Colon Cancer Prevention: Part 1

A good message is worth repeating.  It has been nearly three years since I originally shared my research on colon cancer prevention. At the time I was pretty nervous about my health. Since that time, I have completely turned my health around. I am no longer nervous, but mindful.  I am aware of what I put in my body, both in my gut and on my skin - as the body is blasted with environmental and estrogenic toxins from many different pathways.

Colon cancer ...not only is it coined “the silent killer”, but according to the American Cancer Society it is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. (Moving up from third place in 2007.) For personal reasons, three years ago this was a concern and I began reading quite a bit about this particular cancer, and subsequently made a lifestyle change and incorporated health and wellness products that do not waiver from a pure, safe and beneficial ingredient policy. 

Dr. Robert Russell of Tufts University School of Medicine states that one half the risk of colon cancer is diet related. Changing one’s diet can significantly reduce the risk. I thought I would share some of the steps I have learned one can take to hopefully avoid Colon Cancer. By the time I finished reading from my various sources, this blog post became so long that I feel I must break it up in to two parts. 

So first, some thoughts on causes….
Hormones? In many cases, colon cancer arises from what is known as a polyp, a growth in the colon. I had suspected for some time that colon cancer could be related to hormones. Afterall, if excess estrogen causes cysts in the ovaries, fibroids in the breast, and enlarged prostrate – all forms of excess cell growth, it makes sense to me that excess estrogen also causes the growth of a polyp. In October of 2011 I received affirmation on this theory in reading Dr. Michael Platt's book - The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones. Platt concurs and adds colon cancer to the list of cancers in which too much of the estrogen hormone and too little progesterone play a part. I have since increased my Prolief progesterone cream usage upon hearing this to two metered dosages of 20 mg of USP certified transdermal cream per day.

Hormones are worth mentioning, because let’s face it…we don’t want those other forms of cancers either, do we? I am a believer in the benefits of using a bio-identical progesterone cream that counters excess estrogen in the body.

Inflammatory Diet: Dr. Russell Blaylock states, “As with all cancers, chronic inflammation and free radical generation are the ultimate causes. Those with inflammatory bowel conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease,and Type 2 Diabetes, the latter of which results in high levels of free radicals in the body, have high association with colon cancer risk.”

Lack of Sunshine? Studies show that those who live in the northeastern portion of the U.S. have higher incidence than those who live in the south. Why is this? Vitamin D3 deficiency. Studies show that vitamin D3 inhibits many types of cancer, including colorectal cancers. How do you get your D3 – spend 15 min. a day out in the sun without sunscreen! Tanning bed users beware…it is not the same thing! 

During the winter everyone in my family utilizes a vegan Vitamn D/B12 oral spray supplement. Our added bonus is a strong immune system and and ability to fight of colds and influenza viruses readily.
Calcium deficiency is another mineral shown to dramatically reduce colon cancer. However, per Dr. Blaylock, don’t replace your water intake with milk (which substantially increases the risk of prostrate cancer, and even heart attacks). The almond milk I drink every morning in my alkaline based, yellow pea, brown rice and cranberry based protein drink contains 45% of the daily recommended allowance for calcium, as compared to 30% for skim milk. Also, a calcium supplement (look for calcium citrate for absorbability) that also contains Vitamin D and Magnesium necessary for the body to utilize the calcium, and offers colon health support. I was in Costco and noted the highly marketable chocolate chew form of a calcium supplement (geared towards women of course, who usually take a calcium supplement when older) and I noticed that the product did not contain magnesium. So yes, it may taste good, but your body would not be able to make use of the calcium without magnesium present. Most Americans also have a magnesium deficiency, which is a greater problem than we realize, and common amongst many with cancers.
I use a Calcium Plus product that contains all of these nutrients, and the ORAC value is 8,000! (Which means the actual absorption of the product is phenomenal!

Okay, so now we know we need some sunshine and should avoid inflammatory foods (sugar, wheat, gluten, and dairy products are especially inflammatory). What?! Give up bread and cheese? How unWisconsin like, right? If cancer is diagnosed - no doubt, I would give up sugar, glutenous grains, and dairy - especially if it can mean life or death. But if you are in prevention mode, as I am, it simply means cutting back. Moderation.  Consume 70% GREEN FOODS and it will go a long way in providing oxygen to your cells. My daily goal is to consmer a greater percentage of alkaline based, or plant food, over acidic based foods - primarily sourced from animals.  By the way, the hormonal imbalance can be associated to eating animal based foods from animals that have been fed hormones for faster growth, anti-biotics, fed pesticide/herbicide laden grains/crops.  Know your food sources, befriend a farmer, learn their farming practices.

We need to eat vegetables rich in calcium, or supplement, and strive to balance our hormones, either with diet or utilizing bio-identical supplementation (which is not the same as HRT by any means! If you have been reading this blog a while you are aware, and if not, check the topic cloud at the upper right to learn more.) 

What else can we do to help thwart the “silent killer”? I will be sharing more thoughts on colon cancer prevention very soon. Remember, I am not a doctor, but a holistic health junkie, watching out for myself and my family, and sharinig what I am learning along my path towards a health-centered journey. Take control of your health and READ scientifically accredited studies, research by those in the medical field, and always question what you read.  Can it be backed up, or it is repeated by other sources, etc.

To your health,
Rita S.

On Switches for Cancer

A couple of weeks ago, as a public service to the community, I presented Cancer Prevention Awareness Night - a free event whose sole purpose is to educate people on making smarter choices for long term health. You see, cancer is a disease as is diabetes, heart disease, auto immune... and all disease have commonalities when it comes to contributing factors.

I thought I would excerpt some of the information presented in my slides, as I have friends and followers across the nation that I know wanted to be be present at my presentation, but obviously could not.

Inflammation is a major player in cancer and all disease, but take a look at all the causes of inflammation! Granted, we cannot completely control our environment and exposures to toxins, BUT there are many choices we can make...of which we have complete control.

Take a look at the list...I will be covering each of these factors as my time permits. I apologize for not posting more frequently, but I do work full time, have my own growing health and wellness business, coach and help many people and read and study in my "spare time" ...so that I can bring you potentially life saving information as a service to fellow human kind.

