Connecting Healthy Dots

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Top 3 Things That Are Sabotaging Your Weight Loss and Health- and What You Can Do To Fix It

Do you wonder why you're not losing weight, even though you are eating right and exercising? Do you feel tired and fatigued all the time? Do you have Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Type 2 Diabetes, or other health condition? Then this article may be for you.

In this article, I'm going to discuss a process in our body that determines whether we will be fit and healthy or overweight and/or sick. And I will show you how you can flip the switch to change the path your body may be taking. This process takes time, some effort, and understanding how your body works. But what is more important than where you spend all of your time?

Let's get started.

Number 1:
AMPK- Say What? I know, it sounds weird, but it's important so pay attention.

AMPK (also known as AMP-activated protein kinase) is the master regulator for all of our cellular energy. It's the body's fuel gauge. AMPK can determine how much energy we are going to have, and plays an important role in metabolism of the skeletal muscle, liver, fat, and other tissues. When AMPK is activated, this key player is responsible for deciding our metabolic activity, like how proteins and carbohydrates are distributed, how much glucose gets fed to our cells, how fatty acid and cholesterol are used, and it is also responsible for our cravings.

When AMPK is activated properly, you will create cellular homeostasis, allowing your body to use nutrition to increase energy and metabolic activity. On the other hand, when AMPK is inhibited, we start storing fat, blood sugar becomes erratic, and we lose muscle. Our metabolism slows and we start seeing health issues like Type 2 Diabetes or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Low levels of this AMPK enzyme have now been linked to the growth of cancer.

As we age and our activity level decreases, AMPK gradually declines, which is why you see weight gain, muscle loss and an increase in health conditions relating to inflammation and blood sugar levels. Stress and other nutritional or environmental factors can also inhibit your AMPK. If your AMPK is inhibited, there is no amount of dieting or exercise that will get the weight off and get you healthy.

Here are some ways you can activate the right AMPK response in your body.

Exercise- naturally activates AMPK

Stress Relief- Yoga is great for this, since it incorporates
exercise and meditation

Proper Sleep Pattern- Consistently getting the right amount each night will
help balance your AMPK levels

Dietary Supplements- I'll go over which ones at the end

Number 2:
Endocrine Disruptors

Okay, so let's say you're doing all the right things to get your AMPK enzyme properly activated, but you're still having health issues or trouble losing weight. What happened? I thought you said it was in charge of everything? Let me explain what happened. When AMPK is inhibited, it starts a chain reaction within your body, starting with the Endocrine System.

The Endocrine system directly affects the regulation of our hormones. And hormones control many things, like organs and even sending the signals to our body, coordinating our activities. The Endocrine System excretes hormones to control fluid volume, levels of sodium and glucose in our blood, and is responsible for the development and function of our immune system.

For the average healthy person, if the AMPK is activated properly and the Endocrine System functions normally, they have energy, a healthy weight, and a functioning immune system protecting them from disease. But this combination is becoming more and more rare, and we see cancer and other disease rates rising at an alarming rate. What is going on?

Not only does an inhibited AMPK affect the Endocrine System, there are MANY culprits in our diet and environment that disrupt the Endocrine's process. Endocrine disruptors are all around us. Aging, stress and disease can disrupt the the Endocrine system function, but also pesticides, herbicides, and a number of chemicals found all around us, like BPA (found on thermal receipts and the lining of canned goods).

The Environmental Working Group, also known as EWG, has listed the Dirty Dozen of Endocrine disruptors on their site here. They also have detailed information about where you can find these chemicals in your foods and products used daily. It's frightening how much these things affect your body!

The Dirty Dozen of Endocrine Disruptors

Bisphenol-A (BPA)

Dioxin

Atrazine

Phthalates

Perchlorate

Fire retardants

Lead

Mercury

Arsenic

Perfluorinated chemicals(PFCs)

Organophosphate pesticides

Glycol ethers

In addition, there are Endocrine disruptors like sugar, High-Fructose Corn Syrup, and fake sweeteners like Splenda, Aspartame and Saccarin. Try doing a quick Google search for Endocrine Disruptors, and see what you come up with. It's a wonder how we're still functioning at all.

