Tag Archives: Omega 6 Fatty Acid

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAS) For Addiction Treatment

April 24, 2015

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAS) To Treat Addiction

After a prolonged use of drugs of abuse, the brain chemistry becomes altered. The brain becomes damaged. Entirely the nervous system is the target of many drugs, they inhibit the coordination between the nerves and after a long time of drug use some neurotransmitters like dopamine becomes depleted to an extent that by natural release the level of dopamine can never be enough for optimum functioning of the brain and the entire nervous system. Eventually the effect of the breakdown in communication in the nervous system is exhibited in poor health and behavioral misnomer. By the time this abnormal behavior is seen in a person the brain has become addicted to the drug of abuse that it won’t operate normally without it. This causes such feelings of anxiety and stress. However dangerous the effect of drug abuse is it is made worse with poor nutrition, stress, inflammation and excess oxidation. Drug abuse destroys nerve cells and disrupts neural circuitry. Obviously, this aggregate damage can affect behavior, mood, memory, impulse control, cognitive functioning, and decision making. Fortunately, the brain is forgiving and nerve cells can regenerate and rewiring takes place through a process known as neuroplasticity. Though psychotherapy stimulates growth and repair, healing will be compromised and slowed without the addition of critical nutrients and sound dietary practices; your choice of meals may worsen or help you overcome addiction.  Researchers have shown that eating foods that are rich in some essential fatty acids can help in treatment of addiction disease.

Essential Fatty Acids

The Essential Fatty Acids

For a long time fats in a diet have been fought for no apparent reason. Everybody is going for a low fat diet forgetting all the benefits that can be drawn from some essential fats. I am not saying that you can just eat any fat anyhow, it is just that the name fat has been associated with serious health problems like obesity and the irony is even after evading fats and going for the low fat foods, the number of people dying from obesity are still increasing. The truth however is there are unhealthy fats but also healthy fats are not extinct.

EFAS are Essential

Essential fatty acids also known as EFAS are as essential as the name suggests meaning that without them then a person’s health will be deteriorated and he will be prone to many infections. EFAs should not be avoided as they help rather than interfere with the body’s metabolic function and significantly aid in weight loss. Unlike the unhealthy fats that you are always told to sweat off, these essential fatty acids will help to build your fuel-burning metabolic machinery. So eating these fats can actually help you become leaner and healthier as they provide your body with adequate energy to keep the cells nourished and rejuvenated. And establishing a proper ratio and intake of EFAs will reap you other major benefits as well, including increased athletic performance and better mood and brain function which are known to be deficient in most addicts.

There are three main EFA substances that work together to promote health. The first is omega-3 fatty acid, or alpha-linolenic acid. The second is omega-6 fatty acid, or linolenic acid. When these EFAS are taken in the right ratios they will help the body the producing other important derivatives like the omega-9 fatty acids. The other group of EFAS include these substances that are also very essential for cognitive functions and general wellbeing, they are; lecithin, carotene, chlorophyll and vitamin E, among others they are important for their valid health contributions.

The most commonly EFA associated with its ability in addiction treatment is Omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of three categories of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) important in human biology. The other two PUFA categories are omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids. . Some drugs of abuse such as tobacco have been found to be a major cause of peroxidation that is why most cigarette smokers are having low levels of omega- 3 fatty acids. When the levels of omega-3 PUFAs are low, the neurogenerative process is accelerated leading to slowed nervous transmission in mesocortical areas of the brain, disrupting pathways involved in reward and punishment. As a result, the craving for nicotine is reinforced, interfering with smoking cessation therapy. While this mechanism constitutes a vicious cycle, a group of Israeli researchers found that omega-3 supplementation can bring the cycle to an end.

Essential Fatty Acids

EFAS contribution to cell energy goes a long way in helping in addiction treatment. Most addicts suffer since their mitochondria have been severely affected to an extent that production of energy needed by the body is altered. By enriching the body with energy such withdrawal effects like anxiety, depression and stress can be effectively taken care of.

For addicts who are low on these EFAS it is advisable to supply sufficient omega 3 fatty acids from fish oils, nuts, flaxseed each day for nerve cell repair and maintenance. These essential fatty acids are critical to nerve cell receptors because they make the membrane more flexible to capture the chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. Fats make up 60% of the brain’s dry weight and the majority of this fat is an omega 3 called docosohexanoic acid (DHA). Fats also speed up the transfer of electrical information by severing as insulation (myelin sheath) for the brain’s wiring system, it is therefore necessary to supplement the EFAS during addiction treatment.

