Tag Archives: Dalal Akoury

Enzymes and Contribution in Cancer Treatment

December 9, 2014

Enzymes for Cancer Treatment

enzymes-for-fighting-cancerCancer has managed to earn itself quite a reputation throughout the world as a major threat to everyone. This therefore warrants a keen understanding of the disease and how it works.

Cancer is formed through a breakdown in a variety of the normal cellular and immunity mechanisms in the body. Often, body components damaged by free radicals are built up within the cells in the body throughout life. Extreme oxidative stress resulting from factors such as body injury or diseases catalyze this process. This damage caused to body tissue initiates the release of chemical signals to arrest the situation, but in large amounts, the chemical signals eventually cause further damage to tissue.  This tissue damage cycle is responsible for the damage of DNA in the end.

As you might have known from raw biology, the DNA is responsible for a number of regulatory processes and mechanisms. If it can no longer perform this regulation function, it only means that the growth of cancer cannot be regulated any more. And given the inflammation or tissue damage already in place, the body immunity is likely to miscommunicate, mistaking the developing cancer cells for other damaged body tissue. This disrupted cellular communication gives cancer a window to thrive. Even more disadvantageous to the victim is the effects of the reactive species of oxygen whose effects on the natural cellular controls eventually prevent apoptosis of the developing cancer cells.

Cancer cells are also ‘smart’. They have adaptive characteristics that make them survive against the body immunity mechanisms. While enzymes are known for their digestive abilities in the body, the cancer tumor for instance produce a dense fibrin protein which not only help them stick around but also aid their protection against the possible digestion by the immune system. Enzymes in the bloodstream are capable of digesting and dissolving the fibrin coating on the cancer tumor. The enzymes would however have to be in large amounts. In addition, they would need to be enzymes with high amounts of nattokinase or protease or break down the thick fibrin.

Low Enzyme Levels And Cancer

Research suggests a rather close relationship between low levels of enzymes and the formation and proliferation of cancer tumor. The enzymes as already mentioned are capable of destroying the cancer tumor naturally. The body is programmed to have the foods taken in digested by the very enzymes that come into the gut with the food. This suggests that the digestive system is meant to process foods that are raw for this ideal set up to work out, since raw food comes with enzymes that aid the breakdown of that particular food right in the upper gut (stomach). Food usually stays there for about 30- 45 minutes.

If that were to be the case. It would mean that down the gut in the lower stomach and the duodenum, the pancreatic enzymes have a reduced work and a lot of them can be reserved and channeled into the bloodstream where they do the cleaning work and could help digest any existing cancer tumor in the bloodstream.

However, this is never the case as the foods we eat are processed: cooked or treated. These processes that food undergoes are responsible for killing of the enzymes. The food thus does not get predigested in upper stomach. The pancreas is therefore overworked as soon as the food gets to the lower stomach as it has to produce extra enzymes for braking down the food. In the process, the food is often incompletely digested.

This partial digestion of the food ends up with some undigested food into the bloodstream where they are treated as foreign and toxic to the body system. Being viewed in that lens by the body’s immunity, the system that already has much to do, has to put up with even extra work of fighting the undigested food being considered toxic in the bloodstream.

The overworked pancreas loses its ability to produce sustainable amount of enzymes in the long run resulting with an individual with low enzyme levels. The moment all the essential enzymes exist in low amounts, the body loses its ability to naturally fight and destroy cancerous cells.

enzymes-for-fighting-cancer

How to Boost the Enzymes Level

In that condition, you must make use of enzyme supplements. A number of them are recommended for use. The most recommended one being the PapayaPro.  The product has mature green papaya powder as key ingredient, with the most active enzyme being Papain. Papain has a unique digestive formula and is expressly powerful as compared to pancreatin or even the pancreatic enzymes. It is not affected by changes in the intestinal pH and can work equally in both alkaline and acidic conditions. It is highly aggressive when taken in an empty stomach and will work more than the pancreatic enzymes in its attacking and destroying of the cancer tumor.

