A Plan
for Living a Long and Healthy Life - Good Things to Do and Consume -
Part 2 of
the Series
by Tony M. Isaacs
author of "Cancer's
Natural Enemy"
excerpted and adapted from the upcoming "How to Live a Long and Healthy Life"
Good
Things to Do & Consume
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Boiling, Baking (low
temperature), poaching, steaming & roasting (low temperature
keeps more of the good vitamins, nutrients, phytochemicals and so forth;
heat destroys the nutrients in food and can cause the formation of
harmful substances
-
Keep and use fruit and
vegetable broth left over from cooking (that’s where a lot of the
vitamins and good stuff goes)
-
Get a juicer! Use it for
fruits & vegetables (fruit and vegetable juice
in big quantities are some of the healthiest things you can consume)
-
Eat smaller meals with
healthy snacks such as nuts, vegetable and fruits between meals (helps you maintain a
constant energy level and avoid overeating)
-
Drink filtered or
reverse-osmosis distilled water only, and drink plenty of it, but avoid tap
water! (the
average municipal water supply has trace amounts of over 2,000 bad
chemicals, including pesticide, solvents and carcinogens)
Garlic—preferably 3 cloves
of raw garlic every day! (Garlic, long
recognized as a natural broad spectrum antibiotic, is also a potent and
proven natural cancer preventative and it is the natural enemy of
cholesterol as well because it prevents cholesterol from sticking to the
sides of our arteries)
-
Turmeric (or curcumin)
(This is one of
the really important ones! A highly potent cancer fighter that recent tests
have indicated protects cigarette smokers from developing cancer, it has
also been reported recently to not only prevent Alzheimer’s but even reverse
it! Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, contains a
variety of bioactive substances called curcuminoids. The curry spice
turmeric is also found in yellow mustard. The most active component is
curcumin, an orange-yellow volatile oil that includes three curcuminoids–turmerone,
atlantone, and zingiberone. Research shows that turmeric and its
curcuminoids have a number of beneficial properties: (1) good antioxidant
activity, comparing well with vitamin C, vitamin E, and superoxide dismutase;
(2) anti-inflammatory activity that is comparable to steroidal and
nonsteroidal drugs; (3) anticancer properties influencing all the steps of
cancer formation: initiation, promotion, and progression; (4) protects the
cardiovascular system by lowering serum cholesterol and inhibiting platelet
aggregation; (5) protects the liver by several mechanisms; (6) in vitro and
in vivo studies show curcuminoids can help with HIV in a number of ways,
including acting as biological response modifiers, resulting in significant
increases in CD-4 and CD-8 counts. Supplementation may prevent, or be
helpful with, the following conditions: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
(AIDS, HIV), Aging, Asthma, Atherosclerosis (heart disease), Cancer, Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome, Cataracts, Immuno-depression (immune function),
Inflammation (including bursitis), Peptic Ulcers and Rheumatoid Arthritis.)
Cayenne Pepper, Ginger &
Sage (all
potent cancer fighters. Cayenne pepper also promotes
cardiovascular health, helps cure stomach ulcers, and a tincture of cayenne
pepper can stop a heart attack in three minutes or less.
Ginger also enhances circulation and acts as a catalyst for other herbs, to
increase their effectiveness and it helps the body relieve congestion.)
Broccoli and other
Cruciferous Vegetables (cauliflower, cabbage,
sprouts, cauliflower, horseradish, turnips, radishes, wassabi, and kale,
etc. One prominent researcher said “If broccoli were a drug, it would be
worth billions!” Broccoli boosts your immune system, reduces the
incidence of cataracts, builds bones, and fights birth defects and
heart disease, and, like other
cruciferous vegetables, helps ward off various cancers such as stomach,
colon, breast, etc.)
