Month: May 2017

I am Losing Too Many Friends to Cancer! Let’s Stop It!!

Wallace Bishop I.N.H.C, C.N.C.1 Comment

I hate losing friends and loved one to any illness and disease. When we hear the word cancer the first thing that comes to mind is suffering, pain and death. We see it as a death sentence because in many cases it is. Sadly, cancer is still just as deadly as it was in 1971 when President Nixon declared war on cancer by initiating the National Cancer Act. Billions and Billions have been spent on finding the cure. Although those in the cancer world say progress has been made in the treatment of certain cancers it is still the 2nd leading cause of death in our country just behind heart and cardiovascular disease.

My next article will focus on special supplements, foods, herbs, spices and oils that have proven cancer prevention and killing ability.

In 1971, President Richard Nixon declared war on cancer with the National Cancer Act. That was a blast of money, 1.9 billion dollars earmarked to set up research facilities to find a cure for cancer. There is much debate as to the results from the billions spent since. In all honesty, I could care less about the debate on results. Figures can be manipulated in so many ways. What I see is increasing rates of cancers, heart disease, diabetes and other adverse health conditions. All of these are caused by the same unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.

When I began researching cancer years ago the recommendation were the same then as they are now. However, what seems very confusing is the contradiction of the messages. Many of the cancer organizations state that there is no scientific evidence that a plant based diet or specifically that certain vegetables and fruits have any anti cancer potential. Nor do they say to avoid junk foods just red meats, processed meats, dairy, excessive sun exposure and smoking. Yet in the same breath they do say to increase your intake of veggies and fruits as part of a cancer preventive lifestyle.   Sooooo, why would say there is no scientific evidence that a plant based diet helps reduce the risk but them recommend eating more of them? Because evidence does exist and I have a few of the studies included in this blog.

Many, many studies have been published and peer reviewed that prove many of the compounds in vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and legumes can be cancer preventive and even help fight and help the body kill cancers. Yet we never hear the main stream medical community (many very courageous MD’s will  encourage a lifestyle change but not the mainstream medical community) preach prevention by adopting a cancer preventive lifestyle that includes increasing plant based food intake to 5 to 9 servings a day, to increase exercise to 1 hour 5 days a week, to quiet smoking, dipping and chewing tobacco products, to highly limit alcohol consumption and to avoid dairy products, red meats, processed meats, smoked meats and foods that are chard or cooked at very high temperatures including fried foods.

Let’s talk about prevention and greatly reducing our risk of cancers. Certainly genetics play a role and in some cases ( a very small percentage) those genetic tendencies are very strong and hard to overcome. However, most of the genetic cancer potential has to be fertilized or pushed by lifestyle influences to manifest itself as cancer. Studies show that fast foods and processed foods are rich in toxic carcinogenic chemicals. If you eat enough of them you greatly increase your risk of cancers.

Known causes

  • Hotdogs and other processed meats
  • Red meats
  • Dairy products
  • Smoked Charred and BBQ meats
  • Chips of all kinds
  • Microwave popcorn
  • GMO’s
  • Trans fats (hydrogenated oils)
  • French fries
  • Farm raised fish
  • Alcohol
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • High intake of refined sugars
  • Artificial food coloring’s
  • Radiation
  • Chemo
  • Air pollution
  • Radon gas
  • Obesity

For a list of the 15 foods you should really avoid to reduce your risk of cancer visit this page. http://preventionpulse.com/lifestyle/the-15-cancer-causing-foods-you-probably-eat-every-day/6/

There have been advances in treatments for cancers in pharmacological and surgical approaches and they save lives. However, in all but a couple of cancers, the rates keep growing. Prevention is what we should be talking about.

These figures are easily obtained if you want to research them. I have listed many links to studies below that paint the picture of cause and prevention.

https://www.pcrm.org/nbBlog/index.php/new-study-plant-based-diets-benefit-cancer-survivors

Fang Fang Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., the new study’s lead author, says that “dietary changes that include more fiber, fruit, and vegetables in the diet and less fat, sodium, and added sugar would be important for cancer survivors.”

