The Holistic Health Warrior

Posts Tagged ‘Cancer’

Fungus? Really? YES! Really.

I know, I know, most people don’t even want to think about mold and fungus, let alone talk about it. But I am here to tell you, it’s the silent killer.

Why?

Because the medical community  knows zip, nada, zilch about ALL of the diseases and disorders that can be linked to fungus and the poisons they emit, called mycotoxins. And no I am not talking about a mere toe nail fungus or yeast infection.

Read the rest of this entry »

First of all, let me just start off by saying if you or someone you know and love are dealing with cancer, my heart goes out to you.  It is probably a very scary thing for you to deal with. I’ve gone through it with others so I know.

Secondly, I am not here to bash patients or doctors, sometimes we just don’t know any better. Nor am I here to tell you what to do or not do. That choice is yours. However, my goal to share information that is primarily based on facts and backed by medical science so that others may make balanced and “informed” decisions when it comes to their health care choices.

Now onto to peeve of the day.

While researching for an article I was about to write,  I noticed an ad for a prescription drug called Neulasta at the top of the screen. It was in the form of  “Myth or Truth”.  The question was: “Does Chemotherapy lower white blood cell counts that can lead to infection?” Knowing the answer is YES I could have just moved on with what I was doing, but I bit anyway and clicked the ad just to see what it said on the next page.

Of course, as the ‘Oncologist’ explained in a brief video, yes chemotherapy is indiscriminate when it comes to our cells, good and bad cells get obliterated, especially the white blood cells. It’s our white cells that help protect us from infection.

The solution according to this ‘Oncologist’ was to get injections of Neuplasta which is supposed to help raise white blood cell counts.

Well, in theory this appears to be a great idea, right? Yes of course. And according to the studies they conducted,  it did show some positive results.  But MY point is, is it really the BEST possible way to achieve this feat? I assure you it is not. And here is why:

#1) The ingredients:

According to the package insert: “Neulasta is a man-made form of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), which is made using the bacteria E coli. G-CSF is a substance produced by the body. It stimulates the growth of neutrophils (nu-tro-fils), a type of white blood cell important in the body’s fight against infection.”

Our immune system cells are complex and prolific. Other experts will tell you, no synthetically produced substance can do the job that our innate system can do when ‘fed’ the proper building blocks of proteins (amino acids) , vitamins, minerals,  select herbs. Plus  stress relief, sleep, H20 and oxygen that are proven to boost the immune system naturally.

Secondly, and this is just my opinnion, but I personally would not want a substance injected into my body that was configured from the bacteria E-Coli if I already had my immune system obliterated with Chemo (which I would never do in the first place, but that’s beside the point)

Besides the pegfilgrastim, all injections come with additives. This one in particular has a sweetener, solvent and preservative.  Again, this is just my opinion, but injecting foreign substances into a body that is already immune compromised is just asking for trouble.

#2) The side effects.

Again, coming from package insert are listed as

• Spleen Rupture. Your spleen may become enlarged and can rupture while taking Neulasta. A ruptured spleen can cause death.
• A serious lung problem called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Call your doctor or seek emergency care right away if you have shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or a fast rate of breathing.
• Serious Allergic Reactions. Neulasta can cause serious allergic reactions. These reactions can cause shortness of breath, wheezing,dizziness, swelling around the mouth or eyes, fast pulse, sweating, andhives. If you start to have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or seek emergency care right away. If you have an allergic reaction during the injection of Neulasta, stop the injection. Call your doctor right away.
• Sickle Cell Crises. You may have a serious sickle cell crisis if you have a sickle cell disorder and take Neulasta. Serious and sometimes fatal sickle cell crises can occur in patients with sickle cell disorders receiving filgrastim, a medicine similar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim). Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of sickle cell crisis such as pain or difficulty breathing.

But the most common side effects are

• The most common side effect you may experience is aching in the bones and muscles. If this happens, it can usually be relieved with a non aspirin pain reliever, such as acetaminophen.

So their solution to LOSING your white blood cells to a toxic drug called chemotherapy that are necessary for fighting infection  is to take this drug called Neulasta. It may help improve your white blood cell count, but it will MOST likely cause you more harm as well, so here, take another drug to relieve those symptoms, which will put more stress on your other vital organs such as your kidney and liver.

Is this making any sense?

Ok. So I will bring my rant to a close. I’m not telling you what to do. But I will tell you WHAT I WOULD do if I had cancer.

#1 The best way to combat any disease, including cancer, IS with your own immune system.  I would do all I can to boost my white blood cells and natural killer cells by taking oral, supplemental transer factors. 

