Todd Allen and his wife took a European trip seven years ago.

He felt terrible by the time they got home.

Blood tests revealed cancer. Stage 4. Bone marrow.

Todd underwent 18 months of chemotherapy and had knee and hip surgery.

Never much for exercise, Todd then made a decision: “After the recovery, I said I gotta get my act together.”

“I’ve been a gym rat ever since,” Todd, now 65. Now, with a healthy prognosis, he wakes up early each morning to lift weights, runs stairs, and do other physical activity. “I look better now than I ever have in my life.”

The Research on Exercise and Cancer

Research proves that exercise is good for our health at any age. Experts say it also helps prevent cancer and lower its risk of recurring. And regular exercise benefits cancer survivors the same way it helps the general population – by reducing obesity and blood pressure, lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and more.

Strength training is essential to help maintain muscle and bone density. People generally lose muscle mass with age, and cancer exacerbates the decline.

The National Cancer Institute shares robust data about how exercise can reduce the risk of certain cancers:

• Breast cancer by 20 to 80 percent
• Endometrial cancer by 20 to 40 percent
• Colon cancer by 30 to 40 percent

The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia issued formal guidelines recommending exercise as a part of treatment for all cancer patients. It said:

• Exercise should be a part of standard care for cancer patients to fight the disease and the side effects of treatment.
• Treatment teams should promote physical activity so patients meet exercise guidelines.
• Patients should be referred to an exercise physiologist or physical therapist.

“If we could turn the benefits of exercise into a pill, it would be demanded by patients, prescribed by every cancer specialist, and subsidized by the government,” said Dr. Prue Cormie, author of the organization’s report. “It would be seen as a major breakthrough in cancer treatment.”

A healthy lifestyle should include exercise – which also helps limit other factors like obesity and blood pressure before and after cancer.

After treatment, exercise helps restore self-esteem and a sense of control, which cancer strips from patients, says Andrea Leonard, founder of the Cancer Exercise Training Institute. “Teaching them to regain control empowers them, increases esteem and confidence, and takes them from victim to survivor.”
‘Let’s Get Some Life While We’re Here

For Todd Allen, working out at the gym brings him the variety, social interaction, and mental health benefits he craves.

“I love the comradery,” he says. “You have to show up, or you get razzed. That’s key for consistency.”

With his health now solid and his outlook bright, Todd is committed to enjoying every day.

“Let’s get some life while we’re here,” he says. “I’m going to hold onto this thing for as long as possible.”

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You can’t stop Betty Franks. No matter what challenges life throws at her, the resilient 83-year-old keeps on exercising.

For example, she battled cancer — and won. Then she was hospitalized after being hit by a van — and bounced back.

And this year, Betty faced another new challenge that could have derailed her – but didn’t. She had to fight her way back after a mysterious leg and hip pain, and she has returned as resolute as ever.

“I don’t even want to think about something so awful that I couldn’t keep exercising,” Betty says. “I will go on as long as I can.”

Betty’s story is a great example of the power of sticking with exercise, even when it can be tempting to give up.

First, It Has to Be Fun

Betty says it’s super-important that exercising be fun. Yes, the health benefits are great – but if you’re not enjoying yourself, you’re far less likely to stick with it.

That was part of what kept her exercising with her trainer a few years ago after a devastating accident. Twice a week, Betty would walk to her gym and one day was struck by a fast-moving vehicle. She suffered severe injuries and hospitalized – and when she went home, she didn’t want to risk making that walk again. So, her trainer started coming to where Betty lives, in a retirement community and started working out with her there twice a week.

But earlier this year, pain in her hip and leg became so intense, Betty struggled merely to stand up.

“It was terrible,” says Betty. “People would say, ‘What’s happened? This is not you.’ I didn’t know what to do about it. I listened to doctors. Went to a pain clinic, had X-rays, and MRIs before finally having cortisone injections.”

When she was able to resume working out, she started at just once a week for half an hour, rather than twice a week for an hour.

Our friend and personal trainer, Robert Haddocks focused mostly on stretching and core work. Now, Betty’s back to her old schedule and has even asked Robert to squeeze her in three times a week.

