Dr. Holtorf  of the Holtorf Medical Group posted a question and answer session online from his interview with an international news network.  Here is a quote from his suggestions to prevent viruses and infections. Use the link in the footnote to read the full article.

Natural ways to prevent an infection include vitamin D 5000-15,000 per day (best to check levels), zinc 50 mg/day, vitamin C 3000 mg/day, licorice root extract and miataki mushroom D-fraction. There are good combination products available (Virunex, Immunostim). Nasal colloidal silver can be very effective. It is very safe, and no virus has ever been shown to develop resistance to silver. (1)

Dr. Joseph Mercola is also a strong advocate of optimizing your vitamin D levels, not just for flu prevention but daily health. It is also one of the least expensive ways to be proactive.

He makes 2 strong statements advocating vitamin D:

-Optimizing your vitamin D levels is the absolute best strategy for avoiding infections of all kinds.
-Vitamin D deficiency is the most likely true culprit behind seasonal flu, not the flu virus itself. (2)

Here are his 2 suggested standards for vitamin D supplements:

1. He strongly suggests that you have your vitamin D levels monitored to confirm that they are at a therapeutic level, which is between 50-65 ng/ml.
2. If you are coming down with flu-like symptoms and have not been on vitamin D, take doses of 50,000 units a day for three days to treat acute infection. (2) [Notice this amount is for acute infection. Dr. Cannell says 5,000 units per day is an appropriate amount to maintain good health.]

Here are 8 Other Daily Health Practices to Build a Strong Immune System and Prevent the Flu. These are excerpts from Dr. Mercola’s newsletter. See the footnote for the full article.

Avoid sugar and processed foods-  Sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately.
Get sufficient rest.
Effectively address stress.
Exercise-  Exercise increases your circulation and blood flow throughout your body. When the parts of your immune system have better circulated, your immune system has a better chance of stopping an illness before it spreads
Take a good source of animal-based omega-3 essential fats-  Dr. Mercola prefers krill oil. It is also vitally important to avoid damaged omega-6 oils like the trans fats found in most processed foods.
Wash your hands-  Use a simple chemical-free soap.
Eat garlic regularly-  Garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic against bacteria, virus, and protozoa in the body.
Avoid hospitals and vaccines-  Dr. Mercola recommends staying away from hospitals unless you’re having an emergency during this flu season. (2)

Here are a couple of video clipe by other notable doctors on the benefits of increasing your vitamin D for flu prevention.

Use this link to hear Dr. Joe Prendergast explain why vitamin D is better than any vaccine and increases the immune system by 3-5 times as well as share testimonials of its amazing effect in reducing cancer.

Use this link to hear Dr. John Cannell on how 5000 units of vitamin D a day improves health, fight flu viruses, and destroy even encapsulated virus cells, bacteria, and fungus.

You may also want to check these prior posts on Building Your Immune System and Flu Prevention.

Immune System Boosters – 7 ways to boost your immune system

Flu Prevention – Virus blocker we use and other site’s suggestions.

Superfoods Boost Overall Health – Improve your health for a few dollars a day be adding superfoods into your diet.

1. Dr. Kent Holtorf’s questions and answer on swine flu. 
2. Dr. Mercola’s flu prevention methods. 

Natural virus blockers are an effective way to prevent the flu from taking hold.

Last winter, when the some severe flu strains were taking over large regions of the US, we had stayed pretty flu free all season. Toward the end of the season, I evidently caught the strain from a coughing cashier and stopped by the health food store to buy extra vitamin C and see what else they had available. They had a huge display of a product called, Blockade. The store reps said that they had been selling a good deal of the product and people were bringing back good reports, so I decided to give it a try. If you recall, last winter’s strain of flu was holding on for 2-3 weeks at a time. I was significantly better in 24 hrs. and completely over it within 48 hrs.

Blockade is an all herbal virus blocker.

