Cancer and the Healing Power of Herbs

The following is a guest post by author Patricia Dean-Escoto. Healing herbs are a favorite topic of mine, so I hope you enjoy this post.

To most people, herbs are something to spice up their food. To others, they provide an abundant source of potential compounds to be marketed as the next miracle drug. The truth is, they are both. For thousands of years, herbs have been used as the primary combatant in the fight against a variety of ailments. However, they can also be a powerful ally when it comes to fighting and preventing cancer.
How they heal and protect

Herbs help our body heal and prevent disease by providing anti-inflammatory, free radical scavengers in the form of cancer-fighting compounds. They have the remarkable capability of affecting us on a cellular level – where diseases such as cancer originate. Take the herb cilantro. The first known cultivation occurred some 7,000 years ago in parts of Europe and Africa where it was medicinally used to aid in digestion. However, recent studies of cilantro’s properties show it also contains an anti-inflammatory compound designed to boost the production of glutathione.

The mother of all antioxidants, glutathione is a powerful detoxifier. Acting like glue on paper, glutathione causes free radicals produced by oxidative stress to stick to it and then be carried out of the body via the detoxification process. Our bodies naturally produce glutathione. However, their levels can be depleted by such things as infections, the aging process, radiation treatments, and, of course, a poor diet. Herbs such as cilantro can heal and protect by helping in the production of glutathione and aiding the liver in the detoxification process.

Other herbs containing the same antioxidant compounds as cilantro include cumin, cinnamon and lemongrass. In the case of cumin, animal studies show it has the ability to inhibit the growth of stomach tumors; while also enhancing enzymes produced by the liver during the course of detoxification.

Detoxification is a critical component to the healing process. Antioxidants aid the body in ridding itself of harmful toxins found in our environment and in our food. Toxins interfere with the body’s ability to adequately absorb and assimilate nutrients. When this happens it can often create a cascading effect leading to cell damage and cell mutation.

In addition, excess toxins can slow the detoxification process by redirecting the efforts of organs, such as the liver and kidneys, away from their primary role which is to aid in the elimination of toxins. The right herb can act as a stabilizer to this process by providing our body with the necessary antioxidants it needs to combat and remove poisonous substances.

The most powerful and protective herb, and the one that continues to show the most promise when it comes to fighting and preventing cancer, is Turmeric. Part of the ginger family, turmeric is a major component used in both Chinese and Indian medicine. It derives its power from the compound curcumin, which is responsible for giving turmeric its color. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects have been shown to be on the same level as drugs such as hydrocortisone. In addition, curcumin helps the body destroy mutated cancer cells, inhibits tumor growth, and prevents cancerous cells from spreading to other parts of the body.

Research has demonstrated that herbs can be just as effect as pharmaceutical drugs when it comes to protecting and aiding our body in the fight against inflammation. This is an important first step in the battle. Mounting data is beginning to confirm that inflammation may very well be the key initiator in the development of most diseases, including many forms of cancer.

Patricia Dean-Escoto is a certified nutrition consultant and breast cancer survivor. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, she earned her master’s degree in Education from Capella University. She has more than 20 years of experience working in both the field of education and healthcare. In 2006, after being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, Patricia returned to school to study nutrition. She is a graduate of Bauman College, where she earned her certification as a Nutrition Consultant. Recently, she hosted a year-long radio show called Pathways to Healing on the Voice America network where she interviewed experts in the field of health and wellness. She is a Raw Foods chef and author of ‘The Top Ten Superfoods for Preventing Breast Cancer’. Patricia is also a Certified Cancer Physical Trainer. Her company, Pathways2healing, works exclusively with cancer patients in the area of nutrition and exercise. She lectures both locally and nationally on the topic of nutrition and cancer prevention. She and her husband currently reside in Delaware. Follow Patricia on Facebook and Twitter.

About The Top Ten Superfoods for Preventing Breast Cancer:
The war on cancer has raged on for more than forty years. Yet the incidence of breast cancer continues to rise with an average of 180,000 new cases reported each year. In 2011, cancer surpassed heart disease as the number one killer of Americans. All of this leads one to the natural conclusion that we are not winning this war. While the medical community’s focus continues to be on treatment with the latest drug, nature has provided us with a natural way to help prevent this deadly disease. In her new book, breast cancer survivor and nutrition consultant, Patricia Dean-Escoto reveals the top ten Super Foods for preventing breast cancer. Written in clear, easy-to-understand language, citing numerous scientific research studies, The Top Ten Super Foods for Preventing Breast Cancer explains:

Estrogen’s role in the development of breast cancer
Environmental contributors to breast cancer
The role nutrition plays in the prevention of breast cancer
How inflammation contributes to breast cancer
The research-backed top ten foods for preventing breast cancer
Her H.E.A.L.T.H.Y.™ eating food model for cancer prevention

You can find Patricia’s book at Amazon or direct from Pathways to Healing. Enter  the raffle to win an autographed copy plus a 30 minute consultation with Patricia.

