A healthy lifestyle and healthy diets!

Smoking White Women

noreply@blogger.com (Ant) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:04:00 +0000

White women in their pre-menopause phase of life have double the risk for breast cancer if they are smokers. A recent case-control study revealed that it is because of the ‘BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene-mutation’.

Results of the study and the investigation report have been published in the journal “Breast Cancer Research and Treatment”. This report established the fact that the women who were smoking for last five or more five pack-years have twice the risk as non-smokers to have breast cancer.

Researchers from the Ontario Cancer Genetics Network expressed, “Because 20-60% of BRCA1/2 carriers do not develop breast cancer, there are likely to be other genetic or environmental factors that modify risk,“.

This study involved all non-Hispanic white women aged less than 50 years and having a relationship with the deleterious’ BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation’. It also included an examination and identification of 323 cases and 481 controls, all from a ‘multi-national breast cancer family registry’.

The “odds-ratio” has an interesting relationship with the mutating genes. The ratio associated with smoking came out to be 2.3 for the ‘BRCA1 mutation carriers’ and 2.6 for ‘BRCA2 mutation carriers’. There exists a significant relationship between risk and the time period with respect to the mutation carrier rate. The investigations reported that the risk increased 7% per five pack-years in carriers of both the mutation.

“Previous studies in prevalent mutation carriers have not shown smoking to increase risk of breast cancer but are prone to bias, because smoking decreases survival after breast cancer,” the researchers from the Ontario Cancer Genetics Network remarked.

Fitness, health and diet!

noreply@blogger.com (Ant) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:43:00 +0000

Wellness and fitness is the new age mantra that has got everyone under its grip. Everybody is following the latest diet pattern to shed those extra kilos.

Among the many diets, that have gained popularity is the South Beach diet. Cardiologist Arthur Agatston, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Cardiac Prevention Center in Miami Beach is the founder of the South Beach diet. It is based upon the principle that the body should get its share of carbohydrates. But those following the South Beach should allow only the good carbohydrates and stay away from bad carbohydrates. This translates into staying away from potatoes, rice, pasta etc. The diet is based on the thinking that the right kind of carbohydrates and fats can help people to control weight and appetite.

But even South Beach diet has had its share of criticism. The first criticism is that it disrupts regular bowl movements. The South beach diet stresses on having food items that are very low in fibre and much importance is put on having meat, which is again rich in proteins but low in fibre. Fibre plays an important role in the formation of stools and also promotes healthy bowel movements. In the absence of fibre, many will be forced to take dietary laxatives.

Dr. Joel Fuhrman, author of Eat to Live, states that the South Beach Diet is like a yo-yo diet. On one hand it aptly seeks to reduce the quantity of white flour and sugar that is so commonly found in the dietary pattern of the common American. But at the same time Dr. Fuhrman disapproves of not substituting the carbohydrates with legumes, fruits etc. He also feels that the addition of animal proteins is another minus point of the diet.

Critics also argue that the emphasis laid on the consumption of commercial pasteurized milk is another minus point with South Beach diet. Many people are allergic to pasteurized casein and the worse thing is that the awareness level is low. The consumption of commercial pasteurized milk will only worsen the case for many.

Critics also argue that the South beach diet does not lay enough stress on exercise. Exercise is an important component is any weight loss program. However, Dr. Agatston states that only 20 minutes of exercise is sufficient. Critics are of the opinion that 20 minutes of exercise is appropriate for a person whose weight falls under the recommended level. For obese or over-weight people, 20 minutes will not suffice. The critic are of the opinion that the South Beach diet does not stresses on the importance of exercise and also does not give much weight to exercise in its diet plan. Most of the experts are of the opinion that exercise should form an integral part of any diet plan as it helps to improve the metabolism of the body and aids in proper digestion.

South beach diet also fails to improve the cholesterol level and halt the intake of statin drugs. This is another criticism levelled against South Beach. Dr. Agatston, the founder of South Beach diet himself has admitted taking statin drugs for controlling his cholesterol. A good and balanced diet should possess the capability of controlling cholesterol.

