Wheat Grass Shots
Incorporating wheat grass into your diet will help build and renew blood cells in the body and increase the oxygen available to fight the cancer cells. Wheat grass is packed with vitamin K and has been shown to decrease the time to onset of the most severe grading of acute radiation skin toxicity, improving treatment compliance. Also, wheat grass shots can be found at any local Whole Foods or Jamba Juice location.
Flax Seeds
Flax is a great source of fiber, which most Americans don’t get enough of, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans which reduce the risk of breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Lignans may help protect against cancer by blocking enzymes that are involved in hormone metabolism and interfering with the growth and spread of tumor cells. Some of the other components in flaxseed also have antioxidant properties, which may contribute to protection against cancer and heart disease.
Chia Seeds
The little seed — which comes in either white or a dark brown and black color — has a huge nutritional profile. It contains calcium, manganese, and phosphorus, fiber, protein and is a great source of healthy omega-3 fats. In addition, chia seeds have been shown to improve blood pressure in diabetics and is being studied as a potential natural treatment for type-2 diabetes. As an added benefit, chia seeds can be eaten whole or milled, while flax seeds have to be ground before consumption in order to access their health benefits.
Juicing
There are many health benefits of drinking freshly juiced fruits and vegetables, and it’s a great way to add nutrients from the fruits or vegetables that you normally wouldn’t eat. Fruit and vegetable juices retain most of of the vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals (phytonutrients) that would be found in the whole versions of those foods. These nutrients can help protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer and various inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis. Valuable compounds called flavonoids and anthocyanins are abundant in a variety of fruits and vegetables and guard against oxidative cellular damage, which comes from everyday cellular maintenance and is exacerbated by exposure to chemicals and pollution.
Alkalizing Your Body
Acid is for your car…not your body! Alkalinity is important because the cells in our bodies need to maintain their natural alkaline balance in order to stay healthy. The pH levels in our bodies are changed by the food we eat, the stress we endure, and even the water we drink. Our health suffers as a result. Most people have high acid levels and do not even realize it. Research has shown that there are many benefits when alkalizing the body. Your blood pressure will stay at healthier levels, you will have more energy, and your bone and digestive systems will function better.
Evamor
At evamor, they believe what’s inside the bottle really counts: all-natural, high-alkaline artesian water, with a pH range of 8.8 – 9.1, and alive with rich minerals and electrolytes. evamor is full of alkaline goodness that helps balance your body and life. Everyone’s life is different…we know that. And life is full of choices: exercise routines, diets, goals, resolutions, commitments. But everyone needs water, and we believe something as simple as drinking a better water can lead to better things. Take a sip in the right direction, make a change in the water you drink, and harness the power of alkalinity and minerals to balance your body and your life. At evamor, they believe a better you starts with a better water.
Eating Organic
Making a commitment to healthy eating is a great start towards a healthier life. Beyond eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and good fats, however, there is the question of food safety, nutrition, and sustainability. How foods are grown or raised can impact both your health and the environment. Organic foods provide a variety of benefits and can easily be found at any local farmer’s market. Some studies show that organic foods have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, than their conventionally grown counterparts. In addition, people with allergies to foods, chemicals, or preservatives often find their symptoms lessen or go away when they eat only organic foods. In addition, organic foods are better for the environment, contain fewer pesticides, and have no growth hormones or antibiotics. Though going all organic is best, some foods are more prone to harsh chemicals than others, such as milk, eggs and chicken, so it’s important to reference The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen to see which foods are worth the splurge and which aren’t.
The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen
The health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure. Use EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™ to reduce your exposures as much as possible, but eating conventionally-grown produce is far better than not eating fruits and vegetables at all. The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ will help you determine which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticide residues and are the most important to buy organic. You can lower your pesticide intake by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and choosing the least contaminated produce.
