AUTOBIOGRAPHY of a SEEKER of SAINTS - A MUST READ

Saints and truly holy people are rare. As we notice the sea of humanity around us, we sense that our lives are immersed in a vast ocean of mundane mediocrity. Just as great musicians such as the Beatles are rare, so too are the great spiritual masters.

In 1982 I had an unusually vivid dream. I was 25 years old and I just read the classic book "Autobiography of a Yogi." I decided to visit the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago. The founder, Goswami Kriyananda, invited some of us to a free meditation class. That night, at exactly 4 am, I clearly saw Goswami Kriyananda in a dream touch me between the eyebrows as he said, "This is your first spiritual initiation." I awoke startled, but energized by this inspiring and prophetic dream.

Swami Kriyananda was absolutely right. Years after that inspiring dream I received dozens of blessings, initiations and empowerments (called "abhishekas" in Tibetan) from some of the world's greatest living saints. Now, the reader may be thinking: "I don't have the time or money to travel around Nepal and India visiting great masters." Consider this: I was actually living in Colorado, near the Boulder/Denver area when I visited these enlightened beacons of humanity. 

Here are some inspiring masters who visited this area: the Dalai Lama, the 17th Karmapa, Penor Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Khyentse Rinpoche, Garchen Rinpoche, Sri Karunamayi, Amritanandamayi Devi (in Albuquerque), Anandi Ma, Mother Meera, Sri Shivabalayogi, Sri Sai Kaleshwar, and many more. 

Mother Meera does not utter a single word, yet, hundreds of people eagerly await her blessings. She simply sits on a chair, on a stage, and quietly blesses hundreds of people, and then she quietly leaves the stage.

Of the female gurus who have become well known in the West and in India, Mother Meera seems the most enigmatic. She has no ashram, no teachings, no rituals, and she doesn't give discourses. She is regarded by her disciples and by herself as a divine incarnation. Mother Meera explains: "I knew who I am at birth. There has never been a separation between me and the Divine."

 Amritanandamayi Devi has hugged people TENS of MILLIONS of times in her life. I've seen her marathon human-hugging sessions: She hugged over 1,000 people from 6:30 pm to 5:00 am without taking even a ten-minute break. And she loved every minute of it!

Sri Karunamayi enjoys giving personal blessings and conducting homas (sacred fire ceremonies). These homas help purify the karma of those attending and the area around the homa benefits. A huge amount of literally palpable, positive energy is generated during a homa, as sacred mantras are chanted and offerings are tossed into the fire.

Watching these saints is akin to watching great musicians. They make it look easy - until you try it yourself. Giving unconditional love to thousands - or millions - of people is mind boggling. Before she started touring, Sri Karunamayi spent 10 years in deep meditation in the forests of Andhra Pradesh in India. And that's all she did - meditate! The average person can't sit still for more than 30 minutes!

These saintly gurus have, with the help of God, mastered themselves. They do not appear to be driven by personal greed and petty desires. Therefore, when they say something, I listen carefully. Spending time around them is therapeutic because you realize that all these prayers, mantras and meditations have real value. People can do these practices to grow spiritually, or, at least not create major karmic mistakes.

Many years ago I walked right past the classic "Autobiography of a Yogi." For two years I saw this amazing book in bookstores and libraries, but I ignored it thinking this is probably a dull read. When I finally did read the book, I was utterly fascinated, and reading it even changed my life.  I was open-minded enough to believe that "Autobiography of a Yogi" is a factual - not fictional - account of a great master's life.

One of the key messages of "Autobiography of a Yogi" is that India is still producing great saints. We need not spend our lives venerating tombs or relics (which is a good idea, too) when there are living masters available. Years after reading "Autobiography of a Yogi," I immersed myself in  teachings of the Dalai Lama and other great Tibetan masters. These teachings encouraged me to visit a panoply of saintly gurus, swamis, rinpoches and lamas. And from each of these enlightened masters I learned something. At the very least I saw in front of me real people who were living at very high levels of consciousness, and I left these meetings feeling optimistic. It was comforting to know these ancient teachings are as viable  today as they were thousands of years ago.

Sometimes a book or saintly guru appears in my life when I’m most eager for those lessons. That  in itself is a lesson. Currently, I'm reading the classic book "Tibetan Book of the Dead." I'm fascinated that such a detailed knowledge of the afterlife exists, and this wisdom is accessible to anyone who takes the time to read this work. The Dalai Lama thinks so highly of this classic text that he wrote a very detailed 14-page commentary for it.

Curious readers may wonder if I was raised in a Buddhist family. Most definitely NOT! My father was an incurable, raging alcoholic who taught me this golden lesson: do not emulate a chronically angry sot who subjects other people to his hellish mind. Buddhism also has common sense: why indulge in counterproductive angry, negative thoughts all day? A rational person realizes that constantly nurturing negative thoughts results in: alcoholism, criminal mischief, trips to jail, drunken tantrums, drunken debauchery, bar room brawls, contusions, street-corner ranting, visits to local mental institutions, etc.

Most of us are not highly-advanced meditators who can sit in samadhi 12 hours a day - or even one hour a day. Tibetan Buddhism, therefore, places importance on visiting and venerating stupas, reciting mantras, reading sutras, etc. All these practices leave strong karmic imprints in the mind. Animals, too, greatly benefit from hearing mantras and sutras. Let your cats or dogs hear Tibetan and Hindu mantras - they will benefit greatly.

 Now, when you do any meditative practices, cats will sense your peaceful aura and sit on your lap. Let them sit there while you recite mantras for them. You can also recite mantras for dogs or any animal. Indeed, it is exceedingly rare for animals to come into contact with the Dharma. According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, letting animals hear these precious mantras leaves strong positive karmic imprints in their minds and in their next life they will hopefully receive Dharma teachings - preferably as a human! The Chenrezig mantra OM MANI PADME HUM is an easy mantra to recite.

I spent much time visiting "The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya" in Colorado, and the "Amitabha Stupa" in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is such a beautiful, special place and a stupa seems perfectly at home there, blessing the beautiful landscape. Stupas are made to be venerated and they contain sacred relics of great Buddhist Saints, and millions of mantras, too. Just seeing a holy stupa plants positive imprints in our mental continua.

Astute readers may find this article in "The Village Voice," interesting: Actor Jim Carey visits the great hugging saint Amritanandamayi Devi. Go to: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2013/07/amma_controvers.php
 
Swami Rama had supernormal qualities that baffled Western scientists. Back in the 1970's Swami Rama revolutionized our understanding of human mind control over physiology. Researchers at the Menninger Institute in Topeka, Kansas hooked Swami Rama up to their EEGs, EKGs and temperature monitors. Western scientists had never believed India's yogis could do what the Indians always claimed they could - controlling every component of their physical bodies to the extent that they appeared virtually lifeless according to the electric printouts, yet remain fully conscious.

The swami demonstrated full mastery of his autonomic nervous system, which until then most Western doctors assumed was impossible. Swami Rama considered these tests trivial compared to the real value of yoga. Stopping one's heartbeat or regulating the temperature in individual cells of his body (skills he actually demonstrated there) was interesting, but the real value of yoga is its deep and transforming effect on human consciousness. Visit: http://www.swamij.com/pdf/swami-rama-beyond-biofeedback.pdf

It's ironic that today's world of technology is actually shedding light on time-tested, ancient practices such as meditation and yoga. Meditation and technology need not be mutually exclusive. Human minds discovered meditation and human minds also discovered technology. We know, too, from anecdotal evidence that these age-old practices have great benefit.

Mark Matousek wrote an article about visiting these enlightened people: "Daniel Goleman first became aware of spiritual energy three decades ago in Asia. The author of the best-selling book "Emotional Intelligence," Goleman was a Harvard graduate studying meditation in India when he noticed that most seasoned practioners exuded what he calls 'a special quality, magnetic in a quiet sense.' Contrary to stereotype, these spiritual types did not seem otherworldly at all. 'They were lively and engaged,' he says, 'extremely present, involved in the moment, often funny, yet profoundly at peace - equanimous in disturbing situations.' What's more, it seemed to him that this quality was communicable: 'You always felt better than before you'd spent time with them, and this feeling lasted.'

Goleman discovered that the components of spiritual energy are as carefully quantified in ancient traditions as waves and particles are in physics. One of the words used to describe this magnetic state is sukha, he says, a Pali expression denoting a sense of 'repleteness, contentment, delight, a calm, abiding joy regardless of external circumstances.' Sukha is selfless in nature and connected to a greater purpose - which is why it increases through service to others."

Mark Matousek continues: "Such transmission is more palpable than a skeptic might expect, as San Francisco psychologist Paul Ekman saw after spending a week in Dharamsala with the Dalai Lama. The foremost authority on the physiology of emotion, Ekman - who is not Buddhist - had been invited to engage in a cross-cultural dialogue between Western scientists and His Holiness, along with several monks. Ekman left the meeting deeply moved. 'These monks were unlike any human beings I had encountered before,' he says. 'They were joyous in a way I had never seen, except perhaps, in my daughter at two or three years old.'

Ekman detected four characteristics common to people with this energy: a palpable goodness, first of all that went far beyond some 'warm and fuzzy aura,' and seemed to arise from genuine integrity. Next, an impression of selflessness - a lack of concern with status, fame, and ego - a transparency between their personal and public lives that set them apart from those with charisma, who often are often one thing on the outside, another when you look under the surface.

Third, Ekman noticed that this expansive, compassionate energy nurtured others. Finally, he was struck by the 'amazing powers of attentiveness' displayed by these individuals.

In his book 'Destructive Emotions,' Goleman cites a recent study involving a monk being monitored in a laboratory while he meditates on compassion. Among other findings, scientists saw a dramatic increase in gamma energy (sparked in the part of the brain associated with positive emotions), proving that through concern for others we can create measurably greater well being in ourselves " - O Magazine article "Spiritual Energy" by Mark Matousek 

Enlightenment is not easily attained. Saintly gurus and rinpoches can teach us meditation, help us purify karma, give us mantras, or even give personal-lifestyle advice. But we, ourselves, must do the hard work of climbing the spiritual ladder. We, all by ourselves, must be mindful of our minds and wrestle with inner demons. Or, As Ramakrishna, the Indian avatar would say: "The world is a madhouse of lust, anger and greed." Who could argue with that statement? And that was before the Kardashians!

Call it karma, fate or destiny that I was drawn to Eastern wisdom. I’m not downplaying a long history of great Christian mystics, as much as I relish the experience of enlightened teachers who are very much alive. Through the miracle of Web technology, we can access information about various teachers simply by cruising the Web. So, if I did not read  books, study Web sites, and visit these saintly gurus, I would have short changed myself greatly. But I trusted my intuition that there's more to life than baseball and barbeques. Our lives our meant to have meaning. We need not waste our earthly existence brooding over the Kardashians and reality TV. - By Scott Palczak (Scott Lane)

Great Stupa of Dharmakaya website: http://www.shambhalamountain.org/great-stupa
Amitabha Stupa website: http://www.google.com/?gwsrd=ss/#q=amitabha+stupa
Maitreya Relic Tour:  http://www.maitreyarelictour.com
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AMMA SRI KARUNAMAYI: VISIT to PASADENA in APRIL, 2015

Amma Sri Karunamayi is one of India's greatest living saints. I've been visiting Amma every year for 15 years, and April 3, 2015 was the first time I saw her give a lengthy and heartfelt discourse denouncing violence against women. She also lamented human trafficking, and missing girls.

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery where trafficking victims are exploited for commercial sex purposes by means of force, fraud or coercion, according to the U.S. Department of State. One reason human trafficking is prevalent in the United States is related to our 1.7 million teenage runaways. Many of these teens end up in hands of a trafficker (a pimp), who gives promises such as shelter, protection, etc.

Amma passionately desires real change in the world regarding these issues. She said that if a woman becomes president of the United States, much more attention will be given to these issues.

Amma also mentioned that meat eating contributes to aggressive behavior and she recommends a vegetarian diet. A vegetarian, sattvic diet is meant to include food and eating habits that are "pure, essential, natural, vital, energy-containing, clean, conscious, true, honest, wise". Sattvic diet is a regimen that places emphasis on seasonal foods, fruits, dairy products, nuts, seeds, oils, ripe vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and non-meat based proteins. Some Sattvic diet suggestions, such as its relative emphasis on dairy products, is controversial.
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Paramahansa Yogananda wrote in his "Autobiography of a Yogi " about how Mahatma Gandhi had concern and compassion for cows.

At ten-thirty we were called to the ashram porch for lunch with Gandhi and the satyagrahis. Today the menu included brown rice, a new selection of vegetables, and cardamon seeds.

Noon found me strolling about the ashram grounds, on to the grazing land of a few imperturbable cows. The protection of cows is a passion with Gandhi. "The cow to me means the entire sub-human world, extending man's sympathies beyond his own species," the Mahatma explained. "Man through the cow is enjoined to realize his identity with all that lives. Why the ancient rishis selected the cow for apotheosis is obvious to me. The cow in India was the best comparison; she was the giver of plenty. Not only did she give milk, but she also made agriculture possible. The cow is a poem of pity; one reads pity in the gentle animal. She is the second mother to millions of mankind. Protection of the cow means protection of the whole dumb creation of God. The appeal of the lower order of creation is all the more forceful because it is speechless."

