42% of all breast and colon cancers diagnosed are among obese people

Obesity and Breast cancer

Prior to menopause, obesity does not appear to raise the risk of developing breast cancer, but after menopause, the story changes. Remember too, that statistically, more women are diagnosed with breast cancer after menopause and/or later in life. Women who are obese have are one and a half more times likely to develop breast cancer after menopause than women who are of healthy weights.

The primary reason is likely the difference in estrogen levels. Estrogen naturally drops in women after menopause. Breast cancer is often estrogen-responsive, in other words, excessive estrogen levels can fuel the breast cancer cells and advance them more quickly. Women who are obese carry extra estrogen in their fat cells. After menopause, the levels of estrogen drop so these fat cells release the estrogen in response to the drop. This could be why obese women may develop breast cancer after menopause more than their slimmer counterparts.

Diets high in fat are associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and of course, a diet high in fat can also lead to weight gain and eventually, obesity. So many factors go hand in hand.

Possibly more frightening is that obese women are more likely to die from breast cancer than slimmer women who also have breast cancer. One reason could be that the tumors are detected at later stages. It’s more difficult to detect tumors at early stages in obese women. Another reason could be the overall unhealthy state of an obese woman’s body compared to a woman who has maintained a healthier weight throughout life.

Cancer and the means to fight cancer are very hard on the human body. A person who is obese may be in a very unhealthy state when diagnosed with cancer. Over the years, diet and lifestyle choices may have lead to not only the weight gain, but a number of underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Lack of proper nutrition such as eating plenty of vegetables and whole grains may have taken its toll on the body making it more difficult for a person who is obese to survive yet another disease such as breast cancer.

Obesity and Colon Cancer

Here’s where obesities impact on the development of cancer affects men. Although there is not a significant association between obesity and an increased risk of developing colon cancer in women, there has been consistent evidence that a high BMI in men, particularly those with excessive abdominal fat, increases their risk of developing colon cancer. Colon cancer occurs more frequently in obese people overall.

One reason why obesity in women may not raise the risk of colon cancer as much as it does for men is the way in which the excess fat is distributed. Women tend to gain more weight in the hips, thighs and buttocks whereas men who are obese tend to have excess stomach fat. The excess stomach fat is suspect in the increased risk of colon cancer due to the increased levels of insulin and insulin related growth factors in people who have large amounts of abdominal fat. These levels may encourage colon cancer tumor growth.

And just as seen with breast cancer, there are many correlated factors when it comes to obesity and unhealthy effect it has on the body, as do the dietary and lifestyle choices. Many people who are obese consume unhealthy diets that are low in natural substances known to fight colon cancer.

Fiber is one of these and its intake is frequently low in people who are obese as well as people with colon cancer. Fiber cleanses the digestive tract of toxins and dried fecal matter that can both lead to the development of colon cancer.

Moreover, a diet high in fiber is almost always high in phytochemicals that can fight cancer and help reduce weight at the same time. Natural sources of fiber and phytochemicals are vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and more often than not, a person who is obese has probably not been consuming enough of these healthy foods and too many of the unhealthy foods that can lead to the development of cancer.

Does Obesity Raise the Risk of ANY Cancer?

As you’ve just seen with breast and colon cancer, obesity does raise the risk of developing cancer and the mechanisms behind this raised risk could very well be associated with the causes of obesity in the first place. The fact is, consuming an unhealthy diet has a hugely negative effect on overall health. Obesity is just one of the many problems associated with eating too much of the bad foods and not enough of the good foods.

Ultimately, cancer develops as a result of mutated cells that begin to grow uncontrollably and take over healthy tissue. Destroying healthy tissue results in a eventual organ and system failure, which is what eventually can take the life of the person suffering from cancer. The goal of any cancer treatment is to stop the cancer from growing and quite simply, getting the cancer out of the body.

The goal of cancer prevention is to keep the mutated cells from forming in the first place. Although you simply cannot control your genetic predisposition to developing cancer, you can do quite a bit to protect your body from cancer and this needs to happen at the cellular level.

Many of the same methods of reducing cellular damage can also boost your weight loss efforts. Phytochemicals found in natural plant sources can fight free radical damage at the cellular level and help prevent the formation of mutated cells. Some phytochemicals have even been found to reduce tumor growth. In addition, phytochemicals and their sources can help you lose weight by increasing metabolism, decreasing fat formation and decreasing appetite.

