Category Archives: Go Green

Low Dose Chemo and Cancer Treatment

June 28, 2014

 Low dose chemo is an effective alternative cancer treatment approach

cancer treatmentInsulin potentiation therapy (IPT) is the utilization of low doses of chemotherapy and insulin in treatment of cancer. The insulin potentiation therapy may also be used in treatment of other chronic diseases. The use of low dose chemotherapy is safer as compared to conventional chemotherapy that leave patients with many life threatening side effects. The conventional chemotherapy does not only kill the cancerous cells but also kill the healthy cells in the patient’s body leading to a period of intense pain, loss of appetite, loss of hair, weakness, fatigue and even weight loss. The ability of coping with the side effects of conventional chemotherapy varies from patient to patient but generally the experience is not for those faint at heart. These inconveniences have led the patients to look for other safer alternatives in cancer treatment and doctors as well as other medical researchers have been looking for alternatives that can help the cancer patients to be treated more effectively with less severe side effects.

The history of Insulin potentiation therapy (IPT) can be traced back to the early 1920s when insulin was first used in the attempt to treat patients with schizophrenia. Dr. Donato Perez Garcia, Sr. developed IPT and used it to put cancer patients to coma in an attempt to treat them of cancer. His sons took the practice a head and today very many doctors now recommend the use of IPT in treatment of cancer, Needless to mention several publications have been made to avail information in support of this approach to cancer treatment.

Insulin and Cancer

Insulin is the hormone charged with the responsibility of transporting glucose through the bloodstream to the cells to provide energy. This glucose is needed by  both healthy cells and the cancerous cells to survive.

One of the notable difference between cancer cells and healthy cells is that cancer cells depend entirely on sugar and glutamine which is a form of amino acids found in highly concentrated animal proteins. The cancer cells will therefore use all the sugar (glucose) that is found in the bloodstream leaving the healthy cells with inadequate sources of energy to survive on. The healthy cells having no glucose left to utilize become starved and this explains why most cancer patients are always weak and rapidly lose weight.

The amount of insulin used to transport the glucose into the cancer cells is much higher as compared to the amount of insulin hormone used to transport glucose into the healthy cells. Averagely the cancer cells need 16 times more insulin hormones to feed its cells with the glucose.

The cancer cells are very fast in grabbing the glucose available in the blood and that is the basis through which PET scan works. During PET scan a radioactive agent is introduced into the bloodstream within a glucose molecule and since the cancerous cells are the first to race for sugar, they become visible through the scan.

IPT works in the same way as the PET scan, the low doses of chemotherapy drugs are administered in the bloodstream within the glucose molecules and so the cancer cells come scrambling as they are faster in response to glucose than the healthy cells. They utilize the ‘poisoned’ glucose and get killed sparing the healthy cells. In IPT healthy cells are not killed as it happens in the conventional chemotherapy where both the cancerous and the healthy cells are killed. This explains why patients on low dose chemotherapy do not suffer severe side effects as common with patients undergoing conventional chemotherapy.

Potentiation in the IPT is an English word derived from a verb ‘potentiate’ which means to give more power or other to make more potent. In this therapy insulin is used to make conventional chemotherapy more powerful and effective in killing the cancerous cells.

A study that was done at the George Washington University in 1981 revealed that when insulin is mixed with a chemotherapy drug, methotrexate, its strength in killing the cancerous cells improved greatly. With that high potency, patients no longer needed to be given so many drugs to kill the cancerous cells. This combination not only made cancer treatment more effective but also gave convenience to patients as they did not have to use too many drugs to keep healthy.

In numerous ways insulin can help in treatment of cancer patients. Being a hormone that encourages growth, it will trigger cell multiplication by dividing. This allows healthy cells to be more while it puts the cancer cells in a more vulnerable state to be killed by the poisoned glucose molecule in that as the cell divides, it becomes more exposed to the chemotherapy drug in the glucose molecules speeding their death frequency.

Low Dose Chemo

IPT is surely a clever way to kill the cancer cells. You see, Insulin is also known to promote detoxification process as it makes the cells more permeable. This makes it easy for the toxins to be removed from the cells. Detoxification is a crucial procedure in cancer treatment and can be highly achieved through IPT as opposed to the conventional chemotherapy.

