New Research on Diet & Lifestyle Tools for Overcoming Cancer Cells

Have you heard about Galectin-3 and how it helps cancer to spread?

Galectin-3 is a member of the lectin family, a type of protein that binds carbohydrates. Galectin-3 plays an important role in binding cells together as well as in the interaction between the cell and the extracellular matrix (what is outside of the cell). The lectin family has been quite famous in the dieting world in connection with obesity, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.

In relation to cancer, a number of research studies have proven the role of galectin-3 in cancer progression and metastasis. Additionally and SUPER interesting is how galectin-3 production goes up when we are in survival mode (fight-or-flight response): when the body perceives itself to be under threat, it produces more galectin-3! This increased production triggers inflammatory responses that power up cancer and other chronic diseases.If you’ve been reading my newsletters for awhile (or have eyes and ears!), you’re well aware that stress is linked to pretty much every disease…so this galectin-3 discovery makes perfect sense.

Nowadays, most people are under constant stress. We live in a fast-paced world, we’re exposed to more and more pollution in our food supply, water and environment…our attention is pulled in many directions: This has led many of us to feel like we are in a state of struggle and survival rather than thriving. I know so many people who have a hard time “turning off” at night…giving yourself permission to say yes to rest or sleep because there’s always something else to get done. Survival mode is unhealthy when it is “the new normal”. Humans are not designed to stay in this red-alert state. The consequences are disastrous. Being in this state for too long leads to inflammation, degeneration, cancer progression, and the development of many other chronic conditions.

Galectin-3–Cancer’s Security Guard

Cancer cells use galectin-3 for its own benefit:

• It helps tumor cells bind together, develop blood supply, metastasize, and evade the immune system. 
• It also prevents the death of cancer cells (a process called apoptosis) by forming a protective barrier/shield around tumors to protect them from your own immune system!

Having a deeper understanding of and addressing galectin-3, may allow us to increase the effectiveness of how we treat cancer.

So the big question now is how do we decrease (or stop) galectin-3?
 

2 Proven Methods to Address Unhealthy Galectin-3

• Modified Citrus Pectin – MCP is a natural supplement derived from citrus peel pith. There is an extensive number of published data by Harvard and NIH to support this claim.  MCP can enter the bloodstream from the digestive tract, and bind to the carbohydrate receptors of galectin-3, disarming it. 
• Meditation – We’ve got to move out of survival mode! According to an NIH study, our thoughts modulate the expression of inflammatory genes. After 60 days of daily meditation practice, galectin-3 levels among heart disease patients dramatically decreased compared to the original baseline. Remember that galectin-3 acts like a master alarm when the body is under stress. When stress is reduced through regular meditation, galectin-3 levels will also decrease.

I feel inspired by these discoveries on how galectin-3 acts as a master regulator of the health and disease spectrum…and how this knowledge leads us right back to the empowering message that your self-care matters. Your body and mind work together to create health.  True, we have more stressors than ever, but we also have more tools and support than ever.

Your health is your greatest wealth. Use your tools to help you THRIVE.

If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!

Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!
~Rebecca