By SHEILA YONEMOTO, P.T.
A handout I received from John Hopkins University stated some revealing ideas about cancer. One of the more interesting statements was that every person has cancer cells in their body, which only becomes apparent on tests after the cells have multiplied to a few billion. A person’s immune system is vital for preventing cancer cells from multiplying and forming tumors.
When cancer is detected, it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors. Consequently, the immune system can be strengthened by improving nutrition through dietary changes. This can also include nutritional supplementation.
An effective way to combat cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding them the foods they like. These include sugar, sugar substitutes, milk (which produces mucus), meat (which produces an acidic environment and is difficult to digest), distilled water (which also produces an acidic environment), and highly caffeinated drinks.
It is much better to eat a diet consisting of 80% fresh vegetables, seeds, nuts and a little fruit to put the body into an alkaline environment. Eating some raw vegetables provides live enzymes that are easily absorbed, which enhances the growth of healthy cells.
Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment, so daily physical exercise and deep breathing can help get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Aerobic exercise is one way to improve the oxygen flow to the whole body. There are specific qigong exercises designed to improve lung function and whole body oxygenation.
Nutritional supplementation to help build the immune system is also recommended. Vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and tonics that bolster the body’s nutrition help to enable the body’s own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Some specific antioxidants are helpful in reducing damage to blood vessels as well as strengthening blood vessels to bring more oxygen flow to the entire body.
Limiting one’s exposure to toxic chemicals is also very important. Microwaving food in plastic containers is especially poisonous.
Mental attitudes and certain emotions can also contribute to cancer. Anger, resentment and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. It is important to cultivate a positive attitude that leads to stress reduction and greater enjoyment of life.
There are many routes to improving your health. Take a step on any of these paths to begin your program for improving your health and reducing your cancer risk.
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Sheila Yonemoto, P.T., has been a physical therapist for more than 30 years, specializing in integrative manual therapy, utilizing a holistic approach. She can be reached at Yonemoto Physical Therapy, 55 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 100, Alhambra, CA 91801. Sheila offers a qigong “Chinese energy” exercise class. Your first class is free. Call (626) 576-0591 for more information or visit www.yonemoto.com.