It’s always frightening when cancer comes knocking, but especially so when the door on which it knocks is close to home.
Someone very dear to me was recently treated for cancer and thankfully so far everything appears to be fine. She had the tumor removed in its entirety and is now undergoing chemotherapy as a preventive measure.
Sadly, although chemotherapy is extremely effective at destroying any possible remaining cancer cells, it also happens to kill healthy cells in droves too.
As a matter of fact, many people (especially those with very chemo-resistant, aggressive cancers) are as harmed by the chemotherapy drugs as they are the cancer itself! Since the drugs so severely weaken the immune system while at the same time killing off healthy cells, this can threaten the patient’s life just as the disease does.
But the exciting news is that some groundbreaking research has recently been done which shows what appears to be a VERY effective way to help keep your body as strong and healthy as possible during chemotherapy, as well as issuing a warning about the absolute WORST thing to do during the process.
Here’s the scoop for surviving chemotherapy:
Of mice and men
Of mice and menA study recently conducted on mice at the University of Michigan indicates that the level of intestinal health is a primary factor to successfully completing and surviving chemotherapy.
The study gave mice lethal injections of chemotherapy that would, if given in a proportionate dose, kill most adult human beings, too.
But they also gave some of the mice an injection of a molecule called “Rspo1” or “R-spondon1.” This substance activates stem cell production in the intestinal wall, and these stem cells are “superstars” that can help rebuild damaged tissues faster than the chemotherapy can destroy them!
The result?
Between 50-75% of the mice who were given R-spondon1 survived the fatal chemotherapy dose!
Now, although this study was performed on mice and not yet on men, mice are nearly identical to humans in terms of biology, gene expression, endocrine system function and more…so they’re a pretty darn good indicator of what would happen in a human.
Surviving Chemotherapy: Get some R-spondon1…or make your own?
Now, even though this study used an injection of R-spondon1 as the “catalyst” of stem cell production in the intestinal lining, this truth your cells already possess the ability to produce R-spondon1 on their own! In fact, your intestinal wall contains cells that are regenerated every 4-5 days in a normally healthy person.
But what determines the health of those stem cells more than anything else is your GUT BACTERIA.
That’s right. If your gut bacteria are in a healthy balance, the genetic expression of your intestinal cells is also normal and healthy. If your gut bacteria are out of balance (favoring harmful bacterial), the gene expression of your intestinal cells will be hampered, which in turn will slow or downright cripple the regeneration potential of your intestinal cells.
This is also why imbalanced intestinal flora is also linked to inflammatory intestinal conditions such as Crohn’s, IBS and colitis.
The flip side—the anti-life substances
The word antibiotic means “anti-life” and this has taken on a whole new meaning.
First of all, it’s a known fact that antibiotics “work” by killing off bacteria in your body. But since they don’t know the difference between healthy and dangerous bacteria, they kill ALL bacteria—and that includes your healthy intestinal bacteria.
This can be especially dangerous for someone going through chemotherapy.
You see, although the research in the study I quoted above did not directly address antibiotics, since the ability to survive chemotherapy is SO dependent on a strong level of healthy gut bacteria, and antibiotics kill off your friendly flora, it only follows that the kind of gut bacteria “obliteration” caused by antibiotics could potentially prove to be harmful or downright fatal to a chemotherapy patient.
This is especially a concern because many cancer patients are, you guessed it, prescribed antibiotics as an infection-preventive measure while they undergo chemotherapy!
This could truly be life threatening. You see, while neither the antibiotics nor the chemotherapy drugs would in and of themselves be deadly, the combination of the absence of healthy gut bacteria and the highly-toxic chemotherapy drugs could multiply the toxicity and potentially be fatal.
A healthy gut is key to surviving chemotherapy and beyond
Clearly, a healthy gut is where it’s at in terms of staying healthy from head to toe during chemotherapy and beyond!
And the good news is it’s very easy to help nourish YOUR gut and encourage the development of a strong population of protective friendly flora.
Here are three very effective measures you can take:
Eat for a strong flora balance
This is far and away THE #1 most important cancer-fighting measure you can take.
The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society estimate that at least 30-35% of all cancers are related to a poor diet!
Here’s why a good diet has such a profound effect on cancer prevention and treatment:
First of all, having a diet comprised of meals that are easy to digest and contain lots of alkaline foods (like fruits and vegetables) not only helps to nourish your friendly flora, but they can help eliminate built-up toxic wastes in your body too.
This means you’re a much less attractive home to cancer to begin with and can make it difficult for it to thrive!
The nutrients in a healthy diet play a big part too.
Antioxidant vitamins (like Vitamins C and E) and minerals (like selenium) can actually help prevent and repair DNA damage that may otherwise develop into a cancerous tumor!
Plus, Vitamins A, D and folate all encourage healthy, proper cell growth—which is crucial during chemotherapy!
And many of the phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables have been shown to have anti-carcinogenic properties and are potent antioxidants as well.
Now, having this ever-important healthy diet is not only easy, but it tastes great too!
One way is to follow the Great Taste No Pain health system
Both the Great Taste No Pain and Great Taste No Gluten systems will show you how to create healthful, nutritious meals (featuring many of the anti-cancer nutrients mentioned above) that are not only positively delicious, but are also easy to digest!
When your digestion is accomplished easily and thoroughly, not only will you be helping to eliminate toxic waste build-up, but you’ll also help maximize your body’s absorption of cancer-fighting nutrients from your foods.
Get a daily dose of friendly bacteria!
In addition to a healthy diet like I mentioned above which nourishes your friendly flora, probiotic supplementation is vital to achieving this possibly life-saving goal of a strong flora balance.
And Super Shield’s 13 strains of friendly bacteria are up to the task!
As soon as they arrive “on the scene,” Super Shield’s impressive “army” lines your intestinal walls, helps crowd out unhealthy bacteria, and helps keep your digestion smooth (so carcinogens and dangerous bacteria can be eliminated with your bowel movements).
This will help keep your intestinal flora balance where it needs to be and help build a strong, cancer-fighting immune system!
Ditch the cancer sticks
What many smokers don’t realize is that in addition to causing lung cancer and encouraging the development of many other cancers, smoking also destroys your gut flora!
Plus remember you are not the only one you’re harming with your smoke–the dangers of second-hand smoke are documented and very real.
Countless times I have had to hold my breath when entering a building because I don’t want to breathe in the poison from all the smokers huddled at the entrance puffing away.
If you smoke, please quit already. Millions of people have done it before you and it’s not impossible.
If you need help, that’s fine. There are lots of stop smoking programs and aids out there. Pick one and put that cancer-loving habit behind you for good.
If you are faced with having to undergo chemotherapy, or want to do all you can to prevent cancer from knocking on YOUR door, having a healthy gut is not only a good idea, it’s VITAL.
Please, for yourself and for your loved ones, take care of that humble intestinal tract and it will take care of you.
I think that’s the nicest holiday gift you could give yourself.
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
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