To ‘C’ or Not To ‘C’
When you hear that ‘C’ word, what is the first thing you think or feel? For most people, hearing ‘You have CANCER’ are the most terrifying words they can imagine hearing. So why is it, when individuals are given the opportunity to implement diet and lifestyle changes that have been shown to prevent the development of chronic disease, including CANCER, they choose to continue with the behaviors that can lead right to that diagnosis? Scientists have determined the primary cause of chronic disease, including CANCER is:
Poor Diet + Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices + Toxin Exposure
Nutritional Deficiencies + Toxicity
(In the context of genetic susceptibility)
Metabolic Dysfunction + Subacute Disease
Clinically Recognizable Diseases that are Apparently Unrelated to the Underlying Causes
People living in the United States spend more money on entertainment than they do on healthy foods that can prevent or restore health imbalances. When asked why they fail to buy organic foods they say, “I can’t afford it.” Yet, they will spend that same amount of money on cigarettes, alcohol, junk food, or other ‘treats’. They may even include funds for a gym membership but fail to support the healthy physical activity with healthy, nutritious, organic foods that make that gym membership worthwhile.
Did you know that if you feed your body those same healthy, nutritious, organic foods you will actually eat less because you are giving your body the nutrients it needs for the immune, neurological, musculoskeletal, and even cardiovascular systems to maintain balance? Scientists have estimated that 30% to 50% of all CANCERS are PREVENTABLE by simply shifting to a lifelong habit of healthy eating and daily physical activity. Did you know that your children are the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than your generation does? Is that what you want for your children? If you are unable to do it for yourself are you willing to make these changes for your children? Here’s a few ways to get started:
Ø Start by slowly eliminating the sugar-laden, processed foods that fill your pantry right now. One at a time. It is much easier that way. Yes, they are cheap but when you factor in the costs for healthcare that continually eating them will cost you – are they really less expensive? There are many healthy options available.
Ø The body only needs one teaspoon of sugar to operate at its highest level. Four grams of sugar equals that one teaspoon. When you do the math, that 16 oz bottle of Pepsi has 55 grams of added sugar or 13.5 teaspoons of sugar.
Ø Stop buying bottled water. The plastic bottles can leach dangerous chemicals into that ‘purified’ water you’re drinking. Invest in a water filter that will fit on your faucet or a filtered pitcher.
Ø Look at what you are storing leftovers in, especially if you microwave them. Those same plastic containers can leach that plastic into your food plus you are exposing your body to radiation every time you turn on that microwave.
Ø Buy your fruits and vegetables off the Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen list. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out a free annual list of the fruits and vegetables that have the most pesticide residue on them when they reach your grocery store. If you make no other changes, at least buy these foods from the organic section. You may think that washing off your fruits and vegetables makes them safe enough to eat but think about it. When pesticides and herbicides are sprayed on the crops year after year, those same chemicals leach into the soil and in turn are absorbed up into the crops through the root system. There is no way to wash off the inside of the fruit or vegetable.
Ø Read the labels on the foods you buy and teach your children how to do it too. Foods labeled ‘Low-Fat’ have replaced the fat in the food with refined sugar. If you drink milk, buy organic, full-fat milk. Stay away from foods with artificial colors, flavors, and ingredients you are unable to pronounce.
This is a start. There is a lot to learn. Take it one step at a time to keep from getting overwhelmed. Talk to your family and explain to them why you are making these changes and then allow them to get involved in the shopping and preparation of the foods. The more personal you get with your food the more you’ll realize it’s importance and the more fun these changes will become. When you are ready to learn more, contact a local Holistic Nutritionist, or go to the National Association of Nutrition Professions (NANP) website, and look for one in your area. You deserve it – and so does your family.
References
Andrade, N. S., Espey, D. K., Hall, M. E., & Bauer, U. E. (2019). A Holistic Approach to Chronic Disease Prevention: Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country. Preventing chronic disease, 16, E98. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd16.190081
Lampe J. W. (2020). Diet and Cancer Prevention Research: From Mechanism to Implementation. Journal of cancer prevention, 25(2), 65–69. https://doi.org/10.15430/JCP.2020.25.2.65
Munstedt, K. and Mannle, H. (2020). Bee products and their role in cancer prevention and treatment. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 51, 102390, ISSN 0965-2299, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102390.
Reilly, P. (2013). Cancer – Integrated Naturopathic Support, Chapter 50, pg. 440-461. In the Textbook of Natural Medicine by Joseph Pizzorno and Michael Murray. 4th Edition, Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, St. Louis, MO
