From Health to Wealth

The Genetic origins of the Cancers

2012-02-09T11:32:00.000-08:00

Cancer

Many people think of cancer as a single disease, however, it actually results from more than 1,000 different disorders in normal cell and tissue function. All cancers have one feature in common: They all are diseases of uncontrolled cell division. For healthy people, the body regulates the production of new cells very precisely. But in cancer patients, gene mutation lead to breakdowns in the cell communication and growth control normal in healthy cells. Out of the normal control, cancer cells can become invasive and spread to other parts of the body. As a consequence, normal tissue and organ functions may be seriously disrupted.

Mutation in two main groups genes are closely related with cancers:

A: Proto-oncogenes, which encode for proteins important for normal cell behavior including proliferation, differentiation and survival. Proto-oncogenes will be converted to ongogenes by the change in gene structure, location, or function. At this stage, the proto-oncogenes become into the oncogenes.

Oncogens can be categorized to the following groups:

Growth Factors: COLIA1-PDGFB, PDGF etc.
Receptors: v-erb-b, EGF-receptor etc.
Plasma membrane GTP-binding proteins: KRAS, Ras etc.
Nonreceptor protein kinases: BRAF, Raf kinase etc.
Transcription factors: MYC, v-jun, V-fos etc.
Cell-cycle or cell-death regulators: CYCD1, CDK4 and BLC2

B: Tumor Suppressors: Tumor suppressor genes encode for proteins that regulate cell survival and slow or stop cell proliferation. Cells with mutation in these genes, will ignore signals that direct them to apoptosis.

Examples of tumor suppressor genes: APC, BRCA1, BRCA2, SMAD4, NF-1, NF-2, CDKN2A, p53, RB, HL and WF1.

Panic attack or heart attack?

2012-02-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

The symptoms of a panic attack appear suddenly, without any apparent cause. They may include: racing or pounding heartbeat; chest pains; stomach upset; dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, difficulty breathing; tingling or numbness in the hands; hot flashes or chills; trembling and shaking; dreamlike sensations; terror and fear of dying.

Panic attacks may be symptoms of an anxiety disorder. These attacks are a serious health problem in the U.S. At least 20% of adult Americans, or about 60 million people, will suffer from panic attacks at some point in their lives. About 1.7% of adult Americans, or about 3 million people, will have full-blown panic disorder at some time in their lives, twice as often for women than men.

Its symptoms can closely mimic those of a heart attack. So if you do not have heart disease history and you are young (especially the teenagers) for suffer the hear attack, and you live in some sort of stress. You are most likely experiencing the anxiety disorder.

In this situation, first adjusting your home dishes, especially taking more vitamin B complex, banana (supply sodium ion) etc. will help; second, try to release your stress, change work or study environment etc.Taking medicine is not always the first choice, which will make you more dependent on the medicine; some people have to take the medicine over his/her life time.

Is Sugar Toxic?

2011-04-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

Please see this great article

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&hpw

Pesticide exposure, a public problem to be overlooked.

2011-02-28T17:28:00.000-08:00

As it states, pesticides "…on our food, even after washing; …in our bodies, for years; …& in our environment, traveling many miles on wind, water and dust."

Even we produce all vegetables and fruits in our own little garden, we may not be able to avoid pestticides because of the water we used and dust we "received".

How much is too much? Here is the resource.

An inexpensive but very important fruit we can not overlook!

2011-02-25T19:02:00.000-08:00

Banana, a very common and inexpensive fruit that almost everybody can afford to eat everyday. It may not be delicious as some other costly fruits, but it is essential to our health.

Some people with anxiety or depression may experience like this: At specific time each day, her or his heart beats over 120 per min. Usually they would call 911 at this situation. However after examination in the emergency room or the hospital, he or she would be told that he or she is healthy, no any signs of heart attack! But her or his experience a few minutes ago is scaring! The truth is: she or he does not have heart attack. Think about, how does a heart attach occur at a specific time each day?

But how come? People can consult their doctors about the reasons caused by anxiety.

Sometimes, the doctors would recommend eating more banana. Why? Because she or he is lack of potassium, which is important to the heart pump and rich in banana. Meanwhile, banana also contains element zinc, which is important to improve our body's defense system.

So, do not look down the inexpensive fruit. It is cheap but works well.

Banana, raw, edible parts

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Energy                        371 kJ (89 kcal)

Carbohydrates            22.84 g

Sugars                          12.23 g

Dietary fiber               2.6 g

Fat                                0.33 g

Protein                        1.09 g

Vitamin A equiv.         3 μg (0%)

Thiamine (Vit. B1)         0.031 mg (2%)

Riboflavin (Vit. B2)        0.073 mg (5%)

Niacin (Vit. B3)             0.665 mg (4%)

Pantothenic acid (B5)   0.334 mg (7%)

Vitamin B6                     0.367 mg (28%)

Folate (Vit. B9)              20 μg (5%)

Vitamin C                         8.7 mg (15%)

Calcium                             5 mg (1%)

Iron                                  0.26 mg (2%)

Magnesium                        27 mg (7%)

Phosphorus                        22 mg (3%)

Potassium                        358 mg (8%)

Zinc                                     0.15 mg (1%)

One banana is 100–150 g.

*Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.

*Source: USDA Nutrient database

Stress: the killer of happiness

2011-02-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

When people are living under pressure too long without release, in the end he or she might be depressed.

When people often feel blue, or often see the negative of life, or are down very easily, he or she is most likely under stress or with anxiety.

When depressed, people easily feel hopeless, sad, or helpless, or lose control. Nothing seems to be good or beautiful in the world.

When seeing a doctor, people might be recommended using some medicines. But be careful that people may get dependence on them and be never able to get rid of it.

To reduce the stress, the first thing is to get rid of the sources: the pressure.

Be away from the pressure if possible.Seek positive feedbacks, support, and encouragement from family and friends.

If like music, listen to happy music instead of sad melody.

If possible, find a person you trust to tell our feeling and our story. We need release something from our mind and our heart. If not, go somewhere and yell or shout to the nature.

If like travel, go to the nature instead of crowd city.

If like excersie, make sweat ourselves and take a hot shower afterwards.

If like movies, watch those with happy and beautiful stories instead of tragety or violence or advanture.

Avoid alone although tempered.

Most important, try to do what we like or interest instead of something demanding too much.

Life is not easy in modern society, we have to take care of ourselves.

The longevity factor: happiness from self-satisfaction!

2011-02-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

Rich people do not always live longer than un-rich people.
Eating nutrients-rich food does not always end up longevity.
Living in clean environment does not always guarantee the longevity.
Well-educated people do not always live longer than the illiterate people.
Excising well doe not always results in longevity.
So what can lead to the longevity?
I would say: happiness from self-satisfaction.

If you are never satisfied with what you have, you are often under pressure or stress, causing irreversible changes in your physical body and psychological minds.

So, be simple, be natural, be real, and be happy, then likely live longer!

My own energy drinks

2011-02-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

The argument and debate on whether energy drink is healthy or risky is not new and may become hotter and hotter. Before any conclusions are drawn, I prefer not drinking them, neither my family. Sometimes it is hard to see the effect immediately. When you see it, it is too late. We each person has only one life, there already have been enough healthy risky factors around us that is hard to escape. If we can, why not avoid as much as possible.

If I really need energy drink, I will make it by myself from natural products. The easiest way is to make ginseng tea, or jujube tea, Chinese Wolfberry tea, or a combination of the two or three. The way to make it is simple: Put them into boiled cool water and soak for at least half hour, drink the tea and eat the ginseng or the fruit at the end.

Note: This is my personal experience and not recommendation for any body.

Be away from those food and drinks that potentially contain artificial hormones and antibiotics

2011-02-06T12:48:00.000-08:00

Believe or not, many modern diseases have a lot to do with the food and/drinks we eat/take every day. To feed the people with enough food, farmers start using artificial fertilizers to increase food productions or genetically modified transgenic crops. Animals are fed with synthesized feeds that contain hormone and antibiotics, which is under the limit set by FDA, but obviously exist and precipitate in the animal meat or carry over to the milks. Of course, a standard testing will tell you no risk for eating them because they "meet" the requirements from FDA. Unfortunately, when we eat them every day, the accumulation will be huge, which may reach the limit to cause any health problems.

Recently, there are so many examples around us like a friend of mine who has very good life style and habits with very positive attitude toward work/life. She is a Yoga coach and certainly looks very healthy. To everyone surprise, one day she was diagnosed with a cancer. And no body believe it and really do not understand she has a cancer. But this is true! After a discussion, she told us that she drank milk every day like drinking water. Here I do not want to link her cancer to the milk, but the milk from the cow that eat cloned crop feeds is definitely a food my family try to avoid.

I prefer to cooking food with the raw materials for my family; the more natural and simpler, the better. Taste may be not as good as the "delicious" food from restaurant, but I know what I put during cooking.

We may be lack of Vitamin D

2010-04-25T07:07:00.000-07:00

Feel muscle pain? Hard to loss weight? Easy to get sick? We may be lack of Vitamin D (VD).

Looking around, it is not hard to find many people, especially ladies, have sickness related to VD deficiency. Here are a list of some scientiicr esearch studies and reports published on VD:

1.Vitamin D2 Is Much Less Effective than Vitamin D3 in Humans.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 89, No. 11 5387-5391
Laura A. G. Armas, Bruce W. Hollis and Robert P. Heaney

ABSTRACT: Vitamins D2 and D3 are generally considered to be equivalent in humans. Nevertheless, physicians commonly report equivocal responses to seemingly large doses of the only high-dose calciferol (vitamin D2) available in the U.S. market.
The relative potencies of vitamins D2 and D3 were evaluated by administering single doses of 50,000 IU of the respective calciferols to 20 healthy male volunteers, following the time course of serum vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) over a period of 28 d and measuring the area under the curve of the rise in 25OHD above baseline.

