Everybody's dream is to live a healthy life.
Can something help?
What can actually reduce the risk of cancer?
1) Tea. Green Tea.
It proved to have the antioxidant EGCG and also helping the growth of (good)intestinal bacteria. These inhibit the growth of bad ones and since up to 70% of the immune system is located in the digestive tract drinking as much as a few cups a day will help to increase immunity.
2) Chili peppers.
They increase the metabolism, keep the blood thin and are able to release endorphins.
3) Ginger.
Particularly effective to prevent colon cancer.
4) Blueberries.
The colour is a sign.
All purple or dark blue colored vegetables and fruit are very healthy.
They prevent cancer and heart diseases.
5) Cinnamon.
It is rich in antioxidants that inhibit blood clotting and bacterial growth.
6) Sweet potatoes.
They are one of the best food.
They contain glutathione, an antioxidant that can enhance nutrient metabolism and immune-system health.
7) Tomatoes.
Especially the new kind, the purple tomato.
8) Figs.
The fiber in figs can lower insulin and blood-sugar levels, reducing the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
But if you already have diabetes avoid eating them, since their high content in sugar.
9) Mushrooms.
They reduce the risk of cancer.
10)Pomegranates.
Also these can reduce the risk of cancer, thanks to polyphenols called ellagitannins, which give the fruit its color.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
One purple tomato a day keeps the cancer away.
One purple tomato a day keeps the cancer away.
The new produced purple vegetables are rich in an antioxidant pigment called anthocyanin which is thought to have anti-cancer properties.
They were produced by incorporating genes from the snapdragon flower, which is high in anthocyanin.
Mice fed with them live longer.
Tomatoes already contain high levels of beneficial antioxidant compounds, such as lycopene and flavonoids, but adding Anthocyanins which have been found to help significantly slow the growth of colon cancer cells, improves their activity in the cancer's fight.
And it is also the first example of a GMO [genetically modified organism] with a trait that really offers a potential benefit for all consumers.
The new produced purple vegetables are rich in an antioxidant pigment called anthocyanin which is thought to have anti-cancer properties.
They were produced by incorporating genes from the snapdragon flower, which is high in anthocyanin.
Mice fed with them live longer.
Tomatoes already contain high levels of beneficial antioxidant compounds, such as lycopene and flavonoids, but adding Anthocyanins which have been found to help significantly slow the growth of colon cancer cells, improves their activity in the cancer's fight.
And it is also the first example of a GMO [genetically modified organism] with a trait that really offers a potential benefit for all consumers.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Less Vitamin D, less children
AN Australian infertility study has revealed disturbing levels of vitamin D deficiency among men who are unable to impregnate their partners.
The discovery surprised Sydney researchers investigating the incidence of DNA fragmentation of sperm, a significant factor in male infertility.
Sunlight is the major source of vitamin D, which helps regulate levels of calcium and phosphorous to generate healthy bones.
Fertility specialist Dr Anne Clark screened the blood of almost 800 men with fertility problems, finding almost a third had lower than normal levels of vitamin D.
"In a significant number of these men, there were also elevated levels of homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood associated with cell toxicity, and deficiency in folate, which is essential for healthy new cells," said Dr Clark, medical director of the treatment centre Fertility First.
"Men in the study group who agreed to make lifestyle changes and take dietary supplements had surprisingly good fertility outcomes." Dr Clark said the study's results were unexpected.
"Vitamin D and folate deficiency are known to be associated with infertility in women, but the outcomes of the screening among men in our study group came as a complete surprise."
Dr Clark said concerns about skin cancer could be a contributing factor to vitamin D deficiency among men, along with work and lifestyle choices, avoiding too much direct sunlight exposure.
"If that is the case, one wonders if the outcomes in the study group also raise the possibility of significant vitamin D deficiency in the broader public, and its effect on fertility levels," she said.
Of the 794 men tested, 58 per cent were shown to have high levels of DNA fragmentation, according to results to be presented at a national fertility conference in Brisbane tomorrow.
About 100 of the men agreed to quit smoking, minimise or stop their intake of caffeine and alcohol, reduce weight and take a three-month course of vitamins and antioxidants before commencing fertility treatment.
More
The discovery surprised Sydney researchers investigating the incidence of DNA fragmentation of sperm, a significant factor in male infertility.
Sunlight is the major source of vitamin D, which helps regulate levels of calcium and phosphorous to generate healthy bones.