Turmeric Powder/Pills for Anti-Inflammatory
Turmeric is a culinary spice widely used in Southeast Asia. Recent research reveals why this herb is such a powerful healer due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The health benefits of Turmeric have been recognized by Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. It has been used to treat everyday problems such as indigestion, as well as more serious problems such as arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV, high cholesterol, heartburn, jaundice, liver disorders, and menstrual disorders. Turmeric can also be applied topically in poultices to reduce inflammation and to relieve wounds, cuts, and bruises.
Garlic Supplements
Garlic is used for many conditions related to the heart and blood system. These conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, heart attack, and atherosclerosis. This remarkable little bulb now also tops the American National Cancer Institute’s list of potential cancer-preventative foods. It contains multiple anticancer compounds and antioxidants, more than 30 at the last count, which such powerful compounds as quercetin, diallyl sulphide, allicin and ajoene. These have the ability to block cancer causing agents such as nitrosamine and aflatoxin which have been specifically linked to stomach, lung and liver cancer. Garlic’s ajoene and allicin have also been shown to retard cancer cells as a type of natural chemotherapy.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is showing promise as a way to prevent and counteract the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, having a beneficial effect on glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. Diabetics can easily add it to meals more often, drink it as tea, or even take it as a supplement. In addition, Cinnamon’s ability to kill several types of bacteria, including E.coli, make it a very good way to combat food poisoning, and is a rich source of manganese, iron, calcium, fiber, and antioxidants. Manganese, which cinnamon is rich in, also reduces mood swings and cramps during PMS and cinnamaldehyde, an active compound in cinnamon, can help balance hormones.
Vitamin C
As an important factor in collagen production, vitamin C is useful in wound healing of all types. From cuts and broken bones to burns and recovery from surgical wounds, vitamin C taken orally helps wounds to heal faster and better. Applied topically, vitamin C may protect the skin from free radical damage after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. In addition, Vitamin C has been shown to act as a natural antihistamine, shorten the duration of the cold, prevent heart disease by preventing free radicals from damaging artery walls, and regulate blood sugar levels
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 promotes calcium’s absorption and functions for teen’s and children’s healthy teeth and bones, prevents loss of bone mass, and treats bone disorders. In addition, it protects against adult and elderly muscle weakness and immune system issues, and lowers the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancers. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis are improved with vitamin D3, which also prevents/treats rickets and post menopausal osteoporosis. The vitamin also treats hypoglycemia, Multiple Sclerosis and the development of Type 1 diabetes.
Kombucha
Have you heard of Kombucha, the beverage the ancient Chinese called the “Immortal Health Elixir?” It’s been around for more than 2,000 years and has a rich anecdotal history of health benefits like preventing and fighting cancer, arthritis, and other degenerative diseases. Kombucha tea has been promoted as a cure-all for a wide range of conditions including baldness, insomnia, intestinal disorders, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, and cancer. Supporters say that Kombucha tea can boost the immune system and reverse the aging process. Kombucha tea is said to contain antioxidants, compounds that block the action of free radicals (activated oxygen molecules that can damage cells). For people who have cancer, proponents claim the tea can improve the body’s defenses (especially in the early stages of cancer) by detoxifying the body and enhancing the immune system
fermented food
I’m talking about live cultured foods — naturally fermented the way our ancestors have done it for centuries. For them, it was a method of preservation. It was also a secret to good health, and it’s making a serious comeback. A strong immune system depends on a healthy digestive tract. If digestive health is not up to par, chances are neither is the immune system. Healthy bacteria are key! That’s where fermented foods come in. They contain probiotics — friendly bacteria that colonize our digestive track, keeping our bacterial flora balanced. To make sure your diet contains these valuable live foods, consider adding miso, kombucha tea, sauerkraut, coconut yogurt, tempeh, or kimchi.
Forks Over Knives
The experts in Forks Over Knives advocate a whole-food, plant-based diet. The program is based on whole or minimally processed plants, primarily fruits, vegetables, whole grains, tubers, and legumes. It excludes or minimizes animal-based foods such as meat (including poultry and fish), dairy, and eggs, as well as refined foods like bleached flour, refined sugar, and oil.