The use of low dose chemotherapy has gained popularity over a time and doctors have endorsed this alternative cancer treatment. Going by the simple physiology discussed herein you can see how effective the IPT approach to cancer treatment is. Other advantages that the patient enjoys are that the whole procedure does not leave the patients with life threatening side effects as common in conventional chemotherapy. The drugs given to patients are also manageable as they are more potent. Healthy cells are safe and the patients do not become bald.

Cancer treatment is subject to new inventions and that gives you a reason to find a reliable source of information that will update on the latest medical inventions geared towards making cancer treatment more effective. Contact Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) who is more experienced in cancer treatment so that you can learn more on cancer treatment and management.

 Low dose chemo is an effective alternative cancer treatment approach

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Marijuana the Addictive Drug

May 13, 2014

Marijuana the Addictive Drug-How it affects human health

Marijuana

Marijuana is one of the drugs abused by drug addict. Drug addiction has serious consequences to the drain

We are encouraged by nutritionist to serve more of vegetables in all our meals for healthy living and to keep our bodies strong and detoxified. There are several plants commercially produced for this purpose and great investment is being done by agriculturalist to ensure that this worthy objective is not only achieved but also sustained. While this is being done there are some few individuals who are in the business of doing the direct opposite. I am talking about those farmers who are commercially producing the herb called marijuana. This is not just a herb but a serious drug which is very illegal in most nations.  Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, which contains the psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as other related compounds. This plant material can also be concentrated in a resin called hashish or a sticky black liquid called hash oil.

Marijuana is the most common illicit drug used in the United States and many other states globally. It is mostly being used by young people and this has been very evidence in the last two decades where there has been steady increase of young people in relation to a diminishing perception of drug risk that may be associated with the increased public debate over drugs legal status. Although marijuana is illegal in most states some governments have passed laws allowing its use in treatment of certain conditions.

Marijuana the Addictive Drug-Effects of Marijuana to the Brain

The THC will rapidly pass from the lungs into the blood streams when marijuana is smoked carrying with it the chemical into the brain and other vital organs of the body, besides smoking it can also be absorbed into the body slowly when ingested in food or drinks. When ingested, it will acts on specific molecular targets on brain cells, called cannabinoid receptors which are ordinarily activated by chemicals similar to THC that naturally occur in the body and are part of a neural communication network called the endocannabinoid system. This system plays an important role in normal brain development and function.

The highest density of cannabinoid receptors is found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. Marijuana over activates the endocannabinoid system, causing the high and other effects that users experience. These effects include altered perceptions and mood, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking, problem solving, and disrupted learning and memory.

Marijuana the Addictive Drug-Other Health Effects of Marijuana

Marijuana use may have a wide range of effects, particularly on cardiopulmonary and mental health. It’s smoke is irritant to the lungs and frequent marijuana smokers can have same respiratory problems with tobacco smokers like coughing and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, and a heightened risk of lung infections. One study found that people who smoke marijuana frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems and miss more days of work than those who don’t smoke marijuana, mainly because of respiratory illnesses.

Marijuana also raises heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours. It is estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This risk may be greater in older individuals or in those with cardiac vulnerabilities.

A number of studies have linked chronic marijuana use and mental illness. High doses of marijuana can produce a temporary psychotic reaction (involving hallucinations and paranoia) in some users, and using marijuana can worsen the course of illness in patients with schizophrenia. A series of large studies following users across time also showed a link between marijuana use and later development of psychosis. This relationship was influenced by genetic variables as well as the amount of drug used, drug potency, and the age at which it was first taken those who start young are at increased risk for later problems.

Marijuana use has also been linked to other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts among adolescents, and personality disturbances, including a lack of motivation to engage in typically rewarding activities. However a lot more research is still needed to confirm and better understand these linkages.

Nevertheless marijuana use during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of neurobehavioral problems in babies because THC and other compounds in marijuana imitate the body’s own endocannabinoid chemicals. Marijuana use by pregnant mothers may alter the developing endocannabinoid system in the brain of the fetus which may cause the fetus to have problems with attention, memory, and problem solving. Additionally, because it seriously impairs judgment and motor coordination, marijuana contributes to risk of injury or death while driving a car. A recent analysis of data from several studies found that marijuana use more than doubles a driver’s risk of being in an accident. The combination of marijuana and alcohol is worse than either substance alone with respect to driving impairment.

Marijuana the Addictive Drug-Marijuana the Addictive drug

Contrary to common belief, marijuana is addictive. Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6 and among people who use marijuana daily to 25-50 percent.