•Inflammation

–Acidic vs. Alkaline pH

–Vitamin deficiencies

–GI Bacteria –good gut flora vs. bad

–Toxic overload

–Hormone Imbalance

–Oxygen depletion

–Meds/Radiation

–Sleep deprivation

What's important to realize is that genetic predisposition to cancer makes up a very small portion of diagnosed cases – less than 5. Medication (both Rx and OTC) and radiation are also damaging to cellular health, which is why choosing a healthy lifestyle is important to avoid meds as much as possible.
Rx is a leading cause of disease, 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.
 

Are Your Genes Controlling Your Health

Nutrigenomics can overcome your genetic predisposition. Diseased cellls are FUELED by the choices you make, and unfortunately, sometimes those choices are made for us. (As an example, a lawn or city park that is sprayed by chemicals that drift into your "intake zone".  

Genetic tendencies, a family tree laden with cancer, does not mean you are assured of getting the disease - unless you continually think about it and as in many areas of our life, including our health "what you think about, you bring about". Fact is, a very small percentage of cancers are actually from genetic make-up - less than 5%. The majority of cancer is caused by environmental exposures.  This is a topic I have written about in great lengths - if any of you have beared with me on those particular posts.

For those concerned about genetic make up and disease - there is GREAT NEWS!  The field of Nutrigenomics has made great strides in recent years.  Holsitc wellness is CURING cancer whereas traditional treatment continues to poison the human body so that it often manifests as another disease, or different cancer, years later - per the holistic and alternative medicine books and newsletters that  I read.  A book I highly recommend is "Cancer is Not a Disease, It's A Survival Mechanism"..

Our genetic mapping begins in the womb, obviously, and it comes in part from the hormones of both parents...a lack thereof of one hormone or another will affect offspring. Some babies already have predispositions to certain traits, such as brain triggers, type 1 diabetes, from birth and early on in their lives.  This is one reason why, as an adult, having hormones tested is a good place to start if you have a concern of family health history.   DNA chains become genes and many many thousands of genes become cells.  

CELLS DIE. CELLS POPULATE.   100 billion red cells, 400 million white cells are produced every hour.

Back to cell death...apoptosis.  This is healthy...we WANT cells to die.  The trouble starts when cells do not die after they do their job.  This happens 94% of the time, because of environmental factors.  Genetics, as I mentioned, accounts for a scant percentage of cancer. In addition to the chemicals in our foods and hygiene products, X-rays, radiation and medication also play a role in contributing to cancer.  It stands to reason that if new cells are generating and "old" cells are dying and excreting from the body - that we can become a new being over and over again, and healthier every day if we cease exposure to environmental toxins and foods.

This article is three years old, and from all that I have read the science of nutrigenomics has advanced. There are nutrients that can flip the switch on a gene "just like that". 

Hormones also play a role - with estrogen producing the Bcl-2 cancer-causing gene, whearas progesterone produces p-53, the cancer-protective gene (1990 Formby and Wiley research published Annals of Clinical Laboratory Science)

Progesterone, a natural hormone made by both men and women, is the only hormone that can counter excess estrogen. Most people are out of balance, with the body containing more estrogen than progesterone.  Women are usually imbalanced by age 35. For one, we tend to use more hygiene products than  men, most of which have endocrine disruptors. 

Men's progesterone levels decrease by age 50 - allowing estrogen to get out of hand. Testosterone alone does not cause prostrate cancer...a common sense statement by Dr. Michael Platt in his book "The Miracle of BioIdentical Hormones", states that if prostrate cancer were caused by too much testosterone we would have an epidemic amongst 17 yr old boys. The first time I read that it was an AHA moment - makes a lot of sense, don't you agree?  I do believe that traditional medicine is finally catching one a little bit, as they give drugs that prohibit estrogen.  It's too bad, in my opinion, that more oncologists and men don't know that bio identical progesterone can do JUST THAT - keep the estrogen levels in check.    One study referenced in a book shows that enlarged prostrate reduces and prostrate cancer cells die when progesterone is added and brought back into balance.

Many auto immune diseases are also caused in large part by hormone imbalance and dietary choices.  A family history of disease does NOT DICTATE a future of the same.  Educate yourself on the particular "disease", or as author Moritz describes, a SYMPTOM you may be prone too.  THEN change your DNA by nutrigenomics.  Find a knowledgeable naturopath, and if one is not available to you - the books certainly are.  Many are found in your local library for FREE.

Take an ATTITUDE CHECK.  If it is "woe is me....I come from a line of XYZ disease so I know I will get it" - YOU WILL.  I encourage you to be an OVERCOMER!!   Take control of your CELLS - yes, you can! Fuel them with anti-oxidants that can overcome the free radicals that mutate cells.  Avod the endocrine disruptors.  Make healthy choices 80% of the time. Use pH strips to monitor your body's acidic vs. alkaline status, and if is on the acidic side - consume more anti oxidants n the form of vegetables to tip the scale towards alkaline.  Disease cannot survive an alkaline state. Which is another topic I will not get into...thanks for reading, I hope that this post gives you HOPE if you feel you have been dealt a deck of diseased. genes. It's how you play those cards that will determine if you WIN and enjoy health!

To your health, 
Rita S.

Gynecomastia - Men and Hormone Imbalance

This evening as I sat down to hop on my laptop, the television is on and another commercial airs over drug side effects and lawsuits pending against the drug companies.  I don't recall the drug name, but the attorneys running the ad were looking for males who had been treated for Gynecomastia, or enlarged breasts in boys and males. Effects of the drug included serious conditions (which seems to be the norm if you read the fine print on prescription drugs doled out on a daily basis).

My ears always perk up when any condition is an obvious result of hormone imbalance. Enlarged breasts in males screams "too much estrogen" in my mind.  Because I study hormone imbalance constantly - it is obvious to me, but may not be obvious to a doctor, or I should clarify that to say, treating the cause with a natural remedy is often not obvious, when training and education focus on prescription drugs to treat symptoms.

Interestingly, drugs prescribed for Gynecomastia are drugs prescribed for heartburn, high blood pressure and even foot fungus. That bit of information makes me scratch my head a bit...

How about looking at the cause of abnormal breast enlargement in males? Now, to be clear, this condition is not the same as fatty tissue deposits from being overweight.  Gynecomastia that occurs during puberty usually resolves without treatment within six months to two years. The condition sometimes develops between ages 10 and 12 years, and most commonly occurs between ages 13 and 14, and is uncommon for the condition to persist beyond age 17.

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you may know by now that male and females have the same hormones - of which there are a variety. It is the differences in amounts of a certain hormone that make us men or women. Balance is necessary or we can run into problems, for example, women with excess testosterone might experience hair loss on top of her head, and excess hair growth above and below the lips. 

