Barbara Karafokas - Holistic Nutritionist
  • Home
  • About Barbara
  • Wellness Packages
  • Nutrition Consultations
  • Forest Therapy Walks
  • Resona Health
  • Aloe Vitality Shop
  • Blog
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • Home
  • About Barbara
  • Wellness Packages
  • Nutrition Consultations
  • Forest Therapy Walks
  • Resona Health
  • Aloe Vitality Shop
  • Blog
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

26/1/2013 0 Comments

Six  Surprising Power Foods For A Healthy Heart

Picture
1. Garlic

The key to heart health is encouraging the “good” HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol and limiting the “bad” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. LDL itself is not so bad. It becomes dangerous when it is oxidized by free radicals inside a blood vessel.

When that happens, it is attacked by the white blood cells, which become engorged and are then deposited on the arterial wall as plaque. This leads to the thickening of the arterial wall, narrowing of the passageway, and eventually blockage. HDL, on the other  hand, being denser and heavier, is not likely to attach itself to the arterial wall.

Instead, it actually picks up LDL, pulling it away from the blood vessel, and transporting it to the liver, where it can be broken down and excreted.

  • Garlic reduces the free radicals that cause damage to cholesterol.
  • Garlic also inhibits the infiltration of damaged fats and cholesterol through the wall of the arteries.
Garlic’s ability to lower serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure, and its ability to reduce platelet aggregation and premature clotting, we can understand why garlic is the single most important food for protecting the heart and arteries.  

2. Ginger

Ginger affect the synthesis and deployment of a group of biological response moderators called eicosanoids, which mediate healing and immunity.

The body makes these important compounds from essential fatty acids and uses them to regulate critical cellular functions.

Three principal categories of eicosanoids – prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.  Imbalances in eicosanoid synthesis and release underlie many common illnesses, from arthritis and peptic ulcer to the increased platelet aggregation that can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

Ginger modulates this system in ways that reduce abnormal inflammation and clotting.

3. Sunflower Seeds:

Sunflower seeds are very high  in potassium and low in sodium, a balance sorely needed by most of us these days with so many salted foods available.

One cup of sunflower seeds contains more than 1,300mg of potassium and only 4mg of sodium. This is helpful as a diuretic or for people who already take diuretics, to help replace some potassium.

The high amount of oil in sunflower seeds as polyunsaturated fats, essential linoleic acid, and vitamin E is also helpful in reducing cholesterol levels and improving or preventing cardiovascular disease.

If sunflower seeds are soaked overnight, it makes them more digestible and alkaline-forming.

4. Hawthorn:  

For centuries hawthorn has been used to treat heart ailments, particularly “ dropsy”, (congestive heart failure).

In addition, both Asian and European practitioners have used it for centuries to treat high blood pressure and angina pectoris. European researchers have discovered that the active ingredient in hawthorn is the oligomeric procyanidins, a complex of flavonoids.

This flavonoids complex helps the heart pump more efficiently by increasing blood supply to the heart muscle through vasodilatation through the coronary arteries, increasing the heart’s output of blood, and decreasing the peripheral vessel resistance, which improves blood flow.

The overall result is a stronger, healthier heart with improved circulation.  

5. Red Grapes and Wine:

Both red wine and red grape juice may protect against heart disease in several ways. First, both of these beverages are an excellent source of phenolic compounds, including catechin, epicatechin, and gallic acid.

Although red wine is a better source of phenolic compounds, they are also present in red grape juice. Phenolic compounds have been shown to prevent the formation of blood clots, which are a major cause of both heart attack and strokes in humans.

Second, phenolic compounds also help to adjust the effects of nitric oxide, an important free radical produced by the body. By controlling the muscular tone of the blood vessels, nitric oxide regulates circulation and normalises blood flow, but excessive amounts of nitric oxide can be harmful.

Thirdly, phenolic compounds are antioxidants which prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which can lead to atherosclerosis and ultimately to a heart attack. Red wine does not lower cholesterol levels, but it does prevent LDL from turning rancid, which can lead to the formation of plaque deposits in arteries.

Wine drinkers are not only less likely to get heart disease, but they appear to be less likely to get macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness among people over sixty-five.