The two calciferols produced similar rises in serum concentration of the administered vitamin, indicating equivalent absorption. Both produced similar initial rises in serum 25OHD over the first 3 d, but 25OHD continued to rise in the D3-treated subjects, peaking at 14 d, whereas serum 25OHD fell rapidly in the D2-treated subjects and was not different from baseline at 14 d. Area under the curve (AUC) to d 28 was 60.2 ng•d/ml (150.5 nmol•d/liter) for vitamin D2 and 204.7 (511.8) for vitamin D3

2.Low Levels of Vitamin D Linked to Muscle Fat, Decreased Strength in Young People

ScienceDaily (Mar. 6, 2010) — A ground-breaking study published in the March 2010 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found an astonishing 59 per cent of study subjects had too little Vitamin D in their blood. Nearly a quarter of the group had serious deficiencies (less than 20 ng/ml) of this important vitamin. Since Vitamin D insufficiency is linked to increased body fat, decreased muscle strength and a range of disorders, this is a serious health issue.

3.Lack Of Vitamin D Causes Weight Gain And Stunts Growth In Girls

ScienceDaily (Dec. 11, 2008) — Insufficient vitamin D can stunt growth and foster weight gain during puberty, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Even in sun-drenched California, where scientists from the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and the University of Southern California conducted their study, vitamin D deficiency was found to cause higher body mass and shorter stature in girls at the peak of their growing spurt.

4.Successful Weight Loss With Dieting Is Linked To Vitamin D Levels

ScienceDaily (June 12, 2009) — Vitamin D levels in the body at the start of a low-calorie diet predict weight loss success, a new study found. The results, which suggest a possible role for vitamin D in weight loss, were presented at The Endocrine Society's 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
"Vitamin D deficiency is associated with obesity, but it is not clear if inadequate vitamin D causes obesity or the other way around," said the study's lead author, Shalamar Sibley, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota.

5.High Levels of Vitamin D in Older People Can Reduce Heart Disease and Diabetes

ScienceDaily (Feb. 22, 2010) — Middle aged and elderly people with high levels of vitamin D could reduce their chances of developing heart disease or diabetes by 43%, according to researchers at the University of Warwick.

6.Vitamin D Insufficiency Linked To Bacterial Vaginosis In Pregnant Women

ScienceDaily (May 21, 2009) — Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in US women of childbearing age, and is common in pregnant women. BV occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria. Because having BV puts a woman at increased risk for a variety of complications, such as preterm delivery, there is great interest in understanding how it can be prevented.

7. Understanding The Anticancer Effects Of Vitamin D3
ScienceDaily (July 7, 2009) — The active form of vitamin D3 seems to have anticancer effects. To try and understand the mechanisms underlying these effects, researchers previously set out to identify genes whose expression in a human colon cancer cell line was altered by the active form of vitamin D3.

8. Vitamin D Levels Are Too Low In Millions Of US Children, Latest Analysis Confirms
ScienceDaily (Oct. 27, 2009) — Millions of children in the United States between the ages of 1 and 11 may suffer from suboptimal levels of vitamin D, according to a large nationally representative study published in the November issue of Pediatrics, accompanied by an editorial.

9. Women With Breast Cancer Have Low Vitamin D Levels
ScienceDaily (Oct. 10, 2009) — Women with breast cancer should be given high doses of vitamin D because a majority of them are likely to have low levels of vitamin D, which could contribute to decreased bone mass and greater risk of fractures, according to scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

10. Vitamin D Supplements Could Fight Crohn's Disease
ScienceDaily (Jan. 27, 2010) — A new study has found that Vitamin D, readily available in supplements or cod liver oil, can counter the effects of Crohn's disease. John White, an endocrinologist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, led a team of scientists from McGill University and the Université de Montréal who present their findings about the inflammatory bowel disease in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

11. Vitamin D Deficiency Related To Increased Inflammation In Healthy Women
ScienceDaily (Apr. 14, 2009) — According to a recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 75 percent of Americans do not get enough Vitamin D. Researchers have found that the deficiency may negatively impact immune function and cardiovascular health and increase cancer risk. Now, a University of Missouri nutritional sciences researcher has found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with inflammation, a negative response of the immune system, in healthy women.

12. Vitamin D Crucial to Activating Immune Defenses
ScienceDaily (Mar. 8, 2010) — Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defenses and that without sufficient intake of the vitamin, the killer cells of the immune system -- T cells -- will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body.

13. Vitamin D, Curcumin May Help Clear Amyloid Plaques Found In Alzheimer's Disease
ScienceDaily (July 16, 2009) — UCLA scientists and colleagues from UC Riverside and the Human BioMolecular Research Institute have found that a form of vitamin D, together with a chemical found in turmeric spice called curcumin, may help stimulate the immune system to clear the brain of amyloid beta, which forms the plaques considered the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

14. One In Seven U.S. Teens Is Vitamin D Deficient
ScienceDaily (Mar. 12, 2009) — One in seven American adolescents is vitamin D deficient, according to a new study by researchers in the Department of Public Health at Weill Cornell Medical College. The findings are published in the March issue of the journal Pediatrics and were presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies' Annual Meeting in May 2008.

