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Ashwagandha and virus, Best foods to eat if you have Covid, Best supplements to prevent Covid, Best supplements to take if you have Covid, Best supplements to take if you have the flu, Black Seed and Virus, Epstein Barr and Cancer, NAC and virus, Natural Antivirals, Natural Cold and Flu Remedies, Resveratrol and common cold, Resveratrol and flu, Resveratrol and Virus

Get Ready for Cold and Flu Season with Natural Antivirals

In antioxidants, COVID-19, Epstein Barr and Cancer, inflammation, Natural Antivirals, Natural remedies for Flu and Covid, Uncategorized on November 2, 2022 at 8:10 am

Is there really such a thing as flu-season and can we rely on vaccines? I am not certain, but with colds (which are viral), flus, and COVID-19 in the air, it makes sense to bolster our immune systems. A good overall strategy to prevent getting sick this winter or during the other seasons could include natural antivirals that support the body and do no harm.

Natural therapeutic food supplements have always been considered an excellent source against viral infections. Viruses hijack healthy cells and reprogram them to make more viruses, which allows the virus to spread more virulently. Therefore, halting the process can reduce viral load and make symptoms less severe.

The original “flu shot” our grandmothers concocted was typically something that contained raw garlic, onion, ginseng root, cayenne pepper, green onion (similar to scallions) turmeric, and ginger. But there are many fruits, herbs, and supplements to consider taking now for prevention and others to keep on hand if you do feel a bit under the weather. Below are a few to consider.

Resveratrol and Other Polyphenols

Studies have shown that the polyphenol resveratrol can assist in various stages of COVID-19, colds, and other viruses. A study done at the Institute of Microbiology in Rome found that resveratrol “strongly inhibited” the replication of the flu virus in cell cultures. They credited resveratrol’s antioxidant properties for targeting viruses at the cellular level. [i]

The researchers found it highly effective when administered three hours after infection or symptoms, but if your roommate, spouse, kids, coworkers, etc. are symptomatic, perhaps consider it now. While there is no conclusive evidence that it prevents viruses altogether, it might lessen the severity. Resveratrol is found in red grapes, red wine, grape juice, blueberries, bilberries, and cranberries, but can also be found in supplement form (typically extracted from Japanese knotweed roots).

Another study published in Pharmacology and Therapeutics found that resveratrol has antiviral activity against numerous viruses responsible for severe respiratory infections. Its anti-inflammatory properties can be credited for lowering the risk of severe virus-related complications related to the overactivation of the host-immune response, leading to lung damage. [ii]

Polyphenols, in general, are found to be anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial and thus can be effective against viral infections. Most plant-based foods such as vegetables and fruits contain polyphenols that exert these antiviral activities. But berries, herbs, and spices have some of the highest polyphenol content. Berries such as elderberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries have consistently proven to be effective against viral infections. They are known to strongly impede the replication in cell lines which may relieve the symptoms of cold and flu viruses. A 2021 study published in the National Library of Medicine, “Berry Derived Constituents in Suppressing Viral Infection: Potential Avenues for Viral Pandemic Management” found that “berries could be an alternative source for managing viral infections.” [iii]

Previous studies have shown that elderberry can reduce flu symptoms and shorten the duration of symptoms in half, but more recently scientists have identified a compound in elderberries that binds to cell receptor sites to block viruses, essentially immobilizing the flu virus. Apparently, a unique phytochemical in elderberries blocks the virus from hijacking healthy cells, preventing the virus from replicating. In doing so it may cut recovery time to 48 hours. The extract was also able to stimulate the immune system to coordinate a more efficient response to the virus, contributing to the shortened duration. [iv]

A study published in the American Journal of Physiology/Endocrinology and Metabolism, “Can Phytotherapy with Polyphenols Serve as a Powerful Approach for the Prevention and Therapy Tool of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?” reported on the clinical utility of plants-derived polyphenols in fighting viral infections. The researchers found that “polyphenols help to suppress viral replication, inflammation, and additional pathogenic conditions as well as to help restore the natural immune response.” [v]

While the following conclusion was made in 2020 before vaccines were offered, it amazes me that polyphenolic compounds have not gotten much attention with respect to COVID:

“Given the lack of vaccine and effective antiviral agents for COVID-19, evidence is provided to propose that natural polyphenolic compounds may serve as a useful arsenal to mitigate coronaviral infection in view of their established beneficial properties and functions.” (levy, 2020)[vi]

More Options

Ginger has anti-inflammatory, fever-breaking (although fevers do help the body to heal, too high a fever is not always great), blood-thinning, and antiviral activity.

A good multivitamin, adequate vitamins A, C, and D, zinc, selenium, probiotics, mushroom extracts, beta glucans, selenium, and astragalus support immune function, helping to slow down the speed at which pathogens replicate and mutate.

Zinc and Chaga mushroom inhibit the ability of viruses to reproduce and spread. Magnesium, fish or krill oil, vitamin E, and curcumin (turmeric) are natural anti-inflammatories. Also helpful are holy basil/ tulsi, ashwagandha, raw garlic, propolis, and NAC (N-acetylcysteine).

Antiviral colloidal silver, quercetin, olive leaf extract, monolaurin, and lysine are also quite helpful. One of my absolute favorites, especially for COVID (or the vaccine) is black cumin (also known as nigella and black seed).

Given the general lack of efficacy of past flu shots and considering the inability of COVID vaccines to prevent a person from getting or spreading the virus (and the risks involved with these shots), natural means of support may be worth considering.

On a side note:

Found that in preclinical studies, resveratrol also helped prevent malignant transformation of human B cells in response to the Epstein Barr virus (EBV), a process linked to many cancers. (For more information on EBV and cancer, please visit Epstein Barr and Cancer.

For Supplement information and brand recommendations, please visit my supplement page HERE.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice, nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence. Elyn Jacobs Consulting, Inc. does not provide endorsement for the content, claims, or products discussed in this article.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Some product links on some posts are affiliate links. This website is monetized in part using affiliate links. This means that if you were to click on a link that is an affiliate link and purchase an item after clicking on that link, I may receive a small percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use often. Thank you for your support!

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[i] https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2005/05/24/Resveratrol-could-prevent-flu-epidemics#

[ii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163725820301431

[iii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857187/

[iv] https://backyardbend.com/study-elderberries-block-flu-virus-from-attaching-to-and-entering-human-cells/

[v] https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpendo.00298.2020

[vi] https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpendo.00298.2020

[vii] https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpendo.00298.2020

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best diet for fatty liver, Declining estrogen and fatty liver, estrogen and cardiovascular health, Fatty Liver and Estrogen, Fructose and liver health, high protein diet for liver health, milk thistle for fatty liver, reversing fatty liver disease, Why you shouldn't take aromatase inhibitors

Estrogen and Your Liver: What you Need to Know About Declining Estrogen and NAFLD

In Alternatives to Anti-Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer, antioxidants, aromatase inhibitors, Bio-Identical Hormones, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, Estrogen, Estrogen and Breast Cancer, Hot Flashes and Night Sweats, inflammation, Integrative Oncology, menopause, NAFLD and Estrogen, Natural Alternatives to Aromatase Inhibitors, Natural Aromatase Inhibitors, Uncategorized on May 16, 2022 at 9:03 am

Estrogen plays a key role in our body. It is involved in everything from prepping for reproduction to keeping bones strong and eyes healthy. It improves insulin sensitivity and facilitates the export of lipids from the liver. It protects the heart and modulates cholesterol. Estrogen controls everything from the smoothness of your skin to where your body stores fat. Declining estrogen is driving an epidemic of fatty liver among postmenopausal women.

