95% of cancers are related to lifestyle choices and exposures. That means every person can do something to increase their odds of avoiding the disease. Because only a small percentage of cancers are genetic, the large majority are caused by factors under personal control. Even if you have the genes for cancer, that may not be your destiny! Your lifestyle choices can perhaps turn those genes "off" or "re-program" them to lessen your chances (this is the science behind research in epigenetics). Cancer may develop slowly over time as cellular respiration becomes increasingly damaged. This damage happens cumulatively due to factors related to dietary habits, obesity, chemicals and toxins, radiation, pathogens, and lifestyle factors such as exercise, smoking, drinking, and chronic stress. These factors influence the body’s health status in regards to the:
They all have a major impact on whether an individual will develop cancer. (To learn exactly what cancer is, read my post, What is Cancer? The Hallmarks of the Disease.)
Below I will discuss four major factors that, when out of balance or in excess, can undermine health status and can trigger cancer:
|
According to Michelle Schoffro Cook, in her book, The Ultimate pH Solution, the Standard American Diet (SAD) is potentially the worst culprit affecting our pH balance. Acidic foods include SAD staples such as sweets, carbonated sodas, meat, dairy, industrial oils, trans fats, white flour, refined salt, chemical additives, preservatives, and fried foods. |
To learn how to test your pH, print a chart with the acid/alkaine foods, and begin to alkalize your body, see my post: The Importance of a Healthy Acid/Alkaline Balance.
To understand in more detail about the pH/cancer connection & exactly how an imbalance in pH can foster disease, please see my post: What's pH got to do with it? The Connection to Disease.
3. Sugar Consumption
Excess sugar consumption is very detrimental to health for several reasons:
- Sugar makes the body very acidic, and research has found that sugar is a contributing factor to cancer and many other degenerative diseases.
- Sugar also blocks the immune system for between four and six hours. The first defense against cancer is the body’s immune system, which supports the natural ability to protect and heal.
- Sugar is also the preferred energy source for cancer cells undergoing fermentation. Cancer cells display a greater number of insulin receptors, which draws large amounts of sugar/glucose to them.
- Excessive sugar consumption can lead to insulin resistance, which creates biochemical changes that promote cancer growth. Insulin resistance and nutrient poor diets are linked to obesity, which is responsible for one in six cancer deaths in the United States.
Proactive steps to avoid excess sugar consumption:
The average American eats 153 pounds of sugar per year. It is best to stop buying and eating sweets. Here are several tips to kick the sugar habit:
- Look for hidden sources of sugar, which can be found in items such as meats, packaged foods, restaurant food, alcoholic beverages, and sports drinks. Foods claiming to contain “real fruit” often contain lots of sugar, too.
- Learn to identify the various names of sugar on food labels.
- Anything ending in –ose is sugar. Many foods contain several types of sugar. Corn syrup, molasses, and honey are sugar.
- Avoid all white flour products like breads, pasta, breakfast cereals, etc. Refined flours act just like sugar in the body, causing insulin spikes and resistance. Be wary of “whole grain” products that are actually more refined than whole.
- Starchy white potatoes and rice are high in sugar content.
- Fruit juices are high in fructose content. The tropical fruits are also very sugary.
4. Toxins
Ubiquitous toxins in the environment or from foods, coupled with an overburdened detoxification system in the body, are factors that undermine health and make an individual susceptible to cellular damage and cancer. Some of these carcinogens include: pesticides, herbicides, GMO crops, hormones in foods, artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavorings, preservatives, cigarette smoke, toxins in the air, water, and soil, radiation, flame retardants, cleaning product chemicals, and toxins in cosmetics and personal care items. An overwhelmed detoxification system cannot keep up, nor repair or rejuvenate from all the damage due to toxin exposure. Undetoxified carcinogens harm cellular DNA and cause mutations.
Proactive steps to avoid toxins and properly detoxify the body:
Consumption of organic foods and clean water, breathing pure air, not smoking, plus the use of natural body and cleaning products all can greatly reduce the amount of toxins in direct contact with the body.
The human body continuously works to detoxify the body. The liver metabolizes the toxins in Phase 1 of detoxification. In Phase 2, the toxins are excreted through the skin (sweat), bowels (feces), kidneys (urine), and lungs (breath). The detoxification process can be induced or slowed depending on pH balance, plus medications, supplements, and food. It is important that the detox process is neither too slow nor too fast, both of which can lead to excess toxins circulating in the body.
