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Alcohol Abuse and Colorectal Cancer

January 21, 2015

Research Shows Alcohol Abuse Can Cause Colorectal Cancer

colorectal cancerIn the past few articles we looked into the effects of alcohol abuse in relation to initiating some cancers. Alcohol abuse has been linked to different cancers and this may be because of alcohol’s general effects on the body which includes the following;

Alcohol generates reactive oxygen species. These are chemically reactive molecules that contain oxygen which can damage DNA, proteins, and lipids through the process known as oxidation.

Alcohol also breaks down ethanol present in alcoholic drinks to acetaldehyde, which is a toxic chemical and a probable human carcinogen. This substance is toxic enough to damage both DNA and the genetic materials that make up the genes and this may cause mutation which causes cancer.

Alcohol also impairs the body’s own ability to metabolize and absorb a variety of nutrients that may be associated with a reduction in cancer risk, including vitamin A; nutrients in the vitamin B complex, such as folate; vitamin C; vitamin D; vitamin E; and carotenoids. Absence of these nutrients escalates the risk of cancer. It is also believed to increase the levels of estrogen hormone which is also associated with increased cancer risks.

Alcoholic drinks are also made up of very harmful contents which are mostly introduced during production. These may include nitrosamines, asbestos fibers, phenols, and hydrocarbons which may increase cancer risks.

Colorectal cancer

As the name suggests, colorectal cancer refers to cancers that affect the colon and the rectum. Colon cancer is cancer of the colon, which is at the lower part of the digestive system. On the other hand, rectal cancer is cancer of the rectum which is part of the last inches of the colon. Together these two cancers can be referred to as colorectal cancers. In the colon cancer may begin as small lumps that are non-cancerous clumps of cells known as adenomatous polyps, however these polyps will grow into cancerous cells. At the beginning these polyps will not show any symptom associated with cancer and this may even pose a greater health challenge, therefore it is important to have yourself screened regularly for colorectal cancer. There are several cancers of the colon and rectum but adenocarcinomas are the dominant cancer type constituting up to 95 percent of colorectal cancer but there are other rare types of tumors that are also equally dangerous.

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer

Just like any other disease there are indicators that you may be suffering from colorectal cancers. These signs and symptoms may include;

  • Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
  • A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • A change in consistency of passing stool
  • Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool

These symptoms though unpleasant may help you to know your status in relation to colorectal cancers and help you seek treatment in good time. However these symptoms may not show at early stages making it hard for colorectal cancer to be detected early. It is therefore advisable to go for screening to help with early treatment. If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits the best you can do is to seek medical help.

Alcohol linked to colorectal cancer

Excessive alcohol consumption has been regarded as a risk factor for developing colorectal adenomas. In a study aimed to investigate the influence of excessive alcohol consumption on the occurrence of colorectal cancer among patients with at least one colonic adenoma done by M Bardou, S Montembault, V Giraud, A Balian, E Borotto, C Houdayer, F Capron, J-C Chaput and S Naveau it was found that In patients with at least one colorectal adenoma, excessive alcohol consumption increases the likelihood of developing high risk adenomas or colorectal cancer. In this study the participants were divided into three groups. All had at least one colorectal adenoma. The first group consisted of 401 heavy drinkers; the second group consisted of 152 patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) while the third group consisted of 108 patients with a family history (FH) of colorectal adenoma or cancer. For this study exclusive criteria were anemia, haematochezia, personal history of colorectal adenoma or cancer, and for groups heavy drinking and IBS a family history of colorectal adenoma and/or cancer.

colorectal cancerThis is not the first study to show this relation between alcohol abuse and colorectal cancer. This relation between alcohol consumption and risk of developing colorectal adenomas has been demonstrated previously by several authors. In a research it was found that the risk of polyps was increased three times for drinkers who did not smoke and 12 times for both drinkers and smokers compared with the risk of total abstainers. Naveau et al found that alcoholism and cirrhosis were two independent risk factors for colorectal adenomatous polyps after successive adjustments for sex, age, smoking, and serum cholesterol levels.

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

Alcohol Abuse and Colorectal Cancer

 

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The best way to Losing Weight is through Family Approach

January 20, 2015

The best way to Losing Weight is through Family Approach – Everyone has a role to play in Weight Loss

The best way to Losing Weight is through Family Approach

The best way to Losing Weight is through Family Approach. Even though your self commitment will matter a lot, the family unit involvement is very important in losing weight

It is amazing that very simple things which could easily be handled without much constrain are giving the society great headache. Take for example the global problem of weight gain and the health complications attached to it. For sure this is one problem that could easily be addresses if the society can willingly accept to adapt to healthy lifestyle. As simple as it may sound, this has not been very easy to everyone. I appreciate that we all come from a given family and this is the best place where weight management can start from. Actually the best way to losing weight is through family approach. The full involvement of the family and bit of incorporating of weight lose professionals will surely put to rest the pandemic of being overweight. Doctor Dalal Akoury a re-known weight loss expert is sharing with us why the best way to losing weight is through family approach. Remember that if you have any concern associated with overweight and you need help, don’t hesitate to call the home of weight loss solution (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) a facility founded by doctor Akoury primarily to help you and your loved ones. Up on scheduling for that appointment, doctor Akoury will professionally evaluate your condition and administer the right treatment procedure.

