September 3, 2014

Research Shows That Pomegranate Juice Slows Rate of Growth in Prostate Cancer Cells

Today there are very many alternatives that cancer patients can use when seeking treatment. Nature has always given the best treatment for most diseases and cancer is no exception.

Cancer is a disease that has terrorized the human race. It is a killer disease that to many people may sound a death sentence. It has also proved to be extremely expensive to treat especially through conventional methods. Over the past years cancer treatment had been that of pain and agony. The disease in itself is synonymous to pain plus the treatment that were used in a bid to help the patients ended up adding them more pain if at least it did not kill them at all. In the past years the most known cancer treatments were chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Cancer treatment through surgery has the same risk as any other medical surgery. It involved removing the tumor cells. On the other hand chemotherapy and radiation therapy are methods that aims at killing the cancer cells therefore reducing their spread or better yet killing them outright. These two methods of treatment also kills the healthy cells and so the patient faces lots of risk in that he may also die from the side effects of the treatment.

For these reasons medical researchers, nutritionists among other bodies have been developing ways of killing the cancerous cells without affecting the healthy body cells. Several alternative approaches to cancer treatment have been developed and some are still developed as doctors are in endless discoveries on better treatment of the disease. Among the recently discovered cancer treatment alternative is the use of pomegranate juice which is specifically effective in treating prostate cancer.

Pomegranate juice is known to have very many antioxidants that may help in fighting very many diseases. However this does not necessarily mean that it can cure prostate cancer or any other type of cancer until a research finding finds out that it does so. Pom wonderful, a company that deals in products made from pomegranate has been promoting their juice as having the ability to fight prostate cancer among other benefits. It therefore funded very many researches to prove that certainly pomegranate juice has ability to fight prostate cancer. However when a company that makes a product funds research about its product, the findings will be perceived as biased.

Studies on this subject

Of all these studies only one study has been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal that looks at the effect of drinking pomegranate juice on prostate cancer. This study was done in 2006 and was funded by Pom Wonderful. The company has often used the findings of this study as a proof of its claims that their juice can help fight prostate cancer. The study involved 46 men who were either treated through surgery or radiation for prostate cancer. These men had rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, which is interpreted as a sign that their prostate cancer had reoccurred. They were given 8 ounces of Pom Wonderful to drink daily for about 2 years. The study found that the men’s rising PSA levels slowed, which shows that the rate of their prostate cancer growth was slowed.

Other studies have also been done. In one of these studies, the scientists grew cells from the most aggressive human prostate cancer in cultured tissues. In this study it was found that prostate cancer reduced the rate of the growth of cancer cells and caused apoptosis in the prostate cancer cells. Researchers again planted prostate cancer cells in mice. Some of the mice were given water that was laced with pomegranate juice while others were not given pomegranate juice. It was found that prostate cancer cell growth was reduced in the mice that were treated with pomegranate juice. By the end of the experiment it was found that the mice that were not treated with pomegranate juice had larger tumors than those that were treated with pomegranate juice. The researchers also did test on men with prostate cancer where it was found that pomegranate juice increased the PSA doubling time. The longer the PSA doubling time the slower the tumor growth rate. This research was not funded by pom wonderful and so is more believable.

prostrate Cancer

Pomegranate has not only been promoted for prostate cancer treatment but has also been found to be potent enough to promote cardiovascular health. When studies were done on test tubes, animals and humans it was found that it has very many benefits in treating cardiovascular diseases. It has the ability to protect bad cholesterol from oxidative damage. Other clinical studies revealed that the carotid artery thickness reduced greatly and blood flow was also improved in those people who drank pomegranate.

These earlier studies have given grounds that pomegranate has very many health benefits and has the potential of mitigating the effects of prostate cancer by reducing the rate of tumor growth. However there is need for more research in this field to ascertain the effectiveness of pomegranate in treating prostate cancer. Meanwhile if you decide to use pomegranate in treating your cancer, discuss with your doctor first.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced integrative cancer doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She has worked hard not only in treating the disease but also in availing informational support to cancer patients at Awaremed which has become a place called home for many cancer patients. Call on her now and get help on cancer.

Research Shows That Pomegranate Juice Slows Rate of Growth in Prostate Cancer Cells

Medicinal Marijuana Can be Replaced

August 14, 2014

Natural Alternatives To Smoking Medicinal Marijuana

What is medicinal marijuana?