Lastly, Here at AWAREmed we are dedicated to finding the best solutions to addiction and dependence on substances. We are located at Myrtle Beach. Contact Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) for help.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAS) To Treat Addiction

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Alternative to Joint Replacement Stem Cell for Joint Diseases

February 28, 2015

Safe and Time-Proven Alternative to Joint Replacement Stem Cell for Joint Diseases

Joint diseases are common these days maybe because of poor eating habits that depletes the most important nutrients in the body. The most common joint diseases are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These joint diseases have maimed many people as they interfere with motion and movement around the joints. These diseases may occur as a result of wear and tear that happens around the joints. The bones in the joints are supposed to be separated from each other by cartilage however when there is wear on the cartilage the bones may begin grinding interfering with normal movements and leading to pain. there has been several ways through which the joint diseases were fought some pharmaceutical products have been in use for a good time some of which has yielded great results while some have not been very efficient . In cases of extremes a person may have a joint operated on, surgical treatments are mostly used after the pharmaceutical products have failed to yield any desirable fruits and the pain is unbearable.

Another promising approach to treatment of joint diseases is by utilization of the stem cells. The stem cells have become useful in regenerative medicine owing to the fact that they are able to differentiate into other types of cells that play crucial roles in the body. These stem cells can differentiate to give rise to daughter cells that are of their same type or give rise to even more differentiated cells forming bones, cartilage, tendons, and muscles among others. Due to this rare ability they have been targeted for treatment of not only joint diseases but also other diseases like cancer, diabetes, autism among other disorders. Mesenchymal stem cells that are found in large quantities in the adipose tissue and the bone marrow are useful in treatment of regenerative diseases. The treatment through stem cells is also safer with autologous mesenchymal stem cell transplant, which means that the stem cells are from the body of the patient and therefore there is no risk of the patient’s body rejecting the stem cells transplanted. With several research institutions working on the stem cells medicinal abilities there is hope that treatment of bone diseases will be much easier. however the technology that may make stem cell transplant a reality may not be available in some countries or worse still may not afforded by a particular patient therefore there are other natural ways that have been in use over the years to manage joint diseases.

Joint Disease

Here are some of the natural alternatives of treating joint diseases

Use of supplements

We eat foods that we may get essential nutrients that may help us to fight against certain diseases. When our body fails to acquire these nutrients in the foods we eat it is logical to seek the nutrients from the supplements. There are quite a number of supplements that have been used for joint diseases. A combination of glucosamine and chondroitin is believed to help reform and repair worn or torn cartilage. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil or flaxseed oil are anti-inflammatory agents. Studies have found that SAMe (s-adenosyl-L-methionine) can help reduce osteoarthritis pain. Early evidence has shown that the natural vegetable extract called avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASUs) could be an effective osteoarthritis treatment that might even slow progression of the disease. Therefore you may consider shopping for appropriate supplements that can help you in case you are suffering from this disease.

Practice Mind-Body Medicine

Body and mind medicine may help you to reduce the pain on the joints. There are practices that encourage stretching the muscles and straightening the joints while relaxing the mind and shifting the mind from the pain. These practices include yoga and Tai chi. Yoga can improve your flexibility and strengthen muscles important to the support of arthritic joints. Tai chi also can relieve osteoarthritis symptoms. There is not enough literature to show the benefits or the effectiveness of these practices but there is a study published in the British Journal of Rheumatology that found that people with rheumatoid arthritis who participated in a yoga program over a three-month period had greater grip strength than those who did not practice yoga. Another study published in the same journal reported that people who practiced yoga showed a significant improvement in pain, tenderness, and finger range of motion for osteoarthritis of the hands. The benefits of exercises are known and yoga and tai chi are exercises that are even more effective that they also emphasize body mind connection and wellbeing.

Use Acupuncture

stem cellAcupuncture has been in use for centuries now. This practice was common in the ancient Chinese medicine. It involves inserting thin needles into specific parts of the body to help relieve pain. Several clinical trials have shown that acupuncture can be very effective in relieving pain though most doctors believe that it cannot be used solely for long-term healing goals. Be it for short term pain management it is effective and so its use is encouraged.

Include anti-inflammatory foods in your diet.