According to the write-up, viruses reproduce in the human body after entering human cells, as opposed to infections in the blood stream which can be treated with antibiotics. Since viruses reproduce within the cells, antibiotics do not work on them. The bioactives in Blockade coat the viruses and prevent them from attaching to and entering human cells. Since the viruses cannot reproduce, the illness does not progress. Laboratory studies have shown a 100% success rate in keeping the flu virus from entering cells. Blockade is sold as lozenges. I believe that I paid about $6 for a pack of 7 lozenges. A pack of 14 is also available. It is very important to follow the directions; the lozenges are not to be chewed or dissolved like a cough drop. You are to hold the lozenge under your tongue and let it dissolve all the way so it is absorbed immediately into your bloodstream, rather than going through your digestive system. If you have taken many health food supplements, you will be familiar with doing the same thing with liquid vitamins.

We found Blockade at our local Vitamin Shoppe (chain store); my relatives bought it at their local health food store. You can also find it at many places online by searching Blockade with Virabloc.   GNC has also started carrying their own version of a virus blocker, which we have found to be very effective.

Echinacea is often used as an immune system booster.

Studies show it can lessen the duration and severity of a cold, especially if taken as soon as the cold begins to develop. In capsule form, they recommend 900 mg to 4.5 grams per day. In liquid extract, 3-9 milliliters is recommended. People allergic to ragweed may be allergic to Echinacea. (GreenWise, Dec 04, p. 11)

Elderberry has been used as a cold and flu remedy for centuries.

One study found that people taking elderberry recovered from the flu in 3 days as opposed to 6 without it. They recommend 3 t. per day of extract or 500 mg capsule 3 times a day. Prevention.com

WebMD has a list of 12 simple lifestyle changes to avoid flu and/or speed recovery.

Ginger Tea is said to bring relief from fever and chills.

Fever and head congestion can be relieved by making a tea of 1/3 t. of powdered ginger into a cup of hot water. (GreenWise, Dec 04, p. 11) I, personally, would mix honey into that to make it more flavorful.

Other Sites of Interest for Natural Flu Prevention-

You can find many sites for natural flu prevention. Two others I came across were Body and Fitness and
Organic Nutrition, both of which list herbs for various cold and flu prevention or symptoms.

I came across some good, brief tips to de-stress your holiday from an article by blog author Sara Ananya Shah. These are only summaries. Please use the link below to read her full article.  (This is one of the classic holiday “help” articles– a good reminder for each of us each Christmas/New Year’s season.)

1. Shop at home - Shop online as much as possible. The selection is better and many retailers offer free shipping for the holidays.

2. Shop with friends - If you must go out shopping, take a friend along and then relax together afterward with a cup of coffee or cocoa.

3. Have friends and relatives – If you have a dinner with relatives that you dread, invite a friend along, or a specific friendlier relative.

4. Break down chores – For example, don’t do Christmas dinner all at once. [Freeze ahead or] Do as much as possible the day before. If you write out Christmas cards, do a few each night at bedtime.

5. Make due dates – Plan to get your goals done by December 22nd so you can have some time to relax.

6. Exercise – A 20 minute walk will immediately lift your mood and reduce stress hormones.

7. Don’t overeat – You’ll feel happier and healthier.

8. Get “ME” time – Take at least 15 minutes a day to listen to relaxing music, walk, or something else that will make you happy.

Click here to read the full article by Sara Ananya Shah, Holiday Stress Relief: Tips to Reclaim Your Christmas Spirit. Ms. Shah is author of the parenting blog, Loving Your Child.

Lessen stress during the holidays with a few practical decisions.

Many people are overwhelmed by all the extra time and work that are invested into family traditions and added special events this time of year. An article by Elaine Ambrose provided a collection of good advice to show that a few wise decisions will lessen your stress. (This is one of the classic holiday “help” articles– a good reminder for each of us each Christmas/New Year’s season.)

Delegate - Choose which chores or errands you need to do and which ones family members can handle. If necessary, make a simple calendar and mark which days tasks need to be done, such as vacuuming, pet care, or folding laundry, and which family member chose it.

Make Meals Easier - Occasionally during this month get something from the freezer section for the main dish and add healthy items to it. Also, when you do cook, double the recipe and freeze the other meal to use over the next couple weeks.