Fertility specialist Dr Anne Clark screened the blood of almost 800 men with fertility problems, finding almost a third had lower than normal levels of vitamin D.
"In a significant number of these men, there were also elevated levels of homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood associated with cell toxicity, and deficiency in folate, which is essential for healthy new cells," said Dr Clark, medical director of the treatment centre Fertility First.
"Men in the study group who agreed to make lifestyle changes and take dietary supplements had surprisingly good fertility outcomes." Dr Clark said the study's results were unexpected.
"Vitamin D and folate deficiency are known to be associated with infertility in women, but the outcomes of the screening among men in our study group came as a complete surprise."
Dr Clark said concerns about skin cancer could be a contributing factor to vitamin D deficiency among men, along with work and lifestyle choices, avoiding too much direct sunlight exposure.
"If that is the case, one wonders if the outcomes in the study group also raise the possibility of significant vitamin D deficiency in the broader public, and its effect on fertility levels," she said.
Of the 794 men tested, 58 per cent were shown to have high levels of DNA fragmentation, according to results to be presented at a national fertility conference in Brisbane tomorrow.
About 100 of the men agreed to quit smoking, minimise or stop their intake of caffeine and alcohol, reduce weight and take a three-month course of vitamins and antioxidants before commencing fertility treatment.
More
Friday, October 17, 2008
How to survive a heart attack
When I had my heart attack at 43, all my doctors were really surprised. I was young, I'm not overweight, and I don't eat a lot of fatty foods.
At first, Francisco Menendez thought the tightness in his chest was indigestion.
In fact, I never eat junk food. My father had a heart attack, but he was in his 70s, so that is not a significant risk factor.
However, a closer look at my medical records would have suggested there was a problem. My total cholesterol was around 400, and my triglycerides, which are really affected by diet and exercise, were 600 to 700. A healthy number is 150 or below.
I was not on a statin, but the doctors were urging me to start exercising more and to cut down on refined carbohydrates, like pasta and bread. That can really make your triglycerides shoot up, and I love all those things.
The night of my heart attack I was home, and I felt a lot of pressure in my chest. Not pain, really. I thought it was indigestion. It went on all night and even though my wife Ingrid urged me to go to the hospital, a heart attack was the last thing on my mind.
The next morning the pressure was so great I could barely walk, so I took a taxi to the hospital. I know you are supposed to call an ambulance, but that's what I did. When I got to the emergency room, I knew what to say: "I have chest pressure, and I think I am having a heart attack." It was 6 a.m. and they wheeled me in and started giving me blood thinners right away.
The doctors were excellent, and they told me they were going to give me an angioplasty. That scared me because after my dad had his angioplasty, he had to have open-heart surgery. I didn't want that. Health Magazine: How doctors diagnose and treat a heart attack
The oddest thing about the angioplasty was that for six hours they told me not to move my foot, and I didn't know why. Turns out there is a plug in your skin where they put the needle in, and if it comes loose your blood shoots out like shaken Champagne because you are on blood thinners. I wish they would have told me that, because I didn't know why I needed to hold my foot still.
I ended up having three angioplasties, but my heart attack was mild. It turns out my heart was less than 5 percent damaged. I ended up on a lot of medications. I take a statin, TriCor, and Plavix, and a baby aspirin every day.
I have a stress test every year and a half, and so far my cholesterol looks OK; it's about 160. I don't think about myself as a person who had a heart attack, but I think my wife worries.
I still hate to exercise, and I do eat bread and pasta, but mostly my diet is fine.
The worst thing about being a young heart-attack survivor is knowing I will have to be on these medications forever. I am convinced that if I became a strict vegetarian and got all the stress out of my life I could go off the meds. But that would require me to quit my job and move to the country, and I am not ready to do that yet. -- As told to Bryan Miller
At first, Francisco Menendez thought the tightness in his chest was indigestion.
In fact, I never eat junk food. My father had a heart attack, but he was in his 70s, so that is not a significant risk factor.
However, a closer look at my medical records would have suggested there was a problem. My total cholesterol was around 400, and my triglycerides, which are really affected by diet and exercise, were 600 to 700. A healthy number is 150 or below.
I was not on a statin, but the doctors were urging me to start exercising more and to cut down on refined carbohydrates, like pasta and bread. That can really make your triglycerides shoot up, and I love all those things.
The night of my heart attack I was home, and I felt a lot of pressure in my chest. Not pain, really. I thought it was indigestion. It went on all night and even though my wife Ingrid urged me to go to the hospital, a heart attack was the last thing on my mind.
