Health

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In my previous article, I shared some facts that many of us are unaware of regarding breast cancer, in spite of the billions that are spent annually in the “fight for the cure”. In my last article, you may remember that I discussed that we are all threatened by rogue cancer cells, and fortunately, our immune system detects and eliminates those cancers with out us every being aware or having any symptoms. This article will focus on the importance of supporting the immune system in preventing and even healing from cancer and other chronic diseases.

For some of you who are already health conscious and savvy about nutrition, you may be familiar with some of the information contained herein, however my goal is to share even a few new insights or “ah-ha” even for you.

Thomas Edison said “The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease”. While I still feel that medication has an important role at the appropriate time, I firmly believe, as stated in my last article, that we need to take responsibility for our health and well-being. Through optimal dietary and lifestyle choices we can actually prevent disease. As an integrative health coach, I work with my clients, sharing good, better and best options to do just that.

Detox

In my years of working with patients, coaching clients, study and healing my own body, I’ve found that it’s imperative to detox and nourish – on every level- physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually & environmentally to dramatically heal the body. Today, let’s start with detoxing the body.

In an effort to support the immune system, it’s critical to be aware of all the things that can weaken our immune systems. Our diet – is a biggie!

Detox sugars

Sugar, the super saboteur of the immune system, has a very depressive effect on the Immune system, some suggesting for up to 6 hours. Much of it has to do with sugars interplay with Vitamin C & our White Blood Cells (WBC’s). I like to think of our WBCs as a little Pac Man, out there doing their job, gobbling up the bad guys or rogue cells in our bodies. WBC’s need 20x more Vitamin C, than normal cells to function adequately.

When they have plenty of Vitamin C- they are super charged and ready to go. Unfortunately, the receptors on our cells have a greater affinity for sugar than Vitamin C, thus sugar is allowed into the cell and NOT vitamin C. In fact, a blood sugar of 120 reduces the “phagocytic index” (the ability of the WBC to ingest and destroy bad things -again think of Pac Man) by 75%!

You may think, “I’m not a diabetic. My blood sugar is not 120. I’m ok”. Actually, many have blood sugars of 120 or higher for more than 16 hours a day. For example – if you have a breakfast of cereal or a bagel and orange juice, your Blood Sugar may spike up to 120 or above and may stay elevated for 2-4 hours. Then, just when your blood sugar drops back down, it’s time for lunch. If you have a sandwich and soda it sends your blood sugar right back up. If you have a snack in the afternoon (perhaps a cookie, candies or a soda) then it will spike again. Now, for dinner –perhaps pasta, potatoes, or bread, topped off by dessert – it’s up again for 2-4 hours.

With an estimated average consummation of almost a pound of sugar, per person every day, you can see how easy it would be to have decreased immune function all day!

Peer reviewed studies also show another dramatic connection with Sugar and Cancer – cancer cells feed off sugar & sugar actually causes increased Oncogenesis (normal cells are transformed into cancer cells). Our daily consumption of sugar is ideal to promote a metabolic situation for cancer: aerobic glycolysis. This is certainly a reason to stay for me to off sugar or to limit my treats “sparingly”.

I realize that sugar is a tough topic in our culture. We don’t drink, smoke, gamble or do many other addictive things. However, we do consume a LOT of sugar. Unfortunately, even the sugar substitutes such as Aspartame and Splenda are problematic. Hundreds of scientific studies show that they are indeed harmful, even oncogenic with an increase in breast, and thyroid cancers, and a 6-fold increase in brain tumors. Not to mention, Aspartame also decreases the immune system. For more on how artificial sugars impact the body- see this great article from Dr. Joseph Mercola.

Now, this can be frustrating – to the point that some may throw up their arms and give up thinking “everything causes cancer”. Remember that God created the best sources of sugar out there, in the form of healthy fresh fruit! There’s plenty of sweet to satiate and there is plenty of fiber to slow the glycemic load. Sitting down and having a big bowl of delectable berries is a big treat for me. However, if you have to bring a dessert to a family gathering or make treats for FHE, then the info below may be helpful.

