The Healthy Choices Wellblog

Internal inflammation is a big factor in degenerative disease
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I’ve been reading a lot of reports on the role
that internal inflammation plays in disease and
it appears to be a big factor.  There are several
good books on the subject, including
“The Inflammation Response” if you want to read
up on this important health finding.

My own chronic joint pain and muscle pain
certainly seems inflammation-related because
when I take anti-inflammatory supplements, it
always gets better.

 I started taking tumeric when I read about it’s natural anti-inflammatory properties but, since then have read that, in addition to helping the body reduce internal inflammation, tumeric also has important anti-cancer actions as well.

 There are studies being done by scientists who are intrigued by the low rates of certain kinds of cancer in India.  Of course, the East Indian diet is very high in tumeric and scientists are studying how much of a role their high-tumeric diet plays in helping India have the lowest cancer rates in the world on cancers such as colorectal and lung.

 In addition to tumeric, I also take salmon oil gels for my internal inflammation.  I can say that, when I remember to take these two faithfully, I definitely see a difference in my own joint pain as well as muscle pain throughout the body.

By the way, tumeric has one specific pigment that is more typically extracted and used and the name of that pigment is curcumin.  I don’t really understand if this is the same as curry or part of curry……in any case, I just buy tumeric.  I usually feel whole plant synergy is best.

I don’t have a preferred brand of tumeric but I do prefer Vital Choice Salmon Oil Gels.

Vitabase has a Dr. approved tumeric extract, if you are looking for that right now.

Tumeric / Curcumin is considered safe for adults but can cause indigestion in some, if used longterm. Also, tumeric is not recommended for people who have gallbladder disease. For more information on this helpful spice, visit The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health’s page on the subject: Tumeric Fact Sheet

Are medical tests increasing cancer risks?
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I remember, probably at least 20 years ago, asking my chiropractor about x-rays.  He said I needed them and I said I felt each exposure was risky and didn’t want to do that unless absolutely necessary.  I also told my dentist the same thing.

Most recently, I was interested in a therapy for adjusting the atlas but, when I called and was told that it required 6 x-rays of the head area, I declined.  Again, I was told that the amount of radiation used was minimal and harmless.

Over and over, I’ve been assured that the amount of radiation in a traditional x-ray is not harmful.  I didn’t buy it then and I don’t buy it now.

 In particular, I cannot believe that dental x-rays don’t pose a risk for the brain.  It’s too small an area.  And dentist take too many x-rays.  Seek out a holistic dentist if you share my concern about x-rays in the head area, because they will most likely not use them unless absolutely necessary and then, only at lowest possible radiation exposure.

CT Scans:  The big daddy of medical radiation zaps

It was all over the news yesterday that new studies reveal a definite increased cancer risk for those who have repeated CT scans.  Of course, the medical profession still maintains that a traditional x-ray (which uses far less radiation than a CT scan) is safe.  I don’t buy it, but you decide.

As far as the current study on CT scans, it appears the FDA was warned about the risks to children as far back as 2001.  The concern is about overuse of this medical test and the risk of creating radiation-induced cancer in people who have multiple CT scans.

Some people with chronic health conditions may have a dozen or more.  This is highly significant because as few as 2 or 3 CT scans can increase risk of developing cancer down the road, according to the new reports.

 On another news show, a doctor reported that this overuse (I would even say abuse) of CT scans by doctors who want a quick report and turn to CT scans rather than non-radiation options such as ultrasound, could increase radiation-induced cancers to 2 percent of all cancers.

Medical tests that could cause cancer are absolutely unacceptable!

But what can you do?  You go to the doctor and they say you need a CT scan.  Well, the first thing to do is ask if there are any other non-radiation or lower-radiation tests that will work.  If your doctor says no, and insists that you do need the CT scan, then tell your doctor you want the lowest possible level of radiation during the scan.

Nutritionally, I’ve read that taking panothenic acid (vitamin B-5) before x-rays is helpful but wouldn’t know about dosage before a CT scan.  I’m sure there are nutritionists and herbalists and naturopaths out there who know nutritional protective ingredients you could use but they are probably unable to suggest them because of the concerns over current FDA regulations that might construe that as “prescribing”. 

If I felt I had to have a CT scan, I’d be seeking out a personal consultation with a nutritionist and a naturopath and getting educational information that would allow me to nutritionally support my body before the test.

If I were a parent, a doctor would really have to convince me that there was absolutely no other way to discern the condition of my child’s health except a CT scan before I would ever submit to one with a young child.  If your doctor can’t understand your concerns about that, my advice would be to get another doctor asap.

Microwaves and Plastic:

A toxic combination

I don’t use microwaves, period.  I think they create changes in food that are unhealthy.  However, if I did use them, I’d follow these important guidelines released by John Hopkins University:

 Do not heat foods in plastic, particularly high fat foods.

Plastics contain dioxin, a chemical known to cause cancer and, in particular, breast cancer.

When foods are heated in plastic containers, the dioxins in the plastic are released and go into the food.  Then, the poisonious dioxins go into your body.

Just don’t do it.  Better not to use microwaves at all but to avoid toxic dioxins, always heat in glass or ceramic.

Health Tip:
Dietary Changes to Reduce Cancer Risks

To reduce risk of developing cancer, stop eating meats that are fried at very high heat and greatly reduce or eliminate consumption of grilled or charbroiled meats.  Some reports suggest carcinogenic chemicals form during the grilling or high-heat frying process.

Foods that are beneficial for cancer prevention include blue green algae, due to the high levels of chlorophyll and other factors, as well as green plants in general. Eating more kale, collards and other greens can be helpful in assisting the body to resist the development of cancer.

Carrots also add cancer prevention power because of their high levels of carotene.

This is just a partial list, of course. The point is that diet and nutrition can definitely help your body resist cancer so explore these ideas more fully with your nutritionist or research more online if cancer is a concern for you.

more on cancer, specifically cervical cancer