Do We Inherit Disease Like We Inherit Eye Color?

Anne Dunev, PhD
So many people are concerned that disease seems to run in families that I wanted to address this issue and put those concerns into perspective.

Think about the fact that there was hardly any cancer or heart disease before 1900. So, it cannot be that we are all destined to die from ancestral diseases since our ancestors did not have these modern illnesses. And it is not just that we are living longer. Many of us had grandparents who lived long lives- often achieving greater age than our parents’ generation.

Cancer, Diabetes Type II, Heart Disease and Obesity are called Diseases of Modern Civilization. I call them the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The popular medical viewpoint is that these diseases are genetic. However, that implies that there is nothing you can do about them, except manage them with medication. Any Holistic Doctor will tell you this is not true.

First of all, these diseases can often be prevented, despite any family tendencies. And it makes far more sense to adopt a lifestyle that does not lead down that path, because they are all serious conditions.

Genes are unable to cause disease until they “express” themselves or get switched on. Whether they ever activate depends a great deal on the “environment” of the body. That internal environment is created by the availability of vital nutrients (from foods) and the toxic load of the body. So diet and lifestyle have everything to do with how your body repairs and ages.

At the root of all the contemporary diseases is disorder in sugar metabolism, which is governed by the pancreas. Closely connected is fat metabolism, governed by gall bladder. That is why Holistic Doctors urge you to do everything to save a gall bladder rather than bow to surgical removal. Gallstones are not a reason to excise a gall bladder, since gallstones can be eliminated through a gall bladder cleanse and new stone formation prevented with correct supplements and dietary changes. Only if the gall bladder itself is diseased beyond redemption is it necessary to remove it. There is a concern about larger gallstones, but a cleanse and purge program seems to handle this, since gallstones are soft and made out of cholesterol. Most are the size of peas and pass easily and painlessly.

When dietary fats such as olive oil, butter and avocado are broken down and emulsified by the bile stored in the gall bladder, the fat can be utilized by the body for energy, repair and protection of the walls of individual cells. The brain is the only organ that is 80% composed of fat and uses fat for energy.

With sufficient dietary fat in the system, and a low carbohydrate intake (particularly sugars, breads, refined and processed foods) the blood sugar is more stable and the burden to maintain the level of blood sugar through insulin release is not as great for the pancreas. Type II Diabetes might as well be called “worn out pancreas” disease. And Diabetes leads to cancer because cancer cells love sugar and feed off of it.

So, what should you do if your family has a history of one or more of the diseases of modern civilization? Decide to become better informed and make better choices. Don’t rely on your medical doctor for information because MD’s are very well trained in many areas. Prevention is not one of them. They are not really taught that prevention is possible.

Find a wellness practitioner who will treat you as the individual you are and who believes in the innate wisdom and healing ability of the body. You may need nutrients unique to your lifestyle, gender or toxic burden-or even your genetic make-up.

In Medicine there is a small but growing number of researchers and physicians who realize that “one size fits all” does not work with medication. In the future we will be able to test people before giving them medications to see how their individual bodies respond and prevent some of the terrible side-effects some people experience.

There is far more to know about optimum health and wellness. Most people know more about technology for their computers and cell phones than they do about the technology of keeping their bodies healthy. When our electronic technology breaks down, we know whom to call. But when our bodies break down we need a genuine fix, not “shut up in a bottle” that only treats symptoms.

Heads Up on Cell Phone Radiation

Anne Dunev, PhD

Rumors have circulated for years now that we are all placing ourselves at risk by holding our cell phones next up to our ears, close to our heads.

But the amount of radiation from cell phones, as compared to microwave ovens for example, is miniscule. Past studies seemed to support this.

Until now. The latest research is testing the intermittent pulse of cell phones, rather than a steady stream of radiation tested previously. It is becoming apparent that the pulse is damaging and disrupting. The pulse occurs as the cell phone seeks a signal, and also when a user speaks and then listens, changing the “beat” of the wave signal.

PET scans show that the radiation from cell phones penetrates deep inside the skull. With all the concerns about increasing rates of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as Senile Dementia, this in itself is a cause for concern for everyone.

Then consider the fact that children are becoming cell phone customers younger and younger. I-Phone now has a toy for a baby that props the I-Phone on the baby’s lap—right over the genitalia. It has already been established that men who are heavy cell phone users have lowered sperm count.

An Asian woman in California presented with breast tumors visible to the eye, directly under the bra pocket where she routinely stored her cell phone. Dermatologists report higher incidence of tumors above the ear on the left side of the head, where most people hold their cell phones.

If you read the fine print in the manual for the I-Phone 4, there is a warning not to hold the phone close to the head, or carry it in a pocket or holster on the body.

Remember that what we cannot see can hurt us. Until we have more definitive data, treat your cell phone like you should be treating your microwave. Put yourself directly in the path of the microwave radiation as little as possible.

Texting is safer. Cell phone radiation is more harmful to organs such as brain or kidney or breast or genitals than to the hand. However, the risk of problems from long-term exposure for our hands is unknown.

You can use the speaker and hold the phone away from your head. Bluetooth wireless technology is safer only if you do not have the cell phone in your pocket or on your body. Wi-Fi should be as far from your body as possible. It does travel through walls, so best to turn off your Wi-Fi at night, when you may be more susceptible while you are sleeping.

Cell phones are not toys. Some Pediatric Neurologists consider Electro Magnetic poisoning or radiation exposure to be the cause of up to 30% of childhood brain cancers. A Swedish study found a 5 times higher risk of malignant brain tumors in young adults who started using cell phones before or during teenage years.

It may be years before we have enough information about the risk of cell phone radiation. But we can act now, knowing that we may only be seeing the tip of the iceberg. The Russians seem to be far ahead of is in this area, and have recommended that cell phones be visibly marked with warnings as a source of radio frequency radiation and that children under 18 and pregnant women avoid cell phones.

I checked the Apple website. It says, “The more apps you download, the more you realize there is almost no limit to what your iPhone can do.”  However, “downloading” radiation that harms our children and us may take us past the limit. What price are we willing to pay?

For more information visit www.environmentalhealthtrust.org

How To Avoid Cancer Part III-Colon Cancer

Anne Dunev, PhD
One of the cancers that may be most easily prevented with diet and lifestyle changes is colorectal cancer-cancer of the large intestine and rectum.

This is the fifth most common type of cancer and the third leading cause of death in the United States.

When you consider the number of people who are constipated, and the Frankenstein foods that people eat, this may not be so surprising.

Cancer is a systemic disease, which means that the whole system is over-burdened and toxic to the point that rogue cells take hold and develop their own “entity” within the body. Your food and your blood are hijacked to feed the new entity or tumor. Of course, the host eventually dies, and so does the new colony. It is one of the oddities of Nature, considering that survival is the usual operating modality.

Unburdening your toxic load is one of your best defenses against this, and any other type, of cancer. Studies indicate that eliminating highly processed meats, refined sugars and refined (white) grains such as wheat, white rice, and soy may lower risk. Maintaining a healthy weight is a factor, and eliminating refined starches and sugars would help with weight control.

In recent years red meat has been considered a risk factor, but a review of the history of human health and nutrition did not correlate, since humans have eaten higher meat diets in the past, with little historical evidence of cancer. Studies show that it is the preparation of meat that is a factor. Meat that is heavily browned on the surface and over-cooked increases risk. When meat is over-cooked the proteins and amino acids are broken down and can no longer be utilized in, the body for repair and nutrition.

High protein intake over-all was not associated with risk, but even seemed protective in some studies. Consumption of fish and poultry as alternatives to red meat showed some protection. Fish Oil supplementation seemed to decrease risk in women, but also decreased inflammation in both sexes, and therefore may be generally helpful.

Intake of fiber from fresh vegetables and whole fruits appear to be protective of other gastrointestinal issues such as constipation and diverticulitis. However, the high fiber supplementation theory for cancer protection has not borne out. However, diets high in fruits and vegetables were associated with slightly lowered risk of colorectal cancer. Since certain vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts have sulfur compounds, which are necessary for PhaseII Liver detoxification; these vegetables may have potential in cancer prevention for all types of cancer.

Inflammation appears to be an issue and intake of B vitamins that decrease inflammation such as folate are associated with lower risk. Naturally occurring folate is not the same as synthetic folic acid, and folate is what was found to lower cancer risk. Eggs are a good source, as well as dark green veggies such as kale, spinach and broccoli. Look for unfortified Brewer’s Yeast, too. Brewers Yeast is also a good source of selenium, which was associated with a 50% reduction in colon cancer in one study.