Dr. Zhang’s advice reflects recommendations my colleagues and I recently made in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. We published six precautionary principles to reduce the risk of occurrence:

  • Avoid dairy products to reduce risk of prostate cancer.
  • Limit or avoid alcohol to reduce the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, colon, rectum, and breast.
  • Avoid red and processed meat to reduce the risk of cancers of the colon and rectum.
  • Avoid grilled, fried, and broiled meats to reduce the risk of cancers of the colon, rectum, breast, prostate, kidney, and pancreas.
  • Women should consume soy products in adolescence to reduce risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer survivors should consume soy products to reduce risk of cancer recurrence and overall mortality.
  • Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to reduce risk of several forms of cancer.

http://www.aicr.org/foods-that-fight-cancer/

  • In laboratory studies, many individual minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals demonstrate anti-cancer effects. Yet evidence suggests it is the synergy of compounds working together in the overall diet that offers the strongest cancer protection.…AICR research finds that excess body fat increases the risk of 11 cancers. Vegetables and fruits are relatively low in calories. Whole grains and beans are rich in fiber, which also can help with weight management. That is one reason AICR recommends filling at least 2/3 of your plate with plant foods.Research on foods that fight cancer – and that may also aid cancer survival – is ongoing and active.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/diet-physical-activity/diet-and-physical-activity.html

  • Choose vegetables, whole fruit, legumes such as peas and beans, and other low-calorie foods instead of calorie-dense foods such as French fries, potato and other chips, ice cream, donuts, and other sweets.
  • Limit your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages such as soft drinks, sports drinks, and fruit-flavored drinks.
  • When you eat away from home, be especially mindful to choose food low in calories, fat, and added sugar, and avoid eating large portion sizes.
  • Limit how much processed meat and red meat you eat.
  • Minimize your intake of processed meats such as bacon, sausage, lunch meats, and hot dogs.
  • Choose fish, poultry, or beans instead of red meat (beef, pork, and lamb).
  • If you eat red meat, choose lean cuts and eat smaller portions.
  • Prepare meat, poultry, and fish by baking, broiling, or poaching rather than by frying or charbroiling.
  • Eat at least 7 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruits each day.
  • Include vegetables and fruits at every meal and snack.
  • Eat a large variety of vegetables and fruits each day. For maximum prevention and healing eat 9 to 13 servings per day!
  •                Essentials oils have been used for hundreds of years to prevent and heal all types of illness and disease including cancers.

Listed below are studies showing cancer cause and prevention in our lifestyles. There are hundreds more proving the same point, foods and chemicals cause cancers and foods can prevent and heal cancers.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048091/

  • Although plant-based diets including vegetarian and vegan diets are generally considered to be cancer protective, surprisingly very few studies have directly addressed this question. However, a broad body of evidence links specific plant foods such as fruits and vegetables, plant constituents such as fiber, anti-oxidants and other phytochemicals, and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight to reduced risk of cancer diagnosis and recurrence.10,13 And, research links meat, especially red and processed meats, consumption to increased risk of several types of cancer.2,10,22 Vegetarian and vegan diets increase beneficial plant foods and plant constituents,16,20,21,30–32 eliminate the intake of red and processed meat by definition, and aid in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.28 The few reports that have addressed whether vegetarian diets can be used for management or prevention of recurrence of cancer are positive. 41,42,45,46 The direct and indirect evidence taken together suggests that vegetarian diets are a useful strategy for cancer prevention.

https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-3-19

  • It has been estimated that 30–40 percent of all cancers can be prevented by lifestyle and dietary measures alone. Obesity, nutrient sparse foods such as concentrated sugars and refined flour products that contribute to impaired glucose metabolism (which leads to diabetes), low fiber intake, consumption of red meat, and imbalance of omega 3 and omega 6 fats all contribute to excess cancer risk. Intake of flax seed, especially its lignan fraction, and abundant portions of fruits and vegetables will lower cancer risk. Allium and cruciferous vegetables are especially beneficial, with broccoli sprouts being the densest source of sulforophane. Protective elements in a cancer prevention diet include selenium, folic acid, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, chlorophyll, and antioxidants such as the carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin). Ascorbic acid has limited benefits orally, but could be very beneficial intravenously. Supplementary use of oral digestive enzymes and probiotics also has merit as anticancer dietary measures. When a diet is compiled according to the guidelines here it is likely that there would be at least a 60–70 percent decrease in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, and even a 40–50 percent decrease in lung cancer, along with similar reductions in cancers at other sites. Such a diet would be conducive to preventing cancer and would favor recovery from cancer as well.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20695357

