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Methylation and Addiction

February 6, 2015

The Mechanisms in Methylation and Addiction

Addiction refers to a very strong need to take something like drugs or do particular activities. Addictions are so strong that people think they have no control over them. Addiction becomes one of the important things in your life. Due to this it ends up affecting the quality of your life as well as your relationship with others.

Addiction occurs when one feels they should take something like drugs or alcohol or carry out a particular activity such as gambling. Today addiction affects people across all ages. There is no known reason why people get addicted to something. However, regular intake of drugs or gambling may result in the person’s life getting tuned to that particular choice. People get strongly attached to these things and they feel the need to repeat the same thing over and over again. This way they become addicted to that thing and it becomes an important part of their life.

What is methylation?

Methylation basically refers to the process of adding a methyl group to a substance or simply replacement of an atomic group with that of a group of methyl. It is takes place where a methyl group undergoes alkylation instead of the normal hydrogen atom replacing a carbon chain. Such terms apply in biochemistry, chemistry, biological sciences as well as soil science.

Methylation and Addiction

In biological sciences for instance methylation involves the enzyme catalyzation. This form of methylation is responsible for heavy metal modification, gene expression regulation, processing of RNA as well as regulation the functioning of proteins in the body. Heavy metal methylation often takes place outside the biological system. Reduction of histological staining is made possible by the chemical methylation of tissues in the body.

Methylation in the body

It is one of the important processes that take place in the body.  It takes place when the body receives a substance and converts it to another. This is basically so that the substance can be removed from the body. Methylation takes place in the liver during the second detoxification phase a billon times per second.

In order to understand detoxification, there is need to look at what makes up a methyl group. A methyl group is basically made up of three atoms of hydrogen. Methylation takes place when S-adenosine methionine (SAMe) gives out a methyl group that is then attached to the molecule that undergoes detoxification.  The SAMe s then converted to homocysteine. The methylation process must occur often in order to detoxify the body regularly. Buildup of toxics in the body leads to poisoning of cells which can lead to serious medical conditions a like inflammation and cancer. The methylation process is kept going by vitamin B12, B6 as well as folic acid. These substances are necessary in the body in order to facilitate homocysteine reduction to facilitate the process of methylation.

Homocysteine is an amino acid that is naturally toxic to the body. If left to accumulate it can prove toxic to the cells leading to several health conditions. If methylation does not take place as it should a person can suffer from conditions like stroke, cancers of the reproductive system, colon cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, defects of the neural tubes, impairment in DNA repair, kidney infarct, impaired detoxification and dysplasia among others.

Faulty methylation leads to the levels of homocysteine increasing. This leads to poisoning of the cells and tissues. However, studies show that B vitamins facilitate lowering of the levels of homocysteine in the body and therefore reducing the risk of a person getting disease like stroke and heart attack.  Common belief among people is that the main cause of heart attack is in accumulation of cholesterol in the body therefore they cut out their intake of cholesterol in their foods. However, studies show that only a fraction of people who suffer from heart attacks is as a result of cholesterol build up in the body. This being the case, other people who suffer from heart disease may be because of buildup of homocysteine in the body.

Methylation and Addiction

Methylation and Addiction

Recent research studies show that over exposure to certain drugs facilitates chances in methylation levels in the bloods. The same also promotes DNA methylation levels to be altered. DNA methylation takes place in the brain neurons. The altered level of methylation promotes altered levels in gene expression this can happens when one is addicted to certain substances like drugs and alcohol.

Basically methylation is used in DNA. Naturally, each cell in the body contains DNA of other cells. Methyl groups that occur naturally in the body are responsible from suppression of DNA that should not be read. When there is poor methylation due to an addiction to drugs or alcohol, the methyl groups are removed from the genes in order to be used in other body processes. This removal of a methyl group is what leads to cancer expression in the body.

For more information about methylation and addiction, visit www.awaremednetwork.com today. Here you will also find other helpful health and awareness tips. Dr. Dalal Akoury will provide assistance with any information you may need.

The Mechanisms in Methylation and Addiction

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Alcohol Abuse Increases Risk of Cancer

January 20, 2015

How Does Alcohol Increase The Risk Of Cancer?