How Much ? 
A 5 ounce glass of red wine (around 150 milliliters) per day with an alcohol content of 12% falls within U.S. guidelines for moderate drinking. 
The government’s 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that men have no more than two drinks a day and women no more than one. 
I would recommend half that amount mentioned in the above guidelines as alcohol consumption may increase your risk of certain types of cancers. Even reducing it to 1 - 2 glasses per week. 

 6. Sweet Potatoes

One medium-sized baked sweet potato offers about 24,700I.U. of retinol equivalents (from beta carotene or carotenoids), or five times the RDA for vitamin A, in addition to potassium and fiber. Making them a terrific heart protecting food !

0 Comments

19/1/2013 2 Comments

A Few Good Reasons To Switch To Goat's And Sheep's Milk Products. 

 They have:

Vitamins A, B, and E, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Short- and medium- chain fatty acids. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).  

Benefits: 

Higher proportion of short – and medium –chain fatty acids.

They have little effect on cholesterol levels.

They also make milk easier to digest. Conjugated  linolenic acid (CLA) is a cancer-fighting fat-reducing fat.

The fat globules in sheep and  goat’s milk are smaller than fat globules in cow’s milk, making it easier to digest.

2 Comments

19/1/2013 0 Comments

Amaranth. 

 For the adventurous persons - Ghlindos known as Vlito are in season from June to October in Cyprus.

Their English name is Amaranth. The tender stems and leaves are eaten boiled and served with an olive oil and lemon juice dressing or they may be cooked with pulses.

Amaranth is loaded with calcium, potassium, vitamins C and beta-carotene, whereas the seeds are rich in protein, minerals (calcium and iron), and vitamins C, E and B complex.

​Tea made from the leaves may help people suffering from intestinal bleeding, dysentery, diarrhea, excessive menstrual bleeding, ulcers and swelling.

0 Comments

19/1/2013 0 Comments

Understanding Periodontal Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

​Periodontal disease is a health epidemic that is affecting a wide proportion of the adult population. Periodontal disease is the advanced form of gum disease and there is an urgent need for relevant information about its effects and how to prevent it.

​Since around 75 percent of adult Americans have developed some form of gum disease, there is a clear need for simple and easy-to-understand information about this condition and how to protect your oral health.

Plaque And Bacteria

Your mouth is home to a lot of bacteria – some of it good and some of it potentially damaging. Much of the damaging bacteria come from the food that you eat and the food particles that are left over from eating. These bacteria need to be removed daily through your oral health routine. If not they accumulate and can damage your gum tissue.

When the bacteria flourish in your mouth it mixes with your saliva and this creates a sticky, yellowy substance called plaque. This clings to your teeth and irritates the gums causing inflammation and swelling of the gum tissue. Over time when plaque builds up it hardens and becomes tartar, which is a substance that can only be removed from the teeth by your dentist.

Bacteria, plaque and tartar work together to infect the gum tissue and potentially destroy the gum bone and damage your teeth. When the gum tissue becomes severely infected, the teeth can become wobbly and you may even lose your natural teeth.

The Early Stages Of Gum Disease

Gum disease is divided into two key stages – gingivitis, the early stage of the condition, and periodontal disease, which is the advanced stage of the condition. There are a couple of clear, early symptoms of gingivitis that you should be on the lookout for. They include:

  • Redness on the gums
  • Swelling and inflammation of the gum tissue
  • Bleeding especially after brushing your teeth
  • Constant bad breath
  • Bad taste in your mouth

If you notice any of these symptoms, then it is time to visit the dentist for a check-up and for them to make a diagnosis. Your dentist is able to offer a deep clean to remove the plaque and tartar on the teeth and gums and to suggest an appropriate treatment plan.

Periodontitis

At this stage, there is a risk of long-lasting damage to your oral health. You will most likely need to undergo some form of dental intervention – be it surgical or non-surgical.

Your dentist will have to determine the level of the condition and how you can best restore your oral health before you lose your natural teeth and suffer serious infection.
0 Comments

19/1/2013 0 Comments

What Are Free Radicals ? 

 A free radical is an atom or group of atoms that contains at least one unpaired electron. Electrons are negatively charged particles that usually occur in pairs, forming a chemically stable arrangement.