Number 3:
Hormone Imbalance

This is the third step in the chain reaction, and is one of the main reasons we are getting fatter and sicker. Our hormones get out of balance. What does that mean and how does that happen?

Ideally, our body self-regulates our hormones by means of the Endocrine System. But when our AMPK becomes inhibited, and our Endocrine System has been disrupted, either by age, lack of activity, or through ingestion or exposure to chemicals in our diet or environment, it throws a wrench in this "self-regulation" machine. We start circulating the wrong hormones in our body.

When the hormones are imbalanced, it is typically due to Estrogen dominance in men and women both. This may not necessarily mean you have too much estrogen, but it may mean that your other hormones (ie Testosterone or Progesterone) are not functioning to balance the scale. You must have a balance for your body to function properly. Even Testosterone in men can be converted to estrogen if the Endocrine system is not functioning properly.

If you have estrogen dominance, meaning an imbalance, you will see weight gain in the stomach, hips, and thighs. Estrogen dominance is now believed to be the main factor in hormone related cancers like, breast, prostrate, uterine, ovarian, endometrial and cervix cancers. Even women that were given HRT Hormone Replacement Therapy and estrogen are now developing hormone related cancers. You can look here for signs and symptoms of having too much estrogen in your body.

Did you know that 1 in 2 men will get prostate cancer and 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer? What does that tell you about estrogen dominance? It means that we, as a generation, obviously have a hormone imbalance. But what's causing it?

Not just AMPK inhibitors, and not just Endocrine disruptors, but an excess of estrogens and xenoextrogens are being introduced into our bodies EVERY SINGLE DAY. Even in the environment, we are seeing the effects of too much estrogen on wildlife. Farmed fish are starting to change sex from male to female due to the amount of estrogen in their food. And it is getting worse. We are getting added xenoestrogen from animals that were given hormones, pesticides sprayed on the crops we eat, from flouride in our water and toothpaste, birth control pills, plastics, detergents and even perfume. It's everywhere! And it's not just going in you, it's going in our children's bodies.

Fixing this balance, by lowering or blocking estrogen in the body and/or increasing the progesterone to balance the hormones, should alleviate the estrogen dominance problem. However, unless you also address the Endocrine System disruptors and the AMPK inhibitors, then you will continue to have trouble losing weight, maintaining a proper immune system and blood sugar levels, among other things.

How to Fix it:

1. Start with activating your AMPK

Exercise- at least 30 minutes combined each day
Lower Stress- Remove stressors and meditate
Get Proper Sleep- Get consistent and adequate hours a night
Specific Dietary Supplements that activate the right AMPK enzymes (See below)

2. Detoxify the body of Endocrine Disruptors

Switch to Organic
Lymphatic Massage
Lower Stress
Get Proper Sleep
Increase Antioxidant intake (specific list below)

3. Balance Hormones

Switch to Organic
Use natural detergents, cosmetics, and sweeteners like honey or agave
Take estrogen blockers and avoid estrogenic foods
Take Dietary Supplements (see below)

The reasons why I chose the following supplements are as follows. Not only have I found in my research that the following natural herbs and plants can activate the right AMPK, help to detoxify the body with antioxidants, allowing the Endrocrine System to function properly, and help to balance hormones, but... they also help rid the body of cancer cells and cancer stem cells. I talk more about these supplements and their relation to cancer prevention in this article. (See my personal experience at the bottom)

Ideal Dietary Supplements to Activate AMPK, Detoxify the body of Endocrine Disruptors, and Balance Hormones:

Lutein- Endocrine System

Black Seed Oil - AMPK, Endocrine System

Mangosteen - AMPK, Endocrine System

Curcumin - AMPK, Endocrine System

Probiotics- AMPK, Endocrine System and Hormonal balance

Bitter Melon- AMPK

Taurine- AMPK, Endocrine System and Hormonal balance

Indian Long Pepper - AMPK, Endocrine System

Resveratrol - AMPK, Endocrine System

Ashwaganda- Indian Ginseng - AMPK, Endocrine System

Green Tea - AMPK, Endocrine System

Rhodiola Rosea - AMPK, Endocrine System

Gotu Kola - AMPK, Endocrine System

Quercetin- AMPK, Endocrine System, and lowers estrogen levels

DIM- Estrogen Blocker (read about this in my personal experience at the bottom)

If you do these things, within a month, you will begin to see a major shift in your body chemistry. You will feel better and have more energy, you will lose weight, and will reduce your risk for hormonal related cancers, Type 2 Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and numerous other ailments. I'd also love to hear about your experience if you have chosen to adopt these methods for yourself.

