It was 1971 when Congress declared war on cancer. In the last 30 years cancer has doubled and if nothing changes will triple by 2030. We are losing the war against cancer.
Pesticides, pharmaceutical drugs, artificial foods, food packaging chemicals, obesity, wireless technologies, dirty electricity, diagnostic radiation and lack of sunshine are a few of the culprits which our current lifestyles create to fuel our cancer epidemic. We can help reverse this trend with attention to just three lifestyle changes.
Vitamin D- At Xcelerated Performance we have appreciated and advocated the importance of vitamin D for many years. With the latest info out, evidence points to the fact that we could reduce annual cancer deaths by 30% if we got enough vitamin D. In the U.S. that works out to about 200,000 deaths each year. And, if we get our vitamin D through sun exposure the risk is reduced by 50%. I know this seems contrary to what’s being said by many dermatologists, but it’s important to understand that the risk of skin cancer from the sun comes only from excessive exposure. After a brief period in the sun (until the skin just turns pink, maybe 30 mins.) then slather on the sunscreen and go for it.
Insulin levels- In 1934 Otto Warburg received a Nobel Prize for his research on cancer cell physiology which clearly demonstrated cancer cells thrive on sugar! Unfortunately, few oncologists apply this knowledge today. Except, The Cancer Centers of America, where strict dietary measures are included in their cancer treatment program. In our September 2010 newsletter (I’ll Take My Agave as Tequila, Thanks) we talked about high fructose liquid sweetners which is the favorite of processed foods. These high fructose sweetners elevate blood sugar and keep it high.
Exercise- Last but not least exercise is being used as a tool to lower elevated insulin levels, which creates a low sugar enviornment that discourages the growth and spread of cancer cells. Active adults experience about have the incidence of colon cancer as their sedentary counter parts. Women who exercise regularly can reduce their breast cancer risk by 20% compared to inactive women. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that men who did more physical activity had decreased likelihood of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Men who walked 2 to 3 hours per week lowered their risk of BPH by 25% compared to men who did not exercise.
Bottomline, we can finally turn the numbers around in the war against cancer by incorporating just 3 lifestyle changes; exercise, sunshine and no fructose sweeteners.
by Krista Kurvits