Certain daily rituals are enjoined on the Orthodox Hindu. One is Bhuta Yajna, an offering of food to the animal kingdom. This ceremony symbolizes man's realization of his obligations to less evolved forms of creation - instinctively tied to body identification (a delusion that afflicts man also) but lacking the liberating quality of reason peculiar to humanity.
- from "Autobiography of a Yogi"
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Amma says in her biography that during her 10 years of deep meditation, poisonous snakes such as cobras would crawl over her, and tigers and deer would sit near her. These were WILD tigers and NOT defanged cobras! She said during the homa that she was not afraid of these animals and the jungle is safer than our society! Amma also said in her biography that she does not like to walk on grass because it hurts the grass!

Paramahansa Yogananda in his "Autobiography of a Yogi" wrote: "Master as far as I know, was never at close quarters with a leopard or tiger. But a deadly cobra once confronted him, only to be conquered by his love.

We were seated outdoors near the ashram. A cobra appeared nearby, a four-foot length of sheer terror. Its hood was angrily expanded as it raced toward us. Master gave a welcoming chuckle, as though to a child. I was filled with consternation to see Sri Yukteswar engage in a rhythmical clapping of hands. He was entertaining the dread visitor! The serpent's frightful hood gradually contracted; the snake slithered between Sri Yukteswarji's feet and disappeared into the bushes."

After her heartfelt discourse, Amma blessed probably 400 or more people individually. Each person writes on an index card what he or she needs and hands their card to Amma. Amma is always happy to see her "divine children" as she calls her followers. She is like a spiritual mother to her infants who need nurturing.

As usual, the festive and wonderfully sublime homa was charged with positive energy, as 300 people chanted and worshipped Ganesha, Shiva, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. Even small dogs seem to enjoy homas, and I think to myself, "You lucky dogs!" These homas are stashed in my memory as some of the most positive experiences in my life.
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MEANINGS of HOMAS & ABHISHEKAMS

A homa or fire offering is a sacred ceremony in which the gods and goddesses are offered oblations through the medium of fire, according to Vedic spiritual injunctions, while special mantras are recited. A homa is performed during specific auspicious occasions for the benefit of the entire world as well as the participants.

Sri Karunamayi has stated that homas and abhishekams "purify the earth's atmosphere, uplift the community, and contribute to the individual."

An abhishekam is a ceremony of ablutions and symbolic offerings that include milk, honey, ghee and other items. The ablutions symbolize spiritual purification, and each of the offerings represent fulfilment on every level. Throughout the abhishekam, specific mantras are chanted to invoke blessings that uplift, protect and spiritually benefit us.
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I'll admit this: I'm a glutton for homas, pujas, and Tibetan rituals and I will seek out blessings from any saint or rinpoche, as often as possible. I have plenty of time for mundane activities: working, shopping, reading newspapers, watching TV, but how often can I spend time with a great saint?

But homas are not merely a spectator sport, although simply witnessing one is good karma. During a homa I concentrate on chanting mantras and quietly mumbling prayers. Amma's devotees inform us that the benefits of chanting mantras during a homa are multiplied thousands of times. Therefore, I try to maximize the time spent at a homa.

Now, my faith in homas and Amma's teachings are based on my perception that Amma is  a great mahatma (great soul). Thousands of people who have spent time with her also share my convictions. Rather than be endlessly - or needlessly - critical of Sri Karunamayi, I've chosen to observe her kindness in action and I found that she walks the talk: her teachings are who she truly is.

Humanity is spread along a spectrum of knowledge, wisdom and awareness. Self-knowledge, divine awareness, utter humility and unconditional love elevate the mahatmas above ordinary people. Mindfulness, pity, guilt, and repentance elevate ordinary people above the demonic.

Ordinary people perform actions from a sense of duty and expectation of some return. But the mahatmas perform actions with total freedom. There is no good or bad associated with any action; action performed without any expectation or self-gratification is the key to freedom. This is also action from a true experience of freedom and total awareness.

I often wonder how many lifetimes I've spent visiting the great mahatmas and rinpoches. Who knows how many lives these great souls have influenced? Who knows how diminished our sordid planet would be without their presence? - by Scott Palczak
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QUOTES by PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA

Paramahansa Yogananda wrote in his "Autobiography of a Yogi": "India, materially poor for the last two centuries, yet has an inexhaustible fund of divine wealth; spiritual 'skyscrapers' may occasionally be encountered by the wayside."

"Solitude is necessary to become established in the Self, but masters then return to the world to serve it. Even saints who engage in no outward work bestow, through their thoughts and vibrations, more precious benefits on the world than can be given by the most strenuous humanitarian activities of unenlightened men. The great ones, each in his own way strive selflessly to inspire and uplift their fellows." - by Paramahansa Yogananda
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QUOTES by SWAMI MUKTANANDA

Swami Muktananda stated: "The saints of all countries have revealed the same truth - that God is everywhere. They have become one with God. All they see is God, not individuals, sects, countries, parties, and cults - not even East or West. They experience the Truth in everyone and teach others to do the same. Everywhere they see equality. They have surmounted body-consciousness. They have risen beyond the man-made limitations of religious groups. Everything they do is for the benefit of all people."

"The Bhagavad Gita says one is one's own best friend and one's own worst enemy. Our own thoughts and desires are responsible for the ugliness around us or the heaven around us."

"The Guru has done his work if he has awakened your inner Shakti, but that does not mean there is no need for self-effort. Self-effort and the Guru's grace are like two wings of a bird: The bird needs both to fly."
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BIOGRAPHY EXCERPT from SRI KARUNAMAYI'S WEBSITE

Austerities in the Sacred Penusila Forest

As she grew into a young woman, Amma felt an inner urge to begin spending more and more time in the family worship room, immersed in prayer and meditation. As she was now a first-year college student, she was forced to make time for meditation by reducing the time she spent sleeping. As her meditations deepened and intensified, she also began reducing her intake of food. These meditation sessions grew in length until one day Amma locked herself inside a room of the house and remained there in meditation for a month.

Though her family members were perplexed, they did not dare to disturb her, having witnessed the profundity of her meditations before. When she finally emerged, she seemed like a different person to her family members. Though she still showed the same sweet affection to which they were accustomed, her demeanor now expressed a more impersonal, universal love. Determined to fulfill the sacred purpose of her life, Amma gently told her mother that it was time for her to go into seclusion in the sacred Penusila Forest, to meditate there in solitude. Always respectful of her daughter’s divine nature, and trusting completely in God, Amma’s mother did not try to stop her from going.

In the year 1980, at the tender age of 21, Amma left the comfort and security of her parents’ home and traveled by foot to the remote and sacred Penusila Forest, where a number of India’s ancient sages had meditated for many hundreds of years. There, she was free to live according to principles established by India’s ancient Vedic sages. Rising at 2:30 in the morning, Amma would bathe with cold water from a pure river. Wearing only a simple cotton sari, she would go to one of the forest’s many sacred groves and remain there, absorbed in meditation for hours, days, or even weeks at a time.

Local villagers who spotted her sometimes mistook her for a statue, as they could not even detect the movement of breath in her perfectly still form. Some of the more mischievous ones would toss small pebbles on her, just to see if she was really alive or just a corpse! Others, feeling that only an incarnation of the Divine Mother could sit for so long in deep meditation, would leave small offerings of fruit before her. Whether she emerged from her meditations to find stones or fruit in front of her, Amma always maintained a state of perfect equanimity and gave her blessings to all, regardless of how they treated her.

Amma never felt that these meditations were done for her own sake, as she was following the example of India’s ancient Vedic sages, who meditated for hundreds of years in order to discover the best teachings for all of mankind. Through Amma’s austerities, she determined which of the Vedic teachings and practices would be of greatest benefit to people living in this difficult modern age. After performing such intense tapasya for over 10 years, Amma decided that it was time to share her knowledge with all those who thirsted for true spirituality, wherever they may live in the world.

LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE: BEING VEGETARIAN & WHY GREAT MASTERS EAT MEAT

Lama Zopa Rinpoche's Online Advice Book
Non-harming : Benefiting Animals

By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche at various locations (Last Updated Jan 12, 2009)

• Avoid Killing Animals
• Being Vegetarian
• Practices to Purify Killing Animals
• Thanksgiving

Being Vegetarian

Becoming Vegetarian	[posted Aug 2013]
A student wrote to advise that after hearing about Rinpoche’s stroke, he became a vegetarian.

My very dear Thomas,
Thank you numberless times for your prayers dedicated to me, but please dedicate to all sentient beings, particularly to those who are suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke. Also, please dedicate for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and all the holy beings in the world who benefit others. Dedicate also for the Sangha, the benefactors of the Sangha and all sentient beings who recite OM MANI PADME HUM, as well as for those who do good things for others, and for the long life of those who practice morality.

Regarding your suggestion, I am going to think how to do this within FPMT. However, my request will be that it is voluntary to become vegetarian for this lifetime or at least for a certain number of years. You can’t say that nobody in this world should eat meat—you can’t do that; it is a little bit crazy.

There are many persons—buddhas, bodhisattvas, dakas and dakinis—who benefit others, but aren’t vegetarian. Some bodhisattvas eat meat and some don’t eat meat—it is their choice, to do whatever is most beneficial for sentient beings. Their decision is made on the basis of benefiting sentient beings, not because they like to eat meat. They have a great purpose to benefit sentient beings, and some are vegetarian and some are not.

Here I am referring to asking ordinary sentient beings to be vegetarian—ordinary sentient beings, just like myself—especially those who like to eat meat.

Some people have health problems and may have to eat meat. Some people are like this, but not the majority. For example, one of my gurus, Ribur Rinpoche, lived in Tibet and ate meat. He took the aspect of sickness in America at one FPMT center, the Land of Medicine Buddha. At that center you cannot eat meat, so they did not even offer it to Rinpoche, but a Tibetan lady brought meat quietly and only then Rinpoche took the aspect of recovering. So there are situations like this. Also ordinary beings sometimes depend on meat to be healthy, so we need to be careful and make exceptions.

My main thinking is that if more people become vegetarian, then there are less animals killed, so people create less negative karma and there is less suffering for animals.
With much love and prayers and thank you very, very, very much for all your dedication and your courage...  (Posted July, 2011)

__________________________________________________________________ Inspired to Become a Vegetarian
A student wrote to thank Rinpoche for inspiring her to become a vegetarian. She said this has benefited her and she wished for it to benefit every other sentient being, particularly all the animals killed in a terrifying way for people to eat.

My very dear, very, very, very precious, very kind, wish-fulfilling Danielle,
I want to say skies of numberless thanks deep from my heart. You are very, very, very, extremely kind for the animals and sentient beings. As there are more and more people becoming vegetarian, that means less and less animals will be killed. So it is very important. In the world people eat meat mainly because of habit; so many people have not thought that the animals experience unbelievable suffering.

If the same thing was done to human beings—eating human meat and being killed for business—then you can see how much suffering there would be. It would be unbearable.
Human beings can express their suffering; they can explain their incredible fear, etc. If human beings ate other human beings, for example, if the powerful ones ate the weak ones, there would be so much incredible fear, even to go outside. So weaker ones would just stay inside, in the house, where they couldn’t eat each other. Can you imagine the incredible fear?

If human beings were treated like animals; if they were killed for meat like animals…wow, wow, wow. There would be so much crying, worry and fear. It would be unbelievable. We would be afraid to go anywhere, in case we were killed for meat.

When I was in hospital after a stroke [in April 2011] I saw on TV so many goats being sold by Australia to Indonesia for so many years. It even showed the place where the goats would be killed, one by one. I didn’t see the actual place where they were killed, but I saw a cow who was tied up by ropes. A man was pulling him down from the platform, but the cow didn’t want to go down. So I thought, I can’t stop the animal suffering, but what I can do as I go around the world to teach, even if it is on sutra and tantra, I will announce or request if people can become vegetarian. That is something I can do.

Australian people made a lot of noise for one or two months to stop that [live export], but probably rich people, very powerful businesses wanted to do business again. I heard that they went back to selling the live exports. Can you imagine?

Of course, individually we can’t say everyone who eats meat is bad. Many manifestations of buddhas, bodhisattvas and great yogis, who have very high tantric realizations on the basis of the three principals of the path, they eat meat, but they don’t eat it with the self-cherishing thought. They eat it to purify the animal’s negative karma, so that animal has a good rebirth, meets the Dharma in future lives, is reborn in a pure land, and achieves enlightenment as quickly as possible. So it is done to benefit the animals. When it comes to the individual person like that, it is a great, great, great blessing.

Your motivation is excellent; it is to benefit all sentient beings, particular the animals, who suffered unbelievably and were killed. Doing this, even if you don’t wish for a long life, naturally you create the karma for a long life, in this life and in future lives.
Thank you very much for studying Buddhist teachings at Vajrayana Centre.
With much love and prayers...

