Overheard at a recent gathering of friends:
Scenario 1: Let’s call them Sandra and Linda, in their 40s.
Sandra: I don’t understand it. Despite being extra careful with my diet, my blood pressure is high.
Linda: You are so right! There are days when both my blood pressure and blood sugar are up. And to think that I exercise daily!
Sandra: Look at that yummy cheesecake. Let’s share a big slice. At least we can bring down our calorie intake. Anyway, I already took my pills.
Linda: Oh, wow. This is delicious—almost as yummy as my favorite midnight snack, cheese-flavored potato chips.
Scenario 2: Two businessmen in their 50s, exchanging pleasantries.
John: Did you hear about Ricky’s passing? He was only 52!
Jerry: Sad news, really. Remember our wild parties in our 30s? We truly went bingeing to the extreme.
John: Those were the days. Instead of killing two bottles of wine in one sitting, we are down to just one.
Jerry: Hahaha! You know that Ricky went for an executive checkup and the result was stage 4 cancer of the liver?
John: Sometimes, it’s better not to know.
Jerry: Let’s drink to that! Bottoms up!
Too young to die
We have often heard this said of someone who passed away too soon. An oncologist, upon examining his 74-year-old patient with stage 4 throat cancer, remarked, “Mrs. Santos, you are now living on borrowed time. I am surprised that you are alive today despite being a chain smoker and a borderline alcoholic. Be grateful for this extension on your life.” I was a witness to that conversation, which became an aha! moment for me.
Scientific studies have proven that if one were to embrace a wellness lifestyle today, one can live to 110.
Let’s give ourselves a fighting chance to challenge life-threatening diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes.
Pointers
And to begin our offensive against illness, here are some important pointers to remember to assure our victory.
The expression “a minute on the lips, forever on the hips” is more than just skin-deep. Oftentimes we are so concerned about our outward appearance that we forget to consider our inward status.
In the book “Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness” by Suzanne Somers, these are vital matters we should consider.
Dr. Russell Blaylock, neurosurgeon and author of several books like “Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients,” explains that there are devastating effects of chemicals on the brain and general health.
Glutamate—This is a common neurotransmitter in the brain which turns on neurons. Glutamate levels in the brain need to be kept at a low level. Slight elevation in glutamate levels outside of the neurons can lead to brain damage.
Because every body tissue has glutamate receptors, any overstimulation can cause problems like heart failure, atherosclerosis and lung damage.
Glutamine—This is produced by the body for immune function, muscle growth and functions of the cell living in the gastrointestinal tract. Glutamine is converted inside the body into glutamate, which neurons use as a transmitter.
Glutamine is harmful only if converted into glutamate in large quantities.
Glutamates are found in soy protein, soy isolates, soy protein concentrates, MSG and autolyzed yeast extract.
When the body consumes an excessive amount of these excitatory amino acids, blood glutamate levels can rise from 19 to 50 times.
Humans are 20 times more sensitive than monkeys and five times more sensitive than mice to glutamate.
Sugar—Yes, sugar is sweet to the taste. It also feeds cancer cells. Sugar is considered a powerful cancer growth promoter. Available today is a tremendous amount of literature on the effect of sugar on tumors as well as the positive effect of sugar withdrawal on tumor growth inhibition.
Even aspartame, a sugar substitute, is suspect. The Ramazzini Foundation of Oncology and Environmental Sciences in Italy did an aspartame study on rats. The result: an increase in cancer incidence.
Aspartame breaks down into formaldehyde and formic acid in the body. The formaldehyde attaches itself to the cell’s DNA, causing cell damage.
We live in a world of privilege. With an economy driven by the power to want and to own, one isn’t surprised by the general tendency of a population to seek gratification.
If you are to take your health seriously, the realization is there—either you take control now or you repair the damage done later.
Yes, there are lots to eat and drink. If you put the word “natural” before every food choice, then you cannot go wrong.
And if you cannot break your bad habits, moderate them. It’s a good start.
This week’s affirmation: “I will live a long and blissful life.”
Love and light!
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