BEWARE OF CANCER IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM  Although cancer in the USA today ranks second only to coronary artery disease (CAD) in mortality rates, health professionals project it will become our # 1 Killer as we enter the new Millennium. Why such a fatalistic prediction?  Quite frankly folks, we live in the AAge of Chemicals@. You just can=t escape >em! They=re contaminating our air, food, and water supplies. Consider these alarming statistics: + In 1880 one in 30 people contracted cancer.  + Today, in 1999, one in three people get cancer and two thirds will die within five years.  None of us can live in a plastic bubble and avoid these assaults. Many experts are clamoring that this surge in cancer will outstrip CAD, causing a tremendous economic drain on our medical system. We aren=t even sure where we=re going to find enough health care professionals to deal with the epidemic ! Even though Awar@ was declared on cancer more than 30 years ago, we appear to be losing the battle. Consider that this scary fact: we=re only confident that three cancers can actually cured by chemotherapy. Certain types of lymphoma, leukemia and testicular cancer are quite readily eradicated with some of the newer forms of chemotherapy, while other forms of cancer---- including lung, prostate, colon and breast cancers---- are less amenable. Simply stated, when it comes to cancer, Aprevention is easier then cure@. And your best bet to prevent this disease is to invest your time in an anticancer diet. Did you know that there=s an entire arsenal of fruits, vegetables, phytonutrients and targeted nutritional supports that indeed can prevent cancer. If we=re exposed to cancer producing substances on a daily basis, it only makes sense to fight it the same way! Allow me to brainstorm here and quickly review some Afarm fresh facts@ that you need to know about if you=re looking to give your body a fighting chance !  Consider the fact that cabbage------ and other fruits and vegetables such as organic strawberries and blueberries, brussel sprouts and broccoli-----contain an incredible number of phytonutrients that can prevent the cellular mutations caused by environmental stressors like Afree rads@. We=ve got evidence from animal models and population studies that selected micro nutrients can lower the risk of organ site cancers in animals. And experimental studies in test tubes, animals and people offer strong proof that some dietary components can inhibit tumor development. One such phytonutrient is indole-3-carbinol  One animal study, for example, showed that indole-3-carbinol inhibited the growth of aberrant cells in rodents with breast cancer, and also destroyed cancerous cells. We=ve got Japanese research findings that the sulforaphane found in broccoli also inhibits the growth of tumors. This sulphur-containing compound is found in cruciferous vegetables; they=re the ones that grow in clusters, like cauliflower, broccoli, and brussel sprouts. Other organo-sulfurs can also be found in root veggies like onions and garlic.  Still skeptical? Then remember that isoflavones ----especially genistein and daidzein that you=ve read about in earlier newsletters--- have been known to inhibit tumor growth. How? Well, rapidly growing tumors need a rapidly growing blood supply, right? We call this process angiogenesis, and isoflavones kick back hard to block the fast paced circulatory construction that feeds tumor expansion. That=s why the Japanese who eat a traditional diet, rich in isoflavone-rich soy products, have such a low rate of both breast cancer and prostate cancer in the Japanese population. Then there=s the catechins found in green tea, another gang of powerful anti-cancer polyphenols. Ellagic acid, a strong anti-carcinogenic phytonutrient, can be strawberries and raspberries (but go organic on berries, because I worry about pesticides!).  The lignans ---- found predominantly in flax seed and some berries ---- can brag that they=re good fiber sources and low glycemic carbs that can protects us from the hormonal cancers we can develop from the xenoestrogenic activity found in the petrochemicals of our environment.  And don=t forget the wide range of anti-cancer activity from the more than 600 carotenoids and 4000 flavonoids that can be found in colorful farm products; they have a virtual arsenal of anti-cancer properties. Just look for colorful fruits and veggies, rich in the yellow to red and green pigments. These lush pigments, such as lutein which found in spinach and kale, an element that has cancer preventing qualities for both lung and breast cancer.  You can find lycopene, for example, in tomatoes and foods made from them. Just think you men! Researchers have proven that your tomato sauce, even your favorite pizza can slash your risk for prostate cancers. Watermelon, too! Read on! In a BIG study of approximately 48,000 men followed for over six years, 812 of them were unfortunately diagnosed with prostate cancer. When they looked at dietary factors, investigators observed that the higher his intake of lycopene, the lower the man=s risk for prostate cancers. In this same study, eating strawberries ----- which don=t contain lycopene, but are rich in another nutrient, ellagic acid ---- also had lower cancer rates. And what about the women? We=ve got good research that demonstrate remarkably lower rates of breast cancer in those women whose diets were higher in both alpha and beta carotene. In other studies, the risk of breast cancer was lower in women who ate carrots or spinach more than twice a week when they were compared women who didn=t eat these vegetables. Indeed, a good diet can offer you an arsenal of protection against cancer!  