As you may know, cancer is second only to heart disease in mortality.

An amazing one-third of Americans will eventually die due to some form of cancer (although the information I will share with you literally has the power to change that statistic.)

Ironically, many cancers can be prevented by maintaining a good diet, avoiding carcinogens and reinforcing the immune system.

Once a cancer has established itself, however, more firepower is needed to fight it off.

The most common forms of cancer are prostate cancer for men and breast cancer for women. Next is bladder and lymphoma cancer for men and uterine and ovarian cancer for women.

Why does cancer happen?

Well, first let’s understand what happens.

In simple terms…

Symptoms begin to appear once this clump begins to interfere with bodily functions or depletes energy resources.

Simply put, cancer happens due to unhealthy cells.

Therefore, what we really need to know is: What causes a cell to be unhealthy?

Good question…We have billions of cells and it seems like it would be impossible for everyone of them to stay healthy. That is absolutely true. In fact, cells have a life cycle, they come and go, they start out healthy and then eventually get old and die.

So why doesn’t everyone have cancer?

The truth is, they do!

What! Everyone has cancer?

Yes, in the sense that we all have cells in our body which have become unhealthy, some due to natural decline and genetic predisposition, but others due to the effect of the stresses our bodies absorb on a daily basis. Some of these cells then lose their ability to replicate properly and begin to show signs of cancer.

The point is, if you keep the majority of your cells healthy, you will have a healthy immune system and a relatively “clean” body (think: detoxification) which can quickly and naturally attack and eliminate cancerous cells from your body.

In a healthy body, this “cancer fighting machine” is at work 24/7. But in an unhealthy body, it is as if our “cancer fighting machine” stalls and just can’t keep up, giving the cancerous cells time to take root and potentially take over.

In fact, when our body gets behind, when our immune system is not responding quickly, when our body is being overwhelmed by unhealthy cells, we manifest this in a way most of us are familiar with—it is called uncontrolled or chronic inflammation.

Uncontrolled Inflammation

Most of us have felt the effects of inflammation. The achy, painful to the touch, often swollen tissue that is the result of some sort of injury or insult to the body.

We sometimes notice inflammation when it is working properly, healing a bruise or sprain. However, uncontrolled inflammation is different.
The constant physical and even emotional stress we all endure leads to an inflammation response that is not balanced and which wreaks havoc on our bodies.

Countless scientific journals point to uncontrolled inflammation, “oxidative stress” or “free radicals” as the common denominator in most major disease states and one of the more prominent causes of cancer.

NOTE: In 1996, the European Journal of Cancer suggested that free radicals (or chronic inflammation) be listed as an important class of carcinogens (known causes of cancer).

In essence, the stressful, toxic world we face on the outside is taking a toll on us—on the inside.

Our cells are maxed out.

The physical stresses we encounter overwhelm the natural systems that are supposed to keep us balanced. And, without knowing it, we contribute to our own demise by simply not doing what it takes to get balanced.

But it is possible to give your cells what is needed to get balanced?

Yes! And that’s what this article is really about.

If you have cancer or if your concerned about curing your unhealthy body, don’t despair.

Now that you understand what is happening on a cellular level, you can act decisively and get your body balanced so it can heal and protect your health.

So, are you ready for the good news that could catapult you past the conventional wisdom and put you back on the road to pure health?

Here it is…

By fighting the root cause most disease states—chronic inflammation–you can prevent and even reverse the debilitating illness you may be struggling with.

You can be healthy, entirely healthy.

If you have been involved in healthy living for even a short time, you know that the best defense against free radicals are antioxidants.

Now the question becomes…what is the most effective, the most scientifically tested antioxidant?

You may have noticed, the health food store shelves are chock full of antioxidants.

Like most people seeking a real cure, you have probably spent a few dollars on vitamins, minerals and other beneficial supplements. Although you may have had a measure of success with the variety of supplements you have taken over the years, you may not have experienced a true breakthrough.

Glutathione or GSH

Understanding a little known, but increasingly mentioned, molecule produced naturally by our bodies is the key to a true breakthrough in fighting the root cause of cancer.

This molecule is called glutathione or GSH. The chemical our body produces by itself which has been called the “master antioxidant”.
Yes, glutathione is the fuel our “cancer fighting engine” needs to run strongly and smoothly. Fuel that can be produced naturally in every cell of our body.