TIME MAGAZINE: 7 REASONS WHY VEGETARIANS LIVE LONGER

Here's a link to a Time magazine article about why vegetarians and vegans live longer than nonvegetarians:  http://time.com/9463/7-reasons-vegetarians-live-longer

POSITIVE THINKING: WRITINGS by 14th DALAI LAMA & YOGANANDA

THE 14th DALAI LAMA: from "THE MIND in COMFORT and EASE"

Pg.11) The scriptures state that the Dharma, or spirituality, does not depend primarily on some kind of physical expression, like attire or deportment, nor on some verbal expression, such as recitation and chanting, but is experienced, first and foremost, on the basis of the mind. They say that, rather than emphasizing some outward expression, the Dharma consists principally of special methods for analyzing and watching the mind so as to transform it.

It is true that the methods given in the Buddhist teachings do not focus predominantly on external acts such as reciting prayers and mantras, or on physical acts such as prostrations, and the like. Rather, the teachings are put into practice by means of your mind. This makes the process a little more difficult. Another scripture says, "For this reason, the tradition of the Buddha is a subtle one." Why? you might ask. Because it is always possible for people to behave outwardly like spiritual practioners, while at the same time harboring negative thoughts unworthy of a real practioner.

Similarly, it is possible for people to recite mantras and prayers continuously, while their minds are simultaneously polluted by all kinds of destructive thoughts.

However, if we are practicing something positive in our mind - say we are cultivating faith or compassion, for example - at the same time as that positive quality is generated in our mind, it is quite impossible for us to give rise to a harmful state of mind. By the same token, where there is a negative state of mind, a positive one cannot exist. So the important point here is that everything is accomplished on the basis of our mind.

What is required to transform the mind?

Pg. 20) Yet for all this to come about, we need to make an effort. We cannot expect our minds to change by simply sitting back and waiting for it to happen.

If we take stock of the negative elements in our minds, they can be summarized as three - desire, aversion and ignorance - the so-called three poisons or pollutants. For a long time, our minds have been habituated and inured to these poisons, which are now deeply ingrained.

To make this kind of effort to transform our mind, we need perseverance and diligence. And before we can develop diligence, we need to have an eager, inspired sense of willpower, so that we say to ourselves, "This is something I must accomplish." Otherwise, it will be very difficult for transformation to happen easily or occur at random.

If transforming the mind requires effort, effort demands interest and involvement; for that sense of involvement to be strong enough, you have to be motivated from the depths of your heart. If you do not have this drive yourself, it is extremely difficult for something external or someone else to force you to transform your mind. In fact, if they tried, it might make things even worse. - by the 14th Dalai Lama
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PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA: from "DIVINE ROMANCE"

In his book "Divine Romance" Paramahansa Yogananda wrote: "No matter how you have been empowered in negative thinking and negative behavior, those wrong habits cannot enslave you forever. Constantly seek God instead of indulging in negative thoughts and actions, and you will find peace of mind and happiness in your life. Sometime you will have to rid yourself of evil. Why not how?

No one else can save you. You are your own savior as soon as you realize, "I am Light itself. Darkness was never meant for me; it can never cover the light of my soul."

The Bhagavad Gita teaches that he who thinks negatively and beholds evil in the world is the enemy of the Self, and the Self acts as his enemy. And he who beholds only goodness is a friend to his Self, and the Self acts as his friend. If you are your own enemy, picking up evil from everywhere, your true self will be your enemy.

So in this world seek only that which is good, do that which is good. Constantly seek God instead of indulging in negative thoughts and actions, and you will find peace of mind and happiness in your life.

By seeking out evil, by being negative and affirming to yourself negative thoughts, you see this world as a forest of fear. By seeking goodness, being good, and affirming good, you see this world as a garden of beauty."

Coping with a loved one's death: sending loving thoughts to them

Send your thoughts of love and goodwill to your loved ones as often as you feel inclined to do so, but at least once a year. Mentally tell them, "We will meet again sometime and continue to develop our divine love and friendship with one another." If you send them your loving thoughts continuously now, someday you will surely meet them again.

Instead of weeping and feeling a sense of loss after the death of those who are dear to you, always send them your love. By doing so you can help the progress of their souls, and they can help you. Never drag them down by unreasonable feelings of  selfish attachment and sorrow. Just say to them "I love you."

Ordinary souls remain in the astral realm for a karmically predetermined time, and then reincarnate on earth. But what if the souls of some that you love are reborn on earth? As you go on sending them your love, they will feel your thoughts. When they are asleep - that is, when their conscious mind is asleep and the subconscious is awake - they will receive your love.

In time, these souls will be aware of the vibrations you are sending them, and they will remember and understand.

Furthermore, you will surely be attracted to one another again, and will feel the closeness of your previous relationship. - from the book "Divine Romance" by Paramahansa Yogananda
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RYUHO OKAWA

In his book  "The Challenge of Enlightenment" Ryuho Okawa wrote: "There are many  Buddhist sutras on the philosophy of Tathagata-garbha, which are considered to be a kind of positive thinking. Modern postivie thinking has its origins in Mahayana Buddhism. The idea of Tathagata - garbha leads logically to positive thinking, but Tathagata nature is not something that can be achieved simply.

THE PLANT - POWERED DIET: Scientific Reasons to Cut Back on Meat

EXCERPTS from "THE PLANT - POWERED DIET "- by Sharon Palmer, R.D.

Here are my top, scientifically backed reasons why you should cut down on your meat intake for life. 

1.) It can hurt your heart. One of the first things any health expert will tell you if you have high blood cholesterol levels or a history of heart disease is to cut back on animal fats, because high intakes of saturated fats and cholesterol increase your LDL ("bad") cholesterol and total cholesterol levels, thus increasing your risk for heart disease.

Although a number of studies have linked red meat consumption with heart disease, a recent Harvard meta-analysis of studies, including data on more than 1.2 million people, links this connection to processed meats in particular. In the study, processed meats were linked to a 42 percent higher risk of coronary heart disease.

2.) It ups your risk of type 2 diabetes. Scientists recently found another reason to cut back on red meat - particularly when it is processed: it ups your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, one of the most devastating diseases of our time.

In an exhaustive study, researchers evaluated data from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, which followed more than 79,000 women for 28 years; Nurses' Health Study II which followed more than 87,000 women for 14 years; and other existing studies, adding up to a grand total of 442,101 participants. The researchers discovered that eating a daily 100-gram serving of red meat (the size of a deck of cards) was linked with a 19 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Eating a daily 50-gram serving of processed meat - which equals one hot dog or sausage or two slices of bacon - was associated with a 51 percent increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

3.) It may plump up inflammation. Scientists have noticed that red meat is linked to higher levels of chronic inflammation, which can promote a string of chronic diseases such as heart disease.

4.) It raises your risk of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome has been called the scourge of our modern era. It's not a disease but rather a collection of unhealthy factors that include a large waistline, high triglyceride levels, low HDL ("good") cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. If you have 3 or more of these measurements, you've got metabolic syndrome, which puts you at risk for a number of diseases.

5.) It may escalate your risk of cancer. The evidence on cancer risk and red meat - processed red meat in particular - is becoming quite convincing. Although the consumption of red meat has been implicated in several cancers - prostrate, breast, lung, kidney, esophagus, liver, and pancreatic - the most conclusive evidence relates to colorectal cancer.

In a comprehensive investigation of the National Institute of Health - AARP Diet and Health Study, which included more than 500,000 men and women, a significant increased risk of cancers of the colorectum, esophagus, lung, and liver was associated with red meat. An increased risk of colorectal and lung cancer was associated with higher intake of processed meat, and red and processed meat intake was associated with cancer mortality. Cancer Research now reports that eating more than 18 ounces of red meat per week - and ANY amount of processed meat at all - increases your risk of colorectal cancer.

6.) It can add pounds. Meats are much higher in calories and fat than most plant foods, so it shouldn't be a surprise that, in a study using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, researchers found that people who consumed the highest amounts of meat had a much higher caloric intake, about 700 calories more per day, than those who consumed the least amount of meat.

7.) It may cut your lifespan. Now that surely caught your attention. But yes, that's the news that came out of the first large study to look at whether eating red meat regularly can affect lifespan. Using data on 500,000 adults who took part in the National Institute of Health - AARP Diet and Health Study over 10 years, researchers found that those who consumed about 4 ounces of meat a day (the size of a small hamburger) were more than 30 percent more likely to die, mostly from heart disease and cancer, compared with those who ate the lowest amounts of meat.

8.) It squanders precious global food supplies. Environmental experts agree on one important principle that could increase the world sustainability of food for the long haul: Growing animal feed on prime croplands, no matter how efficiently, is a drain on the human food supply. Dedicating croplands to direct human food production could boost calories produced per person by nearly 50 percent, according to a recent report from researchers from Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Germany.

9.) It magnifies your carbon footprint. If you cut back your animal food intake, you can make a big impact on planet Earth. Each year we eat billions of pounds of meat and drink billions of gallons of dairy products from billions of animals. In doing so, we not only contribute to inhumane animal practices, but we are responsible for the use of large amounts of chemical pesticides and fertilizers to produce animal feed, as well as large volumes of water and fuel to take animals to market.

Byproducts of animal food production include greenhouse gas emissions, toxic manure lagoons, deforestation, and pollution of groundwater, rivers, streams, and oceans. - by Sharon Palmer, R.D.
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A BEVY of BENEFITS: from The Plant-Powered Diet

* A diet stacked with a variety of veggies is like an all-access pass to a pharmacy of health-protective chemicals. That's why eating a diet rich in vegetables has been linked to protection against the following:

* Cancers                                     
* Cognitive decline                                
* Chronic inflammation
* Cardiovascular disease            
* Age-related eye disease                      
* Metabolic syndrome
* Type 2 diabetes                         
* Bone loss                                              
* Lung diseases
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VEGAN DIETS FIGHT ARTHRITIS & CANCER
http://www.scottsbuddhistiveg.blogspot.com/2015/05/vegan-diet-alleviates-arthritis.html

PETA PRIME: Can a Plant-Based Diet Cure Cancer?
http://prime.peta.org/2009/12/can-a-plant-based-diet-cure-cancer

VEGAN DIETS FIGHT CANCER! - from the Huffington Post with Kathy Freston
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-freston/vegan-diet-cancer_b_2250052.html

VEGAN DIETS REVERSE DISEASE - from Scott's Buddhism & Vegetarian Blog
http://scottsbuddhisttveg.blogspot.com/2015/03/vegan-diets-reverse-diseases.html

ANTI - CANCER DIET - by Dr. Richard Beliveau
http://www.richardbeliveau.org/en/cancer-prevention.html?showall=1

FOODS & ARTHRITIS - PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE for RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE http://www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/foods-and-arthritis

HEALTHY at 100 & THE CHINA STUDY
http://www.scottsbuddhistiveg.blogspot.com/2015/06/live-to-100-by-john-robbins.html

VEGAN DIETS: FIGHTING ARTHRITIS & CANCER

ARTHRITIS: An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide - by Ellen Kamhi and Eugene Zampieron

The first step in most detoxification protocols is a general body cleanse, utilizing such methods as eating nutrient-dense specific diets, fasting, and consuming fresh juices. These methods are the cornerstone of detoxification therapy and are critical for the successful treatment of arthritis. Avoiding solid foods and ingesting only liquids or teas allows the body to focus on cleansing, breaking down circulating toxins, and decreasing their adverse effects.

Researchers have documented decreased joint stiffness in patients with arthritis after a program of fasting and a follow-up arthritis friendly vegetarian diet. Biological indicators of inflammation tend to decrease after a fast. These indicators include SED rate, C-reactive protein, and pro-inflammatory immune cells, such as leukotrienes and eosinophils. In addition, patients report a substantial improvement in symptoms and overall cessation or reduction of the inflammatory response.

Pg. 78)  An overwhelming number of arthritis sufferers will experience partial to complete relief of symptoms after a month of strict adherence to a primarily vegetarian, arthritis-friendly diet. The diet eliminates refined, canned, and processed foods, hydrogenated oils, and rancid fats, alcohol, caffeine, refined sugars, most animal products, and any foods that cause food allergies and toxic reactions. Additional foods to avoid include yeast, wheat and other high-gluten grains, cow's milk and dairy products, refined or concentrated natural sugars (even fruit juices), corn, and nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and potatoes). Organic vegetables and fruits should be incorporated into the diet.

We've found that arthritis patients suffer relapses of symptoms when they deviate from this diet. Typically, we prescribe the arthritis diet for one month, during which time we carefully monitor the patient for nutritional status, inflammatory markers, and digestive function.

Incorporating vegetable or fruit juices and "green" foods into a fasting regime is less aggressive than a true, water-only fast and is better tolerated by most people with borderline hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). In fact, for many people, fasting on water can create health problems if their body isn't adequately prepared for the shock. Fasting should be done only under the guidance of a health-care practioner who has experience in supervising fasts.
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EAT to LIVE - by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

If dangerous drugs were the only way for a person to gain relief from suffering, we would be forced to accept the drawbacks of conventional therapy for autoimmune illnesses. The reality is, however, that dietary and nutritional interventions work for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Caring for such patients has been a major portion of my work as a physician for the past 20 years. I have seen scores of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and connective tissue disease patients recover completely through these interventions. Many of my patients recover completely from allergies and asthma. Not every patient obtains a complete remission, but the majority are able to avoid the use of medication.