Budget Your Money - Overspending is a main holiday stressor. Decide on your budget for family traditions and activities and stick to it. Some families draw names and decide a set a dollar amount for the gifts. This also makes it easier time-wise as each person only has to shop for 1 gift and already knows the exact price they should spend.

Budget Your Time - This is just as difficult of a decision to make for most people as budgeting. However, you can help your time by doing something different with gifts. Give a donation to a charity in the person’s name or give a certificate for lunch or a movie or car wash, etc. This eliminates shopping time. You will also save time, stress, and the frustration of long lines by shopping mid-week or early in the morning this month. With regard to parties, admit that it probably is not wise to accept every invitation. Choose the ones you enjoy the most and graciously decline the rest.

When Guest Drop By - When you receive a call that someone is dropping by in the next half hour, this is the time for speed cleaning. Gather the family to pick up anything that looks cluttered in the main areas the guest will see, such as the entry hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, and bath. Set a timer and have everyone work as fast as they can to get done in the next 15 minutes.

When You are the Hostess - You can make some decisions to lessen stress even when you are the hostess, such as hiring someone to clean before or after the party, having part of the meal catered (even if it is from the local store’s deli/bakery), or delegate to guests. Most guest love to bring along 1 supplementary item as a gift of appreciation, such as a dessert or appetizer or beverages. Just be specific in your request, so that the guests do not all bring the same type of item.

Do Not Neglect Your Health Habits - The holiday season with its extra work and events is not the to let your health slide, though, for most of us, these are the first things we cut out of the schedule to make time. Keep up with your vitamins, take that walk or other workouts, do some relaxation, whatever you would normally do to keep your immune systems strong. Take some time for personal pampering, such as a bath with essential oils. Before going to parties, have a glass of milk or some fruit to limit binge eating. Take that time with your loved ones to watch your favorite holiday movie.

Plan Ahead - Decide at the beginning of the month what main family traditions you want to accomplish and when. Recruit help as necessary. This will eliminate the disappointment of not taking time for what is most important to you.

Excerpts of ideas from Greenwise, Dec 2005, Elaine Ambrose.

Table of contents for The Easy Path to Body Detox

1. Beginning Steps to Detox Your Body
2. Removing Unsuspected Toxins from Your Household Part 2
3. Six Body Detox Ideas for a Safe, Easy Body Cleanse

Your body has a group of organs designed to effectively detox cleanse your body, flush out toxins, and heal itself. From this post, you can use these six body detox ideas to work with your body’s system for good health!

This is Part 3 of a 3 post series, “The Easy Path to Body Detox.” If you missed Parts 1 and 2, please click on the above links in the table of contents for this series. The post contains excerpts paraphrased from Dr. Don Colbert’s book, The Seven Pillars of Health. See the footnotes below for details on his book. (A)

I. Begin with These Tips to Detox Your Body by Drinking Healthier.

1. Drink the proper amount of water. Your weight x ½ = ounces water. For example, if you weight 200 lbs, 200 x ½ = 100 ounces of water per day to flush toxins out of your kidneys and liver.
2. Drink quality water. If you missed it, read this post for filtering your drinking water, Water Filter for Drinking Water,  (Also to reduce water toxins absorbed through the skin, read the post, Shower Filter for Pure Water )
3. Drink alkaline water. “Cells thrive in an alkaline environment but get constipated with toxins in an acidic environment.” (B) You can buy alkaline bottled water, but it is rather expensive, with brands such as Evamor, Avita, and Penta Water (The last is hexagonal water which is the best possible.) However, the most cost effective way to have alkaline drinking water is to use a product by pH Ion called pH Booster.  Use your own filtered water with this additive to make about 25 gallons of ionized water for less than $30.
4. Avoid soft drinks. They are low in pesticides, but contain too much sugar, or have aspartame which breaks down into wood alcohol (methynol).
5. Drink organic. Coffees, teas, and wines contain pesticides, wine and coffee being the highest. Drink organic brands and in moderation. (C)

II. Body Cleanse by Choosing Quality Food.

There are many reasons that toxins have found their way into our food, but here are a few that you may not have known. In 2004, rocket fuel spilled into the water supply of 20 states, including irrigation water. Pesticides used in animal feed gets stored in their body fat; when we eat meat, the toxins stored in the fat goes into our body fat, including the brain. Though some extremely toxic pesticides such as DDT and PCBs were banned in the US, main countries we import our food from still use these toxins on their crops.