Elyn
http://www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more, and is a columnist for Natural Healing-Natural Wellness. She has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter

Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

Are Your Headphones An EMF Health Risk?

EMF’s are silent and invisible killers; they are sneaky as we can’t hear or see them.  However, the danger is very real.  I know I have spoken about this before, but recently I started fretting over all the technology our children are using.  They have cell phones, iPads, iPods and laptops.  They use them at home and at school.  When I was a child, these things did not exist.  We had a few TV’s in our house and a phone on the wall.  Things are different now; we live in an electronic world.

Do we know for sure that radiation kills?  Nope, but then, do you really want to wait for proof?  Will a dramatic rise in brain tumors give us proof?  I’d prefer not to be involved in that statistic and I sure as heck don’t want my children to.

We have gotten our laptops off our laps and purchased retro handsets for our phones.  But, what about headphones…are they good or bad? If you connect your headphones to anything WiFi, there is a potential EMF issue with the wire in the headphones acting like an antenna, and directing the radio frequency radiation into your brain.  I contacted Lloyd Burrell, an expert on the subject, as I needed some answers.

Enjoy the following post by Lloyd Burrell…things will be much clearer and wired.

Electromagnetic fields, now there’s a word. It’s a term that gets bantered around by the media more and more every day. And for good reason too. According to some experts our exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is now billions of times higher than it was when the earth was created. Yes, I did say billions of times higher.

So what, I hear you say? EMFs are safe, right?  No. EMFs are not safe.

Remember how not that long ago we were told that cigarettes were safe. Then bit-by-bit it all came out in the wash. It turns out smoking cigarettes isn’t safe at all, it causes coronary heart disease, lung cancer, stomach cancer, kidney cancer, respiratory disease and a long list of other very serious diseases.

What’s the evidence that EMFs are not safe? The BioInitiative Report 2012, the work of 29 independent scientists and health experts from 10 countries, found overwhelming scientific evidence of health risks from wireless devices and other forms of EMF.

In their initial report published in 2007 BioInitiative Working Group concluded, “that the existing public safety limits are inadequate for both ELF [extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields] and RF [radio frequency radiation].”

The 2012 BioInitiative Report went even further. Over twenty-one chapters the 2012 report assessed 1800 new research papers (from 2006 to 2011). According to David O. Carpenter, MD co-editor of the Report “there is now much more evidence of risks to health affecting billions of people world-wide. The status quo is not acceptable in light of the evidence for harm.”

Also lets not forget the World Health Organization (WHO) recent classification of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as a Group 2B possible carcinogenic. This ruling was based on a perceived increased risk for glioma associated with cell phone use.

Are the dangers of EMFs as bad as the dangers of smoking cigarettes? No. They are much worse. You see EMFs are everywhere, more and more. Particularly since the advent of wireless technology. More cell phones, means more cell towers, means more radiation (aka EMFs).

And its not just cell phones and cell towers the problem. EMF exposures from cordless phones, ‘smart meters’, WI-FI, wireless laptops, wireless routers, baby monitors, and similar electronic devices and from power lines, electrical wiring and other appliances all add to the toxic mix. Its not like cigarettes, there’s virtually no escaping these EMF exposures.

How come nobody seems to know about these dangers? There are lots of reasons. EMFs are invisible; you can’t see, smell, touch or taste them. They are silent killers, easily ignored especially when our governments and institutions that are supposed to protect us, say they are safe. The problem is if it were ever to ‘get out’ about the dangers of EMFs it would upset the apple cart. The companies that are involved in making and selling these technologies would be hit badly. Perhaps a bigger obstacle is that many peoples way of life is now built around these devices. It’s socially acceptable to have a cell phone and be contactable 24/7. For some employers, it’s a condition of employment.

What about EMFs from headphones? Studies indicate that the health effects of EMFs are cumulative. Anything electrical emits EMFs, that includes headphones. Are these exposures high? The way to test your exposures is with an EMF meter. Typically the EMFs are not particularly high. BUT there are two important factors; proximity of the EMF source to the body and length of exposure. Headphones are worn very close to the body (in the ear) and many people wear them for long periods of time.

Are these dangers real? Yes, but just how significant they are is very difficult to say. Some headphones are more dangerous than others. You’re better off using a wired headset than a wireless one. Typically wireless headsets use Bluetooth. That means you are also exposing yourself to radio frequency radiation, another form of EMF.

Also it depends what your headphones are connected to. If they are connected to your cell phone and you are taking calls using a wired headset your exposure could be significant. A conventional headset uses a wire cable. Wire has metal in it. This metal conducts the radiation coming from your cell phone allowing it to travel up the wire and into your head.