This is marijuana that in not different from the one that people recreationally smoke, apart from being an illegal weed in many parts of the world. The only difference is that this marijuana is taken for medicinal value and it is prescribed by doctors. In states where medicinal marijuana is allowed, patients who are found suitable for the type of medication involving medicinal marijuana, it is prescribed to them and they are given a card that permit them to buy the product from authorized dealers. Some of the licenses allow the patient to even grow a controlled amount of marijuana for their personal use.

The main reason why medicinal marijuana may be prescribed to a patient is for pain killing purposes. This medication has been mainly used for people with cancer or those living with HIV/AIDS. In this case, it has been used to treat vomiting and reduce nausea and also in the treatment of pain and muscle spasticity.

Can medicinal marijuana be harmful?

There has not been clarity in the long term effects of medicinal marijuana, but there have been concerns such as loss in memory and cognition problems, the risk for the patient becoming dependent and also the risk of children accessing the medicinal marijuana and taking it by mistake.

Medinal marijuana

Just like we had earlier mentioned in the definition of medicinal marijuana, is worthy noting that medicinal marijuana is not different from the “weed” that is illegal almost all over the world, (Cannabis) and the one with known addiction effects on the users. Just like any other medicinal drug also, it is important to note that the abuse of the drug may have more harm than benefits. Marijuana is a known addictive substance and a habit forming. Thus is the patient continues to use the substance over time, resistance may develop leading to increased dosage amount and consequently leading to addiction. When the person becomes addicted, the situation meant to be cured by the medicinal marijuana will even look more complicated since apart from its treatment, the addiction that has resulted must also be addressed.

Are there better alternatives to medicinal marijuana?

The alternative of medicinal marijuana which can prove beneficial is the one that produces similar medicinal value to the medicinal marijuana and leaving no side effects at the same time. This medication focuses on the treatment of pain particularly since it is the main reason why medicinal marijuana is prescribed to the patients. The main alternatives for medicinal marijuana are the herbal, supplement and nutritional treatments.

The natural alternatives to medicinal marijuana

The natural alternative to smoking medicinal marijuana focuses on what causes the symptoms which medicinal marijuana seeks to address. It therefore uses natural methods of addressing the symptoms through herbs, supplements or nutrition.

The herbal, nutritional & Supplements alternatives to medicinal marijuana

Someone will wonder whether marijuana is not a herb, and why we should use other herbs but not marijuana! The reason why we will consider some other herbs as better options to medicinal marijuana is because these other herbs are considered to have no negative effects to the patient, they are non-addictive, and above all they are legal all over the world. The following are some of the common herbs which can be alternatives to medicinal marijuana:-

Willow bark – this is a herb that has been used in different cultures to reduce pain, fever and inflammation. This herb is a very strong medication in the treatment of pain and it is commonly used in treatment all over the world. One of the advantages of this herb over cannabis is that it is non-addictive and has no side effects. For more information on this medication, visit or call awaremednetwork.com
Turmeric – this is one of the most powerful known medications for inflammation. This herb is known for its ability to cure arthritis, gout, autoimmune disease, sciatic and other inflammatory conditions. This medication is non-addictive and hence a good alternative to medicinal marijuana.
Skullcap – this is a common herb especially in northern America. It has been used for over 200 years to date, in the treatment for allergies, inflammation, painkilling, chronic pain, and even for cancer treatment. It can be used for painkilling for people living with HIV/AIDS and cancer and this makes it a good alternative to medicinal marijuana.
Magnesium – this is a nutrient which is very important in human body. It is used in treatment of pain in muscles and nerves. Magnesium has been proven to have capability to balance the brain chemical known as NMDA that is responsible for pain transmission in the nervous system. Deficiency in magnesium is a common cause for and pain amplifier. To controls pain by use of magnesium, it can be taken as a supplement or through nutrition. Foods which are rich in magnesium are recommended. Some of the foods rich in magnesium include:- Dark leafy greens especially Spinach, nuts and seeds, fish, beans and Lentils, low fat diary among many others.
SAMe – this is a popular dietary supplement required in the treatment of depression and osteoarthritis. SAMe itself, is a compound which is naturally found in every human cell in the body. In is known for its role as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent. It can therefore be used in the treatment of pain, relieving stiffness, reducing joint swelling among other health benefits. For more details on how this treatment works, call or visit awaremednetwork.com
Vitamin D – this vitamin is known to be very essential in the human body, and its deficiency may lead to chronic illnesses like chronic pain. This nutrient can be obtained as a supplement or from diets.

Are you struggling with medicinal marijuana treatment? Or are you experiencing endless pains and now you want a treatment that has no side effects? Awaremed.com is your solution. Call us today and get your solution to the problem.