Love Your Lymph!

How much do you know about your lymphatic system?  Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, I knew swollen lymph nodes were a sign of illness, and that lymph nodes were often mentioned when dealing with cancer, but I didn't understand why.  Since I consider myself an average person, I'm going to assume most of you have the same limited knowledge that I did, so I would like to share the importance of the lymphatic system and what you can do to maintain a healthy one.  It's easier than you may think!
 

The lymphatic system is one of two major circulatory systems in the body--the other one being your blood (cardiovascular system)--and these two systems are interdependent, so that one cannot function without the other.  The lymphatic system delivers immune cells throughout the body while transporting dead cellular waste and toxins to the blood system to be eliminated from the body.  The lymphatic system is also responsible for absorbing excess fluids from the body.  The lymphatic system is a key component of the immune system, and if you've read my previous articles, you know that a strong, functioning immune system is absolutely essential to prevent and fight cancer. 

Think of the lymphatic system as a drainage system...if it becomes clogged or impeded in any way, it will move sluggishly or become completely blocked.  Toxins and cell waste accumulate causing a burden on the body leading to any number of health conditions including cancer, while immune cells are prevented from reaching all areas of the body to do their job.

There are 500-700 lymph nodes in the body with concentrations of them located in the neck, chest, underarms and groin.  Lymph nodes become swollen when disease-causing agents are trapped in these check points where immune cells are busy fighting them.  Consider the fact that in conventional medicine, lymph nodes are often surgically removed in order to either determine the presence of cancer cells or because they are known to be cancerous.  There are several problems with this standard procedure resulting in questions about whether lymph node removal does more harm than good.

First of all, it must logically be questioned whether it is wise to cut out lymph nodes, especially if they are just doing their job.  It seems more logical to view cancerous nodes as having successfully trapped the cancer cells to be neutralized by immune cells.  Does it make sense to cut apart a functioning system?  Secondly, the side effects of lymph node removal can be permanently debilitating. Lymphedema is a condition of swelling in the arm(s) or leg(s) caused by the lymph system being unable to drain; this can lead to pain and loss of use in the affected limb.  It is common for lymphedema symptoms to be delayed for weeks, months or even years after lymph node removal. Thirdly, studies have been done on breast cancer patients showing no statistical benefit to lymph node removal.  The outcomes of patients undergoing lymph node removal were almost identical to those of patients who did not have lymph nodes removed. 

My surgeon recommended a "sentinel lymph node biopsy" in conjunction with the lumpectomy of the tumor in my breast.  He wanted to remove 2-3 of the lymph nodes closest to the tumor and test them for the presence of cancer cells.  After I read that the sole purpose of the procedure was for the doctors to know whether or not to recommend chemotherapy treatment, and then confirmed that information with my surgeon the day before my surgery, I declined the lymph node biopsy.  If a cancer patient has already made the decision either to have or to refuse chemotherapy, lymph node biopsy is unnecessary.  I wanted my immune system intact and fully functioning, and I did not want the unnecessary risk of suffering from lymphedema down the road.

Now, let's discuss some ways you can keep your lymphatic system healthy.

