Blessings, Darlings!
While we're on beefiness here, let's talk about our American love of grilling.
It's dangerous.
Yes, getting your sear on adds flavor and complexity to the flavor of meat. But it raises the carcinogens (HCAs, or heterocyclic amines) on the meat a whole lot.
What to do? Boil everything?
No, not EVERYTHING.
Going to grill meat? Okay, Marinade it first. That can reduce the amount of HCA's by up to 88%. AND adds flavor. Win-win, if you ask me.
Showing posts with label cancer prevention tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer prevention tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
CPT #12 Grass is Good
Blessings, Darlings!
I'm talking about grass fed organic beef, my dears. What did you THINK I was talking about?
Pastured organic beef - well, really, beef without growth hormones specifically - lowers the chances of early puberty especially in our daughters. Which lowers their risk of breast cancer.
Frondly, Fern
I'm talking about grass fed organic beef, my dears. What did you THINK I was talking about?
Pastured organic beef - well, really, beef without growth hormones specifically - lowers the chances of early puberty especially in our daughters. Which lowers their risk of breast cancer.
Frondly, Fern
Sunday, October 31, 2010
CPT #11 Exercise
Blessings, Darlings!
How many times have you heard/read it - "Moderate exercise is good for you"? Well, this is another one of those times!
Half an hour a day (average) of moderate exercise (bike riding, brisk walking, serious dancing, etc.) reduces the incidence of intestinal, endometrial, colon, breast and lung cancers.
Why, you ask? Let me tell you - apparently because moderate exercise kicks up the immune system. A well-tuned immune system, running along efficiently, does a better job of recognizing rogue cells that turn cancerous before they can become tumors. Maybe, if it turns out that viruses are involved in more cancers than we know about, a top-notch immune system destroys them before they can do their dirty work. Maybe it's some other mechanism that we'll find out about in the future.
For now, the recommendation I can give is to move a little more. I'm trying to get my Mother In Law to walk around the local indoor shopping mall. I'm suggesting that my mother take stairs and not the elevator. Both my Mother and Mother-in-law are in their 90's, so 'moderate exercise' for them is WAY different than 'moderate exercise' for me. The main point is - get off your butt!
Frondly, Fern
How many times have you heard/read it - "Moderate exercise is good for you
Half an hour a day (average) of moderate exercise (bike riding, brisk walking, serious dancing, etc.) reduces the incidence of intestinal, endometrial, colon, breast and lung cancers.
Why, you ask? Let me tell you - apparently because moderate exercise kicks up the immune system. A well-tuned immune system, running along efficiently, does a better job of recognizing rogue cells that turn cancerous before they can become tumors. Maybe, if it turns out that viruses are involved in more cancers than we know about, a top-notch immune system destroys them before they can do their dirty work. Maybe it's some other mechanism that we'll find out about in the future.
For now, the recommendation I can give is to move a little more. I'm trying to get my Mother In Law to walk around the local indoor shopping mall. I'm suggesting that my mother take stairs and not the elevator. Both my Mother and Mother-in-law are in their 90's, so 'moderate exercise' for them is WAY different than 'moderate exercise' for me. The main point is - get off your butt!
Frondly, Fern
Saturday, October 30, 2010
CPT #10: Bok Choy
Blessings, Darlings! damn
Today's cancer prevention tip is to have a daily serving of cruciferous vegetables - today' veggie is bok choy.
I suppose it's ironic, writing about bok choy when there is a desperate shortage of it in Korea, where it goes into the Korean staple comfort food kimchee. That said, here in the US it's easily available, cheap, tasty and healthy. They are high in vitamin C and soluble fibre and contain multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties: diindolylmethane, sulforaphane and selenium.
My favorite recipe for it is to combine it with straw mushrooms (or other Chinese mushrooms), fried tofu, and a bit of stir-fried pork, then add a brown sauce (yes, the recipe I posted before). I'm using less sugar in that recipe lately, by the way, by at least half and sometimes totally eliminating it. All my recipes are always in flux!
That said, it's good to keep in mind that too much of it can interfer with thyroid drugs, in case you happen to be taking them.
Frondly, Fern
Today's cancer prevention tip is to have a daily serving of cruciferous vegetables - today' veggie is bok choy.
I suppose it's ironic, writing about bok choy when there is a desperate shortage of it in Korea, where it goes into the Korean staple comfort food kimchee. That said, here in the US it's easily available, cheap, tasty and healthy. They are high in vitamin C and soluble fibre and contain multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties: diindolylmethane, sulforaphane and selenium.
My favorite recipe for it is to combine it with straw mushrooms (or other Chinese mushrooms), fried tofu, and a bit of stir-fried pork, then add a brown sauce (yes, the recipe I posted before). I'm using less sugar in that recipe lately, by the way, by at least half and sometimes totally eliminating it. All my recipes are always in flux!
That said, it's good to keep in mind that too much of it can interfer with thyroid drugs, in case you happen to be taking them.