Risk of cancerAlcohol drinking is a common practice. To some people they do it when seeking pleasure but to others it has become an addiction that they can’t live without. The pleasure seekers ay only take alcohol once in a week, possibly on weekends but to those already addicted to the rum they can’t go a day without it. Most people however engage in alcohol drinking as a way to bond with friends and give them that sense of belonging. Whatever the reason you take alcohol for it is important that you be aware of the risks associated with drinking alcohol. Apart from alcohol addiction that every person never wants to be chained to, there are other serious risks associated with alcohol drinking. One of these risks that are associated with alcohol drinking is that it increases the risk of cancer.

Cancer is currently one of the most dreaded diseases worldwide. It is a disease that is not only expensive to treat but is synonymous to pain. The chronic pain that is associated with cancer in itself a risk to addiction to opiates that are normally used to quell the pain. even today doctors are still working to avail other better options of treating cancer so as to avoid its debilitating effects on its victims but still it pays a great deal to stay out of all the factors that may increase your risks of cancer debilitating you. having learnt of the current unbreakable link between alcohol to increased risk of cancer the best thing to do for any alcohol addicted fellow is to seek medical heap especially through an integrative doctor to help him quit alcohol and wholly heal him from the effects of alcohol before it pave way for cancer to creep in. with this said I think it is better we get the specifics of this link so that you may judge for yourself if quitting alcohol is worth it. Here are some possible explanations for how alcohol can increase risk of cancer.

Acetaldehyde is a carcinogen

When taken, alcohol is converted into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde in our bodies. Acetaldehyde can cause cancer by damaging DNA and stopping our cells from repairing this damage. The International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified acetaldehyde formed as a result of drinking alcohol as being a cause of cancer, along with alcohol itself. It also causes liver cells to grow faster than normal. These regenerating cells are more likely to pick up changes in their genes that could lead to cancer.

Typically, ethanol is broken down mainly by the liver, but lots of other cell types can do this as well. Some of the bacteria that live in our mouths and the linings of our guts are also able to convert ethanol into acetaldehyde. The reactive nature of acetaldehyde is such that it can form DNA adducts of which, the most well-known and extensively studied, is N2-ethyl-2′-deoxyguanosine (N2-ethyl-dG). Studies done on rats that were put on a drinking water with 10% (v/v) alcohol proves that indeed acetaldehyde is harmful and causes cancer.

Alcohol increases estrogen levels

Estrogen dominance causes cancer. It is because of estrogen dominance in obese women that exposes them to breast cancer. Several past studies have proved this. Alcohol increases risk of cancer by increasing the levels of estrogen in a person. Despite its very essential purposes as a hormone estrogen has a dark side too this can be made worse by alcohol consumption-risk of cancer.

Alcohol damages liver cells

Alcohol consumption damages the liver cells leading to a disease known as liver cirrhosis. This even increases your risk of developing liver cancer. Apart from this, it also makes it easier for the tissues of the mouth and throat to absorb the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco. This explains why people who drink and smoke multiply the damage they receive and have especially high risks of cancer. Alcohol also impairs the body’s ability to break down and absorb a variety of nutrients that may be associated with cancer risk, leading to lack of these essential Vitamins: vitamin A; nutrients in the vitamin B family such as Thiamine and folate; vitamin C; vitamin D; vitamin E; and carotenoids. Lack of these essential nutrients escalates the risk of cancer.

Alcohol depletes Folate

Excessive or long term consumption of alcohol leads to depletion of folate. Folate is an important vitamin that helps our cells produce new DNA correctly. People who drink alcohol tend to have lower levels of folate in their blood. Some studies have linked low levels of folate to cancer.

Alcohol generates ROS

Risk of CancerAlcohol generate damaging reactive oxygen species (chemically reactive molecules that contain oxygen), which can damage DNA, proteins, and lipids (fats) through a process called oxidation. Any damage on DNA increases risk of cancer. Besides alcoholic beverages may also contain a variety of carcinogenic contaminants that are introduced during fermentation and production, these may include; nitrosamines, asbestos fibers, phenols, and hydrocarbons.

Alcohol addiction is a vice that should be fought by all means that is why we at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts and offering them a place to call home. We offer NER Treatment and Amino acid therapy that are the most effective approaches to addiction treatment and recovery. You call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) today and begin your journey to victory against addiction.

How Does Alcohol Increase The Risk Of Cancer?

 

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Saving your skin this summer from further decay

December 30, 2014

Saving your skin this summer from further decay – The most endangered organ the Skin

Saving your skin this summer from further decay

Saving your skin this summer from further decay. Make adjustment to your skincare routine during summer for a more beautiful look of your skin.

