How to stop drinking alcohol

IntroductionDate updated: October 02, 2007 Jeannette Curtis Content provided by Healthwise

You can take steps today to stop drinking. Your first step might be to see your doctor, contact a support group, or set a date in the near future to stop. While some people can stop drinking on their own, others need medical help to manage the physical process of withdrawal.

If you think you have an addiction to alcohol, talk to your doctor about whether you need to withdraw from alcohol under medical supervision. Your doctor can give you medicine that will help you safely withdraw from alcohol. Other medicines might be prescribed later to help you stay sober. With a doctor's help, withdrawal from alcohol is safer.

Stopping alcohol use can:

Prevent or reduce health problems that are made worse by alcohol use, such as liver damage.

Prevent harm to your unborn baby if you are pregnant.

Reduce related family concerns or relationship problems.

Increase your ability to be productive at work, school, and home.

Reduce legal problems that you might have as a result of misuse of alcohol.

What resources are available to help you cut down on or stop alcohol use on your own?Why should I stop drinking?How to stop alcohol useWhere to get more information

More information about alcohol problems can be found in the topics Alcohol Abuse and Dependence, Alcohol and Drug Problems, and Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Alcohol Abuse and Dependence

What resources are available to help you cut down on or stop alcohol use on your own?

You need education and emotional support when you stop drinking, especially if you abuse alcohol or are alcohol-dependent. Some resources that can help you stop drinking include:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Alcoholics Anonymous organizes meetings all over the world to help those who have a desire to stop drinking. The groups are made up of people who have had alcohol use problems, and you may remain anonymous.

Family medicine physicians or other doctors, psychologists, or other health professionals.

Inpatient or outpatient treatment centers or hospitals.

Local or national alcohol treatment hotlines (check your local white and yellow pages).

You can contact these organizations and health professionals by phone or by accessing their Web sites online.

Test Your Knowledge

If you want to stop drinking, you can seek help with any of the following: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), your family doctor or counselor, a local hospital or alcohol treatment facility, or a local or national alcohol treatment hotline, which you can find in your local phone directory.

True

False

Why should I stop drinking?

Stopping your use of alcohol can improve your general health and quality of life. It can also increase the quality of life of the people you live with and those who care about you. You decrease your chances of developing serious health problems associated with alcohol abuse or dependence. You reduce your chances of injuring yourself or others in alcohol-related accidents. You might also improve relationships with your parents, children, and spouse or other close loved ones. Not drinking also is a good way for you to model responsible behavior for younger people, particularly children and teens.

You can take steps today to stop drinking.

Your first step might be to contact a support group, see your doctor, or set a date in the near future to stop. While some people can stop drinking on their own, others need medical help to manage the physical process of withdrawal.

If you think you have an addiction to alcohol, talk to your doctor about whether you need to withdraw from alcohol under medical supervision. Your doctor can give you medicine that will help you safely withdraw from alcohol. Other medicines might be prescribed later to help you stay sober. With a doctor's help, withdrawal from alcohol is safer.

Test Your Knowledge

If you think you have a problem with alcohol abuse or dependence, you should stop drinking.

True

False

How to stop alcohol use

Follow these steps to stop drinking alcohol.

Identify your reasons . Make a list of the reasons you want to stop drinking alcohol. You might want to ask a trusted friend or family member to help you make the list complete. Keep this list so that you can renew your commitment from time to time. Use the form for identifying reasons to cut down on or stop alcohol use (What is a PDF document?).

Make a plan. Set a date to stop drinking. Complete a plan to stop drinking alcohol. Post it in a place where you can see it often, such as on your refrigerator door or bathroom mirror. You might want to put it in more than one place. You also might want to put it on a card and keep it in your purse or wallet. See an example of a plan to stop drinking alcohol (What is a PDF document?).

Share your plan with others. Talk with your family members and trusted friends about your plan. Let them know how they can help you to be successful.

Evaluate your progress. In your plan, identify when you will evaluate your progress. Try a plan for 30 days so that the new behavior becomes a habit. Review your reasons for stopping alcohol use. Write down the benefits that you are seeing. If you drank after successfully stopping (relapse), it does not mean that you have failed. Relapse is common. Begin again, using your experience to help you learn how to stick with your plan this time.