Frondly, Fern
Friday, October 29, 2010
CPT #9 Rancidity
Blessings, Darlings!
Rancid fats are teh suck. They taste bad, usually even in small quantities. They are also highly toxic and carcinogenic.
So avoid them. Refrigerate your butter, store fats and fat-containing foods (nuts and the like) in cool places, watch those expiration dates, throw them out if you have to.
Irony - stomach cancer used to be a WAY larger problem in the past, before hydrogenated and trans fats started being used. But now we know that hydrogenated and trans fats are huge problems for cardiovascular health. BHT, BHA, hydrogenation = lower cancer risk, higher other risks. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Frondly, Fern
Rancid fats are teh suck. They taste bad, usually even in small quantities. They are also highly toxic and carcinogenic.
So avoid them. Refrigerate your butter, store fats and fat-containing foods (nuts and the like) in cool places, watch those expiration dates, throw them out if you have to.
Irony - stomach cancer used to be a WAY larger problem in the past, before hydrogenated and trans fats started being used. But now we know that hydrogenated and trans fats are huge problems for cardiovascular health. BHT, BHA, hydrogenation = lower cancer risk, higher other risks. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Frondly, Fern
Thursday, October 28, 2010
CPT #8 MIA
Blessings, Darlings!
Some cancer statistics are missing, as in no one seems to have tracked the issue. One area where statistics are missing is in hormonally-linked cancers in people who are undergoing gender correction treatment.
I've tracked down some good news - both M2F and F2M hormone treatment show signs of being safe in the short term.
The best prevention tip I have here is that everyone needs to advocate that statistics - good statistics - be kept. By cancer prevention/treatment groups, and/or by groups advocating for the rights of transexuals, and/or the CDC, etc. The drug companies can't be trusted. Not all doctors can be trusted.
Yes, this cancer prevention tip is political/activist in nature. It's not going to be the last tip that will be. That's because we as individuals can't do every bit of the scientific research; we as individuals are affected by the environment (air, water, etc) around us; we as individuals need transparency on the part of those that supply our food, our drugs, our cleaning agents, our cosmetics, etc. so we can make informed choices. I don't think that these things will happen without consumers banding together and getting the government to force disclosures, to force companies to not pollute, and to put money into science research.
Incidentally, Libertarians out there - I think it's section 8 of the US Constitution that authorized Congress to promote scientific research. Just thought you'd like to know.
Frondly, Fern
Some cancer statistics are missing, as in no one seems to have tracked the issue. One area where statistics are missing is in hormonally-linked cancers in people who are undergoing gender correction treatment.
I've tracked down some good news - both M2F and F2M hormone treatment show signs of being safe in the short term.
The best prevention tip I have here is that everyone needs to advocate that statistics - good statistics - be kept. By cancer prevention/treatment groups, and/or by groups advocating for the rights of transexuals, and/or the CDC, etc. The drug companies can't be trusted. Not all doctors can be trusted.
Yes, this cancer prevention tip is political/activist in nature. It's not going to be the last tip that will be. That's because we as individuals can't do every bit of the scientific research; we as individuals are affected by the environment (air, water, etc) around us; we as individuals need transparency on the part of those that supply our food, our drugs, our cleaning agents, our cosmetics, etc. so we can make informed choices. I don't think that these things will happen without consumers banding together and getting the government to force disclosures, to force companies to not pollute, and to put money into science research.
Incidentally, Libertarians out there - I think it's section 8 of the US Constitution that authorized Congress to promote scientific research. Just thought you'd like to know.
Frondly, Fern
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
CPT #6 Cum
Blessings, Darlings!
Yesterday's tip being all about cis-women, today's is all about cis-men: The more times you ejaculate, the lower your risk of prostate cancer. At least in men under 40. Five times a week in your 20's shows lower rates, over 13 times a month by the 40's. Is it because orgasm reduces stress which reduces hormones that kick up cell division? Is it that it 'cleans the system'? That's not clear.
I don't know if there is a lower association between cancer prevention and ejaculation in older men or if there haven't been as many good studies done. But, hey, extra orgasms can't be a BAD thing as part of a cancer prevention program!
Frondly, Fern
Yesterday's tip being all about cis-women, today's is all about cis-men: The more times you ejaculate, the lower your risk of prostate cancer. At least in men under 40. Five times a week in your 20's shows lower rates, over 13 times a month by the 40's. Is it because orgasm reduces stress which reduces hormones that kick up cell division? Is it that it 'cleans the system'? That's not clear.
I don't know if there is a lower association between cancer prevention and ejaculation in older men or if there haven't been as many good studies done. But, hey, extra orgasms can't be a BAD thing as part of a cancer prevention program!
Frondly, Fern
Monday, October 25, 2010
CPT #5 - Breed!
Blessings, Darlings!
This is a tip that applies to ciswomen only: being pregnant or nursing your entire post-puberty life greatly reduces your risk of breast cancer. At least if you are a female rat.
