elynjacobs

Posts Tagged ‘Cancer Coach Elyn Jacobs’

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A Summers Bounty Against Cancer: A Summer’s Red Delight

In Uncategorized on July 19, 2013 at 9:22 pm

My herb garden is one of the highlights of summer. I tend to it like I do my children. In fact, I send my children out there to have “salad” before dinner. They love to pick and eat the tender leaves and I love that it makes them happy…..and that makes me happy.

I use herbs in most everything I cook. I love a bruised kale salad topped with one or two runny eggs cooked with herbs and a sprinkle of cayenne; the perfect dinner. The chives, tarragon, thyme, mint and basil nearly jump off the plate to my taste buds.

herb garden twoOnce again, I remind you of the anti-cancer benefits of herbs; but for today, I share with you a recipe I concocted. A dear friend of mine brought me some red beets from her garden.  Red beets are delicious and nutritious.  They have phytonutrients called betalains that provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. My younger son loves beets; I love them too.  I made some plain for him; huge hit. With the rest, I made a red beet/red cabbage salad using various herbs from my garden; absolutely delicious. To the best of my recollection, here is the recipe:

Red Beet and Red Cabbage Salad

One to two bunches small red beets–boiled or roasted, skin on; allow to cool until comfortably handled; slide off skins and chop

¼ of a small head read cabbage, sliced thin and chopped small
Dill, parsley, sage and chives, chopped….heavier on the parsley, but all to taste (I would say a few strands of chives, one sage leaf, a few tablespoons of parsley and a few sprigs of dill will do it…
White Balsamic Vinegar (okay, this could be critical–I used Arlotta’s which is amazing)
Organic olive oil….lemon infused if you can find it (again, I used Arlotta, but then I get it at the local farm stand)
Toss and add salt and pepper to taste, but you just might not need either
Enjoy!!!

For more summer recipes, please visit Cancer fighting Farm-Stand Recipes

Elyn

http://www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

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

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, keynote speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

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Muscling up Against Disease: Cellular Memory and Your Health

In Uncategorized on July 15, 2013 at 7:37 pm

Every cell in your body holds hundreds of pages of information which characterizes who you are. Your cells contain DNA which is the blueprint of your body–DNA you inherited as well as your very own memories. Your cells remember and hold all the information from your past right up to the present and are constantly updating this information. This cellular memory retains information on all levels of your being, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

When you go through a traumatic experience, your body suppresses the overwhelming situation by storing the memory in your cells, and you can carry these memories with you for your entire lifetime. You may be holding onto negative memories that go right back to when you were a child. Each time you experience the same negative emotions your cellular memory is activated and you experience the same anxiety response as when you first lived through the experience. If your body and spirit are not strong enough, the body will break down and never recover; the result being the development of cancer.

My oncologist spoke of this to me; he had me trace my life back to my childhood.  He said likely something had happened to me—some suppressed trauma that is the cause of my cancer.  I remember being surprised, but since then have developed a better understanding.

Breast cancer, for example, is often the result of abuse or neglect on the part of a male figure, particularly if it presents on the right side. For the left, something maternal.  Ovarian cancer is often the symptom that presents when a woman has selflessly given up a significant passion for the benefit of others, typically family. Constant conflict, guilt and shame, can easily paralyze the body’s most basic functions and lead to the growth of a cancerous tumor. Cancer can also be the response of the negative emotions stemming from resentment and anger.  “A Leap of Faith”, the 1980’s true-story movie about Debbie Ogg, is a great example.  Once Debbie was able to resolve the suppressed resentment and anger from the traumatic sickness and death of her mother, she was able to heal from her “incurable” Lymphoma.

The most common emotional wounds that can manifest as serious physical disease are abuse, rejection, abandonment, humiliation, betrayal and injustice. Some people have endured a number or combination of these wounds. The take-home is that any physical problem is a manifestation of dis-ease on psychological and/or emotional levels.

If we want to cure our cancer, we must find the cause of our cancer. If we don’t find the cause of our cancer, and merely treat the symptoms (such as the tumor), we have a strong chance that it may recur.

It’s Not Just About the Mind….

Cellular memory can also help us find the physical root causes of illness and its contributors with the use of applied kinesiology (muscle testing). I was curious about this so I consulted with Mike Carey, who has been doing muscle testing for many years and has used cellular memory and the electricity of the body to determine the cause and the natural remedy for many illnesses.  Working with Mike, I discovered that I had heavy metal toxicity and that some common herbs might correct the imbalances that have been making me sick and causing me great pain.  Just one week after starting my remedies, my liver toxicity and heavy metal poisoning were gone; the pain in my hands I have had for over ten years had subsided–two weeks later and the pain is pretty much gone.  With the pain, goes some illness-supporting inflammation. For the full story: Cellular Memory and Your Health.  

