Ignoring the Link Between Toxins and Cancer

Ignoring the Link Between Toxins and Cancer

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by Vic Shayne, PhD
Worldwide, more than 7 million people die from cancer every year, and the numbers increase annually. Generally, high-fat diets are blamed for increasing the risk, while plant-based diets, high in fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, and minimally processed starchy foods, are said to help prevent cancer.

And, if we look a little closer, we discover that there are very specific foods and herbs that are powerful "detoxifiers" and thus play a major role in prevention of cancer and other diseases. But even as we attempt to control cancer risk by our food choices, we always have to realize that diet is just one of the lifestyle factors that influence the development of cancer.

With all of the cancer information and disinformation broadcasted continually through the major news media, rarely do we hear a mention of the greatest threat to our health – and the most prevalent cause of cancer: toxins. Toxins (poisons) are ubiquitous in our modern world. Although those cancer researchers and foundations making the news headlines, mostly funded by pharmaceutical corporations and chemical manufacturers, seem to be obsessed with finding a cancer virus or genetic predispositions to the disease, as a society we are not being given the whole truth that toxins cause most cancers.
Independent researchers (e.g., read Cancer-Gate: How to Win the Losing Cancer War, by Samuel Epstein, MD) understand that toxins cause disruptions in cellular function, cellular differentiation, cellular protection, and immune system function. Such poisons also place great stress on the eliminatory system that tries, often in vain, to rid our bodies of a toxic overload; this includes the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, lungs, bowels and skin. Toxins are known to rob our bodies of oxygen and cause free radical damage to cellular structures; they also are cumulative, leading to illness and symptoms now and into the future.

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"With all of the cancer information and disinformation broadcasted continually through the major news media, rarely do we hear a mention of the greatest threat to our health – and the most prevalent cause of cancer: toxins."

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The natural question is, where do these toxins come from and how do they get into our bodies? The answer is that toxins hail from a wide array of sources, including artificial food ingredients, prescription drugs, topical ointments, household sprays, fumes, automobile and truck exhaust, incinerators, factories, plastic off-gassing, construction materials, carpeting, bug sprays, fluoridated water, hair sprays, fast foods, pesticides, herbicides, chemical spills and dumping, perfumes and more. You can see how, entering our bodies from so many sources, the toxic overload is inevitable unless we make a concerted effort to monitor what we eat and how we live our lives. But if we wander around in a state of paranoia over slanted media reports about bad genes and invisible viruses, we'll never see the real threat right before our eyes.
What Are You Eating?
The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recommends that people should eat more plant-based foods and states that as much as 20 percent of lung cancer, 33 percent of breast cancer, and 66 percent of colon cancer could be prevented by appropriate diet choices, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Add this to not smoking and moderate consumption of alcohol, and the AICRF believes that 60 percent to 70 percent of all cancers are preventable.¹ Yet, even with this information, major associations such as cancer and heart institutes, who must ride the political line in an effort not to alienate the chemical industry, fail to tell us that organic foods are safer than nonorganic; that prescription medications can be dangerous; that there are too many chemicals in our lives; and that eating more plant-based foods is vague advice. As a rather alarming and bothersome side note, it is clear to anyone who has researched the cancer-toxin connection that some of the largest companies contributing to cancer rates by manufacturing poisonous chemicals are the same companies that influence and fund scientific research that ends up on the nightly news, producing the drugs to "fight" cancer.
Why Is Cancer Winning the Battle?
Thanks to the power and greed of industry, the public is kept in the dark about many of the causes of cancer. Instead we are fed news reports about genetic connections, viruses and early screenings. Biologically speaking, as human beings, our bodies are not equipped to handle the onslaught (or combinations) of toxic overload that exists in our modern world. Until we realize that synthetic chemicals are causing most cancers, we cannot begin to stem the tide of disease and suffering.
"Most epidemiologists and cancer researchers would agree that the relative contribution from the environment toward cancer risk is about 80-90 percent," said Aaron Blair, PhD, chief of the Occupational Epidemiology Branch in the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics. "There is very solid evidence that environmental factors are the major cause of cancer."⁴

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References

1.       Axmaker L. Eat Right to Prevent Cancer. Vanderbilt Faculty & Staff Wellness Program, Vanderbilt University Web site, November 2005. Click to view it online.

2.       Slavin J. Mechanisms for the impact of whole grain foods on cancer risk. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2000;19(90003):300S-307S.

3.       Kanofsky DL. The case for organic produce. Daytona Beach News-Journal 2005. www.organicconsumers.org.

4.       Environmental Factors the Major Cause of Cancer. Environment News Service, 2004. www.ens-newswire.com.

Other Resources

§                  The Diet & Cancer Link. American Institute for Cancer Research, 2000. www.aicr.org.

§                  Potter J. Leading Scientist Hails Progress Made To Date in Field of Diet and Cancer Research. Press Release from American Institute for Cancer Research, 2000. www.aicr.org.

§                  Mediterranean Diet May Lower Cancer Risk. American Cancer Society, 2000. Click to view it online.

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Vic Shayne, PhD, a 1978 graduate of the University of Florida, is a food science researcher and writer. His books include Illness Isn't Caused by a Drug Deficiency!, Man Cannot Live on Vitamins Alone, and Evil Genius in the Garden of Eden (a study on food-borne and environmental toxins and their toll on human health). Dr. Shayne's work stresses the value of whole-food nutrition over vitamins and other isolated supplements. He is a key contributor of the research Web site healthscienceupdate.com.

http://www.nutritionalwellness.com/archives/2006/mar/03_toxins.php

 

To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate, That Is the Question (here's something to consider)

To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate, That Is the Question (here's something to consider)

Controversy has surrounded Childhood Vaccines for several years now.  The high incidence of children with Autism among other health issues has led moms to take a closer look at exactly what the vaccines contain and what the possible outcome of vaccination may be causing their children.  

