How This Relates To Cancer, Modern Medicine and What You Spread On Your Toast

For over 1,000 years the human body was viewed as animated by an invisible ‘vital force’. Then in the 1600s Isaac Newton declared in contrast, “The universe is a machine”. Another Renaissance figure, Renee Descartes, viewed with equal certainty that the mind and body were separate and spirit was the realm of the Church. This Cartesian Dualism is evident in medical schools of today. Their textbooks define a human being as, “A biomedical machine controlled by genes”.

Does this ‘pre-set photocopier’ model accurately encompass your fullness?

Newton was brilliant at sitting under instructive apple trees, observing and calculating the likes of gravity, the progression of the planets and other laws that hold true today. In 1859 Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species and studiously outlined a mechanism for how species develop. His work led to the focus on genetic determinism; that genes control biology and destiny; that innate nature dominates applied nurture. Yet in Darwin’s later years he wrote of “…the greatest error which I have committed…” as being insufficient emphasis on how food and other environmental factors affect evolution.

These scientists and others were exceptional at observing the world of form but had limited if any comprehension of the invisible atomic substructure. And it is at the level of the cell’s molecules (or groups of atoms) that most biological function and dysfunction starts. This past omission is understandable but modern biology, chemistry and medical textbooks are written as if the findings of quantum physics, of Einstein and those who succeeded him never existed.

In 1905 Einstein – then a clerk, not an esteemed scientist – published a series of papers that forever re-shaped how the world was thought of. Since then all matter – whether people, plastics or planets – has two definitions. Matter can be defined as a solid (Newtonian) particle, and as an invisible (quantum) wave or force field. Newton viewed matter as suspended in empty space. Einstein saw energy and matter as interchangeable parts of an inseparable dynamic. E=mc² means that energy (E) is just fast moving matter (m); and matter is energy so slowed down it only appears to be solid. Similarly, physicist Stephen Hawking speaks of space and time as relative to the observer: one stretchy, unified, curved continuum that defies standard sequential (Newtonian) notions about past and future, and supports those about time-travel. Whew!

You Are Now Entering The Twilight Zone

Atoms are made of smaller subatomic particles and emit energies. Some of these, science has identified such as radioactivity. Every material structure is now known to radiate a unique energy signature. Each atom has a specific wobble which individually and collectively emits a radiant pattern. The physical properties of atoms – mass and weight – look and act like physical matter. The same atoms though can also be described in terms of wave lengths, voltage potentials and other properties of energy. It once would have been viewed as absurd that your fingerprint was capable of leaving a personal testament, or that a strand of hair at a crime scene could uniquely identify you. Soon scientists rather than psychics may observe and qualify each person’s ‘energy field ID’. Quantum physics has returned attention full cycle to a study of the ‘vital force’.

Unfortunately conventional medical researchers have no training in or understanding of the molecular mechanisms of quantum physics. Mainstream journals have published work on how the invisible forces of the electromagnetic spectrum (such as microwaves, light and radio frequencies) profoundly affect DNA and cell division. But today’s scientists are highly specialised and don’t tend to read or attend conferences outside their field. Pharmaceutical companies are the main purveyors of information to time-poor GPs about new products and studies (which their trillion dollar industry can afford to selectively conduct). With the intense competition for research dollars, there is less appeal in a study on the power of contemplation or cauliflower, when there are exorbitant costs involved. Only a lab designed, synthetic end-product can be patented and sufficiently profited from.

There are already sophisticated scanning technologies – CAT, MRI and PET – which read the energy patterns emitted by your body. Applied quantum theory has changed our lives with the likes of the atomic bomb, nuclear power, cell phones, computers and lasers. But most scientists have not shifted substantially in consciousness and everyday practice from the tidy, mechanical absolutes of the Newtonian version of reality, into the flexible and quirky quantum world.

The Mirrored Reality of Cells and Selves

10,000 average sized human cells will fit on the head of a pin. Each second about 25 million cellular divisions occur to enable growth, repair and replacement. The executive management of all this has appeared to be under the direction of genes. The cell’s exterior wall or membrane is 7 millionths of mm thick and a primary interface between its inner and outer world. Cell biologist Bruce Lipton – in his excellent book, The Biology of Belief – says its importance should reconfigure the spelling as ‘mem-BRAIN’ for here is where the body translates signals into behaviour.

These signals are stimulated by chemicals (such as nutrients, hormones, drugs, toxins and allergens – see my website TIPS for Why You May Be Allergic To the Twentieth Century), trauma, energy-fields, and subconscious programmes. The latter creates a template for the drug-like release of associated neurotransmitters, hormones and peptides that trigger genetic obedience (see TIPS for Moods and Foods). As innovator Henry Ford said, “If you think you can or if you think you can’t: you’re right”.

The cellular membrane requires protein and healthy fats to be in good repair, and conversely its ability to transmit appropriate signals is impaired by poor quality fats. There needs to be sufficient saturated fatty acids and cholesterol for a firm membrane (but not too much to make it rigid). There needs to be sufficient polyunsaturated fatty acids – a balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 – for a flexible membrane (but not too much to make it flaccid). Note the Zen-like emphasis on the equilibrium of dualities – hard and soft, saturated and unsaturated – rather than adversarial categories like cholesterol = ‘bad’.