Deep down I know that there were many contributors to my demise, so as I like to be proactive about my health, I take it on from all angles.

Most of us have a complicated soup that created a cancer-friendly environment.  Be it trauma, heavy metals or something else, again, we need to find the root cause of our cancer.  A poor diet, one that is devoid of nutrients, does not in itself cause cancer, but it leaves us defenseless.  My best advice is to change the cancer environment—uncover and resolve the causes of our cancer and move on to a life of wellness.  And, please….eat your vegetables.

MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER:  Reading the information in this post does not constitute a physician-patient relationship. The information included in this post is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice nor a cure for cancer. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding a medical condition or any treatments.

Elyn
http://www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com
~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, keynote speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

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Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

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Are Your Headphones An EMF Health Risk?

In Uncategorized on April 25, 2013 at 5:32 pm

EMF’s are silent and invisible killers; they are sneaky as we can’t hear or see them.  However, the danger is very real.  I know I have spoken about this before, but recently I started fretting over all the technology our children are using.  They have cell phones, iPads, iPods and laptops.  They use them at home and at school.  When I was a child, these things did not exist.  We had a few TV’s in our house and a phone on the wall.  Things are different now; we live in an electronic world.

Do we know for sure that radiation kills?  Nope, but then, do you really want to wait for proof?  Will a dramatic rise in brain tumors give us proof?  I’d prefer not to be involved in that statistic and I sure as heck don’t want my children to.

We have gotten our laptops off our laps and purchased retro handsets for our phones.  But, what about headphones…are they good or bad? If you connect your headphones to anything WiFi, there is a potential EMF issue with the wire in the headphones acting like an antenna, and directing the radio frequency radiation into your brain.  I contacted Lloyd Burrell, an expert on the subject, as I needed some answers.

This post was updated March, 2018.

Enjoy the following post by Lloyd Burrell…things will be much clearer and wired.

Telecommunications towerElectromagnetic fields, now there’s a word. It’s a term that gets bantered around by the media more and more every day. And for good reason too. According to some experts our exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is now billions of times higher than it was when the earth was created. Yes, I did say billions of times higher.

So what, I hear you say EMFs are safe, right?  No. EMFs are not safe.

Remember how not that long ago we were told that cigarettes were safe. Then bit-by-bit it all came out in the wash. It turns out smoking cigarettes isn’t safe at all, it causes coronary heart disease, lung cancer, stomach cancer, kidney cancer, respiratory disease and a long list of other very serious diseases.

What’s the evidence that EMFs are not safe? The BioInitiative Report 2012, the work of 29 independent scientists and health experts from 10 countries, found overwhelming scientific evidence of health risks from wireless devices and other forms of EMF.

In their initial report published in 2007 BioInitiative Working Group concluded, “that the existing public safety limits are inadequate for both ELF [extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields] and RF [radio frequency radiation].”

The 2012 BioInitiative Report went even further. Over twenty-one chapters the 2012 report assessed 1800 new research papers (from 2006 to 2011). According to David O. Carpenter, MD co-editor of the Report “there is now much more evidence of risks to health affecting billions of people world-wide. The status quo is not acceptable in light of the evidence for harm.”

Also lets not forget the World Health Organization (WHO) recent classification of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as a Group 2B possible carcinogenic. This ruling was based on a perceived increased risk for glioma associated with cell phone use.

Are the dangers of EMFs as bad as the dangers of smoking cigarettes? No. They are much worse. You see EMFs are everywhere, more and more. Particularly since the advent of wireless technology. More cell phones, means more cell towers, means more radiation (aka EMFs).

And its not just cell phones and cell towers the problem. EMF exposures from cordless phones, ‘smart meters’, WI-FI, wireless laptops, wireless routers, baby monitors, and similar electronic devices and from power lines, electrical wiring and other appliances all add to the toxic mix. Its not like cigarettes, there’s virtually no escaping these EMF exposures.

How come nobody seems to know about these dangers? There are lots of reasons. EMFs are invisible; you can’t see, smell, touch or taste them. They are silent killers, easily ignored especially when our governments and institutions that are supposed to protect us, say they are safe. The problem is if it were ever to ‘get out’ about the dangers of EMFs it would upset the apple cart. The companies that are involved in making and selling these technologies would be hit badly. Perhaps a bigger obstacle is that many peoples way of life is now built around these devices. It’s socially acceptable to have a cell phone and be contactable 24/7. For some employers, it’s a condition of employment.