Continue your new behaviors. After trying this plan for 30 days, try it for another 30 days. Like anything else in life, it is not easy to change behavior, even when it might be in your best interest. But the more you practice new behaviors, the more likely it is that they will become habits. If you try this plan but are not successful, talk with your doctor about other ways to stop drinking alcohol.Other things you can do

The following are other ideas that can help in your plan to stop using alcohol:

Avoid stumbling blocks . Many things can interfere with meeting your goal to cut down on or stop drinking. You might need to choose new friends or a new lifestyle if your current life revolves around alcohol use. To stay focused on your goal and succeed, see ideas to help you stop using alcohol on your own.

Attend a self-help group. Some people attend self-help groups to help them stick to their plan to cut down on or stop drinking. If you are not sure whether a self-help group is for you but would like to try, go to a group at least 3 times before you make your decision. There are different types of groups (such as men or women only, discussion, and speaker). Go to another group if the first one does not fit your needs.

Reward yourself. Use the money you once spent on drinking to do something fun with your family or friends. Go out to eat, see a movie, or play sports or a game.

Test Your Knowledge

To stop drinking alcohol, you need to:

Identify your reasons.

Make a plan.

Evaluate your progress.

Where to get more information

If you have questions about this information, take it with you when you visit your doctor or other health professional. You might want to mark areas or make notes where you have questions.

If you try this plan to stop using alcohol and are not successful, talk with your doctor about other ways to get help.

Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on Male Fertility

While it has been well documented how the use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy can affect a developing fetus, the fact that these substances can also harm male fertility is not as well known. When you and your partner are trying to conceive, it is best to cut alcohol and drugs from your life.

AlcoholMen who regularly drink large amounts of alcohol or engage in binge drinking (four or more drinks in one evening) are likely to have serious problems with their fertility. Alcoholics often have problems with achieving and maintaining an erection. Additionally, because alcohol damages the liver, alcoholics are more likely to have higher levels of estrogen in their body, which can severely suppress sperm. Moreover, alcohol abuse has been linked with damaged sperm and reduced sperm counts.

Even if you are not a heavy drinker, you may want to cut back on your drinking habits. Studies have shown that women who drink moderate amounts of alcohol (one to five drinks per week) can have impaired fertility. While the effects of moderate drinking have not been properly studied in men, it is likely that regular alcohol consumption could impair male fertility as well.
NarcoticsRecreational drug use has also been associated with male infertility. Narcotics like heroin, amphetamines, cocaine and PCP have been linked with a decrease in libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory problems. Heroin, as well as other drugs, has been shown to disrupt normal hormone production causing diminished LH and testosterone levels. However, both of these hormones are need in order for the male reproductive system to function properly and for healthy sperm development.

Cocaine in particular has been shown to significantly impact a man's fertility and even contribute to birth defects in a child. Men who use cocaine have been found to have lower sperm counts, reduced sperm motility, as well as an increase the amount of abnormal sperm. Cocaine use just prior to conceiving has also been associated with birth defects in children.

Athletes who use anabolic steroids to help increase their muscle mass are also advised to skip the drugs if they are hoping to have a child. These steroids have been shown to interfere with proper sperm production and to lower a man’s sperm count.

MarijuanaFrequent marijuana use has been linked with a reduction in sperm count and seminal fluid. As well, the sperm behavior of men who regularly smoke marijuana has been found to be "abnormal", meaning that the sperm has problems swimming as well as penetrating the egg. Lower testosterone levels are also common in men who habitually smoke marijuana. As a normal testosterone level is vital to the production of sperm, regular use of marijuan causes this process to become hindered.

If you engage in any of these behaviors, it is recommended that you cut out these vices when you are trying to conceive. However, do not expect to get your partner pregnant as soon as you stop drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana. Because it takes three months for your body to produce sperm, the effects and damage you may have done to your reproductive system can persist long after you have stopped using drugs or alcohol.

Skin Care - Face Masks ; How and Why ?

