JULY (^) • 45
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[email protected].
If you haven’t been prescribed a diet,
Templeton recommends the following
points to keep in mind, which he considers
“non-negotiable” in terms of eating to
help the immune system fend off cancer.
Choose organic, non-GMO foods.
Conventional foods may contain resi-
dues of dangerous pesticides, including
glyphosate, a probable human carcinogen.
Plus organic foods contain more health-
promoting vitamins and nutrients.
Avoid processed foods. They contain
additives, such as MSG, trans-fats, chemical
preservatives, and artifi cial sweeteners
and colors. Research has found that simply
eating processed foods contr ibutes to
high inorganic blood mercury levels,
which makes you more prone to many
diseases, including cancer.
Stay away from sugar. Cancer feeds
on sugars, including fruit sugar and the
glucose that the body makes from grains
and other starchy foods. This means that
it’s important to avoid not just table sugar
but all other forms of sugar, including
molasses, maple sugar, honey, corn syrup,
and fruit. If you opt to eat fruit, limit your-
self to small amounts of low-sugar fruit
with cancer-fi ghting phytonutrients, such
as organic blueberries or strawberries.
Load up on cancer-fi ghting foods.
Cruciferous vegetables (arugula,
bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
watercress, garden cress)
Members of the garlic/onion family
(garlic, onions, leeks, chives, scallions)
Lettuces and greens (endive, escarole,
romaine)
Beans and peas (adzuki beans, black-
eyed peas, chickpeas, pinto beans)
Celery and celery root
Asparagus
Avocado
Carrots
Cucumber
Zucchini
Mushrooms (cremini, reishi, shiitake)
Squash (buttercup and kabocha)
Seaweed (kombu, arame, dulse, kelp)
Be mindful about your protein
intake. Some amino acids found in
animal protein, especially leucine and
tyrosine, can stimulate cancer growth—
and the enzymes that your pancreas
produces, which are important for the
destruction of cancer cells, are used
up faster by eating too much meat,
according to Templeton. He recommends
restricting animal protein for many
people with cancer. However, based
on what he has studied and read, people
with lymphomas, sarcomas, myelomas,
and melanomas may require more protein.
If this is the case, he recommends limiting
red meat and opting for chicken, turkey,
wild-caught fi sh, and pasture-raised,
organic eggs.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
I Used to Have Cancer(Square One Publishers, ) is an inspir-
ing look back at James Templeton’s unique journey in overcoming
stage melanoma. Templeton crisscrossed America, finding various
natural approaches to battle his cancer—from diet and supplements
to meditation and lifestyle adjustments. As his journey continued,
his definition of success changed from making money to seeing the next sunrise. And he
continues finding success by reaching out to others to share the lessons he has learned.
While this book largely focuses on the various methods Templeton used to overcome
his own cancer, it’s also about taking control of your life and finding a way back from the
brink of death. It’s about being able to tell your friends, ‘I used to have cancer.’
WAYS TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS
According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated two-thirds of all cancers are caused
by environmental factors. We can’t control everything in our environment, but we can take
steps to eliminate those factors under our control and limit our exposure to others. In addition
to cleaning up your diet, try these environmental cleanup strategies from I Used to Have Cancer:
Take precautions to limit your exposure to outdoor air contaminants. When pumping
gas, stand away from the pump and try not to breathe in the gasoline fumes. If at all
possible, avoid living near a nuclear power plant. And don’t expose yourself to danger-
ous herbicides such as glyphosate-based Roundup.
Consider putting a good air purifier in your home or office. It can help protect you and
your family from harmful contaminants in the air you breathe indoors. Also, some plants are
natural air purifiers. Aloe vera, for example, helps rid the air of formaldehyde, which is found in
mortuaries and hair salons, and the red emerald philodendron helps remove all indoor toxins.
If you smoke, do yourself (and everyone around you) a favor and quit. At least 69 of
the 250 known harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke are known to cause cancer.
Be aware of radon. This radioactive, colorless, odorless gas is the second-leading cause of
lung cancer. If you have symptoms such as a persistent cough, wheezing, and frequent
infections, perform a test to determine if you’re being exposed to high levels of radon in your
home. You can buy test kits from home improvement stores, hardware stores, and online.
Avoid exposure to pesticides. Using synthetic chemical pesticides in your home or
yard has deleterious health effects, and some are probable or possible carcinogens.
Opt for natural pest control strategies. Keep floors and counters as clean and disinfected
as possible so as not to attract pests. Use essential oils, diatomaceous earth, and other
natural solutions as much safer options. For example, consider peppermint essential oil
to repel ants, flies, and spiders, and cedarwood to repel roaches, moths, and weevils.
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