Monday, August 17, 2015

What's the Truth? Does "Everything Cause Cancer"?

With cancer rates increasing exponentially each year, and current cancer rates of 1 in 3, the World Health Organization has declared that this is now a worldwide crisis. But instead of panicking, we need to examine the cause. Have you ever heard the following things?

Don't use deodorant, it will cause cancer. Don't smoke, it causes cancer. Pesticides cause cancer. Genetically modified foods cause cancer. Vaccines cause cancer. Hair dye causes cancer. French fries cause cancer. BPA causes cancer. Charred meat causes cancer. Red meat causes cancer. Growth hormones cause cancer. Processed foods cause cancer. And the list is endless....

In response to that, I've heard SO many people say, "Everything causes cancer, so I'm just going to live how I want". And I suppose I was one of those people that said that too....until I actually got cancer. That's when I set out on a personal mission to find out what caused it.

Is it true? Does EVERYTHING cause cancer? The simplest answer to that is, yes and no. There are things we eat and use in our environment that are bad for us. We know the obvious things already. We know that we shouldn't wash our hands with gasoline. We know that cupcakes make us gain weight. We know that eating 40 sticks of butter is going to make us sick. And we know that, for the most part, being reasonable, prudent and moderate in our use or consumption of these bad things won't really do any measurable harm.

But then we start discussing carcinogens, those things "they" say actually cause cancer, like cigarettes. Surprisingly, there are carcinogens all around us. They are in fried potatoes, the char on grilled meat, cigarettes, pesticides, and thousands of other things. So, if we are all exposed, then why do some people get cancer and some don't? It comes down to tipping the scales on toxic overload and having an catalyst.

First, let's talk about toxic overload. We ALL take in toxins in one form or another.....every single day. Over the years, these toxins get stored in our body, in fat cells, in our liver, in our lymph nodes, even in our bones. As a result, our body's cells get damaged. These free radicals (damaged cells) roam through our body, gaining in number every day by what we breathe, put in our stomach or on our skin, and even stress. They can cause inflammation, early aging, auto-immune disorders, hormonal imbalances, and often times, these cells get so damaged that their DNA is altered and they become cancer cells. And for the most part, the body can withstand a great deal of free radicals and cancer cells. In fact, we all have cancer cells in our body right now. It's even said that we unknowingly deal with six bouts of serious cancer over the course of our lives before doctors diagnose the one we have to fight.

Second, we talk about the catalyst that allows these cancer cells to grow into life-threatening tumors. It's all about the immune system, the gatekeeper. For me, the catalyst was a taxed immune system due to a root canal that had gone bad. My body was fighting an infection for a few years. For others, it could be a simple cold, flu, ongoing stress, or just being run down for too long. Anything that attacks our immune system or weakens it somehow, leaves the door wide open for cancer to grow. The longer our immune system is not running at 100%, the more likely you are going to get cancer.

Earlier and earlier, in the average person's life, we are seeing bigger health issues and the serious bouts of cancer, and it's because we are taking in so many more toxins than we ever have in history. Just as an exercise, spend one day writing down all the chemicals you use and eat. Write down the ingredients in your lotion, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, make-up, deodorant, detergent, fabric softener, all the food you eat, including pesticides to treat produce, drinks, medications, cigarettes, drugs, radiation from your wifi router, laptop, ipad, phone, tv, lightbulbs, etc. Now look at that list and multiply that times 365. Now multiply that times 75 years (the average lifespan). Does it seem like a lot for your body to handle?