Long-term marijuana users trying to quit report withdrawal symptoms including irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to abstain. Behavioral interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational incentives have proven to be effective in treating marijuana addiction. Finally when you come across any addictive drug of any kind, you must be ready to take the most immediate step of getting well in the care of experts. Dr. Dalal Akoury, Founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is an expert offering her exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. This is the kind of professional you need in matters of this magnitude. I will highly recommend that you seek the services of doctor Akoury and you will be well in no time.

Marijuana the Addictive Drug-How it affects human health

 

 

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Food that inspire food addiction

April 9, 2014

Food that inspire food addiction-They cause physical and emotional dependencies

Food

mind much a bout the kind of food you eat, you may be feeding on food that cause addiction

In many cases overweight people are often seen or believed to be either lazy or just don’t have the will power to actively operate normally. The choice of food you eat, when you eat and frequencies of exercise you do affect your weight significantly. The previously ignored element may be food addiction; this does not necessarily mean that we are desperate for a candy bar. By the way some of the food that causes addiction are:

  • Chocolate
  • Sugar
  • Cheese
  • Milk
  • Meat

Food that inspire food addiction-Chocolate

Experts have found out that chocolate stimulates the same part of the brain that opiate drugs do, that is to say chocolate acts like a drug producing food addiction which causes us to crave for more and more of it.

Before we know, we are on the road to being addicted to chocolate. Emphasis should be made to the public that food addiction is not a laughing matter. Chocolate as food contains other stimulant drugs like caffeine, theobromine and pheylethylamine, according to expert’s chocolate is not just a drug but a whole drug store wrapped up in one.

Food that inspire food addiction-Cheese

But chocolate’s not the only food addiction studies have established that when people who were consuming meat and other dairy products are stopped from consuming the same, the yearning for cheese was described as a “deep seated craving” that stayed with them much longer than their compulsion for other foods. Researchers also found a chemical in cow’s milk similar to morphine, and after testing it repeatedly, they discovered that it was, in fact, morphine. It was only a trace amount, and not all the samples contained the chemical in recognizable levels, but there was indeed a small amount of morphine in cow’s milk.

Assuming that the morphine must have come from the cows’ diets, they were shocked to find that the cows actually made traces of it within their bodies, along with codeine and other opiates that were produced in their livers. They were also surprised to learn that cow’s milk (and the milk of any species) contains the protein, casein that breaks down during the digestion process, and releases other opiate-like compounds called casomorphins. What does this have to with cheese? Casein is concentrated in cheese. So we have the makings of another possible food addiction.

Food that inspire food addiction-Milk

Why are there traces of morphine in milk? (Actually, it’s not some environmental problem.) Scientists believe that the mother’s milk has a relaxing effect on the baby, and this drug-like effect on the brain is responsible for the bonding that is necessary, for the baby to get the nutrition he needs. Researchers gave volunteers yogurt and skim milk, and found that the casein (milk opiates) not only acted within the digestive tract, but some of the fragments actually entered the bloodstream, with direct access to the brain. The effect was greatest about 40 minutes after eating. As mentioned before, cheese has more casein than other dairy products. (Recent studies have found that meat also stimulates the brain’s pleasure centers.) To further prove their theory, researchers found that when volunteers were given naloxone, (a drug that blocks opiates, used in the treatment of heroin and morphine overdoses), their desire for cheese, meat, chocolate, and other addictive foods was greatly decreased.

Food that inspire food addiction-Sugar

In addition, scientists have discovered that fast foods, like hamburgers and fries, may also be responsible for food addictions. The high fat and carbohydrate content causes changes in the brain that are normally correlated with drug addiction, (and the result is food addiction.) Sugar and fat stimulates the release of natural opiates in the brain, and may be triggering the same response as heroin. After giving rats a diet that was one quarter sugar, he abruptly withdrew the sugar, and the rats went into high anxiety mode, experiencing trembling and teeth chattering, similar to the effects that occur during morphine or nicotine withdrawal. So, in review, the sugar produced the same withdrawal effects that highly addictive drugs do.

Food addiction plays an enormous role in our eating habits, when we’re depressed, tired, lonely, anxious, worried, fearful, etc. We run to the addictive food of choice. For me many people, it is chocolate and sugar, with carbohydrates following close behind, which is particularly bad and that explains why diabetic is rising. Certain foods act as drugs, because our body responds to the natural opiates in them, just as it would to drug opiates. As we experience these effects over and over, we may develop a food addiction.

