One of the leading causes of death in the world is lung cancer. And yes, smoking is mostly responsible. There is convincing evidence that diets high in vegetables and fruits are protective against lung cancer and that compounds called carotenoids are probably responsible for some of this effect. Many vegetables and fruits contain vitamins A and C and beta carotene, such as dark green leafy vegetables, red, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits. Although, if you are a smoker and continue to smoke, all of the carotenoids or the use of antioxidant supplements in the world may not help you from either preventing or from the treatment of lung cancer. First and foremost, quit smoking!
The most common type of cancer in women in the world is breast cancer. Breast cancer is a cancer that not only affects women but can affect men too. There is an increased risk of breast cancer with factors that include familial tendencies, greater adult height and weight gain in adulthood. Much of the risk of developing breast cancer involves factors that influence estrogen levels during a woman's reproductive life, such as age of menarche (first period), number of pregnancies and breastfeeding practices. Obese post-menopausal women have more than twice the average risk of breast cancer. Diets high in mono-unsaturated fat like olive oil and high in vegetables and fruits containing vitamin A, vitamin C, and beta carotene may reduce the risk. Berries are good sources of vitamin C and fiber, as well as a wonderful substance called ellagic acid, which has been found in laboratory studies to prevent cancers of the skin, bladder, lung, esophagus and breast. Blueberries are particularly high in ellagic acid and are loaded with a class of anti-oxidants as powerful as any seen.
A very common cause of death in men is prostate cancer, especially in Australia. Vegetables may decrease the risk; while a high fat diet that comprises mostly animal fat sources (such as dairy products, fatty meats) may increase the risk. Lycopene, a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, plays a leading role in the prevention of prostate cancer especially tomatoes that have been dehydrated. Dehydrated tomato compounds have been studied for preventing prostate cancer by scientists at the University of Missouri. These scientists have found that consuming tomatoes in powered form might be the best way to maximize protection against prostate cancer.
The fourth most common cancer in the world is bowel cancer, or colorectal cancer. Up to 70 percent of cases can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity and a diet high in vegetables and fiber are protective. Fiber moves cancer-causing compounds out of the body before they can create harm. It is also thought to dilute potential carcinogens, and may affect hormone production, thus lowering the incidence of hormone-related cancers like breast and prostate cancers. The National Cancer Institute recommends 20-30 grams of fiber per day. Great sources of fiber come not only in whole grains but in fruits, legumes and cruciferous vegetables. Some whole grains to look for are barley, oats, oat bran, and nuts. Apples, bananas, blackberries, citrus fruits, pears, and prunes are fibrous fruits. Legumes like lima, kidney, pinto, and navy beans, peas, chick peas, black-eyed peas, and especially lentils these are all high in fiber. Beans contain several chemicals that boost immunity to cancer. Those chemicals show the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in different tissues and slow the growth of tumors. Include cruciferous vegetables Brussels sprouts, carrots, tomatoes, kale, Swiss chard, bok choy and broccoli on a daily basis. Substances in these vegetables have shown the ability to stop the growth of cancer cells in laboratory studies, particularly by regulating a complex system of enzymes that provide a good line of cancer defense. Some studies have correlated colorectal cancer with consumption of red meat, especially high-fat meats. Cut down your portion sizes to 3–5 ounces a day or less is beneficial in reducing that risk. A simple way is to base the amount of meat according to these proportions. Aim for 2/3 (or more) fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, and 1/3 (or less) animal protein on your plate. Instead of red meat, choose white meat such as chicken or turkey.
Many studies now show that the combination of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking has a synergistic effect; together they are more likely to cause cancer than either of them separately.
A twenty-year study called the Nurses Study, conducted by Harvard University; showed saturated fats were correlated with a higher incidence of endometrial cancer. The primary source of saturated fat is animal products, such as meat, whole-fat milk and milk products, and eggs. Trans-fats, otherwise known as hydrogenated oils, come from heating vegetable oils, and are found mainly in commercially prepared baked goods, fried foods, margarines, snack foods, and processed foods. A bag of Doritos has 40% chemicals, ranch flavored chips contain high levels of MSG. They are all made with pro-carcinogenic oils and high amounts of sugar, methionine, and food additives. Most chips are cooked in omega-6 oils so you get a concentration of cancer-stimulating additives and ingredients. These foods which are also high on the glycemic index release and promote cancer growth. A high glycemic diet can cause you to gain weight and can lead to obesity. Obesity it is a known cause of kidney, pancreatic, and oral/esophageal cancers. A high fat diet contributes to a high population of free radicals since fat cells split apart easily.