Our skin is a complex structure covering our whole body. It has an outer layer- the Epidermis and the inner layer-the Dermis. The epidermis is made of several layers of living cells covered with a layer of dead cells. These dead cells get shed and replaced continuously by new cells from lower layers. The dermis supports the epidermis and is formed of tough but flexible, connective tissue- the collagen and the elastin. The collagen and the elastin are protein fibers that give the skin elasticity and resilience. When these fibers degenerate, the skin begins to develop wrinkles, fine lines and various other imperfections. The dermis also contains the sweat and sebaceous glands. These glands produce sebum, an oily, acidic film which lubricates the skin. This film form a protective cover on the skin surface. When the pH level of the skin changes, problems occur.

Skin may be categorized on the following three primary types:
Normal skin is balanced skin. It is soft, with a smooth texture with a healthy glow. This is ideal skin.
Dry skin lacks oil and moisture. It is fragile and flakes easily with changes in external temperature and humidity. This kind of skin is prone to developing early wrinkles and fine lines. In this skin type, the sebaceous glands are less active than normal and the balance is disturbed.
Oily skin has a oily/greasy/slimy shine and feel. The skin texture is coarse and the sebaceous glands are hyperactive creating more oil than necessary, destroying the pH balance of the skin. This skin type will normally suffer from blackheads, pimples, acne and clogged pores.
The Combination Skin as the name suggests will have skin areas which will be oily and some skin areas which will be dry. Parts of skin covering the forehead, nose, chin will be greasy and the rest of the skin will be dry. Cheeks and the areas around the eyes will be dry. This combination skin is the most popular skin type. This skin type will have problems associated with both dry and oily skin types. There will be acne/blackheads and or clogged pores in the oily part, while the dry part of the skin may be flaky and fragile.

Face Masks are an ideal way to remove dead cells on the surface of the epidermis and let the younger cells how. A good face mask should rejuvenate the skin by restoring the pH values, removing excessive oil content, waste and providing a balancing effect to dry skin. Masks should also stimulate blood circulation in the facial area giving the facial skin a healthy glow and a younger looking skin. As the face masks remove dead skin, clean pores, they help in removal of blackheads, reduce acne formation, revitalize the skin and balance the pH value of the film covering the skin. Regular usage of these masks will normally help maintain vigor, reduce wrinkle formation and leave younger looking skin.

The Face Mask you choose will depend upon your Skin Type.
Cleansing mask are suited to oily skin type. They draw out excess oil in the skin and remove waste. These cleansing masks open up the blocked pores and remove dead skin. They also help in reducing blackhead formation and improve texture of skin.
Moisturizing Masks will benefit dry skin types. Dry skin types lack enough oil and these face masks will hydrate the skin and prevent wrinkle formation. Normally such masks would be reinforced with honey, wheat germ, balsam and other plant extracts which provide much needed nourishment top the skin.
Stimulating Masks are normally peel off masks. They help in improving blood circulation to the skin surface, and revitalize the skin. These kind of masks are suitable for all skin types as they deep cleanse the skin, tighten pores, help in treating scars , hyper pigmentation and help prevent sun damage.

Check out these handy Home Made Natural Face Masks:
Home made face mask for dry skin can be created by mixing 10 ml honey with the yolk of an egg and 5 grams of dried milk powder. The yolk of an egg will provide nourishment for the skin while the honey will help restore the pH balance. Mix the ingredients in a bowl and apply to the face using a flat wide brush. Avoid the eye and lip areas. Clean off with water after 15-20 minutes to find more supple skin which will be hydrated and look much younger.
Oily skins can be treated by mixing 10 ml honey with one egg white and 5 ml of lemon juice and 5 grams brewer's yeast powder.. Mix the ingredients in a bowl and apply to the face as directed above. The honey will help in restoring the pH balance, the lemon juice will dry up the skin and tighten it and the egg white will help in soaking up the excess oil and provide deep cleansing action. Remove after 15-20 minutes with water.