What about EMFs from headphones? Studies indicate that the health effects of EMFs are cumulative. Anything electrical emits EMFs, that includes headphones. Are these exposures high? The way to test your exposures is with an EMF meter. Typically the EMFs are not particularly high. BUT there are two important factors; proximity of the EMF source to the body and length of exposure. Headphones are worn very close to the body (in the ear) and many people wear them for long periods of time.

Are these dangers real? Yes, but just how significant they are is very difficult to say. Some headphones are more dangerous than others. You’re better off using a wired headset than a wireless one. Typically wireless headsets use Bluetooth. That means you are also exposing yourself to radio frequency radiation, another form of EMF.

Also it depends what your headphones are connected to. If they are connected to your cell phone and you are taking calls using a wired headset your exposure could be significant. A conventional headset uses a wire cable. Wire has metal in it. This metal conducts the radiation coming from your cell phone allowing it to travel up the wire and into your head.

What about just listening to music on your cell phone. If the music is downloaded onto your phone this is safer. But if you are streaming, then again your EMF exposures could be significant.

One way of reducing your exposure is to use an air tube headset. An air tube headset uses hollow air tubes to conduct the sound from your cell phone using “sound waves”. The manufacturer claims a 98% reduction in the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that reach your head.

Note from the editor: Lloyd also recommends you hard wire your laptop if you are using head phones while listening to music or YouTube clips.   Better yet, whenever possible, hard wire your laptop, period.  Consider your laptop to be nothing more than a convenient way to take your work along.

About the author:

Since falling prey to a violent reaction to his cell phone in 2002 Lloyd Burrell has spent over 10 years researching the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on health. He now offers tips and guidance on how to live a healthy life in our increasingly electromagnetic world.

You can download his free EMF Protection Health Report and subscribe to his newsletter by visiting his website http://www.electricsense.com/. You can also follow him on Facebook , Twitter and Youtube.

Remedies for Cell Phone Safety: 

BIO-SMART-DUOEnergy Dots — Feeling tired for no apparent reason? Suffering from nagging, dull headaches? It could be EMF-related. Protect yourself from radiation and increase your energy levels. I recommend the duo pack bioDOT-smartDOT, as it includes a self-adhesive bioDOT and a self-adhesive smartDOT.  Wear the bioDOT to strengthen and support your energy.  Stick the smartDOT to your mobile to retune the toxic emissions.  Use the two to protect yourself from EMF exposure.

Cell phone radiation exposure increases when using wired hands-free

Radiation-Free-Air-Tube-Headset-Stereo-Blue1-1024x706

EchoTubeZ® radiation free air tube headset

headsets. EchoTubeZ® radiation free air tube headset blocks 98% of your cell phones radiation emission to your head. Use this code for 10% off on all orders: MHPQMWSMS4KS.  Offer expires 11/30/2018

Native Union Retro POP Phone – Blue Soft Touch (other colors available)

EMF Relief – Deluxe Radiation Free Headset: AIR Tube Patent with Microphone, Black Metal

Earthing Universal Mat with Cover Kit

For more information:

How to Protect Yourself From EMF Radiation

Cell Phone Radiation Dangers

Cell Phones and Cancer—The Absence of Evidence is Not Evidence of Absence

Can Cell Phones Cause Cancer, Infertility; Are Our Children at Risk?

Affiliate Links Disclosure:
Some product links on some posts are affiliate links. This website is monetized in part through the use of 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!

Elyn

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

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more, and is a columnist for Natural Healing-Natural Wellness. She has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys. Contact Elyn at http://www.elynjacobs.com.

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Healing Cancer: One Note at a Time

In Uncategorized on April 20, 2013 at 8:22 pm

Yesterday I had the pleasure of a visit to my oncologist.  No, there is no sarcasm there, he’s great. Visits with Dr Gaynor often last over an hour, and post-examination and after a lengthy conversation about mental and physical health, I am often treated to a meditative session of healing sound.  In this session, I was lost and at peace at the beach; the waves coursing through my body and leaving with my stress and worries; healing light entering and cancer cells washing away.

beach waves for gaynor

Dr Gaynor is a longtime promoter of the healing power of sound, and in fact authored a book as such.  The Healing Power of Sound will soon be out in E-form.   He has been implementing sound and music therapy as a part of his treatment protocol for over 25 years.   The benefits range from encouraging relaxation to creating a healthy mind, body and spirit to prevent and treat disease.