While more research is needed in this area, all the studies that have been done are predictably positive and document improvement in blood inflammatory markers, as well as patient symptoms. I see this occur on a daily basis.

Here are the main ways to increase the possibility of obtaining remission or improvement in patients with autoimmune diseases:

1.) A strict plant-based (vegan), dairy-free, wheat-free, and gluten-free diet is usually necessary; a lower-protein diet is helpful.

2.) A high nutrient-per-calorie density diet with caloric restriction to obtain a normal weight is necessary.

3.) Arachidonic acid and DHA levels should be checked with an essential fatty acid profile. If the fatty acid balance is abnormal, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids to achieve satisfactory balance may be necessary.

4.) Therapeutic fasting can be an extremely effective adjunct to control the autoimmune response and reset the hyperactive immune system to a more normal (lower) level of activity. Do not fast if you are dependent on multiple immunosuppressive drugs.

5.) Undertaking food elimination and challenge can uncover hidden food sensitivities. Most of the offending foods have been eliminated - animal products, wheat, and dairy.

VEGAN DIETS FIGHT CANCER

In his book "Eat to Live" Joel Fuhrman writes: "Animal-product consumption in general is proportionally associated with multiple types of cancer. A massive international study that amassed data from 59 different countries showed that men who ate the most meat, poultry and dairy products were the most likely to die from prostrate cancer, while those who ate the most unrefined plant foods and nuts were the least likely to succumb to this disease.

Another study from Germany found colon cancer and rectal cancer decreased about 50 percent in adult vegetarians. However, a significantly greater reduction of cancer and all-cause mortality (about 75 percent reduction) was related to being on a vegetarian diet for more than 20 years.

The degree of protection correlated well with the number of years on a vegetarian diet. Other studies on vegetarian diet in different countries show almost the same thing.

It would be difficult for anyone to disagree that superior nutrition has a protective effect against cancer. The question that remains is: Can optimal nutrition or nutritional intervention be an effective therapeutic approach for patients who already have cancer? Scientific data indicates the answer is yes.

Researchers looking for answers to these questions studied women with cancer and found that saturated fat in the diet promoted a more rapid spread of the cancer. Other researchers found similar results.

For a woman who already has cancer, her risk of dying increased 40 percent for every 1,000 grams of fat consumed monthly. Studies also indicate that high fruit and vegetable intake improved survival, and fat on the body increases the risk of premature death.

Similar findings are found in the scientific literature regarding prostate cancer and diet, indicating that diet has a powerful effect on survival for those with prostate cancer. For humans, too much processed food and too many animal products are toxic."

- by Joel Fuhrman, M.D. _______________________________________________________________________

1.) PETA  PRIME: Can a Plant-Based Diet Cure Cancer?
http://prime.peta.org/2009/12/can-a-plant-based-diet-cure-cancer

2.) VEGAN  DIETS  FIGHT  CANCER! - from the Huffington Post with Kathy Freston
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-freston/vegan-diet-cancer_b_2250052.html

3.) VEGAN  DIETS  REVERSE  DISEASE - from Scott's Buddhism& Vegetarian Blog
http://scottsbuddhisttveg.blogspot.com/2015/03/vegan-diets-reverse-diseases.html

4.) ANTI - CANCER DIET - by Dr. Richard Beliveau
https://www.richardbeliveau.org/en/cancer-prevention.html

5.) PREVENTING  CANCER with a PLANT- BASED DIET - by Dr. Neal Barnard
http://thekindlife.com/blog/06/dr-neal-barnard-pcrm-preventing-cancer-with-a-vegan-plant-based-diet

6.) PHYSICIANS  COMMITTEE  for  RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE -   Resources for Health Conditions  http://www.pcrm.org/health/resources

7.) FOODS  &  ARTHRITIS - PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE for RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE
http://www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/foods-and-arthritis

8.) A TRADITIONAL  INDIAN  REMEDY  for  ARTHRITIS  PAIN http://www.freshbitesdaily.com/arthritis-poultice

9.) REBOOT  WITH JOE: CURATIVE  VEGAN  DIET  for  ARTHRITIS
http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/eating/health-conditions/arthritis

10.) REBOOT WITH JOE: After 30 Years of Arthritis Pain, I've Finally Found Euphoria
http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/reboot-success-story-relief-from-arthritis-pain
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THE ULTIMATE ANTI - ARTHRITIS DIET - adapted from Arthritis Today magazine

One of the most common questions people with any form of arthritis have is, "What can I eat to help my joints?"

The answer, fortunately, is that many foods can help. Following a diet low in processed foods and saturated fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and beans is great for your body. If this advice seems familiar, it's because these are the principles of the highly - touted Mediterranean diet, which is frequently praised for its anti-aging, disease - fighting powers.

There's good science behind the hype. Studies confirm eating these foods lowers blood pressure and protects against chronic conditions ranging from cancer to stroke. It helps arthritis by curbing inflammation - which benefits your joints as well as your heart. Another bonus: Eating more healthy, whole foods commonly found in Mediterranean cuisine - and fewer package foods - can also lead to weight loss, which makes a huge difference in managing joint pain. Whether you call it a Mediterranean diet, an anti- inflammatory diet or simply an arthritis diet, here's a look at the key foods - and a breakdown of why they're good for joint health.

The typical Mediterranean diet includes small amounts of fish and poultry, but my opinion is that better results occur on a meatless - or limited meat - version of this diet. Hundreds of nutritious and healthy recipes are posted on the Web. 

FRUITS & VEGGIES

How much: Aim for 9 or more servings daily.

Why: Fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants. These potent chemicals act as the body's natural defense system, helping neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals that can and will damage cells.

"Our bodies produce 10 to 15 different oxidants every day," says Dr. Tanya Edwards, MD, medical director of the Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. "That oxidation process produces inflammation, which in turn produces more oxidants in the body. Fruits and vegetables can defuse those rogue molecules. The darker, more brilliant the fruit or vegetable, the more antioxidants it has," explains Dr. Edwards.

Just be sure your plate sports many colors of the rainbow, since different colors neutralize different oxidants. "The anthocyanins in cherries, for example, contain enzymes that appear to mimic the effects of NSAIDs without the side effects," says weight loss coach and nutritionist Jonny Bowden, Phd, author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. A compound in the allium family of vegetables (onions, garlic, leeks and shallots) called diallyl disulfide also appear to fend off degrading protein enzymes present in people with osteoarthritis.

Other research suggests that eating vitamin K-rich veggies like broccoli, spinach, lettuce, kale, and cabbage dramatically reduces inflammatory markers in the blood.

Best sources: Colorful fruits and veggies like blueberries, blackberries, cherries, strawberries, spinach, kale, broccoli, eggplant and bell peppers.

OLIVE OIL
How much: Two to three tablespoons daily

Why: Olive oil is made up largely of healthful, monounsaturated fat. It's anti-inflammatory, heart - healthy and it's tasty, too. But having the right type of fat isn't the oil's only value. In fact, experts claim at least half of its health benefits come from the olives, not the oil.

"What makes olive oil so healthy is that it's a delivery system for antioxidant compounds called polyphenols in the olives," says Bowden. So it's no wonder this oil has been linked with a reduced risk of a variety of chronic diseases.

Best sources: Extra virgin olive oil. It goes through less refining and processing, so it retains more nutrients than standard varieties.

BEANS
How much: About one cup, four times a week, or more often

Why: Beans are loaded  with fiber, a nutrient that helps lower CRP, an indicator of inflammation found in the blood. At high levels, CRP could indicate anything from an infection to R.A.

But fiber isn't the only reason beans help fight inflammation. In a study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, scientists analyzed the nutrient content of 10 common bean varieties in southern Italy and identified a host of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, including quercetin, genistein, soysapogenin and oleanic acid.

Another reason beans are an essential part of an arthritis - friendly diet: They are a great (and inexpensive) source of protein, with about 15 grams per cup, and protein is important for overall health, especially for muscle health. Protein helps prevent muscle shrinkage due to age or inactivity, and stronger muscles make it easier to keep joints moving (movement is medicine!).

This vegetarian source of protein fills you up, meaning less post-meal snacking - and potentially less weight on your joints. Beans also digest very slowly, providing sustained energy and preventing the blood - sugar roller coaster commonly associated with high - carb and/or processed foods. Many bean varieties also boast folic acid, which benefits the heart, as well as immune - boosting minerals like magnesium, iron, zinc and potassium.

Best sources: Red beans, small red kidney beans and pinto beans rank among the U.S. Department of Agriculture's top four antioxidant - containing foods. Other beans you may want to add to your rotation: black beans, garbanzo beans and black - eyed peas.


BROWN RICE
How much: 1 cup several times or more per week

Why: Brown rice is anti-inflammatory and has the following benefits:

1.) Rich in selenium
2.) High in manganese
3.) Rich in naturally - occurring oils
4.) Rich in antioxidants - comparable to blueberries, strawberries and other fruits and vegetables

NUTS & SEEDS
How much: Eat 1.5 ounces of nuts daily (one ounce is about one handful)

Why: "Multiple studies confirm the role of nuts in an anti - inflammatory diet," explains Jose M. Ordovas, PhD, director of nutrition and genomics at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston. A study published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that over a 15 - year period, men and women who consumed the most nuts had a 51 percent lower risk of dying from an inflammatory disease (like RA) compared with those who ate the fewest nuts. Another study, published in the journal "Circulation," found that subjects with lower levels of vitamin B6 - found in most nuts - had higher levels of CRP and oxidative damage. More good news: Nuts are jam - packed with inflammation - fighting monounsaturated fat.

In addition to taste and texture, nuts boast protein and fiber. Even though they're relatively high in fat and calories, studies show that noshing on nuts promotes weight loss, because their protein, fiber and monounsaturated fats are satiating. "Just keep in mind that more is not always better," says Ordovas.

Best sources: Ground flaxseeds, walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios and almonds. In towns along the Mediterranean, you'll see these nuts mixed into everything from salads and pilafs to main dishes and desserts.
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NO MORE CANCER - by Gary Null

Page 94)  The cornerstone of Dr. Gerson's therapy is detoxification of the body through diet designed to rehabilitate the body's natural immunity and healing process. Dr. Gerson was eulogized by renowned physician and missionary Dr. Albert Schweitzer, whose wife was cured of lung tuberculosis in the 1930s.

Page 97)  The core of Gerson therapy is a regimen consisting primarily of a salt - and fat - free diet of organically grown fresh fruits and vegetables that are usually served raw or as juices. The primary objective of the diet is to detoxify the body and rebalance the whole metabolism, rather than simply to eliminate the symptoms of the disease.
 
Page 98)  Dr. Gerson's liver therapy is multifaceted. First, animal proteins are eliminated or greatly reduced in the diet because they have been found to interfere with liver therapy and impede the body's detoxification.

The ideal diet for patients on liver therapy, as mentioned above is low in salt and fat, and high in potassium and fresh fruits and vegetables, mostly in juice form. The juice is always prepared freshly and is not mixed with other medications that could alter the PH and thereby decrease its efficacy. Restoration of the liver, which may take from 6 to 18 months, depending on the severity of the illness, allows the liver to detoxify the body and produce its own oxidative enzymes.

According to Dr. Gerson, patients on the therapy actually begin to break down, assimilate, and eliminate cancer tumors. This is accomplished when the repaired liver is adequately producing oxidative enzymes, the general detoxification process - of which the liver is a critical part - is active, and potassium levels throughout the body are adequate.

Page 105)  A 40 to 50 percent improvement rate was recorded in terminal patients, and an 80 percent improvement in early to moderate cancer cases.
 
Cruciferous vegetables:  Cruciferous vegetables in the cruciferous family include kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, arugula, watercress, turnips, mustard plants and bok choy. Cruciferous vegetables contain detoxifying compounds called indoles and isothiocyanates, which have been proven to help prevent and reverse cancer.

Seaweed:  Recently, research has shed light on the powerful mix of micronutrients, including Vitamin C and Vitamin E, as well as minerals, iodine, fiber, and polysaccharides in seaweed, which make it a powerful nutritional tool in combating cancer. _____________________________________________________________________

LIFE OVER CANCER - by Keith Block, M.D.

Page 59)  One of my earliest breast cancer patients was Maryann, a 44 - year - old chemist and single mother bringing up 3 teenagers when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983. Maryann refused the radiation, fearing its side effects, but agreed to the 6 cycles of standard chemo. No one on her medical team gave her any nutritional guidelines. Still, she did fine for 3 years. Then a bone scan revealed numerous metastases throughout her rib cage and spine; she was told she had one year to live.

The shock sent Maryann to our clinic. She refused chemo, telling me that earlier rounds had caused vomiting, fatigue, and hair loss.