While I usually the apply the “good’, “better”, “best” options for dietary & lifestyle changes, when it comes to sugar, I like Robin Openshaw’s (a.k.a The Green Smoothie Girl) “good, bad and ugly” summary of sugars on the market today.

In recent years the fad was Agave. Like a good LDS women, I bought it in bulk – in gallon size containers. Now I know that Agave is actually higher in calories and has a high fructose concentration, so many are now suggesting it should take a back seat to maple syrup.

In fact, recent reports show that it may be considered a “super food” and actually fight cancer!

Right now, with the info that’s out there, I think best is using natural sweeteners like honey, dates and maple syrup.

Back to our immune system –

With Halloween and Thanksgiving just behind us and Christmas around the corner, sugar treats are everywhere. In the New Year we roll into Valentines and Easter. Is there any wonder why our flu season is from October to April?

We can make it through the holidays (and flu season) with a healthy immune system by limiting our sugar consumption and keeping healthy snacks, like nuts, around. If you don’t have blood sugar issues you can add dried fruit. (Dried fruit has a higher glycemic index as compared to fresh fruit). I make sure that I have healthy options before I go to gatherings where I may be tempted the most. Often, I may even eat something healthy so I’m not as hungry. I’ve also found some amazing recipe books that offer delectable healthy, raw, treats that even my fussy family members like.

Other food additives that depress our immune systems –

Now let’s take a look at some other scary things in our food that can impact depress our immune function – GMO’s & Additives

While I’m not an expert on GMO’s, this much I do know – they are not worth the risk. And, there is a LOT of money and even scandal around them. We have been told that the reason for GMO’s is to ‘feed the world’ and cut down on pesticides. Plants are genetically engineered (GE) to not die when sprayed RoundUp. When the farmer sprays his field with RoundUp, the weeds are supposed to die, and the crop unaffected. This does make harvest much easier, however, the crops are actually absorbing the RoundUp too. Glyphophaste – the active ingredient in Roundup- has been declared a “probable”carcinogen by the WHO.

When you eat the crop, you are now absorbing the Glyphosphate into your body. Roundup also kills off your gut bacteria, which most healthcare providers now know, is critical for your immure health.

There are currently 9 GMO crops on the market to be concerned about – Soy, Corn, Cotton, Canola, Sugar Beets and Alfalfa.

I make sure that I avoid these edibles, even when I go out to dinner. While you may not know if a restaurant uses Canola oil, and it’s doubtful that cotton is in your food, you can at least choose opt to skip or ask to have the corn and soy removed.

For more info on GMO’s, here’s a great overview again from Dr. Mercola that gives a lot of facts as well as a list of trusted sites you can visit to find non-GMO food sources for countries around the world.

Other additives -Pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, fillers and artificial flavorings are also substances in our food that can depress our immune system and set us up for Super Infections and even cancer, not to mention really mess with our endocrine system & hormones. I will go into more detail in subsequent articles.

Eat Real Food

In the meantime, it is best to eat REAL food prepared by you, or someone you know, love and trust. “REAL” food is the food that God created – organic fresh fruits and vegetables & animal proteins that have NOT been tampered with by adding hormones or fed with GMO grains. If we eat 80-90% real food, vs. processed and restaurant food, then we can avoid so much of the potential risk or junk that’s out there.

I usually start my day with a Green Smoothie – using coconut water or almond / coconut milk, a LOT of various greens, perhaps some blueberries, cinnamon, super foods like chia seeds and maca powder a few nuts and some a healthy protein powder. It’s delicious! This month I’ve been adding pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and coconut milk from the can. It adds healthy fats that keep me full for hours and my cravings for pumpkin treats have been satisfied.

Eating healthy and cutting out sweets can be done. If you make just one change at a time, it all adds up. Start where you are and make at least one substitution for a real food choice today.

Here’s to making healthy choices during the holidays and having a super-charged immune system!