Nutrition: Red Meat Damages DNA?

Source: http://www.newstarget.com/019037.html

Highlight:
The Cancer Research Journal has published a study that claims red meat damages DNA and increases the risk of developing bowel cancer.

Original source:
http://news.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=159572006

• EATING red meat alters your DNA and may lead to an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, scientists said yesterday.
• Chemical compounds formed while digesting meat can cause DNA to mutate and increase the likelihood of cancerous cells developing.
• People who eat two portions or more of red meat a day suffer significantly more DNA damage to the cells of their colon than those who follow a largely vegetarian diet or eat red meat less than once a week.
• The research, published in Cancer Research journal, found that people who eat large quantities of red or processed meat are more likely to develop cancerous tumours in their large bowel.
• N-nitroso compounds are formed in the large bowel after eating red meat and can attach themselves to DNA and cause it to mutate.
• Scientists compared the cells of healthy volunteers, some of them on a vegetarian diet, others eating large quantities of meat and over a period of two weeks were able to pinpoint DNA damage.
• "This research showed damage in healthy people so you can imagine that if someone was predisposed to bowel cancer or had an inflamed gut the effects would be more severe.
• Research by the Medical Research Council published last year showed the chance of developing colorectal cancer was a third higher in people who regularly ate more than two portions of red or processed meat a day compared to those who ate less than one portion a week.
• The charity advises people to eat no more than 80g of meat per day, as recommended by the World Cancer Research Fund.
• A spokeswoman for charity Beating Bowel Cancer said: "A third of all cancers are linked to what we eat and we must not underestimate the importance of a well-balanced diet in the prevention of bowel cancer.""

Link: Who Wrote the Bible?

CLICK HERE: Who Wrote the Bible? I just had to post this link. It definately is worthy of reading...for anyone interested in the creation/compilation of the Bible.

Nutrition and Diet

Many people today ignore the importance of Nutrition and Diet. However, its almost impossible to have a strong, steady, spiritual practice in life without atleast SOME awareness on what does into the mouth and belly. Here are some rough guidlines I drew up a while back, which have served me well in all aspects of life.

Concept: The body needs to consume in order to sustain. There are four structures of matter that the body needs.

1) Carbohydrates - our bodies main source of energy
2) Protein - our bodies building material
3) Fat - necessary to live and secondary source of BOTH energy and growth material
4) Water - transportation, elimination, cleansing. the most important physical form of energy needed to consume. water alone can cure disease and restore a body if used properly
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(5) - Vitamins and Minerals. Found within the four above mentioned structures, so not considered a structure on it's own. They are necessary for survival, growth, and maintenance of the body.

The body is much like a sponge. Therefore, the idea is (1)to acquire the four above mentioned physical energy structures necessary to support our physical life, WITHOUT any additional waste, or toxins (only pure food, and only eating what is readily consumed into flesh or needed), (2) consume the energy structures (food) properly

With that said, the types of food eaten are: Fruits, Vegetables, Beans, Nuts, Seeds, Sprouts, and Herbs

Also, but not as pure and easily digestable: Fish, Chicken (fresh , ree-range, and without anti-biotics), Grains, Dairy products

Common sense would tell you that you should go organic and all natural whenever possibly. Common sense would also tell you that freezing food, cooking food, or doing anything unatural like processing food can ONLY LIMIT ITS VALUE AND HEALTH GIVING PROPERTIES. In some cases, cooking can be better, like with certain vegetables for instance. The reason for this is that the cell walls are very tough, and not easily digestable by humans. When cooked however, the cell walls weaken, allowing our systems to digest the food easier, thus allowing for more micronutrients to be absorbed.

THINGS TO AVOID: "White" products (white sugar, white flour, salt) Over-processed foods, red meat (mostly), Sodas, Overly Spicy Food, Rotten or underripe food, coffee (and other caffeinated products) and drugs, Milk and Dairy products (known for causing allergins, yet can be used safely in moderation), Candies, fried foods

This diet is fully understood and appreciated only with proper meditation. The diet is not solely based on the types of food you put into your body, but rather eating consciously as a whole. Are you craving some sugar? Eat a cookie. Craving meat? Eat a juicy steak. The diet is not based on repressing yourself, only to drain your energy thinking about what you COULD be eating. If you follow the diet honestly and consciously, you will naturally crave the addictive and unhealthy foods less and less. This diet is based on L=o=v=e, not blame or self-ridicule.

General Guidlines:

• Chew Food Well (The most important part of digestion happens in the mouth)

• Drink plenty of water (A general formula is divide your body weight in half, and whatever that is in OUNCES is what you should drink daily. For instance, I weigh 130....therefore I would drink roughly 65oz of water a day.)

• KNOW YOUR BODY (Some people should eat twice a day, and NEVER snack. Others should eat 6 light meals a day, NEVER eating a heavy meal. KNOW YOUR BODY, know your restrictions)

• Vegetables and Fruit Daily (It's been recommended in America to eat 5 servings of fruit a day, and 5 servings of vegetables a day. I highly agree, nothing could be more important for the health, nutritionally speaking, then this important message)

• Only Eat When You Are

1) HUNGRY
2) Happy

It's such a simple diet. You can't mess up, because it allows you to eat whatever you want, it only gives GUIDELINES.
The more and more you accept yourself, and believe in these sacred teachings of nutrition, the more and more it will come NATURALLY, without forcing yourself to eat a certain way.

Metaphysical Tools

There are many tools, techniques, and practices one can use that can be beneficial to spiritual work. One technique I learned a year or so back, but just recently learned the importance of it.

The basic foundation is making a list. You make two lists actually. On one side, you make a list of activities that you feel boost your energy. Any activity that stimulates your body, mind or soul.
The second part is making a list of activities that steal your energy, or create disharmony.

The benefits of this practice, are that you will be suprised at how well you "know" what activities stimulate you, and what activities drain you. Afterall, a huge part of any spiritual system is the conserving, or proper usage of energy.

Here is my list:

Activities that stimulate my soul:

• Meditation
• Reading
• Outdoor activities (Hiking, swimming, mountain biking, caving, etc)
• Drumming
• Coloring
• Prayer
• School work (although I dislike it! it does however create an empowerment when you force yourself to do something you dislike, especially if you have a blockage towards it)
• Weightlifting
• Waking up early, sleeping moderatly
• maintaining proper diet
• taking baths! especially decked out baths with Candles, Music, Epsom salt for sore muscles, and bubble bath!
• Writing
• Festivals and Concerts
  

Then there are the activities which drain my energy:

• Over sleeping or over eating
• Negative Emotions (jealousy, anger, etc)
• Arguing
• Sitting and watching television, or at a computer for too long
• Caffeine, sugar, and other toxicants

Anyone interested should make their list! It really helps to be mindful of that which gives or takes away our energy