I received this newsletter from Dr Al Sears that I thought worthwhile passing on in its entirety.
\nDear Tom,
\nIt’s no secret that stress can be deadly.
\nIt weakens your immune system\u2026 It increases your risk of heart disease…
\nBut new research shows that stress can be particularly deadly for people with cancer. A recent study in Australia found that stress allows cancer to spread six times faster.
\nAussie researchers tracked breast cancer cells in mice. They tagged the cancer cells with a fluorescent marker. Then they used state-of-the-art imaging to see tumor cells that had spread into the lymph system.1
\nWhat they saw was remarkable\u2026
\nThe images showed that stress increases the number and size of lymph vessels in and around tumors. It also increases the rate fluid flows through the lymph system.
\nIn other words, chronic stress leads to “cancer highways” in the lymph system. These highways allow cancer cells to spread six times faster than the usual rate.
\nCancer is stressful\u2026 there’s no doubt about that. But this new research shows why it’s so important to manage your stress levels if you have cancer.
\nAnd even if you don’t have cancer, you still need to manage your stress levels. In fact, doing so is one of your best defenses against getting cancer in the first place.
\nStudies in animals have shown that when the stress response system kicks in, the hormones released into the bloodstream can alter important cell processes that help protect against the formation of cancer.
\nBut mainstream medicine is no help when it comes to lowering stress in cancer patients (or anyone else!). In fact, their cancer treatments \u2014 like chemo, surgery and radiation \u2014 increase stress levels.
\nAnd they use beta-blockers to try to suppress the effects of stress in these patients. But those drugs have terrible side effects like fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, depression and loss of libido. Over time they decrease your heart’s power to pump.
\nThe answer isn’t squashing your body’s natural stress responses. The answer is teaching your body to adapt to stress in a natural and healthy way.
\nAnd to do that, I use a special class of herbs called adaptogens.
\n3 natural stress-busters
\n1. Holy Basil. I call this plant a “super-adaptogen.” It reduces stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline even when the stresses around you seem overwhelming.
\nIn one study people with anxiety disorder took 500 mg of holy basil extract twice a day. In just 60 days they had less stress and a better ability to adapt to changes.2 Other studies show it can reduce inflammation and act as a powerful protector against cancer.3
\nLook for holy basil on the Internet or in your health food store. Use the ground leaves as an herb in soups or fish dishes. You can also take it as a supplement. I recommend 150 mg three times a day with meals.
\n2. Panax Ginseng. This is one of the most ancient herbal medicines. Studies show it is particularly effective against chronic stress \u2014 the kind of relentless pressure that’s so common in our modern society. It also boosts the immune system to fight cancer by stimulating natural killer cells, T-cells and B-cells.4
\nYou can buy panax ginseng supplements on the Internet or at most health food stores. There are 11 different species so don’t confuse panax ginseng with other forms, like American or Siberian ginseng. Make sure it says panax or Asian ginseng. Take 200 mg to 500 mg a day.
\n3. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea). This herb has been used as a powerful adaptogen for thousands of years. In a large trial in Sweden, people with stress-related fatigue took rhodiola or a placebo. The rhodiola group had significantly lower cortisol responses to chronic stress. They also had less burnout.5
\nYou can find rhodiola capsules in most health food stores and online. But make sure they contain at least 0.8% to 1% salidroside and 2% to 3% rosavin. Those are the active compounds.
\nFor the first week, take 100 mg once a day. The second week, you can up the daily dosage to 200 mg. Over the next couple of weeks, increase by 100 mg. But don’t go over 400 mg a day.
\nTo Your Good Health,
\nAl Sears, MD, CNS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I received this newsletter from Dr Al Sears that I thought worthwhile passing on in its entirety. Dear Tom, It’s no secret that stress can be deadly. It weakens your immune system\u2026 It increases your risk of heart disease… But new research shows that stress can be particularly deadly for people with cancer. A recent … <\/p>\n