At what age do you think the balance shifts/shifted for you personally? I'll give you a hint, it's the exact moment when you start having health issues or become overweight. If you currently have health issues or are overweight, it is a clear sign that you have too many toxins in your body. You have to detoxify in order to make any progress and get healthy. No amount of diet soda will make you lose weight. No amount of lotion will make your skin glow. No amount of conditioner will make your hair soft. No amount of treating the individual issues will resolve your health.

You have to approach it as a whole body recovery. When you detoxify your body on a regular basis, and build your immune system, you are creating a proper balance within. When your body is in balance, you naturally look healthy, you lose the excess weight, you'll have energy, your skin will glow, your hair will shine, etc. All those things happen naturally when you take a holistic approach (whole body).

Your body already knows how to do it's job in protecting you and making you healthy. You just have to clear the path.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

GOLD BLEND

GOLD BLEND

Black Cumin Seed- Nigella Sativa comes from a flowering plant found in Asia. It has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries, as far back as the 5th century BC, and was even found in the tomb of one of the Pharaohs of Egypt. It is a strong anti-oxidant, produces apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells, increases circulation, and is used in treatment for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy, allergies, colitis, and numerous other ailments. It boosts the immune system and bone marrow. They are also a good source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. The health benefits of Black Seed and Black Seed Oil are extraordinary. Works in synergy with Honey.

Indian Long Pepper Fruit- Piper Longum has also been used for centuries, and its use dates back to the 5th century BC. This hardened unripe pepper has proven to be a strong anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial agent. It has shown activity against parasitic infections, protects against the effects of radiation, and induces apoptosis in many different cancer cells. It has been proven to be effective against prostate, breast, ovarian, and colon cancers, as well as melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia and glioma tumors. There's so much punch packed in this small fruit. Works in synergy with Curcumin (listed below).

Mangosteen- Garcinia Mangostana is a strong anti-oxidant. Many studies have shown this fruit's anti-cancer effect on breast, prostate, bladder, pacreatic, colon, melanoma, and colorectal cancers. There are more than 50 xanthones found in the pericarp of this fruit, with many found to be beneficial in fighting cancer, reducing tumor growth and preventing metastasis. Mangosteen also works as an anti-inflammatory, and its effect on insulin production has been found to be therapeutic to those with diabetes or obesity. Controlling glucose levels plays a key role in weight management and cancer prevention. Works in synergy with Curcumin.

Dandelion Root Yes, I mean the root of that inconsequential little weed growing in your yard. This little plant is packed full of nutrients and cancer fighting properties. Numerous studies have now shown the great benefit of these little plants. They have proven to be a strong anti-oxidant, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in pancreatic cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, prostate cancer and even drug-resistant melanoma. The root of the Dandelion contains high concentrations of Vitamin A as well as other important vitamins, and acts as a diuretic, cleansing the kidneys and liver. Other evidence has also shown that this little plant can also positively affect insulin secretion.

Curcumin comes from the Turmeric Root, a yellowish root from the ginger family. It is a strong anti-oxidant which protects the body from oxidative stress and inflammation. It has been proven to be effective against cancer, Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis, Alzheimer's, Diabetes, and even Cystic Fibrosis. It has great wound healing and pain relieving benefits, as well as the ability to increase circulation and lower cholesterol. Works with Long Pepper and Mangosteen.

Bitter Melon- Momordica Charantia is a bitter vegetable native to Asia and is used in Asian cooking. It has been used in Indian medicine to treat diabetes by inhibiting glucose transport throughout the body. It has the ability to cause apoptosis, or cell death, in cancer cells. Bitter Melon has proven to be effective against breast, lung, prostate, bladder, colon, liver, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, leukemia and other cancers. In regard to breast cancer, one study in particular showed very promising results. When breast cancer cells were exposed to Bitter Melon's extract, 80% of the cancer cells died within 48 hours, and none of the normal cells were affected. You can see more information about this study here.

SILVER BLEND

SILVER BLEND

This category of natural compounds includes major players in preventing oxidative stress. Like the ones above, they have cancer fighting ability to induce cancer cell death, but their role is more importantly to help alleviate inflammation caused by oxidative stress and improve circulation, cardiac function and glucose management. These are also extremely important in building the body's immune system.

