Cancer Prevention

A diet with a lot of red or processed meat increases the risk of dying, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine. A U.S. study of 545,000 people found that eating the equivalent of a quarter-pound hamburger a day raised a man's risk of dying of cancer by 22 percent and of heart disease by 27 percent. Women saw the risk leap 20 percent for cancer and 50 percent for heart disease.

Alcohol in mouthwash has been linked to cancer? An Australian study suggested that such mouthwashes make it easier for cancer-causing substances to enter the lining of the mouth, according the a report in Australia's Daily Telegraph.

The popular South American tea yerba mate has been embraced by health-conscious Americans. But recent studies show that the tea may actually increase the risk of certain cancers.

A study of older men and women by the National Institutes of Health and AARP found that diets rich in calcium helped protect against some cancers. Foods with calcium, such as broccoli and cauliflower, were found to have more of a benefit than calcium tablets.

Researchers at Marshall University in West Virginia reported that snack-sized amounts of walnuts impeded cancer growth in mice. Walnuts have Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and components called phytosterols, all of which have shown anti-cancer effects.

Italian researchers reported that a small square of dark chocolate daily helps prevent inflammation of the heart and ultimately heart disease. Researchers said that only 0.23 ounces a day is the ideal amount. Just a little bit of "healthy" chocolate can help improve your health.

TRU Chocolate is rated 3,040 in ORAC (9 servings of fruit and vegetables in anti-oxidants), and has bitter melon, which is known to normalize blood sugar, Noni, ellagic acid (from pomegranate, which lowers the risk for Alzeheimer's disease and prostate cancer), citric extract, and green tea. This "Absolutely Health Chocolate" is certified Kosher, organic, and safe for diabetic, obese children as well as adults by The National Research Laboratory. It's glycemic index is 7.

Suppressing appetite and your desire for sweets, it even causes weight loss when eaten before each meal. With the safe, natural sweetner Xylitol, it has no weight gaining, cavity causing sugar, which makes it great for oral hygiene and cavity prevention. It even helps clear up your skin, strengthen your bones and "brighten up your day!" It's, also, a great mood enhancer...

Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, attend to my words; incline your ear unto my sayings.  
Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the middle of your heart. 
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

2 Tim. 1:7
For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,
and of a sound mind.

2 Thes. 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.

Matthew 15:13
But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.

Mark 11:23-24
For verily (truly) I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain,
Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart,
but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says.  Therefore I say unto you, Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.

Dried plums

Prunes' popularity among geriatrics has ruined its image. Too bad! Because these fruits contain high amounts of neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids, these antioxidants are effective at protecting against cancer growth.

Tip:  Wrap a slice of prosciutto around a dried plum, secure with a toothpick, and bake in a 400°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

Guava

The deliciously sweet yellow and pink guava has a higher concentration of the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene than tomatoes and watermelon, often considered to be the best sources of the protective red pigment.

Tip: You can use the entire fruit, from the rind to the seeds.

Pairing certain foods can maximize the benefits:

What to pair: Fat and carotenoids 

Goal: Fight cancer

Examples: Tomato and avocado salad with olive oil; cantaloupe with crushed walnuts and yogurt; red and yellow peppers, tomato with olive oil and vinegar

What to pair: Green tea and vitamin C 

Goal: Prevent cancer, heart attack, stroke

Examples: Hot green tea with toast and 1/2 fresh grapefruit; iced green tea with diced fruit

What to pair: Red wine and vitamin E

Goal: Healthy heart, fight cancer

Examples: Red wine with almonds; red wine sangria with mango and kiwi; red wine with spinach salad and sliced almonds with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing  

Caffeine + Cardio

Research shows that caffeine and exercise both have anticancer properties. Combined, they offer powerful protection against skin cancer. In research on animals exposed to UVB radiation, Rutgers University scientists learned the pairing increased the animals' ability to destroy skin cancer cells by up to 4 times. Allan H. Conney, PhD, the director of the laboratory for cancer research at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, suspects that caffeine inhibits ATR-1, a genetic pathway that prevents damaged cells from self-destructing. Both caffeine and exercise also decrease tissue fat, which research shows helps cells deconstruct.

Have a cup, then walk: Drink a strong cup of coffee an hour before exercise, recommends Monique Ryan, RD, a registered dietitian and author of Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes. (If your blood pressure is elevated, skip the caffeine.) Caffeine can also increase endurance and delay fatigue--helping you walk longer and stronger. Just don't forget the sunscreen.