Tag: Cancer

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Systematic review warns the public about cell phones and brain damage

On November 2, 2020, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published an open-access article called “Cellular Phone Use and Risk of Tumors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”  In it, the authors analyzed data from 46 case-control studies that looked at the relationship between cell phones and cancer. The study is an update to an earlier meta-analysis published in 2009 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The new meta-analysis revealed “significant evidence linking cellular phone use to increased tumor risk, especially among cell phone users with cumulative cell phone use of 1,000 or more hours in their lifetime.”  In fact, people who logged this much cell phone use had a 60 percent increased risk of developing brain tumors.

1,000 or more hours is roughly equivalent to 17 minutes per day over a 10 year period.  Why the concerning connection?

Cell phones emit radiofrequency energy, a type of non-ionizing radiation.  In vitro studies show this kind of radiation can promote cancer by increasing oxidative stress and DNA damage and altering protein structure and expression.

The researchers acknowledge that additional higher-quality studies are warranted to confirm their findings and provide stronger levels of evidence.  But they also point to a current challenge for understanding the link between cell phone and cancer risk – namely, that many of the current studies investigating the association are lower-quality.

For example, the reviewers cited a group of studies known as INTERPHONE which allegedly showed that cell phone use was associated with reduced tumor risk.  However, these INTERPHONE studies “were partly funded by the mobile industry, had poor methodological quality … and did not use blinding at interview,” all of which constitute significant limitations that must be considered when interpreting their results.

This meta-analysis is not alone in its findings. Both Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute cite studies showing a link between heavy cell phone use and an increased incidence of gliomas and salivary gland cancers.

According to the American Cancer Society, radiofrequency radiation is rated “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).  American Cancer Society adds that health problems caused by wireless headphones also cannot be ruled out at this time, although these devices generally emit far lower radiofrequency energy than cell phones themselves.

Worried about your exposure to wireless radiation?  Here are 4 simple tips to reduce your risk of exposure
While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) doesn’t “endorse” these following prevention steps, they do offer them to anyone who is skeptical or concerned about the impact of the use of cell phone devices on their health. Effective and simple, the tips include:

Spending less time on your cell phone
Using the speakerphone feature to keep the phone further away from your head
Keeping your cell phone further away from your body whenever possible (e.g., don’t store it against your skin or in your pocket)
Text instead of talk

Stop in and see us for an in-person visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market with all your natural health questions!

Portions of this health tip are from NaturalHealth365. 

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Glyphosate Linked to Increased Risk of Asthma!

A new study from Argentina, which used the methodological criteria of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), has identified a relationship between environmental and residential exposure to glyphosate and the high prevalence of asthma in the small city of Monte Maíz in Argentina.

This study has a very unusual story, as it was started at the request of a group of citizens, led by the Mayor of Monte Maíz, due to their concerns about previously rare diseases becoming more prevalent in the city. The citizen group requested an evaluation of the health status of their local population from a research team at the Division of Medical Sciences of the National University of Córdoba (UNC), in which the researchers evaluated the health of the entire population through a door to door survey covering every household, alongside detailed environmental analysis.

The study was carried out in order to determine if there had been an increase in the prevalence of cancers, reproductive, endocrine and immunological problems, and asthma linked to a greater exposure to pesticides. The objective was to analyze the environmental exposure to pesticides as a risk factor for the above-mentioned diseases and to correlate environmental factors in order to develop a causality hypothesis.

The same researchers that carried out the asthma study have already peer-review published their results showing that both reproductive disorders and cancer rates in Monte Maíz have increased, which was correlated with the high exposure to glyphosate and other pesticides of the city’s inhabitants.

Asthma, Monte Maíz and Glyphosate
Asthma is the most commonly occurring chronic childhood disease in the world. According to the Global Asthma Report 2014 (GAR 2014), 14% of the world’s children and 8.6% of young adults experience asthma. Childhood asthma is particularly prevalent in Latin America, and the International Study on Asthma and Allergic Diseases in Children (ISAAC) has identified environmental contamination as a key factor in the region’s elevated rates of the disease.

