[taurushead]

i need a few thoughts on this, if you have time ..<br><br><br><br>
i used to post a lot about calorie freak outs, in teh ED days but ive kicked that pretty much. the only thing limiting me now is this intense fear of cancer. its always been there but i never knew what i could do short of smoking to prevent it.<br><br>
when i found out about all the nutritional stuff you can do, and what a huge part diet plays in it all, it just spurred on the decisions id made (for ethical reasons) already .<br><br>
i definetely see that i got a little TOO obsessive, to the point where the stress probably worsened health anyway! lol.<br><br>
controlled everything to the letter. avoided a lot of fruits because of sugar and all this other stuff.<br><br>
and only recently decided its better to live a good life than a bizarrely restricted one.<br><br>
so since then i feel like ive been 'slack'. i eat crumpets and white flour on occasion. i eat fruit. etc etc. and i feel bad about it but know im actually better off.<br><br>
BUT...a doctor said to me the other day, that in REALITY the connection between food and cancer is NOT as great as claimed. that its the largest controllable factor, but that controllable factors make up such a tiny percentage that its not as relevant as a lot of people feel.<br><br>
yes healthy things are better for you, you'll live better, have better health and vitamins in you and what not, but that straying will not damage you (unless its in a cardiac kind of way with too much fat etc) .<br><br>
that linda mc C was an organic vegan (i always thought she ate dairy??) and died of breast cancer, for example.<br><br>
this thought does two things.<br><br>
a) it gives me this weird sense of relief. i dont really miss 'bad' foods, i love what i eat. but it WOULD be kind of cool to lift the bans even more...<br><br><br><br>
b) this huge fear, in maybe accepting that there IS a possibilty i or someone i love gets sick. i know no amount of diet can prevent it, i always knew that, but i didn't realise the small part it played. that...is so scary.<br><br><br><br>
anyway, doctors though, also haven't supported my vegetarianism/veganism in the past..so i dont wanna totally accept this til i guage some other opinions. and part of those, are yours!!<br><br><br><br>
...anyone? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[ketivnilloc]

i think what you eat probably has more of an effort on cancer and similar things than genetics. Because recently, doctors will tell every morbidly obese person that it's not their fault, it's genetics. Where it's clearly is their fault.<br><br><br><br>
But colon cancer, liver, kidney, and something else, are almost non-existant just from being veg*n. The doctor might be right about it not effecting breast cancer because that seems to be a hereditary thing. Also anti-oxidants repair or diminish cancer damage and growth (At least in test tubes)

 

[Astarte]

The biggest thing you can do to avoid dying from cancer is to be regularly screened for it. Mammograms, pap tests, colorectal tests (all tremendously fun past times <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">). To avoid getting it in the first place, eat mostly things you know are healthy and exercise moderately. If you've got a genetic predisposition to it, there's not a thing you can do. Just make sure if you do get cancer, you catch it early. If you do, life after cancer is extremely likely.

 

[Tempeh-Tantrums]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>ketivnilloc</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
... doctors will tell every morbidly obese person that it's not their fault, it's genetics. Where it's clearly is their fault.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
It may not be genetics but it's not always "clearly their fault". I saw this discussed to death in a thread in the Compost Heap (where I have yet to get the nerve to venture). Perhaps you could take your opinions there?

 

[jeneticallymodified]

I think that there is a lot to be said for doing practical things to keep yourself healthy, like not smoking, not eating junk food every day, and being more active than using reaching for the tv remote as your sole form of excercise, etc, but it's also really important to not overthink and stress about everything- i know its hard, cos i do it, lol.<br><br>
You know, while worrying about cancer and being obsessed with avoiding it and having a perfect diet, etc, you could stress so much that you give yourself migraines, IBS, or an ulcer, or be thinking so hard about whether or not you ate too much white bread today that you aren't paying attention where you're going, and get hit by a bus!<br><br>
I hate to put a downer on this, but at some point in your life you probably will get sick with something, and so will those around you, and you just can't know what it'll be, or when, or why, and you can't plan for every eventuality- the world likes to throw random stuff into the mix. So you gotta keep perspective on these things, not think so much about it, and just have a happy life, enjoy every day, and spend time with the people you love, and if that life involves savouring the odd crumpet, so be it!

 

[Sunny]

^^^ Summed it up very nicely. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/yes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":yes:">

 

[Tweety]

While it's not a good idea to over-estimate a healthy lifestyle in cancer prevention, including diet, it's not fair to poo poo it either. Heredity and environmental expsoure has a lot to do with it. But if I was exposed to carcinogens and had a family history of cancer was currently cancer free, it makes sense for me to tilt the odds in my favor.<br><br><br><br>
Looking at why the Japanese have low rates of breast cancer due to the foods they eat might not be a bad idea.<br><br><br><br>
Tomato products have been shown to reduce risk of prostate cancer in men.<br><br><br><br>
Antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce risk of certain types of cancers.<br><br><br><br>
It makes sense to me, particularly in families with high incidences of cancer, to do what they should to better their odds.<br><br><br><br>
This is why some of us eat right, don't smoke and exercise. It's prevenative, and this includes cancer.<br><br><br><br>
Now should be berate ourselves and loved ones if they get cancer? No, that certainly isn't fair.