The Citrus Pectin enzyme also found in the PapayaPro has an even more unique ability, it can prevent the spread of cancer cells (metastasis). Their molecules enter the blood and confuse cancer cells for lectin (cancer protein). As a result, the tumors are prevented from being able to attach to other body parts to start new cancer colonies. This has been supported by a number of studies.

AwareMed recommends the use of enzyme supplements to boost the body immunity and help fight cancer. More information can be obtained by contacting our doctors at AwareMed.

Enzymes and Contribution in Cancer Treatment

 

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The Aging Brain and Curcumin

December 8, 2014

The Aging Brain and Curcumin

As we grow older so does our brain. This is a natural phase of life and everyone goes through it at some point. All human beings tend to develop a reduction in cognitive ability as they continue growing up. In fact, research has shown that these changes start occurring as early as when an individual is in their mid-twenties.curcumin

The changes in brain functioning are characterized with conditions such as forgetfulness, loss of focus or ability to maintain it, a decline in capabilities of problem solving among others. You probably have an older relative or friend and you haven’t failed to notice some of these conditions in them. These changes occur as one grows older and are inevitable although some of them are not normal aging factors.

We all want to remain young forever due to the factors associated with old age. If only that was possible. None of us wants a situation where they start forgetting every little thing that happens or is said to them. That is life and it was meant to happen in stages and old stage is just but one phase of life.

With brain aging often comes serious cognitive conditions such as depression, dementia, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. On the brighter side, relax; I will show you an easy and natural way of keeping that brain healthy even when you are old. Research has come up with a natural solution to ease and prevent brain aging conditions. The secret is curcumin. It has been shown to be a very good remedy for that aging brain.

 

So what is Curcumin?

It is basically an active substance found in turmeric and also in limited potions in ginger.  It is responsible for the yellow color of turmeric. Turmeric is a spice most commonly found in Indian foods. It is also part of the main components of curry powder. Past studies have shown that turmeric can help ease symptoms of pain and inflammation in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Compounds such as curcumin in turmeric have medicinal functions. For one it helps in stopping the growth of certain types of tumors. Some studies have also shown that it can stabilize cancer that was not helped by other forms of treatments. It is therefore not surprising that this active ingredient can help the brain as it is aging.

It would be argued that curcumin is the perfect daily dietary supplement. However, not everyone would enjoy a daily taste of curry in their food. Routine is sometimes boring and people prefer doing different things every day, like not eating the same thing from the beginning of the year to the end. However the healthy benefits of turmeric would encourage you to enjoy that meal spiced with curry on a daily basis. As this is not possible, it is advisable to take small supplements of turmeric either on its own in food as you cook or in the different curry dishes. The good news is that there are now pills containing a small percentage of curcumin. So if you don’t want to eat carry every day, at least take a pill supplement once in a while.

How Curcumin Helps the Aging Brain

The most common known cause of cognitive decline and age related diseases is oxidative stress and inflammation. Naturally the brain consumes about 20% of the oxygen that is used by the whole body. It is therefore very much susceptible to damage due to oxidation stress. As people grow older there is an increase in the level of oxidation damage of lipids and DNA in the brain which leads to the death of neurons in the brain. Oxidative stress has been linked to conditions such as mental impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. This is why such conditions are common as people grow older.

So how does curcumin come in? Various studies conducted show that the active turmeric ingredient protects brain tissues against oxidation stress by enhancing the production of an enzyme called heme oxygenase-1. This enzyme helps protect the tissues from destruction of the neurons that have been exposed to oxidation stress in the brain. Traumatic injury in the brain is also a cause of oxidation stress leading to cognitive inabilities. Curcumin helps reduce this stress in the brain.