• Exercise  Unlike blood vessel walls which have muscles that contract to circulate the blood, lymphatic vessels do not have muscles.  Lymph fluid is only pulled through the vessels as they respond to the body working against gravity.  Exercise with an   up-and-down motion is best--walking is okay, running is better, and rebounding is best.  Rebounding is low-impact bouncing on a mini-trampoline called a "rebounder."  The bouncing can even be done from a seated position.  Exercise also increases the oxygen supply to muscles and cells, stimulating them to release toxins.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Dry Brushing  Dry brushing involves gently moving a coarse brush along the skin in the direction of the heart.  (The main lymphatic drain is located at the heart.)  This stimulates sweat glands and circulation below the skin which boost lymph flow.
• Hydration  Lymphatic fluid is composed primarily of water, so adequate hydration is absolutely necessary for the lymphatic system to operate at it highest level.  Drinking purified, mineralized water with antioxidants ingredients like lemon juice added is an easy way to promote detoxification.
• Chiropractic  Correcting anatomical abnormalities or displacement in the upper chest region and rib cage (which acts as a critical lymphatic pump) from everyday activities helps to promote pressure within the thoracic region which allows the final dumping of toxins from the lymphatic system to the blood for cleansing. 
• Anti-inflammatory Diet  A healthy diet with lots of antioxidant fruits and vegetables and healthy fats is key to a healthy immune system.  One reason the gut is linked to the immune system is the presence of lymphatic vessels at the site of the intestines.  An unhealthy diet not only overburdens the immune system as a whole, but it can also easily damage those lymphatic vessels.
• Reduce Stress  When you are under stress, your body--including your lymphatic system--is under stress.  Use stress-reducing techniques such as regular stretching exercises, deep breathing, good posture, and massage therapy.  Massage promotes the flow and drainage of lymph, improves the immune system, and can provide pain relief.
• Avoid Tight-Fitting Clothing  Tight-fitting bras (especially under-wire bras) restrict the flow of lymph in the underarm areas and chest which is the main drainage area; tight underwear has the same effect in the groin area where lymph nodes abound.

There are many methods of detoxification, but if your body is dumping toxins and the systems that move the toxins out and eliminate them are sluggish or blocked, the accumulating toxins can cause serious problems.  So show your lymph some love and keep it moving freely!

Drinking Adequate Amounts of Pure Water

Water, Water Everywhere

 

By now, most people are aware how important water is for our health.  The human body is about 60-75% water.  Babies and kids usually have a higher body percentage of water than adults.  Men generally have a higher percentage than women.  People with higher muscle mass have a higher percentage, and conversely, people with higher fat content have a lower percentage.  Water is necessary for every single bodily system to even exist and/or function.  Water is required at the cellular level.  Plasma, which makes up about 55% of blood volume, is 92% water.  Vital organs (brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys) are 65-85% water depending on the organ.  Even bones are 15-20% water.  Maintaining proper hydration is beneficial for circulation, detoxification, proper digestion, relief of muscle and joint inflammation, healthy skin, and maintaining a healthy weight.

 

As I did cancer research, the importance of drinking enough water was made obvious, and drinking enough pure water was emphasized even more.  Seventy to eighty percent of Americans are in a state of chronic dehydration, and they don't even realize it.  The more one is hydrated, the less the risk of several kinds of cancer.  So one of the simplest ways to increase your health and reduce your cancer risk is to drink more water.

But what kind of water should we drink?  Tap water, bottled water, distilled water, purified water, mineral water, spring water, alkaline water?  It can get complicated!  Hopefully I can help clear it up a little.

 

Tap water contains high amounts of arsenic, aluminum, fluoride (fortunately Kiel's city water is not fluoridated), and chlorine (which are all toxic), parasites, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, hormones, and disinfection by-products (DBPs).  Chlorine is nasty in and of itself, but DBPs are the results of disinfecting water with chlorine, and are 10,000 times more dangerous than chlorine!  DBPs are potent carcinogenics and have been linked to serious kidney, liver, and nervous system problems.

 

Bottled water is often just bottled tap water.  And plastic bottles contain more harmful chemicals that leach into the water.

 

Distilled water is actually dangerous to drink on a long-term basis.  Distilled water is boiled and evaporated away from its dissolved minerals, leaving the water acidic and seeking to balance itself by drawing minerals right out of your body.  For the same reason, it also draws out contaminants from the container it's stored in.  What's worse, any contaminant in the water that vaporizes at a lower temperature than the water, such as volatile organic compounds like DBPs, will be condensed and actually concentrated in the finished distilled water. So you end up with contaminants that are even more dangerous than those present in the water when you started!  There may be a place for drinking distilled water on a very short-term basis for detoxification purposes only, since it will draw out toxins from the body, but otherwise it should be avoided.