A nutrient-rich, whole food diet can provide many of the elements needed to detoxify properly and is the best, safest lifestyle strategy. A catabolic dietary direction may needed for cleansing, in addition to healthy proteins and fats. Some natural supplements that also help in detoxification include turmeric, milk thistle, grapefruit juice, wild yam, dandelion, beet leaves, yellow dock leaves, and artichoke leaf.
(Aggressive detoxes and cleanses are not recommended, unless under the strict guidance of a qualified professional. These can leave a person feeling weak, undernourished, and worse than before, because if done improperly, un-excreted toxins can remain and recirculate in the body.)
Proactive steps to avoid toxins and properly detoxify the body:
Consumption of organic foods and clean water, breathing pure air, not smoking, plus the use of natural body and cleaning products all can greatly reduce the amount of toxins in direct contact with the body.
The human body continuously works to detoxify the body. The liver metabolizes the toxins in Phase 1 of detoxification. In Phase 2, the toxins are excreted through the skin (sweat), bowels (feces), kidneys (urine), and lungs (breath). The detoxification process can be induced or slowed depending on pH balance, plus medications, supplements, and food. It is important that the detox process is neither too slow nor too fast, both of which can lead to excess toxins circulating in the body.
A nutrient-rich, whole food diet can provide many of the elements needed to detoxify properly and is the best, safest lifestyle strategy. A catabolic dietary direction may needed for cleansing, in addition to healthy proteins and fats. Some natural supplements that also help in detoxification include turmeric, milk thistle, grapefruit juice, wild yam, dandelion, beet leaves, yellow dock leaves, and artichoke leaf.
(Aggressive detoxes and cleanses are not recommended, unless under the strict guidance of a qualified professional. These can leave a person feeling weak, undernourished, and worse than before, because if done improperly, un-excreted toxins can remain and recirculate in the body.)
REFERENCES:
Alschuler, L., & Gazella, K. A. (2010). The definitive guide to cancer: an integrative approach to prevention, treatment, and healing (3rd ed.). New York: Celestial Arts.
Cook, M. S. (2008). The ultimate pH solution: balance your body chemistry to prevent disease and lose weight. New York: Collins.
Bartholomy, P. (Director) (2014a, May 2). Diet Plan, Homeostasis. MSHN lecture. Lecture conducted from Hawthorn University, California.
Bartholomy, P. (Director) (2014b, May 2). Food Characteristics/Diet Direction. MSHN 106 lecture. Lecture conducted from Hawthorn University, California.
Wood, E. (Director) (2012, June 5). Practical Steps for Integrating and Specifying Detoxification for You, The Individual. Hawthorn Webinar Series. Lecture conducted from Hawthorn University, California.
Read the Au Naturale Nutrition series on Cancer:
Alschuler, L., & Gazella, K. A. (2010). The definitive guide to cancer: an integrative approach to prevention, treatment, and healing (3rd ed.). New York: Celestial Arts.
Cook, M. S. (2008). The ultimate pH solution: balance your body chemistry to prevent disease and lose weight. New York: Collins.
Bartholomy, P. (Director) (2014a, May 2). Diet Plan, Homeostasis. MSHN lecture. Lecture conducted from Hawthorn University, California.
Bartholomy, P. (Director) (2014b, May 2). Food Characteristics/Diet Direction. MSHN 106 lecture. Lecture conducted from Hawthorn University, California.
Wood, E. (Director) (2012, June 5). Practical Steps for Integrating and Specifying Detoxification for You, The Individual. Hawthorn Webinar Series. Lecture conducted from Hawthorn University, California.
Read the Au Naturale Nutrition series on Cancer:
Pin it:
Comments are closed.
Jenny Yelle, MHNE Holistic Wellness EducatorHello lovelies! Thanks for visiting Au Naturale Nutrition and sharing my passion for holistic living and whole foods. I love to help my readers take a natural approach to beauty and aging gracefully. Radiate beautiful health! (read more) |
Download both of my FREE e-Books!
Take my e-course!
No homework or tests, just great information about holistic beauty & wellness:
Get a discount by using the link here:
Quick Links: |
By accessing or using any page on AuNaturaleNutrition.com, you agree that you have read, understood, and will abide by the:
Terms of Service & Conditions | Full Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Copyright & Recipe Policy | Affiliate Disclosure | Comments Policy The information on this website is for educational purposes only. It has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. You assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions. Any/all of the links on AuNaturaleNutrition.com are affiliate links from which I receive a small commission from sales of certain items. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you! |