Many people suffer from black heads because of oily skin and blocked pores. Given below are some Black Head control and removal tips.
Use the home face mask or any commercial face mask for oily skin, once every week to help remove excess oil from the skin.
Use a good quality astringent after cleaning your face. You may alternatively dab your face with rose water which will be a natural substitute.
Avoid soaps on your face, that may irritate the skin or any oily creams.
Use a gentle scrub to remove dead skins from your face daily.
Always avoid harsh squeezing or scraping of the back heads.
A warm compress of water applied to the area of the black head followed by a very gentle pressure will help clear the clog from the pore.
Commercial 'black head' strips available in the market can also help remove black heads. One has to use caution before using these strips to avoid damage to the skin.

It is best to find a long term solution to the black head problem by keeping the oily skin properly balanced, using face masks and gentle scrubs regularly. As the say, prevention is better than cure. In this case, prevention will lead to better facial skin, which will glow and look much younger.

There are many factors that can cause your physiology to move away from that state of balance in which you enjoy perfect, complete health. 

One big factor is environment. Climate-temperatures outside, amount of humidity or number of sunny days, for example, the altitude of the place where you live, the levels and types of environmental pollution, the type of vibrational energy in the environment and the presence or absence of stress in the environment are all factors that can affect your health and well-being. For many of us, the place where we live may not always be in our control, but there is much we can all do to create microclimates and mini-environments in our homes and workspaces to suit our constitutions and needs for balance. 

Here are some suggestions to start you off; tune in to your mind and body to create even more individualized healthful spaces. 1. Set indoor temperatures to comfortable levels. If you are trying to keep Vata dosha in balance, you'll want warm temperatures and no drafts. Get extra humidity in the home or room by using a humidifier or setting pots of water on the radiator to counter the drying effect of Vata. To balance the heat of Pitta dosha, keep indoor temperatures relatively cooler. For Kapha, choose warm temperatures and a dry environment to counteract the dampness of Kapha. Dress in layers if you are trying to stay warmer than other folks at home. 2. Living 24/7 in climate-controlled environments can gradually weaken natural immunity, and resistance to weather fluctuations, allergens, pollutants and the like can diminish over time. If possible, let in fresh air into your living areas once in a while when it's comfortable outside, and let in natural early morning sunlight as well. 3. Green plants in living spaces are soothing to the eyes and the mind as well as suppliers of oxygen. According to ayurveda, the Holy Basil plant helps purify the environment of garavisha, environmental toxins. Holy Basil can be grown from seed in a pot on a sunny windowsill. Grow culinary herbs such as cilantro on your kitchen windowsill and snip them fresh when needed for garnish. Fragrant indoor flowering plants offer aromatic healing value. A quiet indoor water feature offers serenity if you are trying to balance Vata or Pitta. 4. Try to maintain the integrity of the different areas of your home. 

Do not bring work or entertainment into the bedroom. Do not work at the dinner table. If you exercise at home, get equipment that can be put away after use unless you can dedicate a separate area for exercise. Create personal spaces, however small, for every member of the family. Have a quiet space for the spiritual practice of your choice and/or for meditation. This space should be silent, clean and free of clutter. Diffusing aromas such as sandalwood can enhance the meditation experience. 5. Aromatherapy is a powerful means of creating balance in your environment. Aromas work through your sense of smell to balance the mind, heart and emotions. You can use single aromas or aroma blends. Use relaxing aromas such as Sweet Orange, Ylang ylang and Lavender to balance Vata, soothing aromas such as Rose to balance Pitta and spicy aromas such as Rosemary or Basil to balance Kapha. Aromatherapy is useful in creating positive vibrational energy in your immediate environment and in creating mental and emotional balance when you are feeling out of sorts. 

Aromatherapy at bedtime can help promote sleep and improve the quality of sleep. 6. Colors and décor have an important role to play in the way we feel. If you are trying to balance Vata, choose relaxing but warm colors, harmonizing tones, heavy materials like silk or wool and simple arrangements that don't distract the mind. Have a place for everything and keep everything in its place. For fiery Pitta, choose cooling, soothing colors, cool textures and fabrics (cottons and linens are ideal) and a clean, elegant look. If you are trying to balance Kapha, have fun mixing it up. Choose a palette of colors with plenty of contrasts, warm lively tones, and whimsy or a dash of frivolity in décor. 7. Finally, keep your living and work spaces scrupulously clean. Use natural cleaning materials--they won't damage your health and won't damage the environment. A clean, well-cared for home or work area is nurturing for the mind, the senses and the emotions.