What about just listening to music on your cell phone. If the music is downloaded onto your phone this is safer. But if you are streaming, then again your EMF exposures could be significant.

One way of reducing your exposure is to use an air tube headset. An air tube headset uses hollow air tubes to conduct the sound from your cell phone using “sound waves”. The manufacturer claims a 98% reduction in the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that reach your head.

Lloyd also recommends you hardwire your laptop if you are using head phones while listening to music or YouTube clips.    Better yet, whenever possible, hardwire your laptop, period.  Consider your laptop to be nothing more than a convenient way to take your work along.

About the author:

Since falling prey to a violent reaction to his cell phone in 2002 Lloyd Burrell has spent over 10 years researching the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on health. He now offers tips and guidance on how to live a healthy life in our increasingly electromagnetic world.

You can download his free EMF Protection Health Report and subscribe to his newsletter by visiting his website http://www.electricsense.com/. You can also follow him on Facebook , Twitter and Youtube.

For more information:

Cell Phone Radiation Dangers

Cell Phones and Cancer—The Absence of Evidence is Not Evidence of Absence

Can Cell Phones Cause Cancer, Infertility; Are Our Children at Risk?

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more, and is a columnist for Natural Healing-Natural Wellness. She has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter

Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

Healing Cancer: One Note at a Time

Yesterday I had the pleasure of a visit to my oncologist.  No, there is no sarcasm there, he’s great. Visits with Dr Gaynor often last over an hour, and post-examination and after a lengthy conversation about mental and physical health, I am often treated to a meditative session of healing sound.  In this session, I was lost and at peace at the beach; the waves coursing through my body and leaving with my stress and worries; healing light entering and cancer cells washing away.

Dr Gaynor is a longtime promoter of the healing power of sound, and in fact authored a book as such.  The Healing Power of Sound will soon be out in E-form.   He has been implementing sound and music therapy as a part of his treatment protocol for over 25 years.   The benefits range from encouraging relaxation to creating a healthy mind, body and spirit to prevent and treat disease.

How exactly does it work?  Creating the vibrations of sound through music changes brainwaves patterns in ways that trigger healing.  He does this with the use of crystal bowls; a therapy he has coined Crystal Sonic Therapy™.   Just don’t forget your headphones as you will need them to reap the benefits.  As each ear receives its own unique musical note, the sound waves move toward each other and synchronize to produce a new musical note that the brain perceives.  The practice in which sound wave stimuli are purposefully used to alter brainwaves in this matter is called brain wave entrainment (BWE).  Preliminary evidence suggests that BWE is effective in several cognitive domains and can relieve acute and long-term stress, reduce pain, headaches, migraines, and PMS and improve behavior, but may go well beyond.

In integrative oncology we learn that it is more important to treat the patient with the disease than the disease of the patient.  Pain, and the ensuing inflammation, promotes cancer; stress and trauma can create an environment friendly to cancer.  Inflammation can cause pain and distress such as depression. I could go on and on but the point is that cancer does not happen in a vacuum; cancer is an expression that all is not in balance in the body.  To get back in balance we must attend to body and soul.

Remember too that a cancer diagnosis brings with it fear and a loss of control; to confront cancer head on, we need to step back, breathe and form a plan; we need to become active participants in our healing.  Using crystal singing bowls to change your brainwaves so you feel relaxed and in control sure beats being sticking your head in the sand and relinquishing control of your health and care.

I hear that Dr Gaynor will be talking about the crystal bowls and healing sounds on the Dr Oz Show, but in the meantime you can find his music at the the iTunes store.  Look for Change Your Mind, Uplift, Peaceful Sleep and Tranquility. Relax to the soothing sounds of birds chirping, listen to the waves rushing toward the shore and unwind to the melodic sounds of rain drops.

Sound has a healing quality; it promotes health, not disease– isn’t that our true goal?

Mitchell Gaynor, M.D. is founder and president of Gaynor Integrative Oncology and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Weill College, affiliated with Cornell University and New York Hospital. He has served on the Executive Review Panel at the Department of Defense – Alternative Medicine for Breast Cancer Sector and the Smithsonian Institute’s Symposium on New Frontier in Breast Cancer and the Environment. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at hospitals, conferences, and universities throughout America and abroad. Learn more: http://www.gaynoroncology.com/about.html

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more, and is a columnist for Natural Healing-Natural Wellness. She has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter

Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

 

DIM-New Thoughts on an Old Story

Every so often new science and developments cause doctors, scientists and yes, coaches, to take pause for further consideration of something we were rock solid on. For 30 years we have relied on a theory that we have good and bad estrogen. We have also come to rely on the supplement Diindolylmethane (DIM), a phytonutrient and plant indole that was thought to help convert the bad to the good, or at least that is the short of it.  However, new research presented by Dr Jacob Schor, pokes some serious holes in these theories.  Estrogen Metabolite Ratios: Time for Us To Let Go.  While this is not good news for those of us with breast cancer, it is research worthy of our consideration.  I have been recommending DIM and I have been taking DIM, so Dr Schor certainly has my attention.