This critical communication system is akin to the sensitive wrap of skin that protects our bodies and constantly relays messages about the environment surrounding it. The quality of the cellular membrane helps discourage infectious organisms, carcinogens and other toxins; eliminate cellular debris; prevent free radical damage (with constituent antioxidants such as vitamin E and carotene); and afford entry to critical nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium (see TIPS for MINERALS – Your #1 Ingredient For Healthy Bones, Nerves, Muscles, Sleep, Digestion, Brain Function, Stress Management and More).

Unfortunately the commercial quest for cheap products with maximum shelf life produces a major headache for your mem-BRAIN. Food manufacturers buy cheap plant oils and over hours of high heat with the help of metal catalysts such as aluminium, add an extra atom of hydrogen to fully saturate its bonds. This makes the fat firm and long lasting. This is the #1 source of saturated fat in the New Zealand diet – not butter, cheese or meat.

During the lengthy chemical processing of these hydrogenated oils (widely used in commercial cakes, biscuits, confectionary, muffins, muesli bars, pastry, chips, snack foods, pizza, packet mixes for drink, soup and seasonings), twisted molecules form called trans fatty acids or TFA. These deformed structures are difficult for enzymes to break down. They tax the liver and impair the protective barrier around cells, leading to distorted communication. They and cell-vandalising free radicals (also generated by hydrogenated, rancid or domestically overheated fats) encourage inflammation and poor immunity – states that precipitate abnormal cell growth.

Within the cell’s center is a nucleus or command post. Here reside two sets of chromosomes: 23 pairs from Mum and 23 pairs from Dad. Chromosomes are made of ribbons of DNA that make up your chemical database. Genes are segments of DNA containing a particular set of instructions. Each human cell contains about 30,000 genes. Mutations – or alterations – in your DNA can lead to inappropriate messages regarding growth and repair. These facts initially led to the assumption that cancer was due solely to genetic bad luck. In time though, research showed that not everyone who carries an affected gene develops cancer. For instance, only 5% to 10% of breast cancers are related to genetic defects. Additionally, those more hereditarily fortunate still proved they could be at risk. Newer research in epigenetics (controls beyond the level of genes) indicates that a number of dietary, environmental and psychological factors can act as an accelerator – or a brake – to genetic expression.

So What’s For Breakfast?

There are many opportunities: attitudinal, invisible and in form for directing appropriate messages to your cells – and what you put on your toast is among them. One critical dietary strategy is to feed your mem-BRAIN the best quality fats for the reception and transmission of constructive messages to the genes within.

1) Read labels and avoid hydrogenated fats. Note that unspecified ‘vegetable oil’ commonly means hydrogenated. Avoid margarine (including health-touted versions) which is heavily processed and has many artificial additives.

2) Rarely have deep-fried food; do not reuse heated oils; keep the temperature applied to oils as low as possible – gently sauté rather than brown. Or use alternative methods such as baking (ideally not above 180ºC), steaming or simmering instead of frying.

3) Only purchase cold-pressed or extra-virgin oils.

4) Regularly consume sources of anti-inflammatory Omega 3 such as 2-3 servings per week of dark oily types of fish or seafood; 5 servings per week of soaked and gently cooked whole Linseed Cereal (see The Shape Diet – also for a chart, list and explanation of all fat types and food sources); 2-3 servings of traditional soy products (miso, natto, tofu, tempeh). To prevent oxidation do not heat extracted oils high in Omega 3 (canola, flaxseed, walnut); use these raw only.

5) Other oils which are not fried but stirred into the likes of cake batters, casseroles or stove-top dishes and boiled or baked, have minimal oxidation damage as the internal temperature of the dish does not go much beyond 100ºC or boiling point – as confirmed by fats’ expert (and purist) Dr Udo Erasmus in his book Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill.

6) Do not use Omega 6 oils for frying; instead intake this needed fat in such forms as tahini, sunflower and sesame seeds, pumpkin kernels and pinenuts. Or use these oils and Omega 3 oils raw, such as in salad dressings.

7) Cook with the oxidation resistant monounsaturated fats (olive, avocado, peanut, most other nut oils), or with resistant saturates such as coconut fat or Better Butter (see website RECIPES), or resistant polyunsaturates (due to special subset fatty acid qualities) sesame, high-oleic (not ordinary) sunflower or safflower oil (such as Ceres Organic Roasting & Frying Oil).

8) Include some top quality saturated fat sources such as eggs (high protein; vitamins A and D; lecithin which helps break down fats); meat that is free-range, pasture fed and without hormone treatments (high in active B12, vitamin B3, zinc); coconut (protein; anti-fungal/yeast overgrowth factors) and cocoa (higher in antioxidants than red wine; contains magnesium and potassium – note though that most prepared chocolate products contain hydrogenated fat and excessive sugar).

9) As a spread for toast, bread and crackers use nut butters (almond, peanut, brazil, sunflower, macadamia, cashew, hazelnut, walnut), tahini, Coriander Pesto (RECIPES), avocado, Better Butter, hummus, miso, Dynamite  or Lover’s Pate (The Shape Diet), relish, mustard, soaked and pureed dried fruit.