The next morning the pressure was so great I could barely walk, so I took a taxi to the hospital. I know you are supposed to call an ambulance, but that's what I did. When I got to the emergency room, I knew what to say: "I have chest pressure, and I think I am having a heart attack." It was 6 a.m. and they wheeled me in and started giving me blood thinners right away.
The doctors were excellent, and they told me they were going to give me an angioplasty. That scared me because after my dad had his angioplasty, he had to have open-heart surgery. I didn't want that. Health Magazine: How doctors diagnose and treat a heart attack
The oddest thing about the angioplasty was that for six hours they told me not to move my foot, and I didn't know why. Turns out there is a plug in your skin where they put the needle in, and if it comes loose your blood shoots out like shaken Champagne because you are on blood thinners. I wish they would have told me that, because I didn't know why I needed to hold my foot still.
I ended up having three angioplasties, but my heart attack was mild. It turns out my heart was less than 5 percent damaged. I ended up on a lot of medications. I take a statin, TriCor, and Plavix, and a baby aspirin every day.
I have a stress test every year and a half, and so far my cholesterol looks OK; it's about 160. I don't think about myself as a person who had a heart attack, but I think my wife worries.
I still hate to exercise, and I do eat bread and pasta, but mostly my diet is fine.
The worst thing about being a young heart-attack survivor is knowing I will have to be on these medications forever. I am convinced that if I became a strict vegetarian and got all the stress out of my life I could go off the meds. But that would require me to quit my job and move to the country, and I am not ready to do that yet. -- As told to Bryan Miller
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
I believe in Breakfasts
Breakfast really could be the most important meal of the day when it comes to losing weight, claims a researcher.
Over several months, obese women who ate half their daily calories first thing fared better than those eating a much smaller amount.
US researcher Dr Daniela Jakubowicz told a San Francisco conference having a small breakfast could actually boost food cravings.
A UK expert said a big breakfast diet might simply be less boring.
Dr Jakubowicz, from Virginia Commonwealth University, has been recommending a hearty breakfast to her patients for 15 years.
She tested it against a low carbohydrate diet in a study of 96 obese and physically inactive women.
This diet involved 1,085 calories a day - the majority of these coming from protein and fat.
Breakfast here was the smallest meal of the day - just 290 calories, with just seven grams of carbohydrates.
Her "big breakfast" diet involved more calories - 1,240 - with a lower proportion of fat and more carbohydrates and protein.
Breakfast here was 610 calories, with 58 grams of carbohydrates, while lunch and dinner were 395 and 235 calories respectively.
Four months on, the low-carb dieters appeared to be doing better, losing an average of 28 pounds to the 23 shed on the "big breakfast" diet.
However, after eight months, the situation had reversed, with the low-carb dieters putting an average of 18 of those pounds back on, while the big breakfasters continued to lose weight, on average 16.5 pounds each.
They lost a fifth of their total body weight on average, compared with less than 5% for the low-carb dieters.
Full Article
Over several months, obese women who ate half their daily calories first thing fared better than those eating a much smaller amount.
US researcher Dr Daniela Jakubowicz told a San Francisco conference having a small breakfast could actually boost food cravings.
A UK expert said a big breakfast diet might simply be less boring.
Dr Jakubowicz, from Virginia Commonwealth University, has been recommending a hearty breakfast to her patients for 15 years.
She tested it against a low carbohydrate diet in a study of 96 obese and physically inactive women.
This diet involved 1,085 calories a day - the majority of these coming from protein and fat.
Breakfast here was the smallest meal of the day - just 290 calories, with just seven grams of carbohydrates.
Her "big breakfast" diet involved more calories - 1,240 - with a lower proportion of fat and more carbohydrates and protein.
Breakfast here was 610 calories, with 58 grams of carbohydrates, while lunch and dinner were 395 and 235 calories respectively.
Four months on, the low-carb dieters appeared to be doing better, losing an average of 28 pounds to the 23 shed on the "big breakfast" diet.
However, after eight months, the situation had reversed, with the low-carb dieters putting an average of 18 of those pounds back on, while the big breakfasters continued to lose weight, on average 16.5 pounds each.
They lost a fifth of their total body weight on average, compared with less than 5% for the low-carb dieters.
Full Article
Monday, June 9, 2008
How our Brain works
Women can take comfort from the discovery that it is the quality of connections in the brain, not the overall size, that really matters.
