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Integrative Cancer Treatment and the Hallmarks of Cancer

September 19, 2014

Integrative Cancer Treatment and its Relation to Hallmarks of Cancer

In this article, we shall examine the relationship between integrative cancer treatment and the hallmarks of cancer. Our concern shall be to show how exactly an integrative cancer treatment model like Life over Cancer is used to address the molecular and metabolic realities of cancer as indicated in the Hallmarks of Cancer model.

Integrative cancer treatment

This is an approach that has gained a lot of popularity in the current days both in theory and practice. In simple terms, integrated cancer treatment is a new approach to managing the disease that, unlike conventional approaches, takes a multi – dimensional approach to helping cancer patients manage the disease. It is much easier to understand how integrative cancer treatment works by first understanding how conventional therapies operate. Essentially, conventional therapies are based purely on scientific innovation and research. Using specially prepared and regulated approaches such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, surgery and other technologies, conventional cancer treatment targets to treat the disease with little disregard to how the body of the patient gets affected.

It is this weakness in conventional methods of treating cancer that the integrative approach seeks to correct. Essentially, integrative cancer treatment or integrative oncology, as it is commonly referred to, is based on taking all the different aspects of the cancer disease into perspective during the course of treatment. The evidence that is used in this approach is not just what has been collected from scientific research as is the case with conventional medicine; it is rather what has been collected from epidemiological studies of the disease, clinical research, basic science and ancient healing practices. The end result is that we have a system of treating cancer which uses different types of methods such as nutrition, lifestyle, spiritual support and naturopathic medicine. With the use of all these methods, the system is focused on the overall wellbeing of the individual rather than on merely ameliorating the disease.

How integrative cancer treatment works

So far, integrative cancer treatment has proven to be a successful method of treating cancer patients. This is so because the system has consistently been used to achieve various objectives with regard to cancer treatment which include reducing the severity of cancer symptoms, improving overall life quality of the patients and most importantly, treating the disease itself. This is achieved in several ways.

Integrative cancer

Integrative Cancer

Integrative Cancer Ways:

To begin with, integrative cancer treatment seeks to enhance the overall wellbeing of a patient. This is achieved using different intervention measures such as use of acupuncture and acupressure to restore the energy flow in the body to an optimum level. The wellbeing of a patient is also boosted by inclusion of natural supplements in the diet. This is important in ensuring that the body is well nourished in the first place.

Secondly, the direct effects of the disease are tackled by use of conventional therapies. Depending on the nature of the cancer, the stage that it is in, the patient and other factors, appropriate treatment procedures are used to tackle its effects on the body of the patient.

Thirdly, specific methods are used to rebuild the immune system of the patient. This is an important step since cancer itself as well as the specific therapies used to tackle it has been known to weaken the immunity system of patients. Therefore, it is of great importance that after specific therapies have been used, special steps be taken to rebuild the immune system of the patient and if possible, restore it to its initial level.

Lastly, integrative cancer treatment seeks to stop the process of angiogenesis for a considerable length of time. The importance of this cannot be overstated. At the heart of the growth, development and spread of cancer is angiogenesis. This is the ability of cancer cells to maneuver in a patient’s body and utilize the blood for their own development. It then follows that blocking them from doing this is a noble goal if a patient is to live a fulfilling life after treatment. This is exactly what integrative cancer treatment seeks to achieve.

The Hallmarks of Integrative Cancer

The different methods that are used in integrative cancer treatment work in such a manner that they represent the core realities of cancer as discovered by recent studies. New research in cancer has culminated in identification of six core realities about cancer cells, referred to as hallmarks of cancer. The principles are as follows.

Integrative cancer

Integrative Cancer

First, it is stated that cancer cells have the inbuilt capacity to trigger their own growth. By taking advantage of special signals in body cells which are used to regulate the process of growth, cancer cells are able to guide their growth and proliferation within the body of a patient quite easily. Second, after stimulating their own growth and proliferation, cancer cells are able to avoid natural signals that are used to inhibit growth. This further increases their capacity to proliferate the body. Third, cancer cells are able to initiate the process of metastasis. Fourth, they are able to replicate their ability to evade inhibition of growth. Fifth, cancer cells are able to initiate angiogenesis and lastly, they are able to overcome the natural process that is meant to lead to their automatic death as it is the case for normal body cells.

Relation between Integrative Cancer Treatment and Hallmarks of Cancer

Essentially, integrative cancer treatment is based on the six principles that are contained in the concept of hallmarks of cancer. It is by recognition of these principles that integrative cancer treatment seeks to use multiple approaches, evidence and technologies to tackle the disease. This is done by taking care of the special needs of the patient as well as seeking to reduce the side effects of the therapies used while suppressing the capability of recurrence of the disease.