Understanding what glutathione is and how to increase the bodies ability to produce this life sustaining molecule has recently transformed the quality of life for so many. It can make a difference in your life as well.

Well, my story is kind of unique but in many ways it is probably a lot like yours. I endured years of dead end drugs and therapies until I understood the root cause of my PROBLEM….chronic inflammation! This knowledge changed everything, especially the state of my health…

Losing My Health

My first encounter with “mortality” was at 13 when I came down with a serious case of rheumatic fever. As I’ve looked back to try and piece things together, I see now that this bout with sickness had a profound affect, not only on my body but also my attitude toward life and health.

As a young man I lived life vividly. I was a high producing sales professional, one of the energetic, young, hard-working (probably a little too hard-working) leaders of my industry. I had great friends, still do. I was conscious of my health, I exercised, I was not overweight, I ate relatively well.

I felt absolutely fine…

But, in 1986, at the age of 42 I had a heart attack. For 12 hours, the attending doctors let me lay while trying to determine what to do with me. You see, there wasn’t a surgeon available to get in and clear the obviously clogged arteries.

So, there I lay, pumped full of blood thinners and antibiotics until a surgeon arrived. Needless to say, this experience slowed me down.

Ultimately, I was left with serious heart damage.

I struggled to recuperate only to have another heart attack a year later.

At this time the doc informed me that 3 of my arteries were 75% clogged and one was 90% clogged. He then prescribed me 10 different medications and advised me to “eat right and exercise a little”.

At that point in my life, my prospects and my attitude stunk.

According to the doctor, my only option was bypass surgery and, for a while, I believed him. I felt trapped, without hope of being truly healthy once again.

Until one fine day, not long after, I read an amazing article in a health magazine.

Searching For a Natural Remedy

The article in this health magazine did not recommend a certain diet.

It did not tout a miracle cure or a world famous physician.

The article was actually a story…

A story of a number of individuals who were once in the same position, physically and mentally, that I was in. People who had essentially given up on getting back to the life they had once known before their heart disease and moved to Florida to try and eke out a few years of retirement before having that “last heart attack”.

That doesn’t sound very inspiring, I know, but the real point of the article was that these people had done this 20 years ago.

Yes, they were still living in Florida, feeling healthy and happy, 20 years later.

The consensus of the patients as well as the doctors interviewed was that once these individuals moved to Florida, they left the stress of their work-a-day lives behind, started walking on the beach and began to interact with people in a way they never had. In effect, they had balanced out their lives and their bodies enough to allow for a healing and even a reversing of their heart disease.

This inspired me tremendously. I wasn’t ready or able to retire to Florida but it made me change my attitude and my plans.

I began to educate myself on health with more zeal and purpose. I began to be conscious of my attitude and my actions and genuinely work hard to get healthy, mentally and physically.

In fact, I achieved a measure of success. Although, I had to go in for a few heart stents (small metal tubes surgically placed in the artery) to prop up my arteries between 1988 and 2004, my doctor kept confirming that I had, for all this time, prevented my heart disease from progressing. I still was about 70-75% clogged in the areas the stents were not holding up.

But, you know, I wasn’t satisfied with that.

I could not understand why all of that extra effort did not have the tangible, measurable benefits I was looking for. Of course, I was happy to be alive but, deep down, I really wanted to be healthy again. And for me that meant actually reversing my heart disease.

So I kept looking, kept reading, kept studying and asking questions.

Finally, A Real Natural Health Solution For My Clogged Arteries

In April of 2005 I learned about the role chronic or uncontrolled inflammation plays in heart disease and how it cripples the bodies ability to get healthy.

I learned about the naturally produced “master antioxidant” that fights inflammation called Glutathione (or GSH). And I have to say that at that point about a million light bulbs went off in my head.

All of the other research I’d done supported this information and opened a new door of hope to me.

That is what has lead me to today, sharing this information with you.

In June of 2006 my doctor ran me through my routine artery check and was astonished that the four 70-75% clogged arteries were now all in the 30% range. A drastic, significant, measurable event indeed.

To say the least, that made my day.

