Cancer Risk: Sugar and Insulin

January 1, 2015

Cancer Risk: Sugar and Insulin

Diabetes is a sugar disease. It is a disease in which the body does not produce insulin or make proper use of it. Insulin is useful in the body in utilization of blood glucose. It allows glucose to be absorbed in the cells to enhance the production of energy. In the condition of diabetes, insulin is not effective which results in the blood being saturated with glucose. This leads to high glucose levels in the blood.

Obesity is the major cause of diabetes. It induces the resistance of the body to insulin. When this happens, the body is not able to break down glucose into energy. This causes glucose to accumulate in the blood.

To make do with this insulin resistance, the pancreas ends up producing more insulin. This leads to a rise in insulin in the blood. This insulin production can go on for years but it is not indefinite. Eventually insulin production will wear out and this will result in blood sugar increase. When this happens, it is then that an individual is diagnosed with diabetes.

There are different kinds of diabetes in the world today. There is type 1 diabetes which results from the inability of the blood to produce the insulin hormone. Type 2 diabetes on the other hand comes about when the body is unable to properly utilize the hormone. Another type of diabetes is pre-diabetes. This results when the blood glucose levels in the blood are higher than normal although not high enough to become type 2 diabetes. The fact is that over 79 million Americans today are pre-diabetic.

Insulin and cancer

Diabetes and cancer

As is a link between sugar and cancer, there’s the same between diabetes and cancer. Diabetes has been linked to pancreatic cancer. It is in most cases a symptom of pancreatic cancer or a risk factor. Studies have shown pancreatic cancer can occur to patients who have heard diabetes for over five years. The research done on pancreatic patients who have had diabetes for less than five years was unclear if diabetes was in itself the cause of the cancer.

As a symptom for pancreatic cancer, studies have shown that onset diabetes in people who are over 50 years of age may be in itself a symptom. Abrupt changes in the levels of sugar in the blood in diabetics who had controlled sugar level is also a symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Insulin Resistance Link to Cancer

This link may be related to the high level of insulin compensation. Obesity causes the body to resists insulin and this causes the pancreas to produce more insulin. This leads to increase in insulin levels in the blood. Insulin contributes greatly to the growth of body tissues. It increases with increase in essential nutrients and reduces when the body is derived of these nutrients.

Insulin may cause cells to rapidly increase. This occurs when insulin causes an increase in insulin-like growth factors (IGF). It could also cause cells to become more sensitive to other factors of growth. One characteristic of cancer cells is their ability to uncontrollably grow and become resistance to agents of cell death.

Growth factors play a major part in the growth of cancer cells as well as their progression. Past studies have shown that people with high levels of insulin-like growth are in more risk of developing, breast, colon or prostate cancer.

Resistance to insulin is characterized by the cells losing their sensitivity to the effects of insulin to aid in the absorption of glucose into the cells. Although this is so, it continues to promote the growth of cells in the body. Only the ability of insulin to transport glucose is affected.

The resistant state of insulin promoted by diabetes may in this case promote the development of cancerous cells. As the amount of insulin increases in the blood, so does its ability to induce cell growth. When this happens it leads to a cancer characteristic of uncontrollable growth of cells. As the pancreas continues producing insulin an individual may not get diabetes but he/she increases the rate of getting cancer.

sugar and cancer

Sugar and Cancer

When most of us hear about sugar we instantly think about the white substance we take in our beverages. Sugar has been linked to causing cancer. So what do most of us do? We cut out the sugar in our body including those that are essential. We cut out eating fruits such as oranges that have natural sugars.

You end up depriving your body of essential nutrients such as fibers found in fruits. However, sugar does not necessarily mean what you take in your tea or in fruits or soft drinks. It is widely used to describe those sugars in our body. Sugar also called glucose is very necessary for a healthy you. It is broken down into energy hence you are able to do those daily task.

High blood levels in the blood cause diabetes. This results in the insulin not being produced or appropriately used. When this happens a person is said to be diabetic. Sugar goes back to the case of diabetes and as seen it can increase a person’s risk of cancer.

Dr. Dr. Dalal Akoury has had years of experience with patients with cancer as well as diabetes. She has vast knowledge about sugar and insulin and their link to cancer. Just visit www.awaremednetwork.com for more expert opinion on this topic and more health tips.

Cancer Risk: Sugar and Insulin

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

High Cholesterol Levels and The Connection with Cancer

July 15, 2014

High Cholesterol Levels Beckons Cancer

Cancer is a disease that is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in certain areas. It is however fostered by many different factors and up to now doctors as well as other medical researchers are still finding new factors that encourage the formation as well as the growth of the cancer cells. Cancer cells majorly get nutrients from the foods you eat just like the other normal healthy body cells however with slight difference in preference.