I laid out a low - fat, high - fiber diet consisting mainly of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, plus foods rich in anti - cancer nutrients such as shiitake mushrooms, sea vegetables, ginger and green tea. Maryann eliminated all dairy, meat, and refined sugars and never looked back. Within weeks, she experienced a major boost in energy and overall well - being. Four months after her first visit, a bone scan showed reduction of cancer in her spine, and scans every few months kept showing reductions or the outright disappearance of metastatic spots on her ribs and spine. Sixteen months in, Maryann appeared to be in complete remission. As I write, 22 years after Maryann walked into our clinic with bone metastases, she remains cancer - free - and still adheres to the cancer -  fighting diet.

An important caveat: diet alone should never be regarded as the answer to cancer. We have had a number of patients who ended up at our door after attempting a diet as their only cancer treatment. Although some show improvement, especially in the short term, an experience like Maryann's is more the exception than the rule. Let me again say: combining conventional treatments with complementary therapies in an integrative system buys the best odds for a successful outcome.

For best results, dieticians at the Block Center recommend that patients with advanced cancer lean toward a more vegetarian diet, with the exception of small amounts of fish, egg whites, and supplemental whey. In place of animal protein, add vegetable protein: legumes, soy foods, seitan ("wheat meat"), nuts, and seeds. When you eat fish, limit your serving to a 4 - ounce portion (about the size of the palm of your hand). Emphasize deepwater, northern ocean fish such as salmon, cod, haddock, mackerel, and sardines. By removing meats and most other animal products from your diet, you will keep levels of tumor -  sustaining iron, cholesterol, and estradiol in check.

Everything I just said about meat also pertains to dairy products, which can increase levels of cholesterol and tumor - stimulating growth factors and cause digestive problems in some chemotherapy patients.

You do not need to learn chemistry to identify foods containing the most powerful phytochemicals: many are plant pigments.

Mom was right when she told you to eat your broccoli: it and other cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, watercress, collards, brussel sprouts, kale, mustard greens, and turnips) contain a veritable pharmacopoeia of phytochemicals with important cancer - fighting properties.
The red - purple color in berries comes from the pigments called anthocyanins. Like lycopene, found in tomatoes, these red - purple berries also contain antioxidants.

Page 112)  Since it may be a challenge to get all these anti - cancer compounds from food alone, you may find it easiest to get half or more of your powerfoods in concentrates, mixtures of concentrated juices, or extracts of these foods. To do this, I recommend that you find an organic powerfood concentrate (often called a "green drink") that you enjoy and make it a part of your diet. These "green drinks" are widely available in health stores. Some cancer patients do make their own vegetable juices, but it is hard to get the diversity of foods you need at home.

1.) Carotenoids are red, yellow, and orange plant pigments such as those found in carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin, and winter squash. Carotenoids have important anti - cancer properties. For instance, lycopene, which makes tomatoes red, has the ability to inhibit the cancer - promoting growth factor IGF - I.

2.) Cruciferous vegetables are rich in glucosinolates, a veritable treasure trove of anti - cancer compounds. These vegetables include cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, collards, and kale. Among the glucosinolates are indole - 3 - carbinol, which increases the activity of enzymes that make estrogen less effective, thereby blocking the growth and progression of hormone - responsive cancers of the breast and endometrium. The sulforaphane in broccoli also targets breast cancer: at least six studies have demonstrated that women with breast cancer who consume high amounts of sulforaphane - containing vegetables have significantly better survival rates, lower recurrence rates, or both. Since cooking glucosinolates breaks them down, I recommend eating them raw whenever possible or, even easier, taking them in green drinks.

3.) Allium family vegetables are rich in organosulfides such as allicin, which helps the body remove toxic compounds, including carcinogens, enhance immune function, reduce blood clotting, and lower blood pressure. They include fresh garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, and chives.

4.) Leafy greens are nutritional powerhouses, containing compounds that have strong antioxidant activity. Good sources are parsley leaf, watercress, dandelion greens, chard, and turnip or beet greens.

5.) Fruits are rich in flavonoids that can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy. The ellagic acid in raspberry, cranberry, pomegranate, and strawberry extracts, for instance, has been shown to act synergistically with chemotherapy for advanced prostate cancer: a 2005 study found statistically better treatment responses and less treatment - related toxicity for patients receiving ellagic acid along with chemotherapy than for those undergoing chemotherapy alone.

Ellagic acid has also been shown to trigger apoptosis in many types of cancer cells and to curb tumors of the lung, liver, skin, and esophagus in the lab. Good sources of flavonoids include blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, pomegranates, tart cherries, apples and apple skins, and Concord grapes.

Page 114)

6.) Sprouted seeds and cereal grasses contain powerful compounds including antioxidants, a number of enzymes, and chlorophyll. Excellent choices are broccoli sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, kale sprouts, sunflower seed greens, wheatgrass juice, barley grass juice, cabbage sprouts, and cauliflower sprouts. Broccoli sprouts are particularly important as a source of the cancer - fighting phytochemical sulforaphane.

7.) Medicinal mushrooms contain compounds that can enhance the effectiveness of chemo while reducing side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, as well as suppress metastasis and increase levels of natural killer cells. One type of mushroom compounds, beta - glucans, has been shown to boost the cancer - fighting powers of the immune system's cytotoxic T cells.

Again, it is difficult to obtain clinically meaningful quantities of the mushroom phytochemicals from even the healthiest diet, which is why I recommend getting them in the form of extracts. Look for those containing maitake (Grifola frondosa), agaricus (Agaricus blazei), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), or turkey tails (Trametes versicolor).

Page 115)

8.) Essential fatty acids : There are also plant forms of omega - 3s. While fish oil is generally a more potent anti - inflammatory, the plant omega - 3s can also be useful. Black currant oil contains gamma - linolenic acid (GLA), and ground flaxseeds contain alpha - linolenic acid (ALA), both of which can help reduce inflammation and thus make your internal biochemistry more hostile to cancer cells.

9.) Sea vegetables and algae are excellent sources of minerals, amino acids, and cancer - fighting phytochemicals. Fucoidan, for instance, found in kombu and other seaweeds, can inhibit tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Seaweed phytochemicals can boost the activity and the number of important cancer - fighting immune cells called T - cells and natural killer (NK) cells. It is important to pick sea vegetables from a reputable source that grows them in clear, clean waters, since they can soak up heavy metals. Good choices are chlorella, spirulina, kelp granules or powder, dulse, and mekabu.

- from "Life Over Cancer" by Keith I. Block, M.D.

Dithiolethiones in broccoli, cabbages, kale, and collards trigger the formation of enzymes that block carcinogens from damaging a cell's DNA and inhibit the cellular processes involved in early and late stages of cancer cell production.

Carotenoids in carrots, squash, and yellow peppers inhibit tumor growth and retard the development of cancer cells already exposed to carcinogens.
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GARY NULL WRITES on ARTHRITIS & NATURAL HEALING

Our current arthritis treatment paradigm is locked into a model that creates patients for life out of people suffering from arthritis symptoms. It relies exclusively on a variety of expensive, toxic medications to ease pain and temporarily retard tissue destruction and even more expensive joint replacement surgery when patients believe there is nothing more that can be done. Arthritis is big business. NSAIDS are some of the top-selling products for the pharmaceutical companies, and the industry relies heavily on arthritis sufferers for a steady income stream.

The popular nutraceuticals glucosamine and chondroitin have finally been accepted by mainstream healthcare providers and are commonly recommended as an adjunct to help maintain cartilage. There is a growing body of new evidence that a radical diet change along with exercise can actually provide a superior alternative to unnecessary, harmful drugs.

Because joint destruction appears to be caused primarily by inflammation and oxidative stress, antioxidants and foods that lower arachidonic acid can be the key to turning off – or more to the point – preventing the inflammatory cascade. This goes a long way in bone health and maintaining cartilage so that arthritis doesn’t develop or progress.

Studies funded by industry continue to conclude that foods make no difference in alleviating the symptoms of any type of arthritis. In actuality, quite the opposite has proven to be true. In the few independent studies that have examined the subject, diet has been shown to be of the utmost importance in causing, halting and reversing arthritis. Symptoms of arthritis can be alleviated and often reversed by adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet high in anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant rich foods.

In the case of gout, it is critical to avoid high-purine foods, especially meats, fish, caffeine, sugar and alcohol, in order to halt the inflammatory process.

In rheumatoid arthritis, it is likewise crucial to avoid animal proteins and processed foods, known for inciting the damaging immune process that causes the body to destroy its own healthy tissue.

There has been anecdotal evidence over the years that avoiding meat, dairy, eggs and processed foods can bring enormous relief to rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Dr. Colin Dong successfully cured his own arthritis by adopting what he referred to as a Chinese peasant diet. He wrote two books about the benefits of eating rice, vegetables, nuts, seeds and a little fish, while forbidding meat, dairy, soft drinks, alcohol and all additives and chemicals.

Research shows that certain oils, fish and fresh vegetables were commonly associated with improvements while red meat, white flour and soft drinks aggravated symptoms. A number of recent studies show that adopting a low-fat vegan diet can immediately reduce symptoms of pain, swelling and limited range of motion.

One group of researchers from Norway did a controlled study in a supervised setting whereby a group of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers began the program with a 7-to-10-day fast. After the fast, half the group was assigned to a vegetarian diet, and the other half resumed their normal diet. They found significant improvement in the vegetarian group, and especially in the participants who chose to continue the diet beyond the study.

Joel Fuhrman M.D. – a leading proponent of the vegetarian diet – monitored over 500 fasts in a variety of clinical conditions, followed by a vegan diet. He reported in Alternative Therapies journal that fasting can offer both reduction in pain and lower inflammatory markers in patients with autoimmune illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis. He also found that if the fasting period is extended long enough, a substantial number of patients actually experience total remission of autoimmune symptoms that do not return in about half of the cases.

John McDougall, M.D. has had notable success in treating sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis with the McDougall diet, a vegan diet based in unprocessed plant foods and whole grains. The conclusion of T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D.’s China Study is that the people who ate a diet low in animal proteins were the healthiest and lived the longest lives. Correspondingly, in 2002, there was a comparative study done between elderly in China – where the prevailing diet consists mostly of fruits and vegetables, rice and other grains and fish – and the U.S. for hip osteoarthritis. The conclusion of the study was that the Chinese experienced hip osteoarthritis 80-90 percent less frequently than Caucasians in the United States.

To maintain joints, it is necessary to avoid the Standard American Diet. Joint function is maximized with a diet high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, low in omega-6 fatty acids and rich in nutrients supplied by greens, grains, legumes, fruit and other plant foods. Likewise, it is crucial to avoid inflammatory foods such as meat, dairy, eggs, high fructose corn syrup, unhealthy fats, white flour, and processed foods.

Gary Null's book "Power Aging" states that arthritis sufferers should focus on juicing. Phytochemicals in organic juices help heal because they rejuvenate the cells and repair damage done to the DNA.

It is important to eliminate foods that create uric acid. Meat is a prime cause of high uric acid levels, and Gary Null recommends vegetarian diets for arthritis patients. Some foods to eat are: tofu, tempeh, and miso which are high in methionine. Foods rich in folic acid such as oats and lentils are good, and avocados and olive oil are also recommended by Gary Null.
- by Gary Null
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HEALING JOINT PAIN NATURALLY - by Ellen Hodgson Brown

Page 98) Research Establishing the Dietary Connection

In the 1980s, the Arthritis Foundation asserted categorically that there is no special diet for arthritis; that no special food has anything to do with causing it; and no special diet will cure it.

But few researchers today question the likelihood of a dietary component to the disease, and many recent studies have shown a link. There are foods and nutritional supplements that help the condition, and foods and additives that make it worse.

Page 99) Arthritis & Dietary Fat

Still other studies link arthritis to diet and fat. In one, complete remissions resulted in 6 patients with rheumatoid arthritis when they changed to a fat - free diet. Symptoms returned  within 3 days of ingesting fat, whether in the form of animal fat or vegetable oils. The researchers concluded that dietary fats in amounts normally eaten can cause the inflammatory joint changes seen in rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit documented the cases of 2 obese RA patients who were put on a strict low -fat diet. Symptoms disappeared after only 5 days and were absent for more than a year. Lawrence Power, M.D., who helped develop the diet, explained that the body needs fat to produce the prostaglandins that fuel inflammation. Without this fuel the inflammation subsides. The culprit was found to be not animal fat or any other particular fat in general. After making this discovery, the researchers worked with 30 RA patients and found that 9 out of 10 of them experienced relief by cutting fat from their diets.

In the 1970s, Nathan Pritkin reported similar results with patients with osteoarthritis, following the stringent low -fat diet recommended at his Longetivity Center in Santa Monica, California.  One dramatic case involved an 81 - year - old woman who had such severe arthritis in her knee that she could not walk up stairs. After a year on the Pritikin diet, her joint function returned. After 4 years on it, at the age of 85, she won 2 gold medals in a Senior Olympics, one for the mile and race and one for the half mile.

Like the Wayne Sate University researchers, Pritkin thought fat itself was the culprit in RA. It was not even a matter of being overweight, just of eating too much fat. Fat reduces circulation by coating the red blood cells, preventing them from passing through the small blood vessels. Oxygen levels then drop and the immune system is weakened, allowing powerful enzymes to leak into the joint, resulting in RA. Pritkin considered salt to be another culprit, since it causes the tissues to be flooded with water, also reducing circulation. For people with arthritic knees and hips, his program reportedly worked on half of them; and for people with arthritic hands, fingers, and wrists, it worked in 90 percent of them.