I really felt “healthy” that day. Actually, I felt like a kid again. I was so overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment that I really couldn’t help but want to share it with others.

So that is what I do. All the time. Maybe a little too much; just ask my lovely wife who has to muzzle me on occasion.

That is why I am so passionate about teaching people about the dangers of chronic inflammation and the power of Glutathione or GSH.

It is possible to cool the flames of pain caused by severe arthritis without resorting to potentially damaging pharmaceutical drugs. This brief post will explain how.

What many people suffering from severe arthritis (or any number of inflammation related health conditions for that matter) don’t realize is that the pain experienced as a result of arthritis is a symptom of chronic inflammation. So, per doctor’s orders, all too many simply pop the prescribed pain killer and whitewash the pain without getting to the root of the problem.

Getting to the Root of the Problem

There are 3 distinct pro-inflammatory markers which prime our body for chronic inflammation. If these were avoided or consumed in a balanced way, you could experience a health and wellness transformation you have only dreamed about.

Marker 1: Omega-6 Family of Fatty Acids
These fatty acids actually stimulate the inflammatory response. A key point to make here is that inflammation, when it is balanced, is good for you, in fact, it keeps you alive.

The problem is, sometimes your body doesn’t know when to stop and the inflammatory response turns from a powerful friend to a vicious enemy. So, it is not that omega-6 fatty acids are just bad for you, it is that we simply eat too many foods with omega-6 fatty acids. This “turns up the burner” on your immune system causing chronic, low-grade inflammation which leads to degenerative diseases such as arthritis.

So, as best you can, avoid vegetable oils and processed/packaged foods.

Easier said than done, right? The modern diet is built around vegetable oils and processed foods!

Don’t give up though, slowly adjust to fresh (organic if possible) produce and meat and you’ll quickly notice the difference this makes in the way you feel.

Marker 2: Trans Fatty Acids
Trans fats get a lot of attention these days, primarily because they are such nasty little buggars.

Take a look at the food label on just about any salad dressing, shortening, or cake and cookie and you’ll will find trans fats hiding behind the name “partially hydrogenated vegetable oils”.

These fats do their damage by interfering with the healthy anti-inflammatories you take into your body, especially the very beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

Marker 3: Free Radicals
Free radicals are the worst of the three pro-inflammatory markers. Free radicals have been thoroughly proven to damage the cells in the body, increase the risk of disease, and accelerate the aging process. Probably because what they really do is stimulate and pro-long inflammatory reactions.

In other words, free radicals are like the key that unlocks that proverbial Pandora’s Box of chronic inflammation and, subsequently, arthritis.

Fortunately, not only can you treat, and potentially heal severe arthritis by avoiding these three pro-inflammatory markers, you can enlist powerful anti-inflammatory aids to speed up the healing process.

Powerful Anti-Inflammatory 1: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
We have written about the tremendous value of omega-3 fatty acids before. In a nutshell, omega-3 provides the building blocks for many powerful anti-inflammatory substances. Thus, omega-3 encourages the body to turn off inflammatory responses when they are no longer needed.

You can inject these wonderful health aids into your diet by eating just about any dark green leafy vegetable (these provide omega-3 via alpha linolenic acid) or, even more potently, by eating cold water fish such as salmon or herring (these provide omega-3 via eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA).

Power Anti-Inflammatory 2: Omega-9 Fatty Acids
These fats work hand-in-hand with their more potent “cousins” omega-3. Omega-9 fats are present in olive oil, avacados, macadamia nuts, and macadamia nut oil.

Powerful Anti-Inflammatory 3: Antioxidants
I saved the best for last. In case you haven’t already heard, antioxidants are great because they neutralize free radicals.

Since free radicals have the potential to do the most damage and really are at the root of the type of chronic inflammation that leads to arthritis (and all degenerative diseases), neutralizing them can literally change your life.

The good news is, antioxidants are found in some of the most delicious foods. It is well known that berries are bursting with antioxidants, dark chocolate is chock full of antioxidants and some juices are jammed with antioxidants. Getting lots of antioxidants into your body should be a pleasure. Although, it may mean you have to drive past McDonalds and hit up a farmer’s market for lunch or a snack, but, really, is that so bad?

Most people know, especially the well informed type of readers we attract, that free radical damage is linked to most degenerative diseases. Diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, cataracts, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, cancer and so on.

