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

Biotechnology Virtual Lab
JRC GMO-Matrix: a web application to support Genetically Modified Organisms detection strategies
Grow Your Own Food: Labeling Seed Packets to Share
Causes of Cancer
GMO foods and Your Health. What is a GMO foods?
Genetically Modified Food (DNA)
Toxins and Neurotoxicity Pathogenesis of Obesity

Reviving Beauty Through Healthy Eating

November 10, 2014

Reviving Beauty Through Healthy Eating – Essentials of Good Skin Complexion

Reviving beautiful skin through healthy eating is very economical and pocket friendly therefore be mindful of what you eat

Many times in our daily activities we often spend a lot of money in trying to make our skin complexion took nice, appealing and attractive. We are commanded from the holy book to love one another as we love ourselves, meaning that before we get out showing our appreciation to others, it must have started with us. This article is going to explore on certain food stuff which are very beneficial in nourishing our skin complexion and the general health of our bodies. Feeding well on healthy food is becoming very difficult to many people and this becomes even worse when we let loose during holidays when we would want to adventure into new experiences that we have not came across before. Even as you let loose in your merry making during the holidays, you must not forget that your actions can negatively affect your years of effort working on your good look by maintain desired weight, healthy eating habits and lifestyle.

Let me therefore bring to your attention that what you may be ignoring healthy eating habits are actually the elements you need not just during holidays but always to keep your good looking beautiful youthful skin. These healthy foods will not just help keep the desired weight and healthy looking skin but will also save you a great deal from extravagant spending in various weight lose facilities and application of very expensive yet toxic beauty products like creams and various body and facial make ups. While exploring the use of healthy foods it is important that you involve the experts who are well vast in healthy weight loss, healthy eating habits and natural body skin care. I want to therefore bring to your attention to the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, doctor Dalal Akoury who is fellowship trained and certified in anti-aging functional and regenerative medicine, as well as having more than twenty years of accumulated experience in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and a master’s degree in public health.

Doctor Akoury founded this facility to help you keep your skin healthy and beautiful protecting it from the outside in as well as inside out through various natural means like feeding on certain foods which can shield your skin from damage from the inside out. It will be very advisable that if you or anyone you know is either struggling with his or her skin quality, weight or is planning for a vacation and is worried of adding more weight during the holiday season, you should schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for not just her professional advice but also affordable treatment that is necessary. Having been introduced to the expert, let us now consider some of the healthy eating which may be essential for smooth and maintenance of a youthful skin.

Soy Milk

The goodness of soy milk is that it helps to preserve the skin-firming collagen due to its richness in isoflavones.

Coffee

Did you know that just by drinking a cup of coffee daily you may be lowering your risk of developing skin cancer? Several studies have established those who drink at least one cup of caffeinated coffee daily stand a chance of reducing their risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer by about 10 percent. And the more they drink say up to about 6 cups or more daily they lower their risk even further.

Tomatoes

Consuming more lycopene (the carotenoid that makes tomatoes red) may protect your skin from sunburn.

Salmon

The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA (docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids, respectively) found in salmon may shield cell walls from free-radical damage caused by UV Rays and for better results it is advisable that you eat two servings of fatty fish each week. Remember that not only are the omega-3s good for your skin but they’re also good for your heart too.

Egg Yolk

The yolk part of eggs comprises of carotenoid lutein, which like lycopene protects skin from UV damage. Lutein also helps to keep eyes healthy. Multiple studies have associated lutein with reduced risk for age-related macular degeneration which is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50.

Strawberries

Vitamin C is very essential for warding off wrinkles and age-related dryness. Foods like strawberries which are rich in vitamin C skin smoothing effects may be due to its ability to mop up free radicals produced from ultraviolet rays and also its role in collagen synthesis. Collagen is fibrous protein which keeps the skin firm and Vitamin C is essential for collagen production.

Papaya

Papaya is an excellent source of vitamin C and research suggests that Vitamin C may help protect skin cells against sun damage by promoting the repair of DNA which has been harmed by UV rays. UV rays break the chemical bonds of skin cells, killing them and damaging their DNA which may eventually cause cancerous growth. You can find vitamin C in a multitude of cosmetics—of which some have been shown to be effective in protecting skin—but why not go straight to the source for a tasty boost of vitamin C.

Pumpkin

Like lycopene, beta carotene the compound that makes pumpkins orange protects your skin from UV damage. Beta carotene is also converted to vitamin A in the body, which helps to keep your eyes, bones and immune system healthy.

Spinach

Spinach boasts lutein, a carotenoid that protects your skin from UV damage. When buying spinach, pick the one right up in the light, new studies have established that spinach stored continuously under the light for as little as three days boasted higher levels of vitamin C and preserved levels of K, E, folate and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.

Corn

Corn is an excellent source of lutein, a type of carotenoid. Just like lycopene, lutein also shields your skin from UV damage therefore, in the event that corns are off season then you may opt for alternatives like frozen vegetables which are equally full of health compared to some of the fresh produce available groceries. This is because fruits and vegetables chosen for freezing tend to be processed at their peak ripeness, a time when as a general rule they are most nutrient-packed.