In addition to those toxin sources, choosing processed food unwisely brings a host of chemical additives into your body, chemicals which are usually made from petroleum or tar products. Common toxic additives in processed foods are:

Synthetic dyes, flavoring agents, texturizers, humectants, ripening gases, chemical preservatives, emulsifiers, bleaching agents, and sugar substitutes.

To choose quality food, Dr. Colbert suggests:

1. Choose lean organic meats.
2. Choose low-fat organic dairy products.
3. Avoid sport-caught fish and shellfish.
4. Broil or bake your fish to drain off as much fat as possible.
5. Have a diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables.
6. Eat alkaline foods. (Click here to read a helpful list of alkaline foods, Balance pH with Alkaline Foods.
7. Avoid parasitic infections by learning to relax. You need to deal well with life’s stresses for your stomach to produce enough hydrochloric acid to combat parasites. (Click here to read a 3 part post on the effects of stress and how to deal effectively with it.  ) Those of us over 50 also should use digestive enzyme supplements. (D)

III. Improve Body Cleanse with Liver Health and Detox

The liver is your most important organ for body detox, cleansing both environmental toxins and those resulting from the body breaking down foods. Your liver needs to be fed to perform efficient detox.

These foods increase your liver’s ability to detox:

broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, kale, cauliflower, and wasabi (green paste served with sushi). Green foods such as cereal grasses, micro algae, plant greens, green vegetables, seaweed, and aqua greens are also beneficial.

These supplements are important for liver detox:

comprehensive multivitamin, milk thistle extract, grape seed extract, green tea, NAC, R-form DHLA, and curcumin. (E)

IV. A Healthy Colon Disposes of Your Body Toxins.

Many adults are constipated and do not even realize it. Bowel movements should take place 3 times a day, yet some adults only have 1 a week! Like a backed up septic system, toxins get absorbed back into the body without a healthy colon.

Follow these tips for your colon to eliminate the toxins sent to it by the liver:

1. Eat 25-30 grams of fiber per day.
2. High fiber fruits are apples, pears, and citrus.
3. High fiber vegetables are carrots, beans, lentils, legumes, and peas.
4. Whole grains are a good high fiber source. (F)

V. Your Skin is Your Largest Organ and Another Way to Body Cleanse from Toxins.

Clogged skin can lock toxins inside your body, stressing your liver and kidneys. Dr. Colbert recommends a simple process of dry brushing, using a loofah sponge or natural soft bristle brush. Make a routine of drying brushing before showering.

Dry Brush Process: Begin with the soles of your feet, working up your legs, torso, and arms, avoiding the face. Take about 5 minutes, brushing toward your heart to increase blood flow. Your skin will feel warmer due to increased circulation. (G)

VI. A Detox through Fasting Allows the Liver and Colon to Catch Up on Body Detox.

Fasting cleanses your body from built up chemicals, solvents, heavy metals, and pesticides, reviving you physically, mentally, and spiritually. Even the blood and lymphatic systems are detoxed through fasting.

Here are Dr. Colbert’s fasting tips:

1. Use fresh juiced organic fruits and vegetables instead of a water fast so that your body has an alkaline environment to detox.
2. Realize you may feel light-headed or foggy due to lower blood sugar and fat cell shrinkage.
3. Fast one day a month, or a few days per month at the most.
4. Do not overdo fasting, or you will lose muscle mass, slow down your metabolism, and compromise your immune system. (H)

A. Research is paraphrased from excerpts of The Seven Pillars of Health, Dr. Don Colbert. For more detailed reading, see his book, ISBN#1-59185-815-1
B. Quote is from “Where Toxins Come From,” p. 155
C. “Where Toxins Come From,” p. 155
D. “Where Toxins Come From,” p. 153-154
E. “It’s Time to Get Rid of Toxic Trash,” p. 166.
F. “It’s Time to Get Rid of Toxic Trash,” p. 167-168
G. “Dry brushing skin,” p.175
H. “Other Important Detoxifiers,” p.177

Table of contents for The Easy Path to Body Detox

1. Beginning Steps to Detox Your Body
2. Removing Unsuspected Toxins from Your Household Part 2
3. Six Body Detox Ideas for a Safe, Easy Body Cleanse

Reading Level: Gratifying

The air, household products, cosmetics, and even one’s teeth can be unsuspected sources of toxins, creating the need for body detox. The key to health is to be well informed and follow these easy steps.

