12 Steps to Preventing or Managing Cancer

As we recognize WORLD CANCER DAY it may shock you to learn that last year alone over 100,000 men and over 96,000 women were diagnosed with Cancer.

Cancer is the “symptom” of a weakened immune system. The “cause” could be due to any number of factors.

Cells in our body can become cancerous due to factors such as air and water pollution; genetics or lifestyle. Lifestyle factors such as diet (low fibre/high fat/processed); smoking, drinking alcohol, too much sun exposure, and stress are the most common causes.

Did you know that we all have cancerous cells in our body during our life time? If our immune system is strong the body can fight off malignant cells.

Whether you are helping a loved one who has this “dis-ease” or you are a senior living with it, here are some guidelines to consider:

• Consume cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and spinach (these have cancer fighting properties)

• Consume dark and brightly colored fruits and vegetables as they are high in antioxidants that combat free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that attack and destroy good cells.

• Green plants contain Cancer fighting chlorophyll:  Add chlorophyll or spirulina to your drinking water or sprinkle on your food.

• Filter your drinking water: toxins from local drinking sources can contribute to malignant cell growth.

• Avoid processed meats (lunch meats, sausages, hot dogs, etc) – they contain cancer causing nitrates.

• Don’t microwave your food.  If necessary do so in moderation and use glass containers, NEVER use plastic in the microwave!  The toxins from plastics leach into the food. The same applies to covering food with plastic wrap while microwaving.

• I know I say this often but it is imperative to take a good quality multivitamin daily. Be sure to purchase a brand name from a health store or through your health care practitioner.

• Natural health practitioners have had good results treating cancer with Vitamin C therapy – this is administered in high doses by intravenous; you can do your own version of Vitamin C therapy by supplementing with as much Vitamin C as your body can handle – typically up to 12g/daily. We refer to this as “bowel tolerance” – in other words you will know when you have reached your limit!  When ingesting high doses of Vitamin C it is best to choose one from “calcium ascorbate” vs “ascorbic acid”. For best results consult your natural health practitioner.

• Use olive oil and butter instead of margarine and other polyunsaturated oils – don’t buy into the theory that butter contributes to heart disease, your body knows this type of fat and can process it, it doesn’t know the plastic called  “margarine”!

• Consume an alkaline diet.  Cancer cannot live in an alkaline body, it thrives in an acidic environment.  Foods that contribute to an acidic state are sugar, white flour, caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods. These foods must be eliminated to give the body a fair chance to heal itself.   Cancer feeds off sugar, so it is very important to kick this addiction.

• Detox.  The body needs to rid itself of heavy metals, foreign debris and metabolic waste.  If the body systems are sluggish it is difficult to maintain the natural purging process.  Cells are then unable to absorb the nutrients they need to thrive.

• Remain positive and have a zest for life; this will help maintain good health , overcome disease and speed up recovery time

• Enlist the help of a Holistic Cancer Coach – you don’t have to do this alone, there are many support groups available

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation not only destroy bad cells they destroy good cells as well. They attack the “symptom” but don’t address the “cause”. This is why cancer often returns after the body has undergone extensive bouts of treatments. The immune system needs to be supported.

Immune health is key to living a healthy life…love your body and it will love you back!