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Apple Cider Vinegar
(Truly one of nature’s
miracle substances, use of apple cider vinegar for medicinal purposes has
been traced back as far as 3000 BC, and was used by Hippocrates, the
Babylonians, Julius Caesar’s armies, Christopher Columbus’s crewmen, and
ancient Samurai Soldiers to ward off disease and keep strong and fit. Be
sure to use only natural non-distilled apple cider vinegar available at most
health food stores – the kind you find on grocer’s shelves has been
distilled to remove the natural cloudy appearance and has had most of the
healthy live-giving enzymes, acids and trace minerals removed. If you do not
have cancer, mix a teaspoon of organic locally produced honey with two
teaspoons of apple cider vinegar three times a day. After a few months of
regular use, you should notice improved health and vigor and the elimination
of stiffness and joint pain.
-
Tomatoes
(Excellent source of
lycopene. Tomatoes and tomato products lower
cancer
risk, increase your skin's sun-protection factor, and play a role in
preventing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Eat one tomato a day. tomato sauce is great, the more the
better, just avoid ones with added sugar. Tomatoes combined with broccoli
enhance the effect of both vegetables! Don't like tomatoes? Try
watermelon, persimmons, or pink grapefruit instead.)
-
Green Tea (or black)
(enhances
health – especially cardiovascular health, boosts the immune system,
prevents cancer, restricts bad cholesterol, controls high blood pressure,
suppresses aging and more. Drink at least one cup a day.)
-
Shitake Mushrooms (lowers cholesterol
and improves immune system function,
good for
preventing high blood pressure and heart disease, for controlling
cholesterol level, building resistance against viruses, and fighting
diseases such as AIDS/HIV and cancers. Often available
fresh, Shitake mushrooms are very flavorful when used in cooking!
If you cannot find fresh, available as a supplement also.)
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Maitaike Mushrooms (high
in nutrients including Vitamins B-2, C, D, niacin, magnesium, potassium,
fiber, and amino acids,
contains the
polysaccharide compound beta-1.6-glucan which naturally stimulates the
immune system and lowers blood pressure. Beneficial for
obesity and diabetic patients, the Maitake mushroom may be best known for
its cancer fighting ability. Tests in mice prove that it
blocks tumor formation and boosts the immune system.
Available fresh or as supplement))
-
Reishi Mushrooms (The Reishi mushroom
can increase the production of interleukin1 and 2, resulting in inhibition
of tumor growth. Studies show that Reishi can have a number of other
positive effects on the body such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant, anti-viral (through its interferon production), lowers blood
pressure. It also acts as a cardiotonic by lowering serum and increasing the
production of interleukin 1 and 2, which results in inhibition of tumor
cholesterol, expectorant, anti-tissue, liver protecting and detoxifying,
protection against ionizing radiation, antibacterial, and anti-HIV activity.
Available fresh or as supplement)
-
Grapefruit
(Be careful on this one if
you take any prescription medications!) Grapefruit helps
keep weight down and is a good source of vitamin c and lycopene; however
unique among fruits, grapefruit (and possibly grapefruit hybrids like the
tangelo) interfere with stomach enzymes that break down certain drugs and
may result in higher blood levels of the drugs than desired.
Grapefruit Cautions:
Drugs that are known to have
potentially serious interactions with grapefruit products include: Anti-seizure
drugs such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) Antidepressants such as
buspirone (BuSpar), clomipramine (Anafranil) and sertraline (Zoloft)
Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and triazolam (Halcion) Calcium
channel blockers such as felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia,
nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular) and possibly verapamil (Isoptin,
Verelan) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors such as
saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase) and indinavir (Crixivan)
HMG-CoA
reductase inhibitors such as simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and
atorvastatin (Lipitor) Immunosuppressant drugs such as cyclosporine (Neoral,
Sandimmune), tacrolimus (Prograf) and sirolimus (Rapamune) Antiarrhythmic drugs
such as amiodarone (Cordarone)
Note: Even
waiting to take these medications up to 24 hours after you drink grapefruit
juice doesn't prevent an interaction. The best advice is to avoid grapefruit
products if you take any of those drugs, unless your doctor or pharmacist
approves.)