 

Alkaline or ionized water is highly touted in some health circles as the ultimate healthy water--especially for fighting cancer.  Cancer is generally recognized as thriving in an acidic state, so changing from acidic to alkaline would fight cancer.  However, alkaline water causes problems, too--especially among individuals with digestive problems related to having too little digestive acids.  Alkaline water, like distilled water, should only be used for a week or two at most for detoxification.  Alkaline is the opposite extreme of acidic, and neither extreme is beneficial overall.  The body needs balance.  A side point is that ionizing water machines are usually very pricy and sold by multi-level marketing companies which can have questionable ethics.

 

Spring Water, specifically mountain spring or gravity fed spring water is neither too alkaline nor too acidic--its pH is neutral (between 6.5 and 7.5) which is the ideal balance for the body.  It is also living water (just like we encourage eating living foods) with naturally occurring minerals that structure the water to be very beneficial to the body.  (And I don't mean the jugs of "spring" water sitting on store shelves.)  There is a very cool website called http://www.findaspring.com/ that will direct you to local gravity-fed springs where you can collect your own water--using glass or stainless steel containers, of course.

 

Purified Water is the best option for in-home use, but there are many choices here, too.  There are all kinds of water filter systems available from faucet filters, showerhead filters, whole-house filter systems, etc., using different types of filters at a wide range of costs.  I used to be interested in a reverse osmosis system, but I found that the process actually results in acidic water, and the units are very expensive and require a plumber to install.  To keep a long story short, I will share the system that I purchased for my home after doing quite a bit of research.  I bought the Berkey Water Filtration system, which is a highly recommended, guaranteed & warranteed free-standing, gravity-fed purifier that is a very high quality, portable, economical, and the most simple system I found.  There are different sizes of units based on your family/group size.  We've been using it since January, and I absolutely love it!  I receive no incentives for promoting this product; I just love it.  :)  Check out their website, and read every bit of information on it for yourself.  http://www.berkeywaterfilters.com/

The Mighty Avocado

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, I was told that the cancer I had was estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positive (ER+ and PR+), which means that the cancer cells had receptors for estrogen and progesterone hormones and were "fed" by them.  One of the treatments recommended by the doctors was a drug named Tamoxifen which lowers estrogen levels in the body.  It sounds like a no-brainer...take Tamoxifen to lower estrogen levels, thus depriving the evil cancer cells of one of their sources of vitality.  But I discovered that it's not that straightforward.  Tamoxifen induces menopause along with all its lovely symptoms as well as a host of other unpleasant side effects.  Ugh.  One of the common side effects is weight gain...being overweight increases the risk of cancer.  Do you see the contradiction?  Tamoxifen is commonly prescribed for FIVE YEARS.  The kicker, though, was discovering that Tamoxifen causes uterine cancer.   Yes, you read that correctly.   I have since heard of woman after woman who did, in fact, develop uterine cancer after taking Tamoxifen for breast cancer.  I was not too keen on trading one cancer for another.  The doctors do offer an alternative to taking Tamoxifen: have a hysterectomy and remove the hormone producing organs altogether.  Needless to say, I did not find that an acceptable option.

What I did do was more research.  I learned that estrogen dominance is very common and is the cause of all kinds of adverse health conditions besides cancer--for men as well as women.  Too much estrogen results in low testosterone levels for men and low progesterone levels for women.  I learned that we are all exposed to high levels of false estrogens from environmental toxins, cleaning and beauty products, hormone-laden animal products that we consume, plastic, and even thermal receipt paper.  What I found was that not only does a healthy lifestyle (healthy diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, etc.) automatically help keep estrogen levels low, but there are also foods that are specifically anti-estrogenic...foods that block the estrogen receptors in cells and reduce the body's absorption of estrogen.  Avocados are one of these anti-estrogenic foods--they are a rich source of cytochrome P-450 enzymes which are involved in estrogen metabolism--and they offer so much more.

The mighty avocado protects the liver, improves cholesterol, and improves osteoarthritis symptoms.  It is antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-aging.  Avocado oil can reduce age spots, soften and rejuvenate the skin, and boost collagen.

Avocados contain almost all of the essential nutrients that our bodies are not capable of making on their own.  Avocados are very high in antioxidants, fiber, and potassium--they contain 1/3 of the recommended daily allowance of fiber and twice the potassium of a banana.  They also contain Vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C (33% RDA), D, E, and K (36% RDA) as well as folic acid, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, and boron.