Gynecomastia can happen when the balance shifts, with an increase in estrogen or decrease in androgens. This can occur because of expected hormonal changes during puberty or aging, or because of the use of certain drugs or herbal products.  Skin care containing lotions with estrogenic properties may contribute to breast enlargement in males - herbs to be aware of include tea tree oil, lavendar and soy, per a report in the 2007 New England Journal of Medicine. 

Note that soy in diet of males, and a host of environmental estrogens (coined as xenoestrogen by Dr. John Lee) should be considered when determing the cause. Males should avoid soy milk, soy based protein shakes, infant males should NOT be fed soy based baby formula, which is banned in England because of its tendencies to create hormonal imbalance in boys. Soy producers and promoters will argue on this point, but if several European countries have mandated a law against soy in infant formula I personally believe there is credibility.

On this topic, Body Logic write, "Breast enlargement in men often occurs after the age of 50 and is frequently associated with andropause. Andropause causes testosterone levels to drop, which leaves less of the hormone available to balance out the estrogen. Increased estrogen production and severe hyperthyroidism can also cause the gynecomastia. Enlarged male breasts are more likely to occur in overweight men due to the effects that obesity has on the body. Furthermore, weight gain is also a symptom of andropause, so it is not uncommon for a man to experience both concurrently."

After reviewing environmental causes (lotions, exposure to pesticides, fertilizers, etc) for estrogen influx in the body, removing them; and diet has been addressed in attempts to bring hormones into balance and reduce enlarged breasts in males, bHRT may be considered.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is the non-drug remedy, and to me, is the common sense approach. The Natural Progesterone Advisory Network provides a list of progesterone creams that the non-biased group has tested to be USP certified, absorbable and provides 20 mgs/dose.  Men over age 50 typically apply 5-10 mg of progesterone per dose. For men,  a USP certified progesterone cream that comes with a pre-metered pump, allows men to quickly apply without having to think too hard about the amount needed.

To your health,
Rita S.

Sunshine on My Shoulders Makes Me Happy (for a reason!)

This past weekend I was routed through the Denver, Colorado airport on the way to Vegas for an amazing and transforming weekend with the health and wellness company I consult for, through which I am building my dream life. While in the Deniver airport...John Denver could be heard in just about every store - "Rocky Mountain High", "Sunshine on My Shoulders"...and I got to thinking...

There is a biological reason that sunshine on one's shoulders "makes me happy" - sunshine provides the very necessary Vitamin D3 - which scientists are not recognizing as an actual hormone versus a "vitamin". Which in of itself is interesting...  

Dr. Russell Blaylock has written extensively, in  recent issues of his wellness newsletter, on the topic of anxiety and depression. A commonality, per Blaylock, is a deficiency in Vitamin D.  Therefore, if one has enough Vitamin D3 - the opposite of depression would be "happy". The sunshine vitamin = a dose of happy vitamin.

Here in Wisconsin, winter is cold, lacks sunshine, and the gray skies take a toll on people - S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder) becomes more common. This past winter I heard stories from at least 6 people I know whom developed this. I knew my company was likely formulating a Vitamin D spray - I only wished I had it in my hands for those dear to me who were affected - and we had such a LONG winter, too. You can learn more about S.A.D. here.

Dr. Joe Mercola wrote an article, "Vitamin D is VITAL for You - and Your Family", in which he goes into great detail on the benefits of Vitamin D. I will sum it up with his key bullet pointed benefits:

- Heart Health

- Cell formation and longevity

- Skin health

- Pancreatic health

- Aging process

- Sleep patterns

- hearing

- Reproductive Health

- Eye health

- Athletic heatlh

- Vascular System health

- Respiratory Health

- Immune health

- healthy mood and feeling of well being

- Weight management, including carb and fat metabolism

- hair and hair follicles

- Strong healthy bones, as D encourages cacium uptake

- Muscles (check out this article)

Are you surprised to see muscles on the list? I admit I did not realize Vit. D3 was so important for so many biological functions.

Vitamin B12 should go hand in hand with D for maximum benefits. B12 is necessary for red blood cell formation, and helps alleviate chronic fatigue.

I hope this sheds some LIGHT on the topic of the necesisty for Vitamin D., and B12, too!  If you can't get a little sunshine on your shoulders for 15-20 min. per day (no sunscreen, no clothing to cover), you may want to have your levels checked and determine if supplementation may be to your benefit. According to Dr. Gominak, and his report found here, we would need to drink 100 cups of milk per day to get the Vitamin D we need. In fact, after reading that article, I do believe I need to go spray a bit of Essnetial Vitamin D/B12 into my mouth. It will be absorbed quickly, and I just may have the best night's sleep ever!

To your health!

Rita S. 

Too Young

This night I post after a long day ...just to reiterate how much I hate cancer. It took the life of a beautiful women today. A childhood friend... a mother, a person who made others smile and feel welcomed. And although I cannot even begin to understand why some are called Home so young...and we humans cannot control such things...  I do know that our health care system is not up to par when compared to the European countries. I know, that may seem like a strange statement, but I am angry about the death of this women and the path of health care given given years ago.
Sometimes traditional medicine is not in our best interest...not because it is intentional, but because doctors may not know any other way...as education comes from the drug companies, per Dr. Stacey Bean, Dr. John Lee, Dr. Joe Mercola, Dr. Russel Blaylock, Platt, Weil...and a host of others who repeat this time and time again in their books, newsletters and other resources. (I'm an avid reader of health and wellness.)
If a young woman has polycystic ovarian syndrome - too often the answer is a hysterectomy. The after affects of this procedure are typically comprised of a form of Hormone Replacement Therapy - aka HRT.  HRT is linked to a multitude of side effects, some may be minor, but others, such as cancer...can be fatal.
I'm speaking to the ladies reading this post.... be on guard for your own health's sake!!  Do NOT take everything your doctor states as truth...it may not be, but it may be all they know. Doctors are busy people...they do not have time to study outside the realm of their practice, other than what drug companies provide on their latest products. Unless, as some do, they take the initiative and sacrifice perhaps family time to read up on the latest information that may not be published in the American Journal of Medicine. Drug companies have a say in what is published in medical journals as well... per Dr. John Lee, they have a hand in keeping natural healing remedies out of these journals...the fact is, natural does not sell Rx.
Only synthetic, drug company derived prescriptions can make their company money - not God's healing medicines of herbs and other botanicals. The Creator has given us a virtual medicine chest...and there are those well versed in botanicals and science that can take plants, combined with science, to make a bio-identical product that mimics what the body produces...when our bodies fail to produce enough.
In case you are not aware, I am talking about BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY, or bHRT.  In regards to my friend, it is possible progesterone could have taken care of her problem back in her 20s, vs. the operation at age 32 that may have been the catalyst for what was to come.
I can't do anything about the past, but I can continue to answer the call to educate as many as will listen, or read, about the benefits of progesterone cream.
An excerpt from an article on uterine cancer: "We know now that progesterone deficiency is linked to an increased risk of cancer. Uterine cancer, for example, is known to be caused by unopposed estrogen. That’s why women who have an intact uterus and take estrogen replacement therapy must also be given some form of progesterone to oppose estrogen and reduce this risk. This is generally given in the form of synthetic progestin (that carry health risks) designed to block estrogen effects, but differs considerably from the molecule that is human-identical progesterone."

