We focus a lot on diet, therapies, and a wide range of alternative natural treatments for cancer, but one area that doesn’t often get the attention it deserves is the state of our relationships with those closest to us. But the data are in. Research proves that our social relationships directly influence our physical health—for better or for worse. Toxic relationships, in particular, don’t just affect our self-esteem, but they can also kill us. The emotional carcinogens of a destructive relationship can be just as damaging as other, more commonly recognized causal factors.
Your Body Knows
It could be a relationship with a spouse, family member, or even your circle of friends that’s causing more harm than good—and your body responds accordingly. According to research conducted at UCLA’s School of Medicine, negative social interactions are linked to increased inflammation, a known root cause of a range of illnesses. The proinflammatory cytokine activity produced, specifically, cytokines IL-6 and TNF-a, which have been linked to heart disease, depression, diabetes, and some cancers….