“Thriver Soup saved my life!” –Jacqui Roell, RN
Heidi Bright, an aggressive end-stage cancer survivor, knows the terror and powerlessness of a difficult diagnosis.
After managing two years of cancer treatment, using carefully selected integrative therapies, and healing her life, Heidi entered Radical Remission in 2011.
If you are ready to transform and heal your life, get started with her FREE “10 Quick-start Healing Solutions.”
Her bestseller Thriver Soup: A Feast for Living Consciously During the Cancer Journey is endorsed by physicians and nurses. click here to see the book.
Cover art by Keith and Margaret Klein
This interview with CBS in New York City, #WFAN, includes numerous practical tips from Thriver Soup: 1BWWX_3 Bob Salter show
Click here to see weekly blog posts.
Click here for an introduction to a guided visualization for healing.
One-third of all women in the United States risk developing cancer. About 750,000 women are diagnosed with cancer each year. The median age at diagnosis currently is 66 years. These women will want to know right away what to do to protect and prolong their lives.
Every day in this country, almost 1,600 people are expected to die of cancer. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States.
People don’t need to become victims of the Big C in such massive numbers. When people are empowered with valuable information about how to survive cancer, they stand a better chance of thriving beyond such a deadly diagnosis.
More than half of people aged fifty and older reported using complementary and alternative medicine.
Find out in Thriver Soup what you can do to heal your life!
Headline speaker, Annie Appleseed conference, March 2018.
Preview for Thriver Soup on What’s Happening in Health
Heidi Bright featured with Thriver Soup on Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati. Start around minute 16.
I need your help to give genuine hope with options to others. Please read and share this website about thriving beyond end-stage cancer. Thank you.
How to reduce inflammation #6
“Bay leaf contains parthenolide, shown to slow the appearance and growth of breast tumors in mice in a Russian study. This anti-inflammatory is a potent anti-oxidant.”
Thriver Soup, Pg. 127
(Always discuss with your doctor before starting anything new)
How to reduce inflammation #5
“Curcumin works against cancer development in at least ten different ways, affecting each stage of the disease. It offers powerful antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It stimulates the immune system. It blocks the formation of blood vessels to tumors while promoting the flow of blood to wounds. Turmeric intensifies the anti-cancer activity of other plant-based nutrients, especially green tea and black pepper. It enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy.”
Thriver Soup, Pg. 119
(Always discuss with your doctor before starting anything new)
How to reduce inflammation #4
“Blueberries are high in flavonoids, which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.”
"Thriver Soup," Pg. 117
(Always discuss with your doctor before starting anything new)
www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/sarcoma/news/online/%7B28102d3c-c28b-4f98-950f-daa7db22f27d%7D...
First-line doxorubicin plus trabectedin effective, safe for metastatic leiomyosarcoma
www.healio.com
Doxorubicin in combination with trabectedin appeared to be an effective and safe first-line therapy for metastatic leiomyosarcoma, according to results of the phase 2 LMS-02 study presented during the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program.“Soft tissue sarcomas are rare and heterogeneous tumors wit...How to reduce inflammation #3
“Moving our bodies can help balance our hormones, reduce blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, decrease fatigue, protect our immune systems, and reduce the risks of recurrence.”
"Thriver Soup," pg. 172
(Always discuss with your doctor before starting anything new)
Association of Frequency of Organic Food Consumption With Cancer Risk
JAMA Internal Medicine, 2018
Original Investigation
RESULTS: Among 68 946 participants (78.0% female; mean [SD] age at baseline, 44.2 [14.5]years), 1340 first incident cancer cases were identified during follow-up, with the mostprevalent being 459 breast cancers, 180 prostate cancers, 135 skin cancers, 99 colorectalcancers, 47 non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and 15 other lymphomas. High organic food scoreswere inversely associated with the overall risk of cancer (hazard ratio for quartile 4 vs quartile1, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.88;Pfor trend = .001; absolute risk reduction, 0.6%; hazard ratio fora 5-point increase, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88-0.96).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A higher frequency of organic food consumption wasassociated with a reduced risk of cancer. Although the study findings need to be confirmed,promoting organic food consumption in the general population could be a promisingpreventive strategy against cancer.
Findings From the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort Study
JAMA Intern Med. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4357Published online October 22, 2018
www.medicosadventistas.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JAMA-ORGANIC-CANCER-1.pdf
How to reduce inflammation #2
In apples, the flavonoid #quercetin "has demonstrated anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Quercetin turns the twelve milligrams of vitamin C in the apple into the equivalent of 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C.”
Thriver Soup, Pg. 114
(Always discuss with your doctor before starting anything new)
How to reduce inflammation #1
“Tart cherries are high in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation.”
"Thriver Soup," Pg. 124
How can we help protect ourselves from Covid-19 when our bodies are already vulnerable because of cancer?
Almost every disease in older adulthood is made worse by inflammation in our bodies, according to Chris Fagundes, an assistant professor of psychological sciences at Rice University. [www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2018/10/30/new-research-on-inflammation-shows-how-extreme-emoti...]