Semi-antioxidants

Some people refer to phenols, flavonoids, phyto-estrogens and phytate in vegetables and grains as antioxidants too. And again, people think that these semi-antioxidants are 'good', and radicals aren't. But again, these people are wrong;

These semi-antioxidants are not selective ; they are not 'smart bombs' knowing exactly what substances to kill. It is true that some of these substances can easily bind to radicals, to mutagenic substances, or to enzymes activating mutagenic substances. But substances that are most toxic, like cyanide, also most effectively bind to such pro-cancerous substances. And of course, that does not make them 'good'. It only makes them dangerous to mutagenic substances as well as to nutrients and healthy cells. Just like chemotherapy is effective because these drugs are toxic, enabling them to kill both cancer- and non-cancer cells. But should we therefore preventively use chemotherapy or antioxidants ?

Phyto-estrogens are 'weak' estrogens, and can replace common (powerful) estrogens. (23) And because excessive estrogen can cause breast cancer, these phyto-estrogens are regarded as 'good' substances. Soya contains most phyto-estrogen.

Absorbing phyto-estrogens and lignin’s stimulates SHBG production (Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin), intercepting common estrogens and phyto-estrogens. Decreasing too-high estrogen levels decreases prostate cancer- and breast cancer-risk. (23) In vegetarians SHBG level is increased. (24) Soya can contain very high levels of phyto-estrogens (like genisteine and daidzeine, also present in beer) (25). Genistein and daidzeine also inhibit enzymes activating mutagenic substances.   (These enzymes however, are naturally designed to protect the body against natural mutagenics, absorbed through inhaling smoke from forest fires for example. Inhibiting those enzymes eliminates that protection.)

However, consuming high amounts of soy increases the level of some hormones (DHEA-sulphate) Consuming soymilk for 3 months can already decrease estradiol level 27%, and lengthen menstruation cycle by 2 days. Messing with your hormones is of course not a good thing. Estrogen for example is not a 'bad' substance, but essential. Therefore phyto-estrogens can cause infertility  and liver-diseases.

The main phyto-estrogen, genisteine, is even mutagenic !!!   Like coumestrol (also a phyto-estrogen), genisteine can damage DNA of common cells in our body   , which can cause cancer. Like daidzeine (also a soy-phyto-estrogen), genisteine damages sperm cells.   And different phyto-estrogens, like genisteine, enhance prolactin-producing brain-tumors

Phyto-estrogens have to be regarded as drugs or chemotherapy ; both dangerous and useful. And being a healthy person, you don't take chemotherapy to prevent cancer, do you ?

For more scientific info about the down-sides of soy, click here.

To prevent cancer caused by estrogens, you should not use hormonal contraceptives  , nor consume dairy products.  Consuming alcohol also increases estradiol level. (beer makes men grow 'breasts')

Genisteine inhibits tyrosine kinase and topoisomerase 2. These enzymes are essential to build up DNA, for constructing new cells. Without these enzymes you can't compose new cells, but tumors also can't multiply.

Herbs containing phyto-estrogens have been used as medicines for ages ; phyto-estrogens from oregano, verbena, thyme, red clover and diamana can bind to progesterone-receptors, lowering progesterone level. Phyto-estrogens from liquorices, red clover, thyme, hop and verbena can bind to estrogen receptors.

Also, Soya bean is unnatural food for humans ; it contains different substances inhibiting digestion and absorption of nutrients. Consuming lots of soy enhances vitamin A, -B12, -D and -E deficiencies.  These inhibiting substances are partly destroyed due to the preparation process, but the preparation process unfortunately also originates new mutagenic substances in soy.