AWAREmed health and fitness center is one of the most recognized centers where integrative cancer treatment is practiced. With a team of highly trained, experienced and passionate experts, we offer the best services in integrative cancer treatment to our patients.

Integrative Cancer Treatment and its Relation to Hallmarks of Cancer

 

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THC on Neurodevelopment of Fetuses

September 17, 2014

Long Term of THC on Neurodevelopment of Fetuses

The most vulnerable state in a woman’s life is during pregnancy. This is because at this time she not only has one life to take care of but also another young life that is even more vulnerable. This therefore calls for caution. A woman who is pregnant should be wary of what passes through her mouth and proceeds right into her body. This is because whatever she eats can either make her gestation period and life after a healthy affair or a nightmare. More often than note the life behaviors of a pregnant mother impacts on the life of the foetus as well and therefore it is important for a pregnant woman to distance herself from all drugs and other risky life choices that may impact negatively on the life of her offspring. Just as good nutrition and clinical visits are emphasized to pregnant women it is also good to encourage these women to stay away from harmful drugs like cocaine, bhang and even alcohol. Unfortunately pregnant women have not seen the need to quit indulging in these risky behaviors even when they are expectant. If current research findings are to be believed, about 4% of women in the USA use illicit drugs while pregnant. Seventy five percent of these cases report the use of marijuana. Despite the widespread use of this product, the public is not aware of the potential neurobehavioral effects of this drug on the fetus or the newborn infant. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most effective compound found in cannabis sativa. Unfortunately it is effective for all the wrong reasons as it affects the neurodevelopment in fetus and newborn infants. Needless to say it has been used in few doses to avoid nausea and vomit in cancer patients. It has also been used to increase appetite in patients but when used for non medical reasons nothing good can come out of this compound.

THC

Effects of cannabis during pregnancy

Recent studies have proved that children who are exposed to marijuana prenatally encounter such problems as social and cognitive disturbances. One of these study suggested exposing children to heavy marijuana use prenatally increased the risk of giving birth to low weight babies and the reduced head circumference in teenagers is a proof to this argument. It is also exposing fetus to heavy marijuana use prenatally increased the risk of childhood leukemia. Exposing fetus to heavy use of marijuana prenatally also resulted in both long term and short term memory loss. Even as the infants grow into youths they become very poor in judgmental skills and mostly become very slow in learning and adopting new ideas.

In another study, 42 postmortem fetal brain samples from pregnant women at mid gestation (between 18 – 22 weeks old) who voluntarily underwent saline induced abortion, a decrease in dopamine receptor (D2) mRNA expression in amygdala with significant prevalence in male fetuses. 7 Extensive marijuana exposure in utero was associated with the lowest reported mRNA levels. However this study did not show whether this change is transient or permanent but still it was able to prove that exposure to heavy use of marijuana resulted in low mRNA levels.

Effects of Cannabis during breast feeding

When a woman continues to use marijuana, the THC compound in it will not quit causing the side effects it is known for to this infant but will still continue to hurt the life of the infant. The compound will not stay in the mother alone but will be passed to the infant when breast feeding since it is secreted in milk. This may cause side effects in the life of the infant as it will be absorbed and retained in the body of the infant. Researchers opine that at the point of intake into the infant the proportions of the dangerous compound in the milk is minimal to cause any clinical problems but it is sufficient enough to cause serious long-term effects in the infant. It may take time but in the end it affects the neurobehavioral functioning of an infant .Infants exposed to marijuana through breast milk will test positive in urine screens for about 2-3 weeks. One study of 16 women indicated decreased plasma levels of prolactin especially in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

thc

THC decreases IQ in children

When you are pregnant but you choose to indulge in using marijuana during your pregnancy be sure to have a child that is not very well upstairs. The exposure of a child to THC prenatally will decrease their Intelligence Quotient. This problem affects the teens as that is the period that they try to accomplish things by themselves. Most of the dangers that THC cause to infants are seen during the teen. They become poor planners which make it rather difficult to keep the pace with their other fellows.

The use of marijuana in pregnant women is a cause for concern everywhere and it is advisable that women should stay away from using marijuana not only for their health but also for the life of their offspring. The effects of marijuana that they absorb in their blood during infancy end up affecting them during their entire lives. THC is a dangerous compound and so women should avoid interacting with it to save their children from long-term neurobehavioral anomalies.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She is also dedicated to offer help to addiction patients. She founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center which is home to many people seeking health breakthrough. Call on her now and learn more on how to fight drug addiction.

