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Prevention Of Brain Cancer

According to Ayurveda, Cancer is a disease of imbalance. Multiple potential factors create imbalances at the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels, leading to different kinds of concerns. The following factors have been shown to create an imbalance in people susceptible to developing cancer.

Sunlight

Today, more ultraviolet radiation is present in sunlight due to the hole in the ozone layer. Also, our indoor-oriented lifestyles mean that our regular exposure to sun has diminished. Therefore, when we do get the chance to be in the sun, we often go overboard (ex: spending a week in a sunny resort, lying on the beach, and getting sunburned). This excessive stress on the body can be a factor in developing skin cancer, and perhaps other types of cancer as well.

Electromagnetic field exposure

Commonly known as EMF, this phenomenon is the result of electrical currents, to which we are exposed daily. This is due to the prevalence of electrical equipment in our environment. EMF arises from electrical wiring in the homes, televisions, computers, video terminals, microwaves, and overhead lights among others. Electricity is everywhere and is an enormous part of our lifestyle. EMF has been shown to create imbalance in our biological makeup, and could be another cancer-causing agent.

Sick Building Syndrome

We live in houses full of chemicals. There are chemicals in the carpet, formaldehyde in the wood and molds in the basement. All of these lead to imbalances in the immune system. Once this occurs, the immune system is unable to support the normal detoxification of the body's systems and the body ends up retaining the toxic chemicals it has absorbed through the environment. This buildup of toxic materials in the body may result in all sorts of illnesses, including cancer.

Radiation

We are exposed to radiation at many different levels, through X-rays and even through the television. Research has shown that radiologists can develop high rates of cancer, which researchers have linked to their proximity to X-ray equipment. Working in nuclear plants has been shown to present a cancer risk as well. We have all heard stories about the nuclear power plant Chernobyl, in Russia, where the risk of thyroid cancer is 100 times greater compared to other populations.

Pesticides and herbicides

Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and insecticides are widely used today in our foods. These chemicals mimic estrogen, and have been shown in many studies to increase the risk of cancer. Some chemicals that have been banned in this country such as DDT, find their way back into our food supply through importation of crops from third-world countries where the chemicals are heavily used.

Industrial toxins

A number of heavy metal, highly toxic chemicals are released by industrial processes. These industrial toxins have been linked to many different kinds of cancers. In Mexico, a higher rate of breast cancers has been noted among people living near toxic waste dumps.

Water pollution

Our water has been polluted with chlorine and fluoride, as well as with parasites. All of these have been shown to cause cancer in experimental animals.

Smoking

Approximately 30% of cancer deaths in the US can be attributed to smoking. I had a 54-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994, and was treated with chemotherapy, radiation and a lumpectomy. In spite of that, she continued to smoke. In 1999, she developed cancer in the other breast, which ended up spreading to her bones and to the breast where cancer had been found five years ago. People have not learned how to live healthy! We must continually strive to create a balance, and this can only be done through vigilance and focus, and by discarding our old habits in favor of a healthy lifestyle.

Hormone therapy

Hormones, especially estrogen, have been shown to increase the incidence of cancer. In particular, the prolonged use of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy for post-menopausal women have been associated with increased risk of breast cancer. One study found that women taking birth control pills had a 300% higher incidence of cervical dysplasia (usually benign), and changes in the shape of the cervix that are early indicators of possible cervical cancer later. According to a Swedish study, post-menopausal women between the ages of 55 and 59 taking estrogen therapy for five years have a 40% higher risk of developing breast cancer. Among women ages 60 and 64, the risk was 70% higher.

Drugs

Many drugs and treatments prescribed today have an immune-suppressive effect. These include common antibiotics, vaccinations, aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and steroids. All of these reduce the body's ability to fight against disease, thereby paving the way for imbalance, and perhaps helping cancer cells to proliferate.

Food additives

There are around 3,000 chemicals added to our foods regularly. These include, aspartame, saccharine and other artificial sweeteners; aflotoxins in milk, cereal, peanuts and corn (associated with liver, stomach, kidney cancer), and dyes--especially yellow dye, blue dye #2, propygallad and red dye #3. Many of these chemicals have been associated with various types of cancer, which is why we should be concerned about the safety and purity of our food supply.