Avocado is able to penetrate to the mitochondria of a cell and activate its energy production.  This allows cells to function properly even when they are constantly attacked by free radicals.

Avocados are an excellent source of monounsaturated fat--a good fat that helps lower cholesterol and is good for heart health.  A diet high in healthy fats is very good for weight loss and treating Type 2 Diabetes.  Avocados contain oleic acid, which studies have shown to be able to treat and prevent Type 2 Diabetes.

Avocados contain the amino acid lecithin which protects against liver overload, helps balance weight, and boosts brain function. 

Avocados are rich in phytochemicals called carotenoids including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthan which are beneficial for eye health and can prevent age-related macular degeneration.  They also boost the body's ability to absorb fat-soluble nutrients like alpha- and beta-carotene and lutein. 

As is the case with most fruits and vegetables, the skin and seed contain the highest concentration of nutrients.  The seed contains 70% of the anti-oxidants in an avocado, and most of the soluble fiber.  Avocado seeds are anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and boost the immune system.  They are used to treat gastro-intestinal problems and prevent gastric ulcers.  They also contain a flavonoid that has been shown to stop tumor growth.

Avocado skins have antibiotic and antiparasitic properties, and the leaves can also be used in poultices to speed wound healing or as a tea to treat sore throats and diarrhea.  

Avocados taste great raw in salads, smoothies, and guacamole.  Add them to sandwiches, including burgers, or as a garnish for almost any dish.  Avocado oil can be used as a high-heat cooking oil as well as a base for salad oils and dressings. Avocado seeds can be dried and ground up for use in smoothies, etc.

Avocados are one of the staples in my diet, and hopefully this information encourages you to add this mighty fruit to your diet regularly as well!

My New Favorite Toothpaste

I have posted previously about fluoride and the fact that it's a highly toxic poison, which is why I only buy non-fluoridated toothpaste for myself and my kids.  Since my cancer diagnosis, I have learned about other natural methods of dental hygiene including diet (surprise, surprise), oil-pulling, and homemade toothpaste. 

Oil-pulling has become a regular part of my routine.  I simply put a small amount of coconut oil in my mouth and swish, squish, and goosh it around for about 10 minutes, making sure to work it through all of my teeth; then I spit it out and rinse.  My mouth definitely feels cleaner after oil-pulling.

I drink a lot of organic green tea--brewed hot with apple cider vinegar and raw honey--especially during the cold months.  Lately, I have noticed dark stains on my teeth from the green tea.  One day I decided to try brushing my teeth with baking soda, so I put a little coconut oil on my toothbrush, dipped it in baking soda, and went to work!  The baking soda has a salty taste to it, but it didn't bother me at all.  When I was finished, I was amazed at the results!  First of all, my mouth felt incredibly clean, and when I looked in the mirror, all the tea stains were completely gone!  I really couldn't believe that they were gone after brushing only one time with baking soda.  As I have continued to use coconut oil and baking soda, I can tell it is whitening my teeth, and I absolutely love how clean my mouth feels afterward. 

I have come across several links to recipes for making homemade toothpaste, so I know it's easy to find one if you're interested.  Below is one recipe that is as basic as it gets:

Save the (Dande) Lions!

There is a large grass field behind our church on the church property, and this past Sunday, to the delight of my young nephew who picked large bouquets for his mama, the field was covered with bright yellow dandelions.  My nephew declared, "It's a dream come true!"  How sweet is that?  The adults laughed and groaned at this sentiment, since a lawn full of dandelions isn't very desirable to most grownups. 

I would like to change the mindset of wanting to poison and eliminate dandelions as weeds to wanting to "save" them.  Other than being appreciated for the joy and pleasure the sunny, cheerful flowers bring to young children (and their mothers) everywhere, dandelions should be valued for their very powerful, important health benefits. 