Studies indicate that if you have a healthy lifestyle your chances of not getting cancer are increased to 70%. Increasing your daily consumption of fruits and vegetables and reduce unhealthy dietary fats. It is recommended that you limit fat to 30 percent or less of your caloric intake. However, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, studies have shown that what is most important is not the amount of fat in the diet, per se, but the type of fat. Thus, the latest advice is to cut out the unhealthy fats – saturated fats and trans-fats. If we stop using chemicals, if we stop eating junk food and chemically laden foods and start consuming the foods that nature has provided, we would all be much healthier.
Making healthy choices can be your first line of defense against cancer besides from early detection is what can make the difference of determining if cancer treatment is more likely to be successful. Regular screening and self-examination may not prevent cancer, but it can increase your chances of discovering cancer early and that could save your life. Screening should include your skin, mouth, colon and rectum. If you're a man, it should also include your prostate and testes. If you're a woman, include cervix and breast cancer screening. Know your body well, be in tune with it. If you notice any changes, see your doctor. If you are not happy with the opinion of that doctor there is nothing wrong with getting a second or even third opinion. Do your research, be informed of every option available to you and have peace of mind that you did everything you could; that you did your homework. Love and take good care of your body, when you do your body will give back to you ten-fold.
Just think of the opportunities we can give our children and our grandchildren by just changing how we think about the choices we make. By eating a well-balanced diet, maintaining other healthy habits like exercising and eliminating tobacco and reducing your consumption of alcohol you can reduce your risk of cancer. Make a habit of reading package labels, it’s vital. Stop eating on the run and grabbing the first food you see. Think first before you put those Doritos into mouth!
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Migraines are a common occurrence in our modern life. A recent survey noted that fully 10% of American's twelve and older get migraines.Migraines are distinguished from other headaches by nausea (sometimes leading to vomiting) and light sensitivity(photophobia). Migraines tend to be more common in females. In this article we will explore 4 natural ways to curb these headaches.
As a Acupuncturist I see these a lot and Chinese Medicine states there are many causes for this one disorder. The first thing a patient with should do is look at their individual stress level and attempt to lower it. Chinese Medicine says that when Qi(energy) is stuck (stress causes Qi to get stuck) and can rebell upward causing Headaches.
Stress can be lowered by traditional relaxation exercises like Tai Qi & Qi Gong and also by Meditation & Relaxation Tapes. This can take some time but is well worth it as it can also lower blood pressure and improve mood. Secondly, look at your diet, as many foods are triggers. Caffiene, processed meats, chocolate, MSG, tropical fruits can cause Migraines. Hence eating a good diet, which would be lots of grains, vegitables and seasonal fruit and some meat would be good.
Also, eating Organic is very important, not only are pesticides and growth hormones bad for you, but Organic foods are higher in nutrients. Thirdly, regular sleep helps reduce migraines. So try to get to bed at a regular time, don't eat to late and avoid caffeine & alcohol esp at night. The fourth way is to get Acupuncture Treatments, recent studies show that Acupuncture can reduce the occurrence and severity of Migraines, Acupuncture has a general balancing effect on the body and can stop pain. So in summary, watch your stress level and try to lower it. Look at your diet,
Are there trigger foods you are eating? Get enough sleep. If that doesn't help, try Acupuncture.
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When it comes to vitamins, there are two types: those that dissolve in water and those that dissolve in fat. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin that travels through the body's bloodstream. Whatever Vitamin C the body does not need to absorb is simply removed via urine. This means two things: first, we must always supply our bodies with Vitamin C since the body doesn't store it, and second, it's very hard to actually overdose on Vitamin C because the body doesn't absorb more than it needs.
How much Vitamin C do we need each day? It is recommended that we get 60 milligrams of the vitamin, although that can change depending on several factors. Those who smoke may need between 110 and 125 milligrams of Vitamin C because smoking can cause the body to have trouble absorbing vitamins.
It is possible to end up with too little Vitamin C in your body. This was quite common years ago during long sea voyages. This lack of Vitamin C results in scurvy. If you manage to intake over 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C in a day, you may feel flushed and suffer from diarrhea, nausea, increased urination, and vomiting.
Where can we get Vitamin C from? In addition to supplements, the vitamin is found naturally in fruit, citrus juices, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, red and green peppers, and potato skins. As is often the case, good nutrition is all you really need to keep your body in shape by providing the vitamins and minerals we need for good health.
By: Sandra Ruth
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Millions of Americans suffer from allergies, and we all fall prey to the common cold from time to time. Though very different, these two conditions cause similar symptoms. Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether allergies are making you sniffle and sneeze or whether the cold virus is to blame. Many patients I've treated over the years do not take the time to tell the difference-they say they'll feel sick either way. This may be true, but there is a crucial reason to learn how to tell them apart: you will be able to treat your illness more effectively, and therefore, feel healthy faster.