Resveratrol comes mainly from the skin of red grapes. It improves cardiac function and physical capacity. It helps reduce inflammation, prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and makes it more difficult for platelets to stick together and form the clots that can lead to a heart attack. Resveratrol is thought to limit metastasis of cancer cells and triggers the process of cancer cell death in Bladder, Colorectal, Gastric, Cervical, Liver, Ovarian, Colon, Breast and Leukemia. It also helps prevent insulin resistance, a condition in which the body becomes less sensitive to the effects of the blood sugar-lowering hormone, insulin.

Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid found in animal tissue. This strong anti-oxidant is known for it's ability to improve cardiac function by a number of pathways, including lowering blood pressure and reducing oxidative stress. It calms the nervous system resulting in less reaction to stress, and it supports insulin health, helping to prevent diabetes. Low Taurine levels are newly becoming a marker for many types of cancer. This essential amino-acid is also a strong anti-inflammatory.

Ashwagandha / Indian Ginseng has been known for centuries for its rejuvenating and healing properties. It has adaptogenic properties which allow the body to deal with emotional and oxidative stress. It is full of amino acids and vitamins. This herb is often used for energy and vitality, memory and concentration. Ashwagandha has also proven to have potential in selectively killing tumor cells by causing apoptosis.

Green Tea is loaded with strong anti-oxidants that improve brain function, lower the risk of cancer and enhance fat loss. It protects cells from damage due to toxins and bacteria. It is an anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-tumor and anti-bacterial agent. It may also reduce risk of stroke. Other studies look at it's ability to inhibit metastasis specifically in breast cancer cells.

Rhodiola Rosea is also known as the golden root or arctic root. It is a strong anti-oxidant known for it's ability to prevent fatigue, relieve depression, protect the kidneys from damage and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. It's also a free radical scavenger and improves heart function.

Gotu Kola / Centella Asiatica is a swamp plant that grows in Madagascar and Indonesia. It has been used for centuries for wound healing, mental fatigue and concentration, anxiety, dementia, skin conditions, and respiratory infections. It protects the cells against oxidative stress, and has been shown in studies to reduce liver tumors. Gota Kola may also protect the skin against Gamma radiation.

NATURAL HORMONE BALANCE- For Men and Women Both

I've spent months deciphering the world of Endocrine disruptors and what effects they have on our immune system, hormones, weight and overall health. Fortunately, because I developed such a strong knowledge of cancer and ways to naturally detoxify the body and boost the immune system, this next step seemed to fall right in place. I'm so excited to share this with all of you.

If you are not familiar with Endocrine disruptors, you may want to go back and read my earlier post (Top 3 Things That Are Sabotaging Your Weight Loss and Health- and How to Fix it). If you aren't interested in going back to read it, I will quickly summarize. We eat food that has pesticides. We use products on our bodies that contain chemicals. We are in contact daily with environmental toxins. Why are they bad? They disrupt the process of our Endocrine System.

The Endocrine System is a collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood. If that system is not working properly, we can begin to see problems like inflammation, weight gain, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. And not only can the Endocrine System get disrupted by toxins we come in to contact with, but many of the foods we eat and products we use can drown our body with excess Estrogen. This creates a hormone imbalance, which can lead to many health issues, with the biggest concern being hormone related cancers (Prostate, Breast, Ovarian, Cervical, Uterine Cancers). And our bodies can't fix this imbalance without the proper tools.

First, we need to detoxify our body. Get rid of the poisons and damaged cells in the blood stream. Then, we need to boost the immune system to help our body fight naturally. And finally, we need to fix the hormonal imbalance and get our Endocrine system working right. If we do those things, we will see a great shift in our body, like healthy weight, proper blood sugar regulation, decrease in inflammation, improved immune function, and so on. That is why I took the time to research and develop what I believe to be the best combination for balancing our hormones and promoting proper Endocrine system function.

Personal note:

I have spent a great deal of time designing the following Natural Hormone Balance Supplement. I've been shocked at the incredible difference I've felt. I made mention in an earlier post about losing weight naturally by using this. I'm down 10lbs in the past 45 days. My hair is full, thick and soft. (I've never had soft hair in my life). My nails are so strong now and growing long. My skin is getting smoother. I have energy and stamina to get through the day. My brain feels more focused and I'm able to concentrate.

