FEBRUARY 23, 2024 CANCER FIGHTING FOODS

In the quest for maintaining optimal health and reducing the risk of cancer, dietary choices play a crucial role. Certain foods, packed with powerful nutrients and antioxidants, have been identified as having potential cancer-fighting properties.

Many individuals eat these vegetables, nuts and fruits . One nut that I ear a lot of are walnuts. I eat walnuts for the omega 3 which has benefits to the cardiovascular system. Walnuts are a powerhouse of nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, which have shown promising results in cancer prevention. These nuts contain compounds that can potentially slow down the growth of cancer cells. Studies have suggested that walnuts may particularly be effective against breast and prostate cancer. Walnuts also play a role in strengthening the immune system, which is vital in the fight against cancer. Eating walnuts regularly not only aids in cancer prevention but also promotes heart health and improves brain function.

Another food which is beneficial in cancer prevention is broccoli . I discussed the cruciferous vegetables and suforaphane on a blog last week. Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, is rich in sulforaphane, a compound that exhibits strong anti-cancer properties. This compound not only helps in the prevention of cancer but also hinders the growth of already existing cancer cells. Sulforaphane targets cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed, making broccoli a valuable addition to a cancer-preventive diet. Studies have particularly noted its efficacy in reducing the risk of colorectal and bladder cancers.

The next cancer fighting food is Green Tea ( Camilla sinensis) I published a article about green tea 10 years ago. Green tea is revered for its high concentration of catechins, powerful antioxidants that have significant anti-cancer effects. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most prominent catechin in green tea, has been extensively studied for its ability to reduce the risk of various cancers, including breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

Lastly Dr Peter Bonjourno and I published an article on this cancer fighting super-food, Garlic ( Allium sativa ) Garlic contains potent bioactive compounds that have been shown to have cancer-fighting properties. Allicin, the main active component in garlic, is known for its ability to boost the immune system’s cancer-fighting abilities. It works by enhancing the activity of immune cells that target cancer cells, making garlic a powerful food in cancer prevention strategies, particularly for stomach and colo-rectal cancers.

Make sure you add this in your diet

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 22, 2024 YARROW

Another best friend ( Besides Man’s Best Friend - Your dog(s) )could become one of your favorite herbs. This is Yarrow. One of my best friend herbs is Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). This is a common wild plant that you probably have seen growing in your lawn. You cut it because you thought is was a weed. Yarrow has many uses. I definitely would include Yarrow in your herbal first aid kit. It is great for early stages of fever, dust allergies, rhinitis, hay fever and sinusitis. I use yarrow before I use an antibiotic for sinusitis. It also is used for spontaneous bruising after a full hematological (blood) work up. It has been shown to prevent clots (thrombosis). Yarrow, Hawthorne and Linden combined are good for high blood pressure. Just a tip: I would rather use hibiscus and artichoke for high blood pressure.

Used in a warm bath, it can relieve aches and pains. I often add it with marshmellow, meadow sweet and catnip for digestive issues.

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 21, 2024 BRAIN FOG

I hear this term ‘ brain fog’ from many patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, Ebstein Barr Virus ( EBV) , cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy and patients with Lyme disease It is described as mental fatigue, foggy thinking and difficulty concentrating. You can also see brain fog in patients with food sensitivities, immune disorders, and many inflammatory diseases.

In my practice I have the ability to use intravenous treatments as IV Vitamin C, IV antioxidants and IV glutathione. Depending on the cause I can use anti-viral herbs, Vita nutrients , and other herbs to help mental fatigue and increase clarity.

Two herbs that have been studied, researched and has published studies include Mango and Peppermint Oil. The mango leaf has been clinically shown to improve reaction time, mental fatigue, attention and performance accuracy. The use of Peppermint oil has been extensively studied to reduce mental fatigue. We all seem to turn to coffee ( which is caffeine ) to help these symptoms of brain fog. The problem is that it might work but will increase your anxiety and cause jitters. I rather turn to thse two herbs. The history behind the Mango Leaf dates back to its use in Asia and Africa to treat fatigue. Mango leaf is neuroprotective and has anti-inflammatory benefits

Both Mango leaf and peppermint oil has components to reduce brain fog and improve mental clarity

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 20, 2024 SULFORAPHANE

This nutrient, sulforaphane found in broccoli has shown protection against a variety of illnesses and diseases including cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, detoxifying agents for chemicals, diabetes and neurodegenerative disease.

So why wouldn’t you eat broccoli. We do know that cooking of broccoli reduces the ability of sulforaphane.The best source of this nutrient is eating chopped raw broccoli sprouts. The cooking of cruciferoius vegetables inactivates the plant enzyme, myrosinase which is required for activity sulforaphane.

Studies have revealed the many benefits of sulforaphane as a true detoxification nutrient. Studies have also shown that eating broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables reduce the risk of certain cancers as breast, kung,m colorectal and bladder cancers.

So you release the power of consuming broccoli by taking a Life Extension product called Broccoli and Myrosinase/ The product by Life Extension contains Glucoraphanin. This is a sulforaphane precursor found in broccoli as well as Vitamin C and the enzyme myrosinase. This enzyme found in mustard seed that converts glucoraphanin to sulforaphane. It is that simple

This is an excellent product to prevent cancer and also detoxify chemicals from the body

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 14, 2024 AN ENVIRONMENTAL KILLER

Lets face it …we live in a toxic world. I have been concerned for years about the toxic environment. I have been testing individuals using Great Plains Toxicity kit for toxic chemicals and mycotoxins as well as Doctor’s Data for metals for many years.