In Argentina, asthma is a serious health problem, causing more than 400 deaths and 15,000 hospitalizations annually. As elsewhere in South America, rates of pesticide application have increased dramatically in Argentina since the mid 1990s. Genetically-modified crops (GMOs) covered an area of 25 million hectares in 2013 and 318,000 tons of pesticides were applied within the country’s borders, including 250,000 tons of glyphosate, in a region where about 12 million people reside. Doctors in the region reported a shift in the morbidity and mortality profile of rural populations. Along with other conditions, wheezing and asthma are now frequently detected.

This new study revelealed that at least 975,000 kilos of pesticides per year are applied in fields surrounding Monte Maíz, and concentrations found inside the city were several times higher than in the cultivated fields. Glyphosate was detected in 100% of grain dust samples and its concentration was 20 times higher than other pesticides.

The researchers continued; “Contamination with glyphosate in particular and with pesticides in general is predominant in the town. The burden of residential exposure to glyphosate is 13.5 times greater than the average burden of the national population, and within the city this burden seems to be even greater in certain areas where the grain dust impregnated with glyphosate is carried by the wind.

Interestingly the researchers discovered particularly high levels of glyphosate in the soil and grain dust found in children’s playgrounds in Monte Maíz, 2792 parts per billion (ppb) and 505 ppb respectively.

The overall asthma prevalence, in GAR 2014, for people 18-45 years-old is recorded at 8.6%, with Argentina coming in slightly below average. However, in Monte Maíz the asthma prevalence in this age group was more than double the average. In the 13-14 year old age group the prevalence of asthma was 39.9%, compared to the 13.6% that ISAAC detected in this same age group in 3 other Argentinian cities.

Confounding variables such as smoking, premature birth and direct occupational pesticide exposure were not linked to this comparably high asthma rate in the city the researchers found, after analyzing the data using a range of accepted statistical methods.

The conclusion of the study’s authors was that “the findings suggest a link between environmental exposure to glyphosate, and to a lesser extent, other pesticides, with high asthma prevalence.

Avoid Glyphosate and shop for Organic (free of chemical pesticides and herbicides including glyphosate as well as free from gmos) Foods such as meats, dairy, fruits and veggies, and all your grocery needs on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market!

Portions of this Health Tip are from SustainablePulse.

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The cancer fighting benefits of Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a substance found in every cell of our body. It is in a variety of foods, and healthy people are not likely to develop a deficiency of this nutrient. But, you might want to think about taking in some extra CoQ10 – especially if you’re taking a statin to lower your cholesterol levels.

CoQ10 has many potential health benefits, including possibly lowering the risk of certain cancers. Women, especially, should take note, since recent research points to links between breast cancer risk and lower levels of CoQ10 in the blood.

Clearing up the confusion about CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 is technically not a vitamin because your body can synthesize it, so you do not need to get it from food. However, its structure is similar to that of vitamins. Also like vitamins, it acts as a coenzyme functions in your body’s metabolic reactions.

CoQ10 also has powerful antioxidant properties. For example, it helps prevent harmful oxidation of LDL cholesterol, and it supplements the work of vitamin E, or tocopherol. When your blood levels of CoQ10 are lower, your body needs more vitamin E from the diet to carry out heart-healthy antioxidant reactions.

What are the health benefits associated with CoQ10?

  • Lower risk of dementia
  • Improved heart health
  • Increased exercise performance

Can a Coenzyme Q10 deficiency increase the risk of cancer?
Since the 1960s, researchers have noted associations between lower blood levels of CoQ10 and cancer. People with lymphoma, myeloma, and lung, head, neck, and prostate cancers tend to have lower levels of CoQ10.

A recent study looking into links between CoQ10 and breast cancer examined data from nearly 1,000 women aged 40 to 70 in the Shanghai Women’s Health Study. Those who had serum levels of CoQ10 in the bottom fifth of participants had a 90 percent greater chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer than those whose levels were in the middle fifth.

“The current Shanghai Women’s Health Study, with relatively larger sample size and longer follow-up time suggests an inverse association for plasma CoQ10 levels with breast cancer risk in Chinese women,” according to study authors Robert V. Cooney of the University of Hawaii and colleagues. Based on these results, future research should investigate potential effects of supplementation on the risk of breast cancer.