Long Term of THC on Neurodevelopment of Fetuses

 

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Methamphetamine and Pregnant Women

September 16, 2014

Methamphetamine Causes Health Problems to Pregnant Women

Methamphetamine is drug with many names, users have given it very many names but this is not strange as this is always the case with any illegal drug. This drug is illegal and users call it crank, ice, speed, crystal and meth just among the many tittles it has got just in a bid to conceal what it really is from concerned authorities. This drug is used as a stimulant. It works in such a way that it floods the brain with extra dopamine hence stimulating the entire central nervous system (CNS). Dopamine is a chemical that is known to stimulate pleasure and this has led to use of not only meth but also other illegal drugs that induce production of dopamine.

methamphetamine

The use of this drug is not good especially to the women who are on their way to being mothers. Pregnant women should avoid the use of this drug more than anybody else. This is because it affects pregnancy negatively in many ways and if a woman continues to indulge in the risky behavior of using this drug when pregnant then at least she should know the dangers she is exposing herself to.

Generally, Methamphetamine causes irregular heartbeat, insomnia, paranoia, anxiety, heart damage, stomach cramps and high blood pressure just among the many side effects it’s known to cause. These side effects are not good for a pregnant woman and affects them adversely here are some more was that this drug adversely affects the life of a pregnant mother.

Methamphetamine may cause Placenta Abruption

Placenta abruption is the case when the placenta prematurely gets detached from the uterine wall. When placenta gets detached from the uterine wall before labor has begun it is termed premature and it can cause even death of both the mother and the child if emergency medical attention is not sought. Normally, the placenta remains attached to the uterine wall until after delivery after which it gets detached in thirty minutes. If accidental abruption occurs, emergency cesarean procedure must be done without which the mother and the baby may be lost to death. Methamphetamine affects the placenta adversely as it constricts the blood vessels hence causing lack of oxygen and nutrients to the baby. This leads to long term effects on the baby as a result of lack of significant nutrients in early life. Placenta abruption is dangerous and therefore it is worth quitting the use of methamphetamine for.

Meth and Preterm labor

Naturally the body of a woman should be able to know the right time to give birth but women who are victims of drug addictions have their bodies disabled to sense this right time. This may lead to early labor. Scientists have not made it known what causes the contractions during the 9 month gestation periods but several research findings have found that women who continue to use meth during their pregnancy mostly fail to contain the pregnancy to the full nine months.  In United States alone half of women who use this drug during their pregnancy fail to carry the pregnancy to full term. Most of women using this drug give birth to underweight babies if they are lucky enough to carry the pregnancy to the full term.

Methamphetamine causes high blood pressure

As scientists have proved, Methamphetamine increases catecholamine activity in the branch of the peripheral nervous system responsible for controlling heart rate and blood pressure.  This is the basis of all the heart related problems caused by this drug; Excessive catecholamine activity. The high levels of catecholamine are cardio toxic hence causing constriction and spasm of the blood vessels, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), high blood pressure (hypertension), and rupture of heart muscles. It may also lead to increment in the sizes of heart muscle tissues which in turn narrows the heart muscles. In the end of it narrow vessels leads to high pressure building in the blood vessels. Possible death of the heart muscle.

methamphetamine

In pregnant mothers high blood pressure can cause serious complications, the foetus is still having most of its features being developed and its blood vessels are still very weak to put up with high blood pressure.

Methamphetamine and Growth retardation

A child who is born of a mother who is addicted to meth and continued to use it during the gestation period is exposed to myriad of health problems. To begin with it is known that the drug constricts the vessels through which oxygen and nutrients are transferred from the mother to the baby, this causes deficit in the nutrients that reaches the baby and this explains why most women who continued to use this drug end up giving birth to babies that are underweight. These nutrients that the baby has missed are very crucial for its growth and this is just one way through which the use of methamphetamine causes growth retardation in babies born of mothers addicted to this drug.

Generally, a pregnant woman should avoid the use of methamphetamine at all costs as it causes serious health problems to both of the baby and the mother. Among other problems that it can cause is stillbirth. This is when a baby dies in the uterus after being alive for the 24 weeks. No woman would be happy to have a stillborn baby and so all pregnant mothers should avoid methamphetamine.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She is also dedicated to offer help to addiction patients. She founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center which is home to many people seeking health breakthrough. Call on her now and learn more on how to fight drug addiction.