Reduced Estrogen and Your Liver

Many women are all too aware that declining estrogen levels result in hot flashes, mood swings, thinning of the hair, osteoporosis, and weight gain. But when estrogen drops, there’s no longer enough of it to steer where your fat goes-and so the fat goes where the body can most easily store it — the liver. This is turn antagonizes the metabolic and inflammatory alterations that trigger and boost a harmful condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Early-stage NAFLD does not usually cause any harm, but it can lead to serious liver damage, including cirrhosis. Having high levels of fat in your liver is also associated with an increased risk of other serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.

Researchers at the University of Vermont found that decreasing estrogen levels are associated with an 82% increase in fat stored in the liver and other organs.[i]

By the age of 40, up to 90% of women are battling a fat-clogged liver, and post-menopausal women are developing NAFLD 60% faster than men of the same age.[ii] The buildup of fat in the liver also often leads to a pileup on pounds on the waist, hips, and thighs. Elevated ALT and AST on lab reports may be indicative of a fatty liver, especially if ALT is significantly higher than AST.

Lack of estrogen is associated with increases in cellular toxicity in the presence of abnormal fat accumulation, which can result in cell death, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress, and with decreases in anti-inflammatory cytokines.[iii]

It is becoming increasingly clear that once women reach menopause, they are exposed to increasing risks of developing complications due to a decrease in estrogen-related protective effects. Among the numerous protective effects of estrogen, preventing liver fat accumulation is important due to its role in the development of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases.[iv]

“It’s never too late to turn the tide and eliminate liver fat”, Fred Pescatore, M.D.

What you can do NOW!

Cut down on fats and Fructose Results from animal studies indicate that high dietary fat (including nut butters and tahini) or fructose (eat fruit, skip fruit juice and certainly no high fructose corn syrup) intake can synergistically enhance the effects of estrogen deficiency, leading to exaggerated effects on liver injury and fat accumulation.[v]

Over the past century, the increased intake of added sugars (fructose in particular) is associated with increased incidence and progression of NAFLD and liver inflammation. Fructose enhances liver cell destruction, macrophage accumulation, and progression of fibrosis, all negative effects that can be reverted by estrogen supplementation. While bioidentical estrogens may not be a good option for many women (and synthetic estrogen is never a good idea), intentionally inhibiting estrogen may not make sense.

Lose weight and exercise. The rising trends in obesity has been linked with the increase in the incidence and severity of NAFLD. Currently, 74% of Americans over the age of 20 are either overweight or obese. In Europe the number is 60%, with 30% among children (up from 61% and 50% respectfully) Normal-weight postmenopausal women with lipid and glucose and insulin levels within normal range are at a lower risk of developing NAFLD.

Therefore, efforts to emphasize healthy diet and regular physical activity should be especially emphasized in middle-aged women as they approach menopause to prevent the development of NAFLD. Exercise seems to exert an estrogenic-like effect not only on expression of genes involved in lipid accumulation but also on expression of genes of inflammation in the liver.[vi]

Eat more protein. It is important to get sufficient protein, something we need more of as we age. A high protein (lower carb) diet can help switch off the genes responsible for storing fat in the liver (but not necessarily the Keto diet which is often too restrictive for optimal health and may include harmful processed meats such as bacon). Researchers reporting in the journal Liver International found that eating a high-protein diet cuts liver fat in half (a low-protein diet didn’t change liver fat).

Another study found that the genes responsible for liver-fat storage were less active in high protein dieters. “Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins and boosting your intake of amino acids has been shown to help speed metabolism and fat burning,” explains Dr. Fred Pescatore in Fit for Women magazine.[vii] Animal-based proteins contain something calling branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which appear to be the most crucial to both weight loss and eliminating liver fat. More specifically, the branched-chain amino acid leucine, for example, instructs the body to burn the deep visceral fat that collects in the liver, while valine helps remove toxins from the liver. This lightens the load on the liver so it can focus on eliminating fat buildup. Studies show that following a high-protein diet for just two weeks can dramatically reduce liver fat. Protein also keeps you full longer so it may help with weight loss or management.

While the basic recommendation is to load up on protein, variety is helpful. While plant-based proteins are fine for most people, animal proteins contain all the BCAAs that are most crucial to eliminating liver fat (and encouraging weight loss). Wild-caught fish is a great option, alternating with grass-fed meats. You can even change up the amino acid profile by eating different types of fish and different cuts of meat. Full fat dairy is another option as it has a high concentration of BCAAs. Full-fat dairy is also rich in carnitine, which helps the body convert fat into energy, helping to eliminating liver fat (all dairy products should be organic and from pastured animals, never conventionally processed). The more carnitine, the more quickly fat gets burned.

Eggs, while controversial, are an excellent source of choline, a B vitamin that heals and energizes liver cells. Choline may help reduce your risk of fatty liver disease and interferes with progression. Choline deficiency is associated with liver dysfunction.[viii] (Choline is also found in meat, poultry, fish, dairy, cruciferous vegetables, and potatoes.)

While many studies show a beneficial role exerted by high-protein diets in reducing body weight and in reverting fatty liver disease, other studies suggest that high-protein diets can instead promote the development of NAFLD. Hence, don’t go overboard on protein—balance it out with a lot of vegetables and some fruits. Even too much of a good thing is not good and excess protein not a good idea for other reasons.

Eat your vegetables. For copious reasons, vegetable should be eaten throughout the day. They provide phytochemicals that keep inflammation in check so the liver can function optimally. Cruciferous veggies are particularly helpful as they are rich in indole, which helps break down liver fat. Also helpful are avocados, coconut, dandelion greens, mushrooms, okra, and squashes.

Get some sun. Unprotected sun exposure can also be helpful (no sunscreen) as UV light prompts the skin to make vitamin D, which switches on the liver enzymes that burn trapped fats for fuel. Get more sunshine or take vitamin D3.

Cut back on carbs. This is key to preventing future fat build up in your liver.

Supplement with Milk Thistle. Milk Thistle has been found to spur the growth of new liver cells damaged by fat buildup. The remarkable silymarin in it increases the body’s levels of liver detox enzymes dramatically. Studies confirm that milk thistle can protect liver function, prevent liver damage, and normalize elevated liver enzyme levels. Like silymarin, vitamins A, C, and E act like an antioxidant and support the live- just be sure not to take too much vitamin A.

Breast Cancer and Aromatase Inhibitors

This begs the question as to why oncologists are so bent on further reducing estrogen in postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive breast cancers. This issue is indicative of many medical professionals. In my opinion, the goal should be to concentrate on estrogen metabolism and not reduction. Thus, it is up to you, the person whose goal is to keep the entire body healthy, and to make choices that best fit your needs. Taking hormone-blocking drugs is a choice, but any decision made from fear is likely not a good one. Please do your own research so there are no regrets.