Colds vs. Allergies
The causes of colds and allergies are very different. A cold develops when one of hundreds of different cold viruses gets into your body. This occurs most often by coming into contact with an infected person. You can contract his or her cold virus by shaking hands, being sneezed on, kissing or sharing a glass. You might simply touch an object the infected person has touched and contract the virus by rubbing your nose or touching your food. Once the virus is in your body the immune system kicks into high gear, resulting in common cold symptoms.
When it comes to allergies, there are no viruses or "bugs" to catch. An allergy is when your body mistakes benign substances like pollen for germs. At this point, your immune system behaves in much the same way as it does when you catch a cold virus. The difference is that you are not infected with harmful germs. There is little you can do if you are prone to allergic reactions, and similar allergies often run in families.
Use this guide to recognize the difference between colds and allergies.
It's a cold if you have...
Congested and runny nose with thick green/yellow discharge
Possible low fever
Achy muscles
Weakness and fatigue
Symptoms that strike in the fall or winter and last an average of 5 to 7 days
It's an allergies if you have...
Congestion and runny nose with clear, thin discharge
Sneezing and wheezing
Itchy nose, throat, ears and itchy, watery eyes
Symptoms that occur around the same time every year
Feeling Better Fast The Natural Way!
Once you've determined the true cause of your symptoms, you can set about feeling better. Colds can be tough to avoid, considering all the people we interact with everyday. If you have the unmistakable aches and fatigue that accompany colds, get plenty of rest and drink a lot of fluids. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like Advil can relieve aches and pains. If you have severe congestion, you may consider decongestants, but be careful to avoid driving on these meds, as they may cause you to become drowsy.
Natural remedies for colds include zinc, which is sold as lozenges or nasal sprays. Daily doses of vitamin C may prevent cold symptoms from taking hold. Immune booster, Echinacea, is also an effective cold preventer. As far as home remedies go, chicken soup is a sure bet-it may reduce inflammation and helps fight dehydration.
Allergies may be impossible to eradicate, but you can reduce your contact with certain triggers. Avoid spending time outdoors when the pollen count is high. Have any mold in your home treated professionally and regularly change the filters in your ventilation system. Stay away from excessively dusty or damp areas. Decongestants may also help allergy suffers, along with antihistamines, which are available over-the-counter in non-drowsy formulas.
You may also consider herbal remedies for allergies. A study in the British Medical Journal showed that the herb, butterbur, was as effective as antihistamines at preventing symptoms of hay fever. Take one tablet four times a day. Dried nettles or teas made from this plant have been used to treat common allergies. Tonics made with the herb, goldenseal, are another popular alternative remedy. Finally, grape seed extract, thanks to its high flavonoid content, is thought to reduce allergy symptoms.
With a little self-knowledge and a quick evaluation of your symptoms, you can quickly begin an effective regimen of self-care. If allergies are chronic or unmanageable, visit your doctor. Likewise, if a cold lasts longer than two weeks, make an appointment-it could be allergies or a more complex condition. Feeling sneezy, stuffy or tired is unpleasant no matter what the cause, but these tips should have you back in good health in the shortest time possible.
Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Institute For Healthy Aging
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Stress. Just the word makes you tighten up if you have experienced it. You no doubt are aware of how hard it is to get rid of. Sometimes we can manage it by making small changes in our lives. Talking about your problems is one way. Many expert listeners and advisors are available at the web site below to help you with a stressful situation. They have many wonderful suggestions on how you can change your outlook on a situation to help change how you internalize it therefore reducing stress.
A pro active way help get rid of stress is to meditate. Don't be fooled. If you think you can't meditate because you can't relax, you are not alone! It takes a lot of practice and dedication and hopefully you won't get frustrated and give up. Meditating is a wonderful way to refocus your energy and open up your mind so you can get inspiration and direction from having a 'clear head' instead of 'static' always clouding your emotional state due to stress and anxiety.
Changing our routine or removing ourselves from situations and people that give us stress are other ways to reduce stress and the ill effects. However, sometimes, we have many things going on in our lives that we can't control that cause anxiety and stress. When we don't have control of a situation, but can't escape it, the stress is hard to manage. Like trying to outrun a mudslide, you just can't jump out of the way. So how do you deal with stress that you think is almost impossible to do anything about or even reduce? When conventional medicines are not an option, for many reasons...side effects, expense and getting diagnosed and waiting for a prescription, you may consider the alternative ways to reduce stress.
If you can't meditate or change your routine, which I strongly recommend, you may want to consider an 'energy clearing'. This is done with the help of a 'Master Healer'. They read your energy and tell you where you are weak and help you to clear channels of energy to invite positive energy in. This has been practiced by spiritual and not-so-spiritual people since the beginning of time. Many cultures believe that 'energy' or 'spirituality' is the core of our being and needs to be healthy for us to be happy. Remember the saying for computers.. "garbage in garbage out'? Well the same for us. SO if it's 'positive energy in, positive energy will come out'.