Some of the very best sources of phytochemicals to help you lose weight are Caralluma fimbriata, green tea extract, cayenne, theobromine and resveratrol, all ingredients found in Ultimate Trim.

Take $10 off your purchase of Ultimate Trim Today. Use the promo code 10THANKS at checkout.

Great for lunch OR dinner, this hearty soup will keep you feeling full and kick-start your metabolism…and it’s a great source of soluble fiber, too! You can even want to boost the flavor or the heat by experimenting with herbs or by adding some hot sauce.

2 – 16 oz cans ready cut tomatoes
1 – large chopped onion
1 – 32 oz can chicken or beef broth
1 – package dry onion soup mix
1 – bunch celery, sliced
3-4 large carrots, sliced
1 – large green pepper, sliced
1 – large head of cabbage, sliced
1/8 cup Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp ground black pepper
2 – large chicken breasts
½ cup brown rice (minute rice)

In a small sauce pan, bring a few tablespoons of the broth to a boil. Add in the chicken breasts, cut in thin strips, and stir-fry until almost cooked through. Then transfer into a large pot with all the other ingredients and bring to a boil.

Once boiling, cover and simmer for about 45 minutes, adding in the brown rice for the last 20 minutes. Add water as necessary.

For variety, you may consider replacing the chicken breast with lean ground turkey (browned with the onion) or delicious Quinoa (super high in protein and fiber) for the brown Rice. Experiment with adding herbs or hot sauce to give it more zip!

Make a big batch and freeze it so you have a healthy meal ready-to-go.

Get more fabulous fatburning recipes from Rob’s Fat Burning Furnace Program.

New Ideas for Healthy Living

Newsletter – April 10, 2012

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup apples, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Coconut milk to mix to desired consistency
• Stevia or Splenda to sweeten if desired

Directions

In a medium0sized bowl, soak the quinoa in cold water for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water. In a medium saucepan, combine the soaked quinoa and water and bring to a boil.Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes.
Add apples, nuts and cinnamon. Simmer until water is absorbed. Serve with milk (just a little over the cereal) and sweeten to taste with stevia or splenda.

Contributed by: Isabel De Los Rios, as featured in The Diet Solution

Like many people trying to diet or control their weight, your life may revolve around either satisfying or suppressing your cravings. But, did you ever stop to consider that your body might be trying to tell you something?

Nowadays, it is nearly impossible to get all the vitamins and minerals we need from our daily diet. Even fresh fruits and vegetables are grown in soil depleted of essential nutrients. Some say eating 100% raw and organic will give you everything you need.

Although I support a raw diet, it is neither convenient nor affordable for most people.

The Reason Behind the Food Craving

So, what are your food cravings really telling you? Here are a few of the most common cravings and the nutrients your body may need.

1. Chocolate => Magnesium
2. White Bread/Pasta => Chromium
3. Chips => Chloride and Omega-3s
4. Soda/Carbonated Drinks => Calcium
5. Coffee/Tea => Sulfur, Iron, Salt, or Phosphorus
6. Cheese => Omega-3s

The list goes on and on of what your body needs when you crave specific foods. If you crave something not on the list, a quick internet search will help you find the nutrients your body is truly craving – in a healthy form.

One of the easiest ways to get your essential nutrients is to take a quality multivitamin. Buying one at the local “Big Box” store won’t do. Look for a whole food vitamin at your local health food store or even online. I can assure you, you WILL feel a difference taking these nutrient rich, food based vitamins. Many times your food cravings will lessen or even disappear after just a few weeks on a multivitamin.

Food Craving Enemy #1: Sugar

Sugar is enemy number one! Recent research has shown that this white substance is even more addictive than cocaine!1 For millions of people, this addiction is the leading cause of their health issues. Whether it be diabetes, obesity, tooth decay — or even cancer — sugar robs you of your health!

Most sugar addicts have several health issues. Typically, they are tired most of the day and don’t sleep well. Many times they suffer with anxiety or depression.

There are several different issues that accompany sugar addictions: I’ve listed below the most common problems:

• Systemic Candida
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Hypoglycemia
• Insulin Resistance

It is also not uncommon to have ALL of these at the same time!

The Reason Behind Your Sugar Craving

Sugar is much more complex than other food cravings. There isn’t just one reason behind why you must have it. A great many things can contribute to sugar cravings.

