Does frequent flying lead to increase in risk of cancer? According to a new Harvard study: probably
/Does frequent flying lead to increase in risk of cancer? According to a new Harvard study: probably
I have a routine I follow before and during every long flight I take.
2 days before the flight and 2 days after: I increase my intake of Vitamin C, and add liposomal Glutathione, both being powerful antioxidants.
Before the flight, I drink 2 large glasses of water with a pinch of Himalayan sea salt. This, combined with lots of water during the flight helps me prevent dehydration caused by the very dry air inside a plane and flight of inflammation.
During the flight I never eat food, I drink lots of water & tea (no sugar or milk), I make sure to get up and move/stretch every 45min.
In most cases, I fit my flight during a 24 hour water fast, where I do not consume any calorie-containing food or drink for 24 hours.
All of these habits are designed to help my body cope with the extreme stresses of flying in the confined space of a metal tube with 100+ other people, substantially closer to cosmic radiation (from the sun and space), very high concentration of electromagnetic waves from the plane’s own equipment as well as mobile phones, WiFi, etc.
I’m glad I do these things, especially because of this new study from Harvard University that demonstrated that flight attendants face a significantly higher risk of cancer than average.
According to the study, female flight attendants have a 51% higher risk of breast cancer and double to 4x the risk of skin cancer.
No, I certainly don’t spend as much time in a plane as pilots and flight attendants, but if they’re experiencing a 50% to 400% increase in risk of cancer, logic dictates that regular passengers are likely to experience a proportionate increase in risk.
So what can we do to protect ourselves?
- Fly less, although that’s the least practical option if your job requires it.
- Fly in newer planes: they have better shielding against cosmic radiation and improved air quality. Although that’s a double edged sword because new airplanes also tend to have powerful communication, mobile and wifi equipment.
- Fast for 24 hours: this gives your immune system the chance to go after pre-cancerous cells and destroy them through a process called autophagy.
- Increase your intake of antioxidant foods and supplements before/after the flight: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Glutathione (make sure it’s liposomal), blueberries, dark chocolate, etc.
- Stay hydrated.
- Avoid using your mobile phone / wireless internet / bluetooth devices, and try to convince those around you to do the same.