One of the most endangered human assets is the body’s largest organ the skin. This is also the organ that expresses ones beauty because it is what the face will first come into contact with. How good we protect it will determine how beautiful we will look both from the inside and outside. The skin is very vulnerable in all seasons and therefore saving your skin this summer from further decay would be very necessary. For sure summer would be the perfect time to start over, recharge, and relax. As the temperature changes, your beauty skincare routine should too. You may not need to put aside all your spring skincare products, just update your regimen with these tips to protect your skin from the warm, humid and sunny months. Doctor Dalal Akoury a skincare professional and also the founder of the home of beauty for all seasons AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center explains a few tips for saving your skin this summer from further decay.

She says that the first thing to do is to make adjustment to your skincare routine. For example you will need to exfoliate your skin 3 times per week to get rid of any spring flakiness and change to a slightly lighter moisturizer for the protection of your skin from the warmer weather. Even as you make these adjustments, it is still very important that you maintain the use of spf30 sunscreen daily to protect skin from the sun’s damaging rays.

Saving your skin this summer from further decay – Cleanse

Because the beauty of your skin and the face to be specific is our focus, and with warmer weather approaching, washing your face must be the first item to prioritize in your skincare routine. Instead of a moisturizing cleanser, chose a more clarifying oil-absorbing cleanser. Ensure that you don’t use a cleanser with any detergent (SLS). The common foaming agent found in many skin care face washes sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) is the same ingredient found is dish washing soap and laundry detergent. These ingredients can be extremely harsh and frustrating to the skin, therefore get all the information about the ingredient of any product you use. It would be advisable that you use a soothing and purifying facial cleanser that is natural and non-drying. Look for ingredients such as silver and salicylic acid as well as resveratrol (super anti-oxidant and detoxing). These cleansers will not only dissolve make up and dirt, but will leave your skin calm, clean and clear thereby saving your skin this summer from further decay.

Saving your skin this summer from further decay – Exfoliate

Did you know that your body shed off dead skin cells at a very high speed every minute on a daily basis? Because of this, exfoliation becomes very important. If these are not disposed, the skin will look dull, dry and un attractive. It may not matter the quality of body lotion you use, if you don’t exfoliate you will never get that glamorous skin and especially when you are moving from spring to summer if you want to reveal a fresh young complexion then grab a gentle facial exfoliator and hit the shower. The steam will gently soften your skin and allow the scrub to easily slough off dead dull skin. Gently rub your exfoliator in circular movements on your face for 2-3 minutes and rinse with warm water. Continue to do this 2-3 times a week for beautiful skin.

Saving your skin this summer from further decay – Treat & Prevent Pigmentation

Now that summer is approaching we want to also transition into effortless and minimal make-up. Nothing looks worse than the sun reflecting on caked on make-up that’s attempting to cover up an uneven complexion. So now is the time to not only lighten uneven pigmentation- but prevent it as well. Try wearing a lightening gel or treatment underneath your moisturizer. Look for ingredients like Bellisperennis extracted from a Daisy flower that works to lighten and brighten spots as well and protect the skin from reacting to the sun and developing future damage. This is a genius breakthrough ingredient and I would recommend that you use it at most twice daily however if you have very sensitive skin, then apply it once and preferably in the evenings.

Saving your skin this summer from further decay – Nourish & Protect

While we appreciate that oil free products may not be the solution, some oils are healthy for your skin after all your skin needs to be nourished with certain oils. For instance, olive oil is considered very beneficial for the health of your skin alongside flax oils and grape seed oils for their cosmetic ones. What must be avoided are mineral oils instead go for cosmetic grade flax seed oil and grape seed oil rich in anti-oxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that are often found in hydrating serums. These help in nourishing the skin from the inside out and also help balance and control skin’s natural oil production.

Finally don’t forget your body. Summer is the season for tank tops, shorts, halter tops and other reveling clothing. You should focus on transitioning the skin on legs, arms, chest, and shoulders too. The following steps may be very helpful for glowing skin throughout your body:

  • Exfoliate your entire body in a warm steamy shower 2-3 times a week.
  • Apply good quality body oil as soon as you get out apply on damp skin for best absorption. If you shower in the morning follow with a layer of sunscreen spf30 to protect your skin.
  • Treat body blemishes as you do facial ones. This mean have a spot treatment handy for little pesky body breakouts- so nothing gets in between you and your summer wardrobe.