How exactly does it work?  Creating the vibrations of sound through music changes brainwave patterns in ways that triggers healing.  He does this with the use of crystal bowls; a therapy he has coined Crystal Sonic Therapy™.   Just don’t forget your headphones as you will need them to reap the benefits.  As each ear receives its own unique musical note, the sound waves move toward each other and synchronize to produce a new musical note that the brain perceives.  The practice in which sound wave stimuli are purposefully used to alter brainwaves in this matter is called brain wave entrainment (BWE).  Preliminary evidence suggests that BWE is effective in several cognitive domains and can relieve acute and long-term stress, reduce pain, headaches, migraines, and PMS and improve behavior, but may go well beyond.

In integrative oncology we learn that it is more important to treat the patient with the disease than the disease of the patient.  Pain, and the ensuing inflammation, promotes cancer; stress and trauma can create an environment friendly to cancer.  Inflammation can cause pain and distress such as depression. I could go on and on but the point is that cancer does not happen in a vacuum; cancer is an expression that all is not in balance in the body.  To get back in balance we must attend to body and soul.

Remember too that a cancer diagnosis brings with it fear and a loss of control; to confront cancer head on, we need to step back, breathe and form a plan; we need to become active participants in our healing.  Using crystal singing bowls to change your brainwaves so you feel relaxed and in control sure beats being sticking your head in the sand and relinquishing control of your health and care.

I hear that Dr Gaynor will be talking about the crystal bowls and healing sounds on the Dr Oz Show, but in the meantime look for Change Your Mind, Uplift, Peaceful Sleep and Tranquility. Relax to the soothing sounds of birds chirping, listen to the waves rushing toward the shore and unwind to the melodic sounds of rain drops.

To read Change Your Mind: Change Your Health in my column Options for Life in the Natural Healing, Natural Wellness Magazine (sorry, link no longer available).  To replay Dr Gaynor on the Dr Oz Show, please see the links in the comment field below. 

Sound has a healing quality; it promotes health, not disease– isn’t that our true goal?

blowholes

Mitchell Gaynor, M.D. is founder and president of Gaynor Integrative Oncology and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Weill College, affiliated with Cornell University and New York Hospital. He has served on the Executive Review Panel at the Department of Defense – Alternative Medicine for Breast Cancer Sector and the Smithsonian Institute’s Symposium on New Frontier in Breast Cancer and the Environment. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at hospitals, conferences, and universities throughout America and abroad. 

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.com

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

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and well-being. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more, and is a columnist for Natural Healing-Natural Wellness. She has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

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DIM-New Thoughts on an Old Story

In Uncategorized on April 8, 2013 at 6:50 pm

Every so often new science and developments cause doctors, scientists and yes, coaches, to take pause for further consideration of something we were rock solid on. For 30 years we have relied on a theory that we have good and bad estrogen. We have also come to rely on the supplement Diindolylmethane (DIM), a phytonutrient and plant indole that was thought to help convert the bad to the good, or at least that is the short of it.  However, new research presented by Dr Jacob Schor, pokes some serious holes in these theories.  Estrogen Metabolite Ratios: Time for Us To Let Go.  While this is not good news for those of us with breast cancer, it is research worthy of our consideration.  I have been recommending DIM and I have been taking DIM, so Dr Schor certainly has my attention.

The connection between breast cancer and estrogen has been recognized for over a hundred years. However, breast cancer is not just about estrogen, and honestly, the critic in me now has some major questions involving the entire estrogen theory.  At this point there is still solid (for now) evidence suggesting that a higher level of 4 hydroxyestrone can result in increased risk of breast cancer. However, even in this exhaustive and convincing paper, Estrogen and the Risk of Breast Cancer, there is  the following statement: “Studies of the relation between serum estrogen concentrations and the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women have had conflicting results, most likely because the measurements were made at various times during the menstrual cycle….” and the author makes a few similar comments.  Actually this paper is really worth the read and leaves the door open to challenge the estrogen theory.  I do realize that this paper is somewhat dated, but if you look at many of the studies referred to by Schor, it all starts someplace.  Still, for now we will go with the estrogen-fuels- breast cancer theory.

Keep in mind that there are many natural ways to manage estrogen, and even more importantly, estrogen is a substance natural and necessary to the human body; it is not all bad and cancer is not all about estrogen.   Further, it’s a matter of balance.  When estrogen and progesterone are in balance, they dance.  Without balance, there is trouble.