The best way to Losing Weight is through Family Approach – Why the Family approach?

The reason why the best way to losing weight is through family approach is because it is wide and diversified. Like for instance, if you were to bring up your child in the most effective way to living a healthy lifestyle would be to set the pace by leading from the front. You must be the best example for your children to emulate. Remember that children usually don’t do the grocery shopping or food preparation. They don’t organize outside activities or drive themselves to the recreational center or park. In other words they are not able to change these activities on their own. Therefore to help your children eat better and be more physically active, you need to on top of everything. This should incorporate the entire family including the extended families like siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and other caregivers.

Various studies have demonstrated that children have the most success losing or stabilizing weight when a family approach is taken. However the direct opposite of this may also be true. When the family is not involved and they show unwillingness to make adjustment on the kinds of food they eat and the amount of time they spend in being active, the experts have also established that this can do the child more harm than good as it may cause them to loose self-esteem. The children who are obese in such families may have the feeling that it is their fault to be overweight and may never have the courage to make effort in losing weight.

Along the same lines, caregivers outside the immediate family such as a grandmother, uncle or babysitter may inadvertently sabotage efforts and become a barrier to progress. They may use food to create a bond with the child, they may use food as a reward or a pacifier, or they may have a weight problem themselves that they are not willing to address. Literally, anybody who is involved with anything related to food and caring for the child needs to be on board and involved in this process of health behavior change.

The best way to Losing Weight is through Family Approach – Focus on Health, Not Weight

The entire family should be engaged and focused on being healthy. It’s not about losing weight as much as it’s about eating right and being active in order to be healthy. When everyone in the family gets involved, it shows that eating healthy foods is not a diet for losing weight, but rather it’s a diet for being strong, fit and healthy, and it’s good for the entire family. Also, it’s not about short-term changes or quick solutions. When the family is on board and committed to making lifelong behavior changes, it highlights the positive while moving toward something good which can only be a happier, healthier family.

The best way to Losing Weight is through Family Approach – Strategies of keeping the family involved

Finally it is true that your determination supersedes the efforts made by the family to help you keep the desired weight, however it is still very important that they embrace the plan in totality. The following guidelines may be helpful for you in keeping them fully engaged:

  • To avoid temptation in the supermarket, put only the healthiest foods on your shopping list. Then ask your spouse and kids to have a “goodie run,” where they go to the market once a week and buy their favorite treats. Have them keep their treats in a place you don’t go every day maybe the garage or basement.
  • Ask each member of the family to make a list of their favorite treat foods. Then pick those that you like least to keep in the house. They’ll be satisfied, and you won’t be nearly as tempted.
  • If you all love the same treats, ask family members to eat the high-calorie ones outside the home. As a compromise offer to pick up the tab.
  • Control the portions. You can make your family high-calorie dinners or desserts, but make only enough for one meal. No left-overs mean less temptation.
  • Try the 5-2 Plan: Five days a week, you plan the meals; two days a week, others in the family get to choose where and what to eat. You compensate by eating smaller portions.

Remember that these strategies are only meant to have everyone on board. Careful attention must be taken to resist introduction of unhealthy foods under the cover of making compromises. In conclusion in all the steps you take consult with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center all the time. A phone call is all you need and doctor Akoury will professionally attend to you with lots of respect and dignity. Remember that weight lose recovery is what she does best, call her today and jump to the world with renewed confidence.

The best way to Losing Weight is through Family Approach – Everyone has a role to play in Weight Loss

 

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Weight loss should incorporate the whole family

January 20, 2015

Weight loss should incorporate the whole family – Ways to Get Your Family’s Support

Weight loss should incorporate the whole family

Weight loss should incorporate the whole family, however the success of losing weight will depend on an individual commitment.

We are all aware of the dangers associated with being overweight as well as being underweight. The good news is that we can reverse the situation by doing certain simple things including changing lifestyle. It must be appreciated that weight loss should incorporate the whole family for it to successful. The question you may be asking yourself is how would I involve my family if they are the reason why you’re gaining? It would be very important that you learn how to get your loved ones to support your diet and how to cope when they don’t. The whole thing will work well when you pioneer it by being determined and steadfast in your decision to lose those extra pounds. Staying focus to the objective is going to be very paramount because you will meet obstacles on the way. Remember that it is during this time when demands for unhealthy food stuff will be high. Your children demanding for potato chips, your spouse is busy with their boxes of cookies and leaving them invitingly to destruct you. In other words very many wrong things will be happening just when you resolve to lose weight.