To learn how to better manage hormones if you are in a cancerous state or have healed from hormone-related cancers, please visit my website or read my article Natural Alternatives to Anti-Hormone Therapies for Breast Cancer: What Your Doctor May Know but Cannot Recommend. To learn more about detoxification and estrogen, please visit my webpage on that.

Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

Excerpted in Part from First for Women Magazine

[i] https://www.pressreader.com/usa/first-for-women/20210607/281539408793660

[ii] https://www.pressreader.com/usa/first-for-women/20210607/281539408793660

[iii] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2020.572490/full

[iv] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnme/2012/914938/

[v] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29751074/

[vi] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnme/2012/914938/

[vii] https://www.pressreader.com/usa/first-for-women/20210607/281539408793660

[viii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3601486/; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22202-choline-supplement

Tips on Cancer Prevention

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives to Anti-Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer, Anticancer diet, antioxidants, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, EMFs and breast cancer, Estrogen and Breast Cancer, foods that target cancer stem cells, Healing Cancer Naturally, Health Benefits of Rebounding, Uncategorized on September 20, 2021 at 9:00 am

I will be on the Lillian Mc Dermott Radio show, When You Need a Friend, today at 12:05 pm EST. The show will be live at 12:05pm EST, on both Facebook and YouTube. Hope to see you there!

Also, I have started a new private group on Facebook, Cancer Coach Elyn. If interested, you can visit it HERE. Please do not forget to answer the group questions if you would like to join.

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. Elyn specializes in understanding the role of estrogen in breast cancer and debunks the myths associated. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit http://www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

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anti-inflammatory foods, Anticancer foods, antioxidants, C-Reactive Protein and cancer, C-Reactive Protein and Inflammation, Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, inflammation, Inflammation and Cancer, insomnia, what causes chronic inflammation

Inflammation and Cancer, Putting out the Fire

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Anticancer diet, antioxidants, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, inflammation, Integrative Oncology, Uncategorized on November 10, 2020 at 8:24 am

Inflammation lies at the root of many chronic conditions and certainly plays a role in cancer. In fact, cancer is often considered a disease of inflammation. While cancer is complicated and multifaceted, warranting an individualized approach, we can help change the cancerous fire-breathing terrain by adopting an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. This just might reduce the risk of developing cancer and can help lower the risk of progression.

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is a natural and healing response to injury. It is the body’s immune response to some stimulus, such as virus, toxins, injury, harmful bacteria, or disease. This is all good. However, chronic low-grade inflammation in the body is quite different than the redness and itching you see when a wound is healing. When inflammation burns out of control, trouble follows. Chronic inflammation could be causing problems in your body and fueling the cancerous process. Lowering inflammation is one of the most important things you can do for overall health and to reduce your cancer risk.

What Causes Chronic Inflammation?

Most causes of chronic inflammation are related to lifestyle, even things such as lack of or little time spent in nature. Importantly, many causes of chronic inflammation are not always visible, but the effects add up over time. Each choice we make matters and some of the biggest triggers are the following:

Diets high in processed foods, sugar, artificial ingredients, GMOs, and non-organic produce
Pollution
Foods that your body may be allergic or sensitive to, including some common food allergens, such as gluten, dairy, nuts, peanuts, corn (gluten, peanuts, and corn should mostly be avoided by all due to their toxic nature).
Lack of sleep
Chronic stress
Lack of exercise or excessive exercise
Zinc deficiency

How to Know if You are Suffering from Chronic Inflammation?

Aside from noticing your unhealthy behaviors, watch your symptoms. See the list below for some of the most common ones:

Ongoing and/or chronic pain in your body
Constant fatigue, lack of energy
High blood pressure
Blood sugar issues
Weight gain
IBS, ulcers, another stomach, and digestive issues (poor gut health)
Allergies, food sensitivities, and asthma
Frequent colds and compromised immunity
Skin problems such as eczema and other rashes
Lethargy, low mood, depression, or excessive anxiety
Brain fog
Lack of mental clarity or lessened memory
You have cancer

Testing for Inflammation:

While there is no one test that can ‘diagnose’ you with chronic inflammation, there are some tests you can ask your doctor to order that would be indicative (elevated levels could be an indication of chronic inflammation):

High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP)
SED rate
Homocysteine
Ferritin
HDL
Monocytes
Blood Glucose

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above or your blood tests indicate chronic inflammation in your body, it is time to do something about it.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Every morsel of food you put into your mouth has the potential to amp up or lower inflammation in your body. While no one diet is perfect for everyone, a mostly plant-based diet, some protein, and a bit of healthy carbs can fit into many different diets.

Importantly, inflammation alters the diversity in your microbiome which sets off a vicious cycle. When your microbiome is out of balance, issues such as weight gain and insulin resistance frequently result. The immune system then begins producing even more inflammation which then further challenges the microbiome. Probiotics and a diet rich in prebiotics (such as Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, onions, radishes and tomatoes) and healthy fats can help support the microbiome.

It may surprise you that I have listed nightshades. While many people avoid nightshade vegetables, potatoes, for example, help soothe the digestive tract and feed the good bacteria inside the intestinal tract. Tomatoes (especially cooked) reduce inflammation throughout the body. Certainly avoid any or all if they adversely affect you, but enjoy if not.

You will also notice that I mention eating grass-fed butter or ghee. These are high in CLA (conjugated linoleic acid, a long-chain amino acid that suppresses inflammation and inhibits cancer growth), butyrate (a small-chain amino acid that promotes healthy digestion and energy production and which selectively kills cancer cells and inhibits migration), omega 3’s, and other nutrients which not only help suppress inflammation but reduce cancer risk as well.

Turmeric is typically at the top of the list for calming inflammation, but there are many other anti-inflammatory foods. Below are just a few suggestions:

Turmeric (curcumin)
Broccoli and other cruciferous veggies such as cauliflower, arugula, kale, and brussels sprouts
Organic extra virgin olive oil, avocado and other healthy fats
Lentils
Salmon and other fatty fishes (or a pure omega-3 supplement)
Brazil nuts, almonds, and walnuts
Cooked mushrooms
Root vegetables and winter squash
Tart cherry and pomegranate juices
Ginger, cinnamon, allspice, fenugreek, and cloves
Dark leafy greens (including arugula, microgreens and sprouts)
Coconut oil and other healthy fats
Green juices
Herbs such as parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary, dill, mint, sage, and cilantro
Grass-fed butter and ghee
Nightshades such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant (if they agree with you)
Beans and legumes
Green tea (limit if you have a COMT mutation)

Best to avoid:

conventional meat, dairy, and poultry
processed, fried, and packaged foods
sugar and artificial sweeteners
gluten and most gluten-free flours and products

Remember that good sleep, moderate exercise, and engaging in mind-body therapies such as meditation, yoga (especially restorative and yoga nidra), and sound therapy help reduce stress and dampen down inflammation flare-ups. They have profound anti-inflammatory effects.

If you suffer from joint pains, muscle pains, headaches, fibromyalgia, etc., you may wish to avoid harmful Ibuprofen, Tylenol and other NSAIDS. Replace these with curcumin, T-Relief tablets and safe topical creams such as Topricin and T-Relief whenever possible.