Please continue with your anti-cancer lifestyle.  Avoid exposure to xenoestrogens; a known villain. Eat your anti-estrogen foods and progesterone supportive foods as needed. For every bit of research that says diet doesn’t matter, there is equal or more that says it does. Besides, the alternative to eating well is eating poorly, which cannot be good for anything.

We don’t have all the answers when it comes to the mechanics of foods and supplements. If a compound has the research and can’t hurt, go with your gut.  Often when you isolate one compound and study it this way, the results are not always reliable…the synergy is lost—hence we get conflicting results which leads to more uncertainty. In other words, question everything, but use common sense.

You are right, Dr Schor: “Sometimes you’ve just got to admit when you are wrong and move on. It is past time that we let this particular idea go”.  So, I was wrong.  Thank you Dr Schor, I will move on and eagerly await further reports.

I also want to thank Marnie Clark for bringing awareness of this paper to the community; information that was brought to me by one of my clients seeking clarity.  This is one of the many things I enjoy about my work—the open exchange of information. I don’t have all the answers, but I like to stay on top of the research; I love to report back to my readers.  So, thank you all for sharing.

Here’s another good read on the subject: Estrogen Metabolite Ratio Testing: Is It Worthwhile?

And then of course, here’s one to enjoy: Estrogen Does NOT Cause Breast Cancer: Debunking the Common Myths About the Hormone

*********Please read this update**********

DIM: A Bright New View on Cancer Management 

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

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

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

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Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

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Rocket Fuel in our Water and Food

In Uncategorized on March 11, 2013 at 3:25 pm

Last week at the Annie Appleseed Conference, Kim Kirschner, founder of the Willow Star Haven Charitable Foundation, spoke of the contamination of our food and water supply by a chemical known as perchlorate, and that this toxic chemical is a byproduct of rocket fuel.  Kim brought critical awareness to those of us who depend on produce from California during our cold months here in the Northeast as well as in many other parts of the country.

“During the Cold War, tons of improperly stored rocket fuel seeped into ground waters around rocket and missile test sites and chemical manufacturing and storage facilities. Defense and aerospace contractors have opposed regulation of perchlorates, for fear of being ordered to bear part or all of the costs of perchlorate clean-ups, expenses that could run into the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.” EWG

lettucePerchlorate has been found in 93% of the nation’s milk and lettuce supply in an FDA study. It has also been found in the drinking water for at least 22 states at extremely alarming levels. Perhaps the scariest statistic is that perchlorate has been found in the breast milk of 97% of the mothers who were tested. A report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) warns that ingesting lettuce or any other vegetable that is grown anywhere irrigated by the Colorado River would result in an exposure to an unsafe level of perchlorate per standards set by the EPA.  Farms that use this water for irrigation are responsible for growing almost all of the lettuce sold in the US during the winter months.

According to Laura Power, MS, PhD, LDN, perchlorate is a toxin that interferes with thyroid function by supplanting iodine in the body, causing harm to iodine transporters. For those of us who have been subjected to perchlorate tainted food and water, ensuring you get enough iodine in your diet can help…read more: http://www.naturalnews.com/024071_water_perchlorate_food.html.

I contacted Earthbound Farms, suppliers of produce shipped and sold here locally, and asked for some clarification on their practices and to assess exposure.  I believe them to be a reputable company and I depend on their produce in the colder months. Below is their response:

“With regard to perchlorate, we are often surprised at yet another issue directly related to the unintended consequences of chemicals that wind up in our environment. These kinds of situations underscore why we believe that organic farming, without the use of toxic and persistent chemicals, is the healthiest choice for people and the planet.

As I think you know, food quality and safety is of utmost importance to us; it is the cornerstone of our company. From April through November, all Earthbound Farm organic salads and lettuce available in your local market were grown in Monterey and San Benito Counties, where — you’re right — perchlorate contamination has not been identified as an issue. Further, all Earthbound Farm organic salads are subject to our rigorous food safety and organic integrity programs.

From late November through late March, our greens are grown in the Colorado River Basin, where perchlorate has been found in the water. As you know, the problem is a widespread water quality issue and we are doing what is within our power as an individual company to improve the situation. We have tested the sources of our irrigation water in the region and have found no levels of concern in the water. In addition to the industrial source of perchlorate which caused the problems to begin with, many researchers believe that the substance may be present in certain fertilizers, so we have had all of our fertilizers tested and none of them reveal any detectable levels of perchlorate.”