15. Vitamin D Is The 'It' Nutrient Of The Moment
ScienceDaily (Jan. 14, 2009) — Vitamin D is quickly becoming the "it" nutrient with health benefits for diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and now diabetes.
"Vitamin D has widespread benefits for our health and certain chronic diseases in particular," said Sue Penckofer, Ph.D., R.N., study co-author and professor, Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. "This article further substantiates the role of this nutrient in the prevention and management of glucose intolerance and diabetes."

16. New Guidelines Double Amount Of Recommended Vitamin D For Young
ScienceDaily (Oct. 14, 2008) — The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is doubling the amount of vitamin D it recommends for infants, children and adolescents. The new clinical report, "Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children, and Adolescents, " recommends all children receive 400 IU a day of vitamin D, beginning in the first few days of life.

Key points:
• Low levels of circulating vitamin D are associated with increased risk and mortality from cancer.
• Vitamin D plays an important role in activating the immune system, fostering the "innate" immune response and controlling over-reaction of adaptive immunity, and as such may help control autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Cathelicidin can profoundly boost the innate immune system, and could form the basis for new therapies to combat pathogenic infections.
• The regulation of cathelicidin by vitamin D, a unique biological pathway for the function of vitamin D that could help explain its multiple roles in proper immune function, is so important that it's only known to exist in two groups of animals -- humans and non-human primates -- and has been conserved in them through millions of years of evolution.
• Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for tuberculosis, was historically used to treat it, and analogs of it may provide the basis for new therapeutic approaches not only to that disease but also HIV infection.
• Epidemiological studies show a link between vitamin D deficiency and increased rates of respiratory infection and influenza, and it has been hypothesized that flu epidemics may be the result of vitamin D deficiency.
• Higher levels of a protein linked to vitamin D have been associated with reduced infections and longer survival of dialysis patients.
• Vitamin D has important roles in reducing inflammation, blood pressure and helping to protect against heart disease.

17. Inadequate Levels of Vitamin D May Significantly Increase Risk of Stroke, Heart Disease and Death
ScienceDaily (Nov. 16, 2009) — While mothers have known that feeding their kids milk builds strong bones, a new study by researchers at the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City suggests that Vitamin D contributes to a strong and healthy heart as well -- and that inadequate levels of the vitamin may significantly increase a person's risk of stroke, heart disease, and death, even among people who've never had heart disease.

18. Vitamin D Deficiency Is Widespread And On The Increase
ScienceDaily (July 6, 2009) — A new report issued by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and published in the scientific journal Osteoporosis International1, shows that populations across the globe are suffering from the impact of low levels of vitamin D. The problem is widespread and on the increase, with potentially severe repercussions for overall health and fracture rates.

19. Vitamin D Deficiency In Younger Women Is Associated With Increased Risk Of High Blood Pressure
ScienceDaily (Sep. 25, 2009) — Vitamin D deficiency in premenopausal women may increase the risk of developing systolic hypertension 15 years later, according to research reported at the American Heart Association’s 63rd High Blood Pressure Research Conference.

Health from food: Cholesterol level in food

2010-01-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

Name	Cholesterol	Name	Cholesterol
pork	126mg	Tripe	150mg
Lard	110mg	Butter	110mg
pork ribs	105mg	cheese	140mg
Cream	300mg	Fish liver oil	500mg
goat	61mg	Shrimp	154mg
lamb	70mg	Crab	164mg
Rabbit meat	61mg	Jelly fish	24mg
Veal	140mg	Flat fish	87mg
Milk	24mg	Carp fish	90mg
Egg-yolk	2000mg	Crucian	90mg
Yellow Croaker	98mg	Pigeon	110mg
Quail egg	3640mg	Eel	186mg
Sepia	348mg	Shrimp	154mg

Note: Cholesterol level: mg per 100 g or 3.5 oz food.

Generally,no more than 300 mg of cholesterol is taken from food each day.

Health from food: The pumpkin

2009-12-30T16:44:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin includes a good source of protein, zinc, vitamins and is a good food with lower cholesterol.

Pumpkin, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
	Energy	56 kJ (13 kcal)
	Carbohydrates	6.5 g
	Sugars	1.36 g
	Dietary fiber	0.5 g
	Fat	0.1 g
	saturated	0.05 g
	monounsaturated	0.01 g
	polyunsaturated	0.01 g
	Protein	1.0 g
	Vitamin A equiv.	369 μg (41%)
	- beta-carotene	3100 μg (29%)
	Thiamine (Vit. B1)	0.05 mg (4%)
	Riboflavin (Vit. B2)	0.110 mg (7%)
	Niacin (Vit. B3)	0.6 mg (4%)
	Pantothenic acid (B5)	0.298 mg (6%)
	Vitamin B6	0.061 mg (5%)
	Folate (Vit. B9)	16 μg (4%)
	Vitamin C	9 mg (15%)
	Vitamin E	1.06 mg (7%)
	Calcium	21 mg (2%)
	Iron	0.8 mg (6%)
	Magnesium	12 mg (3%
	Phosphorus	44 mg (6%)
	Potassium	340 mg (7%)
	Sodium	1 mg (0%)
	Zinc	0.32 mg (3%)
	Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.
	Source: USDA Nutrient database