Like I have said, you will be tempted but never give up; we have experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care and they will be there to help you navigate through these challenges. It is true that weight loss should incorporate the whole family, whose behavior may be discouraging, but all the same it may look difficult to involve them due to their habits but the good news is that, it is not impossible. Many experts agree that with a bit of forethought and some clever conversation, we can not only get our loved ones to support our diet efforts, but also help change everyone’s eating habits for the better. Therefore where do we start from? The starting point would be, knowing what you really want to achieve.

Weight loss should incorporate the whole family – Your Perfect World

Like we have said the genesis of the whole thing is, knowing what you really want. As the pioneer of the plan, you need to appreciate the kind of behaviors of your family and how they are causing hindrance to your targets. Having known this, the next thing is to articulate the kind of support you need from members of your family. Don’t just tell them that “I want you to support me on my diet” of course they will consent to do so, but then again they will remain wondering how? If plans are not made well, then you will fail and feel frustrated, furious for no reason. The solution is to take a moment and think about what you really want in terms of support and then write them down to paper. This should consist of the best ways your family could lend you a hand and in doing so the following considerations are very vital.

Be as specific as possible – Instead of just being general like “I want you to Be nicer to me, or Help me,” give specific ideas about what you would like them to do or not do. Meaning that if you want them to eat dessert in another room, put it down in writing; if you want them to make food a non-issue so your diet is never discussed, write that down, too. This may sound difficult but remember that weight loss should incorporate the whole family.

Then share the list with your family – Having written the needs it is important that you read it aloud to them before the whole family. This way it will make it easier for you to remember everything that was on your mind.

And do come prepared for a little negotiation – you must be ready to negotiate and compromise in certain areas where necessary. Compromise has to be built into your diet mentality from the start, and that’s the only way to get your whole family on board. While negotiating you need to be armed with certain offers that you will be willing to give in exchange of their cooperation and support. For instance you could offer to take the whole family out for team building, hiking or other activities which will be acceptable to them yet still lead to weight loss objective.

Weight loss should incorporate the whole family – Getting Your Family Involved

  • While convincing your kids to eat ice cream only when you’re not around is one thing, getting that same level of cooperation when foods on the dinner table begin to change is quite another.
  • If you’re the only one trying to lose weight, others may see your attempts to change the family eating habits as unfair.
  • One way of dealing with this, of course, is to cook separate meals for yourself. Another is to make mealtime changes less about your weight loss goals, and more about upgrading the family to a healthier way of eating.
  • Don’t just say Mom or Dad is on a diet. Instead, tell them you are all going to work together, as a family, to improve everyone’s health through healthier eating.
  • To get your children on board, talk about the advantages of sports nutrition, brainpower, and muscles and energy to work and play. When talking to your spouse, mention things like aging gracefully, better sex, more stamina.
  • Get them to see an advantage for them if they adopt some of your healthy eating plans.

What can also help: Coming up with healthful activities you and your spouse can do together like doubles tennis or a walking program. Getting the whole family involved in at least one group activity every week can also help.

  • Recognize that you really don’t need anyone but yourself to succeed.
  • We should also use this time to teach our children about things like healthy portions and mindful eating; reminding them that it’s not a good idea to eat until they’re stuffed, but only until they’re full.
  • This is a great time to teach others good, basic principles of healthy eating things that will make a difference in their life down the road.
  • It may help if you mention that the suggestions for change came from your doctor.
  • You don’t want to scare the children or even your spouse, but if you mention your doctor has suggested some dietary changes for the whole family, it does elicit a level of respect that encourages people to cooperate more.

Weight loss should incorporate the whole family – You’ve got to have friends

Remember that you’re the one to be in on top of everything. Yes weight loss should incorporate the whole family but if your effort to involve them is failing, then you must recognize that you really don’t need anyone but yourself to succeed. The control is really within you and while it may be nice to have the family on board with what you are doing, it’s essential to recognize that it’s not necessary, it’s not intrinsic to your success. You have the power to do it on your own. You have to want to do it for you and you have to take control. Beside losing weight isn’t easy, and having some encouragement somewhere is important. So if you can’t get that team spirit inside the home, look for friends at your gym or find a workmate who is either in the same place as you are, or has already been there and can help to coach you. Finally involve the experts in every step you take. Doctor Akoury will be there for you all the way.

Weight loss should incorporate the whole family – Ways to Get Your Family’s Support

 

 

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Alcohol Abuse Increases Risk of Cancer

January 20, 2015

How Does Alcohol Increase The Risk Of Cancer?