Inflammation appears to play a role in Covid-19. This virus turns deadly when the body overreacts to the invasion and creates a “cytokine storm.” According to Randy Cron, M.D., Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham, “Cytokines are inflammatory immunologic proteins that are there to fight off infections and ward off cancers… But when they are out of control, they can make you very ill.” [www.forbes.com/sites/claryestes/2020/04/16/what-is-the-cytokine-storm-and-why-is-it-so-deadly-for...]
Therefore, perhaps a good defense against Covid-19, and cancer, is a good offense: reduce inflammation in the body.
In addition to my 26 tips for improving immunity to help prevent contracting the virus (which you can find on my blog, thriversoup.com/blog/, all from my book, THRIVER SOUP), I will next be offering dozens of tips for reducing inflammation in our bodies to help us all stay a little healthier.
Here is a primer on inflammation, which is one of hundreds of reflections I offer in THRIVER SOUP:
“When threatened by wounds, irritation, or infections, cells inflame to assist with the transition back to health. A molecule called nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB), which normally resides in cell cytoplasm, moves into the cell’s nucleus (hence the name ‘nuclear factor’) and generates redness, heat, swelling, and pain. When the body heals, the NF-kB molecules return to the cell cytoplasm.
“NF-kB, however, also provokes the genes involved in creating chronic inflammation, which generally does not help the body heal. Instead, long-term heat and swelling becomes an open invitation to cancer. One-sixth of all cancers are directly linked to chronic inflammation. Most, if not all, cancers have unusually high levels of active NF-kB. This protein is considered their missing link. Researchers, for example, found that NF-kB regulates the inflammatory cascade necessary for breast cancer cells to proliferate and metastasize.
“Fortunately, inflammation can be smothered through diet and supplements. NF-kB can be suppressed by phytochemical-rich spices, vegetables, and fruit. Antioxidants can block the proteins so they don’t move into cell nuclei. Vitamins C, D, and E, curcumin (found in the spice turmeric), the herb ashwagandha, pomegranate extract, garlic extract, ginger root, green tea, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, and isoflavones found primarily in beans can be effective cellular firefighters. I found such a diet helped reduce my discomfort during treatment, decreasing my need for pain medications.
“When brought back under control, NF-kB provides the body with important healing mechanisms…. Keep the chronic flames doused with an anti-inflammatory diet to help preserve your internal landscape.
“Thriver Soup Ingredient:
“Ask your doctor to measure inflammation markers in your blood (C-reactive protein and albumin). ‘Patients with the lowest level of inflammation were twice as likely as the others to live through the next several years,’ according to long-term studies by oncologists at the Glasgow Hospital in Scotland.
“Talk to your oncologist about what anti-inflammatory foods and supplements work well with your treatment choices.”
“Thriver Soup,” Pg. 174
Improving Your Immunity #26
“Don’t sprout alfalfa seeds, said Sally Fallon in 'Nourishing Traditions.' The resulting sprouts promote inflammatory illnesses and suppress the immune system.”
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 133
Improving Your Immunity #25
"Probiotics in general can facilitate digestion, help the gut maintain regular bowel movements, stabilize the immune system, and assist with detoxification."
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 140
Improving Your Immunity #24
“Reishi mushrooms can increase white blood cell and tumor-fighting cell production, cut off the growth of new blood vessels to tumors, and reduce the migration of cancerous cells. They have been known to decrease the toxicity created by chemotherapy drugs. When looking for a supplement, select one with a higher level of triterpenoids, which provides the most benefit. The more bitter the tea or tincture, the more potent it is. The recommended dose is three to five grams per day, or ten to thirty drops.”
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 134
With a little more freedom now in some locations, maybe a little celebrating can safely be done?
Improving Your Immunity #23
“So maybe having a treat every so often is a way to increase the joy in life and give a little boost to the immune system. Denying myself an occasional treat isn’t terribly nurturing for the soul.”
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 150
Improving Your Immunity #23
“According to Donald Yance, herbalist and certified nutritionist, licorice also blocks tumors and enhances the immune system. If you have any high blood pressure issues, I suggest using licorice in which the DGL (glycyrrhetinic acid) has been removed.”
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 149
Improving Your Immunity #22
"One study demonstrated that significant changes take place in the brains of those who practice mindfulness meditation, even after only eight weeks of daily practice. Their moods lifted and their immune systems were strengthened."
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 314
Improving Your Immunity #21
“[Raw] Honey has been used since ancient times as part of traditional medicine. It works as an antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral agent, probably because of its flavonoids.”
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 47
Improving Your Immunity #20
"Repressing threatening emotions depresses the immune system."
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 184
Improving Your Immunity #19
"Some studies suggest the sunshine vitamin might provide some protection against colon, prostate, and breast cancer, probably because it helps control cell growth and maintain a strong immune system. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, enabling the body to absorb calcium, and assists the body with maintaining normal blood levels of phosphorus.”