Curcumin

Curcumin has also been proved to work as an anti-depressant. The condition is very common as brain ages and it can be quite stressful and in some cases lead to severe brain conditions such as memory loss, decline in decision making and mental dysfunction. Depression is linked with reduced levels of brain activity as well as shrinking of the brain area responsible for memory and learning. Taking turmeric in your food had been proved to boost brain neurotransmitters. This will lead to a reverse of the changes that occur in the brain when one is depressed.

Regular dosage of curcumin will also help the aging brain by lowering the chances of getting dementia.  Dementia leads to a reduction in cognitive ability of an individual. The condition can be so severe that it completely affects the daily functioning of an individual and social life. The most common condition associated with dementia is memory loss. Studies show that loss of memory often begins at the age of 50. However, by the time people hit 80, they have completely fallen into some state of dementia where memory loss is now severe.

When memory loss starts, it may lead to depression as on feels they do not belong. Their life is completely changed and always to the negative. This condition typically affects the elderly but it’s not part of normal aging. It is often in most cases results from the Alzheimer’s disease. Drugs prescribed only improve the symptoms and slow them down but they do not cure dementia. Studies conducted have shown that curcumin works in preventing dementia by protecting aging brains from decline in mental ability.

Often make it a habit to take Curminin in your meals. It’s not only useful for the aged but also necessary as people grow older. Taking it regularly will help your brain as you grow older and you may prevent even those aging symptoms from occurring at all. Take change and remember a small dose of curcumin a day, keeps the brain awake and kicking.

AwareMed is the best place to learn all you need to know about how to manage the aging brain. You will also get more expert opinion about this from Dr. Dalal Akoury who has a wide experience on this and other health matters.

The Aging Brain and Curcumin

 

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Fermented Milk Boosts Skin Health

December 7, 2014

Fermented Milk Boosts Skin Health

fermented milk The human skin is the largest organ and an essential excretory pathway too. All that biology aside, the skin is the most immediate point of contact with the outside world and a woman for instance would do or give anything just to have a beautiful lustrous skin. Well that is not a strange thing, beauty is such a worthy aspect of humanity.

Funny thing, different folks have had their unique ways of approaching the skin health. Some traditional and others contemporary. While the market is flooded with all the lotions and gels with some such as Nivea using the term ‘moisturizing’ as a key selling point, other people, more traditional in their ways, have for a long time depended on milk in various ways to realize some really beautiful glowing skin. There is definitely something in milk, isn’t there?

But the question is, what is this ‘thing’ in milk that these women targeted for the beauty of their skin? Today there is growing evidence indicating that if you consume milk products refined with probiotic bacteria, you can end up with not only a healthy gut, but also a nice healthy skin.

This is not entirely a new idea in the scientific marketplace. Scientists have for a long time suspected that the health of the human skin and gut health are rather interrelated. Simply looked at, the lining of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract is somewhat an extension of the actual skin. In this manner, the bacteria on the skin surface find their way with ease to the surface of the gut.

In terms of immunity and the general health, one mechanism that has been identified by medical practitioners of maintaining the intestinal health involves boosting the probiotics (good bacteria). Good because these bacteria help to keep bad microbes in check as they naturally inhabit the gut.  Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are examples of these good bacteria and are used for instance in the food industry. Their purpose here is typically to make refined milk products like yogurt.

Unveiling the Gut Phenol Guard

A number of recent studies by a Japanese probiotic milk pioneer has reported evidence indicating the beneficial effects of fermented milk on the general skin health. This was from some test samples containing Bifidobacterium, a bacterium found in fermented milk.

The researchers compared the effects of the fermented milk against those of a non-fermented placebo milk in a clinical test. Two clusters of healthy Japanese women were given the milk and various parameters later measured in those women’s urine, blood and the level of hydration of their skin.

Four weeks later, the women who had been subjected to drinking the placebo milk were having significantly drier skin as compared to their colleagues who drank the fermented milk.

Based on the results of this study, the Japanese scientists deduced that the women who drank the fermented milk had lower levels of phenols in their blood and urine. Phenols are a group of noxious by-products emitted by some gut bacteria during proteins digestion.