High cholesterol levels in the body have been linked to many health complications in the past. High cholesterol levels have been linked to heart related diseases, stroke and atherosclerosis. However, recent research findings have revealed that high cholesterol levels may increase risks to cancer. The low density lipoprotein are the worst forms of cholesterol also known as the bad cholesterols, they host major health problems hence should be gotten rid off before they cause a major health challenge to an individual.

Cholesterol though known for many health problems has not been easy to avoid especially to the lower class citizens. This is because most of the fats and oils used in food preparation are high in cholesterol content. These are the cheapest cooking fats in the market and with the rising costs of living especially in the 3^rd world countries it becomes hard to avoid them. For this reason people have been victimized by the low density lipoprotein.

High cholesterol

A new study specialized in signaling pathways, which is typically used by cells to carry out their activities explains that a pathway called canonical Wnt signaling fosters cell growth and division, an important function for development in body cells. However there is danger in case there is over activity in this pathway as it encourages cancer cell formation.

The question to whether high cholesterol levels is a risk factor to cancer did not erupt yesterday, doctors and researchers have been trying to find out why women who had heart disease risk factors in most cases developed breast cancer. It is on the sought for this answer that drove many cancer researchers to try and find out the possible link between cholesterol and cancer development. The current research findings prove that high cholesterol levels especially the low density lipoproteins (LPD) commonly known as the bad cholesterol play an important role in cancer formation and metastasis.

A research study done in 2008 by Philip Shaul who is a pediatrician and biologist at the University of Texas and Donald McDonnell who a cancer biologist at the Duke University is showed how a cholesterol product known as 27HC promotes the growth of cancer cell in the human breasts. This according to the research happens because the estrogen hormone normally binds to proteins called receptors inside tumors promoting its growth.

The two scientists went further to demonstrate to the masses how high levels of cholesterol can improve the growth of cancer cells. In an experiment where mice were used, it was found that 27HC improved the growth of cancer cells through collaboration with the estrogen receptor. The study also found out that the 27HC levels were higher in the healthy breast tissues of women with breast cancer than women that were not suffering from breast cancer. The levels of 27HC were also found to be high in tumor cells.

Shaul further found out that the absence or low levels of enzymes that help in breaking down of 27HC in tumors reduced the chances of survival of cancer patients. Working with his cancer patients, shaul realized that patients who had low level of the enzyme that helps in breaking down of the 27HC had slim chances of survival. Collaborating in the same experiment Mc Donnell fed mice with high cholesterol and high fat diet. The mice became more likely to die of cancer than other mice on normal diet. Sergio Dias endorses the findings that high cholesterol levels promote cancer cell growth. Dias is a biologist at the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Lisbon.

Despite the many research studies that have been done to prove the contribution of high cholesterol levels in cancer formation and growth, it is still not clear how blood cholesterol levels may affect breast cancer risk this is so because the findings did not prove any consistency in link between 27HC levels in human tumors and blood cholesterol levels. However, Shaul advises that women with high cholesterol levels were at higher risk of breast cancer.

This research will help in cancer treatment. Other previous researches had found out that drugs that are used in lowering levels of cholesterol could be used in cancer treatment. Today there are women with breast cancer but have refused to respond positively to drugs that inhibit the production of estrogen. Shaul opines that in that case the growth of the cancer cells may be promoted by something else other than the estrogen hormones.

In Conclusion

Cancer is a lifestyle disease that has caused hurt to the world population. It is however controllable when you take the necessary measures. With the recent research findings pointing out the risks associated with high levels of cholesterol especially the low density lipoproteins (LDP). It is better to reduce or better yet stop eating foods that are rich in cholesterols as they will expose you to high risks of cancer. Substitute meat with vegetables and fruits. Increase the number of vegetable servings as you decrease the amounts of meat as even the lean meat still has high levels of cholesterol. When you buy cooking fat, go for the cholesterol free fats.

You also need to get frequent updates on cancer so as to adopt a healthier lifestyle that is cancer free. Dr. Dalal Akoury has a website that provides you with reliable information about cancer that can help you stay cancer free. Contact her and be empowered to live a cancer free life.

High Cholesterol Levels Beckons Cancer

A good blend of Probiotics and Prebiotic could help you lose and be sexy this summer

February 19, 2014

A good blend of Probiotics and Prebiotic could help you lose and be sexy this summer- Did You Know?