All parts of the dandelion plant--flower, leaves, and root--are edible, and it doesn't take much searching on the internet to find dozens of recipes.  Common uses include teas, salads, sautéed greens, and even roasted dandelion root coffee.  Similar to purslane, a nutritious plant that Americans treat as a weed but is viewed as a common food in other countries (I wrote an article on purslane last year), dandelions are consumed as staple dietary greens in countries such as Greece and France.                               
 

Young leaves are best; more mature leaves may have a bitter, acrid taste, which can be alleviated by blanching them for 20-30 seconds in boiling water before adding them to soups or salads.  Dandelion roots can be used fresh or dried before chopping or grinding for use in tea or coffee.  Obviously, only plants that have not been sprayed or treated with weed killers should be used. 

Dandelions have been used medicinally since the 10th and 11th centuries.  They are probably most well-known for their liver detoxifying properties, but they are also beneficial for the spleen, pancreas, stomach, bladder, kidneys, skin, and eyes.  They are anti-inflammatory, aid in digestion, purify the blood, improve circulation, and regulate blood sugar, among other things.  Dandelion root has also been studied and found effective against cancer--it caused leukemia cell death and stopped the growth of melanoma cells without harming normal healthy cells.

Dandelion roots and leaves are very high in vitamin K which is important for strengthening bones, necessary for the body to properly use vitamin D, and showing promise in fighting Alzheimers and dementia by protecting brain neurons from damage.  Dandelions contain high amounts of vitamin A and fiber as well as protective flavanoids, vitamins C and B6, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, folate, magnesium, phosphorus,

and copper.                                                
 

As a side note, dandelion flowers are one of the first sources of food for honey bees in the spring, which is another reason not to use weed killer or cut them down immediately.  As a side-side note, making sure the flowers you buy are not treated with neoniconoids--which kill bees--is another simple step to help nature, which in turn helps us.                                                                                  
 

Dandelions do spread prolifically if not kept under control, but please don't spray or treat your lawn with toxic, carcinogenic weed killers and poisons which are harmful for you, your kids, your pets, and other natural animal and plant life.  If a lawn full of dandelions bothers you, a very effective way to control dandelions with absolutely no harmful side effects is to simply dig them by hand. This method may be more time-intensive and less convenient, but it is also less costly and much safer.  So many of the health and environmental problems plaguing America today are due to choosing convenience over safety, so let's take one simple step to go back to doing what is best instead of what is easiest.                                                                              

Dandelion Tea

8 dandelion flowers & 5 young leaves, cleaned

1 dandelion root, cleaned and chopped

1-2 cups water

honey, lemon (optional)                                                          

Place flowers, leaves, and root in a mason jar.  Add boiling water; cover lightly and let steep for about 10 minutes.  Strain out the liquid and add honey or lemon if desired.

Hot and Spicy is Healthy!

It never ceases to amaze me how many powerful

"medicines" are available to us through naturally-occurring foods.

 

Capsaicin is the topic this time. Capsaicin is the phytonutrient or phytochemical (phyto meaning found in plants) compound found in hot peppers; it is also found, in lesser amounts, in sweet peppers.  Hot peppers are also a good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and potassium.  Capsaicin is responsible for the burning sensation you feel on your lips and tongue when eating hot peppers.  (It can also irritate mucous membranes, eyes, and any areas of broken skin, so precautions such as not touching your eyes when handling hot peppers and washing your hands thoroughly afterward need to be taken.)  Hot peppers include cayenne, habanero, jalapeno, spur or tobasco, Serrano, green and red chilies, among others.

 

Cancer  Capsaicin has antioxidant properties, fighting the production of free radicals which cause cell damage.  Cell damage can lead to cancer.  Capsaicin has been shown to disrupt the mitochondria (major energy source) of cancer cells, causing programmed cell death (apoptosis) of cancer cells without harming normal cells.  In studies, capsaicin suppressed the growth of human prostate cancer cells and killed 80% of them.  It also reduced the size of prostate and pancreatic tumors by 80% compared to untreated tumors.  Capsaicin is also effective against bladder and breast cancer.