Medical scans have even been able to document these findings about food addiction. Researchers compared the brain scans of drug addicts with chronic over-eaters, and found startling similarities. If you think about it, many of the behaviors are the same–the obsession, compulsion, and preoccupation with drugs, is often also experienced with food. The overwhelming guilt, the tendency to use drugs to relieve emotional problems, and even the secrecy that is often involved in drug use, is also a part of compulsive overeating. While none of the researchers are suggesting that the physical and emotional drive is as strong with food, as it is with heroin, what they have found is that some of the previously mentioned food addictions are a part of the overall problem of obesity or overeating. Food addiction is real, according to scientific research.

So how do we kick the habit of food addiction? Interesting unlike coming off of drugs, we can’t just stop eating. Nutritionist suggests starting your day with a good breakfast that will help you keep food cravings at a minimum. Try to keep blood sugar levels normal by staying away from white sugar, white flour, white bread, and other starchy foods such as white potatoes, rice, and pasta. Instead substitute low-fat protein, vegetables, beans, low-sugar fruits, and whole grains. Eat enough healthy foods to satisfy your hunger, and don’t go on starvation diets. You’ll just end up binging sooner or later, because your body feels so deprived.

Take a break from some of the more addictive foods, and you will soon experience less of a craving for them. Food addictions are just one component of overeating, and obesity. There are often metabolic issues, genetic variables, and complex physical and emotional reasons why we overeat. But learning about the addictive nature of some foods, can enable us to understand the powerful cravings that we sometimes experience, and help us on our path to healthy food choices.

Food that inspire food addiction-They cause physical and emotional dependencies

 

 

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Can be cured naturally

October 23, 2013
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

How to cure Irritable Bowel syndrome naturally?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the bowel without any organic pathology or disease. It presents with abdominal pain and abdominal distension associated with passage of stools or an alteration in the bowel habit. It may be diarrhea predominant or constipation predominant or changing from one to another. It is one of the commonest causes of hospital visits in young adults. Young women are affected 2 to 3 times more commonly than men. It is commonly associated with other disorders like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and painful menstruation. Many of these patients have a history of sexual or physical abuse.

What are the causes of  Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS?

The exact cause of IBS is not well defined but multiple factors are associated with its occurrence. The important factors include psychological stress, altered motility of bowel, sensations of abdominal viscera and luminal factors.

Psychological stress: About 50% of these patients have psychological factors which include conditions like anxiety, depression, panic attacks. Psychological stress is known to alter the intestinal motility and function. These factors contribute to the symptoms seen in patients with IBS

Gastrointestinal motility changes in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: People with diarrhea predominant symptoms have rapid movements in the jejunum or upper small intestine.  There is a rapid transit of intestinal contents associated with contractions of large intestine resulting in diarrhea. On the other end, in people with constipation, the transit time of intestinal contents is increased allowing more time for water absorption.

Abnormal perception of gastrointestinal organs: The bowel has an increased sensitivity to distension as shown by experimental inflation of ileum, colon and rectum with balloons. This is associated with alteration in the control of autonomic nervous system and is seen in diarrhea predominant IBS. There is an enhanced perception of intestinal and pain.

Infection: About 10 to 30% people develop IBS after an episode of gastroenteritis. Giardiasis may be associated. Changes in normal bacterial population of gut may result in minimal inflammation and increased fermentation and gas production.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

 

Allergy: Allergy to certain components of diet like lactose or gluten has been proposed as a cause of IBS.

 

What are the common symptoms of this condition?

Gut-Dysbiosis-and-Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Gut-Dysbiosis-and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The commonest symptom is abdominal pain which is relieved after defecation. The commonest site of pain is lower abdomen over the left side. The onset is associated with a change in frequency or form of stool. The other symptoms include mucus in stools, diarrhea or constipation, bloating and abdominal distension. There is upper abdominal discomfort after meals which may be associated with nausea. An urgency of defecation may occur which may be followed by a sensation of incomplete evacuation. Straining at normal consistency of stools may be noticed.

Is there a natural cure for IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome ?

Yes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS can be treated with natural methods. It is important to reassure the person that there is no organic disease. A normal life span is expected and with psychological support this can be achieved. Other supportive measures include:

Detoxification: This is an important component of treatment. It helps in flushing out intestinal toxins to restore normal intestinal flora of micro-organisms. Colonic irrigation or cleansing removes all the waste, improves motility and relieves symptoms.