I guess this is bad news/good news.   However, it seems headway is being made, but resolution will take time:  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/14/has-this-chemical-destroyed-the-meaning-of-organic.aspx

Headed to the market?  Ask where the produce is grown; ask about farming practices; contact the source—any reputable farm will be honest with you, just like the folks at Earthbound Farms. Being informed is good.  Being an advocate is even better.  Speak up, be heard and help protect our vital resources. After all, if the three critical ingredients for survival are water, air and food, why are we allowing them all to be and remain contaminated—intentionally or otherwise?

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

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

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter

Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

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The Clean Truth about the Dirty Dozen

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2013 at 9:46 pm

Clean or dirty produce; is it really that simple? Should that be the sole consideration for eating organic produce?  No, beyond the obvious that organics contain fewer pesticides than conventional, there is also the integrity of our food to consider.

peas and cornThe Environmental Working Group (EWG) maintains lists of the twelve worst (the dirty dozen) and the 15 cleanest (clean 15).  These are great lists, they help us navigate the produce world to know when should consider organic whenever possible and when we can make do with conventional.  However, the lists don’t tell the whole story.  Corn and peas, for example, are part of the clean 15, but they are amongst the list of the top ten genetically modified foods; do you really want to consume GMO’s?  Remember too, that the lists of dirty and clean produce were compiled after the USDA washed the produce using the high-power pressure water systems most of us will never have in our kitchens.

watermelonWatermelon; they are part of the clean 15, but are they safe? You can wash the rind, but what do they absorb?  Consider farming practices in Eastern China; some of the farmers there used the growth hormone Forchlorfenuron to speed up growth and boost yield. However, they used too much of the hormone and the fruit began exploding. The visual for my stomach is not good.  Forchlorfenuron is a legal hormone in China and in the US; here it is used on grapes and kiwi– Forchlorfenuron has been implicated in cancers and neurological disorders.  Remember, just because the FDA says a certain amount of a particular chemical is safe, this isn’t always the case, and for children and those of us who consume copious amounts of produce, there is a cumulative effect.

And what about nutrients?  There seems to be much controversy on whether or not organics contain more nutrients than non-organics—and one recent study has fueled the fire.  But I challenge that study and question the motives and the funding. Regardless, the fact is that it doesn’t mean that organic food is not healthier. Good read: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/09/organic-food-isnt-more-nutritious-but-that-isnt-the-point/261929/

Further, if you remember from my post on Salvestrols, clearly organic is best. Salvestrols are plant derived compounds that produce anticancer agents. These agents cause cancer cells to commit suicide; I like that.  Salvestrols are also part of the plant’s immune system.  Plants are subject to attack by various pathogens, primarily fungi.  These pathogens usually attack the skin of the fruit and or the roots of the plant.  Salvestrols are produced by plants to protect themselves from pests and disease. However, the use of fungicides and crop protection chemicals means that plants which are not organically grown will not express high concentrations of Salvestrols because they are not exposed to the attacks which cause the plant to produce them. Plus, the Salvestrols will enter any fungi that they encounter in the human body and act as natural antifungal agents in the same way as they do in the plants from which they were obtained. In these situations, it appears that what is good for the plant is good for the gardener-or consumer.

salvestrolsLastly, Salvestrols are generally produced late in the ripening phase as this is when the plant is most vulnerable to attack, but produce is typically picked and shipped well before ripe.

Purchasing locally produced organic produce or having your own garden are excellent ways of ensuring that the produce has had a chance to ripen on the vine and is not poisoned during growth…..and, that it has predators. So, the moral of the story is….buy organic or grow your own when you can, and if you can’t, try to avoid the worst offenders, avoid GMOs and never, ever trust the FDA; your health depends on it. When all else fails, consider supplementation; the purest you can find. I guess I should have titled this post the dirty truth about the clean 15….but I prefer to stay in the positive.

For more information:

http://www.naturalnews.com/035734_GMOs_foods_dangers.html

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/the-dirty-dozen-and-clean-15-of-produce/616/

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/2012-dirty-dozen-plus-clean-15-buying-organic-000700620.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-17/chinese-watermelons-explode-maybe-from-growth-chemical-xinhua-says.html

http://technorati.com/lifestyle/article/watermelons-in-china-exploding-due-to/

http://www.amazon.com/Salvestrols-Natures-Defence-Against-ebook/dp/B008H9LXF2

To listen to Dr Michael Schachter speak on cancer prevention, treatment and Salvestrols, please click here and scroll down to December 4th, 2012.

