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Cancer Fighting Foods

Nature's Cancer Fighting Foods

by Verne Varona

Reward Books, 240 Frisch Court, Paramus, New Jersey 07652 USA Softbound, ISBN: 0-7352-0176-5, 2001, $14, 336 pp.

Cancer is currently the second leading cause of death in this country and one in three people can expect to have some form of the disease. In 1900, though, cancer was the sixth leading cause of death when it affected one in ten people. This increase in incidence parallels the industrialization and chemicalization of our world -- the more developed a country, the higher its cancer ratio. Research has shown that proper diet can greatly reduce one's chances of developing cancer. But with media offering piecemeal advice, and at times contradicting information on foods that may contribute to, or prevent cancer, it is hard for most people to come up with a comprehensive plan for a healthier diet, without some help.

Nature's Cancer Fighting Foods by Verne Varona offers readers a much needed coherent approach to a healthier way of eating for the purpose of preventing and reversing cancer. But this is not a laundry list of which foods to eat or avoid, rather it is a formula of health strategies where food is the tool to achieve them. The goal is to: strengthen blood quality; strengthen immunity; regulate blood sugar; and strengthen detox ability. By the time one finishes this book, they should have an understanding of the general principles of a healthy diet and why it is important.

Varona is aware that he has to accomplish some reeducation for his readers. He does this by offering historical comparisons of our diet. For example, on the subject of carbohydrates, we learn that in the early 1900s, two-thirds of our carbohydrates came from whole grains and vegetables. But now, half of our carbohydrates come from refined and concentrated simple sugars. Those of us educated with the "food pyramid" were taught incorrectly that all carbohydrates were the same. But not according to the way our bodies process them.

The complex sugars found in whole grains and vegetables break apart slowly resulting in a gradual increase of blood sugar. This allows the body to sustain energy and emotional stability. The simple sugars found in refined products such as sugar and flour are different in that they will enter the bloodstream rapidly causing dramatic fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Not only can this result in swings in energy level and mood but traps us into a cycle of constantly maintaining that unhealthy state by "fixing" a plummeting blood sugar level with even more sugar.

When we learn that cancer cells feed directly on blood glucose, the importance of flooding our bloodstream with sugar takes on a whole new meaning. And the concept of prevention comes into play when we learn that glucose can impair the body's immune functioning.

Besides the all-important subject of glucose, there are enlightening discussions of other aspects of our diets including fats and proteins, which is vital information as the modern Western diet still relies heavily on meat and dairy products. Also, in a separate chapter we learn of the acid and alkaline relationship to our health. Though not often discussed, high acidity plays a role in many illnesses as well as processes related to cancer such as immunity breakdown and organ damage. The author has been a successful nutritional counselor and instructor so there is no discounect between the information he offers and understanding the difficulties people may have in following a new, healthier diet. There is a chapter that addresses the fact that people will have cravings for the foods they have eaten and enjoyed for years. For this he suggests strategies for coping with those cravings and substitutions that should help a person get over them.

Adopting a healthier diet naturally leads to the need for new foods and possibly supplements. For the purpose of making wiser choices, the author provides some specific information about the role of phytochemicals and antioxidants that can be found in foods as well as supplements. To further enhance immunity and detox ability, there is a discussion of herbs and mushrooms known to be helpful.

Again, with the understanding of a counselor, or maybe someone who has actually been through the experience himself, Varona offers those willing to make dietary changes an option between a gradual approach and what he calls a "dive in" approach. Always mindful that not everyone is the same, one can tailor their food selection and preparation according to their own preferences and needs. He even includes a chapter of recipes to get one started.

In the Afterword of this book, the author talks about his experiences with nutritional counseling and seminars. As he listened to the questions his clients had, he saw the need to "make this information more flexible, more Westernized in reference..[and]...I wanted to achieve a balanced approach without compromising the integrity of my recommendations." Varona has accomplished this. This very accessible book should be helpful for those trying to reverse cancer, those trying to prevent illness or anyone just trying to find a diet that will help them feel better.

COPYRIGHT 2001 The Townsend Letter Group
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group