Inflammation, Cancer and health

November 29, 2014

Inflammation, Cancer and health – Why your diet is important

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

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

What is inflammation?

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

Acute inflammation
Chronic inflammation

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

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

What does inflammation have to do with cancer?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Add more plant foods to your plate

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

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

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

Limit processed foods

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

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

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

Balance fatty acids

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

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

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

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

Reduce consumption of red meat

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

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

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

Eat more fermented foods

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

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

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

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

Inflammation, Cancer and health – Why your diet is important

Reviving Beauty Through Healthy Eating

November 10, 2014

Reviving Beauty Through Healthy Eating – Essentials of Good Skin Complexion

Reviving beautiful skin through healthy eating is very economical and pocket friendly therefore be mindful of what you eat

Many times in our daily activities we often spend a lot of money in trying to make our skin complexion took nice, appealing and attractive. We are commanded from the holy book to love one another as we love ourselves, meaning that before we get out showing our appreciation to others, it must have started with us. This article is going to explore on certain food stuff which are very beneficial in nourishing our skin complexion and the general health of our bodies. Feeding well on healthy food is becoming very difficult to many people and this becomes even worse when we let loose during holidays when we would want to adventure into new experiences that we have not came across before. Even as you let loose in your merry making during the holidays, you must not forget that your actions can negatively affect your years of effort working on your good look by maintain desired weight, healthy eating habits and lifestyle.

Let me therefore bring to your attention that what you may be ignoring healthy eating habits are actually the elements you need not just during holidays but always to keep your good looking beautiful youthful skin. These healthy foods will not just help keep the desired weight and healthy looking skin but will also save you a great deal from extravagant spending in various weight lose facilities and application of very expensive yet toxic beauty products like creams and various body and facial make ups. While exploring the use of healthy foods it is important that you involve the experts who are well vast in healthy weight loss, healthy eating habits and natural body skin care. I want to therefore bring to your attention to the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, doctor Dalal Akoury who is fellowship trained and certified in anti-aging functional and regenerative medicine, as well as having more than twenty years of accumulated experience in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and a master’s degree in public health.

Doctor Akoury founded this facility to help you keep your skin healthy and beautiful protecting it from the outside in as well as inside out through various natural means like feeding on certain foods which can shield your skin from damage from the inside out. It will be very advisable that if you or anyone you know is either struggling with his or her skin quality, weight or is planning for a vacation and is worried of adding more weight during the holiday season, you should schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for not just her professional advice but also affordable treatment that is necessary. Having been introduced to the expert, let us now consider some of the healthy eating which may be essential for smooth and maintenance of a youthful skin.

Soy Milk

The goodness of soy milk is that it helps to preserve the skin-firming collagen due to its richness in isoflavones.

Coffee

Did you know that just by drinking a cup of coffee daily you may be lowering your risk of developing skin cancer? Several studies have established those who drink at least one cup of caffeinated coffee daily stand a chance of reducing their risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer by about 10 percent. And the more they drink say up to about 6 cups or more daily they lower their risk even further.

Tomatoes

Consuming more lycopene (the carotenoid that makes tomatoes red) may protect your skin from sunburn.

Salmon

The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA (docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids, respectively) found in salmon may shield cell walls from free-radical damage caused by UV Rays and for better results it is advisable that you eat two servings of fatty fish each week. Remember that not only are the omega-3s good for your skin but they’re also good for your heart too.

Egg Yolk

The yolk part of eggs comprises of carotenoid lutein, which like lycopene protects skin from UV damage. Lutein also helps to keep eyes healthy. Multiple studies have associated lutein with reduced risk for age-related macular degeneration which is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50.

Strawberries

Vitamin C is very essential for warding off wrinkles and age-related dryness. Foods like strawberries which are rich in vitamin C skin smoothing effects may be due to its ability to mop up free radicals produced from ultraviolet rays and also its role in collagen synthesis. Collagen is fibrous protein which keeps the skin firm and Vitamin C is essential for collagen production.

Papaya

Papaya is an excellent source of vitamin C and research suggests that Vitamin C may help protect skin cells against sun damage by promoting the repair of DNA which has been harmed by UV rays. UV rays break the chemical bonds of skin cells, killing them and damaging their DNA which may eventually cause cancerous growth. You can find vitamin C in a multitude of cosmetics—of which some have been shown to be effective in protecting skin—but why not go straight to the source for a tasty boost of vitamin C.

Pumpkin

Like lycopene, beta carotene the compound that makes pumpkins orange protects your skin from UV damage. Beta carotene is also converted to vitamin A in the body, which helps to keep your eyes, bones and immune system healthy.

Spinach

Spinach boasts lutein, a carotenoid that protects your skin from UV damage. When buying spinach, pick the one right up in the light, new studies have established that spinach stored continuously under the light for as little as three days boasted higher levels of vitamin C and preserved levels of K, E, folate and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.

Corn

Corn is an excellent source of lutein, a type of carotenoid. Just like lycopene, lutein also shields your skin from UV damage therefore, in the event that corns are off season then you may opt for alternatives like frozen vegetables which are equally full of health compared to some of the fresh produce available groceries. This is because fruits and vegetables chosen for freezing tend to be processed at their peak ripeness, a time when as a general rule they are most nutrient-packed.