There is an INCREDIBLY HIGH rate of breast cancer in female pet rats. Why? Because evolution's programming is for them to be pregnant or nursing - or both at once - all the time. Pet owners, however, not wanting to find homes for all those ratlings, don't tend to let that happen. So they get breast cancer a lot.
For human women, it's a bit different. There is a slightly lower risk of having breast cancer if you have at least one child, especially one before you turn 30. There is an additional slightly lower risk if you have many children - the main theory is because you have fewer menstrual periods. I'm not sure about the details on how that helps, the scientists might not know yet.
Of course, having one (or more) child(ren) just to reduce your risk of cancer is not doing justice to the child(ren). Gods know, parenting is rarely about the parent, when done right.
Frondly, Fern
This is a tip that applies to ciswomen only: being pregnant or nursing your entire post-puberty life greatly reduces your risk of breast cancer. At least if you are a female rat.
There is an INCREDIBLY HIGH rate of breast cancer in female pet rats. Why? Because evolution's programming is for them to be pregnant or nursing - or both at once - all the time. Pet owners, however, not wanting to find homes for all those ratlings, don't tend to let that happen. So they get breast cancer a lot.
For human women, it's a bit different. There is a slightly lower risk of having breast cancer if you have at least one child, especially one before you turn 30. There is an additional slightly lower risk if you have many children - the main theory is because you have fewer menstrual periods. I'm not sure about the details on how that helps, the scientists might not know yet.
Of course, having one (or more) child(ren) just to reduce your risk of cancer is not doing justice to the child(ren). Gods know, parenting is rarely about the parent, when done right.
Frondly, Fern
Friday, October 22, 2010
CPT #2
Blessings, Darlings!
Cancer prevention tip #2 is ... embrace the power of the rainbow and diversity
That is, eat a wide range of fruits and veggies with a wide range of colors. Ad the brighter/deeper the color the better. By doing this your diet will naturally contain a range of phytochemicals. And to quote Wikipedia....
Phytochemicals are chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants, such as beta-carotene. The term is generally used to refer to those chemicals that may affect health, but are not yet established as essential nutrients.[1] While there is abundant scientific and government support for recommending diets rich in fruits and vegetables,[2] there is only limited evidence that health benefits are due to specific phytochemicals.[1]
Thus, by eating a range of foods and colors, you cover your assets, by natural and delicious means.
I just bought some purple sweet potatoes, myself.
Frondly, Fern
Cancer prevention tip #2 is ... embrace the power of the rainbow and diversity
That is, eat a wide range of fruits and veggies with a wide range of colors. Ad the brighter/deeper the color the better. By doing this your diet will naturally contain a range of phytochemicals. And to quote Wikipedia....
Phytochemicals are chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants, such as beta-carotene. The term is generally used to refer to those chemicals that may affect health, but are not yet established as essential nutrients.[1] While there is abundant scientific and government support for recommending diets rich in fruits and vegetables,[2] there is only limited evidence that health benefits are due to specific phytochemicals.[1]
Thus, by eating a range of foods and colors, you cover your assets, by natural and delicious means.
I just bought some purple sweet potatoes, myself.
Frondly, Fern
Thursday, October 21, 2010
CPT #1
Blessings, Darlings!
I'm going to use "CPT" for the Cancer Prevention Tips series, just so you know.
And the first tip is one of the ones I'm finding hardest to implement - drop your body fat index to under 25%. Why? Because it seems that obesity increases the risk of cancers of the breast (postmenopausal), endometrium (the lining of the uterus), colon, kidney, and esophagus.
I'm starting with this tip because this one takes the most time to reach, unlike a 'don't do this/do that' quickie.
That said, I'm NOT willing to say that it's the obesity itself that directly ups the risk, although that could be it in some cases. For esophageal cancer, for example, the largest risk factor is gastric reflux. But being obese increases the rate of reflux, just because of the weight/pressure on the stomach pushing the contents up to the esophagus. And, as we'll get into later, many of the activities involved in losing weight are also associated with lowering cancer risks.
So, to repeat - Cancer Prevention Tip #1 - start work towards dropping your weight.
Frondly, Fern
I'm going to use "CPT" for the Cancer Prevention Tips series, just so you know.
And the first tip is one of the ones I'm finding hardest to implement - drop your body fat index to under 25%. Why? Because it seems that obesity increases the risk of cancers of the breast (postmenopausal), endometrium (the lining of the uterus), colon, kidney, and esophagus.
I'm starting with this tip because this one takes the most time to reach, unlike a 'don't do this/do that' quickie.
That said, I'm NOT willing to say that it's the obesity itself that directly ups the risk, although that could be it in some cases. For esophageal cancer, for example, the largest risk factor is gastric reflux. But being obese increases the rate of reflux, just because of the weight/pressure on the stomach pushing the contents up to the esophagus. And, as we'll get into later, many of the activities involved in losing weight are also associated with lowering cancer risks.
So, to repeat - Cancer Prevention Tip #1 - start work towards dropping your weight.
Frondly, Fern
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