The Choice (19 page)

Food allergies, gas, bloating, digestive upsets, weakened immunity, low energy levels – these can all be signs of insufficient enzymes. If we can take on more live, enzyme-rich foods in the form of juices, sprouts and raw food it saves the body from using up its own enzymes, freeing it up to concentrate on staying healthy. Enzymes protect our cells from free-radical damage, and as such they help protect us against the ageing process. Wow! Enzymes are at the heart of my Change Simply plan.

An enzyme supplement is one of the most powerful supplements available. Everyone can benefit from using digestive enzymes to improve digestion and nutrient absorption. People with digestive problems can obtain excellent results in a relatively short time. These are what I discovered when I was unable to keep food down during my chemotherapy treatment and the benefit was immediate. They can be taken in capsule form, or the capsule can be opened and sprinkled on cold or warm (but not hot) food. This is not a supplement to ignore.

Probiotics

Poor eating habits and the use of antibiotics in food production, as well as medical treatments, can wreak havoc on the delicate balance of our gastro-intestinal tract and immune system. Probiotic supplements can be of benefit for a wide variety of conditions. They enhance the immune system and prevent unfriendly organisms from gaining a foothold in the body. They are amazing at preventing overgrowths of yeasts and fungal infections. They are recommended for candida, for instance, because they establish large healthy populations of friendly bacteria that compete with candida, and can be used externally to combat a variety of yeasts and fungal infections. Probiotic capsules can be broken open and the contents placed in socks or underwear, and they can also be taken orally. Probiotics also provide protection against mouth ulcers and sore throats, and can impair the growth and activity of the harmful bacteria that are responsible for intestinal disorders such as E. coli and salmonella. They are highly recommended during and after courses of antibiotic treatment. Friendly bacteria also protect against the harmful effects of radiation and pollutants.

One important fact to remember when buying probiotics – refrigeration ensures maximum potency and stability, and they can only be left un-refrigerated for short periods of time. They work best if taken immediately after meals when the acidity of the gastric juices has been diluted by food and is not as concentrated.

Probiotics are absolutely essential for proper digestion, strong immune function and overall health. They are a must for your home remedy kit.

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I have chosen the foods and supplements in this section because of the powerful effects they can have on our bodies. Don't underestimate the value of food: it keeps us alive.

Step Four: Safe Personal Care

The cosmetic industry spends billions of dollars each year persuading us that we need their products. We assume these products are safe, yet there are many harmful chemicals used in day-to-day products like toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, moisturizers, body lotions and make-up. Our generation is the first to be exposed to the dangers of these harmful chemicals, and not only are we exposed to these products, we are persuaded to buy them by some of the most sophisticated advertising techniques of our day. So check your labels, just as you do with food, and beware of words such as ‘natural', ‘organic' and ‘hypoallergenic' – these merely mask the truth behind these prettily packaged toiletries, cosmetics and soaps.

1. Fluoride:
   I have talked about the dangers of fluoride in our water, and this same danger exists in toothpaste. America's labelling laws are many years ahead and more stringent than ours, and on toothpaste packaged in the US a sign now appears by law: ‘If more than is needed for brushing is accidentally swallowed, contact a poisons control centre immediately.' As little as 1g ingested can cause dangerous poisoning. Fluoride accumulates in body tissue and can be poisonous when ingested over long periods of time. We use this dangerous substance twice or three times a day. Surely something that is this toxic shouldn't be going into our mouths.
   
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
   is a harsh detergent used in commercial shampoos and toothpaste. When ingested it is more toxic than if it were taken intravenously. It is rapidly absorbed and readily penetrates the skin. It is also retained in the eyes, brain and liver – particularly in the eyes of the young, and its effect in the liver and brain is cumulative. Skin allergies, contact eczema and cataracts (and mouth ulcers, in the case of toothpaste) are some of the risks we are exposing ourselves to when we use this harsh chemical. It has been found to cause liver and skin cancer in animal studies – and yet it is used in many children's shampoos and bubble bath. There are many safe shampoos on the market. Make the change.
   
3. Aluminium
   found in antiperspirants is highly toxic to humans. The removal of this chemical from antiperspirants has been called for by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) advisory panel in the United States. A positive link with Alzheimer's disease has been proven by recent research which found the brains of victims contained large amounts of aluminium. Breast cancer, DNA damage and osteoporosis are other dangers associated with this chemical, and products containing aluminium compounds are listed as suspected carcinogens. The continuous use of antiperspirants containing these suspected carcinogens makes no sense to me when there are so many safe alternatives readily available.
   
4. Propylene Glycol:
   this is a strong skin irritant that is systemic, and can get into the bloodstream. It is found in many skincare products, make-up, body lotion, baby wipes and hair products because it prevents the escape of moisture. It is also found in paint, liquid laundry detergents, anti-freeze and brake fluid. Safety data sheets are supplied when this product is used in industry stipulating that the user must avoid skin contact. It weakens the immune system and has been found to cause kidney damage and liver abnormalities. Do you still feel comfortable using this on your skin or wiping your baby with this chemical?
   

So what do you do about all this scary stuff? Simple. Just buy products from health shops, on-line, or from distributors (see Resources section) that are safe. There are many alternatives, and once you know what to look out for, it's easy. Remember these four:

• Fluoride and sodium lauryl sulphate in toothpaste
  
• Sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate in shampoos
  
• Aluminium in antiperspirants
  
• Propylene glycol in skin and hair-care products
  

AND FINALLY …

Three Essential Cancer-Fighting Tips

I have read so many health books that I know how easy it is to miss out on the small truths, which often turn out to be the most vital information the book holds. So I have decided to keep until last these three essential tools for fighting cancer.

Each one of us has cancers growing inside us from time to time. What stops them growing and getting out of hand is a healthy immune system, so it is imperative that we keep ours in healthy working order.

1. 
Drink

We cannot survive without water. Drink as much as you can: two to three litres a day is crucial for cellular hydration. Flush out the toxins and give your body this pure life-giving elixir. And make sure it's clean.

2. 
Sugar

Cancer feeds on all forms of sugar. Refined sugar has been connected to a host of diseases: diabetes, cancer, arthritis, heart disease, Crohn's disease and obesity. I know it's hard to take, but we must find cancer's Achilles heel. Like the rest of us, cancer loves this sweet poison.

3. 
Exercise

Cancer hates oxygen. In 1931 a chemist named Otto Warburg discovered that a lack of oxygen causes cancer. He was given the Nobel Prize for this discovery. His conclusion was that oxygenating the cancer cell was the best way to fight cancer as well as viruses, bacteria and fungal infections. It follows that exercise, which oxygenates the body, will help ward off disease. So get moving.

Well, there you have it: in a nutshell, the foundations of the health plan that changed my life. Fresh juice, clean water, a few key foods and safe personal-care products. I have sifted through a lot of information in order to try to make this section of the book as short and to the point as possible, and I truly hope that it will inspire you to make these simple changes in your own life.

I wish you good health.