If you’d like more guidance, I’d love to work with you! Check out my “Contact Us” page or email elyn@elynjacobs.com for more details.

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. Elyn specializes in understanding the role of estrogen in breast cancer and debunks the myths associated. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit http://www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

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broccoli and cancer stem cells, broccoli sprounts and sulforaphane, cancer stem cells, COVID-19, DIM, Elyn Jacobs, Glutathione and Cancer, growing your own sprouts, Hamama sprout kits, health benefits of broccoli sprouts, indole 3 Carbinol, lutein and cancer, sulforaphane and cancer, watercress

Broccoli and Watercress Sprouts Fight Cancer

In Alternatives Cancer Treatment, Alternatives to Anti-Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer, Alternatives to Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer, Alternatives to Tamoxifen, Anticancer diet, Anticancer foods, foods for colon cancer, foods for breast cancer, antioxidants, aromatase inhibitors, Books for Cancer Patients, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, cancer stem cells and recurrence, colon cancer, COVID-19, Integrative Oncology, Iodine, Natural Aromatase Inhibitors, prostate cancer, Uncategorized on March 28, 2020 at 9:12 am

[Editor’s note] This post was originally published in February 2017. It has been updated and republished in March 2019

It is well known that cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and watercress contain powerful anticancer compounds. But did you know that eating their respective sprouts can supercharge the health benefits? Sprouts are high in vitamins C, A, and phytonutrients that support the immune system.

In sprout form these little three to four day old plants contain almost 100 times the level of cancer-fighting sulforaphane than the mature plants. The phytonutrients in these sprouts up-regulate antioxidant enzymes and detoxification processes which clear toxic compounds from the body. And, that is just the beginning—read on to find out how sprouts knock the socks off cancer.

What’s in a Sprout

Isothiocyanates (ITCs), such as sulforaphane, are sulfur-containing compounds found in cruciferous vegetables. They support matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity which reduces the breakdown of connective tissue within a cell that impede the expansion of existing tumors. Matrix MMP-9 plays important roles in tumor invasion and angiogenesis. Secretion of MMP-9 has been reported in various cancer types including lung, colon, and breast cancer.

ITCs also kill off cancer cells, including cancer stem cells, which is essential for combating cancer metastases. Isothiocyanates restrain certain pro-inflammatory compounds that are associated with chronic inflammation and cancer.

The ITC sulforaphane helps support the anti-inflammatory Nrf2 pathway which protects cells against oxidative and free radical activity. It supports the detoxification process by inducing Phase 2 detoxification enzymes, inhibiting the activation of pro-carcinogens, and by boosting cellular glutathione levels. Sulforaphane promotes cancer cell death and inhibits cancer cell proliferation. It also supports the immune system and in particular, increases Natural Killer Cell activity.

Sulforaphane also inhibits Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium that increases one’s risk of stomach and colorectal cancer. It is also anti-viral and has been found effective against the Epstein Barr Virus and may be helpful against Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Quercetin, another potent antioxidant highly concentrated in sprouts, is a strong anti-inflammatory and prevents tumor cell growth. It also aids in the removal of excess estrogen from the body — it stimulates liver function to detoxify estrogen and other carcinogenic agents.

Lutein is another powerful antioxidant that neutralizes cancer-causing free radicals (it is also essential for many things, including eye health, protecting against macular degeneration, and for maintaining strong eye tissue). Lutein (and zeaxanthin) may be beneficial to cardio health by preventing hardening of the arteries.

Glutathione has been labeled the ‘mother of all antioxidants” due to its incredible ability to disarm free radicals, detoxify the body, and boost the immune system.

Broccoli Sprouts

broccoli-sprouts Broccoli sprouts are extremely high in cancer fighting activity, particularly against lung, colon, and breast cancers. Compounds in broccoli speed up the removal of estrogen from the body, helping to suppress breast cancer. They also target cancer stem cells, the cells responsible for metastasis.

Broccoli sprouts contain a high amount of the cancer-busting and immune boosting substance sulforaphane. They are also abundant in quercetin, glutathione, beta carotene, indoles, vitamin C, lutein, glucarate, and the metabolic substance DIM, which is a natural aromatase inhibitor.

Broccoli sprouts are rich in cholesterol reducing fiber and have anti-viral and anti-ulcer activity. They are also a super source of chromium that helps regulate insulin and blood sugar.

Watercress Sprouts

Sometimes called peppergrass, watercress is delicious and pungent. It is also one of the most nutrient-dense foods known. It is rich in beta-carotene and other carotenoids, including lutein. Watercress also offers significant quercetin, EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate), flavanols such a kaempferol, lycopene, indole-3 carbinol (13C), sulforaphane, as well as DIM. It is a good source of riboflavin, vitamin C, A and K, calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, and contains trace amounts of omega 3’s. Watercress is one of the best food sources of iodine for vegans.

Watercress also contains a high amount of PEITC (phenylethylisothiocyanate) which has been shown to protect DNA from damage. PEITC reduces the growth of breast cancer cells, triggers apoptosis (cancer cell death), and decreases angiogenesis. It inhibits the growth of HER2 expression as well as cancer metastasis.

PEITC (also found in some other cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli) deactivates mutant p53 in tumor cells but leaves normal p53 alone. P53 regulates cell division by keeping cells from growing and dividing too fast or in an uncontrolled way. A mutation in p53 is a permanent change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA. Loss of p53 function can be deleterious, and about 50% of all human cancers have a mutated p53 gene.

Watercress has antioxidant, antigenotoxic (the process by which chemical agents damage genetic information within a cell causing mutations), and anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies show that a regular intake of watercress has been associated with protection against breast, colon, and other cancers.

Watercress and broccoli affect all stages of cancer: initiation, proliferation, and metastasis. So, what’s not to love about these sprouts? Plus, it is a lot easier to consume a handful of sprouts than it is to down a pound and a half of broccoli or an enormous plate of watercress– which, for example, is the amount it would take to get an equivalent amount of sulforaphane.

Add sprouts to your smoothies; use on sandwiches, on top of pizza, in salads, and as a garnish for soups. I make wonderful gluten-free pizza crusts using cauliflower or garbanzo bean flour, and pile the pizza high with arugula and sprouts just before serving. Yum!

Just a reminder that while eating cruciferous vegetables is a important for overall optimal health, it may support you during the COVID-19 pandemic. Choose to consume cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, radish, and kale). It is necessary to have sufficient iodine in the diet when consuming high quantities (including DIM).

Can’t find sprouts locally or worried about others handling your raw vegetables? Grow your own. You can grow your own sprouts and now it is easier than ever (no changing the water several times a day, just add water to the tray day one and done. Here is my first tray of Hamama salad green sprouts.. Next up are broccoli sprouts. Order your own Hamama sprout kit.

Hamama Salad Green Sprouts

Here is a great book if you wish to learn more about growing your own sprouts: Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening: How to Grow Nutrient-Dense, Soil-Sprouted Greens in Less Than 10 days

Curcera-SGS is an excellent supplement if you cannot find or grow broccoli sprouts.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make better, healthier, non-toxic choices. She emphasizes the critical nature of addressing the root cause of cancer and not just its presenting symptoms (such as the tumor). Elyn specializes in understanding the role of estrogen in breast cancer and debunks the myths associated. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and was creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. Elyn is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and is on the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Contact Elyn via her website. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone or in person.