Methamphetamine Causes Health Problems to Pregnant Women

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The Metabolic Basis of Cancer

September 16, 2014

 

The Metabolic Basis of Cancer Explained

Symptoms_of_cancerThere is a complex interaction among the factors of diet, lifestyle and pharmacology in determining how well cancer is managed in patients. The effect of this interaction is seen not only when managing cancer in its early stages but also in cases where patients are in an advanced state of the disease. One way in which this occurs is seen in the importance of metabolic imbalances in managing cancer in patients. The metabolic status of an individual patient is an important aspect of the overall disease management program being pursued. This is why care is always taken to ensure that the shifts in metabolic balance are well taken care of as a way of ensuring that the treatment plan that is being pursued works effectively. Yet metabolic imbalances are closely linked to dietary and general lifestyle conditions. This, therefore, explains the importance of diet, lifestyle and pharmacology in the management of early and advanced cancer in patients. These are discussed in the sections that follow.

The role of diet

Diet plays a key role in the process of managing cancer; during the early and advanced stages. This happens in several ways. To begin with, a good diet is essential for one to effectively go through a particular cancer treatment program. This is so because cancer, in its early and even advanced stages, has been known to affect one’s eating habits. The result of this effect is that many cancer patients end up losing their body weight drastically as the impact of the disease takes its toll on their metabolism. On the other hand is the effect that the different forms of therapy have on the eating habits of the patient. Regardless of the form of treatment in use, it is common in cancer patients that their eating habits and overall appetite are heavily affected during the course of treatment. The effect of these two factors; the impact of the disease and the type of treatment a patient is subjected to; may result into sudden and drastic loss of body weight as well as changes in the status of metabolism in a patient. This is so if the factors are not put under control. Therefore, it is of great importance that this issue be put under complete control during the process of administering a particular treatment plan to a cancer patient.

There are several ways that one can use to manage this condition. Basically, the idea behind successfully integrating diet with the treatment plan for cancer that is being used is that it is necessary to control the rate of loss of weight that a patient is experiencing in the course of the disease. For instance, it may be necessary to use specific food supplements as a way of ensuring that the nutritional needs of the patient are well taken care of. Further, the use of different liquids other than water can be an effective way of making up for the possible deficit that usually results from the low desire for water intake that many cancer patients exhibit. So, in general, all these methods are meant to work with the treatment plan being used to ensure that specific goals with regard to the nutritional needs of the patient are achieved.

Symptoms of cancer

The role of lifestyle

Lifestyle plays a key role as part of the overall treatment plan that can be used on cancer patients. This happens in several ways. One, it is highly recommended that cancer patients adopt an appropriate exercising regime. This is important because of the many physical benefits they are they are likely to get from such a program. From improving the overall flow of blood in the body, lessening the risk of developing some new undesirable conditions to boosting the overall level of self esteem, physical exercises are important as part of any treatment plan for cancer that is adopted.

The importance of adopting an appropriate lifestyle during the course of cancer treatment is seen not only in adults but also in children. A good training regime and taking the recommended foods every day in the right amount are important things which every cancer patient should be made to pay attention to without failure. Regardless of the treatment plan that is in use, a good lifestyle has been proven to be an effective way of helping cancer patients go through the process with relative ease.

The role of pharmacology

In general, drugs play a central role in any cancer treatment plan that is used. Different types of drugs are used for different purposes during the course of treatment. What is important is the different ways in which such drugs interact with the other factors, diet and lifestyle, to determine how well a patient responds to the treatment. Furthermore, drugs have been known to cause specific problems to the metabolic balance of patients, thus posing a bigger danger to them. It is, therefore important that the specific ways in which some drugs interact with particular foods are well understood and documented. This will definitely go a long way in ensuring that the metabolic status of a patient is well understood and maintained at acceptable levels throughout the course of the treatment.

The Metabolic Basis of Cancer Explained

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IV Amino Acid Therapy For Addiction Treatment

September 5, 2014

Addiction Treatment With IV Amino Acid Therapy

Amino acids are the building blocks of human proteins and it is these proteins that the body uses to build and repair all kinds of human tissues. Amino acid therapy is a very effective way and a detox strategy for assisting those addicted to drugs and even alcohol. This treatment started with an American doctor who was investigating how amino acids could be used to provide neurotransmitter balance in the brains of those suffering from certain mental disorders.

Drug and alcohol addiction is shown to result from neurotransmitter imbalance which can be corrected by administering amino acids. This kind of treatment is not appropriate for everyone but has helped in various cases. What alcohol and drugs does is that it alters the required balance among neurotransmitters in the brain and the amino acid therapy restores the original balance. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that carry electrical impulses throughout the brain and also to and from the central nervous system. When the neurotransmitters get out of balance, due to alcohol or drug use, larger quantities are needed in order for the addicted patient to achieve the same pleasurable effect, a situation known as tolerance.

