We all know that cancer is serious business. It takes a toll on every aspect of our being, be it mental, emotional, financial, spiritual and physical. Knowing that you have cancer or that your loved one has it can cause stress to your body and mind, as well as strain in relationship with friends and family.
Cancer has become such a prevalent disease that it would be pretty rare to find someone who does not know a friend or relative with cancer. Cancer affects people regardless of age and gender and the numbers are growing every year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported more than 14 million new cases of cancer in 2012, which resulted in more than 8 million deaths worldwide. They expect these numbers to skyrocket over the next 20 years by 70% globally.
The top 5 cancers in men are lung, prostrate, colorectal, stomach and liver. Whereas, the top 5 cancers in women are breast, colorectal, lung, cervix and stomach, Note that several of the most common (and aggressive) cancers have to do with our Gastrointestinal (GI) system. As we all know, the Gl system digests the food that we eat, transfers it around the body as needed and does its best to detoxify and get rid of leftover toxins.
While there are many different contributors to cancer, and many things such as exposure to pollution, radiation, chemicals, and other factors may be out of our control, nutrition plays a vital role in both gastrointestinal health as well as the body’s overall well-being. Therefore, our food choices can either decrease or increase our overall risk of cancer.
Poor nutrition results in nutritional deficiency and a sluggish eliminatory system, which contributes to toxaemia. We believe that toxaemia and nutritional deficiency form the root causes of most chronic and degenerative diseases including cancer. Correcting key nutritional errors is essential in the prevention and even treatment of cancer, and must not be ignored in any comprehensive approach to combat cancer.
Here are some foods to avoid:
Salt
According to the Cancer Council Australia, experimental studies suggest that salt may be linked to stomach cancers because a high intake of salt may directly damage the stomach lining. Evidence also suggests that there is a probable cause between both salt and salt preserved foods and stomach cancer risk. In addition, cancer cells thrive in a high sodium environment.
Sugar
Foods high in sugar should be avoided, as regular intake not only causes insulin resistance which constitutes to type II diabetes, but sugar is also the preferred fuel source for cancer cells. People with diabetes should be aware that diabetes and cancer occur together more often than is expected. There has been research linking diabetes to bladder, breast, colorectal, endometrial, pancreatic and liver cancer.
Processed and refined foods
White flour and white rice products are high in calories with little nutritional value. Furthermore, they are bleached to make their colour more attractive to consumers. White rice and white flour products convert to sugar quickly after digestion and hence allow cancer cells to thrive. Many may not realise, the calorie value of a bowl of white rice is equivalent to 16 teaspoons of sugar. Excess consumption of refined foods is the main contributory factor to the unwanted body fats that cancer feeds on.
Trans-fats
Trans-fats or hydrogenated fats are vegetable oils that are chemically treated to alter the smell and taste. The hydrogenation process turns these oils into carcinogenic poisons to our body, which should be avoided at all times.
Animal Protein (especially processed meats)
Consuming too much processed meats also plays a role in increasing cancer risk. Researchers believe that the fat, protein, natural carcinogens, and absence of fibre in meat all play a role. The 1997 report of the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research, Food, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Cancer, noted that meaty, high protein diets were linked with colorectal, bladder and prostate cancer.
Steps to take to prevent cancer
While there is no guaranteed way to avoid cancer, there are certain factors that we can look at specifically in order to reduce our cancer risk. These include:
Controlling low grade inflammation in the body with proper nutrition, diet, sufficient hydration, exercise etc.
Maintaining a healthy body composition.
Consuming a balanced diet with high quality nutrients.
Keeping your potassium level high with the intake of high potassium foods and K-Salt. Cancer cells thrive in the high sodium environment but die in a high potassium environment.
Reducing or avoiding consumption of all processed and refined foods.
Regular detoxification of the liver and the blood through coffee enemas, which help to reduce the levels of toxins in the body, while promoting the production of the powerful antioxidant Glutathione S Transferase.
Supplementation of Vitamin C, Spirulina, Coenzyme Q10, Niacin, N.Zimes PA Plus, Flax Seed Oil, Essiac Tea, Kelp, Vitamin B Complex, Immuflora and Liverin.
Proper stress management helps to reduce hormonal and adrenal stress on the body.
Minimising exposure to chemicals whether ingested in foods and drugs or through environmental exposure.
Regular exercise such as rebounding, which also helps to promote lymphatic drainage and detoxification.
The above are among the many things that we can control on a daily basis. Eating organic, opting for a high intake of vegetables as opposed to processed meats, making choices that promote weight loss instead of weight gain. While seemingly insignificant, these daily choices add up over time. If we open our eyes and look at the statistics, cancer is something that none of us can ignore. It is here, it is scary, and it is very real.
Let’s start fighting cancer with the choices that we make day to day, not when we are diagnosed with cancer or some other chronic disease. Prevention is always better than cure!
Disclaimer : This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as advice for self-diagnosis or a prescription for self-treatment. Consult your own physician regarding the application of any opinions and recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical conditions.