Soya beans are high in insoluble fiber, enhancing bacterial decomposition of nutrients in the intestinal tract, originating gasses. Soya flour contains high amounts of polyurones, which can only partly be decomposed in the colon. Soy also contains phytate, which is only partly destroyed by heat, inhibiting absorption of minerals and probably vitamin B1. Soy also contains arabinoxylanes and tannins inhibiting digestion.

Phenols, from vegetables for example, are regarded as semi-antioxidants, preventing cancer. Polyphenols can bind to mutagenic substances  , because they're so aggressive. That's why concentrated phenols are used to clean up bacteria and moulds.

Flavonoids for example, are polyphenols ; some flavonoids (like flavone, chrysine and apigenin) are anaesthetic.   Many flavonoïds become mutagenic by preparation.   Quercetine is the main flavonoid, and is also mutagenic.  Because quercetine (and caffeic acid in Lamb's lettuce) is that aggressive, it can inhibit enzymes activating other mutagenic substances, and is therefore regarded as an antioxidant. Those enzymes originally are designed to eliminate natural mutagenics. Some flavonoids inhibit those activating enzymes  other flavonoids act in an opposite manner.   Flavonoids / phyto-estrogens in soy, rye and linseed also easily bind to iodide, causing iodide deficiencies.

Fiber, phytate, oxalate ; Even fiber, phytate and oxalate sometimes are regarded as antioxidants, because they can bind to lots of different substances, but especially to calcium, iron and zinc. And again, that does not at all make them 'good'. Especially grains (bran in particular), peas and beans contain too much insoluble fiber (6 times more than average fruit), causing bacterial decomposition of foods in the digestive tract (gasses).

Beans and cereals contain too much phytate, which isn't decomposed completely by preparation.  Vegetables like mangold, rhubarb, spinach, purslane, beetroot and bamboo shoots contain too much oxalate.

Lignins are indigestible, and regarded as antioxidants because they bind to cholesterol and mutagenic nitrosocompounds   But cholesterol is a very valuable, essential nutrient.  Why not regard diarrhea as anti-oxidative ; diarrhea also prevents absorption of cholesterol !!!

Lignins also easily mineralize, causing the loss of minerals. Especially beans (and dried currants) contain about 4 to 140 times as much lignin as the average fruit has.

Isothiocyanates ; vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts contain isothiocyanates, which can both inhibit    or stimulate   enzymes activating mutagenic substances. Thiocyanates and nitrite (in vegetables) are also pro-oxidative.   Isothiocyanates can become mutagenic through reacting upon aromatic amines due to the influence of heat.

Other mutagenics / toxins ; Many unnatural foods contain mutagenic substances by nature, or contain substances that originate toxins when partly decomposed in the body of the consumer, to prevent being consumed by animals like humans ;

Consuming beans containing pyrimidins (isouramile, divicine) and peas containing nitriles and toxins can highly stimulate the release of oxygen radicals.

Millet contains dhiurrin, originating toxic cyanide. Potato, cassava and sweet potato also contain cyanogenic substances. Cooking only partly destroys these substances. Rhubarb can contain mutagenic emodine. Parsley, celery, dill and fennel contain furocoumarins, which can become tumor-stimulating. Cacao, nutmeg, laurel, anis, mace, black pepper and ginger contain tiny amounts of carcinogenic saffron.

These 'foods' actually are not foods, but medicines, and therefore should not be commonly consumed.

Furthermore, grains, meat, milk and cheese (through feeding contaminated grains to cows) can contain very cancerous aflatoxins. If nuts are shelled and stored 'en masse', they can contain aflatoxins too. Buy un-shelled nuts.

Grains also can contain cancerous polychloridebiphenyles, arsenium (cancerous to the skin), cadmium (decreases serotonine level) and lead (probably cancerous).

But how can too much antioxidants ever be bad ?

Antioxidants like vitamin C, E and beta-carotene actively bind to radicals. Antioxidant excess inhibits the useful functions of radicals, like decomposing tumor-cells, and can therefore enhance cancer !!  Radicals also kill mutagenic substances from cigarette smoke. Consuming supplementary ß-carotene therefore inhibits protective action of radicals, increasing lung cancer risk.