Phenols are often absorbed from the gut to some extent, taken through blood circulation and eventually excreted from the body via the urine. In this process though, the phenols may often build in the skin as they are carried along with the blood. Prior studies have shown this happen to the skin of mice. And for the human skin, lab tests have shown that these toxins disturb the skin cells’ production of keratin 10, a major skin protein responsible for strengthening the skin’s barrier function.

People with a troubled gut environment have typically been reported to have high levels of these toxic substances known as phenols. The Japanese scientists associate problems such as skin dryness to high levels of these phenols produced by particular gut bacteria.

Consequently the researchers recommend daily intake of fermented milk rich in probiotics as an antidote to the problem of dry skin. This according to them could help maintain healthy skin by encouraging a conducive gut environment which will suppress the production of the toxins. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), these probiotics (found in fermented milk) are live microorganisms which have the capacity to confer a health benefit to the host when administered in adequate amounts.

fermented milk

Further Skin Health Benefits

Aside from the fight against phenols, fermented milk has been found to have a host of other benefits to the skin. Other studies have indicated that the milk may help assuage dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) while reducing water loss from the skin of the individual.

The fermented milk contains a number of biologically active peptides. Peptides are compounds consisting of two or more amino acids that are linked in a chain. These fermented milk peptides are produced in the process of fermentation. Here a bacterium known as lactobacilli chew down certain milk proteins converting them into the peptides.

Sebum, oily secretion of the sebaceous glands in the skin, has been reported to get stabilized by intake of fermented milk. Taking fermented milk increases the hydration levels of the skin of young women due to increased levels of sebum in the skin.

The studies indicate that the age and hormone levels influence the working of the fermented milk in influencing sebum production. Even better, the milk helps check the effects of sebum that could result in acne if in high amounts. This applies to both men and women. The acne alleviation effect on skin is attributed to a milk protein called lactoferrin.

Given its anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, fermented milk helps in improving g the skin luster making it glossy and radiant. The effect results from combined properties of increased sebum and an acidic skin pH.

At AwareMed, we care about the health of your skin and continue to provide you with these and more health insights for your wellness.

Fermented Milk Boosts Skin Health

 

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Wrong Food Causes Joint Pain

December 6, 2014

Wrong Food Causes Joint Pain

Joint pain is a common complaint among many people. It not only slows you down but causes a
lot of discomfort. It can be caused by injury or disease. It is estimated that over 50 million Americans today are affected by joint pain. A joint refers to an area where two bones meet. These bones are separated by cartilages. The fact of the matter is that joint pain is no longer a disease of the old folks.

Joint pain has been linked to conditions such as arthritis, gout especially of the big toe, bursitis, and muscle pain. Other cause of joint pain include viral infections, fractures, overuse or straining of the joints, rheumatoid arthritis, osteomyelitis which is simply bone infections among others. Joint pain can affect more than one joint at a time. The most common complaints of joint pain are within the hip and shoulder region. However, it can affect any part of your body.

Joint pain can range from mild to very severe pain. It can last from a few days or even go on for several months a condition called chronic joint pain. Whether mild or severe the fact is that, joint pain can affect the quality of your life.

 

The most common cause of joint pain among a given number of populations is arthritis. It is a disorder of the joints that is caused by an inflammation on the joints. Patients with arthritis complain of pain on the affected joint. Other causative factors of arthritis may be straining of the joint, wear and tear of the muscle tendons of the joints, or fatigue.

Apart from the causes mentioned above, eating the wrong foods can also lead to joint pain. Research has shown that certain type of foods contribute to painful joints.

The Diet Question: Gluten

Eating the wrong diet may lead you to develop joint pain. Studies have shown that eating foods rich in gluten can cause inflammation. This inflammation is what causes pain especially on the knees and joints. You may experience actual physical pain in these areas. The joints especially are the ones highly likely to be affected by inflammation.

The most common source of gluten is wheat flour. Others are barley, rye and other foods made with these grains and any foods made with these grains.