The connection between breast cancer and estrogen has been recognized for over a hundred years. However, breast cancer is not just about estrogen, and honestly, the critic in me now has some major questions involving the entire estrogen theory.  At this point there is still solid (for now) evidence suggesting that a higher level of 4 hydroxyestrone can result in increased risk of breast cancer. However, even in this exhaustive and convincing paper, Estrogen and the Risk of Breast Cancer, there is  the following statement: “Studies of the relation between serum estrogen concentrations and the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women have had conflicting results, most likely because the measurements were made at various times during the menstrual cycle….” and the author makes a few similar comments.  Actually this paper is really worth the read and leaves the door open to challenge the estrogen theory.  I do realize that this paper is somewhat dated, but if you look at many of the studies referred to by Schor, it all starts someplace.  Still, for now we will go with the estrogen-fuels- breast cancer theory.

Keep in mind that there are many natural ways to manage estrogen, and even more importantly, estrogen is a substance natural and necessary to the human body; it is not all bad and cancer is not all about estrogen.   Further, it’s a matter of balance.  When estrogen and progesterone are in balance, they dance.  Without balance, there is trouble.

Please continue with your anti-cancer lifestyle.  Avoid exposure to xenoestrogens; a known villain. Eat your anti-estrogen foods and progesterone supportive foods as needed. For every bit of research that says diet doesn’t matter, there is equal or more that says it does. Besides, the alternative to eating well is eating poorly, which cannot be good for anything.

We don’t have all the answers when it comes to the mechanics of foods and supplements. If a compound has the research and can’t hurt, go with your gut.  Often when you isolate one compound and study it this way, the results are not always reliable…the synergy is lost—hence we get conflicting results which leads to more uncertainty. In other words, question everything, but use common sense.

You are right, Dr Schor: “Sometimes you’ve just got to admit when you are wrong and move on. It is past time that we let this particular idea go”.  So, I was wrong.  Thank you Dr Schor, I will move on and eagerly await further reports.

I also want to thank Marnie Clark for bringing awareness of this paper to the community; information that was brought to me by one of my clients seeking clarity.  This is one of the many things I enjoy about my work—the open exchange of information. I don’t have all the answers, but I like to stay on top of the research; I love to report back to my readers.  So, thank you all for sharing.

Here’s another good read on the subject: Estrogen Metabolite Ratio Testing: Is It Worthwhile?

And then of course, here’s one to enjoy: Estrogen Does NOT Cause Breast Cancer: Debunking the Common Myths About the Hormone

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter

Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

Estrogen Management for Breast Cancer, Naturally

Is there a natural solution to estrogen management for breast cancer? The answer is yes and no.  I believe that there is. However, to date, there are no natural supplements that have been compared with aromatase inhibitors side by side to verify that they are equal substitutes or even superior to pharmaceutical drugs. Clinical trials are not likely to be done, simply because there is not enough financial reward to big Pharma; in other words they have nothing to gain and tons to lose by funding research for natural solutions such as consumption of foods such as button mushrooms, broccoli and pomegranate.

However, many nutraceuticals (food and supplements such as those above) are known to effectively block or manage estrogen, and there are natural compounds that can help protect against the side effects and boost the efficacy of aromatase inhibitors and Tamoxifen and therefore allow for the option of taking a lesser and therefore less toxic therapy.

We also know that there are many estrogen promoters and supporters that need to be avoided, such as xenoestrogens, which act like estrogens produced by the female body and can boost unbalanced estrogen levels. Phytoestrogens, on the other hand, are a whole other story and will be addressed further in a separate post as while complicated, can be beneficial.

Why not the “big guns”?

It is no secret that hormone sensitive cancers are dependent on unbalanced estrogen in the body to fuel their growth.  Aromatase inhibitors are effective in reducing levels of unbalanced estrogen in the body and SERMs such as Tamoxifen interfere with hormone activity.  I won’t get into the side effects or resulting effects of these drugs, but suffice it to say that the list is lengthy. Given the toxicity and known side effects of estrogen blocking drugs, we must explore natural compounds that not only manage estrogen, but that help prevent recurrence and metastasis on many fronts.

Sadly, whether out of ignorance or fear of prosecution, most doctors do not promote or support natural means for estrogen management.  However, remember, cancer is not just estrogen fueled.  Cancer is dependent on a cancer-friendly environment; if we do not change the environment in which it was able to grow, we increase its chance of returning. These drugs that are offered offer no solution to changing the cancer environment.  Nutraceuticals, on the other hand, are non-toxic and are quite beneficial to overall health, including fighting cancer and creating an unfriendly cancer environment. Exercise, sleep, and stress management also play a major role in the balance of estrogen and in risk reduction.

