Live a Cancer-Free Life

Our medical expert offers up tips on staying cancer-free.

The word “cancer” has shown up in so many news reports over the past decade that people have almost become desensitized to it. With so many things that were once staples of the American way of life being labeled carcinogenic, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed, and then simply feel nothing at all. “After all,” the prevailing attitude seems to be, “I’m going to die of something, right?” The fact is, however, that cancer does not have to be your destiny; there are factors we have power over when it comes to living a cancer-free life.

Cancer is the result of previously healthy cells within the body simply going awry, whether as a result of a genetic switch that has been turned on or a toxic substance altering the cellular DNA. Without intervention, these cells may begin to multiply out of control, eventually spreading to other parts of the body. There are over 75,000 synthetic chemicals currently registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, and nearly half of them are either known to or are suspected of having the ability to alter cellular DNA.

Every single living being on this planet has been touched by these chemicals, through the air that we breathe, the water that we drink and bathe in, the foods that we eat and the personal care products that we apply to our bodies on a daily basis. A study conducted by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 2003 found that every single one of their 211 volunteers had an average of 91 environmental pollutants in their bloodstreams. Of those 91 pollutants, approximately half of them were known carcinogens, including PCBs, dioxins, insecticides, pesticides, and heavy metals.

Cancer does not generally occur after the first encounter with carcinogenic toxins, but instead a cumulative exposure can cause cells with altered DNA to replicate and form tumors. And while a weakened immune system will not cause cancer to form, a strong immune system can and often does prevent tumors from developing and plays a strong role in protecting the body against cancer.

Our bodies have been designed with the innate ability to correct the damage caused by toxic invaders, such as microorganisms, viruses and bacteria. Armed with a battalion of cells, all with different abilities, the immune system can identify toxins within the body and the damaged cells that result from their intrusion. Once identified, the immune system goes to work, neutralizing or killing the harmful toxins and the damaged cells.

It is important, however, to feed your immune system to keep it in cancer-fighting shape. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is filled with foods that are known to inhibit proper function of the immune system. Such immune-debilitating foods include those containing white flour, sugar, preservatives, cholesterol, pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones, as well as those that are low in fiber and high in fat. Instead of these harmful foods, we need to fill our bodies with organic fruits and vegetables, packed with the vitamins and minerals necessary to fuel our immune system.

Antioxidant-packed foods will give your immune system an extra boost, so be sure to get the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Leafy green vegetables, like spinach and collard greens, and orange-colored fruits and vegetables such as mangos, oranges, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, and carrots are all excellent sources of the antioxidant beta-carotene. Fruits and vegetables containing lycopene, such as tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, and pink grapefruit, are also packed with antioxidants.

Exercise can serve a dual function when it comes to your immune system. By exercising 30 to 60 minutes a day, every day, you can give your immune system an extra boost while also helping to reduce stress and its harmful effects on your health. Stress can generate harmful free radicals that alter healthy cells within the body, and is considered to be a factor in nearly 90% of all illnesses. When the body encounters a perceived stressor, it sends out stress hormones, which initiate the fight or flight response.

By stretching out your muscles and giving your body a workout, you’re providing just the release that it requires to restore hormonal balance without causing harm to your health.

Proper pH balance is also vital to a healthy immune system. A slightly alkaline state is optimal for cell communication, while an acidic state can lead to a weakened immune system. Acid buildup both diminishes white blood cell production and lowers the quantity of white blood cells that are produced.

The most effective way to reduce acids in the body is through the foods you eat. Reducing your intake of acidic foods (such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, and most proteins) and replacing them with alkalizing foods (such as fruits and vegetables) is an excellent way to restore pH balance. Dietary supplements such as calcium, magnesium and pH-balancing supplements can also aid in restoring and maintaining normal pH levels.

It is immensely important that you partner your immune-boosting efforts with a method of detoxification. Ridding your body of the toxins that can lead to cancer is absolutely necessary when it comes to living a long and healthy life. Methods such as far infrared sauna and chelation therapy can safely rid the body of harmful toxins. There are also a variety of detoxification methods that you can do at home, such as a liver flush and a colon cleanse.

Speak with your physician before beginning any detoxification protocol. Your physician should be able to recommend a protocol that is right for your specific detox needs.

Don’t tune out when it comes to discussing cancer. Learn all you can about boosting your immune system so that you are best prepared to avoid this disease. You deserve to live a cancer-free life.

Leigh Erin Connealy, M.D., is the medical director of South Coast Medical Center for New Medicine in Irvine. She can be reached at (949) 680-1880 or www.scmedicalcenter.com.

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