Finally as I had indicated in the introduction of this article that the common food stuff we often ignore are very essential for the perfection of your skin quality, remember that what you eat contributes significantly to your general well-being and that includes your facial look and general skin quality. It is however very important that even as you follow a healthy eating diet you will still need to consult periodically with the experts who are experienced and has track records of their performance. Scheduling for an appointment with doctor Akoury today is all you need to da and all your concerns will be professionally addressed.

Reviving Beauty Through Healthy Eating – Essentials of Good Skin Complexion

GMO foods and Your Health. What is a GMO foods?

October 19, 2013

Dr. Dalal Akoury

Your Health and GMO foods. What is a GMO foods?

Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, we believe that people should be as healthy as they can possibly be! But sometimes we don’t know the right foods to eat, and which to avoid. Thats why we’re here to help you understand what GMOs are and why they should be avoided. Please feel free to email us if you have any other questions. Dr. Dalal Akoury

A GMO is the DNA of an organism that has been altered in an unnatural way. It is also known as “modern biotechnology” or “gene technology”. These organisms are used to create a genetically modified plant, which is then used to grow food crops.

This is a controversial topic and it has many views on its advantages and disadvantages:

Your Health and GMO foods. What is a GMO foods?

Advantages:

– It has been tested many times, there are numerous studies that have traced the effects of GMOs foods on animals. Most of these studies have shown that GMO Foods are safe and not harmful to consume.

– It is easier for farming. GMO Foods allow plants/crops to be altered to grow in environments that usually would not be sustainable for normal plants to grow.

– It can be grown in larger quantities, so this makes the price of food lower. If the farming doesn’t take that much work then that means there is more of it. This will lead to food that isn’t as expensive, which will make food more attainable and accessible for people of all income statuses.

Disadvantages:

– It can affect human health. Most of the studies that have been performed are on animals, rather than humans. The danger is that we do not know the long term affects that it has on humans, since it has never been measured before. Many scientists are not sure if these GMO Foods will cause: exposure to allergens, antibiotic resistance, endocrine disruption, reproductive disorders and accelerated aging.

– The FDA treats GMO Foods the same way that they treat regularly grown crops or plants. There is not much testing required for these crops or plants to sell. They also do not have to be educationally or nutritionally labeled, which affects the consumer because they are not completely sure what they are eating and how it will affect their body.

– There is a controversial problem on ethics. The issue is that many people feel is unethical. They think it is against the law of nature and not in the normal cycle of life to do this. Some religions are also strongly against GMO Foods for this reason; they think it is against God’s doings.

– Most countries do not think GMOs are safe. There are almost 50 countries that have major restrictions or have banned, producing and selling GMOs. The United States is one of the countries that still approve GMO Foods.

– They can affect our environment! Almost all of the GMOs that are harvested are resistant to herbicides. The use of toxic herbicides has increased 15 times since GMO Foods were introduced. These plants and crops have also produced what people now call, “super weeds” and “super bugs”. These have to be killed with even more toxic poisons than normal.

Dr. Dalal Akoury and the team of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center explain: Some people want to completely avoid GMO Foods, what is the best way to do it?

Buying organic food! There are absolutely no GMOs involved when buying organic food. There is an actual certification saying that they are not manipulated in any form.

AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center team and Dr. Dalal Akoury describe: The main foods that are most likely to contain

Corn: is known as a highly modified food. Almost half of the corn grown in the United States is genetically modified. Some researchers believe that this corn can lead to several health problems, including weight gain and organ failure.

Soy: It is estimated that 89% of soy is genetically modified. This crop can be found in tofu, different vegetarian products, and soybean oil. It is also modified to resist herbicides.

Sugar Beets: Some studies have shown that the United States carries genetically-modified sugar beets. They also have resistance to herbicides.

Aspartame: is found in diet soda, chewing gum, yogurts, cereals and many artificial sweeteners. It is found that aspartame is made with genetically modified bacteria.

Papayas: Most of the genetically modified papayas are from Hawaii, and the United States and Canada consume most it.

Canola: is also one of the main modified foods that is consumed in the United States. Canola oil is found through a series of modifying chemical actions.

Cotton: It is estimated that 83% of cotton contains GMOs. And has been to led to believe that it has serious health risks.

Dairy Products: Most dairy products contain growth hormones because many cows are injected with hormones. Organic milk is the best way to go if you want to drink it.

Zucchini and Yellow Squash: Small amounts of these vegetables are led to believe that they are modified to resist viruses.

What are some other foods that contain GMO’s? Explains Dr. Dalal Akoury

Your Health and GMO. What is a GMO?

Veggie sausages
Tortilla chips
Most processed foods
High fructose corn syrup
Meatballs and burgers
Alfalfa
Cornbread mix and corn meal
Any type of protein drinks or powders that are soy-based
Cotton-seed oil

How do I avoid GMO’s completely?

Dr. Dalal Akoury discusses the best solutions for health and Wellness? Select organic foods or start gardening for yourself! You can also try to modify your diet. For example, instead of using canola, soy or corn oil, you can switch them to use olive oil or safflower oil since these are less likely to contain genetic modifications. You should also try to cook healthy foods at home rather than going out to eat and having processed foods that are high in trans-fat.