These pro-inflammatory agents, free radicals, are the real “bad guys” for two reasons:

• They have a penchant for attacking certain parts of your cells, which then leads to more problems.

• They trigger the body’s inflammation response which, if prolonged or severe, can cause even more unrepairable damage.

Without the constant or excessive exposure to free radicals, such that we all experience in this unescapably toxic world, our cells would be super healthy and, if an “invader” did manage to sneak inside our body, a normal, balanced inflammation response would stop it dead in its tracks without leading to the chronic, deleterious, cell-level degeneration that is so common today.

The key to counteracting free radicals?

Of course, the wildly popular but often misunderstood–antioxidant–is the key to blasting free radicals.

In fact, according to Dr. Richard Passwater, (an internationally renowned author, antiaging researcher and creator of the “biological synergism of antioxidants” concept) antioxidants are the key to your health and longevity.

Why? Well, it is because of the damage that these free radicals can do. As stated above, free radicals have a penchant for damaging a certain parts of your cells. Here is an overview of where free radicals like to do their dirty work and what that does to you:

1. Cell Walls: Free radicals attack your cell walls and either rupture the cell entirely, tear the cell wall or clog it up. In any case, your cell dies prematurely. Not good!
2. DNA: Yes, believe it or not, free radicals can get into even the nucleus of your cells. Once there, they like to attack the genetic material (DNA) and mess up that life sustaining information. This “contaminated” genetic code leads to various health problems, not the least of which is cancer.
3. Blood and Tissue Lipids: Lipids are “fat cells” and when these are attacked by free radicals, they mutate into sticky blobs that form obstructions (plaque) inside the arterial wall. This is referred to as “hardening of the arteries” or arteriosclerosis and is the leading cause of heart disease.
4. Mitochondria: Each cells energy is derived from the tiny mitochondria inside each cell. Free radicals literally attack and break this cellular “engine” leaving you with a mass of dead cells and a very tired body.
5. Lysosomes: These little “packets of enzymes” in each of our cells have an important role. They eat through anything except the membrane (the packet) that contains them. Free radicals rupture this protective packet or membrane and these lysosomes are released. The lysosomes “on the loose” then proceed to eat through the cell well, rupturing it and so on. The damage from the multitude of ruptured cells accumulates, triggering massive uncontrolled inflammation and weakens the immune system.

You can gain control over the “bad guys”

The information above was selected from the book “The Super Anti-Oxidants” by Dr. James F. Balch. He goes on to list the most potent antioxidants in the fight against free radicals. One of them being a familiar friend, glutathione.

You may have heard of James F. Balch because he is the co-author of the book everyone seems to own, “Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing”. Both are excellent resources.

Mark Sullivan, MD, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry, at the University of Washington, and principal investigator of the overall study, stated that depression has been shown to worsen patient outcomes in heart failure.

“This study begins to demonstrate some of the pathophysiological mechanisms by which this may occur,” he said. “It suggests that proinflammatory cytokines may be important.”

The test subjects were heart failure patients with higher levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFr1), a marker of inflammation.

The study found that these individuals had up to a 5-fold increased risk for depression, and thus, a significantly bleaker outcome in their battle against heart failure.

In their abstract the authors point out that proinflammatory cytokines (evidence of inflammation in the body) have been implicated in the development and progression of both depression and heart failure.

In fact, a previous study by this group showed that in patients with advanced heart failure, those with a diagnosis of depression had a significantly increased risk of death, transplantation, or heart failure–related hospitalizations and clinic visits.

There was also a significant connection between high levels of inflammation and scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Interestingly, though, the use of antidepressants in the depressed heart failure patients reduced depression scores but not the level inflammation in the body, which remained significantly elevated in treated patients, at almost 60% higher than the reference group.

D. Levy, MD, from the University of Washington, in Seattle, a heart failure cardiologist stated,

“Antidepressants may improve how you feel but may not lower the mediators, that is, TNFr1 and other factors, so it may require other interventions to reduce the risk associated with depression in these patients.”

Ultimately, these findings provide insight into why it is urgently important to balance out your body’s levels of inflammation. Especially if you are suffering from both heart disease and depression.

Link to the study at Medscape.com