  • The Report reviewed the relationship between food, nutrition, physical activity, body fatness and 17 cancer sites. The goal of the Report was to review all the relevant research, using precise and reproducible methodologies. An expert panel reviewed the evidence. Based upon evidence that was graded “convincing” or “probable”, a series of 10 recommendations to reduce the risk of developing cancer was produced. One of the most important factors is maintaining a healthy weight throughout life, which can be achieved by regular physical activity and limiting consumption of energy-dense foods and sugary drinks. Other important dietary measures include consuming a diet high in plant-based foods, limiting intakes of red meat, and avoiding salty foods and processed meat. Alcohol should be consumed in modest amounts, if at all. Dietary supplements are not recommended for cancer prevention.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2231485/

  • A large number of epidemiologic, animal, and laboratory studies indicate that abundant consumption of food of plant origin reduces the risk of several types of cancer. The chemopreventive effect is related to the high content in these foods of phytochemicals with potent anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties block precancerous cells from developing into malignant cells by interfering directly with tumour cells and by preventing generation of an inflammatory microenvironment that would sustain the progression of the tumours. In many cases, these anticancer phytochemicals interfere with tumour promotion and progression by mechanisms identical to those through which synthetic molecularly targeted chemotherapeutic agents exert their activity

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14972060

  • Overweight/obesity increases the risk for cancers of the oesophagus (adenocarcinoma), colorectum, breast (postmenopausal), endometrium and kidney; body weight should be maintained in the body mass index range of 18.5-25 kg/m(2), and weight gain in adulthood avoided. Alcohol causes cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus and liver, and a small increase in the risk for breast cancer; if consumed, alcohol intake should not exceed 2 units/d. Aflatoxin in foods causes liver cancer, although its importance in the absence of hepatitis virus infections is not clear; exposure to aflatoxin in foods should be minimised. Chinese-style salted fish increases the risk for nasopharyngeal cancer, particularly if eaten during childhood, and should be eaten only in moderation. Fruits and vegetables probably reduce the risk for cancers of the oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach and colorectum, and diets should include at least 400 g/d of total fruits and vegetables. Preserved meat and red meat probably increase the risk for colorectal cancer; if eaten, consumption of these foods should be moderate. Salt preserved foods and high salt intake probably increase the risk for stomach cancer; overall consumption of salt preserved foods and salt should be moderate. Very hot drinks and foods probably increase the risk for cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx and oesophagus; drinks and foods should not be consumed when they are scalding hot. Physical activity, the main determinant of energy expenditure, reduces the risk for colorectal cancer and probably reduces the risk for breast cancer; regular physical activity should be taken.
 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20843485

  • We observed the following significant associations: gastric cancer risk was inversely associated with high plasma vitamin C, some carotenoids, retinol and α-tocopherol, high intake of cereal fibre and high adhesion to Mediterranean diet, while red and processed meat were associated with increased risk. High intake of dietary fibre, fish, calcium, and plasma vitamin D were associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer, while red and processed meat intake, alcohol intake, body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity were associated with an increased risk. High intake of fruit and vegetables in current smokers were associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer. An increased risk of breast cancer was associated with high saturated fat intake and alcohol intake. In postmenopausal women, BMI was positively and physical activity negatively associated with breast cancer risk. High intake of dairy protein and calcium from dairy products and high serum concentration of IGF-I were associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. These results contribute to scientific evidence for appropriate public health strategies and prevention activities aimed at reducing the global cancer burden.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92774/

  • Mounting evidence suggests that cancers are not an inevitable consequence of aging but are preventable diseases. The evidence in this chapter suggests that spices may be factors in one’s diet that may lower cancer risk and affect tumor behavior. Spices have been consumed for centuries for a variety of purposes, such as flavoring agents, colorants, and preservatives. This chapter only scratches the surface of the overall impact of herbs and spices since there are approximately 180 spices commonly being used for culinary purposes. Without question, evidence exists that multiple processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and immunocompetence, can be influenced by one or more spices.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2957945/

  • Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 contain benzidene, a human and animal carcinogen permitted in low, presumably safe levels in dyes.2 The FDA calculated in 1985 that ingestion of free benzidine raises the cancer risk to just under the “concern” threshold (1 cancer in 1 million people).6 Bound benzidene also has been detected in dyes in much greater amounts than free benzidene,7,8 but routine FDA tests measure only free contaminants, overlooking the bound moiety.2 Intestinal enzymes release bound benzidene, “so we could be exposed to vastly greater amounts of carcinogens than FDA’s routine tests indicate,” says Jacobson—especially considering today’s children are exposed to multiple dyes and flavoring agents and other added chemicals in foods.9

My next article will focus on special foods, herbs, spices and oils that have proven cancer prevention and killing ability.

