What causes cancer?
Practicing Functional Medicine has been, to say the least, extremely gratifying. This is because as a practitioner of this medicine one is not just treating individual symptoms but is rather looking deeper into the underlying metabolic causes of said symptoms; these go unnoticed if one is only looking to treat symptoms superficially.
To sum it up: the body has to be treated as a whole and not each organ separately!
What causes cancer?
Cancer is primarily a man-made disease; it cannot be effectively treated with drugs and chemicals but only by eliminating the underlying causes.
Cancer research has been ongoing for more than 125 years, almost all of them attributing the disease to various causes such as, Viruses, fungus, bacterial infections, DNA damage, etc.
However, there’s one strong contradiction to this. The aforementioned proposed causes of cancer like Viruses, Fungi, Bacteria etc. are far more abundant in lesser developed nations like those of Africa, but still, cancer is far less widespread there as compared to Western countries. If we’re to go by research, then the presence of those elements should result in a greater incidence of cancer. But it doesn’t.
In fact, just the opposite is true and their cancer rates are much lower than ours. It is only when the “developed world’s” industry and diet are introduced that cancer rates begin to climb steeply − the only thing which explains that is TOXINS!
In fact, cancer is not a disease, it is an adaptation of cells in the toxic environment to survive! Cells that are put under stress by exposure to toxins, inflammation, and cellular stress leads to changes in the cellular mitochondria. In this process, RNA instructions change so that the cells under stress revert to a primitive form of ATP energy production anaerobic respiration, whereby the cells stop taking in oxygen and begin using glucose to produce energy.
The cells also refuse to die. They multiply and create a protective layer which makes them harder to kill. Since these cells do not take oxygen for respiration, these do not undergo normal cell death, normally, when cells are taking in oxygen for respiration, oxidation from Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) helps the cells undergo programmed cell death via apoptosis or autophagy. When oxygen is no longer being taken in, such death does not occur.
Cancer cells have low oxygen and people with cancer have acidic pH levels because of the cancer process itself.
TOP CANCER CAUSING FOODS, AVOIDING THESE WILL CUT YOUR RISK TO AT LEAST HALF:
Apart from reducing stress, taking care of emotions, living a balanced life with realistic expectations from yourself, avoiding the list of following foods can help you keep this disease away:
- Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs): The rapidly growing industry with GMO crops have infiltrated our food supply severely. More than 90% of our corn and soy are now genetically modified. This fairly new practice is the source of many debates. Adequate testings are not done before these GMO crops are produced, It’s important to look for GMO-free labels whenever possible or buy organic (which always means a product is not genetically modified).
- Microwave Popcorn: Chemically-lined bag and the contents, microwave popcorn is very unsafe to be had. Not only are the kernels and oil GMO, the fumes released from artificial butter flavoring contain diacetyl, which is toxic to humans. Making your own organic popcorn the old-fashioned way – it tastes better, doesn’t release toxic fumes, and is a healthier choice.
- Canned foods: Most cans are lined with a product called bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been shown to genetically alter the brain cells. Many plastic goods, thermal paper, water lines, and many dental composites also contain BPA. Help protect your DNA by sticking to fresh or frozen vegetables that have no added ingredients for your family’s table! These are better for you and available year-round.
- Grilled Red Meat: While grilled food can taste delicious, scientists have discovered that preparing meats in this way – especially processed meats like hot dogs – releases a carcinogen called heterocyclic aromatic amines. When you grill red meat to the point of well-done, it changes the chemical and molecular structure of the meat. You’re better off baking, broiling, or preparing meat in a skillet than on the grill.
- Refined Sugar: The biggest cancer causing food (by far) is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and other refined sugars. Even brown sugar is highly refined white sugar with some of the removed molasses added back in for flavor and color. Refined sugars (and foods made with them) are the source of major insulin spikes and feed the growth of cancer cells. Since the majority of the sugar supply in the U.S. is made using genetically modified (GMO) sugar beets, a healthier option is organic honey, coconut sugar, or maple sugar. Now that oncologists are using diabetes medication to fight cancer cells, there’s no doubt.
- Salted, Pickled, and Smoked Foods: These products typically contain preservatives, such as nitrates, which are intended to prolong shelf life. The additives used in processed foods can accumulate in your body over time. Eventually, such toxins cause damage at the cellular level and lead to diseases like cancer. When smoked foods are cooked at high temperatures, the nitrates are converted to the much more dangerous nitrites. However fermented foods made at home are completely safe.
- Soda and Carbonated Beverages: Sodas have been at the center of the health debate for two decades as major cancer causing food. Filled with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), dyes, and a host of other chemicals, they are very bad for every aspect of your health. They provide zero nutritional value and rob your body of the nutrients you get from other foods. Adding “diet” to the label means you’re also likely consuming aspartame – which is no better than rat poison to human cells.
- White Flour: When flour is refined, all nutritional value is removed. Then it’s bleached with chlorine gas to make it more appealing to consumers. The glycemic index for white flour is very high – meaning it spikes your insulin levels without providing nutritional fuel. Carbohydrates are converted to sugars by your body, so excessive products that contain white flour can lead to increased insulin resistance. Simple sugars such as refined carbohydrates are the preferred fuel source for cancer.
- Farmed Fish: Commercial fish farming involves raising an incredible number of fishes (such as salmon), in a crowded environment. More than 60% of the salmon consumed in the United States comes from a farming operation where they are treated with antibiotics, pesticides, and other carcinogenic chemicals to try and control the bacterial, viral, and parasitic outbreaks that result from cramming so many fish in a small space. Farmed fish also don’t have as much omega-3 as wild salmon.
- Hydrogenated Oils: vegetable oils when chemically treated, and more chemicals are added to change the smell and taste. They’re packed with unhealthy omega-6 fats and have been proven to alter the structure of our cell membranes.
It is estimated that more than half the cases of cancer are preventable with lifestyle changes, and regular detox therapies.
Dr. Kalpana Shekhawat-M.D.
Functional Medicine Specialist
BHRT consultant
DISCLAIMER:
I would like to put into view some of the research done by me in last 7 years in this area of medicine, which has been so close to my heart.The purpose of my scripting this article is not to project myself as a know-it-all! Rather, I consider myself a learner and my articles are just a way for me to share whatever knowledge I accumulate.