Finally as I had indicated in the introduction of this article that the common food stuff we often ignore are very essential for the perfection of your skin quality, remember that what you eat contributes significantly to your general well-being and that includes your facial look and general skin quality. It is however very important that even as you follow a healthy eating diet you will still need to consult periodically with the experts who are experienced and has track records of their performance. Scheduling for an appointment with doctor Akoury today is all you need to da and all your concerns will be professionally addressed.

Reviving Beauty Through Healthy Eating – Essentials of Good Skin Complexion

Omega 3- Fatty Acids and Hearing Loss

November 6, 2014

Omega 3- Fatty Acids and Hearing Loss

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

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

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

omega-3-fatty-acids

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

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

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

Nutritional component

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

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

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

Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids

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

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

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

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

Omega 3- Fatty Acids and Hearing Loss

The Power of Pumpkin

November 5, 2014

The Power of Pumpkin

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

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

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

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

pumpkin_headline

Nutritional values

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

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

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

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

Medicinal value of the pumpkin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Power of Pumpkin

Fatty Acid and Prostate Cancer

August 19, 2014

Research Shows That Fatty Acids May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk

Fatty acid Cancer is a disease that has continued to terrorize the human race hence poising lots of challenges to the world oncologists who are trying to curb this disease that has depopulated the world greatly. The disease is not only expensive to treat but also causes lots of pain to its victims. In fact the word cancer is synonymous to pain. Pollution in our environments has exposed us to a greater risk of getting cancer. The foods we eat also play an important role in cancer. Whatever you eat can either help you stay cancer free or will put you at a greater risk of getting this disease. Nutritionists have been involved in cancer treatments and very many researchers have done lots of work in the past to come up with those dietary components that should be avoided at all cost and those that should be used by cancer patients as well as any other healthy person who is interested in keeping away from the disease. The research that has been done in the past has led to introduction of cancer treatment alternatives that are solely based on diet. Some of the naturopathic treatments involve use of dietary manipulations to interfere with the growth of cancer cells as well as boost immunity an example of diet based treatments is the Gerson’s Therapy. The Gerson’s therapy involves the use of fruits and vegetable soups which are good in improving the body’s immunity as well as fighting free radicals that are known to cause cancer.

Typically, doctors would recommend the use whole foods as they are rich in fiber which is a vital meal component as it helps in excretion of toxic compounds out of the body of the patient. As opposed to commercially grown foods that are mostly genetically modified for faster growth rates, the natural unprocessed whole foods are free from harmful chemicals that may increase our risk of getting cancer. It is therefore advisable to eat foods that are not toxic and will help in fighting cancer.

However there are some dietary components that should be avoided at all cost as they increase your chances of getting cancer. Researchers have linked fatty acids to higher cancer risks and it is therefore safer to avoid foods rich in fatty acids especially the plasma phospholipid fatty acid which is a major culprit.

Study shows Fatty acids increases risks

In a study that was carried out in the US for over 7 years investigating the effects of selenium, vitamin E and a combination of both selenium and vitamin E on patients suffering from prostate cancer, it was found that the unlike selenium which did not invoke any incidence of cancer when supplement there were increased prostate cancer cases in patients that were given vitamin E by up to 17 percent as compared to a group that were on placebo. This study involved three groups of men. Those who had cancer at different stages; those who had high grade cancer, those who had low grade cancer as well as those who had no cancer at all. This study investigated the impacts of increased levels of omega 3 fatty acids on prostate cancer. The findings of this study showed that increased levels of fatty acids in the blood especially docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids increased the risk to prostate cancer.

The study therefore finalized that eating marine omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids will increase a person’s risk to prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a leading killer of men especially in developed countries and just like other cancers it is also influenced by both environmental as well as behavioral changes. Factors such as family cancer history, age, obesity, chronic inflammation, tobacco smoking and even sexual behaviors come to play but most importantly are nutrition. It is therefore advisable that we should limit the amount of meat we consume but increase our meat and vegetable consumption in order to reduce cancer risk. It is also important to reduce the level of cytokinins in case of obesity. Cytokinins have been linked to different types of cancers and so the lower the levels of cytokinins the better.

It has also been proved that the high content of omega 6 and omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the western countries diets has increased the cases of prostate cancer. The omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are highly attributed to prostate cancer risks unlike the omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that has been shown to have anti-proliferative effects on tumor cells which may function well in cancer prevention alongside other metabolic processes.

It is also good to note that other researches that were done on the relationship of high levels of omega 3 fatty acids and prostate cancer yielded different results. In one study it was found that eating fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids has favorable effects in fighting cancer while another study showed that it had no effect on cancer. Researchers are still working to find the consistent relations between the levels of omega 3 fatty acids and prostate cancer. Omega 3 however is associated with food adducts which may increase incidences of prostate cancer. It is also said that fish may have disruptors, such as bisphenols or traces of pesticides which are known causes of hormonal based cancers like prostate cancer.

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 Fatty Acids May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk

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