Dog-Breath

Did you know that cancer is estimated to affect 50 percent of our canine companions by the age of ten? That’s surprisingly high odds—adding to the mystery that surrounds what has also been called the silent killer. It’s no wonder cancer causes so much confusion and puts us on red alert! Symptoms and treatment outcomes can vary greatly based on where cancer finds its opportunity: Breast tissue, lymph nodes, lung, liver, bone, skin, brain—any type of cell tissue is at risk. However, all cancers begin their deadly careers with the single flip of a metabolic switch! This switch alters the pathway of energy production inside the cell and begins the cancerous transformation.

Believe it or not: The root cause of cancer was discovered more than half a century ago!

The first major breakthrough in cancer research was made way back in the 1920’s when a brilliant noble prize winning German scientist, Otto Warburg, discovered the unique energy characteristics of cancer cells. In a nutshell: Normal cells use oxygen in a process called cellular respiration to create energy, but cancer cells use a different mechanism. Warburg found that cancer cells could produce energy in the absence of oxygen in a more primitive process known as fermentation. He conclusively demonstrated how a measurable drop in tissue oxygen levels allows cancer cells to develop. In fact, Warburg (along with other respected scientists who later repeated his experiments) documented that normal cells automatically become cancer cells whenever oxygen consumption is compromised by 35%. And with that basic scientific fact, we were handed the first piece of the cancer puzzle.

Cracking the cancer code…

It would be several long decades before scientists could fully appreciate the significance of Warburg’s research. Next, necessary advances in technology (like the electron microscope) would reveal the complex nature and biochemistry of the cell membrane and its relationship to health. You see, it is not as simple as the air we breathe into our lungs. The oxygen we breathe in must then be transported across the cell membrane into the mitochondria—each cell’s factory for energy production.

Under normal operating conditions, fuel molecules (glucose) in the presence of oxygen are converted into energy currency through a complex metabolic pathway known as the Krebs cycle. But when oxygen levels are insufficient to utilize the Krebs cycle, the cell reverts to a far less efficient method to produce energy, known as fermentation—yeast and some bacteria are examples of primitive cells that can also exist without the need for oxygen.

Now, take a moment to refresh your memory (or become familiar) with some basic cell biology taught at high school level. In 9th grade (unless you were snoozing) you learned that each cell is somewhat self-contained and self-maintaining. Body cells take in key nutrients, convert these nutrients into energy, carry out specialized functions, and reproduce as necessary.

Different cell types have different functions, but all normal cells share these common abilities:

• Reproduction by controlled cell division.
• Metabolism: taking in raw materials, building cell components, energy production and releasing by-products.
• Cell contents are contained within a permeable membrane that is made from specific fats and proteins.

Now pay particular attention to that last bullet point: Cell contents are contained within a permeable membrane that is made from specific fats and proteins. Whether or not cell membranes contain an optimum amount of these specific fats and proteins—critical for membrane function—will depend mostly on the foods (nutrients) you eat or don’t. [Topic to be thoroughly discussed in cancer Part lV.]

Why is the cell membrane so important?  Because oxygen and other vital nutrients must be transported into the cell through the cell membrane—if not, the cell either dies or worse flips the cancer switch on. Damaged cell membranes cannot adequately transport key nutrients into the cell for energy production and other vital cell functions. Remember, when the oxygen supply drops below what is needed for energy production by the normal pathway of cellular respiration—damaged cells revert to a primitive form of energy production known as fermentation.

Understanding the composition and critical functions of the cell membrane was the next puzzle piece to fall into place before Warburg’s cancer research received its full glory of accolades. Bottom line: When oxygen and other vital nutrients get a free pass into each cell, it’s the best health insurance policy that money can’t buy!  And it’s the best guarantee that cell function will go on with “business as usual”, keeping us and our dogs out of the disease business.

Protecting this vital cell membrane is like protecting your valuable belongings from water damage by insuring there are no leaks in your roof. Worst yet, picture your house with no roof in a rainstorm—get the BIG picture?

Cancer for Dummies:

• Oxygen starved cells throw out the factory blueprints for cellular respiration and revert to the primitive process of fermentation.
• As a result of using the fermentation cycle, vital cell functions go haywire, resulting in the birth of stupid, zombie-like cells that have lost their capacity to perform any specialized purpose—we call that cancer.
• Renegade cancer cells do not obey the normal cycles of cell division and cell death. The uncontrolled growth of cancer cells is like parasitic mutiny—if not stopped before a complete hostile takeover—the body becomes overrun by malignant tumors.

Too often, cancer is not detected in its early stage of development, where the battle should begin. Instead, cancer progresses on until symptoms of illness are fully recognized—usually years after that first cell began its cancer journey. No, your sick dog or uncle did not just get sick 2 weeks ago! Your dog or uncle maintained an alive and kicking status (seemingly well) for as long as their own body’s natural defense systems were able to keep cancer in-check at third base. At this stage in the game, your dog or uncle can still throw the curve ball that will strike out cancer. But when cancer swings and hits the ball that unleashes the third baseman that slides into home plate—game over!

Knowing that it is possible to halt a developing cancer means you need to get in the game right now! Later could be too late…

You can’t delegate health, it’s a choice

Getting cancer is not just simple bad luck or an unlucky chance throw of the dice. But it could be major payback for the sins of an unhealthy diet leading to chronic nutrient deficiencies topped off with a lazy failure to limit exposure to toxic chemicals. Add to that a stubborn comfort zone that keeps you stuck in a stressful, unsatisfying life and you have the recipe for any number of medical disasters!

Modern day dog translation: A lifetime of eating processed commercial pet food diets, medical care focused on disease management—not wellness, and lack of physical exercise and play time leading to chronic frustration and anxiety.

As someone who takes personal responsibility for the amazing good health that I enjoy, you can bet that I don’t delegate my health to drug happy M.D.’s. Neither should you. And since many common cancers are being referred to as diseases of lifestyle (poor diets, stress, and bad habits), we and our dogs are not simple victims of cancer—we have some say in the matter. We can stack good health odds in our favor and be ready to battle any health threat rearing its ugly head!

The remaining keys to the anti-cancer kingdom are discussed in Parts IV and V. See my introduction (Part l) to this five part series on cancer: The Ultimate Cure for Cancer Is…

In Part lV of this series, you will discover the triggers that damage the cell membrane and impede the flow of nutrients into the cell—beginning the cancerous transformation. Remember, the goal is always practice prevention first!  In Part V, I teach you how to fight back like a cancer commando.

Stay tuned—soon you may know more than your own doctor! Part IV coming next month: Your game plan to avoid cancer—the anti-cancer diet and wonder supplement program for you and your dog!