#2 Decrease the stress burden on your mind and body. Above all the things that suppress the immune system and contribute to the growth of cancer is stress. Stress comes in many forms

#3 LOAD up on antioxidants. These are also proven to help the body kill cancer cells. I would EAT tons of whole foods, including lots of fiber, vegetables, and some fruits. Drink plenty of water to help move out toxins. Doing these things will help balance out the body’s Ph levels. Cancer cannot survive in a balanced PH environment.

#4 Get plenty of rest. Push the pause button and release stress daily. Hourly if I have to.

#5 Increase my oxygen intake with exercise and purified, portable oxygen in a can.  Cancer cannot live in an oxygen-rich environment. It also will help my body deal with stress.

#6 Have hope and stay positive. The brain releases hormones that help the body to heal and fight disease. These hormones are suppressed when we are negative and hopeless.

Source: http://www.drugs.com/pro/neulasta.html

Well, that about wraps it up.

Enjoy the day!

More Thoughts from Mellisa McJunkin

Health and Wellness Warrior

Question: What are you without an immune system?
Answer: You are dead.

As morbid as it may sound, it’s true. When your immune system is weak you will get sick. When your immune system completely fails you will die.

If I could show you a way to boost your Natural Killer Cells by up to 437%, would you be interested in hearing more? Of course you would.

Get Healthy and Wise with  Extreme Health 4Life

How To Fight Cancer Treatment Side Effects
by Liz Davies

Fighting cancer is not an easy battle. Feeling sick, even depressed and nervous are often states associated with people who are undergoing treatment. While resting may seem like the best thing, and being physically active would not feel like an automatic response, an exercise routine is one of the best things to combat the side effects of cancer treatments.

Cancer treatments, like radiation, chemotherapy or surgery, have many side effects such as loss of appetite, hair, muscle and bone mass, and loss of flexibility, just to name a few. A regular exercise routine has the ability to stop and even reverse these side effects. Using all muscle groups throughout treatment will aid in preventing muscles from wasting away, increase the much-needed oxygen to the tissues and to the brain,  and will help the body stay fit.

Cancer patients have a weakened immune system because their white blood cell count is down due to the treatments they receive. Anything that will boost their immune system is important and physical activity makes the immune system healthier.

Routinely being a part of an exercise regimen is known to increase mood. It is often hard for cancer patients to find the motivation to start their day in the morning. But the motivation can be found through exercise. Exercise pumps the body with positive neurochemicals which promote an elevated mood and can alleviate pain. These endorphins can sometimes become addictive which also encourages the exercise routine to be continued. The chemicals are able to battle stress and symptoms of depression. When the battle of staying in bed is overcome it allows cancer patients to see how strong will can beat physical sicknesses.

It is a consistent routine that is important. It is also important to include the three major types of exercise: stretching, cardio exercises, and strength training. The level of exercise is going to depend on the individual. Factors like prior fitness level, type of treatment, and type and stage of cancer. Even just 15 – 20  minutes of  walking, stretching or yoga has very positive mental and physical benefits for cancer patients.

Whatever the exercise regimen that is decided on, it is important to stick to it! Things, like exercising with a friend, creating a workout journal, and choosing exercises which are especially enjoyable, are easy ways to create the motivation to stay with a routine. No matter if a cancer patient is going through mesothelioma or surgery for colon cancer, an exercise routine is motivational and beneficial for all types of patients.

*Disclaimer: Be sure to check with a professional health care provider before starting any exercise routine.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.

Thanks for sharing your insights with us Liz. Keep up the good work.

To Your Great Health!

If you are a fan of Spartacus, then you may remember the actor, Andy Whitfield, one of the main characters. Unfortunately he lost his fight on Sunday against the Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer he was diagnosed with 18 months ago. He was ONLY 39 years old! According to his wife, he was a brave young warrior. It always saddens me when I hear these things. But what is more sad it that it was probably avoidable.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, which helps fight infections and diseases that invade the body. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that originate in bone marrow and defend against viruses and bacteria. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the most common cancer of the lymphatic system and it can start in the lymph nodes, immune system organs found throughout the body that serve to catch foreign bodies.

One of the main risk factors can be a weakened immune system.

According to Dr. Mercola ~

Eating lots of vegetables lowers the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), according to a Mayo Clinic study. After examining the dietary intake of 466 people with NHL and 391 matched controls, researchers found that:

More Thoughts from Mellisa McJunkin – Health and Wellness Advocate

Question: What are you without an immune system?
Answer: You are dead.

As morbid as it may sound, it’s true. When your immune system is weak you will get sick. When your immune system completely fails you will die.

If I could show you a way to boost your Natural Killer Cells by up to 437%, would you be interested in hearing more? Of course you would.

Get Healthy and Wise with  Extreme Health 4Life