Omega-3 fats (found in fish oil,
particularly cod liver oil, Omega 3 fats are not produced by the body, but
are essential for good health. Lowers cholesterol, helps
control blood pressure, and has strong anti-cancer properties)
Dark Green Vegetables
(especially
spinach, and other dark greens such as mustard greens, collard greens and
turnip greens. Good source of calcium,
lowers the risk of
cardiovascular diseases, a variety of
cancers, age-related
macular degeneration, and cataracts)
Healthy Oils - Olive oil, hemp oil,
pumpkin oil, sesame oil, coconut oil and palm oil - preferably first press
cold-pressed organic versions in dark bottles. Other
cooking oils are unhealthy. Mediterranean men are 10
times less likely to die of heart disease and that is attributable to the
fact that they use mostly olive oil instead of other cooking oils, and they
use other oils in salad dressings and instead of butter or margarine.
Olive oil reduces cholesterol levels, protects against cancer, is
full of vitamin E, and beautifies skin, hair, nails.
Coconut oil is one of the most healthy oils on the planet and Palm
Oil is loaded with anti-oxidants and carotinoids.)
Almonds (Eat 6 or more
every day! Anti-cancer, a leading source of vitamin E and magnesium
and offers protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron in 246
calories. As an added bonus, almonds and other nuts contain phytochemicals,
which are plant chemicals that may provide powerful protection against heart
disease, stroke, and other chronic disease.
In addition, almonds contain an antioxidant
compound called ellagic acid that supports the immune
system and appears to have several anticancer properties..)
Walnuts (an
excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, walnuts' concentration of
omega-3s - a quarter-cup provides 90.8% of the daily value for these
essential fats - has many potential health benefits ranging from
cardiovascular protection, to the promotion of better cognitive function, to
anti-inflammatory benefits helpful in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and
inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis
Also a good source of ellagic acid.)
Flaxseeds (Best when ground,
flaxseeds are even more beneficial than flaxseed oil, because flaxseeds
contain the lignans and fiber that is removed in making the oil.
Good source of omega-3s,lowers cholesterol, helps keep the colon
clean, regulates blood sugar and anti-cancer, especially breast and
prostrate cancer)
Flaxseed Oil Mixed with
Cottage Cheese
(flaxseed oil mixed together with cottage cheese has been successfully
used to prevent, treat and cure cancers, even inoperable “hopeless” ones,
for many years by multiple Nobel prize nominee, German biochemist and
research scientist, Dr. Johanna Budwig, whose work followed up on the work
of two previous Nobel laureates)
Blueberries
(They lower the risk of
heart disease and
cancer and help maintain
youthful, healthy skin. Eat 1 to 2 cups a day. When they aren't in season,
eat cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, currants, and purple
grapes.)
Other vegetables (such as asparagus,
escarole, avocado - actually a fruit, fennel. beet greens, green and red
cabbage, bok choy, kohlrabi, brussel's sprouts, romaine,
red leaf, & green leaf lettuce, mustard greens, celery. onions , chicory,
parsley, chinese cabbage, red, green, yellow and hot peppers, chives,
collard greens, turnips, turnip greens, dandelion greens, endive, zucchini
and summer squash)
Beans, Lentils & Chickpeas
(as long as
you don’t have an insulin problem – the signs of which are excess weight,
obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Beans
lower
cholesterol, fight
heart disease, stabilize blood sugar,
reduce obesity, lessen cancer risk, and relieve hypertension. One
California
study showed that those who ate beans weekly were 40 percent less likely to
die those who ate them less than once a weak.--Eat four 1/2-cup servings a
week.)
Pomegranate Juice (Higher in
anti-oxidants than any other common fruit juice.
Contains a very high concentration of the potent cancer-fighter ellagic
acid. According to research presented in May 2005 to the
American Urological Association, eight ounces of pomegranate juice had
significant anti-cancer effects on prostrate cancer patients.
Other recent studies suggest that pomegranate juice helps prevent
hardening of the arteries and even reverses heart disease.)
Oranges
and Tangerines
(They support heart health while preventing
cancer, stroke,
diabetes, and other chronic ailments.