The Feel Good Effect
The reason why sugar makes you “feel good” is more a side effect than a direct effect. When you eat sugar insulin is released into your system and binds with amino acids. Together, they go to muscles where it releases a small amino acid called tryptophan that travels quickly to the brain where it speeds the production of serotonin – the feel good hormone. So we naturally make a connection that sugar makes you feel good.

In fact, a recent scientific study revealed that overweight people increase consumption of sugary foods by when their tryptophan levels were depleted. .2

Stress and Sugar Cravings
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that sugar craving tripled in response to increased stress hormone levels which leads to compulsive eating as well as other behaviors, such as taking drugs.3

Hormonal Fluctuations
Sugar has been found to fuel the production of endorphins in the brain that not only provides a pain-relieving quality but drives overwhelming cravings for more, not unlike those for other addictive chemicals like alcohol. This is why many women experience sugar cravings during their monthly cycle because that is when endorphin levels are at their lowest ebb.

Unhealthy Digestive System
An imbalance in the “good” bacteria that inhabits the intestinal tract can lead to overgrowth of yeast and fungi, both of which have high sugar requirements, causing increased sugar cravings. Food allergies and sensitivities can also cause blood sugar imbalances and the associated sugar cravings. Additionally, the immune response created by consuming allergenic foods causes its own form of immune system-mediated cravings. These digestive system-related sugar cravings can be reduced or eliminated by restoring bacterial balance and avoiding or treating for allergens.

How To Beat Sugar Cravings

Amazingly, all these conditions can be completely reversed!! It is as simple as – QUIT EATING SUGAR!! It sounds easier than done. But, if you can just buckle down and cut out “white” foods like sugar and refined carbs, your life will dramatically change! Your energy levels will rise dramatically and the extra weight will begin to start falling off!

The first week is usually the hardest. You may experience queasiness, headaches, mood swings, waves of fatigue in between bouts of the jitters. But, in addition to healthy diet of cruciferous vegetables, good fats and proteins, a thorough system cleanse with Ultimate Digestive Health will help relieve these ugly withdrawal symptoms. Get $10 off Ultimate Digestive Health now. Use the promo code 10THANKS at checkout.

1 Lenoir M, Serre F, Cantin L, Ahmed SH (2007) Intense Sweetness Surpasses Cocaine Reward.
2 “Eating Behaviors;” Acute Tryptophan Depletion and Sweet Food Consumption by Overweight Adults; S.L. Pagato, et al; January 2009
3 Bitter Truth: Stress Drives Sugar Cravings University of Michigan Press 2006
4 Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake, Nicole M. Avena, Pedro Rada, and Bartley G. Hoebel, 2007

Sleep is not only a fundamental human need, it is a necessity that no one who experiences aches or pains of any kind should ever take for granted. It is so important, in fact, we naturally fall asleep when our bodies tells our brains that certain essential chemicals have been depleted and our muscles and ligaments are tired and in need of restoration.

The growing problem is how many of us rely on legal stimulants such as coffee, tea and sodas, to force ourselves to continue plugging away. Work, after all, cannot be held back by pleading there are just not enough hours in the week. The result? We stay up too late, we get up too early, and to do this, we consume unhealthy amounts of toxic substances—night after night after night.

The net result? For the better part of our adult lives, we and our coworkers are both sick AND tired; and it is constantly taking its toll. Let’s look at some of the damage we’ve done to ourselves by not simply going to sleep when we were tired.

Lack of sleep causes: poor concentration, slower reaction times, decreased performance levels, less ability to learn and compartmentalize new skills and knowledge, more frequent memory lapses, increases in simple injuries and accidents, adverse changes in moods and behaviors, increased frequency of headaches, neck and shoulder pain, backaches, fatigue and overload of toxic consumption.

Why does this happen? During sleep, our body is actually working to repair itself. The liver purifies blood, the muscles repair, serotonin increases. Without ample sleep, these things do not happen at optimal levels.

In our natural circadian rhythm, or biological clock, sleep is set to take over during the evening hours. We are genetically programmed to get up and lie down with the sun. So it was the invention of artificial sources of light (candles and bulbs) that began our stressed-out drive for more working hours at the expense of much-needed rest.

What’s the big deal, you ask, if you sleep only a few hours per night? You can always drink coffee, take NoDoze caffeine pills, cat naps… life is good. Well, not really. Did you know that in clinical tests rats die within a few short weeks of sleep deprivation? And it’s not just rats at risk.

Chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue, attention deficit disorder, chronic migraine and headache, body aches and pain, mental illness, depression and anxiety are all in part caused—or made worse–by lack of sleep. And no caffeine pill or taurine-laced energy drink can cure these dangerous side-effects of our global-economy-size workloads.

It’s not just office workers at risk, either. Did you know that it has been proven in numerous studies that sleep-deprived children learn at slower rates and are less social than their well-rested counterparts?

And let’s talk about motor accidents. Sleep-deprived drivers, especially truckers, make up 25% of all roadway accidents… and are even more likely to result in death or serious injury than drunk driving!

How about those unfortunate people who have attempted suicide in their lives? It has been found that their sleep is fraught with tension and nightmares. These disturbances, of course, lead to further lack of sleep, which causes lower levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, resulting in greater depression and the return of suicidal thoughts. A vicious cycle!

You say, for you, it isn’t a crazy work schedule? You just have trouble drifting off and staying asleep? Here are some tips for those who may suffer from insomnia.

And for those who exercise at night… flip the schedule. It’s keeping you up by moving blood and energy through your system. Researcher at Stanford University School of Medicine found that adults aged 55 — 75 who engaged in 20-30 minutes of low-impact exercise (like walking) every other day in the afternoon, were able to fall asleep in half their normal time. What’s more, their sleep duration increased on average by one full hour!

What does all this mean? Your mom was right. Good health begins as easily and naturally as going out for a walk and putting in plenty of sack time. Try, if possible, for a straight eight hours. And maybe think about buying a new set of sheets, to celebrate the new healthier happier sounder-sleeping you!

What to Do When Your Family or Work Suffers Because You Can’t Sleep

Have you ever yelled at your kids when you’re bone tired?

Brushed off your spouse because you couldn’t keep your eyes open — only to be wide awake two hours later?

Nod off at work or can’t get it all done?

With enough sleep you feel happier, more energetic and focused. You get your work done on time to get home to enjoy your time with your family.

But what do you do when deep, peaceful sleep seems impossible? Find out how all natural Sleepzyme™ can help you.

Milk is much more than just a drink; it’s a cultural phenomenon that can be traced back thousands of years ago. And still today, the milk myth resonates loud and clear: in 2001, the average American child consumed 104 quarts of cow’s milk.

Milk Robs Your Bones of Calcium

The milk myth has spread around the world based on the flawed belief that this protein and calcium-rich drink is essential to support good overall health and bone health in particular at any age. It is easy to understand that the confusion about milk’s imaginary benefits stems from the fact that it contains calcium – around 300 mg per cup.

But many scientific studies have shown an assortment of detrimental health effects directly linked to milk consumption. And the most surprising link is that not only do we barely absorb the calcium in cow’s milk (especially if pasteurized), but to make matters worse, it actually increases calcium loss from the bones. What an irony this is!

Here’s how it happens. Like all animal protein, milk acidifies the body pH which in turn triggers a biological correction. You see, calcium is an excellent acid neutralizer and the biggest storage of calcium in the body is – you guessed it… in the bones. So the very same calcium that our bones need to stay strong is utilized to neutralize the acidifying effect of milk. Once calcium is pulled out of the bones, it leaves the body via the urine, so that the surprising net result after this is an actual calcium deficit.

Knowing this, you’ll understand why statistics show that countries with the lowest consumption of dairy products also have the lowest fracture incidence in their population (there’s more on this later).
But the sad truth is that most mainstream health practitioners ignore these proven facts. I know it firsthand because when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, my doctor recommended that I drink lots of milk in addition to taking Fosamax.

Fortunately, I did neither, because I knew that…

Milk is for Babies

Thanks to our creative ingenuity and perhaps related to our ancient survival needs, we adopted the dubious habit of drinking another species’ milk. Nobody can dispute that cow’s milk is an excellent food source for calves. Weighing around 100 pounds at birth, a calf typically gains approximately eight times its weight by the time it is weaned. But unlike humans, once calves are weaned, they never drink milk again. And the same applies to every mammalian species on this planet.

Also, each mammalian species has its own “designer” milk, and cow’s milk is no exception. For example, cow’s milk contains on average three times the amount of protein than human milk which creates metabolic disturbances in humans that have detrimental bone health consequences.

It’s important to bear in mind that mother’s milk is excellent nourishment for human babies, but its composition is very different from cow’s milk.

