Gut Health Blog

February 11, 2024

Recovering from Cancer

I am continually amazed by the incredible cancer testimonials we receive here at Eat Burn Sleep from members who are recovering from cancer. From breast cancer and squamous cell carcinoma to positive pap-smear tests and pre-cancerous cervical cells – our EBS members are seeing fantastic results.

One of my favorites is from Wilma, who used the EBS program while undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

This is Wilma’s story about recovering from cancer.

Recovering from Cancer – Wilma’s Story

Wilma had been an EBS member for four years, using the program to manage her Irritable Bowel Syndrome before she discovered a lump in her right breast. Medical investigations led to a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis and an aggressive program of 16 chemotherapy sessions, surgery, immunotherapy, and radiation. This level of treatment puts a huge strain on the body and can be incredibly difficult to manage.

Fortunately, Wilma was already in a good place, having used the EBS plan for several years.  This meant her liver and gut health were in a really good place, and able to handle the strong treatments.

After her diagnosis, Wilma immediately began to follow the Week 1 Lifestyle recommendations and added in all the cancer-fighting protocols too. These are specific guidelines for anyone who wishes to work on cancer prevention or who is undergoing cancer treatment.

The EBS Cancer Prevention & Recovery Personalized Advice

This covers all aspects of diet and lifestyle including:

  • Cancer promoters
  • Pros and limitations of certain diets
  • Effects of dairy, artificial sweeteners, and processed meats
  • Importance of liver health
  • Specific foods that have anti-cancer properties
  • Foods to include in an anti-cancer diet
  • Example meal plans
  • Meditation and visualization support

Wilma also reached out to the team and hired me as her nutrition coach so we could work closely together on her plan.

As you can see, her results are incredible! Wilma says…

“Yalda and her amazing program helped me so much!

Chemotherapy, though not fun, was not so difficult for me. Having a healthy gut and a liver that does not have to focus on anything other than supporting the body through chemotherapy made a huge difference. All my lab work came out almost normal the entire treatment, and my doctors could not believe how positive I was and how well I felt, even after 6 months of chemotherapy. I was able to continue to work and to work out as much as my body would allow without pushing myself, and this helped me stay strong and healthy.

Yalda encouraged me to maintain positivity, continue to meditate, to add movement (when possible), to eat as clean and healthy as possible (following week 1 of the platform), and to visualize remission daily. She did additional research and was there for me every step of the way.

I am extremely grateful to Yalda and her amazing program and encourage anyone who is diagnosed to follow the Cancer section of the Eat Burn Sleep platform. Do not just follow the food portion, but implement Yalda’s mindfulness, movement, visualization, sleep, and an overall positive outlook.”

The wonderful news is that after all her hard work and treatment, Wilma is now in remission.

She continues to follow the EBS lifestyle to maintain her health and is increasing daily movement to improve her physical strength.

Why the EBS Plan works

The beauty of the EBS plan is that it is holistic, covering food, lifestyle, and mindset. Each one of these factors is a powerful intervention on its own but combined they are phenomenal. Non-communicable diseases like cancer, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and diabetes require this holistic approach that medication alone cannot provide.

Cancer can develop in any one of us, at any time. According to statistics from Cancer Research UK, 38% of cancers are preventable – which means they are linked to diet and lifestyle factors.

Genetics are linked to cancer of course, but the expression of those genes (epigenetics) is connected to diet and lifestyle. Sustained chronic systemic inflammation can trigger any disease gene expression, including genes linked to cancer (Coussens & Werb, 2002).

For more on the links between inflammation and cancer, check out my article The Dangers of Chronic Inflammation. And you might also enjoy my podcast episodes:

How to Survive Breast Cancer

Heal Yourself With Mushrooms

The best source of treatment for any kind of illness is prevention. An anti-inflammatory lifestyle, such as The Eat Burn Sleep lifestyle, focuses on lowering inflammation, improving gut health, and supporting a healthy, balanced immune response, among many other benefits.

As Sofia, another cancer-care EBS member says in her testimonial:

“I remember my oncologist hematologist scrolling down my blood results and he was amazed & asked me what did I do.

I simply answered saying that I followed an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.”

Check out our membership options here.

