By Dina Eliash Robinson
We are all born with genes inherited from previous generations. Some genes are beneficial, endowing us with intellectual, physical or psychological advantages; while others bestow powerful health benefits by arming us with resilient immune systems and natural resistance to various illnesses.
However, even those less fortunate who inherit genes that predispose them to such diseases as diabetes, cancer, cardio-vascular problems, arthritis, allergies, a sensitive respiratory system or predisposition to digestive issues—can prevent them from causing or letting their signature disease from developing, by adopting lifestyle changes that have been shown to fight specific genetic ailments.
Our decades of in-depth research, along with years of several family members’ and friends’ personal experiences continue to prove that diets consisting of certain foods, regular exercise and stress-lowering techniques are among the most effective “antidotes” to inherited genetic tendencies to various diseases.
Since such holistic approaches are known to tackle the underlying genetic triggers of disease before its noticeable symptoms appear, they often take time and require determination to change eating habits and patience while waiting for taste buds to adjust to new flavors—which they inevitably do.
Modern medical solutions to diagnosed genetic time-bombs include surgery—such as open-heart operations, cardio-vascular stenting procedures (i.e., catheterization) and the much-publicized prophylactic double mastectomy Angelina Jolie chose to undergo upon finding herself at great risk of developing breast cancer due to a mutation of the BRCA1 gene she inherited. What’s more, after most surgeries patients are tethered to years of dependence on expensive pharmaceutical drugs, all of which come with various toxic side-effects.
Over the last several decades, an increasing number of people have become interested in alternative healing methods—and even more auspiciously, their resistance to invasive procedures and drugs has been influencing younger physicians to integrate some holistic approaches in their practices.
It is ironic that in spite of medical students’ initiation into their new profession starts with the traditional recitation of the Hippocratic Oath, they graduate with almost no training in the connection between nutrition and health—and complete ignorance of Hippocrates’ advice to “make food (one’s) medicine.”
Fortunately, thanks to the proliferation of accomplished and accredited holistic practitioners in the United States (though still lagging behind Western European countries), an ever-greater number of people has been learning about the medicinal effects of certain foods on most diseases caused by inherited genes.
NOTE: Eat only organic foods to avoid undoing the healing effects of a healthy diet with the toxic chemicals used in pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers on which conventional farming depends.
Far from resting on our laurels, we and our collaborators at FreeRangeClub.com, continue to keep our ears to the ground for new data-supported information emerging from scientific sources around the world, as well as keeping up the in-depth research we have been conducting for nearly two decades.
The following is an incomplete list of “champion” foods that help prevent or inhibit the development of most chronic diseases prevalent in the industrialized countries:
• Champion Anti-Cancer Fighters:
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli (including broccolini), cauliflower, all cabbages (including sauerkraut—which does double-duty as a Probiotic), radicchio (red-leafed chicory), Brussels Sprouts; mushrooms, beans, almonds, blueberries, cranberries, sweet potatoes (yams), kale, spinach, tomatoes, raisins, leafy greens, etc.
• Cancer-Fighting Antioxidant Herbs and Spices: Turmeric, ginger, thyme, sage, rosemary, clove, allspice, cinnamon, oregano, saffron, peppermint, lemongrass, etc.
• Champion Anti-Diabetes Foods:
Most vegetables (organic of course), including the above-mentioned cruciferous veggies (broccoli and its ‘baby’ broccolini version, cauliflower, all cabbages (including the sauerkraut of Probiotic fame, radicchio, Brussels Sprouts; edamame, ‘dino’-kale; mushrooms, beans, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries; fresh onions and garlic; avocado; low-sugar fruit such as Fuyu, apricots, apples, pears, Asian pears, honeydew melons, leafy greens, sweet potatoes or yams—of surprisingly low glycemic index; radish, almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios (high protein), celery (high sodium, but counteracted by its high fiber, which helps with weight-loss; sardines—rich in calcium for healthy bones; antioxidant herbs and spices—such as Turmeric, ginger, thyme, sage, rosemary, clove, allspice, especially cinnamon, oregano, saffron, peppermint, lemongrass), etc.
Avoid—beets, bananas, grapes, dates, raisins, figs, etc. because of their high sugar content:
- Arthritis: Avoid nightshade foods such as eggplant, potato, tomato, pepper, cucumber.
- Detox Foods: When taking prescription drugs, detox the kidneys with watermelon; and flush toxins and backup sludge from liver with red beets (cooked, pickled or soup—i.e. “borsht”).
- Champion Healers For Digestive Problems:
Papaya (Hawaiian is best—rich in digestive enzyme “Papain”; Chamomile and Ginger teas; an excellent and fast-acting
supplement that stops the cause and symptoms of food poisoning and other digestive distress: homeopathic charcoal capsules. Etc.
- Brain Foods:
Fresh green leafy veggies, wild-caught small and medium size fish (sardines, herring, salmon).
Avoid big (i.e. tuna, and shark) and bottom-feeding sword-fish, which contain large amounts of toxic mercury and PCB).
Suggest eliminating tuna and other large fish from the diet, since they contain high levels of toxic mercury.
Substitute a tasty fish salad made with canned, wild-caught salmon and sardines, hard-boiled egg, olive oil-based mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, capers, herbs and spices (dry parsley, Basel, dill, powdered sweet red paprika, ginger, turmeric, pinch of Cayenne, onion chips, powdered garlic), see recipe at http://www.freerangeclub.com/salads/salmon-sardines-salad-mock-tuna-salad/ etc.
- Champion Cardio-Vascular-Protective Foods:
Organic, heart-healthy, no-salt diet that includes cooking exclusively with olive oil; fresh onion and garlic; cruciferous and other vegetables; low to moderate quantities and frequencies of potatoes, bread, and pasta; most carbs to be obtained from brown and wild rice; quinoa; plant-based pasta; hummus; low-sugar, non-dairy frozen dessert; nuts and seeds (pecans, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, sesame, sunflower and other seeds); plant-based dairy-free cheese; low-cholesterol egg-whites (plus one whole egg a week for vitamin B); most foods listed above under Cancer-Fighting, Anti-Diabetes and Brain Foods (including fish); etc.
Necessities such as a daily Probiotic (in high quality capsules or as a small glass of goat kefir), Kyolic capsules (odor-free garlic supplement with powerful anti-virus, anti-inflammation, blood-clot-preventive, blood-pressure regulating and blood-thinning properties.
Avoid ALL cow-beef products completely—including meat and dairy.
Substitute chicken and turkey; tofu—and rarely, small amounts of goat Feta cheese.
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(As noted above, this is an incomplete list of disease-fighting foods. However, we do provide—when requested by email at [email protected]—personalized research, consultation (on phone or FaceTime), followed by an emailed list to you of a recommended nutrition plan with foods to be avoided. Lifestyle advice can also be included if requested. Our fee is $50.- per hour, which usually covers the initial contact, research and consultation.)
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