To explain this, I would encourage you to read the entire article offered by one of my go to sources:
http://www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com/endometrial-uterine-cancer-and-natural-progesterone/

Please understand I am not bashing the medical profession...doctors do as they are told and educated by those who they must answer to, which is probably the hospital that employs them, and hospitals benefit with Big Pharma "partnerships". If you ever have a chance to talk with someone who USED to be in pharmaceutical sales...you will understand. For many, their hands are simply tied.
You don't have to go to med school to be your own best health advocate, but you do need to read and learn. What are you willing to give up to take charge of your health? A weekly television program, reading "shades of gray"...such things are not life changing past times, correct?  If you take some time to explore the web site I link above - I suspect you will find the time spent life changing, it could even save your life, or certainly improve it.
My passion is educating family, friends, strangers...seriously, I will talk to anyone who will listen about bHRT. It certainly has contributed to my own well being, and I have had so many women share their testimonies about the improvements to their overall well being once they discover bHRT - aka USP certified bio-identical progesterone transdermal cream.  Obviously I cannot convince everyone, especially those in the medical profession. Often there is no interest until cancer hits home. Then, perhaps, this information will be of interest, and unfortunately it can be too late.
Please look into it, contact me if you have questions on this subject and I can probably send you documents, links to articles, etc.  As a reminder, I am not nor do I profess to be a doctor - I simply pass along information from those doctors who HAVE taken the time to study that which is not taugh in med school - bHRT. I may not have MD credentials...but frankly, I know more on this subject than those with credentials. Sadly, it does not qualify me to educate family members of those affected by cancer at a local organization geared toward serving families with cancer...the irony of it all.
Our families deserve us, don't you think? I am doing all I can to be around for my children. No, I cannot control my fate, but I can be proactive and make wisened decisions for my own healthful benefit. I hate cancer and hate that it rips families apart. Please be pro-active in  your own health care.

In honor of heaven's new angel, God's peace,
Rita S.

Thyroid and the Iodine Bully

Thyroid disorders are at an all-time high – and iodine deficiency is the TOP reason. Contrary to what you may believe, iodine, an essential mineral, is not prevalent in our foods – unless you are eating a lot of raw sea weed and algae.

The iodine you do consume is likely being blocked by iodine inhibitors present in your processed food and even your hygiene. Per the Women’s Health Institute of Texas, “Iodine is fairly easily displaced from your body by toxins called toxic halides… fluoride, bromine and chloride.

Fluoride is by far the worst culprit. Found in toothpaste and in your water supply, every time you take a shower, brush your teeth or drink from the tap, your body gets a little exposure to fluoride, leeching out good iodine. And contrary to popular belief, fluoridated water is actually rather poor at preventing tooth decay.
Why is it in our water supply? Poor science combined with corporate greed and political ignorance paved the way. Basically a toxic by-product of aluminum production, fluoridation was sold as a way to prevent cavities because some areas with natural fluoride in the water also had lower instances of tooth decay. Based upon that spurious observation, fluoridation began. ^29 30 
Then there’s bromine, an endocrine disruptor that competes for the same receptors that capture iodine. Essentially, bromine crowds out iodine.
How prevalent is bromine? Consider this, every time you bite into a piece of store bought bread, you’re probably ingesting some bromine. It’s used to make bread dough more elastic and thus easier to handle, but not by very much.”

The article goes on to site products containing bromine…in addition to store bought bread, your citrus flavored drinks (including Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Sun Drop, Squirt, Fresca), hair dyes, medicines (such as Atrovent Inhaler, Atrovent Nasal Spray, Pro-Banthine for ulcers, and anesthesia agents), pesticides, pastas (for the same reason it is used in bread dough I suppose) toothpaste, mouthwash, fire retardant fabrics, swimming pools, hot tubs, and even your car.  (crazy, huh?) Be aware that bromine may be used in the very same spa you go to to detox – now is that counterproductive, or what?! In addition, plastics – such as those used to make computers, contain bromine…ha, guess what I am typing on?!

Bromine is a natural element…which again, reiterates that just because something is natural does not mean it is good for you…mineral oil and glutamate are tops on my mental list.

Dr. Joe Mercola states in an article on the same topic: “methyl bromide is used as a pesticide predominantly on California strawberries; Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) is used in citrus drinks to help suspend the flavoring, and potassium bromate is used as a dough conditioner in bakery goods and pastas.”

Mercola goes on to describe - Bromine as The Bully of the Halide Group. “When you ingest or absorb bromine, it displaces iodine, and this iodine deficiency leads to an increased risk for cancer of the breast, thyroid gland, ovary and prostate -- cancers that we see at alarmingly high rates today. This phenomenon is significant enough to have been given its own name -- the Bromide Dominance Theory. Aside from its effects on your endocrine glands, bromine is toxic in and of itself. Bromide   builds up in your central nervous system and results in many problems. It is a central nervous system depressant and can trigger a number of psychological symptoms such as acute paranoia and other psychotic symptoms.”  

http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/bromidedominancetheory.html

Our body is full of receptors – this is something I have learned over the past two years. Just as an abundance of estrogen creates a hormone imbalance, taking over progesterone receptors, essential minerals do the same thing. Bromine and iodine compete for receptors, and it seems that bromine wins – preventing iodine from being absorbed and used by your very important thyroid gland.

If this is not reason enough to read labels and take heed – bromine and iodine deficiency is also linked to breast cancer and other cancers.