Remember that the largest organ needs care all round and the involvement of the experts at every stage is very important.  Saving your skin is Dr. Akoury first priority. The decision made by doctor Akoury to create a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power is actually meant for you. It is in Dr. Akoury’s practice to focus on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. With this great expertise, this is the place to be. Therefore, schedule for that appointment with doctor Akoury today.

Saving your skin this summer from further decay – The most endangered organ the Skin

 

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Cancer Risk: GMO and Link to Cancer

December 27, 2014

GMO and Link to Cancer

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death to a number of people. The disease is linked to lifestyle choices like wrong diet and lack of exercise. Other causes of cancer are infections, inheritance of cancer causing genes and chemicals such as carcinogens. Cancer affects your life and puts a stop to some aspects of it.

Everyday new cases of cancer emerge. Just like any other disease, cancer knows no age limits. People across all ages are at the risk of getting cancer. It ends up messing up the body functioning. Why is this so? Well, cancer affects the body cells. Cells are basically the building blocks of the body.

Cancer begins with a tumor. A tumor refers to a mass of tissue that is formed by an overgrowth of cells. Getting cancer depends on whether the tumor is malignant or not. Malignant tumors are basically cancerous while those that aren’t cancerous are referred to as benign tumors.

If left unchecked, cancer can end up being terminal. The good news is that cancer can be cured if it is detected early. Medical experts advocate for regular medical check-ups to ensure that your body is healthy. This allows the doctors to detect problems like cancer early and deal with it before it becomes severe.

GMO

Understanding cancer

As explained, cancer starts form a tumor. Cells end up dividing uncontrollably and this leads to development of tumors. These tumors affect the functioning of cells. This translates to entire body dysfunctioning.

There are over 100 types of cancers in the world. Over 1.4 million cases of cancer are reported every year. Cells are damaged and they lose their functioning. When this happens, the cells begin to divide uncontrollably forming masses of tissues.

In normal conditions cells grow and die. Old and worn out cells are replaced by new cells which are generated by the body. In the case of cancer, cells neither wear out nor die. Generation of new cells does not however stop. This clumping of cells in excess is what leads to emergent of the tissue masses we are calling tumors.

One fact about cancer that most people don’t comprehend is that cancer can end up affecting multiple body parts. This happens when cancerous tumors move from one part to another in a process called mitosis. For example, cancerous tumor from the stomach can end up spreading to the colon.

When cancer is detected, the patient is put under medication and therapies to prevent the cancer from spreading. Some treatments of cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immune therapy among others.

What are GMO?

The term refers to either animals or plants that have been genetically altered. They are created by inserting genes from one organism to another to alter its genetic composition. The organisms are mostly modified to improve the quality of genes in them. Genetically modified plants become resistant to disease and pesticides. They also become resistant to droughts and are able to survive worse drought conditions they never would have surpassed if not modified.

Genetically Modified Organisms have been linked to cancer. Their contribution to causing cancer cannot be overlooked. Many countries today are banning the use of GMO the latest being Russia. Today basically almost every food is genetically modified.

Genetically modified plants grow faster that organic ones. They are a solution to the starving population for most governments. But is it worth the risk? Are GMO really as safe as we are made to believe? The truth is that GMO are unhealthy compared to organic food.

Most of the foods that find their way into our diets are in one way or another genetically modified. Corn and soy are the known modified crops. Therefore avoid eating anything that is made from soy lecithin or corn syrup.

Most animals like chicken, cows and pigs are fed from these genetically modified crops like corm. Therefore GMO ends up finding its way to you through their meat. Always opt for animals you know are grass fed, like those raised in farms.

Organic foods on the other hand are safe and are made from non GMO seeds. Always read the label of cans when purchasing food. Go for foods which are labeled GMO- free as this means that they are not made from any genetically modified organisms.

GMO

How GMO can cause cancer

The most common cancer linked to GMO is breast cancer. When GMO are made, the genetic composition of the original plant is altered by inserting genes from another plan. This alters the DNA of the original plant.

Studies show that when DNA is altered it increases a person’s risk of getting cancer. This is because the genetic substances in GMO end up altering the DNA of humans. This alters normal body functioning.

When this happens, a person is at risk getting cancerous tumors. The cells are affected by this DNA modification and due to this they end up functioning abnormally and this is what can lead to cancer.

To find out more about GMO and cancer risks join the AwareMed community. Dr. Dalal Akoury will provide more facts about cancer and how you can avoid it. Contact her for more health and awareness tips.