 

[Tweety]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>hoodedclawjen</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I think that there is a lot to be said for doing practical things to keep yourself healthy, like not smoking, not eating junk food every day, and being more active than using reaching for the tv remote as your sole form of excercise, etc, but it's also really important to not overthink and stress about everything- i know its hard, cos i do it, lol.<br><br>
You know, while worrying about cancer and being obsessed with avoiding it and having a perfect diet, etc, you could stress so much that you give yourself migraines, IBS, or an ulcer, or be thinking so hard about whether or not you ate too much white bread today that you aren't paying attention where you're going, and get hit by a bus!<br><br>
I hate to put a downer on this, but at some point in your life you probably will get sick with something, and so will those around you, and you just can't know what it'll be, or when, or why, and you can't plan for every eventuality- the world likes to throw random stuff into the mix. So you gotta keep perspective on these things, not think so much about it, and just have a happy life, enjoy every day, and spend time with the people you love, and if that life involves savouring the odd crumpet, so be it!</div>
</div>
<br><br><br><br><br>
Very good post.<br><br><br><br>
We're not going to get out of here alive. When on is 100 years old, what's going to be more important, that you didn't eat any white flour ever, that you wasted so much time stressed over being perfect, or that you loved someone, danced, had your vegan cake and ate it too.

 

[taurushead]

wow. thanks. thats all i have to say <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> ehehehe.<br><br><br><br>
oh and see the 'lunch' thread for apology to the board. <br><br><br><br>
xx

 

[Minibean]

I disagree with what your doctor said. Another doctor's opinion: <a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/faq/question.aspx?sid=12&qindex=0" target="_blank">http://www.drfuhrman.com/faq/questio...id=12&qindex=0</a><br><br><br><br>
I'm not saying that *all* cancer is preventable, but I do think diet/lifestyle plays a bigger role than many people realize. That doesn't mean you have to be 100% perfect 100% of the time, though. The foods that make up the bulk of your diet will have a much bigger impact on your health than the ones you eat "on occasion", so don't stress too much about those. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> And fruit is healthy!!

 

[rabid_child]

I would rather live a semi-shortened happier life where I'm not stressing about enjoying a few cookies or some chocolate, than live a very long life where I'm constantly obsessing about everything I put in my body for fear that it might give me a diseas.e

 

[taurushead]

well thats why i stopped. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> EXACTLY, why i stopped. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Trueveggie14]

Taurushead, in the Food discussion forum there's a thread on food additives. Those I would avoid, but as others have said eat your vegan cake and bread and be happy in <b><i>this</i></b> moment. It is a beautiful moment and you don't want to miss it.<br><br><br><br>
I really think avoiding aluminum in your food will help prevent alzheimer's and avoiding other "chemical" like substances is always a good idea. Stress is a big killer though too.

 

[taurushead]

ok. thanks <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> and yup im seriously making a big effort NOT to make such an effort. lol. and already things are more fun. best dinner EVER last night.<br><br>
does stress *really* damage you that much though (just curious, not really related to this)?

 

[Gita]

Healthy people have hundreds of thousands of cancer cells coursing through their bodies at any moment. Most are taken care of by your immune system. I think taking care of your immune system is the most important part of the health puzzle. I think that not over-useing medicine is also of great importance to keeping your own system in working order. Things like feavers and colds are important in the chain reactions that keep your immune system in good condition. Also as you age your cells degrade no matter what sort of life-style you have lived-- they just probably degrade more slowly and gently (less cross-linking etc.,) if you live a healthy life-style.

 

[gaya]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Gita</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
they just probably degrade more slowly and gently (<b>less cross-linking etc</b>.,)</div>
</div>
<br>
What do you mean? If you don't mind explaining. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[*AHIMSA*]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/shocked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Bios]

I think Gaya was referring to the fact that collagen, your main connective tissue protein, gets more bonds between fibers as you age -- it becomes more cross-linked. This makes stiffens arteries, joints, etc. and wrinkles skin. Antioxidants inhibit this crosslinking, and other negative impacts of aging.<br><br><br><br>
My perspective is as a cancer survivor. My lifestyle was healthy; I got cancer anyway; so when people claim certain lifestyles 'prevent' cancer I think they're engaging in wishful thinking. However, lifestyle surely does impact risk. How much? Frankly, we're still learning about that. But I make sure to keep a very healthy (though not obsessively so) lifestyle.<br><br><br><br>
It gives me peace to know that if it does come back, it *won't* be because I didn't take care of myself.

 

[gaya]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Bios</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I think Gaya was referring to the fact that collagen, your main connective tissue protein, gets more bonds between fibers as you age -- it becomes more cross-linked. This makes stiffens arteries, joints, etc. and wrinkles skin. Antioxidants inhibit this crosslinking, and other negative impacts of aging.</div>
</div>
<br>
That was Gita not me <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> but thanks for taking the time to explain it to me.

 

[taurushead]

wow thanks for the insight Bio. makes a lot of sense.<br><br>
and ive seriously loosened up, but not let health go to the dogs. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> good combination.<br><br>
i just had 'packaged' chocolate coz i was craving for it. stupid that it makes me feel so ..free. to know that once in a while..thats not gonna instantly alter all my cells and what not. coz its quite ridiculous to think so .<br><br>
sigh.