Mercury toxicity

Mercury is a heavy metal that has been used in dentistry for a long time. Many studies have shown that mercury poisoning can lead to deterioration of the body's immune system, and thus cause diseases like cancer, kidney dysfunction, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Nutritional deficiencies

According to one study, inadequate levels of selenium in the body increase the risk of cancer. For many in the study, when selenium was added to the diet, there were fewer incidences of prostate cancer. Also, excessive amounts of fat and carbohydrates, as well as regular consumption of highly refined and chemical-laden foods, are not healthy. The combined effects of nutritional deficiencies and poor diet choices may be a factor in today's higher incidence of breast cancer.

Chronic stress

Numerous studies have linked stress with susceptibility to cancer. Chronic stress leads to abnormal adrenal function, thereby suppressing the immune system, which can trigger abnormal cell growth and thus cancer in the body. Also, people who are unable to handle stress accumulate more toxins, thus increasing their risk of getting cancer. Intestinal toxicity, digestive impairment, parasites, viruses and free radical damage have all been linked to the development of cancer.

In short, there is no single theory to explain how cancer develops. Health is a complex and delicate balance. The body functions normally when everything is in balance. We all make 30-40 cancer cells daily. But at the same time, we also make natural killer cells. These are made in the precise number as the cancer cells, and then destroy the cancer cells, thus freeing the body of cancer. But whenever there is an imbalance in the body's intelligence, the body becomes overloaded with abnormal cells, leading to the early stages of cancer.

Preventing Cancer

Ayurveda concentrates on the prevention of cancer. There are many things that we can do to prevent cancer, but the choices are limited once cancer has developed. Thus, Ayurveda focuses on prevention, rather than treatment of disease.

To create balance, you must adopt a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition is a key to good health. Our diet is often full of fats, sugar, or excessive amounts of proteins. We need all of these things, but in balanced amounts. These days, people wrongly think fats are bad for them. It is true that poor quality fats, or excessive amounts of any fats, are unhealthy. Some fat is actually necessary for the functioning of the body, and a cholesterol level that is too low results in an imbalance in the hormonal system.

In a healthy diet, animal fats should be limited. Instead, emphasize fats from other sources, especially olive oil and flax seed oil. Eat more whole grains and limit red meat. According to many different studies, red meat consumption is tied to an increased risk of breast cancer. Animal protein is best derived from fish and organic poultry sources.

Sugar is very important to us--the brain depends on glucose to function normally. Excessive sugar, however, creates an imbalance in the digestive tract, allowing opportunistic fungi to grow in the intestines. Also, studies have shown that more than 100 grams of sugar consumed throughout the course of a day results in a sluggish immune system, thereby not allowing the body to perform its normal activity, and creating the potential for disease.

Exercise has been shown in many clinical studies to reduce the risk of all types of cancer. Even people diagnosed with cancer have benefited from a regular exercise program. Meditation, 20 minutes, twice daily can be very helpful as well. Both yoga and Tai Chi are revealed to be effective stress reduction techniques.

Stress reduction techniques, such as meditation and yoga, are important aspects to a healthy lifestyle. Many studies have shown that people who meditate and do exercises like yoga have less chances of developing cancer compared to those who do not engage in such activities. Stress reduction techniques should be practiced on a daily basis. These include yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, walking, or even spending quality time with your family or friends. Socialization is a wonderful way to reduce stress. In today's fast-paced society, we fail to develop close ties with others--or we have failed to develop them because we are occupied with other things. But deep friendship reveals vital aspects of ourselves, and also provides a network of support that will help us to better cope with life's stressors.

For more information about Dr. Virender Sodhi and the Ayurvedic Clinic, please visit www.ayurvedicscience.com. For the herbs listed above, please visit www.ayush.com

Disclaimer: This article is purely informative and should not replace the guidance of your physician. If you suffer from an illness, you should consult a physician before taking any herbs, vitamins, minerals or enzymes. Even at the peak of health, it is best to consult a qualified practitioner before taking any dietary supplement.

by Dr. Virender Sodhi MD (Ayurved), ND

425-453-8022 * Email: drsodhi@ayurvedicscience.com * Website: www.ayurvedicscience.com

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