To A Long and Healthy Life!

Wally Bishop C.N.C  I.N.H.C.

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

www.wallybishop.com

Vive

The contents of the email or written communication are not medical advice and should not be considered as such!  This blog is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your physician or health care provider if you have medical issues and before changing your diet or lifestyle or taking herbal or dietary supplements. Never start an exercise program with getting your doctors approval. Never quit taking medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.  Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs.

Overcoming Guillian Barre Syndrome-Never Give up!

Wallace Bishop I.N.H.C, C.N.C.Leave a comment
        Our Tribe-Team Vive and Friends

Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a living hell. GBS is different for every person. If you have Guillian Barre Syndrome patience is greatly needed. Your body is going to begin healing at its own pace. Time is your friend. It’s very important not to over do or over stress your Central Nervous System or muscles. The fatigue will set you back a weeks or more. But whatever you don’t give up! Fight like hell to get your function back.

My Humble Beginnings

I started my wellness journey in November of 2006 weighing in at a paltry 450+ pounds. This story has been told many times you can read the rest of my wellness journey here. Today is a different part of that story that has not been shared with my friends and readers. It’s time.

In May of 2010 I was diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome. GBS is a form of temporary paralysis that effects the Central Nervous System (CNS). In addition to causing a severe weakening of the muscles in the arms, hands, legs and torso it can affect pulse, breathing, heart rhythm and blood pressure. I was admitted to the ICU and spent four (4) days there because my pulse, heart rhythm and blood pressure were going crazy.  They wouldn’t stabilize. The doctors told my wife Gwen they did not know if I would survive. The paralysis stopped at my diaphragm however it was having spasms. I was very fortunate because many people with GBS are put on ventilators. I had to closely monitor my respiration rates several times daily. Eventually they stabilized enough to move me out of the ICU.  GBS kills a small number of those it touches every year. God had other plans for this man!!

I will tell you I was very blessed. I had the slow form and I did not have paralysis of my lungs. I did lose function of my legs and hands and it also greatly affected my autonomic system causing irregular heart rhythm, blood pressure and pulse rates. I almost died.  I was in great physical shape before it started and that certainly helped my progress faster I do believe. As soon as I could sit up on my own I had my wife balance me on my exercise bike we had set up in our living room.  I just tried to pedal and slowly began the transition of moving my legs. It was a very slow, painful and long process but by asking my muscles to move my brain began to rebuild the meylin sheath quicker because I had placed a demand on them. In a few months, with therapy, I was walking with a walker and by the end of a couple of years walking but with poor balance. During this time I also had to learn how to use my hands and fingers again.

They do not know the exact cause but it is suspiciously tied to a bacterial infection that can come from a particular family of bacteria found on chicken and it can be caused by different viruses. They also know there is a correlation with the ingredients in vaccines and GBS. GBS is the worst experience of my life. It leaves you feeling helpless and hopeless. I had to re-learn to do the simple things we do to live everyday; like walking, ties shoes, eating, buttoning a shirt, bathing, putting clothes on. Hopefully you get the picture.  Additionally the pain caused from nerve damage was unbearable at time. I am grateful there are medications that help relieve that pain. I could not have lived with it.  It took me three years to recover 95% of my normal functionality. GBS was the biggest battle of my life and I was determined to overcome it! Actually, I was very angry that I had worked so hard to get the weight off, get in great physical shape and then to be robbed of all of it in a 3 week period. I was determined it wasn’t going to keep me down! I am a fighter and it took everything I had and Gods help to overcome GBS. I was not going to sit back and just become a statistic of GBS.

I want to tell you how cycling (greatest form of exercise for total health, just my opinion!) gave me my life back. It started in March of 2012 and was a whopping 1/2 mile bicycle ride! Truthfully I was beyond elated that I could do it. The two years prior was a living hell overcoming a form of temporary paralysis called Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS). Overcoming obesity was very easy compared to overcoming GBS.