Page 100) The Good Fats

Many of the beneficial effects of a diet rich in plant foods are the results of its low levels of saturated fat and relatively high levels of EFAs (essential fatty acids). A diet high in saturated fat has been linked to many chronic diseases, while a diet low in saturated fat but high in EFAs has been shown to decrease the pain, inflammation, and limitation of motion of arthritic joints.

Cold - pressed polyunsaturated fats (safflower, sunflower, corn, and other vegetable oils) contain both omega - 6 and omega - 3 EFAs. Omega - 3 is most abundant in flaxseed oil, but soy, pumpkin seed, evening primrose, borage seed, walnut and black current seed oils are also good sources.

Page 102) Arthritis & Sugar

Along with the "bad" fats, sugar and refined carbohydrates are high on the list of dietary hazards for arthritics. Overindulgence in sugar can accelerate joint deterioration by exhausting calcium stores, thus weakening bone structure. Excess sugar can also stimulate or aggravate arthritis by inducing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), a common symptom of which is joint pain.

Page 102) General Dietary Recommendations

The first step in joint -healthy nutrition is to eliminate junk food from the diet - including candy, pastries, soft drinks, and white - flour products such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, and white bread. The best foods for arthritics are whole foods - fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and cold - water fish. "Good " oils are also essential. The omega - 3 fats found in vegetables and fish help nourish joint tissue. The omega - 6 fats in beef, pork, and poultry, on the other hand, produce prostaglandins that can increase the level of inflammation in the joints. Alcohol should be avoided, since it can deplete the body of magnesium and other joint - protective nutrients and impair the liver, thus interfering with proper cartilage formation. Other foods that arthritis specialists recommend cutting down on or omitting include eggs, margarine, shortening, and dairy products, all of which contain saturated fat. Other foods may need to be avoided because of individual sensitivities to them.
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CURCUMIN FIGHTS ARTHRITIS & CANCER!

Curcumin is the principal component of the herb turmeric. Turmeric is a tropical plant native to south and southeast Asia. Found in the spice turmeric, the phytochemical curcumin has antioxidant properties that prevent the formation of and neutralize existing free radicals. It stops precancerous changes within DNA and interferes with the enzymes necessary for cancer progression. Curcumin stops the oxidation of cholesterol, thus protecting against the formation of plaque in the arteries.

Doctors at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston - regarded as the top cancer treatment center in the world - have been researching turmeric for years, and now use it as an adjunct to more conventional treatments. Visit this informative webpage: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julie-chen-md/the-diseasefighter-in-you_b_7348074.html

Bharat B. Aggarwal, Ph.D., of the MD Anderson Center in Houston, published a comprehensive review of the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin in 1997.

Aggarwal detailed almost 100 different ways curcumin countered inflammation. Consider, for example, that curcumin reduces the activity of pro-inflammatory genes interleukin-6, nuclear factor kappa beta, macrophage inflammatory protein, lipoxygenase, tumor necrosis factor alpha, several types of protein kinases and adhesion molecules - all major drivers of inflammation. To date, no other substance has been discovered with such far-ranging anti-inflammatory effects.

Choose any disease and you'll quickly discover that inflammation is a cause of the disease, or a promoter of the disease, or a way of increasing symptoms.

Curcumin and turmeric  extracts have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. It is useful in treating arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. It lowers cholesterol, prevents the oxidation of blood lipids, and inhibits platelet aggregation.

Continuing research indicates that curcumin may prevent every common disease you can think of. There are very few nutrients that have the broad-spectrum effects of curcumin, and it is inexpensive.
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WHEATGRASS THERAPY

Wheatgrass Juice: What is wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass is the green, growing plant that will eventually become a shaft of wheat.

From the book "Options: The Alternative  Cancer Therapy Book": Wheatgrass, the grass grown from wheatberries (wheat seeds), is rich in chlorophyll, a substance nearly identical to the hemoglobin in human blood. Wheatgrass has 60 times more vitamin C than oranges, weight for weight, and 8 times more iron than spinach, weight for weight. The sweet, green juice pressed from young, freshly cut wheat plants contains over 100 vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. It has all of the 8 essential amino aids, plus 11 other amino acids, polypeptides (amino-acid chains), and the bioflavonoids (compounds related to vitamins) believed to neutralize toxic substances in the blood.

Wheatgrass is a storehouse of enzymes vital to cell respiration, digestion, and blood cleansing. Filled with liquid oxygen, wheatgrass juice also contains a number of anticancer agents, among them abscisic acid, a natural substance that has been shown to shrink tumors or cause them to disappear. It's also a good source of laetrile (called vitamin B17), believed by many to have anticancer properties.

Wheatgrass therapy was developed by Anne Wigmore and is now offered at several independent holistic centers around the country. This nontoxic, noninvasive treatment combines the use of wheatgrass juice with a diet of organically grown, totally raw foods. Emphasis is on sprouted grains, nuts and seeds, fresh uncooked fruits and vegetables, fermented foods (to prevent harmful bacteria from growing in the intestinal tract), and greens such as buckwheat and sunflower. Exercise, aerobics, visualization, attitudinal change, and enemas (including wheatgrass enemas) for detoxification are other key elements of the program.

Wheatgrass therapy has been used for a wide range of acute and chronic degenerative diseases. In treating cancer and other conditions, the aims are to rebuild the body through good nutrition and detoxification and to restore the natural immune system so the body can mend itself. "The body of the cancer patient must heal itself in the same way any body rebounds from a cut, bruise, or common cold," says Anne Wigmore, founder of the Hippocrates Health Institute (now the Ann Wigmore Foundation) in Boston. "The body must replace the lost cells with new cancer-free ones." Wheatgrass juice, it is claimed, helps detoxify the body, eliminate dead tissue, and nourish the system. A nutritional program combining wheatgrass and "live" foods (that is, uncooked foods - with enzymes and nutrients undamaged) is said to create optimal immune functioning, enabling the whole organism to reverse cancer.

Wheatgrass therapy has brought about striking recoveries from cancer. Yet many people in the alternative cancer field do not consider it a primary therapy. They believe it might be most useful for early cancers and would recommend it, if at all, as a first-phase detoxification measure. Their feelings are that it might be effective against early, localized tumors but that it is just not strong enough for more advanced forms of cancer.

Japanese scientists working along with Yoshihide Hagiwara M.D., found that enzymes and amino acids in young grass plants deactivated the cancer-causing and mutagenic effects of 3,4 benzyprene, a substance widely found in charcoal-broiled meats and smoked fish. Studies suggesting how chlorophyll helps heal the body have been done by Tsuneo Kada, director of the Japan Research Center of Genetics. Kada and colleagues demonstrated that the juice of green plants inhibits chromosome damage, which is one of the links in the chain of events leading to cancer. According to Kada, the enzymes in green grasses are efficient at detoxifying the body and neutralizing certain pollutants.

More evidence of green grass's remarkable restorative powers comes from Yasuo Hotta, a biologist with the University of California at San Diego. Hotta isolated a compound from young green barley grasses that reportedly has shown the ability to stimulate the production - and natural repair - of DNA and human sperm cells. This compound has been provisionally named P4D1.

Impressive evidence that wheat - sprout extracts have anticancer action in vitro (in the test tube) emerged from a series of experiments conducted between 1978 and 1980 by Dr. Chiu-Nan Lai, a biologist with the University of Texas System Cancer Center, a part of the MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Dr. Lai and her associates showed that extracts from the roots and leaves of wheat sprouts have a strong antimutagenic effect, that is, they decrease abnormal cell mutation.

The wheat -sprout extracts also exhibited tumor - destroying action free of the usual toxicity of chemotherapy drugs. Dr. Lai speculated that wheatgrass's antimutagenic activity was due to some of its very minute trace elements (iodine, selenium, copper, arsenic, and platinum) interacting with the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes present.

The organic raw foods diet avoids the risk of cancer associated with high consumption of meat, dairy products, and eggs. The most prevalent cancers in the United States are closely correlated with a diet having lots of protein, lots of fat, and very little fiber. Furthermore, recent studies have found that nutritional factors "can have profound influences on . . . the development and manifestations of cancers and that nutritional status plays a critical role in immunological defense mechanisms at a number of important levels."

"We don't cure anything. Instead we offer a lifestyle through which the body can rebuild and heal itself," says Brian Clement, director of the Hippocrates Institute in West Palm Beach Florida. "People who are ill should not ignore what conventional medicine may have to offer. They should also give serious consideration to the evidence which shows that adopting the kind of diet we advocate can reverse disease."

- from the book "OPTIONS: The Alternative Cancer Therapy Book" - by Richard Walters
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David Sandoval writes in his book "The Green Foods Bible" that the program at Hippocrates Institute involve a diet completely made up of organically grown raw foods, along with fresh wheatgrass juice, and vegetable and fruit juices. Sandoval writes that people who attended the Institute have been completely cured of illnesses that have confounded conventional medicine, including: arthritis, asthma, migraines, multiple sclerosis, fibrocystic breast disease, menstrual problems, chronic sinus congestion, chronic fatigue and more.

From the "Green Foods Bible": Broccoli's good, but broccoli sprouts may be even better. John Hopkins University of Medicine researchers found substantial amounts of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates in broccoli sprouts. These potent inducers of Phase II Liver detoxification enzymes help to protect cells against malignant transformation. Broccoli sprouts contain 10 to 100 times greater concentrations of these enzymes than mature broccoli plants.

Alfalfa sprouts are one of our finest food sources of saponins, which help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, without affecting levels of "good" cholesterol. Saponins stimulate the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells, including T - lymphocytes and interferon - both major defenses against cancer and infection. - page 138 of the "Green Foods Bible"

Anne Wigmore wrote:  "The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us from carcinogens like no other food or medicine can. It strengthens our cells, detoxifies the liver and blood stream, and chemically neutralizes environmental pollutants . . . Recent studies show that wheatgrass juice has a powerful ability to fight tumors without the usual toxicity of drugs that also inhibit cell - destroying agents." - from "The Wheatgrass Book"

Dr. Bernard Jensen wrote about wheatgrass in his book "Juicing Therapy": "The late Anne Wigmore, founder of the Hippocrates Health Institute, made raw wheat grass juice famous. She demonstrated that the nutritional effects of "live" raw foods and juices are often accompanied by a powerful reversal of disease and restoration of energy in those who have come to her institute for help." - page 51

Bernard Jensen also stated, " Wheatgrass is one of the finest health builders I know. Wheatgrass is high in indole, which helps prevent cancer, according to the National Academy of Sciences. It contains an enzyme (PD41) that stimulates DNA repair if it has been damaged by chemicals. Wheatgrass contains the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which neutralizes the worst free radicals (superoxides) and protects from cancer."

Steve Meyerowitz wrote in "Wheat Grass: Nature's Finest Medicine": SOD is a proven anti-inflammatory for arthritis, edema, gout, bursitis, etc. Dr. Kubota of the Science University of Tokyo found two glycol-proteins D1G1 and P4D1 which work alongside with SOD, but are more heat stable. All 3 have anti-inflammatory action that is superior to the much touted aspirin.

Ten senior citizens had their blood levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) tested before and after taking a hydroponically grown wheat supplement. The supplements were manufactured by AgriGenic Food Corp. from the sprouts, a pre - grass stage of growth, using a low temperature process to preserve enzyme activity.

Young grasses are excellent sources of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a powerful antioxidant and anti - aging enzyme. This human study used 70 - year - old (average age) seniors who are naturally slower to respond than a younger population. Nevertheless, the serum levels of the seniors increased an average of 230 percent overall in the group and as much as 730 percent in one individual. Seven of the 10 participants more than doubled their blood levels of SOD. This proves that wheat sprouts are an excellent source of SOD and the potency can be maintained in a supplement. The high levels of assimilation are likely due to the fact that the supplement is a whole foods concentrate with all of its synergistic co -nutritional factors. - From "Wheat Grass: Nature's Finest Medicine"

Dr. Bernard Jensen wrote: "Investigative research shows that many modern diseases are linked with nutritional deficiencies. Years of mineral deficiencies, for example, through poor or imbalanced food regimens, invite, encourage, and sustain chronic diseases. Fresh juices help prevent nutrient deficiencies. Juices have exactly the right ingredients for preventing or helping to reverse some diseases."

