thinkPrevention story

Several years ago, someone very close to me was diagnosed with cancer, and our journey to wellness has shaped my personal mission – “Prevention is the Cure.”

First, the diagnosis came. His physician told us that either he had to have major surgery and chemotherapy or his life would be taken in a very short time. We knew instinctively that this was not the way to go. We investigated all nutritional options available. We went with a strictly vegan diet, high in protein from soy and tofu sources, supplemented with green foods such as wheat grass and superfoods including noni and goji juice. We later introduced salmon into his diet, with strict portion control of protein and vegetables.

Eleven months later, with the change of diet and monitoring by his physicians, they saw that he was getting better. Tests and scans proved that he was now cancer free.

And ten years later, he is still healthy and energetic.

When you experience something like this and you see amazing results – you suddenly find yourself on a mission to make a difference. My passion to create awareness of the connection between natural, functional foods and disease healing and prevention is supported by our philanthropic efforts. Our philanthropic program, thinkPrevention, has donated over $350,000 to organizations that are working for a cure for today’s health epidemics - The California Diabetes Foundation; The University of Southern California Childhood Obesity Research Center; Austism Research Institute in San Diego, California; The William K. Warren Celiac Center at the University of California and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

We are about to commence our fourth year of supporting cancer research and education through innovative programs including a limited edition whole grain nutrition bar, thinkPink and the thinkVitality Fashion Show, an annual eco-fashion charity event at Natural Products Expo West, where we rally other leading companies in the natural products industry in an effort to spread the message that prevention is the first step towards the cure.

But for us, this is only the beginning. We still have a long way to go in spreading awareness and knowledge about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Leaders in the mainstream medical community are acknowledging the deep connection between nutrition and healing. Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles is conducting the first ever five-year double blind study on food and nutrition and their impact on cancer, and I’m thrilled to say that thinkproducts is sharing ownership of this important project.