Two Years Later

Gwen and I had bought a couple of run around town bikes a year or so earlier and we rarely took them out to ride around our beautiful little South Carolina town. Our town is small enough to think of it as Mayberry like, very quaint and friendly.

After two years of recovery from GBS I was walking but my strength and balance was still poor. I wanted more from my exercise I wanted more from my body! Prior to GBS I was in great shape and spent a lot of time walking, hiking and exercising at the gym.

I decide to pull the old bike out and see if I could even ride it. I was very nervous because my balance was still not very good. GBS greatly affects the small muscles that are so essential for balance. As I took the bike out of the shed and dusted it off I remember mumbling “Okay Lord here we go, I pray you give me the strength and balance to keep this thing upright!” As I pushed off; picture the first time you remember seeing a little one beginning to ride a bike. I was all over the place, handle bars swaying left and right but I was upright and moving forward. It was struggle to keep the handle bars straight because the GBS left me with some hand tremor and arm weakness but I made it 1/4 mile to the end of the street. I stopped with tears in my eyes and said a thank you to God and turned around and headed home.

I can do this! Yes I can do this!! Something inside me said this is the recipe for my full recovery. I knew that the body adapts to the demands being placed on it. I needed to demand more of the nerves in my arms, hands, legs and feet to improve my condition. If I am not showing my body my nerves need to function better by putting them under demand they are not going to improve as quickly or maybe not as much or not at all. My body need to be told what it needed to fix. Cycling was going to send the message.

I continued riding the bike around town with Gwen at my side. One mile, two miles, three miles. I was ecstatic!! The addiction to cycling was happening. Later that month I bought us both Giant touring bikes and we rode those until I had to have a little more speed. I saw people speeding by us with ease and I wanted to push my body more. As I would mention getting a new bike Gwen would just look at me and smile. She saw my competitive spirit returning and that meant I was healing! I learned to listen to my body. It was not going to recover from exercise like a normal persons would. The recovery process was slower. However, as I continued to build my health slowly, my recovery time got better and better.

Over the past four (4) years I have moved through 4 bicycles upgrading each time to meet my bodies physical improvements! Each year my ability to ride further and tougher routes has increased. In 2015 and 2016 I road my bicycle over 6,000 miles, climbed numerous mountains, did dozens of rides over 60 miles long and even did 5, 100 mile rides. I participated in dozens of charity cycling events. We even participated in a charity event called A Ride to Remember (supports the Alzheimer’s Association) which covers 252 miles across the state of South Carolina in 3 days in the middle of the summer.

Out of the horrific condition  called GBS has blossomed a team of more than 40 cyclist that ride together every chance we get. We cover all adult age groups and sectors of life. We focus on peddling our bikes to help others in need. We all share the same passion of cycling and enjoy this great sport. Our team is called Team Vive.  We celebrate life and every moment it brings.

Nutrition

Nutrition is also key to overcoming GBS. I was blessed to have a strong background in nutrition as a Nutrition and Health Coach and knew the right supplements and foods to help rebuild my myelin sheath and nerve fibers. A clean healthy diet is important for recovery of GBS. Sleep is essential for recovery and healing. Our body heals when we sleep.

What to avoid

Stress and pushing your body to hard is harmful for your recovery. Process foods and junk foods put toxic chemicals in your body that stress the CNS. DO NOT GET VACCINES! If you doctors tells you to get the flu vaccine or any vaccine please tell them you have had GBS. It can cause a relapse of GBS.

GBS Flares

Don’t be alarmed or surprised if you occasionally have GBS flares. They happen for me about once a year and last a month to 6 weeks. A flare is minor symptoms of GBS and fatigue not a complete relapse. They can be scary but just pull back on activity (don’t stop exercising, just reduce it), nourish your body more and get more rest.  With GBS its important to listen to your bodies needs.

You are strong, be determined to get you life back, get up and do something about your condition, DO NOT LET YOUR CONDITION DEFINE YOU! You attitude about life ends up telling your life story. Make it a great one!

Please contact me with any question about GBS.

To A Long and Healthy Life!

Wally Bishop C.N.C  I.N.H.C.

Nutrition and Health Coach

www.wallybishop.com

Vive

The contents of the email or written communication are not medical advice and should not be considered as such!  This blog is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your physician or health care provider if you have medical issues and before changing your diet or lifestyle or taking herbal or dietary supplements. Never start an exercise program with getting your doctors approval. Never quit taking medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.  Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs.