In May of 2012, I had a personal health problem
whereby I couldn't walk 10 feet without stopping to catch my breath. I reluctantly
went to the local ER and was soon admitted (after a couple of tests) into the
Fulton County Hospital with congestive heart failure and blood clots on my
lungs.
After about 10 days, I was released but still
didn't feel very well. I was now on blood thinners and other medications.
After a few months of lethargic misery, unable
to do much physically and in a state of anxiety, it became obvious that I had
to do something on my own to get out of this rut. Thus, I embarked on a
self-made diet to get to a proper weight and slowly began to do physical
exercises and chores to build my energy back up. In this process, I have
managed to lose 75 pounds so far (a few more to go) in about 12-13 months and
have significantly more stamina than before. I'm still working on it and am now
in a lifestyle pattern I intend to continue even after reaching my goals.
During the course of my self-imposed rehab
process, I did a lot of research about foods and illnesses, including afflictions
unrelated to my condition.
It's almost impossible to research causes of
illnesses without learning a great deal about cancer. It was not my intention
to delve into this subject but I do have family and friends dealing with this
problem.
Dr. Otto Warburg, one of the leading biochemists
in the 20th century, devoted his life to the study of the causes of cancer. His
research made it clear that normal cells require oxygen, whereas cells deprived
of oxygen may become cancerous. He found that cancer cells cannot survive in
the presence of high levels of oxygen. Thus, he determined that too much
acidity in the body is the root cause of cancer. In 1931, he won a Nobel Prize
in Medicine for this important discovery.
"Cancerous tissues are acidic, whereas
healthy tissues are alkaline… Deprive a cell 35% of its oxygen for 48 hours and
it may become cancerous." Dr. Otto Warburg
A person's pH balance (potential hydrogen)
measures the bodily level of acidity versus alkaline -- the lower the pH
balance, the more an acidic state exists. According to Warburg, the proper pH
balance (normal state) is 7.365. He concluded there was a direct correlation
between pH and oxygen.
Many other sources also concur with this
concept.
"There is clearly a strong correlation
between body fluid pH and the level of health of disease of the individual…
Acid states appear in people with acute and chronic inflammatory and pain
syndromes, congestive disorders that include recurrent infections and
allergies, and the degenerative diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular
problems, and diabetes." Dr. Elson M. Haas, M.D. (founder and director of
the Preventive Medical Center of Marin, California)
As with most medical remedies, there are a
variety of opinions among seemingly credible sources, including considerable
skepticism among health professionals concerning the pH balance approach to
cancer (and other maladies). Medical professionals often disagree about
potential treatments. Plus, everyone has a different physiology -- what works
for Person A may not work for Person B. Obviously, you must do your own
research and consult a doctor you trust.
About 15 years ago, I was visiting friends in another
state when I needed to see a physician about a minor matter, whereby my friends
sent me to their local physician. During the course of the exam, I told the
doctor that I had changed my dietary habits several months earlier, whereupon
he said, "What does your diet have to do with your health?" At first,
I assumed he was making a joke. But when I learned he was serious, I figured I
would be better off making a graceful exit and seeking a second opinion from a
Voodoo Shaman with a bag of chicken feet and a vile of bat blood.
Since my recent hospital ordeal, I have acquired
many books about health. One of the books I use for reference is HEALTHY FOODS
by James A. Duke, PhD, former director of the Cancer Screening Program (funded
by the National Cancer Institute).
The following is a list of a dozen foods he
refers to as "Duke's Dozen" -- his 12 greatest disease-fighting foods."
The explanations are much more lengthy -- I summarized them below.
1) Beans
Low in fat, high in protein, an alternative to
red meat. Loaded with soluble fiber, thus proficient at washing cholesterol out
of the system through the intestines. Contain high levels of isoflavones, which
may prevent some forms of cancer, improve prostate and bone health, ease
symptoms of menopause, and other benefits.
2) Bulbs (garlic, onion)
Garlic contains sulfur compounds, such as
diallyl disulfide, which prevents blood clotting. Also contains over a dozen
immunity-boasting compounds to help ward off colds and infections. Onions also
contain some of the same sulfur compounds. Plus, they have high amounts of
flavonoids, particularly quercetin which has been shown to reduce platelet
bunching and even prevent some forms of cancer.
3) Caffeinators (coffee, tea, chocolate)
The active compounds in coffee, tea, chocolate
are polyphenols, such as theobromine and theophylline, which are excellent
antioxidants that ward off free radicals, fighting heart disease and cancer.
They also improve mood and alertness. Chocolate has unique polyphenols that
increase levels of a brain chemical called dopamine, promoting pleasure.
4) Celery
Celery has an anti-inflammatory called apigenin,
which helps lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and fights gout. It
also contains acetylenics, phenolic acids, and coumarins which may be cancer
fighters. According to the index of HEALTHY FOODS, celery is helpful with bad
breath, bladder infections, bursitis, fungal infections, gout, hay fever, high
blood pressure, indigestion, memory loss, menopausal symptoms and pneumonia.
BB NOTE: There are foods that have a negative
calorie count whereby you burn more calories by eating them than the food
contains, called "thermic" vegetables. Depending on your gender,
weight and level of activity, the human body requires 150-250 calories to
digest your food. If you eat an item that has a caloric content of 100 calories
or less, you will actually burn more calories than you consume. Celery is a
thermic vegetable, great for dieting.
5) Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains a flavonoid compound called
methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (a.k.a. MHCP) which is an antioxidant that
appears to activate insulin receptors inside the cells and may also aid in
lowering cholesterol levels.
6) Citrus Fruits
There are some 200 anti-carcinogenic compounds
in citrus fruits. They're loaded with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, and
contain a soluble fiber called pectin which lowers cholesterol and subdues
inflammation.
7) Ginger
Ginger is loaded with COX-2 inhibitors, strong
anti-inflammatory compounds which inhibit a specific pain-causing enzyme in the
body. It's also helpful in dealing with motion sickness or morning sickness.
8) Mints
There are over 70 varieties in this category,
including peppermint, spearmint, rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano, sage,
lavender, lemon balm. Many of them sooth the stomach (in tea form) and many of
them stimulate the central nervous system. They're loaded with healthy-heart
antioxidant compounds. Some are "uppers," such as peppermint and
spearmint. Some have sedative effects, such as lavender and lemon balm.
9) Peppers
Chili peppers contain a compound called
capsaicin, which increases endorphins (internal pain killers) and improves
circulation -- they help with weight loss, stomach protection, cold treatment,
arthritis pain. Sweet peppers are antioxidants that can ward off heart disease.
10) Pomegranates
Rich in antioxidants, they fight cholesterol and
heart disease. They also contain phytoestrogens which help women with menopause
symptoms. They may also help in treating
obesity and diabetes.
11) Turmeric (Curry)
Many people treat osteoarthritis with turmeric,
which has a high concentration of a COX-2 inhibitor called curcumin. It also
has compounds that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine which may help to
prevent mental deterioration.
12) Walnuts
They contain healthy monounsaturated fats,
omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein, particularly arginine. They are a good
source of a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which aids in brain function and
also helps to curb the appetite.
* * *
When you lay in a hospital bed for many days,
not knowing if you will ever walk back out the door, you tend to dwell on your
life and beyond.
Human beings are a combination of body, mind and
soul. Repairing the body is only one aspect of well-rounded existence.
The mind also needs occasional repair. In this
crazy world, we must cope with fear, anxiety, doubt, depression, greed, lust,
envy, gluttony and other forms of negativity. Getting your mind straight can
often be a more daunting task than getting your body in proper working order. A
fearless, positive attitude will help keep your head screwed on and your
outlook will become peachy keen.
The grand struggle in this dimension may deal
with the salvation of our soul (inner spirit) -- seeking, discovering and
aligning with a righteous path, a quest for internal peace and eternal bliss.
Stay strong, be cool -- life is good.
___________
Quote for the Day -- "Beware of reading
health books -- you may die of a misprint." Mark Twain
___________
Bret Burquest is the author of 9 books. He lives
in the Ozark Mountains with a dog named Buddy Lee and is so far over the hill
that he's started up the next one.
___________
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