Excessive vitamin C can cause cancer by activating mutagenic HCA from food  and can also enhance cancer because tumors need vitamin C to grow.   Vitamin C also increases transformation of harmless iron into pro-oxidative free iron.

To prevent antioxidants from causing damage, you should not take supplements. Simply eat as much fruit as you can, and some fresh raw animal food, to allow the body to absorb sufficient, but not too much antioxidants. Your body can much more effectively regulate absorption of antioxidants from food.

Note : Some people are allergic to specific substances in specific fruits, so increase fruit consumption gradually to make sure you can safely eat those fruits.

Can consuming more antioxidants prevent cancer ?

Only if your body has too little antioxidants at its disposal. Though toxic HCA originate oxidative radicals  , and decrease antioxidant level  , extra antioxidants cannot prevent the damaging effects of toxic HCA.

To absorb sufficient antioxidants, you only need to consume lots of fruits, containing all the antioxidants you need. Consuming more antioxidants can impossibly prevent cancer. Don't force your body to absorb more antioxidants by taking supplements. Supplements are far too concentrated, not allowing the body to avert excessive antioxidants.

Where do those external radicals come from ?

From inhaling polluted air and from consuming prepared foods, containing damaged proteins or too much minerals.

Most damaged protein cannot easily be decomposed by enzymes in the digestive tract. Both decomposed- and partly-decomposed proteins are absorbed into the lymph and the blood. And in the blood radicals and enzymes decompose all substances that shouldn’t be there, step by step. Decomposing these substances, very often radicals originate. And sometimes these radicals damage cells before they are completely decomposed.

Mutagenics in Prepared Food

Consuming prepared meat increases the risk of contracting lung cancer   breast cancer prostate cancer   and colon cancer

This only means that prepared meat contains more mutagenic substances than prepared food. Of course vegetarians get cancer too, though in general a little less  , because vegetarians do consume prepared food, but no prepared meat.

Prepared vegetables contain less mutagenic substances than prepared meat. Therefore, 2 out of 3 scientific investigations show that consuming prepared Soya beans instead of prepared meat, causes less cancer. And therefore these scientists conclude that 'soy is protective against cancer'. This however only means that, on an average basis, soy (and other vegetables) causes less cancer than prepared food.

Generally, consuming vegetables ‘proves to be protective against cancer’, simply because consuming vegetables is less cancerous than consuming other prepared foods.

However ; all prepared foods (including vegetables) contain mutagenic substances. Foods increasing cancer risk the most, are prepared foods containing higher quantities of protein (like meat  and fish  , most fat  cholesterol (like eggs) or iodide (like sea-fish, crustaceans and mollusks)

Food that has been intensively heated, smoked  , or salted  , also highly increases cancer risk.

All prepared foods also contain non-HCA damaged protein, which is partly decomposed in the blood, originating free radicals. All prepared foods therefore will eventually cause cancer, ....if you live long enough.

Whenever again a scientific investigation proves that consuming vegetables is ‘protective’; remember that this only proves that a murderer is more criminal than a petty thief. And as releasing a petty thief does not prevent crime, consuming vegetables does not prevent cancer.

Vegetables are as healthy as 'healthy cigarettes containing 50% less mutagenic substances'.

Prepared vegetables are less cancerous than prepared meat, but to really lower cancer risk you should consume as little of all prepared foods. Consume as much fruits, some fresh raw animal food (like sashimi) and munch-foods to satisfy your cravings.

cancerous food

Foods Causing Cancer

In Short ;

By heating whatever food, hundreds of different mutagenic substances originate. The more protein that food contains, the more mutagenics originate due to cooking etc. If we only live long enough, these substances eventually will cause cancer.

The activity of antioxidants is very limited ; not even large amounts of all the (semi-) antioxidants in the world combined can disarm a substantial part of these mutagenics.

The only way to effectively prevent cancer, is to prevent absorption of mutagenic substances from prepared food. Consume as little prepared food (proteinous prepared food in particular) and as much fruits and some fresh raw animal food regularly (like sashimi or fresh raw egg yolk, requiring an hour rest to digest by the way).