So, until there is funding for clinical trials for natural solutions, we must rely on our own intuition, research, knowledge and common sense in our approach to a natural solution to estrogen management and risk reduction for breast cancer.  For now, the answer lies outside of definitive, quantitative studies. Many, many people have healed their cancers and prevented recurrence via natural means, but these successes are not quantified in published trials and are often dismissed or ignored by their doctors.

To read more on natural solutions for estrogen:

Natural Alternatives to Tamoxifen

Managing Estrogen Naturally

Natural Alternatives to Aromatase Inhibitors

Tamoxifen: There is More to the Story

Magical Mushrooms

Natural Compounds in Pomegranates May Prevent Growth of Hormone-Dependent Breast Cancer

While these articles are a bit dated, they do provide some good information. New research comes out continuously, and it is my quest to stay abreast of it and share with you this knowledge:

Indole 3 Carbinol – the safer, natural Tamoxifen?

Chrysin is Natural Alterative to Toxic Breast Cancer Drug

With my deepest respect and gratitude,

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this post represents medical advice, and I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist or naturopathic doctor. I have compiled this information solely for those seeking alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs for the management of estrogen and for the management of their cancer.  Nothing in the above post is to be considered to be a cure for cancer, despite what the research or experts claim. I do not believe or intend to imply that any one single compound is a cure for cancer.  I do believe that natural compounds can significantly reduce cancer risk and increase survival if used alongside a comprehensive anticancer strategy.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter

Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

Exercise and Cancer: Active Against Cancer

Nancy Brennan, author of Active Against Cancer, and wellness and exercise expert Jacqui Errico, were my guests on Survive and Live Well.  We hear from our doctors (well, okay, hopefully we hear from our doctors) that we should exercise.  However, rarely do we hear why.  Did you know that exercise creates anticancer conditions in the body?

As Nancy Brennan writes in her book: “Cancer cells create certain conditions as their numbers grow.  They change the local cellular environment by changing the biochemistry.  Cancer cells need these biochemical conditions in order to reproduce.  Sometimes cancer cells are overwhelmed by the immune system and they die.  Other times, the cancer cells’ growth is encouraged by these conditions that they favor, such as chronic inflammation, greater levels of insulin, poorly oxygenated blood, too much cortisol (a natural stress hormone), and excessive estrogen or testosterone.”

“Anticancer conditions, on the other hand, are bad for the continued uncontrolled reproduction of cancer cells.”  Exercise, in moderation, helps to create the desirable anticancer conditions in your body, helping you fight cancer with exercise ” As Brennan writes: “If you eat well, and not too much, and if you get a good amount of exercise, you can actively promote anticancer conditions in the cellular environment of your body.”

“Exercise, in particular, can reduce levels of cellular inflammation by lowering blood sugar levels and reducing insulin and insulin growth factors.  Exercise boosts the immune system, lowers stress levels and brings hormones into balance.  Exercise helps us maintain a healthy weight and improves body composition (the mixture of fat and muscle).”  [Adapted and quoted from Active Against Cancer, with the author's permission.]

 Exercise and a proper diet afford us a simple way to change that environment; to make the body less hospitable to cancer cells. If I can offer up no other good reasons to exercise, I offer you this:  Exercise will make you feel better, heal faster,  live longer, and in the words of Evelyn Knapp via Jacqui Errico, “Exercise gave me a sense of control in a situation that was out of control”.   Strength for Life, a wonderful organization that offers free exercise classes and wellness retreats to cancer patients and survivors, was founded in memory of Evelyn Knapp.  Evelyn spent a lifetime promoting exercise and proper nutrition to thousands.  She lost her challenge with breast cancer in 2005.

To replay this show: March 12th, 2013–http://hipcast.com/podcast/H6SYM3ds Nancy Brennan and Jacqueline Errico

To replay another great show on Exercise and Cancer:  November 6th, 2012– http://hipcast.com/podcast/HZPYKh2Q Rhonda Smith and Cara Novy- Bennewitz.

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter

Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

Rocket Fuel in our Water and Food

Last week at the Annie Appleseed Conference, Kim Kirschner, founder of the Willow Star Haven Charitable Foundation, spoke of the contamination of our food and water supply by a chemical known as perchlorate, and that this toxic chemical is a byproduct of rocket fuel.  Kim brought critical awareness to those of us who depend on produce from California during our cold months here in the Northeast as well as in many other parts of the country.