In this post, we’ll cover how to detox cleanse your household by removing health risks in your household air, cleaning products, cosmetics, and teeth. The post contains excerpts paraphrased from Dr. Don Colbert’s book, The Seven Pillars of Health. See the footnotes below.

This is Part 2 of a 3 post series.   If you missed Part 1, “Beginning Steps to Detox Your Body,” please click here or use the above series link.  The third post will cover six ideas for an easy body cleanse.

Take These Simple Steps to Reduce Unsuspected Indoor Air Toxins

I do not think anyone would question the toxicity of the outdoor air we breathe. However, indoor air also has a negative effect due to chemical compounds used in construction, such as formaldehyde in carpets and pressed wood, cleaning products, second hand smoke, and paints. The chemicals are circulated throughout the house via the heating and air units.

Here are some quick tips from Dr. Colbert to help detox your indoor air:

1. Replace your air filter every month.
2. Clean your air ducts every 5 years.
3. Keep pets out of the bedroom.
4. Avoid air fresheners that are petroleum based or contain pesticides. Replace them with fragrance jars of dried botanicals or use an air freshener substitute of lemon spray or lavender essential oil. (A)
5. Unless you live near a busy road or seasonal pollen counts are high, daily open a door or window to let in fresher air.
6. Buy an air purifier for your bedroom, either a hepa filter or an ionizer. Consumer Reports recommends purifiers made by Friedrich, Kenmore, and Whirlpool.
7. Indoor plants help neutralize toxins. The best plants to fight pollution are peace lily, weeping fig, Boston fern, spider plant, mother-in-law tongue, and dracaena.
8. To lessen dust mites, consider replacing carpet with wood or tile. Also, buy hypoallergenic protective covers for your mattress and pillows and wash sheets weekly in hot water.
9. Reduce mold growth by repairing leaks and keeping outdoor plants at least 1-2 feet away from the house foundation. (B)

Cleaning Products can be Another Unsuspected Source of Toxins.

The chemicals in cleaning products which dissolve non-water soluble materials contain toxins which are absorbed into the body through contact with your skin.

Some common toxic household items are:

ammonia, bleach, glass cleaners, disinfectants, carpet cleaners, metal polish, furniture polish, stain removers, paint thinners, varnishes

Switching to natural cleaning products is another step to lessen the toxins in your environment and allow your body to detox:

Lemon Juice contains citric acid and can be used as a deodorizer, glass cleaner, and stain remover.

Vinegar contains acetic acid and will remove mineral deposits, grease, soap residue, mildew, and wax buildup. It can also be used as a glass cleaner. You can dilute it with water or use it straight. You can make an all-purpose cleaner using vinegar and salt mixture. (C)

Baking soda can also be used as straight as a non-abrasive cleanser, carpet deodorizer, and fabric softener. an all purpose cleaner by mixing 4 tablespoons to a quart of water.

Borax is a water soluble cleaner that inhibits mold and mildew.

Isopropyl alcohol is a safe disinfectant.

Seed-based mineral oil (not petroleum-based) is safe as a furniture polish or floor wax. (D)

If you must use a toxic cleaner, wear rubber gloves and work in a well ventilated area.

Heavy Metals are a Known Major Health Risk, But the Risk of Mercury Toxicity Can be Taking Place in Your Mouth.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry lists mercury as the third most toxic substance known to man. Amalgam or “silver” fillings are actually about 50% mercury. Before 1974, amalgam fillings slowly released mercury over a 30 year period. After 1974, the fillings release about 10mcg of mercury per day into the body, enough to cause health issues in 3-5 years. Hot food and drinks can increase the leaching of mercury. As the harm to the immune system occurs slowly, symptoms also increase slowly; people suffering with mercury poisoning usually say they feel poorly and weak all the time.