Scientific Studies Show That Milk Increases Fracture Risk

Many scientific studies contradict the conventional wisdom that milk and dairy consumption help reduce osteoporotic fractures. Surprisingly, studies demonstrating that milk and dairy products actually fail to protect bones from fractures outnumber studies that prove otherwise. Even drinking milk from a young age does not protect against future fracture risk but actually increases it.

• One recent study found that consumption of dairy products, particularly at age 20 years, was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in old age.1

• Another 12 year long Harvard Nurses’ Health Study found that those who consumed the most calcium from dairy foods broke more bones than those who rarely drank milk. This is a broad study based on 77,761 women aged 34 through 59 years of age.2

Milk is an Acidifying Animal Protein

Like any other animal derived protein-rich food, milk has a positive potential renal acid load (PRAL) which triggers a protective biological reaction to neutralize all the damaging acidic protein before it reaches the kidneys.

The body is designed for survival, so it sacrifices bone density to protect the kidneys and urinary tract because the latter are essential to survival. And the most readily available source of acid neutralizer is in the bones. So even though milk contains calcium, it ends up sapping your bones of that crucial mineral.

But that’s not all because…Today’s milk is a processed food

Until the end of the 19th century in Europe and the beginning of the 20th century in the US, milk was consumed unpasteurized or raw. Later on, homogenization became the industry’s standard. These processes further alter milk’s chemistry and actually increase its detrimental acidifying effects.

Raw milk advocates claim that if cow’s milk is left “as is” it is a healthy and wholesome drink. It is true that raw milk is less acidifying than processed milk and that pasteurization and homogenization may cause a long list of digestive and other health problems, but I still don’t recommend drinking any kind of cow’s milk.

Nowadays, milking cows are given antibiotics and most are also injected with a genetically engineered form of bovine growth hormone (rBGH). A man-made or synthetic hormone used to artificially increase milk production, rBGH also increases blood levels of the insulin-growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in those who drink it. And higher levels of IGF-1 are linked to several cancers.3.

This should not be ignored, especially in view of recent information by Dr. Epstein concludes that:

“Drinking rBGH milk would thus be expected to significantly increase IGF-1 blood levels and consequently to increase risks of developing breast cancer and promoting its invasiveness.”

Even though organic milk is from cows that are not given antibiotics or rBHG, if you truly care about your bone health and your overall health, you should avoid drinking cow’s milk

But it’s important to note, that unsweetened fermented or cultured dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, and sour cream are acid neutral. Yogurt in particular is chock-full of beneficial qualities. As is the case with milk, organic yogurt does not have rBGH, but even several of the most well-known yogurt brands have stopped using the bovine growth hormone (rBGH).

The Best Milk Substitutes

A great milk substitute is unsweetened almond milk, not only because it is alkalizing (as almonds are), but also because it’s delicious and tastes very similar to milk. You can even cook with it!

If almond milk is hard to get, you can also try rice or soy milk, but only organic soy milk to insure it’s not made with genetically modified soy. There is also some controversy about unfermented soy products, so try to use it in moderation.

Read more about how Osteoporosis and Osteopenia can be reversed without drugs, cost or pain in Vivian Goldschmidt’s break through Save Our Bones Program.

1 Case-Control Study of Risk Factors for Hip Fractures in the Elderly”. American Journal of Epidemiology. Vol. 139, No. 5, 1994).

2 Feskanich D, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA. Milk, dietary calcium, and bone fractures in women: a 12-year prospective study. American Journal of Public Health. 1997

3. “Monsanto’s Hormonal Milk Poses Serious Risks of Breast Cancer, Besides Other Cancers” Samuel Epstein, MD, Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, and Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition;http://www.preventcancer.com/press/releases/july8_98.htm, June 21, 1998)

Ingredients

1 lb chicken wings (preferably without skin)
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon Celtic Sea Salt
1/2 cup hot sauce
1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

Fill a large pot half way with water and then add the first 4 ingredients.

Bring water mixture and wings to a boil and then boil for 15 minutes.

Transfer wings to an oven safe container coated with butter.

Bake wings on “Broil” for 15 minutes on each side. (For crispier wings, cook longer on each side, maybe 20 minutes per side).

While waiting for wings, combine the hot sauce and butter in a small pot and cook over low flame until melted.

When wings are done, shake ‘em up with the sauce and enjoy!

Featured in “The Diet Solution”