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DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

You Can Beat Lung Cancer: Using Alternative Interventions

#1 Best Seller on Amazon for Lung Cancer Books

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Air tube headsets for cell phones, antioxidants, antioxidants and EMFs, EMF Health Risks, EMFs and Brain, EMFs and Cancer, Fertility and EMFs, flavonoids and EMF protection, How to safely use a cell phone, RadioProtective clothing, radioprotective foods, radioprotective underwear, radioprotectors, simple solutions for EMFs

Dietary Antioxidants Mitigate the Effects of EMF Radiation on Cancer and Fertility

In Anticancer foods, foods for colon cancer, foods for breast cancer, antioxidants, Cancer, Cancer Coach, Cell Phones, EMF Radiation, EMF's, EMFs and breast cancer, EMFs and Health Risks, Fertility and Sperm Counts, infertility, male infertility, MRI Dangers, Radiation, Uncategorized on February 13, 2020 at 9:15 am

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by cellphones, power lines, wiring, home appliances and cellphones have the potential to cause extensive damage to the human body. They may jeopardize fertility and pregnancy, and could lead to conditions such as cancer.

EMFs can directly act on DNA, proteins and lipids, which can lead to molecular and cellular damage. The result is an increase in free radicals with strong oxidative ability. This can lead to chronic inflammation, tissue degeneration, and necrosis (tissue death), which could lead to cancer and other conditions. Dietary supplements and other interventions may offer significant protection against EMF radiation.

EMFs and Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is associated with more than one hundred diseases and is considered an emerging health risk factor.

Researchers have found that EMF exposure triggers oxidative stress and causes significant changes in levels of blood antioxidant markers. Oxidative stress occurs if the antioxidant defense system is unable to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals. Many studies have revealed the role of oxidative stress in carcinogenesis. Such studies offer clear evidence that oxidative stress plays an important role in chronic inflammation and gene expression, which in turn could result in many chronic diseases, including cancer.[i]

Other conditions oxidative stress is associated with include sleep disruption, arthrosclerosis, diabetes, dizziness, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, nausea, stroke, and lipid peroxidation (which can cause selective alterations in cell signaling, protein and DNA damage).

EMFs and the Brain

There is considerable evidence that EMFs can affect neural functions in the human brain. EMFs have been reported to alter the permeability of the blood-brain-barrier, which may lead to excess accumulation of heavy metals, including iron, in the brain. Fatigue, headache, decreased learning ability, and cognitive impairment are among the symptoms caused by EMFs.

Studies suggest that long-term exposure to low-frequency EMF increases lipid peroxidation in the brain. Lipid peroxidation can lead to significant damage in cells, particularly in the brain (which may be offset by zinc supplementation and keeping devices away from the brain).[ii]

EMFs and Fertility

A study performed by the Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey, and published in the Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastruction, concluded that “exposure to RF-EMF produces increases in testicular proteins in adults that are related to carcinogenic risk and reproductive damage.” The researchers found that exposure to cell phone radiation reduces the motility and morphology of sperm cells. They also reported a “significant increase in fetal abnormalities and spontaneous abortions in pregnant women exposed to EMFs.” [iii]

Carrying phones in your pocket or on your belt exposes your reproductive organs to powerful EMF radiation. Using a laptop on your lap or getting too close to one or your computer may also cause harm.

If you are pregnant, you may be putting your unborn child at risk by exposing him or her to EMF radiation.

Belly Armor Blanket

There is no longer any doubt that electromagnetic fields generated by cellphones, clock radios, computers, power lines, MRIs, Wi-Fi routers, wiring, and home appliances pose health risks, including the risk of cancer.

Belly Armor makes a wonderful blanket you can put on your lap to protect your baby. It works well a a barrier between you and your laptop and even between you and your hard drive (or other sources of EMFs) even if you are not pregnant or hoping to be so.

Lambs makes boxer beanies and briefs with something they call WaveStopper, a silver-lining technology that apparently blocks 99% of cellphone and WiFi radiation. For a 15% discount on Lambs radio-protective underwear or beanies, use this LINK and the code ElynJacobs.

Flavonoids, Antioxidants, and Physical Interventions

Flavonoids and antioxidants may offer protection of DNA, prevent scavenging free radicals, and may protect against auto-immune damage and cancer. They may also protect the hematopoietic system and reduce inflammation. Excitingly, flavonoids and antioxidants have not only a radioprotective effect, but also anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Some simple recommendations include consuming flavonoids (such as in berries, apples, tea, citrus fruits, red wine) and antioxidants such as vitamins C, E (mixed tocopherols), as well as gingko biloba, curcumin, lycopene, and melatonin. Cruciferous vegetables and garlic are also good radioprotectors. For more radioprotective foods please read Simple Solutions for EMFs.

Important note for those whose cancer protocol requires you to avoid antioxidants. For you (and all), my best advice is to avoid and/or protect yourself with physical barriers (such as those shown above), and avoid x-rays, PET scans and CT scans unless absolutely necessary.

EMF exposure intensity decreases as you increase your distance from the object that’s sending out waves. Therefore, first and foremost, put some distance between you and your technology. Always use speaker phone or air-tube headsets when using cellular devices. But certainly, antioxidant-rich foods and dietary supplements offer significant defense against EMF radiation exposure.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Protect yourself, your fertility, and your children from EMF radiation. Shield yourself from cancer-promoting EMF radiation.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer, but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Follow Elyn on Facebook

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[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990475/

[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16434836

[iii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6025786/#__ffn_sectitle

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5G protection, Anticancer diet, Brussels Sprouts, Cell Phone radiation and cancer, estrogen receptors, Indole-3 carbinol benefits, Natural Alternatives to Aromatase Inhibitors, natural alternatives to Tamoxifen, sulforaphane and cancer

Cancer-Fighting Brussels Sprouts with Pistachios

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, antioxidants, aromatase inhibitors, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, Cell Phones, colon cancer, Cononavirus, EMF Radiation, EMFs and breast cancer, EMFs and Health Risks, inflammation, prostate cancer, Radiation, Tamoxifen, Uncategorized on February 5, 2020 at 5:08 pm

Brussels sprouts are nutritious and delicious. A member of the cruciferous (aka brassicas) family, they offer several health benefits. Most notably, Brussels sprouts are powerful anti-cancer powerhouses.

Anticancer Benefits of Brussels Sprouts

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other sources, compounds in Brussels sprouts have powerful anticancer, antioxidant, anti-estrogen, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties.[i] This is due to their high content of glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds that have been widely studied for their health benefits.

Diets rich in cruciferous vegetables have been found to inhibit and slow cancer growth in many cancer-cell lines, including breast, prostate, colorectal, esophageal, liver and lymphoma. Researchers attribute the benefits to the glycosinolates in Brussels, particularly sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Notably, these glucosinolates help detoxify and eliminate cancer-causing free-radicals in the body. Sulforaphane promotes cancer cell death and inhibits cancer cell proliferation. It also supports the immune system and in particular, increases Natural Killer Cell activity.