It has been shown to have many health benefits as follows:

1. Detoxify: Pumpkin contains various vitamins and pectin; with very good absorbability, the pectin can detoxify by absorbing and eliminating bacteriotoxin and other deleterious substances such as heavy metal lead, mercury, and some radioactive elements in vivo

2. Protect gastric mucosa and promote digestion: the pectin in pumpkin can protect stomach rubber mucous membrane from damage by rough food, help heal ulcer, which is especially helpful for patients with gastric diseases; The ingredients in pumpkin are also able to promote choler secretion, strengthen the movement of stomach and intestine creeping, resulting in the promotion of food digestion.

3. Reduce blood sugar and prevent diabetes: The pumpkin contains rich cobalt that can enliven the human body metabolism, promote hemopoiesis, and participate in Vitamin B12 synthesis in human body. It is also a trace element that is necessary for pancreatic cells in human body and to reduce blood sugar.

4. Elimination carcinogen: The ingredients in pumpkin can eliminate the sudden change of carcinogen nitrosamine to cause cancer, restore and maintain the function of liver and the kidney function, and strengthen liver and kidney cell reproduction.

5. Promote growth: Pumpkin contains rich zinc that participates in the synthesis of essence acids and proteins that human body need. It is also one of the adrenal cortex hormone inherent ingredients for human body growth.

New Study: Pycnogenol® Reduces ADHD in Children

2009-12-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

A new study reveals that Pycnogenol,an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree can balance stress hormones, which lowers adrenaline and dopamine,resulting in a decrease of ADHD in children.

Vitamin D on Swine Flu ??

2009-09-12T06:05:00.001-07:00

1. Believe or not: the best recommendation to prevent swine flu was, Vitamin D. Please read on:

Warning: Swine Flu Shot Linked to Killer Nerve Disease

2. Vitamin D – Popular Science

It's D-lightful, It's D-licious, It's D Vitamin...

Vitamin D: how much we know about it?

2009-08-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

1. Vitamin D in the News

D Vital for the Heart

2. Role of vitamin D
• Promotes the proper synthesis and functioning of important proteins essential for proper calcium utilization
• Supports the maintenance of bones
• Supports immune health
• Helps maintain cardiovascular health
• Helps maintain normal blood pressure

3. Sources of vitamin D
• Fat-soluble vitamin can obtain from:
• Food (Salmon: 360 IUs; Mackerel: 345 IUs; Tuna: 200 IUs; Sardines: 250 IUs; Fortified Milk: 98 IUs)
• Supplementation
• Sunlight
• Supplementation
• Sunlight

4. Vitamin D Deficiency
• More than1 billion people worldwide do not consume adequate amounts of vitamin
• More than 50% of postmenopausal women taking medication for osteoporosis have suboptimal levels of vitamin D
• Without adequate vitamin D, only 10-15% of dietary calcium is absorbed
• Vitamin D deficiency: a worldwide problem with health consequences ( Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Apr;87(4):1080S-6S)
• Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a pandemic.
• Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D are often inadequate to satisfy either a child's or an adult's vitamin D requirement
• Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children and will precipitate and exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures in adults
• Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, and infectious diseases

5. Research findings
• Vitamin D supplementation and total mortality (Arch Intern Med. 2007 Sep 10;167(16):1730-7)
• A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials including 57,311 participants.
• Intake of ordinary doses (300 to 2000 IU) of vitamin D supplements seems to be associated with decreases in total mortality rates.
• Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk ( Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jun;85(6):1586-91)
• A 4-year, population-based, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.
• 1179 healthy postmenopausal women aged >55 years.

6. Current Researches
• Vitamin D may reduce prostate cancer metastasis by several mechanisms including blocking Stat3 (Am J Patholo. 2008 Nov;173(5):1589-90)
• Double-dose vitamin D lowers cancer risk in women over 55 (J Fam Pract. 2007 Nov;56(11):907-10 )

7. Use of vitamin D in clinical practice (Altern Med Rev. 2008 Mar;13(1):6-20)
• Natural vitamin D levels, those found in humans living in a sun-rich environment, are between 40-70 ng per ml.
• Treatment of vitamin D deficiency in otherwise healthy patients with 2,000-7,000 IU vitamin D per day should be sufficient to maintain year-round 25(OH)D levels between 40-70 ng per mL.
• In those with serious illnesses associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, autism, and a host of other illnesses, doses should be sufficient to maintain year-round 25(OH)D levels between 55 -70 ng per mL.