Consider these 2 steps to detox from mercury and other heavy metal poisonings.

1. Chlorophyll food supplements should be taken daily, such as wheat grass, barley grass, oat grass, and healthy algae. For more information on this, see Dr. Colbert’s other books, “What You Don’t Know May Be Killing You” and “Get Healthy Through Detox and Fasting.”
2. Consider having your amalgam fillings removed over time. Improper removal is dangerous. You need to have amalgam fillings removed in a proper, safe way by a biological dentist that is aware of the risks of mercury removal. Visit the website of the International College of Integrative Medicine to find a biological dentist at www.icimed.com (E)

Cosmetics are Also an Unsuspected Source of Toxins.

The wide variety of products we apply to our faces, hair, and skin can contain many harmful toxins. Even antiperspirants can contain toxins such as ammonia, formaldehyde, triclosan, and aluminum chorohydrate. The cosmetic industry is widely unregulated, with only 11% of the 10,500 ingredients assessed for safety. (F)

You have a choice for safer cosmetics.

The Environmental Working Group partnered with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to develop a free website with lists of safe cosmetics as well as a 0-10 rating for toxicity, 0 being the safest. Go to:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

If you click a category in the light blue banner across the top, such as makeup, skin care, hair care, etc., it will pull up a cosmetic listing for that topic starting with the safest products available.

Or, if you want to check on the safety of a product you are already using, go down about 3 inches below the eyeball graphic at the top of the page and you will see a search box labeled, “Search for a product, company, or ingredient.” Enter your product here. The closer to 0, the lower the hazardous rating for the product. (G)

Research is from excerpts of The Seven Pillars of Health, Dr. Don Colbert. For more detailed reading, see his book, ISBN#1-59185-815-1
(A) Where Toxins Come From, p. 152
(B) Other Important Detoxifiers, pp.176-177
(C) Unexpected Sources of Toxins pp. 159-161
(D) Other Important Detoxifiers, pp. 178-179
(E) Unexpected Sources of Toxins pp. 158-159
(F) http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=308
(G) Unexpected Source of Toxins, p. 161

Table of contents for The Easy Path to Body Detox

1. Beginning Steps to Detox Your Body
2. Removing Unsuspected Toxins from Your Household Part 2
3. Six Body Detox Ideas for a Safe, Easy Body Cleanse

Reading Level: Leisurely

As toxicity levels are daily increasing in our environments, now is the best time to start a detox cleanse of your body and surroundings.

Most people have given thought to a body cleanse and it is with good reason! More than 80,000 chemicals are registered for use within the US with about 2000 more being added each year. A report by the Environmental Working Group showed that the umbilical cords of 10 babies tested for an average of 287 toxins, 180 of which were carcinogenic. In North American alone, 80,000 metric tons of carcinogens are released into the air annually. Municipal water is polluted with more than 2,100 chemicals (1).

This post is the first of a 3 part series on detoxing your body.  Part 2 will cover removing unsuspected toxins from your household and Part 3 will focus on six easy ideas for a safe body cleanse.

Though we cannot completely avoid toxins, there are simple steps to reduce the toxins in both your body and environment.

Dr. Don Colbert, MD and author of The Seven Pillars of Health, compares not doing a detox cleanse to allowing the trash in your house to build up for weeks at a time. Avoiding it will not allow you to avoid the effects of it; but by taking out the house trash, your body becomes healthier and your environment a safer place. Similarly, when you do not take any steps to detoxing your body or environment, your body’s waste management system becomes overwhelmed by the toxins and is not able to function properly. Body detox allows your body’s natural systems for eliminating toxins to again begin functioning efficiently.

Here are excerpts of Dr. Colbert’s recommended steps for decreasing your exposure to toxins and beginning to cleanse your body. Please see the footnote for more information about his book.

1. Choose more organic food, including free range lean meats, and low-fat dairy.

2. Use pure spring water or filtered water. (Click  here for more information on Shower Filter for Pure Water and Water Filter for Drinking Water)

3. Breathe cleaner air by avoiding heavily polluted areas such as: walking/jogging along busy roads, waiting in airport terminal parking lots, breathing second hand smoke.

4. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning with harmful chemicals. Begin using natural cleaning alternatives.

5. Work with your doctor to reduce your medications, especially those hard on your liver.

6. Call your city’s waste management to find their safe disposal sites for toxic chemicals and clean your garage or shed of old paint, pesticides, and auto oil.

1. Statistics are from “Believe it or Not, You Are Probably Toxic,” p. 148, The Seven Pillars of Health, Dr. Don Colbert.  For more detailed reading, see his book, ISBN#1-59185-815-1

Table of contents for Breast Cancer Risk & Your Wardrobe

1. Breast Cancer and Your Wardrobe Choices Part 1
2. Breast Cancer and Your Wardrobe Choices Part 2

This is Part 2 of a two-part post; we’ll discuss Health Risks from Underwire Bras, Simple Wardrobe Changes for Better Health, and Relief for Fibrocystic Cysts.  In Part 1, we covered which wardrobe choices increase cancer risks and important study results. If you missed Part 1, use the series link above.

The Health Risks of Underwire Bras

According to Dr. Mercola, even though the underwire is plastic coated, there are long-term health risks involved by having that metal on your body. Underwire bras put continual pressure on vital lymphatic reflex points which are located below each breast. He says,

Below your breasts are two important neuro-lymphatic reflex points. The one below your right breast corresponds to your liver and gallbladder. The one below your left breast goes to your stomach. In addition, the metal wire can also act as an antenna attracting electromagnetic fields, which can also increase your risk of breast cancer.

Dr. Mercola quotes a study by John D. Andre, D.C., N.D., to describe the harm underwires do to these reflex points. Here is an excerpt:

These reflexes, like all acupuncture points, follow the Law of Stimulation. In the beginning of stimulating a point, it is stimulated – often causing an increase in associated function. Later on, this continued stimulation causes sedation of that point and a subsequent decrease in its associated function. It’s a mechanical thing. If a woman keeps the metal underwires on top of those reflex points, over time that WILL mess up the functioning of the associated circuits: Liver, gallbladder, and stomach. Bottom Line: It will likely make her sick; slowly and quietly. John D. Andre, D.C., N.D

Simple Wardrobe Changes for Better Health

The Best Option:

Dr Mercola recommends a wireless style for your greatest health improvements–

An even better option is to opt for a wireless style bra, which are now available in most brands, and for various levels of support. Sports bras and camisoles with a built-in shelf bra are other options that can work well, especially if your bust is on the smaller side.

Option for Those Needing Underwires:

He says that wearing metal needs to be avoided and recommends switching to a plastic wire instead of a metal one–

BraMakersSupply.com is one of the few companies that carry the whole range of plastic wire sizes and ship across the world. And at $2 per pair, protecting your long-term health couldn’t be much more affordable.

Other Helpful Resources for Breast Health and Relief of Fibrocystic Breasts

These two articles are sources I came across which you should find helpful:

A “must read” for anyone with breast pain and/or cysts is the article on Relieving Breast Pain by Woman-to-Woman.com. 

Carolyn Chambers has a long list of holistic helps, but of specific interest is her list of dietary changes, listed about half way down her webpage.  Click here for to read the Healing Diet.

The above excerpts are from Dr. Joseph Mercola’s email newsletter. Please use this link to read his full article.

Table of contents for Breast Cancer Risk & Your Wardrobe

1. Breast Cancer and Your Wardrobe Choices Part 1
2. Breast Cancer and Your Wardrobe Choices Part 2

What’s in your wardrobe? Studies are showing that the most popular style of bras hinder lymph node function, increasing breast cancer risk.

Ill-fitting bras, as well as the most popular style of bra, the metal underwire, increase your potential health risks. Lymph nodes, which purpose are to daily excrete toxins from your body, are unable to drain properly when tight-fitting bras or underwire bras consistently press on their reflex points.