Specific to breast cancer, studies show that Indole 3 carbinol helps to block estrogen receptors and restore receptor site expression to normal levels.[ii] It may act as a natural aromatase inhibitor and mimic tamoxifen or perhaps even perform more anti-cancer benefits than tamoxifen.

How to Enjoy Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are still in season now, but you won’t see them for long. While available in many areas year-round, the peak season is from September to mid-February. Look for smooth, unblemished, small heads. Sprouts with spots of signs of withering may be past their prime will taste slightly musty and contain fewer nutrients. For maximum freshness, look for Brussels in your local farmer’s market.

Boiling is not really the best option for cooking brussels sprouts as the cancer-fighting glucosinolates are water-soluble and may be lost in the cooking water. Further, high heat may decrease the bioavailability of the sulforaphane in brussels sprouts. Certainly, I do not recommend microwaving.

The following recipe involves a low-heat method that preserves their great nutty flavor and bright color, but also the anticancer benefits of Brussel sprouts.

Brussels Sprouts with Pistachios

Brussels Sprouts with Pistachios

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons coconut oil

1 medium red onion or 2 small red onions or shallots

1-pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed

1/2 cup shelled unsalted pistachios

2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Separate outer leaves of the sprouts and reserve; thinly slice the inner core pieces
Heat oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add onions or shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes
Add the sliced inner core pieces of the sprouts and cook for 5 additional minutes, until soft
Add the sprout leaves and pistachios, and sauté until leaves begin to soften, but retain their bright color, about 3 minutes
Add the lemon juice and season to taste with fine-ground Celtic sea salt and fresh pepper
Serve and enjoy

Heart-healthy pistachios are rich in nutrients, a good source of protein, and packed with antioxidants. Onions are another anticancer powerhouse.

Don’t enjoy Brussels sprouts or out of season? You can take sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol in supplements.

Buy Indole-3 Carbinol HERE

Buy Sulforaphane HERE

Like DIM, indole-3-carbinol is also known to be radioprotective, making it essential in today’s toxic world of technology. To read about more radioprotectors, click HERE.

For more information on Cancer-Fighting Crucifers, please click HERE.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer, but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.

Warning: Cruciferous vegetables are rich in vitamin K, so if you have special dietary needs, speak with your doctor. If you have hypothyroidism or any other condition that suggests you should avoid Brussels spouts, consult with your doctor.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

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[i] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/cruciferous-vegetables-fact-sheet; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2737735/

[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11110848

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choices for breast cancer, declining aromatase inhibitors, declining chemotherapy, declining radiotherapy for breast cancer, EBV and breast cancer, Elyn Jacobs Cancer Coach, Elyn Jacobs Cancer Story, Integrative Oncology, Natural Alternatives to Aromatase Inhibitors, natural alternatives to Tamoxifen, root cause of cancer, stage 3 breast cancer, Templeton Wellness Foundation

Options for Breast Cancer: Making the Best Choice for YOU

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives to Anti-Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer, Alternatives to Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer, Alternatives to Tamoxifen, Anticancer foods, foods for colon cancer, foods for breast cancer, antioxidants, aromatase inhibitors, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, EMFs and breast cancer, EMFs and Health Risks, Energy Healers, Epstein-Barr Virus, Estrogen, Estrogen and Breast Cancer, Healing Cancer Naturally, High Dose Vitamin C and Cancer, Integrative Oncology, Mind Body Therapies for Cancer, Natural Alternatives to Aromatase Inhibitors, Radiation, Radiotherapy for breast cancer, Tamoxifen, Uncategorized on January 23, 2020 at 2:48 pm

If you don’t know your options (for breast cancer) you don’t have any. That is my motto, and I can’t tell you how important it is to take control of your treatment plan. It is imperative that you make informed choices, not fear-based choices for your breast cancer.

In October, 2014 I found that my previously stage 1 cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. I was subsequently diagnosed as stage 3 (ER+). I have told this story before, but am sharing it again as I want people to know there are many paths to healing breast cancer.

Importantly, there are many reasons why people get cancer and why it returns. Resolving those reasons can make all the difference in survival.

Declining Chemo and Radiation

My choice does not necessarily have to be your choice. I was fortunate that I had a holistically-minded oncologist who supported my choices. A world-renowned integrative oncologist, he believed healing cancer often required both Eastern and Western medicine. This typically involved conventional methods used alongside holistic mind-body therapies, supplements, dietary changes, and more. Most of all, like me, he believed getting to the reason for the cancer is a major part of treating it.

Given my new diagnosis, my oncologist was legally compelled to recommend chemotherapy. I know that if had chosen the conventional chemo (or even the low dose chemo he suggested after I declined traditional chemo) it would have been a reasonable option. I know that if I had chosen it, he would have done everything he could to make the treatment work better with less negative effects.

That said, it did not resonate with me. Part of that came from my mother dying not so much from her cancer, but from the treatment (he was not her doctor). The rest came from my innate feeling that it was not right for me, and that it would not resolve the reason for my recurrence. My oncologist agreed that chemo was not necessarily the best option for me. He said was glad that I opted out of radiotherapy, and supported my choice to skip the aromatase inhibitors. He offered a few other options, but none seemed to resonate with me. I will forever be grateful for his support.

My Choices for Breast Cancer

Instead of the options presented, I chose a protocol put together from my years of research and conference attendance, leaning on input from my oncologist and an alternative doctor friend of mine. I do believe that most of us have more to learn than we will ever know, and the experience has only strengthened my ability to help my clients through their cancer.

You can read about my protocol HERE. A major part of my healing (and most likely one of the major reasons for the recurrence) was resolving past emotional traumas, which you can read about HERE.

Read about natural alternatives to aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen HERE.

To listen to me talk with the Templeton Wellness Foundation about my choices, click HERE.

Goals for Healing:

Don’t be fooled that your own estrogen is the reason for your breast cancer (it plays a role, but not the lead).
Target viruses such as Epstein Barr, which plays a significant role in breast cancer (and you may not realize you have it)
Clean house: remove toxic products and people from your life
Eat clean without deprivation
Take targeted supplements
Resolve the traumas that are getting in the way of your healing and may well be at the root cause of your breast cancer
Avoid EMFs and take protective measures; for recommendations, click HERE
Believe you can and will heal–the power of the mind is incredible!
Walk in nature; soak up the positive vibes and the sun
Live, laugh, love and smile!
If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any

You have many options for healing from breast cancer. I implore you to be informed and make educated, confident choices. Know that there are many natural substances that can make conventional therapies work better and with less toxicity. You can read about these on my Shop page. To schedule a consult, please click HERE.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer, but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Elyn on LinkedIn

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antioxidants and cancer, cancer biomarkers, Cancer Coaching, Glutathione and Cancer, heavy metals and cancer, heavy metals and Epstein Barr, Integrative Oncology, NAC and Cancer, oxidative stress and cancer, reducing KI67, reducing MCT4, shrinking cancer tumors, zeolites and cancer

Two Powerful Anticancer Substances and Why YOU Should Consider Them

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives Cancer Treatment, antioxidants, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, colon cancer, Healing Cancer Naturally, Integrative Oncology, prostate cancer, Uncategorized on January 9, 2020 at 4:25 pm

Killing tumor cells is not the only factor in treating cancer. The ultimate goal should be making the lives of cancer patients as long and high-quality as possible–something that is often over-looked. Integrative oncologists utilize many natural substances to improve the efficacy and mitigate the negative effects of cancer treatments. However, not everyone has access to integrative oncology. But there are many easily affordable substances you can add to your protocol. Two I will speak of today are N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and the lesser known Zeolites.