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

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

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

 Follow Elyn on Linkedin

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Donate to the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation

 

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Managing Estrogen Naturally

In Uncategorized on October 30, 2012 at 4:27 pm

Estrogen…it’s a matter of balance.

There are many factors that influence the body’s production and metabolism of estrogen. Environmental estrogens (such as BPA, pesticides, cleaning products and cosmetics) as well as the natural estrogen compounds we encounter on a daily basis need to be addressed. We can’t avoid all the triggers, but it’s important to consider lifestyle changes that reduce exposure and can help balance our estrogen.

Obesity increases estrogen (and limits the effectiveness of aromatase inhibitors).  If you are overweight, lose it as fat cells increase estrogen production. Over-consumption of calories also leads to increased metabolic activity in the body.  This in turn leads to excessive free radical formation.  Free radicals damage cells and cause genetic mutations, which ultimately can lead to cancer.  Studies have also shown that calorie restriction inhibits tumor growth.

Exercise can help balance hormones through the pre-menopausal years and beyond, and can help maintain a healthy weight.  Those who exercise regularly are usually happier, less depressed, and have a more optimistic outlook on life.  This results in increased life expectancy; statistically, life expectancy increases by two hours for every hour spent exercising. Exercise with a friend; double the pleasure!

Alcohol consumption increases estrogen levels, especially if taken along with estrogen replacement therapy.  Also, alcohol and drugs can damage the liver which will lead to an increase in estrogen due to the lack of estrogen breakdown; alcohol cconverts into DNA-destroying acetaldehyde, a carcinogen.  Dr Keith Block likes to say he is a vegan with a heart…I guess I am an educator with compassion; for suggestions to mitigate the risks of alcohol, please read: https://elynjacobs.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/wine-cheese-and-chocolate-anti-cancer-party/

Caffeine intake from all sources is linked with higher estrogen levels regardless of age, body mass index, smoking, and caloric and alcohol intake.  Green tea has some caffeine (decaf is not recommended as the process compromises the activity and can be carcinogenic), but its redeeming qualities make it well worth consuming a few cups a day. If you drink coffee…know that it too has some redeeming qualities (not nearly that of green tea), so enjoy a cup, but don’t overdo it. Those who consumed a t least 500mg of caffeine daily, the equivalent of four or five cups of coffee had nearly 70% more estrogen than women who consumed less than 100mg of caffeine daily.

What about that magic pill….

And no, I am not talking about Tamoxifen.

About twenty years ago, scientists discovered that when broccoli was added to the diets of animals, it could prevent certain forms of cancer.  Since then, numerous studies have shown the efficacy of crucifers as a cancer-crusher. Cruciferous vegetables (and their ability to produce sulforaphane) slow the development of cancer by detoxifying carcinogenic substances, preventing pre-cancerous cells from developing into malignant tumors, promoting the suicide of cancer cells (apoptosis), and starving tumors of their blood supply (angiogenesis.) And, you guessed it, they also help balance our estrogens, the good and the bad.

Yes, there’s “bad” and “good” estrogen! And, they’ve got to be balanced, just like good and bad cholesterol because estrogen can be metabolized in two different pathways in the liver, which results in two different kinds of estrogen, “good” and “bad”.  “Good” estrogen metabolites are released into the bloodstream where they provide benefits, such as prevention of heart disease, and the creation of strong, healthy bones. “Bad” estrogen, in large quantities, can result in many health problems including breast, ovarian, prostate, and uterine cancer.  It’s a big reason why some women are more prone to cancer than others. It’s the type of estrogen in your body that makes the difference.

13C—no, it’s not my apartment number.  13C is a natural compound the body produces when you eat cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts.  It is the 13C that blocks the pathways of cancer and stops cancer cells from proliferating—and it helps metabolize and breakdown estrogen in the body balancing hormone levels.  Yes, we can get this nutrient in crucifers, but we would need to eat a lot–and I mean a lot, to influence the ratio of good to bad estrogen; you would have to eat about two pounds of raw or lightly cooked crucifers almost daily.  Here is when a good supplement becomes ideal.  13C is the natural precursor to DIM (diindolylmethane); if considering a supplement, DIM would be preferable over 13C as it is more readily available to the body, and 13C is more irritating to the stomach; I3C has also been shown to be a tumor promoter in chronic use studies of thyroid, colon, and liver health, something not found with DIM.  However, since crucifers contain a whole family of protective phytochemicals in addition to DIM, the best approach is to eat plenty of crucifers and take a supplement.  And, as always, brands matter when it comes to supplements; please do your research or consult with a trusted pharmacist, doctor or advocate.