Chlorine is also on the halide list, an endocrine disruptor. As we gear up for summer and swimming pool season – my family will utilize the knowledgeable staff at Patio Pleasures, in Madison for their “green” pool option to chlorinated chemicals.

If you are struggling with weight gain, especially mid-section, in all likelihood there is a hormone imbalance – thyroid is a hormone just as is estrogen and progesterone – and all work together. Progesterone is, in fact, a precursor to the thyroid hormone. If you are deficient on both progesterone and thyroid – yikes, problems may be forthcoming!

Bromine not only decreases iodine receptors, it also INCREASES ESTROGEN reception and DECREASES PROGESTERONE receptors. Goodness, in my mind this makes it all the more dangerous as an ingredient and ranks right up there with petro-chemicals!

I hope today’s post helps you become more aware of environmental factors affecting your health. How to counter the underactive thyroid epidemic? Try to greatly reduce the foods and products mentioned above. My family claimed victory to find a bread that is not made with high fructose corn syrup – and now, it looks like we will have to look for the B ingredient on the label. Personally, I am happy to have written bread primarily out of my life!

 If your hormones are out of balance (you can find plenty of articles in this blog that discuss this in further detail – search for “hormone”), find a doctor, or  health practitioner experienced in BIO-IDENTICAL hormone therapy.

Of course, consume iodine (but remember, avoid the bromine or your body won’t utilize the iodine as needed) – use a Celtic or Himalayan sea salt containing iodine and known for its healing properties (I have found amazon.com to offer these salts reasonably), and look for dietary supplementation containing iodine. Our family, both adults and kids, utilize a daily power pack of vitamins containing iodine with a high rate of bio-availability (10,000 ORAC), and as well – our vegan, pea based protein powder also contains iodine.

Readers of my blog…what do you think after reading this? I don’t know if you find this helpful information, or if it makes you think one can’t enjoy food and life for fear of ingredients.  Let me make it clear – we don’t lose sleep over this. We simply took action – we have found brands that are pure and safe, we have our grocery shopping list fine-tuned with the research behind . We enjoy eating as much as the next family  – and feel great because of our choices.  It may take a bit to get started, but as my husband said this evening after his first bike ride of the season, “it feels great to climb a hill with ease that would have “killed me” a year ago”.  This man has probably not had a "workout" since the last biking season - and he did not lose breath or run out of energy! Purely living is a lifestyle, and it makes life great to live!

To your health,

Rita S.

Gone, But Never Forgotten

I know this man smiles down at me. His name is Marv. Many of you who read my blog were never privileged to have met him. When people pass on, as Marv did two years ago June 7, it is not uncommon for people to forget.  For me personally, and for many whose lives Marv touched - he will not be forgotten.
Marv left a legacy. He left his written word. He left his meditations on God's word for others, so that we all may grow closer to Christ, or perhaps come to know him for the first time. Marv planted seeds of faith, and this day those seeds are growing as others begin to develop a relationship with our Lord. I glanced at his writing for June 7 in his devotion, "God's Word Revealed", which I had the privilege of helping him publish, and he writes about the marriage covenant. Let man not divide a man and his wife. I am thankful to be yoked with a fellow believer.
This blog began while Marv was still with us, although his journey was near the end. I should clarify that to say his earthly journey, because frankly, Marv was excited to be going Home to his heavenly Father, although those of us who loved him wept openly at the thought of "losing him".
Marv had cancer. That nasty C word that I hate -  which drives my passion to educate others on lifestyle changes that may help prevent cancer. Even though Marv's children are adults, as am I, and although not his child by blood - we certainly adopted one another as a part of Christ's family.
For years my husband and I met with Marv and his wife, Carol, every Monday night for a bible study in our home. We did not break for summer, rarely for a holiday. It was a cherished time to be in the Word and really dig in to the verses and their meaning for us. We experienced times of renewed vigor in Marv as we prayed over him for his health and healing. We shared love and fellowship. Cancer broke Marv and Carol's marriage covenant - and she misses her brother in Christ more than she misses her husband.
Cancer can tear apart those family rituals, which is why I hate it. I don't even like the word hate, we are called to love, but in this case, I don't think God minds my pairing cancer with hate.
It is because cancer tears families a part that I vowed to take charge of my health and turn it around. I knew where I was headed ...and it was a dark path that likely included lots of medications that would have a ripple effect in degrading my health and quality of life even more. Gaining weight each year, my body feeling more worn with each passing day - I knew I was on the fast track to nursing home care. What right do I have to burden my children with the astronomical costs? And what right do I have to live my latter years in poor health, so that I cannot enjoy quality time with my family or they with me?
If you have not yet read "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer" by Dr. John Lee, Virginia Hopkins and Dr. David Zava - get it reserved at the library. Or spend $8 and highlight and revisit it often like I have. It is a book you will want to share with every woman you hold dear. Because of this book, my health has taken a 180 degree turn - and franky, a few paragraphs about nutrition was the catalyst. I did not do Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, South Beach, MediFast or any of those diets that focus on weight loss without long term, lasting effects.  More so, knowing what I now know about ingredients, healthy food choices, foods that we are brainwashed into thinking they are healthy...I will not touch a Yoplait yogurt, a Nutrigrain bar, or hydrolized protein isolates. I retrained myself how to eat. I learned about the pH of food, and processing that makes much of our grocery store food acidic and toxic.
I have made lifestyle changes that our entire family has embraced. Today a friend saw a photo of our daughter in first grade, next to one of her taken a few weeks ago - and he commented that he could even tell in her photos that she looks healthier since Arbonne came into our lives. For me personally, everyone has seen the change in me - 85 fewer pounds is not something people can miss. Some do not even recognize me if it has been a while. That makes me smile. I love my pure anti-aging products. :-) And I know Marv smiles down at me, too. I know he is proud of my accomplishment in becoming a healthy woman.
I know he is proud that I have found a way to serve others and educate people about making choices that will benefit their body. It is my prayer that I will  leave a legacy, as Marv did. I am thankful my business can leave a legacy to my children. More so, I pray that my legacy will be that of making a difference in people's lives...the baby who was born because his mother may have miscarried without progesterone cream - Dr. Lee provided the education and I provided the product. Or the person who is free of depression medication and who is able to think more clearly than she has in years since her own battle with cancer. My personal life change inspiring a woman who heeded my coaching for a lifestyle change and lost 50 lbs, and is still losing. People can enjoy greater health because of my teaching and coaching, and should something happen to me tomorrow, I know my team and collegues in the business will continue to educate and make a difference in people's lives.
Knowing how much I miss Marv, I know that Carol misses him even more. Please keep her in prayer this day, June 7, as we celebrate a life that left a legacy.  If you knew Marv, please read the book I mention above. What I learned could have helped Marv had I read it in the earlier stages of his cancer, and perhaps prevented it all together had I read it 15 yrs ago. Armed with knowledge, my husband uses progesterone cream in hopes that he will not venture down the same path as our dear friend. It is one thing to embrace death with excitement of going to heaven, but I would like to do so healthy to my last living day.