Cancer Risk: GMO and Link to Cancer

 

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Enzymes and Contribution in Cancer Treatment

December 9, 2014

Enzymes for Cancer Treatment

enzymes-for-fighting-cancerCancer has managed to earn itself quite a reputation throughout the world as a major threat to everyone. This therefore warrants a keen understanding of the disease and how it works.

Cancer is formed through a breakdown in a variety of the normal cellular and immunity mechanisms in the body. Often, body components damaged by free radicals are built up within the cells in the body throughout life. Extreme oxidative stress resulting from factors such as body injury or diseases catalyze this process. This damage caused to body tissue initiates the release of chemical signals to arrest the situation, but in large amounts, the chemical signals eventually cause further damage to tissue.  This tissue damage cycle is responsible for the damage of DNA in the end.

As you might have known from raw biology, the DNA is responsible for a number of regulatory processes and mechanisms. If it can no longer perform this regulation function, it only means that the growth of cancer cannot be regulated any more. And given the inflammation or tissue damage already in place, the body immunity is likely to miscommunicate, mistaking the developing cancer cells for other damaged body tissue. This disrupted cellular communication gives cancer a window to thrive. Even more disadvantageous to the victim is the effects of the reactive species of oxygen whose effects on the natural cellular controls eventually prevent apoptosis of the developing cancer cells.

Cancer cells are also ‘smart’. They have adaptive characteristics that make them survive against the body immunity mechanisms. While enzymes are known for their digestive abilities in the body, the cancer tumor for instance produce a dense fibrin protein which not only help them stick around but also aid their protection against the possible digestion by the immune system. Enzymes in the bloodstream are capable of digesting and dissolving the fibrin coating on the cancer tumor. The enzymes would however have to be in large amounts. In addition, they would need to be enzymes with high amounts of nattokinase or protease or break down the thick fibrin.

Low Enzyme Levels And Cancer

Research suggests a rather close relationship between low levels of enzymes and the formation and proliferation of cancer tumor. The enzymes as already mentioned are capable of destroying the cancer tumor naturally. The body is programmed to have the foods taken in digested by the very enzymes that come into the gut with the food. This suggests that the digestive system is meant to process foods that are raw for this ideal set up to work out, since raw food comes with enzymes that aid the breakdown of that particular food right in the upper gut (stomach). Food usually stays there for about 30- 45 minutes.

If that were to be the case. It would mean that down the gut in the lower stomach and the duodenum, the pancreatic enzymes have a reduced work and a lot of them can be reserved and channeled into the bloodstream where they do the cleaning work and could help digest any existing cancer tumor in the bloodstream.

However, this is never the case as the foods we eat are processed: cooked or treated. These processes that food undergoes are responsible for killing of the enzymes. The food thus does not get predigested in upper stomach. The pancreas is therefore overworked as soon as the food gets to the lower stomach as it has to produce extra enzymes for braking down the food. In the process, the food is often incompletely digested.

This partial digestion of the food ends up with some undigested food into the bloodstream where they are treated as foreign and toxic to the body system. Being viewed in that lens by the body’s immunity, the system that already has much to do, has to put up with even extra work of fighting the undigested food being considered toxic in the bloodstream.

The overworked pancreas loses its ability to produce sustainable amount of enzymes in the long run resulting with an individual with low enzyme levels. The moment all the essential enzymes exist in low amounts, the body loses its ability to naturally fight and destroy cancerous cells.

enzymes-for-fighting-cancer

How to Boost the Enzymes Level

In that condition, you must make use of enzyme supplements. A number of them are recommended for use. The most recommended one being the PapayaPro.  The product has mature green papaya powder as key ingredient, with the most active enzyme being Papain. Papain has a unique digestive formula and is expressly powerful as compared to pancreatin or even the pancreatic enzymes. It is not affected by changes in the intestinal pH and can work equally in both alkaline and acidic conditions. It is highly aggressive when taken in an empty stomach and will work more than the pancreatic enzymes in its attacking and destroying of the cancer tumor.

The Citrus Pectin enzyme also found in the PapayaPro has an even more unique ability, it can prevent the spread of cancer cells (metastasis). Their molecules enter the blood and confuse cancer cells for lectin (cancer protein). As a result, the tumors are prevented from being able to attach to other body parts to start new cancer colonies. This has been supported by a number of studies.

AwareMed recommends the use of enzyme supplements to boost the body immunity and help fight cancer. More information can be obtained by contacting our doctors at AwareMed.

Enzymes and Contribution in Cancer Treatment

 

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