“During the Cold War, tons of improperly stored rocket fuel seeped into ground waters around rocket and missile test sites and chemical manufacturing and storage facilities. Defense and aerospace contractors have opposed regulation of perchlorates, for fear of being ordered to bear part or all of the costs of perchlorate clean-ups, expenses that could run into the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.” EWG

Perchlorate has been found in 93% of the nation’s milk and lettuce supply in an FDA study. It has also been found in the drinking water for at least 22 states at extremely alarming levels. Perhaps the scariest statistic is that perchlorate has been found in the breast milk of 97% of the mothers who were tested. A report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) warns that ingesting lettuce or any other vegetable that is grown anywhere irrigated by the Colorado River would result in an exposure to an unsafe level of perchlorate per standards set by the EPA.  Farms that use this water for irrigation are responsible for growing almost all of the lettuce sold in the US during the winter months.

According to Laura Power, MS, PhD, LDN, perchlorate is a toxin that interferes with thyroid function by supplanting iodine in the body, causing harm to iodine transporters. For those of us who have been subjected to perchlorate tainted food and water, ensuring you get enough iodine in your diet can help…read more: http://www.naturalnews.com/024071_water_perchlorate_food.html.

I contacted Earthbound Farms, suppliers of produce shipped and sold here locally, and asked for some clarification on their practices and to assess exposure.  I believe them to be a reputable company and I depend on their produce in the colder months. Below is their response:

“With regard to perchlorate, we are often surprised at yet another issue directly related to the unintended consequences of chemicals that wind up in our environment. These kinds of situations underscore why we believe that organic farming, without the use of toxic and persistent chemicals, is the healthiest choice for people and the planet.

As I think you know, food quality and safety is of utmost importance to us; it is the cornerstone of our company. From April through November, all Earthbound Farm organic salads and lettuce available in your local market were grown in Monterey and San Benito Counties, where — you’re right — perchlorate contamination has not been identified as an issue. Further, all Earthbound Farm organic salads are subject to our rigorous food safety and organic integrity programs.

From late November through late March, our greens are grown in the Colorado River Basin, where perchlorate has been found in the water. As you know, the problem is a widespread water quality issue and we are doing what is within our power as an individual company to improve the situation. We have tested the sources of our irrigation water in the region and have found no levels of concern in the water. In addition to the industrial source of perchlorate which caused the problems to begin with, many researchers believe that the substance may be present in certain fertilizers, so we have had all of our fertilizers tested and none of them reveal any detectable levels of perchlorate.”

I guess this is bad news/good news.   However, it seems headway is being made, but resolution will take time:  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/14/has-this-chemical-destroyed-the-meaning-of-organic.aspx

Headed to the market?  Ask where the produce is grown; ask about farming practices; contact the source—any reputable farm will be honest with you, just like the folks at Earthbound Farms. Being informed is good.  Being an advocate is even better.  Speak up, be heard and help protect our vital resources. After all, if the three critical ingredients for survival are water, air and food, why are we allowing them all to be and remain contaminated—intentionally or otherwise?

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter

Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

Magical Mushrooms: How they Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

The very idea of mushrooms as medicine may surprise many of you, but they bring a perfect blend of tradition and science to our medicine cabinets.  Mushrooms are some of humankind’s oldest and most highly prized remedies with recorded use dating back thousands of years.  And while many of us may think of  mushrooms as powerful immune system activators, their benefits go way beyond, including possible applications with Alzheimer’s, diabetes, stress, cardiovascular disease, aging and cancer.

“Did you know that cancer patients who regularly consume shitake mushrooms often have a higher survival rate, higher quality of life and lower incidence of recurrence?”

Mushrooms have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunity enhancing, anti-viral and anti-tumor effects.  Researchers have found that consuming just 3-5 servings of mushrooms per week reduced risk of breast cancer by 64% and when combined with regular consumption of green tea, affords up to a 90% reduction in risk.  (A serving is about 1/8 of a cup/ 10 grams.)  Some mushrooms can be enjoyed as food, while others are best used in supplemental form.  A note on supplements: In most cases, it is best to take them in between meals to increase absorption rather than dilute with food.

So let’s take a look at a few favorites:

Meshima mushrooms are cancer-preventive, support DNA, WBC’s and the immune system, encourage apoptosis (cell death) inhibit angiogenesis (spread), and effect metastasis on many levels.  Meshima mushrooms also enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and help lessen the side effects.   Meshima has great synergy with broccoli and green tea, so enjoy them together!

 Maitake contains a substance called beta-glucan which may stimulate the immune system and activate certain cells (T cells, natural killer cells, etc.) and proteins that attack cancer and therefore may limit or reverse tumor growth (induces apoptosis).

Reishi offers great immune support as well as protection against radiation.  Reishi also improves liver health—critical for all, but certainly for cancer patients.  With Reishi, the longer you take it, the greater the benefit.