Dr. Jensen's anti-arthritis drink:

1 tablespoon alfalfa seeds

1 pint water

Combine ingredients in a pan and bring to a boil. Let set overnight. Strain. Makes 2 servings

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NUTRITIONAL THERAPIES - from the book "OPTIONS: The Alternative Cancer Therapy Book"

Page 141) For decades, the cancer establishment insisted that diet has no effect on cancer. Those who pointed to a link between nutrition and cancer were dismissed as food faddists. But in 1982, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reversed itself in a 472-page report that said the typical American diet - high in animal protein, saturated fat, and sugar - was strongly associated with the majority of cancers. Long - term eating patterns were linked to the onset of 60 percent of cancers in women and 30 to 40 percent of cancers in men, according to hundreds of medical studies reviewed by the NAS panel. The NAS report set forth dietary guidelines urging drastic decreases in meat, poultry, egg, dairy, and refined-carbohydrate intake, coupled with a greater consumption of whole cereal grains, vegetables, and fruits. In 1984, the American Cancer Society came out of its ivory tower and issued guidelines very similar to those of the NAS. The combined recommendations of these two organizations include the following:

1.) Cut down on total fat intake. Eating less fat reduces the odds of developing breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

2.) Eat more high - fiber foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole - grain cereals.
These types of foods help reduce the risk of colon cancer.

3.) Include dark green, red, and orange vegetables and fruits, which are naturally rich in vitamins A and C.

4.) Include cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts since they contain compounds that may help prevent cancer of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.

5.) Be moderate in the consumption of salt - cured, smoked, and nitrite - cured foods. They have been linked to stomach and esophageal cancer.

Diet is additionally listed as a means of "primary cancer prevention" in the 1990 edition of the American Cancer Society Publication "Cancer Facts and Figures."

All the main features of the cancer - preventive diets recommended by the NAS and ACS have been central to the integrated anti - cancer diets prescribed for decades by alternative health practioners. Common sense suggests that if poor nutrition can cause cancer, ideal nutrition may be able to reverse or slow it. But the medical establishment does not recognize nutrition as a treatment for cancer. It dismisses such therapies as quackery.

Hundreds of recovered cancer patients who got well on nutritional therapies are living evidence that diet can help cure cancer. People who brought their cancer into remission on such programs are simply dismissed by the medical orthodoxy as "anecdotal evidence." In the eyes of the ACS, they do not exist.

Nutritional therapies are used to attempt to eliminate the physiological or biochemical factors supporting the growth of cancer cells. When these conditions no longer exist in the body, proponents contend, the tumor will die. Many nutritional therapies include detoxification measures to rid the body of poisons, external and internal. External toxins come from cooked and refined foods, food additives, preservatives, pesticide residues, and drugs and synthetic growth hormones force - fed to animals before they are cruelly slaughtered. The internal source of toxins in the body are the waste products of metabolism, which are best cleansed from the cells with raw fruits and vegetables or their juices.

Most anti - cancer diets share certain features: they are largely vegetarian; they avoid or limit animal products; and they emphasize vegetables; fruits, and whole grains, especially fresh, organically grown foods. Meat is avoided because it has been implicated as a cause of cancer for several reasons. It contains chemical carcinogens, harbors transmittable cancer viruses, lacks fiber, has a high fat content, and has high levels of the hormone prolactin. An example of toxic meat is charcoal - broiled steak, two pounds of which contains as much benzopyrene as the smoke from 600 cigarettes.

Another example is meat fat. When meat fat is heated, another carcinogen - methylcholanthrene - is formed. Even tiny doses of this substance increase cancer susceptibility. About 70 percent of pork products have added nitrites, as do many other meat products, to protect against botulism - like germs. Animal corpses turn a sickly gray - green color after several days, so the meat industry tries to mask this discoloration by adding nitrites, nitrates, and other preservatives to make the meat look red. Many of these  substances have repeatedly been shown to be carcinogenic. Furthermore, the nitrites in meat combine with amines found naturally in innumerable foods, producing deadly carcinogenic agents called nitrosamines.

"Meat Animals" bred for slaughter on the factory farms that dominate American agriculture are force - fed chemical feed mixtures, injected with synthetic hormones to stimulate growth, and stuffed with appetite stimulants, antibiotics, sedatives, and other chemicals. The toxic residues from these noxious substances are present in your hamburger and pork chop. Many of these substances have been found to be cancer - causing; in fact, many animals die from these drugs before they can be led to slaughter.

Meat - eaters face another danger. Many animals are infected with diseases that are undetected - or simply ignored - by the meat producers and inspectors. Often, if cancer or tumors are present in one part of an animal's body, the cancerous part is cut away and the rest of the body is sold as meat. But cancer microbes from the tumors may be present in the rest of the animal's body. Worse, yet, the tumors themselves are sometimes euphemistically labeled "parts" and incorporated into mixed meats such as hot dogs. Tumors are quite common in factory - farm animals.

Eating meat and animal fats promotes high levels of prolactin, a pituitary hormone that helps to start milk formation and lactation in women. High prolactin levels stimulate mammary tumor growth in animals. When humans switch from a meat diet to a vegetarian diet, their prolactin levels are cut nearly in half.

Meat poultry, dairy products, and eggs provide 100 percent of our dietary cholesterol and antibiotic and hormone additives. These foods are also our primary sources of saturated fats and pesticides. Studies show that by avoiding all meat, eggs, and dairy products, you can cut your risk of a heart attack by 90 percent.

Page 144) Women who eat meat daily get nearly 4 times as much breast cancer as women who eat it less than once a week. A woman's risk of breast cancer rises dramatically with her intake of meat, eggs, butter, and cheese. One out of every 10 American women will develop breast cancer.

For men, the risk of fatal prostate cancer is 3.6 times higher among those who eat meat, cheese, eggs, and milk daily than among men who seldom or never eat these products. This worldwide pattern was confirmed by a 20 - year study at California's Loma Linda University involving over 6,500 men.

Cervical cancer, like breast cancer, is most prevalent among women whose diets are high in fat, particularly animal fat. Uterine cancer shows exactly the same relationship; the more fat a woman eats, the higher her risk.

Ovarian cancer reveals a similar pattern. Women who eat eggs 3 or more days per week are 3 times as likely to develop fatal ovarian cancer than women who eat eggs less than 1 day per week. This finding emerged from a 20 - year study published in the Journal of the American Medical association on July19, 1985.

Colon cancer is also closely correlated worldwide to a diet high in meat and animal fat and low in fiber.

Cancer patients considering one of the nutritional therapies should realize that a balanced vegetarian diet is not only completely safe and nutritionally adequate, it is also more healthful than an animal - based diet. Studies have repeatedly shown that vegetarians have a much lower incidence of cancer, heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and other degenerative conditions that take a heavy toll on lives each year. Vegetarians also live longer than meat - eaters. A study of a large group of vegetarians - the Seventh - Day Adventists - revealed that their rates of nutrition - related cancers (colon, rectum, intestine, and so forth) were 50 to 70 percent lower than for the general population.

The all - too - common SAD (Standard American Diet) consists of 40 to 45 percent fat, mostly animal fat from meat and other products. The SAD, an unhealthy, cancer - causing diet, features chemically grown, chemically treated, processed, bleached, refined, sugared, salted, artificially colored and flavored, and almost total devitalized "food."

It contains a dangerous amount of protein. A person eating the meat - based SAD gets twice as much protein as he or she needs, even by conservative government standards. Diets with high levels of animal protein and fat are closely correlated with the most prevalent cancers in the United States. Excess protein is also linked to kidney stones, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, and excessive vitamin loses.

Page 145) "We're basically a vegetarian species. We should be eating a wide variety of plant foods and minimizing our intake of animals foods. The goal ought to be a diet made up of 80 to 90 percent plant foods, at a minimum," says Dr. Campbell, summarizing the findings of the China Health Project, a massive study undertaken by Cornell University, Oxford University, and two Chinese academies. Begun in 1983, this ongoing research project tracking the eating habits of 6,500 Chinese is the most comprehensive and rigorous study ever done on the relationship between diet and health. Participants who ate the most meat and cholesterol had the highest rates of cancer. The ideal percentage of fat intake was found to be 15 to 20 percent, perhaps less, NOT the 25 to 30 percent of all calories now recommended by the United States government - agribusiness complex. The study also confirmed that eating a lot of protein, especially animal protein, is closely linked to cancer and chronic diseases.

Page 146) In a study released by the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, vegetarians were found to have a more active immune system, with their white blood cells twice as effective against tumor cells as those of meat - eaters. The researchers surmised that either vegetarians harbor more natural killer (NK) cells to attack cancer cells or their NK cells are simply more powerful. The vegetarians in the study also had higher blood levels of carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, known to have antitumor properties.

- from "OPTIONS: The Alternative Cancer Therapy Book" - by Richard Walters

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VITAMIN C - A POWERFUL CANCER FIGHTER

Our good friend vitamin C is a powerful ally in the fight against cancer. Taking vitamin C is believed to reduce your chances of getting cancer of the stomach, esophagus, colon, bladder, cervix, uterus and breast.

Vitamin C has also been used for cancer treatment. This vitamin has been shown to shrink tumors, and IV - administered vitamin C is safer than chemotherapy and radiation. Plus, even in large doses, vitamin C is inexpensive and easy to administer, with very few side effects.

Vitamin C has been used to help cure a percentage of advance -stage cancer patients in controlled clinical studies. It also prevents cancer by strengthening the body's immune system, and vitamin C makes it more difficult for cancer cells to spread by strengthening the intercellular material that holds tissue cells together.

Linus Pauling, two - time Nobel laureate, stated that a high dosage of vitamin C can benefit all cancer patients.

Gary Null writes in his book "No More Cancer" that vitamin C is the prime nutrient for the overall support of the immune system.

To fight cancer, large doses are needed both orally and intravenously. Various studies over the decades point to the importance of vitamin C intake to prevent and reverse many types of cancer, including: breast cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, etc.

Gary Null states that most people can tolerate up to 12 g daily of vitamin C, dividing this dose throughout the day. For best results, patients also need intravenous vitamin C drips. Research shows this method has the greatest healing effects because more of the vitamin can be tolerated.

Patients commonly receive between 50 to 100 g of intravenous vitamin C, which is an excellent start to any health protocol. And this treatment relieves pain and nausea, often making painkillers unnecessary. High doses of vitamin C and A are associated with long - term survival of a variety of cancers, even after they have metastasized. 

Recent studies have shown that vitamin C kills tumor cells without interfering with the effectiveness of chemotherapy. - from "No More Cancer" - by Gary Null

In fact, too little vitamin C is well documented as a potential cause of DNA damage. Studies indicate that 25 to 30 percent of the adult population is low on vitamin C, and over 6 percent is actually deficient. There is often a marked deficiency of vitamin A in the blood of cancer patients. All these people are at greater risk of heart disease, cancer, and other serious conditions that could easily be prevented by safe and very inexpensive vitamin supplements. _____________________________________________________________________

VITAMIN C and CANCER

From the book "How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine"

Page 163) Perhaps the most controversial use of vitamin C supplementation is in the treatment of cancer. In 1976, Linus Pauling, a two - time Nobel Prize winner (1954 Chemistry; 1962 Peace), brought vitamin C into the limelight by reporting the results of a groundbreaking study. Pauling and his colleague Ewan Cameron gave 100 terminally ill cancer patients 10 g of vitamin C per day. Sixteen of these patients survived more than one year. Such results may not seem significant - until you realize that in the control group (1,000 terminally ill patients who did not receive vitamin C), only 3 survived at least a year. Thus the survival rate with vitamin C was 16 percent among treated patients, compared with just 0.3 percent of those who did not get treatment. Another way of stating the results is that the survival rate was 53 times higher among the vitamin C group.

Cameron conducted another study and reported similarly impressive results. The study included 1,826 "incurable" patients. Of these patients, 294 received high doses (10 g per day) of vitamin C. The remaining 1,532 patients served as controls. In analyzing the data, the researchers found that the treated patients had an overall survival time almost double that of the controls (343 days compared with 180 days). Japanese researchers also published similar results from 2 uncontrolled trials conducted at 2 different hospitals in Japan during the 1970s.

These studies had some flaws. They were not double - blind (that is, they were not set up so as to prevent the researchers and the patients from knowing who was getting vitamin C). Since the patients knew the purpose of the experiment, a placebo response might have affected the results. Other scientists who later conducted double - blind studies to test (some say disprove) Pauling's contentions have not found that vitamin C is better than a placebo.

In our opinion, while vitamin C alone may not be a strong enough intervention in the treatment of most active cancers, we believe that vitamin C is appropriate for cancer patients (who typically have very low vitamin C levels anyway), because it appears to enhance their immune function, improve quality of life, and extend survival time. Our dosage recommendation is 500 to 1000 mg 3 times daily.
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EAT for HEALTH - by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

Cancer & Meat

Page 138) Red meat and processed meats contain more saturated fat and trans fat than other animal products, and are the poorest food choices. However, the fat issue does not tell the whole story. Scientific studies have documented that red meat has a much more pronounced association with colon cancer and pancreatic cancer compared with other animal products.

The consumption of red meat and processed meats on a regular basis more than doubles the risk of some cancers. Even ingesting a small amount of red meat, such as 2 to 3 ounces a day, has been shown to significantly increase the risk of cancer.

Toxic nitrogenous compounds (called N - nitroso compounds) occur in larger concentrations in red and processed meats. Red meat also has high heme content. Heme is an iron - carrying protein, and it has been shown to have destructive effects on the cells lining  our digestive tract. Processed meat, luncheon meat, barbecued meat, and red meat must not be a regular part of your diet if you are looking to maintain excellent health into your later years of life.