I can say with absolute certainty that this combination was the missing piece for me. I'm now two years out from my original cancer diagnosis, and it's like I never went through any of it. I don't feel like I'm struggling to regain anything. I've been taking the Gold Blend, the Silver Blend, and now the Natural Hormone Balance, and I have never felt better in my life.

So, without further ado, here's Step Three on your path to wellness....

NATURAL HORMONE BALANCE

Please note: These supplements do not contain hormones.

They support the body's proper hormone balance.

MSM- (METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE) -An organic Sulphur compound found in raw fruits and vegetables.

Assists the body in creating Glutathione, the body's most important antioxidant
Reduces pain and inflammation
Promotes healthy endocrine function- Enzymes need MSM to metabolize and react to nutrients and hormones
Improves joint health
Promotes collagen and connective tissue formation
Maintains cell wall strength

Peruvian Maca Root- Cruciferous root found in the mountains of Peru.

Boosts energy and endurance
Aids in hormonal balance
Filled with essential Amino acids, nutrients and minerals, including Selenium, Potassium, Calcium, Iron and Magnesium
May decrease physical stress, potentially having a positive effect on adrenal glands

Lutein- Carotenoid found in vegetables

Low Lutein levels linked to blood sugar problems
Helps regulate Endocrine system function
Antioxidant
Protects against UV rays
Supports cardiovascular function
Promotes increased mental function, speech and memory
Promotes eye health, and protects against eye disease

Alpha-Lipoic Acid- Form of fatty acid that naturally resides in body cells. It helps our bodies produce the energy required to support normal bodily functions. The main role of ALA is to convert blood sugar (glucose) into energy.

Universal antioxidant
Supports healthy endocrine system function
Facilitate transfer of glucose into energy
Assists process of creating energy from fats, proteins and carbs
Helps protect cell structure
Detoxifies the liver
Boosts immune system
Speeds muscle recovery and metabolism for athletes
Aids regulation of cholesterol levels

Co-Enzyme Q10- A substance found in the body within every cell. It's role is to help convert food into energy. Past the age of 30- CoQ10 levels decline rapidly.

Promotes and strengthens immune health
Essential in providing energy to the body at a cellular level
Universal Antioxidant- neutralizing free radicals
Responsible for synthesizing Adenosine Triphosate, the molecule that acts as a major energy source for each individual cell.

DIM- (di-indolylmethane) - compound isolated from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli or cabbage.

Aids in hormonal balance
Promotes estrogen metabolism by helping the body remove excess estrogen from environment, chemicals and food
Antioxidant
Promotes breast and prostate health
Helps strengthen hair and nails
Reduces skin wrinkles

Zinc Gluconate- Essential for the normal function of the endocrine system. Contains the lowest cadmium levels of all zinc compounds.

Regulates cell growth
Aids healing
Boosts Immune system
Balances Hormones
Protects against diabetes by regulating insulin activity
Blocks estrogen
In men, boosts Testosterone by blocking the conversion of Testosterone to Estrogen

Saturday, April 4, 2015

How to Kill Cancer Naturally- A Guide

As you've seen in previous posts about what causes cancer, The Basic's of Cancer- in Layman's Terms and One in Three Will Get Cancer, the way we optimize our health is by killing active cancer cells and reestablishing a balance within our body. This is not solely about cancer, as the beginning of most health issues begins with inflammation.  When you are diagnosed with cancer, you can either choose traditional treatment of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, or you can treat it naturally. But if you choose the former, traditional treatment, you will need to work much harder to create proper balance after treatment.....that is, if there ever is an "after treatment". Many will remain in traditional treatment until their demise.

With what I know now, I would have never agreed to conventional treatment before trying the natural approach. The problem was, I didn't know about the natural options prior to having cancer treatment. I didn't even know anything about cancer!  There are so many sources for information on the internet, and so many conflicting opinions, it's nearly impossible to filter through, especially when you are scared beyond belief and holding your new cancer diagnosis.

