My journey toward a healthier life and family through nutrition began in June 2009. I always considered myself a healthy eater and nutritionally aware. I have recently learned how off I was. We took a ten hour road trip to visit family. I borrowed a couple of books on CD (The China Study and Eat to Live) from Veteran mommie. I was hoping to convince my husband of his unhealthy ways and hoped that by listening to them together he just might give up his daily Pepsi. I had no idea it would change the way I have been eating and living my own life.
Let me take you back a little bit.
March 7th 2007: I got some blood test results back that sent me into a panic. I had tested positive for BRCA1. A known cancer causing gene. The studies show that I have around a 92% chance of developing breast cancer and around a 42% of developing ovarian cancer in my lifetime. I took a look at my life, I wasn’t overweight or unhealthy in any way. I had two beautiful children…. daughters that I could have passed this horrific gene to. What could I do? How could I change my fate? I decided to sign up to run a marathon. I thought that if I could get my body to be so healthy I could at least beat it when it came a long. Also by running I could be a great example of health and fitness for my daughters to follow (in case, heaven forbid, I passed the gene to them) I have spent the last two years with this hanging over my head. During the two years we decided we wanted to have one more child before doing the only preventative measure that would secure me not getting those cancers, removal of my breasts and ovaries. I got pregnant and we had twin girls…. I was thrilled and I love them dearly but my heart broke to think… two more girls to have to wonder if I passed on my deadly cancer gene to. It was devastating to think about this every night before I went to bed or when I watched them play together. Wondering not really if, but when I get my cancer, will be able to fight it and live to see them get married. would I live to be a grandma to their children. Will I have to watch my daughters suffer through these same thoughts or cancers?
The good news: After listening to The China Study and Eat to Live I have completely changed the way I feel about my gene. I know its still there but I also now have the knowledge to feed my body in a way that I can help fight or even prevent the cancers from ever coming. I felt over whelming relief, not only because I now feel safer, but for my FOUR daughters. I have the power to feed and teach them proper and true nutrition information to help keep their bodies healthy and hopefully cancer free.
I no longer plan to have the extreme surgeries for peace of mind. I have peace of mind from this new knowledge I have. (I will continue to get my annual mammograms and MRI’s, but with less daily fear). I know I may sound a little loony to some of you. If you are a skeptic like me, read the books. There is so much scientific research and evidence over and over again about the link between the foods we eat and the diseases in our nation. I now fully understand the saying, Knowledge is Power! I am now a PRO-ACTIVE PRE-VIVOR!!
Excerpt from “Disease Proof Your Child” by Joel Furhman
*Carcinogenesis, the process that leads to cancer, is believed to occur in a series of steps. It is a multistage process that begins with pre-cancerous cellular damage that gradually proceeds to more malignant changes. The first step is the development of cellular abnormalities, which eventually leads to cancer. This usually occurs during adolescence or soon after puberty. Remember that unhealthful childhood nutritional practices cause excessive sex hormone production and early pathologic changes in the breast tissue that set the stage for cancer many years later.
Studies have shown that the arrival of puberty at an earlier age is a significant marker of increased risk. Furthermore, there is overwhelming evidence that ovarian hormones play a crucial role, in all stages, in the development of breast cancer. It is common knowledge among physicians that the earlier a woman matures, as measured by the age of her first menstrual period, the higher her risk for breast cancer. Both early menarche and greater body weight are markers of increased risk of breast cancer.
Ominously, the onset of menstruation has been occurring at a younger and younger age in Western societies during this century. For example, the average age in the United States is now about twelve years; however, according to the World Health Organization, the average age at which puberty began in 1840 was seventeen. In addition, during the same time period, there has been an increased consumption of fat, refined carbohydrates, cheese and meat, and there has been a huge decrease in the consumption of starchy plants, beans, fruit and nuts. A greater consumption of animal foods leads to a higher level of hormones related to early reproductive function and growth. These hormonal abnormalities persist into adulthood. Uterine fibroids (or tumors) also develop from a diet deficient in fruits and vegetables and heavy in cheese and meat. As the consumption of meat increases and vegetation decreases, one’s risk of fibroids increases proportionately.
*-Joel Furhman “Disease Proof your Child”
Source: WFM Blog 1