To your health, and to the memory of a man whose simple faith changed lives- praise God.
Rita S.

Enlarged Thyroid- To Biopsy or Not?

I want to share a testimony from one of my clients this past weekend - it made me so HAPPY to hear it and fires my passion for my health and wellness business even more.

A few months ago a friend had an enlarged thyroid gland, blood count was high - they wanted to do a biopsy, of course. She wanted to hold off and do some research (smart gal) although she was pretty upset and scared about it. She ...asked my thought - and my thoughts turned to the book I have on thyroid and iodine by Dr. David Brownstein: "Iodine, Why You Need It And Why You Can't Live Without It" and "Overcoming Thyroid Disorders". (the latter available on video as well)

Per Brownstein, everyone with a thyroid issue is deficient in iodine. I have seen this affirmed in newsletters by Dr. Russel Blaylock, Jonathon Wright and more. Of course I told my friend, "I'm not a doctor, but if it were me I would increase my transdermal progesterone Prolief cream and take an iodine supplement" - and gave her my book and thyroid video.

Thyroid disorders has reached epidemic proportions in this country. I would propose that 1 in 5 women I meet at a home party/workshop have hypothyroid. Most are on medication. All have gained weight - as a properly functioning thyroid is essential for metabolism. The number of people I meet with this problem is CRAZY!

For many the meds are not working, which in large part has to do with an individuals ability to process the hormone/thyroid drug being given for conversion. Brownstein is an advocate of natural pig thyroid hormone. Armour is popular and it was his first choice for years, but in one of his 2011 newsletters I recall reading that the drug company who makes Armour changed formulations and it does not work as well as it had for a number of people, and he is recommending another. Something to be aware of...  You may find more at his web site

Brownstein also has a book out on the Miracle of Natural Hormones, but thus far the BEST books I have read on hormone balance and bHRT are by Dr. John Lee/Hopkins/Zava - the "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About....(series)" and Dr. Michael Platt's "Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones" - which is a book that can give hope to anyone with a severe disorder or life threatening depression, obesity, adrenal fatigue, ADD/ADHD, auto immune and more.  You can find these books both at your library and on line at amazon.com

Back to my friend, I don't recall if she consulted the naturopath I recommended. She started putting PROLIEF cream directly on her enlarged thyroid 3x daily, switched to the Celtic sea salt I had bought and shared, and used an iodine supplement as well. In one month the enlarged thyroid returned to normal and new blood tests revealed all was well too. Happy ending. Peace of mind.

It just goes to show that self-educaon is important, as it gives us confidence to not be rushed into an invasive procedure. My greatest concern with a biopsy is that the chances of the needle hitting a cell that might actually have cancer in it, could then cause that cancer to spread, as I am recall from one of Blaylock's newsletters. I actually found a report on a study on this subject - it is a worthy read: The Moss Report.

A glimpse into a paragraph, "A June 2004 report from the John Wayne Cancer Institute in California has rekindled a long-standing debate over whether or not needle biopsies are safe. The paper set out to examine whether this technique, widely used to obtain specimens in cases of suspected cancer, might itself allow malignant cells to spread from an isolated tumor to nearby lymph nodes. The authors reluctantly conclude that a needle biopsy may indeed increase the spread of the disease by 50 percent compared to patients who receive the more traditional excisional biopsies (or "lumpectomies").

Self-educate for your own health and well -being readers! It can make all the difference in quality of life and longevity, if that is something you desire.

 

To your health,

Rita S.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Breakthrough Research

It's not a drug. It can't be patented. But it is being discovered as a miraculous healing element for post traumatic brain injuries. I was simply going to link this information in my sidebar, but then I realized if someone has a loved one in a coma, and is searching on line for some thread of hope that might be of benefit, or give a glimmer of hope to having quality of life after injury - I need to actually post this information so it can be found.
I have read much, from a variety of sources, about studies showing that bio-identical progesterone hormone can help repair nerve damage as it regenerates the myethin sheath. Dr. John Lee once said if his parents ever had a stroke, he would apply progesterone cream on their face to help restore damage from paralysis.
One day in conversation with Dr. Michael Platt, I theorized that if progesterone can help nerves, might it help one experiencing vertigo. He explained what is happening to the nerves in the back of the neck when vertigo occurs - and he wasn't sure it would help, but it very well could. Although, I don't believe the person whom I shared this with ever talked with her mother about the theory.
I have some permanent nerve damage in the toes of a foot, having atrophied from pinched off sciatic. As much as I would love to see if my Prolief cream can help restore the feelings in those phalanges, by the time I go to bed at night I am too tired to remember to rub my progesterone cream into my toes each night. But I am curious! Maybe one day, when I am retired - I can try this. (LOL)
Researchers continue to study the effects of bio-identical progesterone and its affects on head and brain trauma. You can learn more about these studies and findings right here.
In stark contrast, be very AWARE that the synthetic form of progesterone (root word "progestation" - brings life) - known as progestin, is a dangerous drug company attempt at trying to duplicate that which God has created, and have failed to the demise of many unsuspecting people. Read more about that here. Be sure to follow additional links for more information.
If you have a loved one who has suffered traumatic brain injury, first - know that nothing is impossible with God. He is the Healer of all and mighty in power. Have hope, be in prayer, and gather those around you to pray also. My prayers are with anyone who reads this blog and finds themselves in this situation.

To your health,
Rita S.

Thyroid Issues - Two Words: Progesterone & Iodine!