Probiotics

Probiotics are generally safe for children; however you should speak with your pediatrician before giving them to your kids

They are live bacteria in yogurt, other dairy products and pills. Even though probiotics have shown effectiveness in managing certain gastrointestinal conditions, they do not have the same power that prebiotics do. They’re delicate, heat and stomach acid can easily kill them rendering them ineffective even before they are digested. Again, those who don’t eat dairy foods for taste or dietary reasons may find ingesting adequate amounts of probiotics difficult, if not impossible.

What is a prebiotic?

Prebiotic is a specialized plant fiber that beneficially nourishes the good bacteria already in the large bowel or colon. The body itself does not digest these plant fibers; instead, the fibers act as a fertilizer to promote the growth of many of the good bacteria in the gut. These, in turn, provide many digestive and general health benefits.

Probiotics and Children

Probiotics are generally safe for children; however you should speak with your pediatrician before giving them to your kids. They may be beneficial for digestive complaints and diarrhea, but research hasn’t clearly indicated any benefits beyond that.

Kara a researcher says probiotics are live microorganisms found within particular foods that help promote good gut health. Consuming probiotics is thought to increase the “good” bacteria within your gut and assist in maintaining an optimal balance between the good and the bad bacteria that are present.”

Several studies have been carried out and according one published in Bravo 2011, it states that mice that were fed on a particular strain of probiotics showed significantly fewer stress levels, anxiety and depression-related behaviors than those who were not given any probiotics. Besides, they also had lower levels of the stress induced hormone corticosterone.

If you want to lower stress and boost your gut health, with probiotics, then you need to try foods rich in probiotics like yoghurt with live active cultures, kefir (which is often found commercially as a yoghurt style drink), buttermilk, some blue and aged cheeses, as well as non-dairy products such as fermented foods i.e., sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), kimchi (Korean spicy cabbage), tempeh (a fermented soybean product), miso and soy sauce.

The process of manufacturing the food can kill the probiotics strains, which help in improving your gut health, thus, it is important to look out for words like “live” “active” “raw” “unheated” or “unpasteurized”, if you are planning to buy commercial brands from the market.

If you don’t like market products, you can make your own gut boosting products at home yourself, by utilizing simple processes.

On the other hand, Prebiotics are non-digestible, or selectively digestible, carbohydrates that fuel the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. For this reason, consuming both, foods rich in probiotics, as well as those rich in prebiotics, can be beneficial to your gut health.

Many prebiotics are soluble fibers that are fermented by the bacteria in your gut to produce short chain, fatty acids, which have a range of beneficial effects on your body. These short chain fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation and play a role in digestive health and reduce the incidence of bowel cancer.

Prebiotics have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, slow glucose absorption, and thereby aid with blood glucose control. They can also improve blood lipid (fat) profiles by increasing HDL, your healthy (heart protective) cholesterol, and reduce LDL, your bad cholesterol, and triglycerides (Cani & Delzenne, 2009).

Who needs extra prebiotics and probiotics?
Antibiotics work well at killing off the bad bacteria that make us ill, but they also kill off good bacteria needed for digestion: acidophilus and bifidus, which are both types of probiotics. If you have taken antibiotics in the past, or will need to take them in the future, be sure to supplement with probiotic supplements that contain acidophilus. Other medications, such as the birth control pill and cortisone (used to treat inflammation), may affect gut bacterial balance. In women, recurrent yeast infections may be an indication that the healthy bacterial balance in the large intestine has become compromised.

Supplementing the diet with beneficial bacteria like probiotics and prebiotics stimulates immunity through increased activity of cells (macrophages) that consume invading organisms, as well as through increased production of other white blood cells and cytokines — this could lead to stronger resistance to bacterial and viral infections. In fact, studies have also shown that children attending daycare catch fewer colds and the flu if they are given probiotic supplements containing acidophilus, bifidus or both. Adults have been found to experience the same beneficial effect on immune system function. With benefits ranging from reduced cholesterol and inflammation to improved digestion and weight loss, the right type of bacteria should be a staple in your supplement cupboard (or in this case, fridge).

Getting the healthy bacteria your body needs

Yogurt naturally contains probiotics, but supplements may be more effective if you are looking for a concentrated source. Some prebiotics are naturally found in foods like chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, onions, asparagus, garlic, bananas, barley, wheat, rye, and tomatoes.

Probiotic supplements should be refrigerated to maintain the viability of the microorganisms, in the same way yogurt, milk and other refrigerated cultures need to be stored. Without proper storage, probiotic supplements may spoil and or lose potency.

Suggestion for those who have trouble digesting some probiotics and prebiotics:

Purchase a coconut milk kefir product to get your probiotics in without the lactose.
Consume a small amount of Greek yoghurt (which typically has most of the lactose pre-digested anyway) but don’t consume it along with other foods.

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