Chaga has many cancer benefits (look for birch tree grown and must be hot water extracted.)  Chaga offers protection from radiation, reduces inflammation,  protects DNA and gives strength to the body– it enables the body to more efficiently deal with the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis (environmental and from treatments such as chemotherapy).  It is important to note that with some mushrooms, more is better, but this is not the case with Chaga….take only as directed on the package.

Shitake mushrooms stimulate the immune system, activate killer cells, and slow or even halt tumor growth.

But what about the lonely button mushrooms?  Don’t keep them lonely, eat them.  Button mushrooms are thought to contain natural aromatase inhibitors, substances that can block the production of estrogen in the body. Controlling aromatase activity can help decrease estrogen levels, which controls and kills hormone-dependent breast cancers.

A word of caution on mushrooms: Eaten raw, mushrooms contain compounds, called hydrazines, which may be carcinogenic.  Hydrazines are destroyed by cooking, drying or canning. Also, the mycochitin composition of mushroom cell walls, as opposed to cellulose walls of plant cells, is difficult for humans to digest. Our stomachs resent indigestible items, and often forcibly reject them without absorbing nutrients. The cooking process helps break down fungal cell walls, rendering mushroom flesh not only more readily digestible, but also releasing significant nutritional value contained within the cells. 

My advice?  Consume a variety of fresh mushrooms and supplements as part of an anti-cancer diet and lifestyle to employ maximum anti-cancer benefits. Eaten daily or at least several times a week in conjunction with green tea, mushrooms may help put you in that impressive risk reduction category.

Want to read more mushroom wisdom?

Click Here for Magical Mushrooms; the Sequel

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter

Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

Chia Seed: The New Superfood

When you hear the word “chia”, do you immediately think of those crazy terra-cotta pets that sprout green hair? Well, chia has come a long way from pet to “Superfood”.  Chia seeds, like flax are considered to be a Superfood as they contain high amounts of many essential nutrients.

Gram for gram, chia contains six times more protein than kidney beans, twice the amount of dietary fiber as bran flakes, three times the amount of iron in spinach, twice the amount of potassium in bananas, and six times the amount of calcium in milk (Bourne, 2002). They also are a great source of Omega 3’s, more so than even salmon, and the ALA gets converted to Omega-3 EPA and DHA, which you can’t get from plant sources. Chia also has gel-forming properties that create a barrier between carbohydrates and digestive enzymes in the stomach. This is why chia slows down the conversion of carbs into sugar and can stabilize sugar blood levels.

So which seed should you eat, flax or chia? It’s not either/or; it’s both—each has benefits.  For example, One ounce of chia contains 4.4grams of protein, which is almost as high as meat– while flax clocks in at 5.1 grams per ounce.  However, chia seeds are considered a complete protein because they contain all the essential amino acids, while flaxseeds do not.

Chia seeds are an excellent source of antioxidants. In fact, it’s their high antioxidant content that keeps the seeds fresh for a long time, and prevents them from turning rancid. Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, on the other hand, lose their nutrients and go rancid relatively quickly when they’re not stored correctly, preferably in a dark, cool place, like the refrigerator or freezer.

In the mineral category it’s a mixed bag, with chia seeds winning in calcium and phosphorus, and flaxseeds in magnesium and potassium; flax has about five times the potassium as chia, clocking in at 228mg vs chia’s 45mg. The RDA for potassium is a whopping 4,700mg/day.  Most people do not get enough potassium in their diets, which can lead to high blood pressure, loss of bone density, increased risk of stroke or even cancer.

Chia seeds are higher in fiber with 10.6 grams vs. 7.6 grams in flaxseeds. Why is dietary fiber so important? Fiber is needed for bowel regularity, colon detoxification, and weight management, and to eliminate toxins from the body.

But isn’t flax a phytoestrogen? When referring to phytoestrogens, it is generally thought that a “weak” estrogen may actually be protective against cancer causing xenoestrogens.  Flax is a great example.  The phytoestrogens contained in flaxseed bind to the estrogen receptor, but do not stimulate it; they compete with other estrogens that would otherwise stimulate the estrogen receptor, and thus act as a blocker–they hop on the estrogen and bind up these hormones and carcinogens and remove them from the body.  Plus, studies show that eating ground flax seed reduces tumor size and eaten daily may reduce ki67 levels; ki67 is a protein expressed in rapidly diving cells– high levels of Ki-67 indicate a more aggressive breast tumor and indicate a higher risk of recurrence.

So, don’t underestimate the nutritional value of seeds, especially flaxseeds and chia seeds. They’re nutritional powerhouses. Perhaps the easiest way to eat seeds is to add them to yogurt, cereal or smoothies; you can also use them in baked goods and even as an egg or fat replacer in baked goods and other dishes.  I happen to love them in cereal–mix in 2-3 tablespoons (~30 grams) along with 2-3 tablespoons of freshly ground flax and you have one heck of a start to your day.  One thing—most cereals are over-processed and full of sugar.  If you don’t like or have the time to make real oatmeal, give my “cereal” a try. (See recipe below). Regardless of how you do it, it seems that adding seeds to your diet will definitely bring a lot of healthy benefits.