Epidemic. When you see that word what probably comes to mind is typhoid or AIDS. I doubt anyone thinks of thyroid disorders as being an epidemic - but it certainly is becoming one! I haven’t made tally marks or charted the number of women I have met in the past two years with thyroid issues, as compared to those who do not, but if I had to guess – I would say 1 in 5 of the women I meet are taking thyroid medication for hypothyroid – that is, their body does not produce enough thyroid hormone on its own.
In the past 48 hours I have met or had conversations with or about 4 women with serious thyroid issues. One just diagnosed with thyroid cancer, another is a continual conversation with the mother and mainstream medicine is not making a difference – her daughter has not experienced improvement and there are all sorts of issues. The latter surprises me not one bit, yet it seems there has been no effort to read any of the resources I have provided. PEOPLE – if we don’t self-educate ourselves and rely soley on our doctors with their Rx band-aid approach – our bodies are NOT going to be cured!
Yes, you may detect a little bit of frustration in my post today. I have a message to give that can HELP people, but I apparently cannot reach the masses quick enough. If you know of someone with a thyroid issue PLEASE send them a link to today’s blog post so they can check out the resources I am linking for their benefit.
For women with thyroid issues it is especially difficult to lose weight. Thyroid is needed for metabolism, what’s more, some thyroid medications actually cause weight gain. It is not only adult women, but thyroid disorders are reaching epidemic proportions in our young people as well. I know of one young pre-teen who gained 100 lbs. in a years time since being put on thyroid medication. This case is a matter of, sadly, what insurance will pay for, because a switch to a different med, such as one with natural thyroid hormone which her body can actually metabolize, such as Armour – would make all the difference in the world for this child, but the doctor tells the mother insurance won’t cover it. Middle school years are tough enough as it is without this poor girl going through it with a weight problem due to thyroid. Again, frustration in a medical system that is failing this child!
Two natural remedies to help the thyroid function more readily are not patentable, they are not expensive…and therefore, they are not prescribed by doctor’s either. Unless you are working with a holistic or alternative medicine doctor. PROGESTERONE AND IODINE – deficiencies that are reported in pretty much every hypo or hyper –thyroid patient. For the rest of this post I will simply cite the experts and provide links – I pray you check them out! (I believe it pertinent to mention that chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are also being linked to thyroid disorders – as people utilize bio-identical progesterone for thyroid disorders, their energy and muscle weakness/soreness also improve.)
The Natural Progesterone Advisory Network – a resource for mainstream medical doctors who desire to learn more to actually HELP CURE their patients, click on these links to learn more:
Relationship between progesterone and thyroid hormones
How estrogen dominance affects thyroid
More about estrogen dominance, progesterone and thyroid, and an accurate test to help determine your deficiencies.

One women’s health center in Texas that focuses on thyroid treatment writes:Progesterone is by far, the most common hormone deficiency in women. This deficiency is probably responsible for most of the long-term “female” problems including ovarian cysts, fibroid uterus, endometriosis, migraine headaches, PMS, depression, mood swings, blood clots, infertility, heart disease, painful or prolonged periods, etc. Birth control pills have destroyed a woman’s ovarian production of progesterone, in my opinion. Exposure to “xenoestrogens”, which are synthetic chemicals in the environment that have estrogen-like effects, have also suppressed ovarian production of progesterone. Nearly 100% of women who are hypothyroid are also progesterone deficient. Thyroid deficiency and progesterone deficiency march in lockstep with one another. Progesterone deficiency is so rampant, that I (Andrew Jones M.D.) have joked about putting it in the water supply. A daily dose of 50 – 100 mg of progesterone a day would really help a lot of women. Dosing is dependent on many factors. Maximal doses now go up to 800mg/day in severe cases. Most women that I treat take 100 – 200 mg/day in divided doses. Another consideration is whether a woman is still menstruating or not, and whether she still wants children or not. This influences whether progesterone is taken every day or just in the second half of your menstrual cycle. To read the full posting follow this link.

ON TO IODINE…Dr. David Brownstein, a world renowned expert on the treatment of thyroid disorders, is not at all baffled by the rise in cases of thyroid cancer among women. Because I have been meeting so many women with thyroid issues, I purchased Brownstein’s books on Thyroid Disorders and Iodine Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It, as well as a DVD on the subject. You can read Brownstein’s opinion of why thyroid cancer is increasing at this link.

It boils down to is IODINE DEFICIENCY. Ever since somebody or organization decided to make a decree that salt is the cause of hypertension people have been decreasing their salt intake, OR switching out IODIZED table salt for processed sea salt, which likely lacks the iodine. We THINK we are making healthier choices – I know I did! My family is switching back to IODIZED sea salt – the non-processed kind such as Celtic Sea Salt. Another resource in my w-book, Killing Cancer...Not People, recommends the Himalayan sea salt.
More thoughts from Dr. Brownstein...links...

• Increase in Thyroid Cancer




• Pregnant Women and Iodine Deficiency




• Children and the Iodine Connection




• Salt - Confused?

Another realm of thought on thyroid disorders is GLUTEN. Yep, you heard right. It makes sense as well. Gluten affects our hormone balance. Since this has been a long post already, the article in reference to gluten and the thyroid connection by Dr. Kresser, can be found at this link.



PLEASE help spread the word – thyroid disorders and even thyroid cancer to not have to continue on this rise to epidemic proportions if we can get the word out on the importance of consuming iodized, natural sea salt in your diet (this is not the pretty white stuff – it is gray, pink, and/or brown); and natural progesterone transdermal cream. Shake some salt on your food, rub some lotion onto your skin – as far as a remedy goes…it can’t get much easier than that!Always work with your doctor as thyroid patients utilizing these two natural products will be able to decrease their thyroid medication as the body begins to regulate thyroid production as God intended.



To your health!



Rita S.

Progesterone Effects on Bone Density & Osteoporosis

As this weekend draws to a close I would like to say hello to those I met at the Holiday Market Expo in Madison this weekend. Thanks for coming by!
My mother gave me a printout of a very interesting article today regarding a spinal infusion surgery using Medtronic's controversial bone morphogenetic protein-2, or BMP-2 (Amplify). Standford U studies are finding numerous links to cancer, and I was just reading other articles about this citing additional serious side effects including sterility, and more.
What does all this mean to me? It makes me thankful that I am using Prolief natural progesterone cream not only to maintain hormone balance, but have peace in knowing that progesterone cream increases my bone mass index and I am warding of osteoporosis before it gets started (not to mention countering excess estrogen in my body to help ward off cancer).