Benzene is toxic which is found gasoline and from fuel burning . This invisible gas is what we breath and has been linked to leukemias as well as other cancers. I often find this gas in patients Great Plains results. It is frightening. Benzene is used in the production of plastics, pesticides, and lubricants. Even cigarette smoke accounts for half of the US populations exposure to benzene. The CDC has cited that benzene is a known human carcinogen.

There is good news about how to detoxify benzene from your body. It is simple, quick and easy to do - Start eating broccoli . The nutrient found in broccoli called sulforaphane is a potent detoxifiers of benzene. The clinical trials have shown that the nutrients in broccoli extends to detoxification of dangerous chemicals including benzene. It has been known for years that the consumption of the cruciferous vegetables can reduce the risk of several forms of cancer

So eat your broccoli today…

FEBRUARY 12, 2024 STINGING NETTLES

I love the plant, Urtica dioica. It is known by many names . Some names are common nettles, stinging nettles, or greater nettle. These plants are weedy perennials and are common in North America, Europe Asia and even Africa. These plants are from the family Urticaceae. One of the courses I took at the New York Botanical Gardens after I finished my Botanical Medicine Program was Botanical Latin. In college I not only studied Latin, but was a teaching assistant for first and second year Latin students. The botanical Latin course at the NY Botanical Gardens (http://www.nybg.org) was great. The Latin word for nettle is urtica. The medical term for painful or intense hives is called Urticaria.
The tiny fine hairs on some of the nettle plants deliver a sting. Thus, the name Stinging Nettles. These hairs are like fine hypodermic needle injections. Ouch!!!

Two compounds that are delivered with its sting are tartaric acid and oxalic acid. Both are irritating to the skin. These compounds are also found in some fruits and vegetables. There is a tiny amount of formic acid which is found in bee and ant venom.

I use the leaf of the plant for allergies and respiratory issues while I use the root of this plant for prostate disease

What I find odd is that the relief for the stings comes from the sap of the crushed leaves. In the United States we have it easy with the stinging nettles. One of the most potent nettle plants are the Tree Nettles from Australia and New Zealand. This plant also called Ongaonga, can cause blistering, a severe rash and intense stings. Animals that come in contact with this plant often die.

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 8, 2024 SUGAR

WHO DOESN’T LOVE SUGAR . We all do As a child OI ate sugar— I am from an Italian family - I ate pasta, bread and cakes. It was a staple for my Italian-American household. But in reality sugar is bad for us.

We have two epidemics - Obesity and Diabetes. Both lead to Cardiovascular Diusease Sugar is a key player in the global obesity epidemic. Its high caloric content, combined with its prevalence in diets, contributes significantly to weight gain. Consuming sugar in excess leads to a caloric surplus, which the body stores as fat. This process is exacerbated by sugar’s ability to stimulate appetite, often leading to overeating. The link between high sugar intake and increased body weight is clear

Dental health is very important. Digestion begins in the mouth There is an association between oral health and heart disease. The connection between sugar and dental health is well-established. When sugar is consumed, it interacts with bacteria in the mouth, leading to the production of acids. These acids erode tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth, causing decay and cavities I notice that individuals born in the 1950’s and 1960’s have more cavities than children born in the 1980’s and now. Possibly parents are now understanding the association between sugar and cavities

As a cardiologist I worry about sugar for good reasons. Sugar can cause diabetes and obesity. As I stated These cause Heart Disease. But how ? High sugar consumption can lead to increased levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood, which is a known risk factor for heart disease. Additionally, sugar can cause inflammation and high blood pressure, both of which are harmful to heart health. The impact of sugar on cholesterol levels is also significant, as it can increase harmful LDL cholesterol while decreasing beneficial HDL

Be careful with sugar

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 7, 2024 SLEEP

The biggest drawback of not getting enough sleep is feeling exhausted and sluggish all day. In the last five years I have been focusing on three important factors to help me stay young, vital, and live to an old age. The first is to drink enough water all day. I stop at about 6 pm but get 64 fluid ounces/day . The next is to keep to exercise- I do not want to lose muscle mass. Perhaps the hardest for me as a physician is enough sleep. From years from medical school, to residency I never got enough sleep. I was one of those individuals who went to bed at at midnight and later and got up at 6 am. I was not getting enough sleep. In the last couple of years I get into bed at 8:30 and am sleeping by 9 am as I get up every day at 5 am. I feel great.

Many who have sleep issues turn to natural agents like melatonin Melatonin is a chemical naturally produced by the body during our wake cycle.  When we have good dietary and lifestyle habits, our bodies make ample amounts of this chemical during the day and release it at night when it’s time to rest. For some we do not make enough melatoin. There is research to show that one teaspoon of honey makes our own melatonin increase. I have personally never felt taking melatonin helped me.

I rather use herbs, CBD and meditation to help me sleep. I now wear a sleep mask to make the room darker. I play water sounds to help me relax. I keep my cell phone away from me as I sleep. For me I use California Poppy, Lemon Balm, and Passion flower at bedtime The California poppy is a poppy with gentle sedative properties.  It’s not a heavy hitter like its cousin, the Opium Poppy, which is used to make strong pain medicines like morphine. This poppy contains zero opium. But it does contain many of the same calming properties without the dangerous and mind-altering chemicals. I like Passionflower . It is also a natural sedative that can help with nighttime anxiety, increases GABA, and has been shown to help alleviate insomnia. Lastly I can turn to Lemon Balm- Melissa which is a mint herb Lemon balm, in conjunction with the other herbs in this blend, helps improve stress and mood while soothing the central nervous system and helping to improve the quality of sleep.

Please get enough sleep

Until tomorrow…