And remember: anti-cancer nutrients can also be found in supplements, too. When developing my antioxidant formulas, I was always focused on the cardio-protective area, but I also kept cancer in mind. Working with various chemists and pharmacists, I boosted the Optimum Health Formula with at least 15 nutrients that are real cancer-fighters (see box) To get to the bottom line, I=ve outlined a basic anticancer program that you can implement for yourself that addresses the key areas:  1. The Basics: Eat 5-9 servings (preferably organic) of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Try to incorporate one serving of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard greens and/or cauliflower on a daily basis. These veggies contain the phytonutrients indole-3-carbinol and other sulphur-containing compounds that can detoxify the many chemical carcinogens that have been linked to cancer. 2. The Roots: Try to consume garlic and onions on a daily basis. (If you=re worried about your breath, just make sure everyone around you eats them too, and then it won=t be noticed!) These powerful phyto-nutrients contains sulphur compounds that inhibit tumor growth. Garlic also appears especially useful in the prevention of nitroamine chemically- induced cancer. These harmful chemicals are frequently used in the processing of ham, bacon, sausages, hot dogs, and other processed meats. 3. Meats: Avoid very well done and barbecued meats. Over-cooked meats contain compounds called heterocyclic amines, which form at high temperatures. These chemicals can cause cancer. Research has shown that in women, the over consumption of well-done beef, steak or bacon is a serious risk factor for the development of breast cancer.  4. Fiber: Eat plenty . At least 25-35 grams of fiber per day, if you can Fiber has long been thought to reduce cancer risk by sequestering carcinogens in the intestines and supporting the growth of natural flora there. There have been more than 100 studies documenting the protective effects of high fiber foods like barley, oats, oatbran, citrus fruits, apples, carrots and beans, to mention a few.  5. Organics: As often as possible consume organic, hormone-free sources of meat, dairy and poultry. Non-organic varieties of these foods typically contain the residues of estrogen and hormone used to promote an animal=s growth.  6. Green Tea: Drink two cups a day. Green tea contains the phytonutrient known as EGPG, which is 20 times more potent than vitamin E, and 500 times more potent than vitamin C. Green tea has been shown to protect against all types of cancer including breast, colon, prostate and lung. Another added benefit of Green tea is that it also prevents the oxidation of LDL and combats coronary heart disease.  7. Fats: Reduce your intake of animal protein and saturated fats and increase your intake of healthy fat like salmon, cod, haddock, soy beans, nuts, tofu, and monounsaturated olive oil.  8. Alcohol: Limit you intake. More than one glass of wine on a daily basis, or using hard liqueur and mixed drinks, is inadvisable. Alcohol can have long term effects on your liver, the major detoxifier organ of the body.  9. Fake stuff: Avoid anything artificial, particularly yellow dyes, red dyes, pesticides, preservatives, and synthetic chemicals and be aware of the onslaught of chemicals that are insidiously invading our environment. This includes inhaled chemicals like solvents for rug cleaners, household cleaners, petrochemicals, formaldehyde in dry cleaning as well as chemically engineered processed foods.  10. Supplements: Take a good targeted nutritional supplement that includes many of the ingredients that I mentioned.  Folks, if you follow these 10 easy steps for cancer prevention, and take targeted nutritional supports that contain precious phytonutrients and anti-cancer constituents, you=re well on your way to preventing cancer for yourself and those who share your food! When it comes to cancer, an ounce of prevention is, indeed, worth a pound of cure.  REFERENCES:  1. Stansbury JE. Cancer Prevention Diet: The potential of protective phytochemicals. Nutr Sci News. 1999;4(8):380-386. 2. Giovannucci E, Ascherio A, Rimm EB, et al. Intake of carotenoids and retinol in relation to risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1995;87: 1767-76. 3. Longnecker MP, Newcomb PA, Mittendorf R, et al. Intake of carrots, spinach, and supplements containing vitamin A in relation to risk of breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1997;6:887-92. --------------------------------------- Cancer-fighting Nutrients  to have in your Daily Program + natural carotenoids + sulforaphane + organo-sulphurs + indole-3-carbinol + lycopene + ellagic acid + d-limone + genistein + flax + ginger + quercetin + green tea + chlorophyl + vitamin E  + folic acid + selenium --------------------------------------