Eat one a day. Want more variety? Try lemons, grapefruit, kumquats,
or limes.)
Dark Grapes (Contains
resveratrol,
the potent anti-cancer and anti-aging ingredient found in red wine,
effective with leukemia, melanoma, pancreatic, esophageal, breast, lung,
colon, prostate, squamous cell, liver cancer and others.
Grape leaves are supposed to contain 100
times the resveratol as grapes.)
Black Cherries & tart
cherries
(contain the antioxidant anthocyanins which is responsible for the red color
and which is higher in antioxidant properties than vitamins C and E. Tart cherries added to ground beef reduce mutagens in ground
beef by 90% when cooking, and the flavor is equal or better than plain
ground beef.)
Apples/Apple Juice
(It turns out that
grandma was right – an apple a day keeps the doctor away!
Apples are an excellent source of fiber, phenolic compounds
(phytochemicals) and phytonutrients, such as the flavonoid quercetin, apples
help reduce cholesterol, protect against cancer, especially prostrate
cancer, reduce heart attack risk and promotes cardiovascular health.
Note: If you have cancer, or have had cancer, apples are much
preferred over apple juice due to the much higher sugar content of apple
juice. Plus, whole apples include the added benefits of
fiber and the phyto-nutrients contained in the apple skin.)
Apricots, muskmelons and
other fruits high in beta-carotene (In test-tube studies at
Harvard
University,
beta-carotene had a direct toxic effect on cells, taken from malignant
tumors. It also reduced the growth of lung cancer cells and altered the
proteins needed for tumors to grow. Research also shows that beta-carotene
can change in the body to retinoic acid, a substance used in clinical trials
to treat certain cancers.)
Berries (Cranberries,
Raspberries, Strawberries, and other Berries are all excellent sources of
vitamin C, phytochemicals and phytonutrients and area good source of ellagic
acid.)
Pecans, Brazil Nuts
Pumpkin
(Pumpkin lowers the risk of various
cancers,
while it promotes youthful, healthy skin. Want an
alternative? Try carrots, carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and
orange bell peppers.)
Pumpkin
seeds, Pistachios, Sesame Seeds (UNSALTED—and the
pumpkin seeds are great!)
Yogurt with beneficial
fruit such as blueberries
(avoid artificially sweetened yogurt, yogurt with soy, or high carb yogurt
with added sweeteners. Yogurt helps the body’s ability to build bones, helps
prevent and heal arthritis, and protects against ulcers.
Yogurt that contains live bacterial cultures may
help you to live longer, and may fortify your immune system. Research
studies have shown that increased yogurt consumption, particularly in immuno-compromised
populations such as the elderly, may enhance the immune response, which
would in turn increase resistance to immune-related diseases.
Some yogurt manufacturers pasteurize their yogurt products, while
others do not. Although the aim of pasteurization is to kill any harmful
bacteria, it also kills the beneficial lactic acid bacteria in the yogurt,
substantially reducing its health benefits. Therefore, to fully enjoy the
benefits of yogurt,
look for those that feature “live active cultures” or “living yogurt
cultures” on the label.)
Wash all vegetables and fruits – especially those that aren’t
organically grown
(if you don’t wash your vegetables
from the grocer’s, you very well may be doing more harm than good from the
pesticides and preservatives they have been sprayed and treated with).
NOTE: Eat raw,
organically grown fruits and vegetables whenever possible and don’t peel except
when necessary – you are often peeling away the best vitamins and nutrients!
A good rule of thumb is that raw fruits and vegetables are better than
steamed, frozen or dried ones, which are better than boiled, baked or grilled
ones, which are better than home canned ones, which are better store-bought
canned ones, which are better than no vegetables at all!
Juices may substitute for raw fruit/vegetables, but avoid added sugar or other
sweeteners.
Note: Lifestyle, exercise,
cleansing/de-tox, fasting and diet are covered separately.
Next: Part 3 - "Bad Things to Do and Consume"
click here
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