Thus there are many critics who have pointed the existence of serious flaws with the South Beach diet. However, the reality is that it is a rage among diet aficionados.

Be healthy!

Aspects to Physical Health

noreply@blogger.com (Ant) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:30:00 +0000

There are 3 critical aspects to sound health. Ignoring any one of the following may leave you susceptible to disease and degenerative effects of premature aging.

1 Electrical Energy - life and vitality are all about electrical energy.

2 Chemistry - optimum health happens only with pH balance.

3 Belief - our reality is created by our thoughts.

We can think of health as a bank account. In each area highlighted above, we are either making deposits to, or withdrawals from, our account balance. As long as the account is being replenished, the body will continue to serve us.

When withdrawals exceed deposits, disease begins to appear; in time, the balance goes to zero and the account is closed - we die.

Electrical Energy

The body is an energy system that operates on, generates, and stores, electricity. For comparison, nerve pathways are our transmission lines, and every cell is a miniature generator and storage battery.

Energy to replenish body reserves comes from the food we eat. Only raw, living food contains restorative energy that can be made available for transfer to the body.

Any food whose enzymes have been destroyed by cooking has lost its electrical energy.When it is consumed, it becomes a drain on the body's electrical potential because the body must draw on stored energy to process the dead food.

We must be conscious of our diet and choose to eat adequate quantities of electrically active food. Living food leads to health and vitality. Dead food has no electrical energy; consuming disproportionate quantities of it leads to lower energy reserves, disease, and an early death.

All food, including supplements,must contain live enzymes to be electrically alive and health-building.

Chemistry

The human body was designed to operate in a slightly alkaline state. In optimum health, blood has a pH of 7.4; cells operate best at a pH near 7.0.

Body pH is determined by the predominance of alkaline or acid minerals the body must process and store. Raw fruits and vegetables are the main sources of natural alkaline minerals for the body.

Most other foods contain minerals that produce strong acids in the body, which then must be neutralized and eliminated.

This neutralization process depletes the body's stores of alkaline minerals. A healthy diet should contain approximately 80% alkaline and 20% acid foods and beverages.

Having knowledge of which foods supply the mineral requirements for pH balance, and consciously choosing to consume them, empowers us to work with our bodies toward health. By regularly checking the pH of our first in the morning urine, we can monitor the body's need for additional alkaline minerals.

Belief

Ultimately, everything in our lives is determined by our conscious and subconscious beliefs. Thoughts are energy, which in turn, creates our reality. Our thoughts and emotions produce either harmony or disharmony within our bodies.

Positive thoughts have an alkalizing and regenerative effect; negative thoughts have an acidifying and degenerative effect. Becoming aware of what we think and feel is the first step in creating a life of health and happiness.

All our beliefs are determined, reinforced, or changed by our thoughts.What we repeat in our self-talk eventually manifests as health or disease in our bodies, and as happiness or sadness, fulfillment or disappointment in our lives.

Life is an experience we create; this happens whether we are aware of it or not. Our purpose for being here is to become aware, to consciously create the life we want; our power to do that increases as we become more conscious.

When we begin to understand that our ego is a false self, we open the door to self-awareness. The ego works to keep us self-centered and reactive. It works to retain control of our mind and keep us unaware of the true self, which is spirit.

The first step to overcoming the ego's control is resisting the urge to be reactive, and letting go of our tendency to take offense.

Realizing that those people we feel have hurt us in some way were only acting out of their own blindness and lack of awareness, allows us to forgive them.

Forgiveness is the key to emotional freedom. Gratitude is the path to peace of mind. Unconditional love is the force that creates harmony with all.

Be healthy!

Healthy eating vs. cancer!

noreply@blogger.com (Ant) — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 22:57:00 +0000

Any fresh food farmer would vouch for the healing powers of the food he labors so hard to bring to market. Since the time of Hippocrates philosophers have known that food is the best medicine! Why not boost your immunity 3 times a day or more with healthy eating? Because food is also the only energy source humans use to survive.