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

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

Acetaldehyde is a carcinogen

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

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

Alcohol increases estrogen levels

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

Alcohol damages liver cells

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

Alcohol depletes Folate

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

Alcohol generates ROS

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

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

How Does Alcohol Increase The Risk Of Cancer?

 

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Depression and Addiction

January 20, 2015

Dopamine Depletion Causes Depression and Addiction

Depression and addictionThe brain is a complex yet very crucial part of the human body. There are chemicals that are produced by the brain and they work as messengers otherwise known as neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters enable you to have a normal day without mood swings and even control how you relate to everything in your surroundings. The functions of these neurotransmitters can be altered when the levels of these neurotransmitters is changed. Of all the brain chemicals, dopamine is a common one. It is known by many people even out of the medical circles because of ‘its good feelings’ some people associate it with.

Dopamine in itself has many functions. It’s involved in many different important pathways. However, most people can only identify dopamine with such aspects as motivation, addiction, attention, or lust, their knowledge of dopamine is limited to the mesolimbic pathway. It is a pathway which starts with cells in the ventral tegmental area, buried deep in the middle of the brain, which send their projections out to places like the nucleus accumbens and the cortex.

When a person engages in sex, use of drugs or partying the brain will respond by increasing the levels of dopamine released in the nucleus accumbens .However during addiction the dopamine signaling in this area is changed. For any drug to have any pleasurable feeling to the user then the level of dopamine must be increased and this is what causes euphoric feelings that drug users will do anything to achieve.

What causes depletion of dopamine?

It has been a proven fact that stress causes depletion of dopamine. Acute stress affects nerve activities and depletes dopamine. However, major causes of dopamine depletion are through the use of alcohol and other drugs of abuse. when used for few times or for shorter period of time the drugs such as meth, cocaine and even alcohol will induce an increase in the levels of dopamine that is produced by the brain however after repeated long-term use, the brain begins to shutdown dopamine receptors, so when a person is not on a drug, there is very little dopamine left in brain and he will get depressed. This is caused by a chemical imbalance in her brain. With absence of dopamine in areas like the temporal lobe the emotional stability of a person is affected but when it missing in places like the striatum it will cause impaired mental function; a person’s ability to feel or think become affected.

It is because of these feelings that make people addicted to their drugs of use. When you have conditioned your brain to produce high levels of dopamine only when you are using drugs then it will be hard for you to quit using the drugs as every time you try to quit all the withdrawal symptoms, some of which may be too severe sets in and that ties a person to drug use. Causing addiction and dependence thereafter.

Depletion of dopamine can also be caused by poor nutrition. According to the Franklin Institute reports, poor nutrition can cause the levels of dopamine to decrease. The reports explain that alcohol, caffeine and sugar may reduce dopamine levels in the brain. The Franklin Institute recommends consumption of plenty of fruits and vegetables, because they provide antioxidants, which help protect dopamine-using brain cells from free damage. In addition to good nutrition, watching your weight is also a good idea of keeping your dopamine levels in healthy levels as obesity also causes depletion of dopamine.

Low levels of dopamine causes depression

Imbalances in the neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine cause depression. As mentioned earlier, this imbalance may be caused by use of drugs of pleasure or by other diseases. Apart from these two causes, a person may also have a family history of depression and so predisposed to depression a case which makes it rather complicated for the brain to produce the neurotransmitters in required amounts. The brain has a great role to play in inhibiting depression; it has to produce the millions of chemicals it produces in the right amounts everyday failure to which you will be depressed. It’s that complicated.

In the long-term, all drugs and alcohol are brain depressants. In moderate amounts, alcohol does not lead to depression, but abusing drugs or alcohol will definitely lead to depression. This is because they deplete your brain of serotonin and dopamine. Researchers warn that it may take quite a long time for depleted dopamine to be restored and so it is important to avoid abusing drugs.

Depression and AddictionAlcohol abuse almost doubles the risk of depression. In one study that looked at 2,945 alcoholics. Fifteen percent were depressed before they began abusing alcohol, and that number jumped to 26 percent after they started abusing alcohol. Once they stopped drinking for an extended period, 15 percent remained depressed. This study showed that alcohol almost doubles the risk of depression.

Marijuana has also been linked to depression. It is reported that marijuana users are four times more likely to develop depression. In one study which monitored a large group of people for 16 years, it was discovered that people who smoked marijuana were four times more likely to develop depression. Another study followed later with 1601 students and confirmed the findings.

Finally, Drug abuse, addiction and independence are problems that people grapple with every day. These problems need to be treated effectively through integrative medicine. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an expert at this. Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Dopamine Depletion Causes Depression and Addiction

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