The study also confirmed the association between low CoQ10 and higher risk of cervical cancer, myeloma, and melanoma. This makes the results relevant to men as well as women. This study is far from definitive, but it seems likely that there is a link between healthy CoQ10 levels and reduction in cancer risk.
 
CoQ10 is in a variety of foods, including meat, fish, and eggs, and organ meats, such as heart, kidney, and liver, are especially rich sources. You can also find CoQ10 in plant-based foods, such as cauliflower, peanuts, and strawberries.  Remember, you can obtain additional benefits, with ease, by supplementing your diet with a high quality CoQ10 supplement. 

Be sure to check out our selection of CoQ10 rich foods and CoQ10 Supplements at Whitaker’s Natural Market on your next visit!

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Resveratrol’s Health Benefits

Many people wonder, “what is resveratrol?” For many years, grape seed extract was a hot seller (packaged as OPCs). In an interesting twist, it turns out that an important part of the grape was being left behind! The skin, which was being discarded in favor of the seeds, actually contains a powerful phytoalexin antioxidant known as resveratrol.

Resveratrol Health Benefits

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring antioxidant that decreases the “stickiness” of blood platelets and helps blood vessels to remain open. In addition, resveratrol appears to have estrogen-like properties and may be helpful in the treatment of breast diseases. Also, studies indicate that resveratrol can profoundly inhibit glucose uptake in HL-60 and U937 cells. Thus, resveratrol may prevent or abate metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Resveratrol for Cancer Prevention

In controlled studies, the benefits of resveratrol have been shown to reduce skin-cancer tumors by up to 98% and to stop the production of leukemia cells. In addition, it works as a Cox inhibitor, thus halting the spread of cancer throughout the body.

Resveratrol for Increased Longevity

And in 2003, the results of a study were released that showed that the benefits of resveratrol extended the lifespan of yeast cells by 70% by activating a “longevity gene” expressed during caloric restriction. Since mammals have the same “longevity gene” and since caloric restriction is known to extend the lifespan of mammals, scientists speculated humans might be able to receive the longevity benefits of caloric restriction simply by supplementing with resveratrol. And in fact, subsequently, resveratrol hit the news big time for its suspected ability to extend life and emerged as “the” hot antioxidant of the day, both in its supplement form and as a component of red wine, its most commonly identified natural source.

So be sure to pick up a bottle of 
Now Natural Resveratrol 50mg Capsules 
on your next visit to Whitaker’s 
Resveratrol is a polyphenol naturally found in the skin of red grapes, certain berries, and other plants. Recent research has shown that Resveratrol can help to support healthy cardiovascular function. Resveratrol is best known for its cellular anti-aging properties, as well as for its ability to promote a healthy response to normal biological stress. To complement the activities of Trans-Resveratrol, this product includes proanthocyanidins (OPCs) from grape seed extract and catechins from green tea extract.

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Excess Weight Can Increase Your Cancer Risk!

Carrying a lot of excess weight is undeniably unhealthy. It can increase the chance of developing numerous conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. You may think of these problems as something that takes a very long time to develop, occurring during the senior years or maybe in middle age if you’re unlucky. But new research indicates you can throw that thinking out the window. In the case of obesity-related cancers, the risk is on the rise even in young adults.

The study, which took place at the Surveillance and Health Services Research Program of the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, Georgia, found that several forms of cancer known to be associated with obesity have been increasing in people between the ages of 25 and 49. These results are based on an evaluation of data collected in the cancer registries of 25 states, representing 67 percent of the United States population. The researchers focused on 30 common types of cancer, of which 12 are known to be related to obesity and that were diagnosed between 1995 and 2014.