There are lots of articles and lawsuits out there right now on Medtronic's Amplify. Basically Amplify allows surgeons to do a bone graft without using bone from the actual patient. As we have already learned with synthetic hormones - introducing foreign substances to the human body that do not match molecular structure of what God has created only causes problems. You can read more about Amplify here.
To help my parents out with their failing eyesight, I retyped Dr. Bean's hand out she had provided to consultants with instructions for using Prolief progesterone cream in a larger type size. I was feeling a bit lazy in regards to typing all the text, and wanted to find the information Dr. Bean had provided at the bottom of the page regarding osteoporosis, but could not find the exact excerpt from his book, “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause” by Dr. John Lee.
However, I did find information that you will find interesting no doubt - as I did...
Patients of Dr. John Lee have found relief from menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia, and they also reported relief from a wide array of other symptoms as diverse as dry eyes, bloating, irritability, gall bladder problems, osteoporosis pain, hair loss, and lumpy or sore breasts, for example.
Lee has documented research from around the world noting the positive effect on bone health with progesterone use, and began to get bone density tests for his patients on progesterone. Within a few years Lee realized that these women were gaining significant bone density - particularly those with the worst bone density to begin with.
Lee recommends patience: “If a woman has not been making progesterone for a number of years her body-fat progesterone ratio is probably very low. Since progesterone is fat soluable, it is likely that during the first month or so, much of the progesterone that is absorbed will be taken up by body fat." For these women Lee recommends 2 oz. of the cream each month (Prolief is a 2.5 oz bottle) for the first two months. (Essentially this is approximately 3-4 pumps per day rather than the recommended two). After this period one ounce should be sufficient.
This is one of the reasons why I tell many premenopausal woment that it may take 3-4 months for their symptoms to subside.
Since prevention or reversal of osteoporosis is a goal, Lee recommends a serial lumbar bone density (BMD) test to monitor improvement. If BMD rises one-half jar per month for 10-12 months, then one knows the dosage of progesterone is sufficient. Individual needs vary - the correct dose is the dose that works.
Previously I have blogged about studies indicating many positive attributes of progesterone cream for brain function. I came across this today as well...
Progesterone and Brain Health: Brinton RD, Thompson RF et al, “Progesterone receptors: form and function in brain,” Front Neuroendocrinol 2008 May;29(2):313-39. Epub 2008 Feb 23. Research is coming out almost weekly showing how important progesterone is to brain function. “…progesterone has multiple non-reproductive functions in the central nervous system to regulate cognition, mood, inflammation, mitochondrial function, neurogenesis and regeneration, myelination and recovery from traumatic brain injury.” Furthermore, progesterone is everywhere in the brain: “Remarkably, PRs [progesterone receptors] are broadly expressed throughout the brain and can be detected in every neural cell type.” I have downloaded a PDF of the abstract of this entire study and will be happy to email it to you if you wish to learn more.
Dr. Lee stated he would apply progesterone cream to his parent’s foreheads if either were to have a stroke. That statement resulted in many colleagues from all over the world contacting him to learn more. It wasn't too long ago I had shared a news story of a young man in a tragic accident and in a coma for months. He was predicted to be brain dead. However, every day his mother applied progesterone cream to the young man's forehead, and when he came out of his coma he had 100% brain function. The man stated how grateful he was to his mother for her diligence and knowledge so that he can live a full life, as he has a long journey ahead to learn how to walk again.
Knowing this ...it is one reason that I make sure every week I apply my progesterone cream to my forehead at least once a week. I am fully aware of the importance towards brain function on many levels, and benefits in stroke prevention. I will close today with one more quote by Dr. Lee:  “Over the past 15 years I have been struck by the fact that patients on progesterone (without estrogen supplements) have been remarkably free of heart disease.”
I began my business because of a $34 bottle of progesterone cream that can change lives and save lives. It allows me to help people and I am passionate about doing so. And although it took awhile, what is especially fulfilling for me is that my message is getting through to my parents and in-laws, and they are using natural progesterone cream. Protecting my loved ones means everything!
To your health!
Rita S.

A great resource site for cancer

Hi All,
I have had such a busy month - doing more class presenations and getting the word out on steps one can take to help live healthier and hopefully cancer free; rather than post each day as I had hoped.
Just a bit ago a cancer survivor friend from the warm southwest sent me an email. She was thrilled to stock up on her Re9 products so she could feel good about what she was putting on her skin - I remember when she first started using the products and how they helped revive her dry and damaged skin ...after effects of chemo and cancer treatment.
She also sent me a link to an on line article, from a site that she as a cancer survivor must frequent for the latest updates and news on overcoming cancer. For these remaining hours in October, I thought I would share the link here. I encourage you to poke around the site and read up on the various articles, especially the one on progesterone.
I hope to look into the mission statement and organization of this group a bit more and find out if it may be another consideration for prevention donation.
I hope you find useful info on this site as I did!
To your health,
Rita

Inflammation - A True Cancer Promoter

If you go back through the archives of my blog, you are already familiar with the link to hormone imbalance and cancer. Estradiol, one of three types of the estrogen hormone in our bodies, is an aggressive bugger when it goes unchecked. How do our hormones become so out of balanced? Primarily, through the food we eat and the environment we live in.
For the next few posts I am going to focus on food choices - the fuel for our body and how it is utilized. Are we consuming foods that promote apoptosis (death of cells - which is really a good thing!), or are we providing the fuel that cancer cells crave, and thus they go on forever and ever, dividing in rampant chaos?
I HAVE discussed this before as well. I have read so much information that I only wish I could spend my entire day blogging to share it with you.
Our hormones get out of balance when we eat inflammatory foods. As a population, especially in the U.S., we eat an extraordinary amount of inflammatory foods. A short list includes soy, dairy, gluten... I will be providing cancer promoting and cancer fighting food in the next few days.
A study in 2005 published by Michael Karin  and Florian R. Greten (Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology) found that one control event is most related to cancer development - and that is CHRONIC INFLAMMATION.
You can cut and paste in this link, which takes you to a google search used to find the study, and the top choice will provide a PDF with details of this study.
http://www.google.com/search?q=study+linking+inflammation+and+cancer&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=

Chronic inflammatory diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and ulcerative colitis), and even diabetes (also an inflammatory disease) are all great risk factors for cancer.
Chronic inflammation can lead to free radical generation and rapid peroxidation, which can lead to cancer.
Come on back tomorrow where I will begin to share healthful food choices if you wish to remain cancer free. If you are already battling this disease - KNOW that you can BEAT CANCER when you give your body the proper nutrients. God's pharmacy, called nature, is MUCH, MUCH more powerful than any synthetic concoction formulated by a drug company.

To your health,
Rita S.