IV Amino Acid Therapy

During detox, the addicted patient experiences cravings and many other side effects as a result of the neurotransmitters imbalance. Amino acids treatment helps many addicts by restoring the neurotransmitters balance. The detox process involves the intravenous supply of amino acids and other essential vitamins and minerals to the addict. This method has shown success rates of about 80% within the United States and the United Kingdom.

The patient is normally hooked intravenously to a constant stream of amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Other medications are usually not administered with the amino acids so as to reduce the withdrawal symptoms as other medications can interfere with the work done by these amino acids.as the withdrawal symptoms begin, the intravenous solution is injected through the veins and goes directly to the brain through blood. Reaching the brain directly stimulates it to rebalance itself as soon as withdrawal occurs.

This treatment is rapid compared to the medicated detox which involves use of drugs such as opiates and takes weeks or months. Amino acids is faster and leads to recovery completely within a span of between five to seven days. For one to get the best results out of this therapy, it has to be combined with both mental and emotional aspects of addiction. Amino acids works as a substitute by giving the brain what it craves from the substance of abuse. Amino acids also eliminate most of the symptoms expected from a withdrawal.

This therapy has been found to be effective in neutralizing brain and body toxins involved, restoring brain function and balance, minimizing withdrawal symptoms and cravings, reducing potential for relapse and supporting the brain and nervous system. Amino acids are also essential for nourishing the brain that is recovering from addiction.

This kind of treatment is normally tailored to the individual but typical therapy cocktails include vitamin c, magnesium, vitamin b, zinc, selenium and amino acids. Intravenous amino acid is better because oral administration is hard on the stomach and intestines and less effective. This therapy is a biological shortcut that is fast and bypass intestinal absorption and liver metabolism. Using amino acids, brain chemistry can be changed to help normalize and restore deficiencies in the neurotransmitters that spur cravings

Examples of supplements given during the Intravenous therapy include:

  • D-Phenylalanine or DL-Phenylalanine which restores brain chemicals called enkephalins and endorphins which are depleted as a result of heroin, alcohol, marijuana, sweets, starches ,chocolate and tobacco use. The amino acid deficiency symptoms are sensitive to physical and emotional pain.it makes one to crave for comfort and pleasure, desire certain foods or drugs. The supplements Reward stimulation, prevent craving, and depression. Mild improved energy and focus, pain relief and increased pleasure are the effects of this amino acid supplement.
  • L-Phenylalanine or L-Tyrosine which restores Norepinephrine and Dopamine. These nutrients are depleted as a result of Caffeine, Speed, Cocaine, Marijuana, Aspartame, Chocolate, Alcohol, Tobacco, Sweets and Starches. The deficiency of these nutrients causes Depression, low energy, Lack of focus and concentration and Attention-deficit disorder. These supplements prevent craving, depression and provide increased energy as well as improved mental focus.

Amino Acid Therapy

  • L-Tryptophan or 5 hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) which restores Serotonin. Deficiency is brought about by Sweets, Alcohol, Starch, Ecstasy, Marijuana, Chocolate and Tobacco. The effects to the patient include bringing about low self-esteem, obsessive as well as compulsive behaviors, rage, difficulty in sleeping, cravings in the afternoons or evenings, negativity, heat intolerance and fibromyalgia. This supplement is an anti-craving, anti-depression and anti-insomnia.it gives improved appetite, mood and corrects other serotonin deficiency symptoms.
  • GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid) restores GABA.GABA is depleted as a result of Valium, Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco, Sweets and Starches use. The negative effects for the nutrient’s lack includes Feeling of being stressed-out, Nervousness, Tense muscles and Trouble relaxing. The supplement Promotes calmness as well as relaxation.
  • L-Glutamine restores GABA (mild enhancement) and acts as a Fuel source for the entire brain. The deficiency causes Stress, Mood swings and Hypoglycemia.it is brought about by sweets, starches and alcohol. The supplement acts as an Anti-craving agent and anti-stress.it also Levels blood sugar and mood.

To assist in amino-acid nutritional therapy, the use of a multi-vitamin and mineral formula is highly recommended. Many vitamins and minerals serve as co-factors and serve to restore general balance, vitality and well-being to the patient who typically is in a state of poor nutritional health.

Whether you need help on balancing adrenals or you are an addict who is looking for a natural way of gradually recovering from an addiction, Awaremed Resource And Wellness Center is your perfect solution. You are free to call us, for more go to www.awaremednetwork.com.

Addiction Treatment With IV Amino Acid Therapy

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