Presented by Vision Quest Retreats on August 17, 2011
Discussion Moderator: Dr. Nicole Cutts, Founder of Vision Quest Retreats (www.visionquestretreats.com)
Vision Quest Retreats: Dr. Mary can you tell us a bit about the Jobri Center for Integrative Health and about your role there?
Dr. Mary Brittain: We are a physician monitored, plant based detox center in Atlanta. We offer several programs for those who are interested in changing their lifestyle into a “healthstyle.” I am an educator and consultant and also conduct the live cell analysis or live cell nutritional microscopy. So much can be seen in live blood!
Vision Quest Retreats: Dr. Mary, are there any changes we can make TODAY that would help us prevent cancer?
Dr. Mary Brittain: Well, there are several “healthy habits” that we can develop that can kick start our health. I will name several and give a link to the page at JobriLife so that everyone can access them. Beginning our day with a glass of filtered water with lemon (for alkalinity), a glass of green juice for nutrients and enzymes, meditation to get grounded and centered, some sort of exercise like rebounding (my favorite), to name a few.
Guest: Dr. Mary is your philosophy towards medicine eastern or western based or a combination of both! Do you lean more to one side than the other?
Dr. Mary Brittain: That’s a great question! I believe that they both have their places. I tend to lean more towards alternative since traditional medicine really offered nothing for me. I literally had to jump in and figure this out myself, which is much more empowering! I do, however hold a high regard for traditional medicine. I get MRIs and PET scans which are helpful in monitoring my status.
Guest: Should I be concerned about cancer if no one in my family has had it?
Dr. Mary Brittain: We all have cancer cells in our bodies. It’s when our immune systems break down or become burdened with distractions such as lousy food choices, environmental toxins, bad thoughts, etc., that the disconnect happens. If our immune system remains strong then it should do what it was designed to do . . . heal the body!
Guest: How have the therapies used to treat cancer changed over the past ten to 15 years?
Dr. Mary Brittain: Well, chemo and radiation are still on the main menu. A surgical cure is most desirable. I honestly believe that cancer is becoming more and more manageable through diet and lifestyle. Food is your pharmacy! What you eat, drink and think can cure you or kill you!
Guest: Dr. Mary, can you change your risk factors if a parent had cancer? Doing things like changing your diet and exercising regularly?
Dr. Mary Brittain: There is actually a blood test that American Metabolic Labs in Florida does that can predict the likelihood of getting cancer within the next ten years, especially if there is a family history. The results are supposed to be accurate within 91%. There is absolutely a way that you can decrease your chances of getting cancer, even if these tests are positive. My recommendation is to begin with what you eat and focus on strengthening your immune system. Pick up Kris Carr’s “Crazy Sexy Diet” for more info on this. It is fabulous!
Guest: If we all have a certain amount of cancer cells in our body, what are some of the triggers that cause a rapid acceleration of their growth where the Phagocytes no longer can keep up?
Dr. Mary Brittain: Again, anything that pulls on our immune system. Toxic food, pesticides, bad air and water, alcohol, drugs, stinkin’ thinkin’! Enzymes, particularly pancreatic enzymes, go after the outer layer of the cancer cells and digest them. There are many other supplements that are helpful as well. A good detox also helps get rid toxins and provides a better pathway of elimination.
Guest: The Japanese are doing great stuff with water alkalinity. A lot of people are investing in water alkalinizers, as keeping an “alkaline body” seems to be one of the biggest preventive measures one can take to keep from getting sick. What are your thoughts on investing in one of these?
Dr. Mary Brittain: I know that those system are nice! I think that if you consume good green juice and keep your diet alkaline with fresh organic veggies, good filtered or purified water, exercise and wheatgrass shots, you can achieve adequate alkaline levels.
Guest: Dr. Brittain, I’ve recently changed to a raw food diet and have noticed an increase in my energy level and overall emotional level of completeness. I feel like I should eat this way without interruption. Is that part of what you advocate? Could the raw food diet and ionized water be the healthy habits that make the difference?
Dr. Mary Brittain: You are feeling better because your cells are getting lots of wonderful enzyme rich food. It sounds like this is working for you, which is great! These are definitely the healthy habits that can make the difference in good immune function. Add in some exercise and meditation and you’re on your way to good health!
Guest: I lost a dear friend to triple negative breast cancer two years ago at the age of 41. This form of cancer is very aggressive and is disproportionately affecting young, African American women. Throughout her battle she maintained an incredibly positive outlook and made drastic changes in her diet and lifestyle. What recommendations would you give to individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer that can make a measurable difference in their prognosis?
Dr. Mary Brittain: Unfortunately there are some types of cancer that are aggressive and are very difficult to manage. When I was diagnosed back in ’06, I thought I would crack the code and share it with everyone. I found that everyone has their own code. I encourage everyone to open themselves to their path through meditation, prayer, etc., and see where they are led — what intuitively feels right for them.
Guest: Are there really foods that help prevent/reverse cancer?
Dr. Mary Brittain: There are definitely foods that promote cancer. Let’s look at sugar (aka crack!) Cancer loves sugar and all other acidic foods. It is difficult for cancer to thrive in alkaline, oxygenated environments. I would say stay away from sugar, caffeine, alcohol, white refined stuff and go towards good green alkaline, enzyme rich food. I would try to keep a ratio of 60-40% raw vs. steamed.
Guest: In Louise Hay’s book “You Can Heal Your Body” she gives the metaphysical cause of cancer as: “Deep hurt. Longstanding resentment. Deep secret or grief eating away at the self. Carrying hatreds.” Can you speak to the mind body connection with regard to cancer and its development and growth?
Dr. Mary Brittain: I love Louise Hay! One thing is known for sure: stress can depress the immune system, therefore become a gateway for disease — cancer in particular. I do believe that there are studies that show this though I don’t have any links to them.
Guest: Dr. Mary, I have seen several people who have had breast cancer cleared only to return in bones . . . why is that?
Dr. Mary Brittain: When cancer cells become systemic throughout the body, they can crop up anywhere depending on the primary site. I still believe that maintaining the healthy lifestyle I’ve been talking about can and will deter cancer cells from proliferating.
Vision Quest Retreats: Dr. Mary! Wow! Thanks so much for being here tonight. You are an amazing woman! Thanks so much for sharing your Vision of health with us! Thanks also to all who joined the discussion. See you at the next event!
Dr. Mary Brittain:
Thank you all so much. I really enjoyed chatting with you! xo