If an electron is unpaired, another atom or molecule can easily bond with it, causing a chemical reaction. Because they join so readily with other compounds, free radicals can effect dramatic changes in the body, and they can cause a lot of oxidative damage.

Each free radical may exist for only a tiny fraction of a second, but the damage it leaves behind can be irreversible, particularly damage to heart muscle cells, nerve cells, and certain immune system sensor cells.

Free radicals are normally present in the body in small numbers. Biochemical processes naturally lead to the formation of free radicals, and under normal circumstances the body can keep them in check.

Please note that not all free radicals are bad. Free radicals produced by the immune system destroy viruses and bacteria. Other free radicals are involved in producing vital hormones and activating enzymes that are needed for life.

We need free radicals to produce energy and various substances that the body requires. If there is excessive free radical formation, however, damage to cells and tissues can occur. The formation of a large number of free radicals stimulates the formation of more free radicals, leading to even more damage.

Causes of Free Radicals: 

  • Exposure to radiation, whether from the sun or from medical x-rays
  • Exposure to environmental pollutants e.g. tobacco smoke, car exhaust
  • Diet high in fat can increase free radical activity because oxidation occurs more readily in fat molecules than it does in carbohydrate or protein molecules.
  • Cooking fats at high temperatures, particularly frying foods in oil, can produce large numbers of free radicals.

The reason why free radicals may be dangerous is that they can alter the way in which the cells code genetic material.

Changes in protein structure can occur as a result of errors in protein synthesis. The body's immune system may then see this altered protein as a foreign substance and try to destroy it. The formation of mutated proteins can eventually damage the immune system and lead to leukemia and other types of cancer, as well as to many other diseases.

In addition to damaging genetic material, free radicals can destroy the protective cell membranes. Calcium levels in the body may be upset as well. Over time, the body produces more free radicals than it does scavengers. The resulting imbalance is what causes aging.

Substances known as antioxidants neutralise free radicals by binding to their free electrons. Antioxidants available in supplement form include the enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamins C and E; the minerals selenium and zinc, and the hormone melatonin.

By destroying free radicals, antioxidants help to detoxify and protect the body.

0 Comments

19/1/2013 0 Comments

Research Ginger Selectively Kills Breast Cancer Cells / GreenMedInfo.

 Research: Ginger Selectively Kills Breast Cancer Cells | GreenMedInfo.

Do not eat more than 4 grams per day (about one tablespoon per day) fresh or raw. 4 grams is about one tablespoon. 

0 Comments

19/1/2013 0 Comments

Symptoms & Causes of Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer is a deadly form of cancer - it kills more women than any other type of cancer of the reproductive system. If diagnosed and treated early, however the survival rate is quite high.

Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is known as a silent disease - it produces no symptoms until it is in its later stages, so the death rate is also quite high.

Ovarian cancer is the second most common cancer of the female reproductive system. It affects approximately 1 in 70 American women at some point in their lives. The risk of developing ovarian cancer heightens past the age of 40 and menopause further increases the risk.

Causes and Risk Factors

The cause or causes of ovarian cancer are not known.  Risk factors include :

  • Not having gone through pregnancy and childbirth
  • Exposure to asbestos or radiation
  • High dietary fat intake
  • The use of talcum powder in the genital area
  • Personal history of breast, uterine, colon or nonpolyposis colon cancers
  • Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
  • HPV infection
  • Early onset and / or late cessation of menstruation
  • Obesity
  • Diet high in saturated animal fat and low in fiber
Taking birth control pills has been known to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 50 to 60 percent - although birth control pills may increase risk of breast cancer !

Signs and Symptoms

Often there are no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its later stages of development. These symptoms may include enlargement of the abdomen, diarrhea or constipation, frequent urination, or in rare cases, vaginal bleeding.

Detection and Diagnosis

Any enlargement of the abdomen or persistent digestive disturbances that cannot be explained by any other condition should prompt you to see a gynaecologist for an examination.

Women who have a family history of ovarian cancer may want to be tested for genes with which it has been associated. Routine pelvic exams can detect a hardened or enlarged ovary or an ovarian growth, while Pap smears are not very useful in detecting this.