Among young adults ranging in age from 25 to 49, the rates of several of those obesity-related cancers increased during the study period. These included cancer of the colon, gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, thyroid, and uterus, as well as multiple myeloma (a cancer of the plasma cells in the blood).  The rate increases varied by cancer types (varying from a 1-6% increase per year!). What’s more, the average annual rate of cancer is rising more quickly among younger people than older ones, even if the overall rate is still lower. In other words, while the total risk of developing any one of these kinds of cancer is still relatively low in people in their 20s, 30s, or 40s, the risk is clearly climbing much faster than it should be. And when considered cumulatively, the risk of developing some form of obesity-related cancer in your youth can no longer be dismissed. Since these cancers are all known to have a common risk factor of obesity, it makes perfect sense why they would be on the rise in younger adults. That’s because the rate of obesity has been steadily increasing since the late 1970s in the United States. In the years covered by the study period, the rate of obesity in the United States went from roughly 15 percent in 1995 to nearly 28 percent in 2014 and 39.8 percent in 2016—rising considerably among those under 50.

Obviously, obesity is not the only risk factor for any of these kinds of cancer, but it is one that is very much within our control. Therefore, to lower your risk, it is essential to lose excess weight. Eating a healthy diet based on grass fed meats, fish, fruits, nuts, and vegetables can help you manage your weight and reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.  Weight loss can also decrease your likelihood of other health issues including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more.  Along with a healthy diet, supplements such as Slim VX1, 7-Keto, Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules, Cascara Sagrada, Diet Support, and EGCg can also help with weight loss.  Be sure to check out our weight loss section on your next visit to Whitaker’s,

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Late Dinner and Increased Cancer Risk?

A recent study, which took place at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in Spain, found that eating dinner at a late hour, as well as going to sleep soon after finishing dinner, is associated with a greater chance of developing either prostate or breast cancer. These results are based on an investigation that included 621 men with prostate cancer and a control group of 872 men without the disease, and 1,205 women with breast cancer and a control group of 1,321 women without the disease.

All the subjects answered questions that covered many lifestyle factors. They reported their typical eating habits, mealtimes, sleep patterns, tendency to be an early bird or night owl, physical activity level, and more. After analyzing the data that was generated, the researchers discovered that the timing of dinner and sleep were both important. The participants who ate dinner earlier than 9 p.m. or didn’t go to sleep until at least two hours after dining had a 20 percent lower risk of developing prostate or breast cancer compared to their peers who generally ate past 10 p.m. or went to bed shortly after finishing their meal.

So eating your dinner earlier in the day and giving your body time to wind down and be prepared for bed not only has the benefit of lowering your cancer risk, it also increases your body ability to focus on healing and regenerating itself versus digestive actions.  How many of you are willing to try to eat this way?

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Dr. Jocelin’s Health Tip of the Week – Sugar…and Cancer

This is a deeper tip than normal…with some technical information.  The key point I hope you hear is that sugar is now being shown in studies to be a very likely cancer trigger!

Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation and titled, Increased sugar uptake promotes oncogenesis via EPAC/RAP1 and O-GlcNAc pathways, researchers addressed a common perception (or misperception) in the cancer research community regarding sugar’s relationship to cancer: namely, “increased glycolysis [sugar based metabolism] is frequently viewed as a consequence of oncogenic events that drive malignant cell growth and survival.”

Contrary to this conventional view, the new study “provide[s] evidence that increased glycolytic activation itself can be an oncogenic event…”  That is to say, the activation of sugar-based metabolism in a cell – driven by both the presence of increased quantities of glucose and the increase glucose receptors on the cell membrane surface (i.e. “overexpression of a glucose transporter”) – drives cancer initiation.

Moreover, the study found that “Conversely, forced reduction of glucose uptake by breast cancer cells led to phenotypic reversion.” In other words, interfering with sugar availability and uptake to the cell causes the cancer cell to REVERSE towards its pre-cancer structure-function (phenotype).

So what are we to do?  Reducing and controlling the amount of sugar as well as the source is the key.  Consider desert to be a treat not a daily occurrence.  Use limited amounts of honey, maple syrup, sucanat, and evaporated cane juice.  Avoid corn syrup and especially toxic chemical sweeteners such as aspartame.  Even the “natural” alternative sweeteners such as Stevia and Xylitol have negative health affects including neurological.  So the real key is self control and portion control to enable your body to focus on the more nutrient laden foods such as vegetables!