Of the available sources of gluten, wheat is the most common that finds it way in most of our diets. Avoiding wheat may prove very difficult to most of us. This is because it would mean avoiding all those delicacies made from wheat flour. Am talking about pasta, bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries, crackers, gravy, sauces, cereal and the list is endless. Beer is also a source of gluten.

joint-pain

You may have experienced pain in the joints at one time. What comes to our minds when that happens is that we are doing too much work or probably taking those many stairs to your office every day may be causing the pain. Well, this may be true since joint strain may eventually lead to joint pain. Past studies have shown that our diet is the main cause of most of the health problems we experience. This is not different from joint pain and the major cause of joint pain has its root with the gluten diet.

Going off gluten may prove next to impossible to most of us. This is because it is in all the good foods out there. But if something affects your health the best thing to do is cut it out.

Additional Facts about Joint Pain: Leaky Gut Syndrome

Digestive problems affect a number of people. Ever heard of leaky gut syndrome? The gut plays a major role in your overall health and well-being. When food is not being digested properly, it can lead to all kinds of unimaginable problems. For one, foods may fail to be properly digested. This would mean that little or no nutrients will be absorbed into the blood stream. When this happens, the body is derived of the essential nutrients it requires to stay healthy.

Leaky gut syndrome is a medical condition that affects the intestinal linings. It occurs when the permeability of the intestinal walls is increased. Due to this increased permeability, large molecules, antigens and toxins are allowed into the blood stream. These lead to inflammation.

The inflammation of the lining of the intestines leads to destruction of microvilli. Microvilli serve a critical role of absorption and controlling what is absorbed by the blood and what will become waste. The damage of the microvilli prevent them from generating enzymes and other gut secretions which are required for the overall health of the digestive system and efficient absorption of nutrients.joint-pain

When this happens bacterial imbalance occurs in the gut. Normally our bodies have bacteria, some useful others harmful. Proper functioning of the digestive system creates a symbiotic relationship between these bacteria. When the permeability of the intestinal wall is destroyed this balance is offset. Pathogenic bacteria increase in the gut and it renders the useful bacteria completely useless. This imbalance is what leads to leaky gut syndrome.

Antibiotics, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and pesticides are the major causes of leaky gut syndrome. A lot of foods that we take are grown with artificial fertilizers. These harbor a lot of toxins in the foods which are later taken in our body system. These toxins when they reach the gut end up destroying the lining of the gut leading to leaky gut syndrome.

Leaky gut syndrome has been associated with diseases such as arthritis, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, acne, eczema, liver dysfunctions among others.

Just like gluten can cause inflammation leading to joint pain, leaky gut syndrome can also be a causative factor for aching joints. The best way to prevent leaky gut syndrome is by properly washing all fresh vegetables and food before cooking and eating.

At AwareMed we not only inform you about the causes of joint pain but we tell how you need to live in order to avoid it!

Wrong Food Causes Joint Pain

 

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Magnesium Depletion and Chronic Diseases

November 29, 2014

Magnesium Depletion and Chronic Diseases

The metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to produce energy (which includes ATP production) requires numerous magnesium-dependent chemical reactions. Magnesium is also required for a number of steps during DNA and RNA synthesis. Glutathione, an important antioxidant, requires magnesium for its production.

If that makes you think magnesium is such an essential metal then there is a host of more surprises for you. Magnesium is truly an essential mineral that your body requires for maintaining its normal nerve and muscles function. Magnesium helps keep the body’s immune system healthy. It is also essential in maintaining your heart rhythm and is necessary for the building of strong bones.

In addition, Magnesium is involved in a minimum of 300 biochemical reactions in the human body. This means that a deficiency in magnesium compound can lead to a wide range of disorders including muscle spasms, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, migraines, anxiety disorders, cerebral infarction and even osteoporosis.

