The original Dr. Johanna Budwig anti-cancer program did not include any synthetic vitamins or minerals (or supplements). Why?
She commented: “Vitamin pills are fragmentized nutrients and they are in most cases synthetic. …[they often contain fillers], one of them is Talc which is akin to asbestos. High doses or levels of antioxidants(antioxidant supplements) [might] reduce the effectiveness of or interfere with the Budwig Protocol.”
Scientists finally appreciate what Dr. Budwig discovered some 50 years ago. In a study reported in Cancer Research, two groups of lab rats with cancer tumors were given lycopene. One group received it via several types of food that contained the substance, and the other group was given lycopene supplements. Those taking the supplements had no significant reduction in tumor growth, but those eating the foods did.
Synthetic Vitamins and Minerals – Lessons Learned
What can we conclude from this study? Wholefoods, the way God made them, contain many other phytochemicals that work together with lycopene. When man manipulates these ‘foods’ and puts them into a supplement, they are fragmented and do not provide all the benefits.
Our body is intelligently designed, and it knows the difference between ‘real food’ and ‘manipulated foods’. It’s no wonder then that real foods often have many times more healing power when compared to an equal amount of synthetic vitamins and minerals.
Real, live foods have also been called ‘functional foods’ as they go far beyond just providing basic nutrition. They perform specific medicinal healing actions within the body. For example, one component found in cruciferous vegetables called sulforaphane is biologically active and offers a natural weapon against cancer and many common diseases.
Although we may have hated eating our greens when we were young, our parents love prevailed when they urged us to eat cruciferous vegetables such as:
- Arugula
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Collard Greens and Kale
To make these types of vegetables more palatable, it’s definitely worth the effort of putting together tasty recipes that the whole family will enjoy.
Sulforaphane Plays Target Practice on Cancer Cells
A new research study has shown for the first time how sulforaphane can selectively target and kill cancer cells. At the same time, it leaves healthy cells untouched. That is precisely the kind of natural weapon we need when fighting cancer!
The French have a very thought-provoking expression: “We dig our own grave with our teeth.” Could deficiencies in nutrients be the real cause of the beginning of many chronic diseases because we are eating too many ‘processed foods’ instead of ‘real functional food’?
Flavonoids, the “On-Switch” to Genes that fight Cancer
Consider another example, flavonoids. They are remarkable natural compounds that have a wide range of healing effects on our bodies. In vitro tests show that flavonoids have up to five times the antioxidant power of vitamin C. Free radicals cause untold damage to our cells, whereas, flavonoids hunt down and absorb free radicals before they cause aging and disease.
The Linus Pauling Institute in Oregon, USA, uncovered some breakthrough research when they found that flavonoids change the way genes are expressed in the body. They cause the body to “switch on” in ways that can fight or even prevent cancer.
They discovered that flavonoids force the body into producing enzymes that destroy the substances that cause mutations and tumors. Flavonoids can also trigger “mechanisms” in the body that kills cancer cells and stop tumors from growing.
Top Flavonoid Food Sources
- Almonds
- Romaine lettuce
- Blueberries and Strawberries
- Celery
- Tomatoes
- Peaches, Pears, Oranges, Apples, and Watermelon
- Garbanzo beans
In light of these discoveries, we can see why Dr. Budwig did not favor synthetic vitamin supplements but instead included herbs and herbal remedies to complement the therapies she recommended. Keep yourself and your loved ones healthy by following the wisdom of Dr. Johanna Budwig, replace synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements with ‘real live foods’ and if possible, always choose organic.
Tip: Wash all fruits and vegetables, including organic, in pure water and white vinegar at a ratio of 1 parts vinegar to 5 parts water for 10 minutes, rinse and enjoy!
