These days most people believe it’s inevitable that they will hear the Big C word! Perhaps you’ve supported a family member through treatment, stood by a friend after they learned they were ill, or have battled cancer yourself. According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly half of the population in the US will get cancer.
The good news is that the number of people living beyond a cancer diagnosis reached nearly 14.5 million in 2014 and is expected to rise to almost 19 million by 2024. Yes, treatment options have opened up considerably.
At OYM, we choose to never get it at all and according to the American Cancer Society there are many things we can do to avoid developing it like eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, minimizing stress and exercising are at the top of the list.
Let’s talk about staying healthy. I’m 54 and have managed to stay healthy and fit for most of my life. I haven’t even had an antibiotic in my lifetime. My partner is 74 and has more energy and vitality than most men in their 20’s. So, what’s the secret?
Well, there’s no one secret, but here are some basic things I believe have kept us on the path to optimal health.
-Drink Oregon Yerba Maté everyday and twice per day when possible to alkalize and energize the body infusing it with antioxidants and cancer preventing nutrients, along with weight loss benefits.
-Drink 64 oz. of purified water daily for hydration and detoxification.
-Stabilize blood sugar by eating regular meals. The magic plate is 1/3 protein, 1/3 green vegetable, 1/3 complex carbohydrate along with some healthy fat including grass fed butter, ghee or olive oil. We try our best to eat organic wherever possible.
-We like to follow the Blood Type Diet to maximize genetic potential.
-Remove sugar from your diet as much as possible substituting agave, stevia, honey or other healthier choices. Avoid aspartame and other chemical sweeteners.
-Incorporate movement into your daily routine. Don’t sit for hours on end without moving. Run up and down some stairs, go for a brisk walk, dance, do some burpees, hold a plank position, whatever fits your lifestyle.
-Meditate for at least 20 minutes daily while breathing deeply to oxygenate the body.
-Think deliberately choosing happy thoughts that make you feel happy and relaxed. Saying affirmations are a good daily practice.
-Watch uplifting movies and listen to music that make you feel good.
-Take a few high quality supplements including a multi-vitamin and mineral, fish oil and probiotics.
A few more facts about Yerba Maté and cancer prevention:
It’s the best choice for a non-jittery boost of energy as it’s green and has less caffeine than coffee or black tea. While green tea has 144 active compounds, Yerba Maté has 196 active compounds, including vitamins (A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin (B3), B5, and B Complex), minerals (Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Selenium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Zinc) and antioxidants. In fact, Yerba Maté actually has higher polyphenol and antioxidant counts than both green and black teas.
The National Cancer Institute lists a number of studies on their website that show increasing one’s intake of antioxidants can help prevent cancer. From their website: “In laboratory and animal studies, the presence of increased levels of exogenous antioxidants has been shown to prevent the types of free radical damage that have been associated with cancer development”.
Additionally, according to a study done in 2011, the Dicaffeoylquinic acids in Yerba Maté induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells. What this means is that Yerba Maté could be not only a potential anti-cancer agent and could mitigate other diseases also associated with inflammation – this is key since inflammation can lead to cancer progression.
Cancer forces us to pay attention to our health, but why wait for the wake up call? Start now and you can enjoy a healthy, disease free body that will serve you for many years to come.
To your health!
Rachel Winkler, Owner
Oregon Yerba Maté
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