First let's stop trying to get human energy out of fake food. To overcome or avoid cancer human bodies demand the right fresh food at every meal. Hundreds of people all over the world are willing to let go of fear long enough to try a fresh food diet and be cured, mind body and spirit. How do I know this to be true, you might ask...?

While doing cancer research I had to read scholarly scientific journals. An article in the respected scientific journal, The Lancet changed my mind about food. The article described the actions of a Polynesian woman who was diagnosed in America with a deadly blood related cancer. She was in an experimental group being treated with a wonder drug not yet released to the public since it was in the research phase. At a critical juncture in the treatment she decided to leave and go back to her country. Highly disappointed, her doctors gave up on her survival since they believed that she could not survive without their treatments.

Surprise! She returned a year later happily married, with a baby and tested negative for cancer. She informed her physicians that she was healed. A medicine man advised that she fall in love, and eat the fresh food of her country she explained. Whatever she ate had a powerful positive effect on her immune system.

Can the right diet miraculously boost immunity and heal? I am betting on it. The American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR) has this idea as its mission. So I suggest, first change your mind about the ability of your body to heal, and adopt a 'food as medicine' attitude.

1. Fall in love with this idea and then pur sue knowledge about food and healing as if it was a new lover.

2. Cook and eat hearty whole grains, especially in bread.

3. Get excited about the miracle minerals of vegetables. They are natural cancer prevention kits. Flush out body toxins with fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

4. Rethink every thing you know about fats and carbohydrates especially if you lean towards high – low diets.

5. Make healthy informed food choices preferably not heard on a television commercial. It is either this, or become caught in a cycle of fear and fighting dangerous diseases with newly designed drugs; as we ignore long pages of contraindications which no one reads except lawyers.

Eating like this nips disease in the bud, boosts your immune system, and leaves you enjoying a healthier, happier body.

Be healthy!

Sugar or honey?

noreply@blogger.com (Ant) — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 11:51:00 +0000

One of lifes purest pleasures is a cup of steaming tea. Some like it pure but most like it sweet. Adding sugar is by far the most common way of sweetening tea. Common table sugar (sucrose) is comprised of fructose and glucose. While sugar satisfies a natural craving, it is not without its downside.

Sugar is the quintessential source of energy and most foods, when digested, are metabolized by the body as basic sugar (glucose). It is a major source of calories in the diet. The body will save the excess energy in sugar as fat. While some stored fat is necessary, too much is undesirable and pose several health concerns especially for diabetics. Sugar also supports the growth of the bacteria that causes tooth decay.

A healthier alternative is honey. Honey is one of the oldest sweeteners used by man and was highly valued by ancient Egyptians for its medicinal and healing properties. It is a sweet, usually viscous, liquid made by bees from flower nectar and stored in the cells of the hive for food. Consumed fresh or after processing, it is usually used as a nutritive sweetener.

Honey is the ultimate in products derived from herbs. Its like liquid gold. Fashioned through an ingenious alliance between animal and plant kingdoms, honey delivers a diverse array of phytochemicals in one package. This bounty arrives courtesy of the industrious honeybee, who visits some 2 million flowers to manufacture just one pound of honey?said Dr.Gina Mohammed, a plant physiologist in Sault Ste Marie, Canada. Honey blends exceptionally well with black and flavored teas and enhances its fragrance? added Kim Yong, founder of Your Tea Place, an online tea site which focuses on tea and health.

A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, shows that the level of antioxidants of honey is comparable to that of many fruits and vegetables. And while you are unlikely to devour a cup of honey in lieu of broccoli, the golden liquid may be a respectable alternative to sugar and a healthy supplement to your diet. It has been found that honey lessens the ill effects of radiation therapy in patients with cancer of the head and neck, improves oral health, preserves food, boosts antioxidants and enhances athletic performance.