 

Heart Health  Capsaicin increases circulation and blood vessel function.  Studies show it lowers LDL cholesterol and decreases arterial plaque.  Cayenne tincture can purportedly stop heart attacks within 30 seconds.  Interestingly, Dr. John R. Christopher testifies that he would pour a mixture of 1 tsp. of cayenne in a cup of hot water down the throats of heart attack patients (if they were still breathing), and they would be up and around in a matter of minutes.

 

Weight Loss  Spicy foods increase satiety (feeling "full") which can result in less eating.  Capsaicin may help the body burn more calories by increasing metabolism, shrink fat tissue, lower blood fat levels, and fight fat build-up. Capsaicin promotes the breakdown of white fat cells (bad fat) while stimulating the production of brown fat (good fat).  (You may recall an article Dr. Nic wrote in the August 2015 newsletter entitled "White Fat Brown Fat Bad Fat Good Fat.")  Capsaicin also lowers insulin levels after eating, which is beneficial in treating Diabetes.

 

Pain Relief  Although it seems contradictory, the "burning" sensation of capsaicin actually relieves pain.  Capsaicin activates the sensory receptors of nerves; prolonged application of capsaicin (It is used in topical creams and pain patches as well as in capsule form.) depletes the internal chemical stores of those nerves, "exhausting" them.  When the nerve cells are no longer capable of responding, it results in the inability to perceive pain.  Capsaicin also increases blood flow to the skin.  It is used to treat the burning/itching of psoriasis as well as migraines and cluster headaches.

 

Detoxification  Ninety percent of people have some kind of worms/parasites in their bodies, which is a very unpleasant fact.  Daily drinking a mixture of 1/4 tsp. cayenne in a glass of water is an effective way to eliminate those unwanted guests.

 

Hot peppers have been used for thousands of years in healing, and American Indians used them regularly.  Cayenne pepper was applied directly to fresh wounds to stop bleeding and sterilize the wound.  Hot peppers raise body temperature, promote sweating, and stimulate the release of mucous from the respiratory passages (That explains a runny nose while eating spicy food!), which aids in reducing fevers and relieving cold/sinus congestion.

 

Hot spicy peppers are just one more example of God's provision through the foods He created for us.  Incorporating hot peppers (along with other spices, garlic and onions) into the diet is a great way to heal and maintain health, so spice it up!

Holly's Essay for a Scholarship Application

The Right Fuel

            Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases of our time. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments don’t seem to be doing their jobs, and if they do, it is almost never without horrible side-effects. But what if there was a way to treat cancer without side-effects that would work much better than these dangerous standard treatments? Rhio O’Conner found one, and it helped him live much longer than anyone thought he would with his cancer. O’Connor was a man who took an alternate route to treating his mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that primarily comes from exposure to asbestos. It attacks the membrane that lines the lungs and abdomen. There is no known cure for this cancer, but O’Connor found a treatment that worked very well. He decided to use things such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, and a healthy, vegetarian diet to treat his cancer the natural way. 

            What causes cancer? We all have cancerous cells in our bodies, but we all don’t have cancer because our immune systems are doing their jobs eliminating them. When our immune systems are not working properly, the cancer cells start to multiply and grow. There are many “causes” of cancer, but it is the unhealthy environment of our bodies that allow it to get out of control and turn into a threat. Therefore, the question should not be “What causes cancer?”, but “What allows cancer to thrive?” Cancer grows in acidic environments, which are caused by poor nutrition, terrible diets, and exposure to toxins. Actual healthy diets will give the body its nutrition back and put the immune system back in business so it can function as it was designed to. 

            So what are the standard treatments for cancer? Radiation and Chemotherapy are the standard treatments that are recommended by doctors. Radiation treatment kills the cancer cells, but it also mutates regular, healthy cells so that they become cancerous. It has been proven that some patients who received radiation treatment would develop more cancer later in life that resulted directly from the treatment they received. Chemotherapy is toxic medicine that is injected into the patient’s body and destroys cancer cells. The problem is that it also destroys normal cells. Not every patient exhibits the same side-effects, but some of the ones that result from Chemotherapy are fatigue, memory loss, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and sores. Studies have been done that prove that Chemotherapy can actually cause cancer cells to spread and grow and become resistant to future Chemotherapy. Both of these treatments actually cause cancer to multiply instead of defeating it, and horrible side-effects go along with both of them. And doctors are actually forced to recommend these horrible treatments to patients, even if they don’t want to.

