eHealthClinic

Preventing Cancer

The Cancer Project (www.cancerproject.org) says that the same foods that help discourage cancer growth are the same foods that help prevent cancer from growing in the first place. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), a plant-based diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes can help detour stress and disease because of their protective nutrients and powerful antioxidants. Finding the link between ingesting nutritious foods and preventing cancer is possible.

Make the choice to eat for life!

Avoid HCAs

Avoid heterocyclic amines (HCAs). HCAs are potent carcinogens, says Cancer Project managing director Jennifer Reilly, R.D.[1] They are produced during cooking from the creatine, amino acids, and sugars found naturally in all meats, including chicken. The federal government added HCAs to its list of known carcinogens in January 2005. HCAs can bind directly to DNA and cause mutations, the first step in the development of cancer.

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[1] The Cancer Project, http://www.cancerproject.org/media/news/release_grill.php

Eat More Vegetables . . . They Prevent Cancecr

In her book, Waking the Warrior Goddess, Dr. Christine Horner writes, “Plants contain specific cancer-fighting and disease-battling substance called “phytochemicals,” or plant chemicals.[1] Research has shown that phytochemicals can provide protection from cancer in many ways. According to thecancerproject.com, vegetables contain cancer-fighting substances like carotenoids, flavones and indoles.[2] 

How do they work? These powerful plant chemicals inactivate carcinogens and other substances that are damaging to DNA and can lead to cancer.  In addition, other phytochemicals can block one or more of the steps required for cancer to grow.

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[1] Horner, Christine, M.D. Waking the Warrior Goddess, (Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc., 2007): 227.

[2] The Cancer Project, http://www.cancerproject.org/diet_cancer/facts/foods_prevention.php

Stress and Cancer Strongly Linked

Doctors have always known about the connections between stress and cancer, but now it's obvious how intimate it really is. A study from researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine say that   emotional stress can actually cause mutated cells to ban together and cause cancer. Scientists discovered that the stress hormone epinephrine makes prostate and breast cancer cells resistant to cell death.

Anger, fear, and rage will produce neurochemicals that strain your body and burden your immune system. It's time to get a handle on stress levels. Pray, meditate, exercise, talk to a friend, lie on the beach, or drink some green tea.

One of the best things you can do to decrease stress: laugh! Laughter reduces stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine, stimulating the immune system. In the March 2003 issue of Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, researchers showed that laughter increased natural killer (NT) cell function, as well as many other types of immune system cells.¹

 

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[1] Bennet, M., J. Zeller, and L. Rosenberg. “the effect of mirthful laughter on stress and natural killer cell function.” Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine Vol. 9. (Issue 2, 2003): 38-43.

After Breast Cancer

 

Breast cancer survivors are at a  high risk for depression, leaving them susceptible infection, a weak immune system and possible remission. But here's good news: the Journal of Clinical Oncology posted a new study geared specifically toward survivors of breast cancer: drinking green tea may help decrease depression. We already know that consuming green tea is great for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 

About 1,399 women in the study, averaging in age about mid 50's, found to have a much lower risk of depression if they consumed Green Tea on a daily basis. This reduction equated to about a 36% less likelihood of developing depression than their non-tea-drinking counterparts. So, call a friend and put the pot on the stove!