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 148
Improving Your Immunity #18
"The practice of qi gong ... is linked to improved bone density and better immune responses."
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 175
Improving Your Immunity #17
“Aloe vera has an anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor gel that stimulates the immune system and protects against the ill effects of radiation treatment.”
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 136
Improving Your Immunity #16
"Laughter gives your diaphragm, abdomen, lungs, chest, and face an enjoyable little workout. It also increases oxygen levels in the blood and tones the whole cardiovascular system. After laughing, all your muscles relax, including your heart. Your blood pressure and pulse rate temporarily drop. You might be able to tolerate pain a little better, and your digestion will improve. Your immune system also functions more optimally."
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 287
How to Cope with Anger During Lockdown
There are so, so many legitimate things to feel angry about right now. Cancer. Your changed life. Now the coronavirus pandemic. The basic, reliable structures of your life have collapsed, compounding your pain. It feels so overwhelming.
Your rage is multiplied, complicated, and justified. And on top of that, you are locked up, either alone or with loved ones, as if a prisoner in your own home. It’s like you’re sitting in your personal pressure cooker, where grief, resentments, and blame build to the explosive point.
It’s something none of us have really dealt with before. It’s a hard time for all of us.
We want relief from that constant niggling agitation we might feel. Our minds acknowledge that life is way out of whack, but that doesn’t always translate into compassion for ourselves and each other. To cope, it seems easiest to disconnect our awareness from our bodies. We sometimes end up self-destructing with food and alcohol and maybe even lashing out at those whom we love. I find myself eating a lot more chocolate and popcorn these days, and I have been less patient with my son.
Even though our ways of dealing with stress can be quick fixes to ease our discomfort, they are ineffective ways of coping. While we might feel some sense of relief, these knee-jerk reactions usually make us feel worse in the end.
Processing
We can’t control these difficult external events, but we can control our internal attitudes, behaviors, and choices. We get to choose if we are going to be victims of our circumstances, or if we’re going to rise up and take responsibility for ourselves and our own lives.
If we look underneath our anger, grief, and sorrow, we will probably find an incredible sense of powerlessness, as if the floor is giving way underneath us. It may not feel like it at the time, but this sensation is just an emotion—energy in motion within our bodies. While it’s scary to feel these feelings for what they are, our emotions alone do no harm. They are the result of a chemical dump from our brains into our bloodstreams. For the emotions to lift—which is where we can find relief—these sensations need to be deeply felt without our minds running interference.
So have a seat, or lie down on your bed. Tune in to your body. Where is that irritating feeling of powerlessness sitting? Can you feel the rage putting pressure someplace inside you? If so, take a moment to feel it. Allow it to be what it is without any thoughts or words. Give it your whole, undivided attention without judgment. That’s all it wants, anyway.
Your emotions, if felt fully and deeply, will lift after ninety seconds. If it lasts longer than ninety seconds, you’re probably engaging your mind and thinking about what’s bothering you. That’s not helping you right now. Let the thoughts go, and if you can’t, write them down and shred them. Then try the process again.
Another strategy you can use is to breathe deeply while mindfully observing your anger, grief, and powerlessness. Just look at it. Don’t judge it or act on it. Instead, have compassion for whatever it is you’re feeling. It’s a human response to an inhumane situation; there is no logical reason to feel ashamed or guilty about your feelings.
By loving yourself enough to experience the energy moving inside your body, without thinking about what makes you upset, you can allow it to harmlessly shift around until it evaporates.
Integrating
Once the emotions lift, you can begin reorganizing your reality, away from the victim mentality and toward opportunities, learning, and desires. There are so many free educational and entertaining options available online. Perhaps focus on gratitude that these choices—vastly more wonderful than at any other time in history—are accessible to you right here, right now. I find these gifts extraordinary.
For example, I finally got my son to watch the movie “The Cold Blue” so he could see what his grandfather lived through during World War II. I watched a documentary about children’s show host Fred Rogers, of “Won’t you be my neighbor?” fame, and was amazed. Fred had the uncanny ability to explain difficult concepts, like “assassination,” to help children cope with national crises. Most recently, I participated in free online meditations.
These would never have happened without the lockdown and the generosity of others. With gratitude, I find my attention shifts and so does my internal awareness. It’s a lovely, empowering gift to myself and relieves the stress of living in lockdown.
Improving Your Immunity #14
“Green tea has been shown to stimulate the immune system, inhibit metastasis, reduce inflammation, provide anti-oxidants, promote the effectiveness of radiotherapy, and detoxify the body.”
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 149
Improving Your Immunity #14
"stress depresses the immune system by repressing the white blood cells."
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 178
Improving Your Immunity #13
“Sea vegetables provide a great number of necessary minerals and vitamins. They help the body detox and are rich in iodine, which is toxic to breast cancer cells. Both wakame and kombu stimulate the immune system and encourage cells to die in a normal way.”
“Thriver Soup,” pg. 137
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