“Betty has more drive and enthusiasm than most of my clients,” Robert says. “I have a wide range of clients, from high school athletes, aspiring bodybuilders, and even a former NFL player. But Betty easily is my most phenomenal client.”

Almost Back to Her ‘Normal’

Betty estimates that she’s about 85 percent back to normal. For her, that means:

• Bending over (with legs straight) and easily placing her palms flat on the floor
• Performing chest presses with 30-pound dumbbells for several reps
• Doing sumo squats with a 65-pound dumbbell.

Robert says she’s stronger and more flexible than most women half of her age.

Why does Betty keep going? Simple.

“Exercise makes me feel better,” she says. “I just feel better, which is, of course, an indication that I should do it more. I’m thankful I have a trainer because I can be dragging when I go to see him, but when I leave, I feel a whole lot better.”

Betty’s advice about working out is simple.

“If you haven’t started, start. And if you have started, don’t stop.”

Find a Certified Functional Aging Specialist near you.

By Terry Cobb-CPT, CES

According to the statistics from the World Health Organization, about 12.9 million people worldwide died from some form of cardiovascular disease in 2004. And each year, the World Cancer Research Fund estimated that some eight million people died from cancer. Heart disease and cancer, the deadly manifestation of chronic inflammation, are expected to remain as the leading causes of death in developed countries for many years to come.

Studies do indicate that both the risk of heart disease and cancer are modifiable by our lifestyle choices which include the food we choose to eat each day. With every bite that we take, we’re either balancing the pro- and anti-inflammatory compounds in the body, or tipping the scale to one end.

Here are the top foods found to increase inflammation in the body and possibly cause inflammatory diseases:

Pro-Inflammatory Agent:

1.  Sugars

Inflammation-dousing Substitute: Opt for natural sweeteners like stevia, honey, or blackstrap molasses to flavor your beverages and foods modestly. Natural sugars found in fresh or dried fruits and fruit preserves with no added sugar are also great choices.

2.  Common Vegetable Cooking Oils

Inflammation-dousing Substitute: Replace your omega-6-saturated cooking oils with macadamia oil, extra virgin olive oil, or other edible oils with a saner omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio.

3.  Dairy Products

Inflammation-dousing Substitute:  Kefir and unsweetened yogurt are acceptable in moderation for those who are not allergic to milk. They are easier on the stomach as the lactose and proteins in the milk have been broken down by beneficial bacteria and/or yeasts.

4.  Feedlot Raised Meat

Inflammation-dousing Substitute: Organic, free-range animals that fed on their natural diet like grasses instead of grains and hormones contain more omega-3 fats

5.  Red Meat & Processed Meat

Inflammation-dousing Substitute: You don’t need to avoid red meat totally, though the same thing can’t be said for processed meat. No amount of processed meat is safe. Replace the bulk of your red meat with organic vegetables, poultry and fish, and relegate red meat to a weekly treat.

6.  Alcohol

Inflammation-dousing Substitute: A refreshing and thirst-quenching glass of pure, filtered water or Jasmine Green tea.

7.  Refined Grains

Inflammation-dousing Substitute: Go for minimally processed grains if you are not gluten intolerant or allergic to grains.

8.  Artificial Food Additives

Inflammation-dousing Substitute: Besides limiting the consumption of processed foods, use anti-inflammatory herbs, spices or natural sweeteners to add flavor to your dishes instead of relying on food additives.

Other non-inflammatory foods:

Seeds & Nuts:

Focus on Chia Seeds, Walnuts, Ground Flaxseeds

The ones listed above are especially high in essential omega-3 fatty acids, which lower inflammation throughout the body.  This is especially good for people with arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

No better time than the New Year, to resolve to make healthier food choices!  You don’t have to do it overnight.  But begin with a few small changes and over time, add a few more.  Remember small changes over a long period of time equal success! Bon appétit!

Read more: http://theconsciouslife.com/top-10-inflammatory-foods-to-avoid.htmtries for many years to come.