Preventing Cancer
Written By Summerside Chiropractic Clinic on December 19, 2016
Often when I speak with patients or practice members (wellness patients) about diseases like osteoarthritis, heart disease or cancer they will say "it's in my family so there's nothing I can do about it."
Genetics, of course, can predispose a person to a great many things but it does not determine your destiny. We are learning that many genes can be turned "on" or "off" depending on your choices. Even selecting a greasy burger today can turn "on" cravings for more greasy burgers tommorrow. This is called epigenetics. The process of genes manifesting an action or not. This is why I have never been a fan of diets that have "cheat days". It ends making you crave the bad stuff the rest of the week. Not Fun!
In the area of preventing cancer there are many lifestyle choices that can help prevent this terrible group of diseases. Lets move on from using tobacco products, everyone knows this is the number one thing you can do. If still use them; Quit!
Next dropping the weight if you need to. It's more than dropping weight because the diet associated with losing weight is also anti-inflammatory as opposed to pro-inflammatory. Pro-inflammation foods are fried, red meat, high sugar/salt, processed foods. The day you start eating more anti-inflammatory foods you are on the road to preventing cancer AND losing weight.
What are anti-inflammatory foods?
Lets start in the morning: blueberries, grapefruit, fresh figs, strawberries, greek yogurt, large flake oats, ground flax seed, almonds, walnuts, pecans...
At Lunch and dinner : 3-4 times/week a deep sea fish like salmon, one or two times a week bison (I get my bison at Whitemud Crossing) and one or two times a week organic chicken or high protein vegtables/grains, olive oil, green salads, asparagus, beets, beet greens, brussel sprouts (yes, I found a way to make them good, see next week), broccoli, carrots cauliflower, kale.....
Generally, if it's in a box beware! Read carefully and avoid food additives (see below). Eat whole foods, give yourself time to prepare and buy a health cookbook. Learn to enjoy eating foods with little to no condiments. Making your own dressings for salad is easy. Our favourite is 1/2 olive oil, 1/4 maple syrup, 1/4 balsamic vinegar.
Increasing physical activity also appears to decrease cancer risk. See below for more info.
Avoiding sun exposure is also important for preventing skin cancer. I add a drop of vitamin D to everyone's breakfast.
You'll feel better, look better and live longer. Enjoy whole food and buy local as much as you can!!
Warm Regards, Dr. Darrell
(June 11, 2012)
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