Commentary 09-10-05
As a child growing up, I would often help with money drives supporting the American Cancer Society. It felt good to help raise money because they were telling us that we could end Cancer in our life time. Who couldn't get excited about that. Their ads were very compelling and to be honest, the thought of getting Cancer as a child growing up, was terrifying to me. At the time I was born, 1951, cancer was killing 1 out of 16 people in the U.S. Up until 1999, Heart Disease was the number one killer in America, but now for the first time, that has changed. Now Cancer is killing more Americans under the age of 85, than any other disease. Statistically, 1 out 2 or 3 will now get Cancer, instead of 1 out of 16 when I was born.
After looking at these numbers, I am officially declaring the War on Cancer - Dead.
In the 54 years that I have been on this earth, millions and millions of dollars have been spent to find a cure for Cancer, and yet the scientists that have been in charge of this task, have failed miserably. It is estimated that 70% of all Cancers are preventable by avoiding smoking, poor diet, obesity and lack of exercise. Unfortunately, few Americans have taken this to heart and have instead put their trust in others to somehow find a magic bullet in the form of a drug, to save us from this horrible disease. This is why I have taken the position in life that we need to take charge of our own health, if we want to have a long life, as free as possible from chronic degenerative diseases.
As many of you know, I lost my niece this year to Liver Cancer. She was 42 years old, full of life, and a joy to know, and after a quick trip to the doctor to see why she was feeling some pain on her right side, was told she had maybe 6 months to a year to live. Liver Cancer is one of the most untreatable of all Cancers and was probably present in her body for as many as 10 years before. She just didn't know it was present till major symptoms appeared in the form of pain. She died just 5 Months later and left behind a wonderful family with 4 beautiful daughters and a grandaughter she never got to see.
We cannot wait for others in the world to cure our diseases. I believe it is up to us to make sure we are doing all we can do to keep ourselves healthy. On my website I have listed for all to see the ideal diet for us to eat and how to lose weight permanently. These are great first steps. I have also listed information on Hyperinsulinism, which I believe is responsible for a multitude of diseases, of which Cancer is just one. Please take some time and view this information, it could save your life.
In conclusion, I believe that organizations like the American Cancer Society, are looking in the wrong direction for the cure for Cancer. Instead of looking at the drug world for a cure, I prefer to view the information below, as a more logical reason for Cancer taking hold in the human body, and to focus you on making changes yourself, rather than just waiting for the day you get a slight pain in the side, and find out too late, to alter your eventual outcome.
DNA damage from micronutrient deficiencies is likely to be a major cause of cancer.
By Bruce N. Ames, professor of molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley.
A deficiency of any of the micronutrients: folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, niacin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron, or zinc, mimics radiation in damaging DNA by causing single- and double-strand breaks, oxidative lesions, or both. For example, the percentage of the US population that has a low intake (<50%>20% ). A level of folate deficiency causing chromosome breaks was present in approximately 10% of the US population, and in a much higher percentage of the poor. Folate deficiency causes extensive incorporation of uracil into human DNA (4 million/cell), leading to chromosomal breaks. This mechanism is the likely cause of the increased colon cancer risk associated with low folate intake. Some evidence, and mechanistic considerations, suggest that Vitamin B12 (14% US elderly) and B6 (10% of US) deficiencies also cause high uracil and chromosome breaks. Micronutrient deficiency may explain, in good part, why the quarter of the population that eats the fewest fruits and vegetables (five portions a day is advised) has about double the cancer rate for most types of cancer when compared to the quarter with the highest intake. For example, 80% of American children and adolescents and 68% of adults do not eat five portions a day. Common micronutrient deficiencies are likely to damage DNA by the same mechanism as radiation and many chemicals, appear to be orders of magnitude more important, and should be compared for perspective. Remedying micronutrient deficiencies should lead to a major improvement in health and an increase in longevity at low cost.
Lets all stay healthy...
CW
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Clinical Nutritionist in the field of Ortho-Molecular Medicine
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional.
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