deodorant--cold turkey during summer! To my amazement, I had no bad odor at all for a few days...but then it hit--whew! Actually, it wasn't any worse than I expected, but no one likes smelling their own body odor. It was like after a couple days, all the gunk built up in the pores of my pits started to release and come out. To combat the smell, I simply washed my arm pits with soap and water as often as necessary. After several days, it got better--way better!--and then I noticed that there wasn't any odor at all anymore. I was very surprised! Obviously, I did have body odor after exercising heavily, working up a sweat, or going too long without showering, but other than those expected situations, I did not have daily body odor. So I have continued not using deodorant of any kind. I have noticed that occasionally I experience arm pit odor, but I suspect it is occurring when I wear certain fabrics and/or at a certain point of my menstrual cycle, so I am monitoring it to determine if that is actually the case. I have seen a couple "recipes" for homemade natural deodorants, and I plan to try them soon.
- Shampoo/conditioner/body soap--Conventional hair and body products are full of harmful chemicals. There are an abundance of "natural" products out there, so with a little research, you could find whatever you like and works for you. I found lots of local people who make natural soaps and body butters just by attending local farmer's markets and craft sales. I buy my soap from a friend of mine, and I use it head-to-toe as my shampoo and body soap. I don't use conditioner at all. I also avoid hair gels and hair spray except for on rare occasion.
- Body lotion--There are numerous natural body butters available for purchase or recipes for them that you can make at home. I have used a couple different kinds of body butter made with goat milk and avocado, and I really liked them all. Coconut oil is a great product that has many, many uses including as an ingredient in hair and body products. I use straight coconut oil as an eye makeup remover (I haven't given up my eyeliner and mascara yet :) ) and a facial moisturizer. (I also use it many ways nutritionally in my diet, but that's another topic.)
- Showerhead filter--Chlorine is very toxic, so bathing or showering in chlorinated water (not to mention drinking it!) has long term negative effects on the body--again the largest organ, your skin, is absorbing it daily. I bought a chlorine-removing showerhead water filter to avoid the chlorine exposure.
- Laundry detergent/softener--Laundry detergents and softeners also contain many harmful, toxic ingredients. We launder our clothes and linens with these chemicals and the clothing and linens are against our skin 24/7. I now use "soap nuts" instead of laundry detergent. Soap nuts are a nut from an African tree that contain saponin (have you ever heard the term "saponified"?) which is a 100% natural soap. Four to six soap nuts are placed in a little drawstring muslin bag and thrown right in the washing machine. I use vinegar as a softener, and wool dryer balls in the dryer instead of liquid softener or softener sheets. All of our laundry appears to be just as clean as it ever was, and these natural alternatives are significantly less expensive!
- Cleaning products--These are full of toxic chemicals! I have been using a 50/50 mix of water and hydrogen peroxide for almost all my cleaning. I also use vinegar quite often. I know there are lots of other natural ingredients and recipes used for cleaning as well.
- Flouride, although purported to "strengthen teeth and fight tooth decay", is actually a toxic poison to be avoided. For years we have used fluoride-free toothpaste, and our dentist office knows to use fluoride-free pumice when polishing our teeth.
- I have recently learned about "oil pulling" to help fight cavities. I use coconut oil, and swish and squish it around in my mouth, "pulling" it between all my teeth for 10-20 minutes before spitting it out. This simple practice helps get rid of bacteria and food particles, etc., between teeth. I like the clean feeling of my mouth after doing it.
- Silver amalgam fillings are the most common type of fillings used for cavities. These fillings are actually composed of about 50% mercury! That mercury is constantly leaching into the body and contaminating it. Although they cost more, I have had the dentist use composite fillings lately.
- Through my research, I have also learned what a large part diet plays in preventing and healing cavities. Diet can actually cause decayed areas in teeth to remineralize and heal, stronger than ever.
- Plastic--Most people are now aware of the harmful chemicals in plastics that can leach into food and beverages. Buying BPA free plastics is good, but there are still other harmful chemicals in plastics, so avoiding plastic for food and beverages is best. Alternatives include glass, stainless steel, and ceramic. I use glass as often as I can for food storage and eating/drinking. I have looked into stainless steel containers, but they are pretty pricey. I would like to replace all the plastic containers in our house, but that will be a long process.
- Aluminum/non-stick cookware--Cooking with aluminum non-stick pots and pans is hazardous due to the aluminum content and because the non-stick coatings break down over time and flake off into the food and are ingested. Safe alternatives are glass, stainless steel, high quality ceramic, and cast iron.
- Microwaves--Using microwaves to cook or reheat food involves a couple of problems. First, if plastic containers are microwaved, the harmful chemicals are leached into the food. Secondly, the process of microwaving changes the molecular structure of the food, destroying nutrients and creating carcinogenic compounds. A toaster oven or toaster/convection oven work great for reheating leftovers and are a much healthier alternative to microwaves. Plus, there's the old-fashioned way of just using the stovetop. I stopped using a microwave after my cancer diagnosis, and I have not missed it! I have found that heating or reheating my food on the stove really doesn't take long at all. I think we have been spoiled by our "instant" society.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)