8. Why Vitamin K2?
• Promotes normal calcium absorption
• Promotes healthy arteries
• Active form of vitamin K with highest bioavailability
• Women with low bone density have been found to be deficient in vitamin K
• Addresses the “calcium paradox”
• Vitamin K1 vs. K2
• Both are naturally occurring forms of vitamin K. Different chemical structures resulting in different pharmacokinetic properties
• K1 is absorbed primarily in the liver where at high doses it may interfere with anticoagulant medications
• K2 is transported primarily to the bones and blood vessels
• Only 10% of dietary vitamin K is in K2 form

9. Why take vitamins D and K as supplements?
• Most people are vitamin D deficient or insufficient
• Diet
• Sun exposure
• Very little vitamin K is stored in the body
• These vitamins work together

Important ingredients that support neurological, metabolic, and digestive health

2009-07-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

Various ingredients that have shown a role in helping those with neurological and digestive health issues. To date, there have been countless studies documenting these effects from some of ingredients like

· Folic Acid

Vitamin B6 (P5P)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B3
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Zinc
Calcium
Magnesium

No doubt that many people have heard of folic acid, an important B vitamin for many processes in the body, specifically for the nervous system. Folinic acid is the metabolically active form of folic acid and one less step is required for its conversion in the body. Usually folic acid has to be activated but it’s more readily available by using folinic acid. Folinic acid aids in the conversion of sulfur-containing compounds to glutathione, an antioxidant found in the body. Studies on folinic acid have shown improvements in sleep, communication, social interaction in those with neurological, metabolic and digestive needs. The Better-Worse ratio is 11 :1, meaning supplementation with folic acid caused 11 children to get better for every one that got worse.

Another extremely important vitamin is vitamin B6. Food sources include beans, meat, poultry, fish, and some fruits and vegetables. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P) is the active form of vitamin B6 and it has been shown that the conversion to P5P is problematic in some children. Some studies have shown a low activity of pyridoxal kinase, which is the enzyme required for the conversion to P5P. For this reason, it is best to only supplement with the P5P form. B6 is also involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain and peripheral nerve cells, which are critical for the development of language, attention, alertness etc.

Vitamin B12 is naturally found in foods that come from animals, including fish, meat, and poultry. It’s a vitamin needed for many processes, including nerve cell activity, DNA replication. It’s best to use methylcobalamin, rather than cobalamin, as evidences indicate this form is utilized much more efficiently, especially in children with methylation defects. Every cell in the body expresses the folate/methionine cycle, defects in transmethylation can affect vital biochemical reactions at many places in metabolism. This is important, as some children do have methylation defects. So it makes sense to consume B12 in a form in which it's already metabolically active and maximally reduced, and thereby put less of a strain on our bodies' antioxidative capacity.

Zinc is a mineral that can be found in the following food sources: oysters, red meat, beans, nuts and grains etc. It is an essential mineral that is a component of more than 300 enzymes needed to repair wounds, synthesize proteins, aid in the development and maintenance of the brain, help cells reproduce, preserve vision, boost immunity, and protect against free radicals, among many other functions. It is a known fact that when zinc levels are down, copper levels are often increased. 90% of children with neurological and digestive needs have this abnormal zinc to copper ratio. Excess copper can lead to copper imbalance in the body and organs and copper imbalance in children is associated with delayed development, anti-social and hyperactive behavior, and learning difficulties. Because zinc helps facilitate the excretion of excess copper, it is important to make sure a multivitamin has an adequate amount of zinc. You should avoid copper-containing supplements for these children. Also, the B:W ratio for zinc is 22:1, even higher than that of vitamin C!

In support of the use of these ingredients for certain children, Adams and co-workers (Adams J et al. Pilot study of a moderate dose multivitamin/mineral supplement for children with autistic spectrum disorder. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 10(6):1033-1039, 2004) conducted a small pilot study using a strong, balanced multivitamin/multimineral formulation. 20 children ages 3-8 years old with neurological and digestive issues. This formulation included the P5P form of vitamin B6, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin B12, calcium, among others. The results clearly indicated statistically significant improvements in sleep and GI health. They also determined a functional need for more B6 and vitamin C in these individuals.

Nutrition and cancer: the current epidemiological evidence

2009-07-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

A good paper worth reading!

Free radicals: the hidden killers of your health

2009-06-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

Free radicals are unstable, unbalanced, and unpaired molecules. They can react quickly with nearby molecules to capture needed electron to gain stability. As they find needed electrons, it leaves behind another unstable radical and a chemically unstable chain reaction of similar events occurs. In this process, delicate biological tissues vital to life encounter a radical, the reactive radical may cause destruction in the tissue/cell, resulting in human diseases. They are very destructive and non-selective.

The typical FREE RADICALS impacting our human body are: Superoxide anion ( O^-₂ and O^-₂rich salts), Hydroxyl radical ( OH^-), Hypochlorous acid (ClO^- ),Nitric oxide ( NO^- ),Singlet oxygen ( O^-), hydrogen peroxide ( H₂O₂),Fatty acid hydroperoxides , and oxidized Protein, etc.

Free Radicals can be generated from metabolism, ionizing radiation, smoke, inflammation, UV, air pollution etc.