A deficit in magnesium also referred to as magnesium depletion is caused as a result of dysregulation of the state of magnesium in the body. This is the result of dysregulation of the mechanisms that control the metabolism of magnesium. These could occur in the form of a failure of these mechanisms causing magnesium homeostasis. It could also be as a result of intervention of iatrogenic or endogenous factors which eventually disturb the magnesium status.

Some studies observe that this depletion cannot be corrected simply by nutritional supplementation alone. Rather, certain specific dysregulation correction mechanisms are crucial in remedying the condition.

Magnessium_Deficiency

Magnesium depletion should be clearly differentiated from magnesium deficiency in the body. Deficiency is a disorder of magnesium that simply results from an inadequate intake of the mineral in the diet. An oral magnesium supplementation is recommended and is enough to correct the disorder.

High Risk Groups For The Magnesium Disorder

There are certain groups of people that are more vulnerable to the magnesium related disorders given its primacy in a number of body processes. Studies have identified long distance athletes as a potentially high risk group with regard to magnesium deficiency. These are people who conduct strenuous long distance exercise. They tend to lose electrolytes through their sweat and need to replenish their essential minerals such as sodium, phosphorus and potassium, but most particularly magnesium levels.

People who drink a lot of alcohol may also need adequate replenishing of magnesium lost during dehydration. Those who suffer diarrhea as well as others who may be dehydrated through other means also need to replenish their magnesium levels as well as the levels of sodium metal, potassium and phosphorus.

The elderly and those who have poor functioning kidneys may be subject to loss of magnesium through urine. This happens when the kidneys cannot retain the magnesium in the blood or reabsorb it through its tubules resulting in dysregulation of this essential mineral. Consequently the person’s system will not be excreting less magnesium when the mineral stores are low. In addition, the elderly naturally need the mineral since the amount of magnesium absorbed by the body decreases with old age as the amount excreted increases.

If you have any form of gastrointestinal disorders, chances are that your colon will not be able to absorb enough of the mineral. Most magnesium in the gut is often absorbed through the large intestines. This means that people with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease are faced with the risk a possible magnesium deficiency.

The same goes for those who consume high amounts of Fiber. The bodies’ ability to make use of magnesium has been found to be affected by taking in a lot of fiber in the diet. The ratio of this effect is yet to be established through further research. Still on the question of diet, low protein consumption is also said to have an effect on magnesium in the body.

Magnesium Sources

magnesiumMagnesium is found in a number of food products that can be found readily in the market. Foods high in magnesium include nuts, dark leafy greens, seeds, beans, fish, bananas, whole grains, dried fruit, avocados, yogurt and dark chocolate. This is however not the entire list of foods rich in magnesium. There are a lot of other products that contain magnesium in large amounts. These can be found at AwareMed. In fact, AwareMed is the best place where you can purchase magnesium.

Consuming too much magnesium may typically be dangerous and can make you diarrhea. This is why AwareMed emphasizes having the magnesium chelated.

Nuts, dark chocolate, molasses and seeds are high calorie foods and good sources of magnesium. They should thus be eaten in moderate amounts by those who have high body mass index (BMI).

Other sources of magnesium such as almonds, dark chocolate and spinach are rich in oxalates and these inhibit the absorption of some magnesium. The foods are however still good sources of the metal.

Noteworthy is, Brazil nuts are a rich source of selenium. Too much selenium may lead to unfavorable conditions like bad breath, diarrhea and even loss of hair.

The following factors may affect magnesium absorption

Absorption of the mineral may be enhanced by taking diet rich in fermentable carbohydrates such as those found in dairy, grains and fruits. Protein foods also may help with the absorption of magnesium while eating foods that are high in insoluble fiber is likely to deter magnesium absorption.

Grains, vegetables and seeds may contain phyrates that somewhat deter the absorption of magnesium. On the contrary, the soluble fiber as well as the fermentable carbohydrates that are found in the same foods are likely to counter this effect. This makes most plant foods a powerful source of magnesium.

Magnesium Depletion and Chronic Diseases

 

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