Note that red meat contains B vitamins, and particularly the organ meat of the animal. The fact that we no longer consume the most nutritious parts of the animal may be one reason we see more colon cancer now than we did in past times when people did not waste any part of the animal, and organ meat was even considered a delicacy.

Alcohol is a risk, but the amount is not determined. High consumption is definitely a factor, and alcohol metabolism will burn folate and other B vitamins. Whether two or less drinks per day are a risk is undetermined.

Evidence suggests that a high level of physical activity lowers risk, even when weight is not managed in normal ranges.

So, we can conclude that lifestyle and dietary changes can lower the risk of developing colon and rectal cancer, and may lower it significantly. Basic and common sense changes that we know bring about generally improved health and vitality are the key to colon health. If your colon is not functioning well, see your health practitioner. A colonoscopy may check for risks, but it is not enough to prevent problems that could develop into cancer.

How To Avoid Cancer - Part II

Anne Dunev, PhD
We tend to know something about blood, but what do you know about your lymph system? The average 150 pound person has 11.2 liters of lymphatic fluid in the body.

The lymph network transfers minerals and carbohydrates that have broken down into simple sugars and to the cells for energy and nutrition. The lymphatic system also transports waste materials from cellular metabolism away from the cells. Individual cells convert nutrients to energy in a process called “Cellular Respiration”.  Each cell is a tiny engine that requires many small steps to make fuel needed to perform the function of that type of cell.

When there is a build-up of waste material or excess sugar, fermentation occurs. Cancer cells love sugar. So, you can begin to see that keeping the cells healthy and nourished via the lymph system could be improve function and be cancer-preventative.

The primary culprits for sugar excess and mineral deficiencies are processed foods made of white flour, white sugar and chemical flavorings or other additives. Whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and proteins all contain minerals. Plants draw minerals up from the soil and convert them into minerals that are bio-available to humans, which means they become easily utilized.

Cancer is a systemic disease that means there is a back up in your waste-disposal department. Waiting until there is a diagnosis means that the situation has progressed much too far. So, the time to take action to unclog your filters is now.  Ideally you should do a cleanse of your major organs every six months or yearly.

Changing life-style and eating habits may not only save your life, but give you a better quality of life. The snacks, breads, sweets, diet foods, alcohol and medications you may be using to get you through your day are a very temporary fix. Your mood, stress level and ability to cope are undermined by the bio-chemical changes that occur when you ingest substances that require nutrients to metabolize them.

Whole foods fill your nutrient bank. Snacks, breads, sweets, alcohol, excessive coffee, cigarettes, recreational and pharmaceutical drugs, artificial and chemical foods, all deplete your nutrient bank. That means that you are running on empty. If you don’t eat the foods needed for cells to function, and to replicate and form healthy new cells, mutant cells may start to grow.

Chances are your mirror will tell you when you need to make changes. Bloating, weight gain, rashes and blemishes, indigestion, constipation, menstrual irregularities, cravings for alcohol, drugs or sugar, fatigue, sleep issues, fogginess, allergies and asthma, depression and anxiety are all signs of a toxic overload.

Your medical doctor is not trained in prevention. Getting laboratory tests is not prevention. By the time your blood work indicates a problem, a disease state may have already set in.

Stay ahead of the game by changing your game plan. It is not easy to break the habit of snacking and grazing on crap-ohydrates and chemical foods. It starts with a decision to not only get healthier, but to look and feel better, too. If your body is crying out for better nutrition, don’t feed it chocolate until it shuts up!

In Europe and Asia lymphatic massage is far more common than in the U.S. The lymphatic fluid can be moved and stagnation decreased with massage and with moving the body. Rebounding (light jumping on a mini-trampoline) has been demonstrated to be useful for moving lymph. Walking, stretching and movement in general may be helpful. The human body was not designed to sit in a chair staring at a screen or fighting traffic. Get up and move. Drink the purest water you can find (and not distilled-remember you need minerals).

Good health can be yours, with a few simple decisions. The follow-through may be a challenge, so set realistic goals. In a short while you may be surprised to find that you ever craved some things you have felt you could not live without. Or you may find that you enjoy your favorite treat more when you only have it once in awhile. Your lymph is in your hands.