NAC is a protein that the body uses to boost levels of the master antioxidant glutathione, which helps protect against free radicals and toxins. NAC has been found to reduce the aggressiveness of cancer and inhibit the spread of cancer cells.

Research published in the journal Seminars in Oncology by a team at the School of Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Salford in the United Kingdom discovered that NAC helps prevent the growth of cancer cells by depriving them of proteins that are important for their survival. NAC also has powerful antioxidant properties, which means that it can reduce cell damage caused by oxidative stress. The team identified high levels of oxidative stress in the stromal cells of tumors. They explained that when the stromal cells are exposed to oxidative stress, they release substances (nutrients) that cancer cells need to survive.[iii] Theoretically, the antioxidant properties of NAC would then help to starve the cancer cells of these nutrients.

To test their theory, they studied the effect of NAC on several key biomarkers of cancer aggressiveness in breast cancer patients. What they found was that NAC reduced the cell replication index KI67 by 25% and levels of MCT4 by 80%! These biomarkers are linked to aggressive cancer behavior and poor overall survival.

The researchers used a combination of intravenous NAC alternating with oral NAC 600 (one, twice daily). Oral NAC is widely available, but you can buy it HERE.

Zeolites are natural minerals that come from volcanoes. More specifically, they are formed as a result of a chemical reaction between the molten lava and thick ash and the salt from the sea.

Zeolites are best known as chelating molecules, helping to remove heavy minerals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and aluminum from the body. This is important as these toxins are implicated in a variety of cancers, and seem to fuel the Epstein Barr Virus, which in itself is involved in most cancers.[i]

However, as it turns out, zeolites are also very good at shrinking tumors and halting the growth the growth of tumors. Zeolite activity against cancer involves the activation of the tumor suppressor gene P21, which controls cell-cycle progression.[ii]

An easy way to take Zeolite is with this spray or in this powdered form.

While not stand-alone treatments for cancer, NAC and Zeolites can be part of an inexpensive, non-toxic way to stop cancer processes. Always discuss supplements with your doctor to be sure they are synergistic with your treatment plan.

For more cancer-fighting substances, please visit the Alternative and Shop pages on my website.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer, but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Elyn on LinkedIn

[i] https://elynjacobs.com/2018/01/22/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-epstein-barr-virus-and-cancer/

[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11434724

[iii]https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320127.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-us#1

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antioxidants, BPA, BPA and fertility, BPA and Sperm count, BPA and sperm quality, BPF, BPS, Broccoli detoxes BPA, cell phones and fertility, EMF, EMFs and low sperm quality, flavonoids and EMF protection, heat and low sperm count, low sperm count, male infertility, Oxidative stress, Phthalates, Phthalates and sperm, ROS, semen

Male Infertility on the Rise from Cell Phone Use and Environmental Toxins

In antioxidants, Cell Phones, EMF's, EMFs and Health Risks, Fertility and Sperm Counts, infertility, inflammation, male infertility, Radiation, Uncategorized on November 18, 2019 at 8:39 am

It is impossible to envision a guy today who does not use a cellphone, laptop, or other device with Wi-Fi function. We know that these devises lead to the development of several types of cancer, but did you know that they can also impact fertility? Did you also know that endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates can compromise male fertility?

What used to be mostly a female issue, fertility has now become a crisis for men as well. Some studies show it is a factor in 30-40% of infertility issues. While men create millions of new sperm daily, it is the quality of sperm that is at risk. To fertilize an egg, a man needs to be able to make healthy sperm and deliver it.

Sadly, the quality of sperm has diminished greatly in the past. A joint study done by Hebrew University and Mount Sinai medical school found that sperm counts have fallen by more than 50 percent in the last 40 years. What that means is that men are almost have as fertile as their grandfathers were.

The issue is complicated as there could be many underlying causes of declining sperm counts. Cell phones, smoking, alcohol consumption, oral contraceptives (contaminating tap water), and endocrine disruptors such as BPA, and phthalates are some of the most common.

Researchers performed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women’s Health, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, agree that isolating cell phone EMFs from other environmental factors will be a challenge going forward for infertility doctors and their patients. (Incidentally, they too acknowledge that the EMFs can enhance the excitability of the brain and have been classified as carcinogenic).[i]

Modern life could be the answer to the question of fertility — cell phone use, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, inactivity, stress, and environmental toxins all play a role. A 2013 study found that 20 hours of TV [or computer games] weekly may reduce sperm count by a whopping 50%, while 15 or more hours of moderate to vigorous exercise weekly may boost sperm count.[ii]

But of all of these, the hardest to deal with, are EMFs from various devices and exposures and toxins in the environment –specifically endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in things such as BPA and phthalates.

BPA and Phthalates

Chemicals such as BPA mimic estrogen and can interfere with hormones such as testosterone. Found in plastics, paper products, and cash register receipts, BPA may be rewiring the male reproductive system, eroding sperm quality and quantity and even contributing to testicular disorders.

While not as detrimental to sperm as BPA, phthalates are also a problem. A review of various studies by the National Institute of Public Health confirmed “that phthalates cause diminished sperm count, increased frequency of abnormal spermatozoa and DNA damage in germ cells, especially after chronic exposure.”[iii]

EMFs

Some of the Research on Cell Phone and Infertility:

In 2008, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that the use of cell phones by men is associated with decreased fertility. The researchers found a decrease in sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology, all of which impact fertility.[iv]
2010 research by the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University determined “that long-term exposure to mobile phone radiation leads to reduction in serum testosterone levels. Testosterone is a primary male gender hormone and any change in the normal levels may be devastating for reproductive and general health.”[v]
In 2012, Dr. Devra Davis, PhD, MPH and author of Disconnect: The Truth about Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family, spoke at the Integrative healthcare Symposium in NYC. She shocked all of us, including doctors and nurses, with evidence-based information regarding the dangers of cellphone on male fertility and various cancers. (Notably, her book was sold out at the conference). She commented that in Israel, there were signs over the urinals suggesting that men take their phones out of their pockets to protect future generations. For more on EMFs from the conference, read my recap.
For Disconnect, Davis interviewed numerous top researchers in the field, including Om P. Gandhi, who studied how cell phones affect the brain, and Franz Adlkofer, who studied how it affects DNA. She also pointed out that men who keep cell phones turned on in their pockets for hours a day have fewer sperm with more deformities. Davis referenced the work of Harvard trained Ashok Agarwal, who has written more than four hundred peer-reviewed articles. He found that men with the lowest sperm counts were significantly more likely to keep their phones on their bodies all the time, usually in their pockets. He also reported that those who reported using a phone for four hours or more had the lowest and sickliest sperm counts, and that sperm exposed to the highest levels of cell phone radiation had the most deformities and the worst swimming abilities.