Dr. Joseph Mercola recently sent out a newsletter with data from various doctors and researchers studying the effects of impaired lymph node drainage due to constrictive clothing. We are exposed to many dangerous toxins everyday that the body needs to eliminate. Dr. Mercola says that even the aluminum in antiperspirants is a dangerous toxin which the body needs to eliminate.

I’m categorizing below a few excerpts from this essential information related to breast cancer. Please use the newsletter link here or the one at the end of this post to read Dr. Mercola’s full article.

How do ill-fitting bras, underwire bras, and other constrictive clothing increase cancer risk as well as fibrocystic breasts?

Read the important medical findings from these 3 excerpts:

Over 85 percent of the lymph fluid flowing from the breast drains to the armpit lymph nodes. Most of the rest drains to the nodes along the breast bone. Bras and other external tight clothing can impede flow…as a result of cutting off lymphatic drainage, so that toxic chemicals are trapped in the breast. Dr. Michael Schacter, M.D, The Prevention and Complementary Treatment of Breast Cancer

Constricting bras have also been implicated in the rise of benign (non-cancerous) but often painful breast cysts and lumps. Dr. John McDougall, M.D., The McDougall Program for a Healthy Heart

After repeated bouts of inflammation, the breasts develop scar tissue in many places, and some of the milk ducts become plugged, forming cysts. Fibrocystic breast disease, not surprisingly, is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. Edinburgh Breast Group, UK, Lancet May 1999

As a woman’s body is constantly changing throughout life, re-measuring should take place fairly often to ensure that your bra is not only comfortable, but a safe fit. Though many sites offer complex calculations, Dr. Mercola referred to a site by a company called Linda’s Bra School out of New York which automatically calculates your correct bra size after entering 2 simple measurements. Click here to use the bra size calculator on Linda’s site in her Bra Fitting Room.  Though it may sound unusual, proper fit is actually a serious health issue.

For over a thousand years, long before the realm of modern science, age old proverbs reminded people of the healing power of laughter, 

A rejoicing heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Prov. 17:22

Dr. Don Colbert shares that laughter is one of his prescriptions to patients who come to be placed on nutritional programs. He has discovered that when he asks patients how often they laugh, most cancer patients respond, “I never laugh.” He prescribes 10 belly laughs a day for his patients. (1)

Research has shown a wide variety of healing aspects from laughter:

Pain Relief - A study of patients recovering from surgery showed that the group which was allowed to choose the humorous movies they saw benefited the most from the laughter therapy and required fewer pain-killers compared with a control group that saw none at all. (2) Other research has also shown laughter to increase one’s pain threshold. (4)

Lower Blood Pressure - Laughter reduces the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), and dopamine (4); stress hormones, on the other hand, increase the number of platelets, causing obstructions in the arteries and raising blood pressure. (3)

Relaxation Therapy and Improved Digestion - French neurologist Henri Rubenstein said that even one minute of laughter can give the body up to 45 minutes of therapeutic relaxation. It also stimulates appetite and digestion. (1)

Boosted Immune System - Laughter increases natural killer cells which destroy tumors and viruses, Gamma-interferon–a disease fighting protein, T-cells–a vital part of the immune system, and B-cells–which make disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also increases salivary immunoglobulin A, which defends against infectious organisms entering the respiratory tract. (3)

Speedy Healing - French doctor Pierre Vachet, who studied the physiology of laughter, has concluded that laughter expands the blood vessels and sends more blood racing to the extremities. As it sends more oxygen to every cell in the body, it also serves to speed tissue healing and stabilize many body functions. (2)

Make it a point to daily experience the healing benefits of laughter.

E.E. Cummings said, “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” Since life is too valuable to be wasted, let us not waste a single day by letting it go by without frequent laughter.

If you feel you need help in developing the ability to laugh in your life, I actually found some beneficial info online at HelpGuide.org. It has 2 brief, practical articles to help you develop more laughter in your life, Bringing More Laughter into Your Life and Developing Your Sense of Humor.

1. Seven Pillars of Health, pg. 244, Dr. Don Colbert
2. Alternative Healing/Laughter, Indiadiets.com
3. Laughing Out Loud to Good Health, Library Think Quest
4. The Stress Management and Health Benefits of Laughter, Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com/Stress