Restoration of normal gut flora: This can be achieved by taking probiotics. These are good bacteria which help in restoration of normal population of healthy flora in the colon.

Diet: Take a healthy diet consisting of 4 to 6 small meals. Avoid food which results in gas production. Dietary fibre supplements improve the symptoms of diarrhea or constipation. Certain types of fibre supplements result in more bloating, so they may be prescribed by the physician appropriately. People with constipation should consume more fluids. These people should also avoid caffeine and fatty foods. Those with lactose or fructose intolerance should avoid these products as it aggravates bloating. In such cases, care should be taken to supplement calcium adequately. Scientific studies have shown that consumption of gluten free diet results in significant improvement of symptoms.

Exercise: A regular exercise boosts the immune system as well as healthy gut function. It improves blood flow which washes away all the accumulated toxins in the intestines. Digestion of nutrients also improves.

Stress relief: Maintaining emotional well-being is essential for relief from IBS. A psychiatric consult should be obtained. Any psychiatric disorder should be assessed and treated. Many of these patients require a long term follow-up. Research has shown that an improvement is seen with the use of antidepressants. Other modalities of therapy with positive results include behaviour therapy, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy.

 Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Women Addiction on the Rise

October 21, 2013
Women Addiction

Dr. Dalal Akoury

Women Addiction on the Rise

According to the report released by National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, addiction is on the rise among women abusers in the United States. The report shows that about six million women are dependent on alcohol and about 2.6 million women drug abuse issues. The report shows also shows that the number of women abusing drugs has increased sharply over the last decade. This is because women have always felt stigmatized in the society. Some of them keep their drinking or drug habits a secret; a factor that can hinder the true statistics of women who abuse alcohol and other related substances.
Why Are Women Engaging More Than Ever In Addiction
Violence
The rate of sexual abuse and physical abuse, among women, continue to rise. Rape cases continue to be reported in various parts of the country. A part from sex abuse, others continue to be physically abused by their male counterparts. As a result of the above factors, many women result into taking drugs and other substances to help them forget what they underwent or what they continue to face in the society. In an attempt to maintain family or relations Most of the women who continue to stay in violent domestic relationships or those who grew up in violent homes continue to turn into substance abuse to cope with their life’s dysfunctional circumstances. They do so in an attempt to

Women Addiction on the Rise how does it affect the family?

maintain family or relations.
Emotional abuse or marginalization
In most relationships there is unequal distribution of household responsibilities and lack of empathy. In this kind of relationships, women are the one who are affected most. They therefore feel trapped in this relationship, unable to quite because of the reason to maintain family or relationship. These women seek ways to cover the pain of feeling under-appreciated thus resulting into abuse of drugs. They turn to substance abuse to help them achieve their own happiness. They think that by taking drugs, it gives them a sense of comfort, power and relief from to give them a sense of power, comfort and relief from depression over their dwindled relationship. Also, other women continue to grow up feeling stigmatized because of their gender. They feel disrespected for being female and as a result they lead into drug abuse.
Isolation

Women Addiction on the Rise

Pregnant Woman-Alcohol-Cigarette addiction

Factors like divorce, separation or where husband die leaving a woman to take care of children are o the raise in our society. The most affected party is women who feel lonely or isolated. You find that it is mothers who are left with a burden of caring children and when they feel that they are stressed up with the situation, they seek solace in drugs and other substances. They use drugs to help them feel forget about their partners, feel energized, make connections and feel loved. For example, a mother might initially begin drinking alcohol with friends, only leading to her addicted at the end. What begins as a social activity can quickly result into a social problem among women who feel that their sense of companionship or belonging is connected to their drug use.

Women Addiction...

White House Visits Christiana Care’s Substance Abuse Intervention Program (Photo credit: Christiana Care)

Women Addiction on the Rise; What is the role of lifestyle changes

Change in lifestyle
With an effort to feel part of certain social class or lifestyle, many women try hard to feel part of the ‘wine society’. They feel that by taking wine, they are not actually abusing drugs. In modern society women don’t want to feel like they’ve had their freedom and fun taken out of their lives by having children. They admire their past lives without children and attempt to feel young ones more. Their initial purpose is not to take drugs but wine which they recognize as being accepted as woman’s drink. But eventually they result into full abuse of alcohol and other substances.

Women Addiction on the Rise

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