2014 research found a direct correlation between cell phone radiation exposure, decreased sperm motility and DNA-fragmentation.[vi] DNA fragmentation within sperm can increase the risk of failed conception or miscarriage. Decreased sperm motility inhibits the ability of sperm to move and ‘swim’ property toward and egg. Decreased morphology refers to the size and shape of sperm. As morphology declines or deteriorates, there is less opportunity to fertilize an egg. The researchers recommend that one avoid holding a mobile device in one’s pants pocket. It only makes sense to keep one’s laptop off their lap.
Another 2014 study published in Progress in Biological Sciences commented that EMFs can damage sex organs and cause hormonal disorders. The confirmed that microwave radiation affects various tissues via induction of heat generation and temperature rise, particularly problematic for males as the testes are more temperature sensitive.[vii]
2015 research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction determined that low frequency electromagnetic fields long-term exposure significantly reduces sperm motility and testosterone levels.[viii]
2018 research concluded that EMFs may induce oxidative stress with an increased level of reactive oxygen species, which may negatively affect sperm quality and may lead to infertility.[ix]

Reducing Cell Phone Risk

As evidence mounts for the danger cellphone usage to the brain, many men have resorted to using radiation-free headsets with their phones stored in their pockets. This is not a good idea, raising concerns of equally damaging responses to the gonads. The particular concerns are a focus on apoptosis of reproductive cells, fertility status, and serum reproductive hormones. It certainly raises concerns for cancer risk below the belt.

Clearly, we can take our phones out of our pockets to minimize exposure. When not in use, phones should be turned OFF or on airplane mode. If trying to conceive, avoid saunas and of course, do not place heat-source objects such as cellphone and laptops near your privates. READ MORE HERE.

If you must put your laptop on your lap, find a good radiation shield, or borrow your mates’ radiation-blocking belly blanket (good gift for her once pregnant).

However, food helps and it helps a lot. Eating fresh mint, blueberries, flax seed and other radio-protectors offer some protection. Supplements can also be helpful. Mixed tocopherols (such as those found in the right kind of vitamin E), carotenoids, melatonin, vitamin C, NAC, curcumin, resveratrol, and flavonoids such as soy, astragalus, apigenin, and propolis have been found to interrupt the inflammatory cascade initiated by EMFs and cellular radiation exposure. (For brand recommendations, click on the highlighted supplement).

For more radio-protectors, please read: Simple Solutions for EMF Radiation Protection

lambs 2 Protect your privates. A company called Lambs makes boxer briefs with something they call WaveStopper, a silver-lining technology that apparently blocks 99% of cellphone and WiFi radiation. For a 15% discount on Lambs radio-protective underwear, use this LINK and the code ElynJacobs. For more radio-protective recommendations, please read my articles on 5G and radio-protectors.

Reducing Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors Such as BPA

Use glass for storage instead of plastic dishes and plastic wrap. Do not touch cash register receipts. Use non-toxic cleaning and personal care items.

Detox plastics every day. Eat one or two servings daily of cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, kale, arugula, Brussels sprouts) as they speed up detoxification. Supplements such as Indolplex and calcium d’ glucarate give detox an extra boost.

Beware of BPA-Free plastics. Importantly, bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) are often used as a replacement for BPA, but so far studies show that they also significantly reduce testosterone levels.[x]

It is also wise to limit take-out food orders which are typically packaged in plastic dishes or in pizza boxes lined with PFAS, harmful chemicals found in non-stick cookware, fire retardants, dental floss, furniture, and water-proof and fire-protective clothing.

Your Health at Risk

An article written by Bryan Walsh, published in Newsweek, Male Infertility Crisis in U.S. Has Experts Baffled, presented powerful information on the topic of male fertility. Walsh detailed the various lifestyle choices and environmental toxins such as BPA that are dramatically reducing sperm counts. The eerie thing is that it appears that low sperm counts may lead to premature death, even among men in the prime of their lives who might seem otherwise healthy.

He quoted Hagai Levine, researcher at the Hebrew University and former chief epidemiologist for the Israel Defense Forces, “The constant production of new sperm cells makes semen highly sensitive to toxins and disease, making it an ideal surrogate for male health—’like blood pressure,’ as Louis puts it—beyond what it might signal for fertility. Poor sperm levels and infertility are a clear sign that men’s health is failing.

One 2015 study found that men diagnosed with infertility have a higher risk of developing health issues like heart disease, diabetes and alcohol abuse, while another connected infertility to cancer. ‘Semen quality isn’t just about a couple getting pregnant,’ says Louis. “There is increasing evidence at the population level that men with diminished semen quality die earlier and have more chronic diseases. This is as important to health as any disease state.

Sperm count decline is the canary in the coal mine says Levine. ‘There is something very wrong in the environment.’ Which means there may be something very wrong with men. “[xii]

While I do agree there is something very wrong in the environment, I don’t agree on the issue of direct increased risk of poor health, or that there is something very wrong with men. It is more likely a reflection of poor lifestyle habits and an accumulation of toxins that are affecting both sperm and overall health. EMFs , phthalates, and BPA clearly pose significant health risks. For example, phthalates deplete zinc, which could lead to conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and accelerated aging.

That said, it is important that everyone understands the seriousness of the accumulation of EMFs, plastics, and other toxins in the body. Your health depends on on avoiding and clearing your body of these toxins. I recommend everyone follow a detox protocol and use caution with cell phones and other EMF sources.

What You Can Do Now

Don’t smoke or take drugs (even over the counter can affect sperm quality)
Limit or avoid alcohol
Manage stress
Stay active, avoid sitting too long, and maintain a healthy weight
Stay cool; avoid saunas, tight clothing, and placing heat-source objects such as cell phones and laptops near your privates
Avoid exposure to pesticides, plastics, heavy metals, and other environmental toxins (which includes takeout containers, pizza boxes, and even most dental floss)
Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, etc), which help to detox plastics
Eat a colorful diet, full of fruits and vegetables
Consider Indolplex and calcium d’ glucarate, which detox plastic and other toxins (click on the links for brand recommendations)
Consider Bee Propolis, which contains the flavonoid chrysin, which is believed to block estrogen and increase testosterone; bee propolis also reduces the inflammatory response from EMF exposure
Re-read Simple Solutions for EMF Radiation Protection and the supplement recommendations above

If you are looking forward to having children, I suggest you see your doctor. S/he will likely send you for a semen analysis. However, in order to get an accurate assessment, you may have to repeat the test several times. This can be expensive and time consuming (plus some men are less inclined to visit the doctor for fertility issues). There is an at-home test kit called TRAK, that men can use to evaluate their sperm levels.

Life is a journey, just be sure that journey is on-course for a healthy life.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer, but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.

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[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309987/

[ii] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/tv-viewing-exercise-habits-may-significantly-affect-sperm-count/

[iii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27546318; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4879116/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4679188/ (BPA links)

[iv] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17482179

[v] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20714683

[vi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4074720/

[vii] https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_50306_42f28ca1fe751b63fc3da41feab4821d.pdf

[viii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2305050015000044

[ix] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6240172/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6250044/