Eating too many animal products and not enough vegetables increases one's risk of cancer. To achieve optimal health, humans require a high exposure to a full symphony of phytochemicals found in unprocessed plant matter. Also, since animal products contain no fiber, they remain in the digestive tract  longer, slowing digestive transit time and allowing heightened exposure to toxic compounds.

Page 134) Saturated fat comes from many food sources, including processed foods, meat, cheese, and other animal products. Thousands of scientific research studies demonstrate that saturated fat promotes both heart disease and cancer and powerfully raises cholesterol. However, the avoidance of all fat is not the secret to protecting your heart. The secret is avoiding saturated fat, trans fats and processed oils. These fats do not contain the fat - binding sterols, phytonutrients and antioxidants present in whole plant foods. When people eat high - glycemic processed foods along with animal fats and low - nutrient oils, it leads to cardiovascular disease, depresses the immune system and increases the risk of cancer.

- from "EAT for HEALTH" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman
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1.) JOINT REGENERATION THERAPY - Nonsurgical Treatment for Arthritis
http://drstallone.com/joint-regeneration/

2.) PROLOTHERAPY - Nonsurgical Treatment for Arthritis
http://www.prolotherapy.com

3.) HIPPOCRATES HEALTH INSTITUTE: Reversing Arthritis Testimonials
http://www.hippocratesinstitute.org/arthritis

http://www.hippocratesinst.org/arthritis-substance-cravings-adhd

4.) DR. JOEL FUHRMAN'S BLOG
http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/arthritis-eat-for-health-autoimmune-disease-and-arthritis.html

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/cat-arthritis.html

5.) REBOOT WITH JOE: Food Remedies for Health Conditions
http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/eating/health-conditions

6.) BROCCOLI SPROUTS TREAT CANCER
http://www.sproutman.com/broccoli-cancer-goofed-good

7.) OPTIMUM HEALTH INSTITUTE
http://www.optimumhealth.org

8.) ANNE WIGMORE NATURAL HEALTH INSTITUTE: Living Foods Essentials
http://annwigmore.org/lifestyle/living-foods-essentials/

9.) TIME MAGAZINE ARTICLE: WHO REPORT on MEAT CAUSES CANCER http://www.scottsbuddhisttveg.blogspot.com/2015/12/time-magazine-article-who-report-on.html

10.) ARTHRITIS & PARASITES - Parasites can cause arthritis
https://www.wddty.com/magazine/2015/march/erase-arthritis.html

11.) REVERSING CANCER WITH a VEGAN DIET ! - Video by Michael Gregor, M.D.
http://nutritionfacts.org/video/cancer-reversal-through-diet/

12.) FLAXSEEDS: IMPORTANT CANCER FIGHTER ! - by Michael Gregor, M.D.
http://nutritionfacts.org/topics/flax-seeds
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HOW to PREVENT and TREAT CANCER with NATURAL MEDICINE

Benefits of Flaxseed

Page 81) In addition to a diet that features fish, eating ground flaxseed and supplementing the diet with flaxseed oil appear to offer significant protection against breast cancer for a couple of reasons. First of all, flaxseed oil contains nearly twice the level of omega-3 fatty acids as fish oils, although it is the smaller - chain alpha - linolenic acid rather than the longer - chain fats like EPA and DHA. Data derived from autopsies of adipose breast tissue at the time of diagnosis from women with breast cancer compared with benign breast disease indicated that the relative risk of breast cancer for women in the highest breast tissue level of alpha - linolenic acid level was 64 percent less compared with those in the lowest level. In another study, the higher the level of alpha - linolenic acid in breast tissue, the less likely the cancer was to spread into the lymph nodes of the armpit or to be invasive.

The second reason is that, besides containing high doses of alpha - linolenic acid, flaxseed and flaxseed oil are the most abundant sources of lignans. These components are fiber compounds that can bind to estrogen receptors and interfere with the cancer - promoting effects of estrogen on breast tissue. Lignans also increase the production of a compound known as sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This protein regulates estrogen levels by escorting excess estrogen from the body.

Population studies, as well as experimental studies in humans and animals, have demonstrated that lignans exert significant anticancer effects. In one study, researchers followed 28 postmenopausal nuns for a year and tracked blood levels of two cancer - related estrogens: estrone sulfate and estradiol. In addition to their normal diets, the nuns received daily supplements of 0, 5, or 10 g of ground flaxseed. Estrogen levels fell significantly in the women taking ground flaxseed, but they remained stable in the control group (those taking no flaxseed).

Ground flaxseed provides more nutritional benefits than does whole seed. That's because flaxseed is very hard, making it difficult to crack, even with careful chewing. But flaxseed is easy to grind in a coffee grinder, food processor, or blender. You can also buy FortiFlax from Barlean's at your local health food store.

- from "How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine" - by Dr. Michael Murray, Dr. Tim Birdsall, Dr. Joseph E. Pizzorno, Dr. Paul Reilly
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HOW TO PREVENT and TREAT CANCER with NATURAL MEDICINE

Benefits of Curcumin

Page 173) Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa), the chief ingredient in curry. In experimental and clinical studies, curcumin has demonstrated significant anti - inflammatory and anticancer effects.

The benefits of turmeric and curcumin have been demonstrated at all stages of cancer formation: initiation, promotion, and progression. Evidence also suggests that curcumin causes cancer to regress - that is, to grow smaller. Some of curcumin's benefits come from its known activity as an antioxidant. Curcumin also

1.) inhibits the formation of cancer - causing nitrosamines
2.) enhances the body's production of cancer - fighting compounds such as glutathione
3.) promotes the liver's proper detoxification of cancer - causing compounds
4.) prevents overproduction of cyclooxygenase 2 (cox - 2), an enzyme that can contribute to the development of tumors

Curcumin has also been shown to inhibit tumor growth in several ways:

1.) Inhibiting epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor sites. EGF stimulates cells to proliferate by connecting to a receptor on the cell surface. About two - thirds of all cancers produce an abundance of these receptors, which make them highly sensitive to EGF. By reducing the number of EGF receptors, curcumin decreases the cell's tendency to proliferate.

2.) Inhibiting angiogenesis. Fibroblast growth actor is a protein that promotes the formation of new blood vessels to feed the growing tumor.  Curcumin inhibits production of this growth factor.

3.) Inhibiting nuclear factor kappa beta (NF - kb). This is a protein that many cancers produce to block the signals commanding it to stop proliferating.

4.) Increasing the expression of the nuclear p53 protein. This protein is essential for apoptosis, the normal process of cell "suicide."

5.) Inhibiting growth - promoting enzymes.

Experimental (test - tube) studies have found that curcumin fights tumors arising from prostate, breast, skin, colon, stomach, and liver cancers. These benefits have also been seen in a human study involving 62 patients who had either ulcerating oral cancer or skin cancer and who had not responded to the standard treatments.

Page 175) Patients received either an ethanol extract of turmeric (for oral cancers) or an ointment containing 0.5 percent curumin in petroleum jelly. The ointment or extract was applied to the affected area 3 times daily. After 18 months, the treatment had effectively reduced the smell of the lesion (90 percent), itching and oozing (70 percent), pain (50 percent), an the size of the lesion (10 percent). These may not seem spectacular - but remember, standard treatments had not worked for these patients.

What forms of cancer can be treated with curcumin?

Curcumin appears to be useful in virtually all types of cancer, because of its fundamental mechanism of actions against cancer progression. In particular, preliminary studies suggest that curcumin is likely to inhibit prostate, breast, skin, colon, stomach, and liver cancers and is suitable for use in conjunction with chemotherapy.

What is the proper dosage for curcumin?

The recommended dosage for curcumin is 200 to 400 mg one to 3 times a day. The body does not absorb curcumin all that well. To enhance absorption we recommend taking curcumin along with proteolytic enzymes. This combination is best taken on an empty stomach 15 to 20 minutes before meals or between meals.

Is curcumin safe?
Curcumin has an excellent safety profile.

- from "How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine" - by Dr. Michael Murray, Dr. Tim Birdsall, Dr. Joseph E. Pizzorno, Dr. Paul Reilly
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THE CURE for ALL CANCERS - by Hulda Regehr Clark, Ph.D., N.D.

Page 1) In this book you will see that all cancers are alike. They are all caused by a parasite. A single parasite. It is the human intestinal fluke. And if you kill this parasite, the cancer stops immediately. The tissue becomes normal again. In order to get cancer, you must have this parasite.

How can the human intestinal fluke cause cancer? This parasite typically lives in the intestine where it might do little harm, causing only colitis, Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome, or perhaps nothing at all. But if it invades a different organ, like the uterus or kidneys or liver, it does a great deal of harm. If it establishes itself in the liver, it causes cancer!

Page 2) To understand cancer you should understand the basic facts about the human intestinal fluke. It's scientific name is Fasciolopsis buskii. Fluke means "flat," and flukes are one of the families of flatworms.

Page 5) Flukes & Propyl Alcohol

But something special happens to people who have propyl alcohol in their bodies. The liver is unable to trap and kill these tiny fluke stages. These baby - stages can actually make their home in the liver and other tissues. It is as if the immune system has no power to kill them. The flukes begin to multiply in people with propyl alcohol in their bodies! The miracidia (hatchlings) start to make little balls inside themselves called redia. But each redia is alive!

This parasite is laying eggs and producing millions of redia right in your body! In your cervix or lungs, wherever your cancer is growing!

These redia are swept along in your blood, landing in whatever tissue lets them in. Smokers' lungs, breasts with benign lumps, prostate glands full of heavy metals are examples of tissues that give the redia their landing permits. Multiplying continues at a hectic pace, generation after generation. Redia are nesting in the liver and other organs. Suddenly they change their shape. They sprout a tail and can swim again. Now they are called cercaria.

Page 8) Now You Have Cancer

Unless  you act quickly to kill this parasite spawning machine, it will take over your body. Why is this parasite multiplying feverishly in your organs instead of living quietly in your intestine? Because having propyl alcohol in your body allows its development outside of the intestine.

Page 11) Yet three herbs can rid you of over 100 types of parasites! And without so much as a headache! Without nausea! Without any interference with any drug you are already on!
Does this sound too fantastic? Just too good to be true? They are nature's gift to us. These 3 herbs are:

1.)  Black Walnut Hulls (from the black walnut tree)
2.) Wormwood (from the Artemesia shrub)
3.) Common Cloves (from the clove tree)

These three herbs must be used together. Black walnut hull and wormwood kill adults and development stages of at least 100 parasites. Cloves kill the eggs. Only if you use them together will you rid yourself of parasites. They must be used together as a single treatment.

Page 19) What you'll need to kill the cancer - causing intestinal fluke in the first 5 days, followed by the remaining parasites in another two weeks, are:

1.) Black Walnut tincture, an alcohol extract of the green hull
(for a alcoholics, a water recipe is also given)

2.) Wormwood combination in capsules

3.) Cloves, fresh ground, together with size 00 empty capsules

4.) Ornithine, 500 mg
 
5.) Arginine, 500 mg

There are no side effects as you can see from the case histories.

Page11) I have seen that eczema is due to roundworms. Seizures are caused by a single roundworm, Ascaris, getting into the brain. Schizophrenia and depression are caused by parasites in the brain. Asthma is caused by Ascaris in the lungs. Diabetes is caused by the pancreatic fluke of cattle, Eurytrema. Migraines are caused by the threadworm, Strongyloides. Much human heart disease is caused by dog heartworm, Dirofilaria, and the list goes on.

- from "THE CURE for ALL CANCERS" - by Hulda Regehr Clark, Ph.D., N.D.
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TISSUE CLEANSING THROUGH BOWEL MANAGEMENT - by Dr. Bernard Jensen
http://www.curezone.org/books/online/bowel

About Dr. Jensen
Beginning his career as a chiropractor in 1929, Dr. Bernard Jensen soon turned to the art of nutrition in search of remedies for his own health problems. He traveled to over 50 countries, to study the lifestyles of the different cultures in an effort to understand the principles of long and healthy living. He visited Russia where he studied the long-lived people. Dr. Jensen journeyed to New Zealand several times, stayed at Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram in India and visited Sai Baba, one of the great masters of India. He met with the Dalai Lama and recently stayed with the King of Hunza Valley. Many of the spas and nature cure sanitariums in Europe were visited. Many constructive ideas were brought back to develop the Hidden Valley Health Ranch in 1955. It was a place for his patients and guests to come and learn how to live a healthy life.

Hidden Valley Health Ranch served as a retreat for people from all over the world. The Kneipp water baths from Worishofen, Germany were established; the organic garden provided 60% of the meals served; lectures and demonstrations were given and the summer classes became a main attraction. Doctor Jensen concluded that the long-lived people live a simple life, in a moderate temperature, eat unprocessed foods, no fried foods, little meat, live a serene, contented life, maintain good posture and consistently live close to where the soil is black. Doctor Jensen believes humanity needs a formula for living successfully, healthfully and peacefully. He combines the elements of the physical, mental and spiritual in teaching people how to live..

Dr. Bernard Jensen died Feb 25, 2001, at the age of 93.