Doctors and patients should be able to choose to use whatever treatments they want to in  treating cancer. They should not be hindered by the Pharmaceutical Industry and the medical industrial complex which control the cancer industry and are always about the money. They do not make money off of curing cancer; they make money off of treating cancer. They control what kind of treatments are available to the doctors, and the doctors must recommend what they are told to, and if they don’t, they could get fired in some cases. If the Pharmaceutical Industry decided to use the treatments for cancer that were working, they would not be making all the money that they are now off of the drugs that they produce. They are greedy, and they want more money, even if it is literally costing lives along the way. They do not want a cure for cancer because it will not bring in good business.

There are a great number of alternative therapies that are a much better choice of treatment than the standard treatments. To name just a few, alternative treatment options include Oxygen therapies, IPTLD (“insulin-potentiated low dose chemotherapy”), Photodynamic Therapy, Sonophotodynamic Therapy, RIGVIR injections, high-dose intravenous vitamin C, Gerson Therapy, Dr. Burzynski’s treatments, Budwig protocol, and a good, nutritious diet.  A healthy, anti-inflammatory, and nutritious diet is the one treatment that everyone can start immediately, and it will be an enormous help to destroying the cancerous cells. Cancer can be successfully treated naturally with no side-effects by changing to a cancer-fighting, anti-inflammatory diet. By eliminating all refined and processed foods from your diet, including store-bought meat and dairy, you can build up your immune system so that it fights the cancer for you. Living and fresh foods are to replace refined grains and sugars, GMO foods, and processed junk food. By feeding our bodies the natural and organic food that God intended for us to eat, we can eliminate the diseases that so many people have been plagued with. There are absolutely no side-effects from this kind of natural treatment, except having a healthier lifestyle and probably losing weight.

People still want to use alternative treatments that are not approved by the FDA because the FDA can’t be trusted for the same reason the Pharmaceutical industry can’t be trusted. These two companies are working together and FDA doesn’t want to approve any new drug that would compete with the Pharmaceutical Industry. The health and well-being of people is not their priority; money is. Just because the FDA doesn’t approve a drug does not mean that it is harmful, and just because they do approve a drug does not mean that it is safe.

Having good nutrition is the first step to a healthy body and lifestyle, which is key to preventing and fighting cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation are toxic treatments that often make the cancer go away for a few months or even years, but it will come back even worse than before. And the side-effects are absolutely horrible, while with natural treatment, there are no negative side-effects. My mom is living proof that good nutrition and a healthy immune system will fight off cancer for good.

I think the changes that should be made in our healthcare system and in the way we treat cancer in this country should first be to start promoting real nutrition. We constantly see advertisements about new drugs that are guaranteed to suppress symptoms, but with dozens of possible side-effects. By simply eating nutritiously, you can do much more than just “suppressing the symptoms”; you can completely get rid of your condition. It is the poor diets of people these days that are causing all the issues. A change that we should make in the healthcare system is that our healthcare should not be covering all the drug treatments that are recommended; instead, they should be promoting and covering the good, nutritious cures and treatments. We need to promote real nutrition and healthy lifestyles so we can focus on cancer prevention. We also need to better inform patients about the options for treatments that they have. We should change the way in which cancer is treated because the cancer industries do not focus on true cancer prevention, they focus on research for treatments. They don’t need to find more treatments because the cures already exist. They just need to find them and promote them.

So many people have died because of the money-making “treatments” for cancer, and most of it could be prevented if people were better informed of real nutrition and healthy lifestyles that they could apply to their lives that would prevent cancer. And those who have cancer need to be better informed of the treatment options that are not traditionally recommended. Our bodies were made to be able to fight off diseases themselves, but we constantly feed them food and drugs that prevent them from functioning properly. Our bodies were designed to fight off cancer cells, which they do, if we feed them the right fuel.

If you would like to learn more about Rhio O’Connor and mesothelioma, please visit this website: http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com/