Free Radical Attack Related Diseases:

• Cardiovascular Diseases

• Cancer

• Stroke

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Alzheimer's Diseases

• Parkinson's disease

• Emphysema

• Autoimmune diseases (Asthma, Diabetes • • •)

• Arthritis

• Cataracts

Antioxidants have been proven to protect the body against the destructive effects of free radicals. They can neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the electron-"stealing" reaction. They typical antioxidants and their electron donating capacities are:
( - vitamin E [1e^-]

- vitamin C [2e^-]

- flavonoids [>2e^-]

- OPC [>50e^-]

Effects of Antioxidants:

Protect us from free radical damage: a leading causes of tissue injury
Prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol
Helps cells produce energy (CoQ10)
Enhance synthesis & protection of collagen (Vit C)
Protect skin from radiation damage (Vit E, Beta Glucan)
Improve circulation and oxygen delivery (Ginko, OPC)
Reduce inflammation (OPC, Ginko, Vit E)

The best way to ensure adequate intake of the antioxidant nutrients is through a balanced diet and/or taking supplements per day.

Detoxification: start from food

2009-05-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt that there exists toxin accumulation in our body, which is often overlooked. However, such a silent accumulation may surprise us (cause diseases) someday. Here is a list of food that will help our body detoxification based on experts:

1. Colon detoxification
· apple
· black wood ears
· blueberry
· Grains
· red bean
· soy bean

2. Liver detoxification
· carrot
· garlic
· grape
· aloe juice
· Chrysanthemum tea

3. Kidney detoxification
· cucumber
· cherry
· lotus seed
· CommonYam Rhizome

Certainly it is more effective by taking some natural supplements.

Reversing the process: different approaches for cancer prevention

2009-04-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

New directions toward cancer prevention from science studies:

Cramping tumors: An old observation about cancer cells may lead to a new treatment
Breast cancer: reversing the process. “Although this research does not offer a cure for breast cancer, it does point to the possibility that the disease may be treated or perhaps even prevented through means other than conventional genetic therapy.”
Reversing Cancer Cells To Normal Cells. A Northwestern University scientist describes new research to provide unique insights into how scientists can change human metastatic melanoma cells back to normal-like skin cells
How vitamin C stops the big 'C'. A team of Johns Hopkins scientists have shown that in mice at least, vitamin C can indeed inhibit the growth of some tumors.
Substitute Protein in Energy Pathway Stalls Cancer Growth“We have yet to see the exception of a cancer cell that does not have the M2 version of pyruvate kinase. That’s telling—they all seem to have PKM2,”
Too Much Oxygen Not A Good Thing For Tumors.
Another Anti-cancer Effect Of The 'Longevity' Protein SIRT1 Identified. From this study,another anti-cancer effect of the "longevity" protein SIRT1 was identified.
Resveratrol inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Reduce Risk Of Advanced Prostate Cancer
Omega-3 Kills Cancer Cells.
Colon Cancer Shuts Down Receptor That Could Shut It Down

Natural way to prevent cancers

· Cancer cells hunger on glucose: Avoid food with sugar and starch to starve cancer cells; fasting, low calorie diet
· Cancer cells like acid environment: Eat alkaline and green food with calcium
· HIF depends on free radicals: Take antioxidants as supplements
· HIF supplement by oxygen: Improve circulation system by taking rich Omega III food and supplement
· Support normal cells: Multivatamins, Vb, Vc
· Support mitochondria function: Resveratrol
· Apoptosis: Resveratrol
· Detoxification

The cause of cancers: findings from scientific studies

2009-04-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

1. DNA damage from micronutrient deficiencies is likely to be a major cause of cancer. This study reveals that the deficiency of any of the micronutrients, rather than macronutrients may be the main cause of cancers.

2. Fundamental Process Of Tumor Growth Explained. As reported in ScienceDaily (Mar. 13, 2008), two papers appearing in the March 13 issue of the journal Nature help explaine the observation by Otto Warburg nearly 80 years ago that cancer cells perform energy metabolism in a way different from normal adult cells. The metabolic process known as the Warburg effect is essential for tumors' rapid growth; and they identify the M2 form of pyruvate kinase (PKM2), an enzyme involved in sugar metabolism, as an important mechanism behind this process.

3.The M2 splice isoform of pyruvate kinase is important for cancer metabolism and tumour growth. This study shows that a single switch in a splice isoform of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase is necessary for the shift in cellular metabolism to aerobic glycolysis and that this promotes tumorigenesis. Tumour cells have been shown to express exclusively the embryonic M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase.

4. The Prime Cause and Prevention of Disease. It is found that the prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the respiration of oxygen ... in normal body cells by fermentation of sugar.

5. New Protein That Triggers Breast Cancer Identified. As reported by ScienceDaily (Jan. 14, 2009), Canadian researchers have identified a new protein in the progression of breast cancer. The protein ARF1 plays a critical role in cancer cell growth and the spread of tumours.

Other side of cancer treatments

2009-04-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

Let’s see what scientific studies tell us:

1. Chemo has long-term impact on brain function
The researchers from the University of California found that chemotherapy caused changes in the brain's metabolism and blood flow that can last as long as 10 years.

