I recently reread a book by the controversial, Kevin Trudeau. The Book has been out for quite some time and is an interesting read. The book is called, ‘Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You to Know About.’ It’s a book about natural cures for many known diseases and talks about the unsafe practices, including the many chemicals that are in the foods we eat every day. It also talks about the medical profession being in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry in an attempt to sell food and thus medical supplies/prescription drugs for profit over people’s health; however, I am more concerned, in this particular article, with the safety of the foods that we eat and how it may be affecting the quality of our everyday health. Could many of our illnesses be a direct result of our food choices? Kevin Trudeau asks his own question in his book entitled, Natural Cures, and it was, “Are you aware that the overwhelming majority of what you eat every day is poisoning you?”

As a breast cancer survivor of more than ten years, I am one who is paying more attention to what I choose to put in my mouth and chew and swallow and to have pass through my mouth and throat and into my stomach, than ever before. It could be just the fact that I am older and wiser and in desiring the quality of life, want to make sure I am eating all the right things to live a longer more fulfilling life. It could also be the whole ordeal of the experience of radiation treatments and its effect of scaring me to life.

Breast cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the breast tissue. It occurs when breast cells divide without any method of control or order. Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, the process of a mass of tissue can form. These masses of tissue are called growths and are considered tumors. These tumors can spread to different parts of the body. Although many people attribute breast cancer to women, men are not without exception.

With cancer of the breast being the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States, it frightens me to know that there was no single answer as to what caused the cancer to appear in my breast. Although the female sex hormone, estrogen, was most likely the one single thing amongst others, that could have attributed to it, I'm sure such practices of eating foods high in fat and low in fiber could not have helped the situation from developing. Environmental factors, genetics and other agents may contribute as well, but nothing could be more serious and more important than the choices of food we intake on a daily basis.

Regular Breast exams are a good idea, starting with self-examinations at home. By noticing the shape of your breast, applying pressure and looking for dimplings or lumps, and of course, looking at the skin. Discolorations can be helpful hints to get your breast checked by a doctor. Personally, I've chosen to eat more raw vegetables, nuts and fruits and eat organtics. It sure can't hurt.

I do believe that there is a healing power in food, especially in light of the fact that more and more people today are choosing to take greater responsibility for their health. We can influence our health by making better choices in our lifestyles and choosing a foray of healing methods outside of medicating ourselves. I must admit that I am rather bothered by the many commercials on television that appeal to a great number of us. The idea of quick remedies in medicating ourselves, while quickly and seemingly rushing through the many side effects as appose to some sort of herbal healing or natural therapy, troubles me greatly.

In the Book, The Healing Power of Food, by author's Carrol & Brown, 'a balanced lifestyle and diet are necessary to achieve and maintain good health and prevent disease. Deficiencies and over consumption can put you at risk.'

We live in a society where gourmet restaurants, especially in the DC area, where I live, are popping up everywhere, especially now that there is new development. We, in the Washington area call it fine dining. There is a foray of popular Brazilian, Modern American, Japanese, Caribbean, Belgian, Italian...etc. restaurants that are full of great looking, delicious foods, and well put together foods that may or may not be good for everyone. One thing is certain, many of the foods are low in fat and high in vitamins, mineral and fiber. There is a variety of fruits and vegetables that are as versatile as the people that have settled in the area from the many different places around the globe. These folks have brought with them, dynamic ideas for both raw and cooked foods that have rapidly become a part of a food empire destined for greatness and hopefully a part of a healthy eating regimen.

There are medical affects that can be achieved with certain foods. According to a book called Prescription for Nutritional Healing, written by authors, James F. Balch, m.d. and Phyllis A. Balch, c.n.c., for arthritis, one should eat more sulfur containing foods such as asparagus, eggs and garlic. One should also eat some form of fiber, such as ground flaxseeds, oat bran, or rice bran, daily. For Diabetes one should try high-complex-carbohydrates, low-fat, high-fiber diets including plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, as well as, fresh vegetable juices. There are many other mentioned foods, as well as herbs, in this particular book, that are recommended for many ailments, from seizures, stress and kidney disease to circulatory problems,allergies and cancer, that will keep us thinking about adapting some safe food choices.