Joint diseases are characterized by persistent inflammations. It is these inflammations that mostly cause the unbearable pain. There are a number of foods that can help to reduce these inflammations and quell the pain that arthritic patients go through. Some of these foods include the following; horseradish, mustard, garlic, onions, watercress, parsley, celery, pickles, lemon, and rose-hip tea. The omega-3 fatty acids in nuts, seeds, and fish also can reduce inflammation. Using natural means to manage joint pains may be beneficial but again you need help of an integrative medicine expert, Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) an expert in integrative and regenerative medicine will be able to help. Visit her at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Centre at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Safe and Time-Proven Alternative to Joint Replacement Stem Cell for Joint Disease

 

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Inflammation, Cancer and health

November 29, 2014

Inflammation, Cancer and health – Why your diet is important

Inflammation

Inflammation, Cancer and health. Actually inflammation can lead to several health complication more so if it is chronic inflammation.

The body defense mechanism is always under certain threats despite the measures put in place to defend it from both external and internal attacks. The body immune system and the white blood cells are such defense mechanism the body relays on for protection against diseases and infections. Whenever they are under attack the whole body organs including the skin are at risk of various infections. We are therefore going to discuss the effects of inflammation on human health generally before we can get to specific areas of the body.

What is inflammation?

There are two different kinds of inflammations and they include the following:

  • Acute inflammation
  • Chronic inflammation

Acute inflammation – this is actually your body’s natural and helpful immune response to tissue damage. Like for instance when you get a bruise or wound either from a minor accident or otherwise, the wound or the cut swells, reddens and feels inflamed. These are all signs that your immune system is busy at work sending white blood cells to the site of your injury to repair the tissue. In situation like this, inflammation is our friend and we couldn’t live without it.

Chronic inflammation – this is a situation where your body’s confused and damaging immune response to a bombardment of environmental, physical and mental invaders, which come in the form of things like poor diet, toxic chemicals and stress. Therefore this article will be focusing on the type of inflammation. Here’s chronic inflammation in a nutshell:

What does inflammation have to do with cancer?

Like I have indicated in the introduction that the body’s immune system is facing threats of being weaken by several health complications. For example the prolonged inflammation can harm your body’s healthy cells and tissue thereby causing the deterioration of your immune system. This deteriorated state can escalate your risk of diseases like cancer.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that not all inflammation is bad. Your body’s inflammatory response is essential for you to heal. This response communicates with your body’s immune system to send white blood cells and chemicals to help fight off infection or repair an injury.

But when inflammation persists, or when your body triggers a response when you don’t have an infection or injury, its cause for concern.

Other causes of chronic inflammation can include obesity, smoking and even the second hand smoking, stress, lack of exercise, exposure to secondhand smoke and diet choices. And worse, chronic inflammation often shows no signs.

The good news is you can reduce chronic inflammation and lower your cancer risks. “It starts with your diet”. An anti-inflammatory diet also can help you avoid diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

The following are some of the anti-inflammatory diet tips.

Add more plant foods to your plate

Plant foods are the only foods that contain anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. Plus, they are high in the antioxidants and fiber your body needs to stay cancer-free. Fiber also can lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein in the blood that signals inflammation.

The experts in nutrition recommend filling at least two-thirds of your plate with foods realized naturally from the vegetation. Like for instance:

  • It is advisable that you serve half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables and fruits of all colors.
  • Make one-quarter of your plate whole grains or starchy vegetables, like potatoes, corn and peas.
Limit processed foods

Choosing whole, fresh foods and doing your own prep maximizes nutrients and phytonutrients. These nutrients keep us healthy in many ways, while reducing inflammation.

Processed foods are lower in nutrients and higher in refined sugars, flours and fats. These foods are usually loaded with artificial ingredients that can increase CRP levels.

  • Avoid highly processed foods, like fast food, packaged and instant foods.
  • Steer clear of processed meats, like deli-meats, bacon, sausage, hotdogs and pepperoni.
  • Sodas and other sport drinks are to be no go zones.
Balance fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids can help protect your body from chronic inflammation. On the other hand, omega-6 fatty acids increase inflammation.

Many Americans are trying to include more omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. But, they’re still eating too much omega-6 fatty acids.

The key is balance, so you’ll take in more omega-3 and less omega-6.

  • Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, halibut, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, pecans and avocado.
  • Use oils high in omega-3, such as olive and canola.
  • Avoid or limit oils high in omega-6, such as corn, sunflower, peanut and soybean.
  • Read the ingredients on packaged foods. Limit foods made with refined vegetable oils high in omega-6. You’ll find these oils in most snack foods, cookies, crackers and sweets.

Reduce consumption of red meat

Eating too much red meat, like pork, beef, lamb, deer and buffalo, can increase your cancer risks. Try to limit red meat to 18 oz. or less each week to keep your cancer risks low.

The experts suggest replacing red meat with these high protein foods to help reduce chronic inflammation.

  • Choose animal proteins, such as skinless chicken, turkey and fish.
  • Replace animal proteins with plant proteins, such as beans and lentils, at some meals.
  • Choose meat, milk, cheese and eggs from pasture-raised and hormone-free animals.

Eat more fermented foods

Fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut and miso contain probiotics that help reduce inflammation. To get the most health perks, eat at least one small serving of a fermented food each day.

  • Choose low-fat, plain organic yogurt and kefir.
  • Try fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut and kimchi, with a sandwich or salad.
  • Enjoy a cup of miso soup or kombucha tea.

Foods that help prevent cancer also help reduce chronic inflammation, and vice-versa. So, following these guidelines will ultimately reduce your risk of a variety of chronic diseases, and improve your quality of life.

If you’re concerned you have chronic inflammation, speaking to doctor Dalal Akoury will be very helpful to you to unlock all the problems going through your mind. Doctor Akoury is an expert of more than two decades and has transformed many people’s lives through effective treatment which is precise and direct to the last solution. Remember that inflammation may not be friendly to you at all and so scheduling for an appointment the doctor Akoury is the best you can do for yourself, your family and even to the extended family.

Inflammation, Cancer and health – Why your diet is important

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Omega 3- Fatty Acids and Hearing Loss

November 6, 2014

Omega 3- Fatty Acids and Hearing Loss

A belief among the Mediterranean communities is that fish is good for the sense of hearing. What is not clear is the question as to how true this exactly is. So the whole suggestion simply remains a myth.

Yet it is common to find that the people living in such communities where fish is a staple food; communities where fishing is practiced as a tradition for survival; experience very rare cases of hearing problems. In fact there are some of these traditional communities where hearing problems are non-existent.

We know in our highly rated civilization that accumulation of wax in our ears may impair our hearing. We are aware of the effects that high pitched sounds may have to our ears. On this regard you see folks who work in studios or DJs who are constantly exposed to loud banging music always having advanced sound condensing appliances on their ears.

omega-3-fatty-acids

Digital appliances companies like Sony, Samsung and the rest do all they deem possible to create gadgets with very intense sound processing mechanisms; all in the name of protection of the hearing organ. That is why the very big headphones are greatly expensive. They condense the sound better and are thus recommended for safely listening to audio signals.

We are also aware of the kind of foreign objects that our ears should not be subjected to. Though there are other factors we know about that are rather hard to control should they affect us such as infections or tumors.

Another common myth, which is actually true, is that old age causes hearing loss. But how exactly? This condition is referred to as presbycusis.

Nutritional component

Looking at hearing problems from the above mentioned angles in isolation may be superficial. There is a great role played by the nutritional component in our sense of hearing that cannot be ignored. Folic acid, vitamin D, as well as vitamin B-12 are said to be key determinants of a healthy sense of hearing. Latest accumulated evidence point to the Omega 3 fatty acids as being central to the protection of the hearing system.

Studies have lately indicated that those who eat fatty fish are unlikely to suffer hearing loss, which takes us back to the Mediterranean mythology mentioned earlier. Such fish are known to be rich in the essential omega-3 fats suggesting that those who consume them take in the fats in their large quantities.

Prior research has indicated how these omega-3 fatty acids actually decrease the risks associated with cardiovascular infections while improving the fertility in both women and men. They have also been established to improve mood and prevent certain forms of cancer. The exact mechanism by which these omega-3 fatty acids prevent hearing loss and ensure a general healthy sense of hearing is yet to be established.

Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids

omega-3As has already been indicated, you can easily obtain these fatty acids by simply observing a diet well supplied with the fatty fish. That way then you get assured of a better life free from hearing problems.

That does not however mean that you should now become careless about the kind of environmental conditions and external objects you expose your ears to. The general health measure must still be put into consideration. Such things as loud music or expressly high environmental sounds may easily cause mechanical damage to your ears even if your system is well supplied with omega-3 fatty acids.