As I researched cancer, I started to develop a clear understanding and strategy for getting healthy. Once I finished chemotherapy and surgery, I chose to turn down radiation and get my immune system up and running as fast as possible.   A strong immune system is an important way to prevent cancer and recurrence.  I wish I had known what to do from the very beginning. I could have avoided all of the torture of conventional medical treatment. Regardless, here is what I know now.

In my research, I found the main things required to treat and prevent cancer within our body are...

Create Healthy Bloodflow- Thinner blood, unclogged arteries, healthy blood pressure and increased circulation all work to prevent damaged and sedentary cells from mutating to form cancer cells.

Reduce Oxidative Stress-  Toxins and bacteria enter our bodies and create free radicals (damaged cells). These damaged cells can mutate to form cancer cells, dividing and multiplying to form tumors. Anti-oxidants play an important role in scavenging free radicals and killing them before they mutate, relieving us from oxidative stress, inflammation and premature aging.

Boost the Immune System-  The immune system is our biggest ally in preventing cancer. Our white blood cells devour toxins, bacteria, and viruses. Sugar can be detrimental to our white blood cells, so one of the ways we can boost the immune system is to prevent excess sugar (glucose) from getting to the white blood cells either by reduced consumption or blockage of glucose.

Reduce Acidity-  Cancer likes an acidic environment. Not only does it thrive in acid, it creates it as a byproduct of cancer growth. A diet full of soft drinks, red meat, and processed foods all greatly increase acidity in the body. But one of the biggest acid producers in our body is stress. By living with a great deal of stress, the body is constantly producing and retaining lactic acid in muscles....cancer's favorite environment.

Now that we know WHAT to do,
how do we go about doing it?

This is where we "CONNECT THE DOTS"

There are four categories of what I feel are the most important components to combat not just cancer, but diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and many other systemic ailments. The first category is called GOLD, the strong active cancer killers. These are the strongest, most important compounds that have proven to cause cell death in many different types of cancer. And even more importantly, these have little to no negative side effects. Because these in particular are so important, there are links to each ingredient to another blog post with information about them and references from clinical studies done on each one.

Category One
GOLD

Strong Active Cancer Killers

Side note: There are other compounds found in nature to be strong cancer cures not listed here. One of the most powerful is the Cannabis/Marijuana plant. In fact, the US Government Department of Health and Human Services holds the patent on the extracted compounds of Cannabis that prove effective against cancer. However, due to the plant's legality in many states, this has been excluded from the list.

Other strong, natural cancer cures include Essiac Tea, Black Salve, Soursop, Astragalus, and Vitamin B17, also known as Laetrile. Although these compounds are proven to be effective against cancer, they also may come with serious side effects or contraindications for many people. I intentionally left those out due to their potential complications.

Category Two
SILVER

Strong Anti-Oxidant Plus+

Category Three
BRONZE

Probiotics and Enzymes

Category three, Bronze, provides fundamental bacteria and live enzymes that establish a functioning chemical balance within the body.

Probiotics are comprised of the working bacteria mainly contained in the gastrointestinal tract where 70 to 80% of our immune system cells are found. Probiotics help prevent infection, inflammation, and may even bind to carcinogens in the intestinal tract, promoting their excretion. They are essential for optimizing a properly functioning immune system.

Enzymes are proteins that speed up the chemical processes in the body, mainly digestion. There are many types of enzymes all throughout the body, however the role of digestive enzymes is to break down the food we eat for our body to properly utilize the nutrients. Raw, plant based foods contain the highest levels of enzymes, but most of us eat cooked or processed foods that no longer contain these beneficial proteins, leaving us deficient. Stress can also lead to low enzyme levels in the body, compromising our immune system further. Low enzyme levels are also linked to Liver, Pancreatic and Ovarian Cancer.

The most important enzymes are as follows:

Quercetin is a plant pigment and flavinoid found in fruits and vegetables, mainly apples, onions, grapes, and berries. It is a strong anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, and may protect against heart disease and cancer. It may also suppress insulin receptors, impairing cancer cells' ability to multiply. Quercetin has also been proven effective against cancer in Breast, Ovarian, Bladder, Prostate, Oral, Pancreatic, Cervical, Head and Neck, Lung, Liver, Renal, and Leukemia.