It is increase in the number of synapses in larger animals that allows more sophisticated thought.
For decades, men have gloated over how they have bigger brains, and thus must be smarter, a simple side effect of how they tend to have bigger bodies.
Now female intuition that this is simplistic, misleading, even just plain wrong, has been found by new research on the evolutionary origins of the brain and how it evolved into the remarkably complex structure found in humans.
The research in the journal Nature Neuroscience by Professor Seth Grant, Head of the Genes to Cognition Programme at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, suggests that it is not size alone that gives more brain power.
Instead, he found that, during evolution, increasingly sophisticated molecular processing of nerve impulses - notably by providing more connections in the brain - allowed development of animals with more complex behaviours.
"We are one step closer to understanding the logic behind the complexity of human brains," he said.
Full Article
It is increase in the number of synapses in larger animals that allows more sophisticated thought.
For decades, men have gloated over how they have bigger brains, and thus must be smarter, a simple side effect of how they tend to have bigger bodies.
Now female intuition that this is simplistic, misleading, even just plain wrong, has been found by new research on the evolutionary origins of the brain and how it evolved into the remarkably complex structure found in humans.
The research in the journal Nature Neuroscience by Professor Seth Grant, Head of the Genes to Cognition Programme at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, suggests that it is not size alone that gives more brain power.
Instead, he found that, during evolution, increasingly sophisticated molecular processing of nerve impulses - notably by providing more connections in the brain - allowed development of animals with more complex behaviours.
"We are one step closer to understanding the logic behind the complexity of human brains," he said.
Full Article
Malaria defeated?
By disrupting the potassium channel of the malaria parasite, a team of researchers has been able to prevent new malaria parasites from forming in mosquitoes and has thereby broken the cycle of infection during recent animal tests.
By genetically altering the malaria parasite through gene knock-out technol-ogy, a research team consisting of scientists at the University of Copenha-gen and John Hopkins University, Baltimore, has prevented the parasite from going through the normal stages of its life cycle and developing a cyst (egg-like structure or occyst), which spawns new infectious parasites." As it is exclusively the parasites from these oocysts that can infect new individu-als, we were able to prevent the disease from being transmitted to the animals in our tests", explains Assistant Professor, Peter Ellekvist from the University of Copenhagen.
The findings have been published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, (2008 105: 6398-6402).
The intervention "disrupts" the parasites complex life cycle
The malaria parasite has an extremely complicated lifecycle, which starts with the fertilisation of the parasites male and female gametes and the formation of an oocyst, in the mosquito's stomach wall. The oocyst further de-velops into sporozoittes, which travel up the mosquito's salivary gland and from there are transmitted to people, when the mosquito secures its next blood meal. After residing for a short period in the liver cells, the parasites then infect the red blood cells, thereby wreaking havoc in the human body. The malaria parasites are able to reproduce both through sexual reproduction when they inhabit a mosquito (and are transmitted to the host) and via asexual reproduction when they reside in the human body (replication in the host). For scientists to successfully counteract malaria, they must tackle both the transmission from person to person by the mosquitoes and the spread of the malaria parasites in the infected individual.
Full Article
By genetically altering the malaria parasite through gene knock-out technol-ogy, a research team consisting of scientists at the University of Copenha-gen and John Hopkins University, Baltimore, has prevented the parasite from going through the normal stages of its life cycle and developing a cyst (egg-like structure or occyst), which spawns new infectious parasites." As it is exclusively the parasites from these oocysts that can infect new individu-als, we were able to prevent the disease from being transmitted to the animals in our tests", explains Assistant Professor, Peter Ellekvist from the University of Copenhagen.
The findings have been published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, (2008 105: 6398-6402).
The intervention "disrupts" the parasites complex life cycle
The malaria parasite has an extremely complicated lifecycle, which starts with the fertilisation of the parasites male and female gametes and the formation of an oocyst, in the mosquito's stomach wall. The oocyst further de-velops into sporozoittes, which travel up the mosquito's salivary gland and from there are transmitted to people, when the mosquito secures its next blood meal. After residing for a short period in the liver cells, the parasites then infect the red blood cells, thereby wreaking havoc in the human body. The malaria parasites are able to reproduce both through sexual reproduction when they inhabit a mosquito (and are transmitted to the host) and via asexual reproduction when they reside in the human body (replication in the host). For scientists to successfully counteract malaria, they must tackle both the transmission from person to person by the mosquitoes and the spread of the malaria parasites in the infected individual.
Full Article
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