The supplemental use of phytonutrients from cruciferous vegetables has great potential for the prevention of cancer; specifically the discovery that cruciferous indole — diindolylmethane and indole-3-carbinol (I3C) – may just be the magic pill to promote the healthy metabolism of estrogen.

Is DIM the only story in town; is it really the magic pill?  No, while it is big, there are a few other notable mentions.  Key players are Vitamins E and C,  B vitamins, such as B6, B12 and folate (B9), NAC, selenium, curcumin, green tea, D-Limonene, magnesium, flaxseed, pomegranate, probiotics, sufficient protein intake, complex carbs instead of simple sugars, and consuming only healthy fats.

Food matters; the concept of how what we eat strongly effects how our genes behave is firmly established; but, although it was discovered more than ten years ago, the connection between dietary ingredients and metabolism of estrogen is only recently recognized as important.  The consumption of specific phytochemicals can improve the adaptive responses that regulate hormonal metabolism.

I talk about DIM and foods supportive of estrogen balance in following posts:

https://elynjacobs.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/natural-alternatives-to-tamoxifen/

https://elynjacobs.wordpress.com/2012/09/20/natural-alternatives-to-aromatase-inhibitors/

http://elynjacobs.blogspot.com/2012/09/food-natural-alternative-for-tamoxifen.html

http://elynjacobs.blogspot.com/2010/12/eating-to-cheat-cancer.html

Give some DIM to your man too…. Estrogen metabolism slows as men age, especially when coupled with obesity and regular alcohol use. Too much estrogen plays havoc with a man’s sex life.  Avoiding overactive testosterone metabolism and reducing the conversion of testosterone into estrogen are goals of nutritional support in middle-aged and older men.

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

Twitter@survivelivewell

Facebook @Elyn Jacobs Consulting

LinkedIn @Elyn Jacobs

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn is on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs.  She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

 

 

 

 

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Halloween and Cancer?

In Uncategorized on October 19, 2012 at 7:55 pm

Can’t wait until Halloween?  Me too…it marks the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and breast cancer is spooky and scary.  Turning on the lights in a spooky room might detect that there is or is not something to fear, but like mammography, it won’t protect you from danger; it will not prevent the danger; and sadly, it doesn’t always detect the danger–ghosts hide and so does cancer.  I think we are all aware of breast cancer.  Mammograms neither determine the cause nor cure the disease.  It’s time we found cures; it’s time to study the causes and prevent this deadly disease before it takes hold.

For those who don’t have cancer, know that there are many small things we can do to lower our risk.  For those diagnosed early stage—remember, if cancer liked your body once, it may like it again.  Changing the environment to one which is unfriendly to cancer may help reduce your risk of recurrence.   For those with advanced or metastatic cancer, I don’t have the answers, but many find that changing the terrain extends survival.

 “The Terrain is everything.” ~ Louis Pasteur 

As I am writing this post, I glanced at a message from Helayne Waldman.  In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she is sharing a chapter of her book, The Whole-Food Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors.  The book is not just for survivors; the authors have written this for prevention of recurrence as well as primary prevention. So I’ll let her tell you the story today.   You can read it here.  Thank you, Helayne for sharing what we need to be aware of; Prevention.  To listen to Helayne on the Survive and Live Well show, please click here.

Oh, and Halloween and Cancer? May I suggest you skip the candy; that’s one trick not to treat yourself to, unless it’s a bit of super dark chocolate.

For more tips on eating to thrive, please visit Food; is it Good for Our Health or Our Cancer?

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

Want to talk about your specific needs for an anti-cancer life? Visit my website to schedule an appointment for one-on-one coaching.

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys. Find Elyn at www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com. To tune into the Survive and Live Well show, visit www.W4CS.com, Tuesdays at 1pm, EST.

Click here to view my Tips on Nutrition and Cancer YouTube Video with www.BreastCanceranswers.com.

Click here to read my story on Integrative Oncology Essentials –Integrative Answers to Cancer.

Click here to view my story on CNN Money–Seven cancer survivors confronted life-threatening diseases and turned their experiences into successful small business ideas.

To read about the first ever Preventive Breast Cancer Vaccine, Please view this Video.

Follow Elyn on Twitter @elynjacobs and @survivelivewell Facebook @Elyn Jacobs Consulting and LinkedIn @Elyn Jacobs