2. Approach to treat bone loss might increase bone cancer risk. As reported by ScienceDaily (Apr. 1, 2009) , the approach developed to treat osteoporosis involves blocking the action of proteins that inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway, which is associated with several cancers.

3. Drug might be more harmful than the disease it is meant to treat.

4. Does chemo for breast cancer cause more harm than good? Currently, chemotherapy is recommended for women with breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes. However, the chemo does not help most of the patients treated. and many women could actually safely skip chemo.

5. Numerous CT scans over lifetime may increase cancer risk (ScienceDaily,Apr. 1, 2009)

And more.......

If a treatment does not highly selectively target the cancer, side effects are inevitable. If side effects cause more known or unkown problems, we may not use the treatments because some side effects may speed up cancer cell proliferation.

If we understand what cancer cells love and live on, can we try something to cut off the supply?

A check list for cancer / disease prevention

2009-04-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

Modifiable ("lifestyle") risk factors:
· Life habit: smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption
· Environmental factors: Harmful radiation, Carcinogens (Asbestos, benzene, …)
Diet
· Reduce intake of foods and drinks that promote weight gain, namely energy-dense foods and sugary drinks
· Eat mostly foods of plant origin
· Limit intake of red meat and avoiding processed meat
· Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages, and
· Reduce intake of salt and avoiding moldy cereals (grains) or pulses (legumes)
· Restrictive calorie intake
. Eat more alkaline food than acidic food because cancer cell love acidic environment ( Cancer cell pH: 4~6.5 VS normal blood serum pH = 7.4)
· Take vitamins/Supplements to help maintain general health and thus prevent disease progression because vitamin A, B12, C, D have linked to reduced risk of various cancers
Chemoprevention
· Daily use of tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), typically for 5 years, has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in high-risk women by about 50%.
· selective estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene has similar benefits to tamoxifen
· Recently, Resevertrol is the focus of study
Genetic testing to provide personalized medicine based on Gene SNP
Vaccination
Gardasil and Cervarix
Hepatitis B vaccine, which prevents infection with the hepatitis B virus, an infectious agent that can cause liver cancer

Smoking: burn health, burn wealth

2009-04-13T12:38:00.001-07:00

Nowadays smoking is no longer a fashion as used to be. Many people start smoking when they have pressure and stress, or feel sad and lonely. It is understandable for this; unfortunately, when it becomes a habit or addicted, it will become a problem.

First, a habit of smoking is to burn wealth. As estimated, the money people would have spent on cigarettes from age 40 to 65 may net $100,000, not counting what you save by avoiding disease.
Second, a habit of smoking is to burn health. Smoking is known to be an important risk factor for respiratory illnesses and can cause the lung cancer, coronary heart disease, mouth cancer and severe problems regarding throat, kidney, bladder and pancreas. Around 1000 Americans are dying each day because of smoking.

When the health is brunt, the wealth is meaningless and gradual shrinking because of the endless medical expenses. Therefore, burning health means burning wealth.

Therefore, for people who are non-smokers, never take a chance to start smoking. When tempted, try something else: talking, singing, dancing, hiking, even yelling or crying …. Thinking about drug!

For people who are smokers, think about quitting now although it is hard. There are always some excuses to give up. But health and wealth are two factors for not giving up. There are so many online resources, recommendations, and tips available for quit smoking. Among them, there is always ONE or more suitable and working for you. Here is one who got the effect accidently.

“I started with nutrition supplements. About 20 days later I realized the differences: I have much better complexion, more energetic, then my stomach pain was gone. About 2 months later, one day I realized that I was out of cigarette for at least 5-6 days, and I never had the desire to buy a pack (I was not a heavy smoker, about 5 or 6 a day, the heaviest day about half a pack), I was very excited and told my friend about it to share the great news”.

This experience can't guarantee it will work for everybody. But it tells us that it never hurts to have try and try something different. One thing is sure that nothing will change better if no action.

Eight treasure porridge

2009-04-12T12:22:00.001-07:00

Eight treasure porridge is a traditional Chinese fluid food with eight or more than eight nutritious ingredients. It is considered in traditional Chinese medicine as a healthy food that is particularly good for the spleen, stomach and blood.

The ingredients I used: dried red beans, lotus seeds, red dates, black rice, peanuts, glutinous rice, rock sugar, etc.

Procedures:

Wash all the ingredients
Mix the hardy ingredients (red beans, peanut,black rice, lotus seeds etc) with water (liquid to solid ratio: 4: 1) and cook them in a a rice cooker (or slow cooker or regular cooker) till every ingredients become soft and ready to eat (~30-40 min via using a rice cooker)
Add glutinous rice, red dates, rock sugar (depend on how sweet you want) with water and continue cook for about 20-30 minutes till getting thick.
Cool down and ready to serve.

Note: The ingredients are not strictly limited to eight above mentioned and the procedures can be modified.

This is a healthy FAST fluid food that you can easily cook at home.