Another way that may be easier for those who are not good fans of the fish yet, is taking some fish oil supplement containing the omega-3 elements. Even an added advantage when you opt instead for fish oil supplement is the safety that comes along with it. The oil has been processed and any possible contamination that could be found in fresh fish has been gotten rid of.

So then, if you are even remotely concerned about what happens to your sense of hearing then it is time to consider making the fish part of your diet or going for the fish oil prescriptions available in many parts around the world.

Omega 3- Fatty Acids and Hearing Loss

 

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The Power of Pumpkin

November 5, 2014

The Power of Pumpkin

Existing in a variety of sizes, tastes and colors, pumpkin is one of the most powerful yet easily ignored types of food throughout the globe. In the Americas in particular, folks more often use it as a core component in celebration of the Halloween festivities.

For many youngsters in this continent, pumpkin is more of a tool for the celebrations and place it at the heart of this liturgical spree. Despite the worldwide variety of items of celebration used during the Halloween festivals, to these teen-agers curving the squash is their only activity.

There is no measure to the extent of what these people and their likes the world over are missing. Reasons are different for not taking this form of gourd seriously. To some people it just ‘not that tasty’. In other parts of the world too, especially those places which often experience heavy rains and that are characterized with marshy conditions; the pumpkin often blossoms but is mostly watery and less tasty- giving the 21st century typicals all the reason to dislike it.

If only they knew the power of the pumpkin. If only they could fully understand the complete nutritional value that the gourd contains. I highly doubt if in their correct states of mind they would throw away even the curved remains from the Halloween merriments.

pumpkin_headline

Nutritional values

If English acknowledges ‘super-food’ as a naming word, then pumpkin deserves that merit. It is not just the meat we are talking about here. We are actually referring to the whole thing, the whole pumpkin thing. Perhaps you are aware of the meaty part of it and a little about how valuable it is said to be.

Well, you know little. The seeds are no less important that the yummy body. In fact, they have far more content in small concentrated volumes than you might have ever fathomed. Those seeds alone produce a nutritious oil with intense flavor and when mixed with olive oil or honey, no culinary additive could taste better. It gives you a delicacy of a salad dressing. Hidden in that delicious taste is a wealth of essential minerals; essentially Zinc, omega-3 fatty acids as well as carotenoids.

No one knows this secret better than the Austrians. They consider the pumpkin seed oil with high regard and add it to several varieties of dishes. Nothing leaves it out, not even the ice cream!

The seeds aside, Pumpkin flesh is a rich source of high fiber. It is also high in vitamins E and C along with minerals including potassium and magnesium. This form of gourd has an astounding amount of carotenoids in different varieties. One thing you might as well marvel about: it is just one of the richest natural sources of these crucial phytonutrients.

Medicinal value of the pumpkin

pumpkinFor centuries the seeds of this culinary product have been used to alleviate various functional gastrointestinal disorders, the well-known disorder it has cured over time being the Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The oil extracted from these seeds help in controlling the levels of cholesterol in the body, get rid of intraintestinal parasites and maintain good prostate health. It is also instrumental in dealing with depression given that it contains considerable amounts of the L-tryptophan.

The mineral Zinc is useful to persons with brittle bones while the oil also prevents kidney stones.

Considering that pumpkin contains rich amounts of carotenoids, it is essential for the prevention or dealing with cancer cases. Not only that, this dietary component is also associated with lower risks of other life threatening diseases such as blindness, heart disease, and cataracts. This is due to the fact that pumpkin has both of beta-carotene and alpha-carotene in rich amounts.

With the alpha-carotene you are assured of protection against a number of cancers while it keeps you young by guarding against aging.

The two forms of carotene when converted into vitamin A inside the body, the product plays a fundamental role in immunity as well as growth and development. The possibility of buildup of cholesterol in the body is prevented by the beta-carotene as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. This helps with protection from heart attack and stroke.

Good thing is, with the diverse variety of pumpkins around the world, you do not have to struggle with the species that do not go well with your taste glands. There are certain varieties that are quite delicious, when admittedly certain other varieties are not. So, go for the sweet one, and have your nutritional as well as medicinal benefits in one piece. The butternuts are a great preference if you are among those who consider the taste a priority.

The Power of Pumpkin

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