Stress will do you in. You always feel like you are carrying a heavy burden with you wherever you go. It effects you physically, emotionally and clouds your judgment usually leading to a worse situation! An Energy Clearing or Spiritual Healing can help. You can find someone to go to in your area that practices alternative medicines. You may also want to consider taking a yoga class so you have support around you and practice 'centering' yourself a few times a week to help handle stress in the future.
I have used the help of a master healer to cope with stress and it helped me to reduce anxiety. Her name is Tracy known as AngelHealing. I personally have had her do a 'healing' on me and it was like nothing I had ever experienced! I suggest if you need help for stress right now and have tried other methods, give this a shot. I awoke the next day with energy, inspiration and joy. The feeling of joy...it's to be cherished, especially when you KNOW what stress is!
Start reducing your stress so you can manage your life better and have balance! Many blessings and good luck!
By : Anna Pereira
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Your cells depend on your food intake to maintain effective health through toxin reduction and cell repair. Processed foods pass through your body providing insufficient nutrients and high fat. High fat leads to reduced toxin reduction and results in low energy and a feeling of heaviness. The best weight loss plan is one that works towards regular detoxification of the body. It may be advisable to go through a detoxification under expert guidance and understanding your physical reactions to different foods. Regular consumption of water is another necessity in helping your body to heal itself. Dry fruits and fresh fruit consumption is essential to increase your energy levels and feeling of well-being.
Sleep Right
Regular rest habits along with good breathing techniques are essential to support your efforts towards finding the best weight loss option. Excess sleep is as ineffective as a lack of it. You will know that you have slept well when you wake up feeling fresh. Ensure that you stretch your entire body as soon as you wake up in the morning. This will help you determine whether you are feeling good after your night’s rest. If you feel drowsy after your lunch, allow yourself a ten minute nap and start work immediately after that.
Manage Stress
Stress is a state of disequilibrium that affects you at a physical and mental level. Poor food and rest habits are a source of stress and if you add mental stress to this, the body steadily weakens and regularly breaks down. Immunity is compromised and weight gain seems to occur without reason. The best weight loss method to be followed in this case is one that allows you to focus on finding methods to reduce your stress through meditation. Choose creative outlets that allow you to find alternatives to spend your time.
Exercise right
Your day should start with a set of stretching exercises that cover all your limbs. These should be done slowly to avoid injury. The best weight loss method is one that allows for higher focus on maintaining flexibility and less on high impact exercise. Any exercise that involves jerky motions is likely to lead to painful joints. Instead, choose dancing and yoga as methods to keep your body supple. If you enjoy games like football or badminton where impact on the joints is inevitable in varying degrees, support the joints and ensure that you give yourself a massage twice a week to strengthen your muscles and cleanse your skin.
By: Alan Chai
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We spend one third of our life in sleep, but without that we would not be able to work for the other two thirds. Sleep is the rejuvenating mechanism of the body. As the sun sets and darkness falls, we naturally tend to feel sleepy and when we wake up with the sun, we are again full of energy. Why we sleep is still a subject of scientific investigations.
Advantages of sleeping
• After rest, the brain is better able to concentrate during the day
• Sleeping allows the brain to organize memories collected during the day. If we go without sleep, we may not be able to remember many things.
• During sleep, the body repairs nerve cells which get damaged from the day's activity and stress. The skin, which is exposed to U-V rays during the day, also rejuvenates during the night.
• Many hormones are active when we are asleep, especially growth hormones.
• It is a recent finding that sleeping also reins in the appetite hormones as a result of which we feel less craving for energy rich food, thus preventing causes of obesity.
Sleep deprivation for long periods can cause hallucinations. Irregular sleep patterns greatly affect blood pressure and levels of cholesterol, which are directly related to heart attacks. Sleeping less also contributes to other diseases like diabetes, colon cancer and obesity.
Many people cannot sleep or if they sleep, they wake up early feeling exhausted. This is known as insomnia which results in poor performance in job, mood swings and inability to maintain good relations with people.
Tips on correct sleeping habits
• Hormonal activity is high during early hours of the night, so it is advisable to go to sleep before 10 pm.
• Waking up at different times of the day causes disruptions in the body's biological cycle, so make a habit of getting up at the same hour everyday.
• A sedentary lifestyle does not make the body tired enough to sleep. Therefore, walking for 30 minutes before sleeping can promote a good sleep.
• Eating just before sleeping keeps the digestive system in operation preventing the body from doing other tasks.
• Uncomfortable clothes and a noisy environment create disturbance in sleep so make sure these factors are taken care of.
• Working on something stressful just before sleeping causes the mind to continue its work thus causing sleep disorders.
• Since coffee or caffeine based drinks make you alert, avoid them before going to sleep.
• Breathing exercises can help to induce sleep
A good sleep can help you to work more, decide better, prevent injuries, and recover from illness faster.
By : Angela Giles
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