Researchers at the University of Illinois studied 25 healthy men who consumed various combinations of hot water, buckwheat honey, black tea and sugar. They found that serum antioxidant capacity increased by 7 percent within two hours of ingesting 2 cups of hot water containing about 4 tablespoons of honey. Those antioxidants also help your arteries as it reduces oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (known as bad?cholesterol), a benefit which likely thwarts development of atherosclerosis. The findings also show that many varieties are full of phenols and flavonoids ?known cancer fighters even more powerful than vitamin E.

So the next time youre having a cup of tea, do your health a favor by added a spoonful of honey, natures liquid gold.

Be healthy!

Losing Weight is Easy!

noreply@blogger.com (Ant) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 08:48:00 +0000

Do you happen yourself losing weight - gaining that weight back - then losing weight again only to recover it again? This is the frustrating weight loss rhythm most Americans happen themselves locked into. Are your end to lose weight or "find thin"? See these 5 ideas to assist you lose weight AND happen thin.

1) Keep your focusing on determination thin. Don't concentrate on losing weight. It's not natural for us to lose anything. We're not wired that way. Think about it – bash you desire to be less ill or more than healthy? You desire to be more than healthy. Focusing on weight loss is the same thing – you should be focused on determination thin – not on losing weight.

2) When you've mastered the fine art of focusing on determination thin – spell back and seek diets and exercising programmes that failing earlier. Find a weight loss programme that plant for you. The most of import thing is that you don't concentrate on the weight loss. Focus on the end of determination thin.

3) With a renewed focusing on determination thin – get a mental image of how you would wish to see yourself in the future. Think in footing of determination thin (the manner you desire to be) – don't worry about a specific amount of weight loss.

4) As you addition a mental image of yourself the manner you would wish to be in the hereafter – you'll experience a renewed committedness to your diet and exercising programs. You'll lose weight and experience better. Again, go on to see yourself the manner you desire to be – don't believe about losing weight.

5) Diet and exercising are a necessary portion of determination thin. However, any limitations on what you're allowed to eat apparent sucks! By keeping your focusing on determination thin – rather than on losing weight or dieting – you'll happen yourself wanting to follow you diet and wanting to exercise. Give it a attempt – you might be surprised at how well it works.

We hope that these tips will help you extra weight and be in the form! :)
Be healthy!

Several ways to avoid stress

noreply@blogger.com (Ant) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 23:22:00 +0000

In the modern world of today we are constantly being bombarded with high levels of stress and anxiety. These stresses can be physical, mental or environmental. They place an enormous strain on our physical and mental health.

Most of us are aware that excessive stress can affect our ability to think straight, our digestive system, adrenal glands and heart. Research has however shown that whenever a stressful situation arises, there is a knock on effect. Firstly stress limits the blood supply going to the stomach, this hampers the digestive system and a temporary shut down of our immune system may follow. If we are overwhelmed with stress for an extended period we are likely to experience fatigue and exhaustion.

Although it may not be possible to avoid these stress factors in our lives there is help available. There are many natural herbal supplements, known for they’re relaxing properties which assist in combating the harmful effects of anxiety and stress. Several herbs are usually incorporated together to make a powerful formula.

We will take a look at some of the individual herbs, which go to make up some of these potent anti- anxiety supplements: -

* Jujube Seeds: - hypnotic and anti-anxiety effect used for hysteria, fatigue, sleeplessness, debility and restlessness.

* Magnolia Bark: - has anti anxiety, anti stress properties, lowers the cortisol, promotes relaxation and improves the mood.

* Potassium: -sustains the fluid and electrolyte balance, discharges energy from carbohydrate, protein and fat, assists in conveying nerve impulses.

* Magnesium: -is a trace mineral and its chief role is manufacturing and transporting energy, relaxing and contracting the muscles, assisting some enzymes with their task in the body and mixing proteins.

* Valerian Root: - It supports a feeling of calmness, improves sleep, reduces anxiety levels and facilitates relaxation of the central nervous system. Valerian root is non addictive and does not cause morning tiredness. It also is useful in slowing the heart in those who have the condition known as tachycardia.