In her article, The 6 Do's and Don'ts of Childhood Vaccines, Deidre Imus gives parents a clear and concise checklist to follow when considering vaccinations.  Although it is ultimately up to each family, vaccinations are still an important factor to consider.  While we don't want to hurt our children and subject them to more illness, if we consider some of the options below, it just may give parents more ease of mind when looking at the vaccination option.  

The 6 Do's and Don'ts of Childhood Vaccines

How to keepy your child (and the public) safe from preventable diseases, and avoid vaccine side effects.

By Deirdre Imus

In 1983, the CDC vaccination schedule from birth to six years totaled 18 vaccines. Today, it's 50.
Your baby's first, and perhaps most important, medical intervention is vaccinations. Starting from birth, parents can help ensure that the vaccines their children receive, and when they receive them, are as safe as possible. If you are preparing to immunize your child, consider the following:
Discuss with your doctor which vaccines are necessary for your child.
After all, one size doesn't fit all.
Avoid immunizing when your child is sick or recently recovered from an illness.
Do not give your child a vaccine containing thimerosal.
Insist on thimerosal-free vaccines. Those on the CDC routine immunization schedule should be thimerosal-free. Those not on the routine schedule, including the flu shot, typically contain thimerosal. If you give the flu shot, a thimerosal-free version may need to be special-ordered by your pediatrician.
Always ask for and review the vaccine's package insert.
Read the section on ingredients so you know what is in the vaccine and have the opportunity to ask the doctor any questions. Check for the following potentially harmful ingredients which are called adjuvants:

• aluminum
• antibiotics
• formaldehyde

In addition, if you are aware that your child is allergic to monosodium glutamate (MSG) or eggs, let your doctor know, and check the package insert for these ingredients. Note that all flu vaccines and the MMR vaccine contain egg protein. If you have questions, do not be intimidated: Ask your doctor.
Only get one vaccine per visit.
This may require multiple office visits, but giving one at a time (such as one vaccine per month) reduces any complications from the interaction of multiple vaccines. It will also allow you to know precisely which vaccine caused a problem if there are any adverse reactions. We still don't know the unique vulnerabilities of each individual, which may cause complications from even one vaccine, because research hasn't been done yet to identify those biological markers that would tell us if a child has a pre-existing disposition.
Ask the doctor to check for titers.
Via a simple blood test, the doctor can check to see if your child is already immune to a specific disease via previous exposure or vaccine. If the titer shows your child is immune, further vaccination (boosters) for that specific disease may not be necessary.
The Deirdre Imus Center for Pediatric Oncology offers information on a safer vaccination schedule, adverse vaccine reactions and a list of helpful resources For more tips about keeping your child healthy and safe, sign up for the newsletter.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/chemical-free-kids/vaccine-side-effects-47081805#ixzz0ymWxWNJX

Head Lice Treatments That Are Safe and NON TOXIC

Use Nontoxic Head Lice Treatments

Most head lice treatments use pesticides that have been linked to neurological damage, drug-resistant bugs and other problems. Try these alternatives instead.

By Deirdre Imus

Photo credit: Istock

6–12 million people in the U.S. are infected with head lice each year.
Nobody wants head lice, and outbreaks can menace schools. But pesticides in most head lice treatments have been linked to neurological and other health problems, especially in children.
Head lice, or Pediculus humanus capitis, cause an estimated 6 to 12 million infestations per year in the U.S., most commonly affecting children 3 to 11 years of age. Despite common perceptions, head lice crawl, and cannot hop or fly. For this reason, transmission occurs most often by human head-to-head contact, and much less commonly by the sharing of personal items such as hats, coats, combs, or towels. Because head lice feed on human blood, they cannot live on pets and are only viable 1-2 days on surfaces other than the human head.
Head lice affect all socio-economic groups. Infestations spread regardless of the cleanliness of a home or school, or of personal hygiene. The most common symptoms are itching, but those affected are commonly asymptomatic as well. Head lice are most commonly found close to the scalp, usually behind the ears and near the nape of the neck. Despite perceptions otherwise, infestations are not a public health hazard, as they are not responsible for spreading any disease. Diagnosis occurs most often by the school nurse, who routinely conducts lice screenings and recommends treatment, which is most commonly carried out by a parent or guardian. In most cases, only when a first treatment is unsuccessful would a pediatrician's visit be sought.
The most common treatments are pesticide-based, over-the-counter remedies of permethrin (1%), or pyrethrin-based products. Approved prescription-only options are permethrin (5%), malathion (0.5%), or lindane (1%). Non-pesticide-based "home" remedies include mayonnaise, olive oil, Cetaphil lotion and essential oil blends.
Pesticide-based treatments are coming under increasing scrutiny, as superbugs and pesticide resistance grows. Repeat treatments of traditional pesticide-based products, especially on immune-compromised children has been anecdotally linked to A.L.L. (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) and even death. With the decreasing efficacy of traditional treatments on the rise, there is increasing need for effective and safe pesticide-free treatments.
Look to the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology for additional information about nontoxic head lice treatments. For more tips, sign up for the center's Greening Your Life newsletter.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/chemical-free-kids/nontoxic-head-lice-treatments-47072801#ixzz0ydBo3AsH