Bromelain is a protein extract found mainly in the stems and juice of the pineapple. It has been used for centuries to reduce inflammation and aid in the wound healing process. Used in conjunction with Quercetin, it aids in digesting and utilizing a greater amount of Quercetin. Bromelain has been shown to be effective against the following cancers: Mesothelioma, Breast, Gastrointestinal, Colon, Glioma, and Skin Cancer.

CoQ10 is an anti-oxidant that is found in every cell. It is found naturally in the body and in many food sources, and helps convert food into energy. It is at the very basic level of cell function. A deficiency in this can cause chronic physical and mental fatigue, high blood pressure, poor blood sugar regulation, stomach ulcers, heart failure, and poor response to depression medication, as well as a number of other ailments. In regard to cancer, CoQ10 has proven to combat oxidative stress and relieve chemotherapy related fatigue.

The Big Three- Amylase, Protease and Lipase are digestive enzymes that break down starch, protein and fat within the digestive tract. As we age, the number of enzymes our pancreas excretes reduces. If we are deficient in these digestive enzymes, our cells do not get the proper nutrients from food. A deficiency is also caused by eating cooked, processed or irradiated food, killing the live enzymes. This can create inflammation within the body as well as compromise the immune system. Cancer patients have notably low levels of enzymes, and new studies are emerging with the use of enzymes as a therapy for cancer.

Category Four

THE BASICS

Vitamins, Nutrients and Minerals

This final category is about the basic compounds we need in our body to function optimally, reduce oxidative stress, build muscle, reduce acidity, promote a healthy immune system, reduce inflammation and prevent negative systemic responses and illnesses. Most of these can be found in a healthy, well rounded diet, but may need to be supplemented.

1. Daily Multivitamin with Selenium

2. Vitamin D- Supports healthy immune system

3. Iodine- Deficiency may cause Thyroid or Autoimmune problems

4. Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)- reduces acidity

5. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) sulfur- used for joint health, circulation, wound healing

6. ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid)- Helps turn glucose into energy, builds Gluathione levels, and is a strong anti-oxidant

7. Melatonin- Free radical scavenger and sleep aide

8. Cayenne- Digestive aide and promotes healthy circulation

9. Ginger- Digestive aide and nausea preventative

10. Cilantro- Detoxifies the body of heavy metals
11. Garlic- Improve immune function, reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol, strong anti-oxidant

Are YOU getting what your body needs
to be completely healthy?

References
References to the GOLD category may be found by clicking the links to each ingredient. You will be redirected to their information page with references. Many of the following references are links to the National Institute of Health's website with a search selection. The reason for this is due the sheer volume of clinical studies and articles done on each compound. You will see many selections and examples of how each substance has helped with oxidative stress, cancer, heart disease, and numerous illnesses.

Resveratrol- studies of apoptosis in cancer cells
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=resveratrol+apoptosis+cancer
Taurine-
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=taurine+apoptosis+cancer
Ashwagandha- Indian Ginseng

Selective killing of cancer cells by Ashwagandha leaf extract and its component Withanone involves ROS signaling.

Widodo N, Priyandoko D, Shah N, Wadhwa R, Kaul SC.

PLoS One. 2010 Oct 21;5(10):e13536. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013536

Green Tea-

.Green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract inhibits both the metastasis and osteolytic components of mammary cancer 4T1 lesions in mice.

Luo KW, Ko CH, Yue GG, Lee JK, Li KK, Lee M, Li G, Fung KP, Leung PC, Lau CB.

J Nutr Biochem. 2014 Apr;25(4):395-403. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2013.11.013. Epub 2013 Dec 31.
Taylor PW, Hamilton-Miller JMT, Stapleton PD. Antimicrobial properties of green tea catechins. Food science and technology bulletin 2005;2:71-81.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=camellia+sinensis+green+tea+cancer

Rhodiola Rosea-

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=rhodiola+rosea+cancer

Gotu Kola- Centalla Asiatica