* Melatonin: -is one of the most dominant antioxidants in the brain. It restores metabolism, improves the quality of sleep and slows down degenerative diseases of the brain such as Parkinson’s. Melatonin can control extreme cortical production and is therefore effectual in reducing stress levels and regulating sleep cycles.

* Vitamin B complex contains Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5,

B6 and B12 are all essential vitamins for the nervous system

Stress is a very dangerous phenomenon in our daily lives! Using herbs described in this article will help reduce the risk of stress!

Be Healthy!

Do you want to lose the extra weight? Go Herbal!

noreply@blogger.com (Ant) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:54:00 +0000

These days, there is a great need for overweight Americans to lose those excess pounds. Being healthy would not only lead them to have a healthier lifestyle but it will also literally lighten their load, and improve their overall well-being.

There is a long list of dieting options available. There are exercise programs, exercise machines, dietary supplements, dietary food and drinks, diet pills - there are even soaps which claim to help you lose pounds while you bathe.

One other available option to shed off those unwanted pounds is to go herbal.
Herbal weight loss products have been in great demand for people who want to lose weight the natural way. However, when you take herbal supplements to lose weight, you would have to wait for a longer time for the results because of the more subtle effects of medicines which came from plants and natural herbs.

1. Herbal weight loss products
There are a lot of herbal weight loss products available in the market now. You can check out the Internet and you will find a lot of herbal weight loss pills and products.
Be careful, however, as there are some products which claim to be safe and natural because they are herbal, but some actually have side effects because of non-extensive research on the effects of these products.

Here are some ingredients and chemicals which make up some herbal weight loss products that you should watch out for, as they might have harmful effects to your health:

> Senna. This is an herbal laxative. Senna is a main ingredient in weight loss teas, and it works by stimulation the colon. The downside effect of this herb is dehydration. It can also lead to colon problems and can become addictive. Some people, when addicted, are unable to perform bowel movements without it, so watch out.

> Chromium picolinate. This is a synthetic compound found in herbal weight loss products. Chromium is a nutrient which helps regulate blood-sugar level. However, this ingredient, when taken in high doses, may cause damage in the chromosomes. It can also lead to dehydration.

> St. John's wort. This supplement increases the production of a chemical in the brain. If not used properly, it may cause eye and skin sensitivity, mild gastrointestinal distress, fatigue and itching.

Although a lot of herbal products claim to be safe and natural, it is better to scrutinize the ingredients and research about the effects of the product itself before going for these herbal dietary pills.

2. Organic food.
In Wichita, Kansas, organic food has found its way to more homes and restaurants. Organic food devotees believe that consuming organic goodies help their bodies as well as the environment.
A person who buys organically raised eggs and vegetables claim to be healthier, and they are not spending money on doctors and prescriptions as these keep them healthier and away from the hospital. This could also be an option for weight watchers, as organic food is known to be kinder to your weight than chemically-processed food products.

3. Green Tea.
Studies show that intake of green tea, or green tea extracts burns extra calories. Also, green tea with caffeine can increase fat burning by up to 40% thereby reducing fat.
This is one good option for those who want to lose weight. In a study done, people who took green tea were found to lose 2 to 3 times more weight than those who did not drink green tea.
These results show that green tea is a natural product for the treatment of obesity. Thus, it also makes for a healthier dietary option, not to mention the good effects that it has on the body as compared to caffeine. A cup of tea gives an emmediate energy lift without the side effects of caffeine.

3. Caffeine.
Coffee provides an energy boost to increase fat burning. Caffeine also provides a likelihood to be active, which in turn increases your rate of calorie burn.

4. Immortality Herb
This herb, whose scientific name is Gymnostemna Pentaphyllum, is known to have the following benefits:

> increases healthy blood flow> reduces artery blocks> aids healthy blood pressure> increases the rate of fat burning

5. Apple Cider Vinegar
There are pills and food supplements whose main ingredient is apple cider vinegar. Here are the benefits of taking this herbal option:

> weight loss> improved cholesterol level> improved high blood pressure> helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis

Use of herbal medicine may help you lose the extra weight, but it should be remembered that the use of these herbs should consult with their physician.

Be healthy!