Yours in good health,

Yalda x

 

Yalda Alaoui

Author

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December 31, 2023

Immunity and Common Cold Remedies

The common cold is a viral infection that affects millions of people worldwide.

Colds are a common illness that can cause a range of symptoms, including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fatigue. While there is no cure for the common cold, you can do several things to help relieve your symptoms and feel better faster.

In this article, I explore briefly how diet and lifestyle affect your immune system and what natural remedies and supplements you can take to help relieve common cold symptoms.

Diet and Lifestyle

Diet
Poor gut health can lead to chronic inflammation, weakening the immune system and making you more susceptible to the common cold. Having a diverse gut flora is essential for your immune system function, and now more than ever, it is important to keep your gut strong by eating the right foods and feeding your good bacteria.

All the food shared in the green list on the Eat Burn Sleep platform is packed with nutrients such as Vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals to support your immune system.

Lifestyle
Poor sleep patterns, smoking, excess alcohol, and drug abuse contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle, as does lack of exercise, being overweight, being underweight, and following calorie-restrictive diets.

If you are stressed, then your sympathetic nervous system kicks in. The sympathetic nervous system shuts down the immune system and the parasympathetic nervous system, which is essential for gut motility and health.

Cortisol levels trigger the activation of the sympathetic nervous system which in turn shuts down the digestive system and immune system.

You can use the tips and meditation routines shared in the mental wellness section of the Eat Burn Sleep platform to support your mental well-being.

Supplementation

If you are looking for ways to help relieve the symptoms of cold, cold supplements may be a good option for you. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

rainbow foods background with a spoon in the foreground containing supplements and pills

While a well-balanced diet should be the primary source of nutrients, supplements can provide additional support for your immune system.

Cold remedy supplements are dietary supplements that can help reduce the severity and duration of a cold. There are a variety of different cold supplements available, each with its own unique benefits. Check out my favorite products on the Yalda Loves page.

Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that has been shown to shorten the duration of a cold. It is recommended to start taking zinc supplements within 24 hours of the onset of a cold (Singh and Das, 2011). It can be taken in the form of a lozenge, capsule, or syrup, but always check the ingredients list against the food list on the Eat Burn Sleep platform.

Echinacea
Echinacea is a herb that has been shown to boost the immune system and help to fight off infection. It can be taken in the form of a capsule, tincture, or tea. More studies are needed to prove that echinacea treats a common cold. However, a review of over 3000 people showed that echinacea was more effective than a placebo in preventing and treating the common cold (Melchart et al., 2000).

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. It is also thought to help to boost the immune system. Vitamin C can be taken in the form of a supplement, fruit, or vegetable. Foods high in Vitamin C include strawberries, bell peppers, papaya, broccoli, oranges and Brussels Sprouts.

Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria similar to the good bacteria that naturally live in the gut. They can help to maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is important for overall health and immunity. Probiotics can be taken in the form of a supplement or food.

There is no one-size-fits-all cold supplement routine. The best routine for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. However, a general guideline is to take cold supplements as soon as you start to feel symptoms.

Natural Remedies

In addition to a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, you can try a natural common cold remedy to alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.

Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal teas, and broths (such as my Chicken Bone Broth), can help soothe a sore throat.

Rest and sleep
Providing your body with ample rest and sleep allows it to focus on healing and fighting the cold virus.

Warm salt water gargles
Gargling with warm salt water can help relieve a sore throat and reduce inflammation.

Nutrition
Warming, nutritious stews and soups, such as my Immune Boosting Chicken Soup, are a great way to get those all-important antioxidants and nutrients into your diet to support your immune system.

A bowl of Greek chicken soup with inflammation reducing turmeric, which has given it a wonderful golden colour. A healing soup.

Even the healthiest people can still catch a cold, and some suffer more than others. Check out my recent article on How to Recover From Virus Infections.

Read 10 Ways to Boost Your Immunity Quickly for more ways to improve your immunity.

The best source of treatment is prevention. Following an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, such as The Eat Burn Sleep lifestyle, focuses on lowering inflammation, improving gut health, and consequently achieving an improved immune system, among many other benefits.

I recommend the popular Six-Week Reset as an excellent place to start.

Yalda xx

Yalda Alaoui

Author

Eat. Burn. Subscribe.

Join the Eat Burn Sleep email newsletter and be the first to hear about new tips, and recipes!

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