“Elyn’s Cereal”

Fruit—1 cup blueberries or 1 RIPE banana, sliced (or whatever you have)

2Tbs whey protein (free of artificial hormones, pesticides and sugar, whey helps the body raise Glutathione levels)

2-3 Tbs chia seeds

2-3 Tbs freshly ground flaxseed (a spice grinder works great)

1 tsp cinnamon (helps to manage blood sugar)

1 Tbs black raspberry powder (optional)

1 Tbs pomegranate powder (optional)

1-2 Tbs Ezekiel cereal

½ tsp stevia or honey

One small handful walnuts

Milk of your choice (just nothing out of a box or can)

Mix well and enjoy in good health,

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter

Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

The Clean Truth about the Dirty Dozen

Clean or dirty produce; is it really that simple? Should that be the sole consideration for eating organic produce?  No, beyond the obvious that organics contain fewer pesticides than conventional, there is also the integrity of our food to consider.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) maintains lists of the twelve worst (the dirty dozen) and the 15 cleanest (clean 15).  These are great lists, they help us navigate the produce world to know when should consider organic whenever possible and when we can make do with conventional.  However, the lists don’t tell the whole story.  Corn and peas, for example, are part of the clean 15, but they are amongst the list of the top ten genetically modified foods; do you really want to consume GMO’s?  Remember too, that the lists of dirty and clean produce were compiled after the USDA washed the produce using the high-power pressure water systems most of us will never have in our kitchens.

Watermelon; they are part of the clean 15, but are they safe? You can wash the rind, but what do they absorb?  Consider farming practices in Eastern China; some of the farmers there used the growth hormone Forchlorfenuron to speed up growth and boost yield. However, they used too much of the hormone and the fruit began exploding. The visual for my stomach is not good.  Forchlorfenuron is a legal hormone in China and in the US; here it is used on grapes and kiwi– Forchlorfenuron has been implicated in cancers and neurological disorders.  Remember, just because the FDA says a certain amount of a particular chemical is safe, this isn’t always the case, and for children and those of us who consume copious amounts of produce, there is a cumulative effect.

And what about nutrients?  There seems to be much controversy on whether or not organics contain more nutrients than non-organics—and one recent study has fueled the fire.  But I challenge that study and question the motives and the funding. Regardless, the fact is that it doesn’t mean that organic food is not healthier. Good read: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/09/organic-food-isnt-more-nutritious-but-that-isnt-the-point/261929/

Further, if you remember from my post on Salvestrols, clearly organic is best. Salvestrols are plant derived compounds that produce anticancer agents. These agents cause cancer cells to commit suicide; I like that.  Salvestrols are also part of the plant’s immune system.  Plants are subject to attack by various pathogens, primarily fungi.  These pathogens usually attack the skin of the fruit and or the roots of the plant.  Salvestrols are produced by plants to protect themselves from pests and disease. However, the use of fungicides and crop protection chemicals means that plants which are not organically grown will not express high concentrations of Salvestrols because they are not exposed to the attacks which cause the plant to produce them. Plus, the Salvestrols will enter any fungi that they encounter in the human body and act as natural antifungal agents in the same way as they do in the plants from which they were obtained. In these situations, it appears that what is good for the plant is good for the gardener-or consumer.

Lastly, Salvestrols are generally produced late in the ripening phase as this is when the plant is most vulnerable to attack, but produce is typically picked and shipped well before ripe.

Purchasing locally produced organic produce or having your own garden are excellent ways of ensuring that the produce has had a chance to ripen on the vine and is not poisoned during growth…..and, that it has predators. So, the moral of the story is….buy organic or grow your own when you can, and if you can’t, try to avoid the worst offenders, avoid GMOs and never, ever trust the FDA; your health depends on it. When all else fails, consider supplementation; the purest you can find. I guess I should have titled this post the dirty truth about the clean 15….but I prefer to stay in the positive.

For more information:

http://www.naturalnews.com/035734_GMOs_foods_dangers.html

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/the-dirty-dozen-and-clean-15-of-produce/616/

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/2012-dirty-dozen-plus-clean-15-buying-organic-000700620.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-17/chinese-watermelons-explode-maybe-from-growth-chemical-xinhua-says.html

http://technorati.com/lifestyle/article/watermelons-in-china-exploding-due-to/

http://www.amazon.com/Salvestrols-Natures-Defence-Against-ebook/dp/B008H9LXF2

To listen to Dr Michael Schachter speak on cancer prevention, treatment and Salvestrols, please click here and scroll down to December 4^th, 2012.

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.