A tumour may also show up on a transvaginal ultrasound. A biopsy is needed to confirm any suspicions.

Dietary and Nutritional Factors

A diet that is high in fiber and low in saturated animal fats is a good defense against ovarian cancer. Quercetin has been found to have properties that protect against ovarian cancer. Low levels of selenium have been associated with a greater risk of ovarian cancer. A nutritionist can help you create an optimum wellness plan with optimum nutrition, supplements, herbs and other lifestyle advice. 
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

What Is The Best Diet ? 

LET’S  DITCH THE LOW-FAT SCHOOL!

When God created mankind, he also provided all the nutrients we needed to maintain a healthy body. He did not hide those nutrients from us, and he didn’t package them separately in brightly coloured boxes or write books to explain to us the functions of each one of them.

 He simply put an abundance of nutrients in the foods that we would eat. These were not processed, packaged, artificially ripened, genetically altered, or overcooked. They were simply whole foods that God gave people to eat, knowing they were life-bearing foods containing all man needed to thrive, be happy and healthy.

Health And Dentition.

 At the turn of the century a perceptive, observant dentist from Cleveland, Ohio, noticed that his patients were suffering more and more chronic and degenerative diseases. He also noticed that his younger patients had increasingly deformed dental arches, crooked teeth, and cavities. These young children also suffered from frequent infections, allergies, asthma, poor vision, lack of coordination, fatigue and behavioural problems. These problems are also very familiar to mothers in the 21st century. Price did not believe that  such “physical degeneration” was God’s plan for mankind.

 Price had heard of native cultures who lived happy lives, free of disease. He decided to close down his busy dental practice and travel the world in search of these primitive cultures to find out if (1) they really are healthy, and (2)  find out what they're doing to keep themselves healthy.

 Together with his wife he traveled to distant locations and studied people who had not yet been touched by civilization. His research included Swiss village inhabitants, Eskimos, Indian tribes in Canada and the Florida Everglades, Southsea Islanders, Aborigines in Australia, Maoris in New Zealand, Peruvian and Amazonian Indians and tribesmen in Africa.

After gaining trust and confidence of the tribal and village elders, he did what came naturally to him – he counted cavities and physically examined them. To his surprise he found that less than 1% of permanent teeth were decayed. The 14 isolated groups that he found and studied were free from tooth decay, they had never seen or visited a dentist and they had never bushed their teeth!

 Dr. Price also noticed that, in addition to their healthy teeth and gums, all the people he discovered were hardy and strong, despite the sometimes difficult living conditions they had to endure. Degenerative diseases that are common today such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and infectious diseases that were common in Price’s day such as TB were absent from these “primitive” people.

 The Diets Of  The Healthy Natives.  The diets of these people were all different:

The Swiss mountain villagers subsisted primarily on unpasteurized and cultured dairy products, especially butter and cheese. Rye also formed an integral part of their diet. Occasionally, they ate meat (beef) as cows in their herds got older. Small amounts of bone broths, vegetables and berries rounded out the diet. Due to the high altitude, not much vegetation grew. The villagers would eat what they could in the short summer months, and pickle what was left over for the winter. The main foods, however, were full fat cheese, butter, and rye bread. The children’s teeth were covered in green slime, but he only found 1% tooth decay.

Gaelic fisher people living off the coast of Scotland ate no dairy products, but instead had their fill of cod and other sea foods, especially shell fish (when in season). Due to the poor soil, the only grain that could grow was oat, and it formed a major part of the diet. A traditional dish, one considered very important for growing children and expectant mothers, was cod's head stuffed with oats and mashed fish liver. Again, due to the extremely inhospitable climate, fruits and vegetables grew sparsely. Price noted that a young Gaelic girl reeled in puzzlement when offered an apple: she had never seen one!

Eskimo, or Innu, ate a diet of almost 100% animal products with hefty amounts of fish. Fish roe, walrus and seal, and other marine mammals also formed an integral part of the diet. Blubber (fat) was consumed with relish. Innu would gather nuts, berries, and some grasses during the short summer months, but their diet was basically all meat and fat. Price noted that the Innu would usually ferment their meat before eating it. That is, they would bury it and allow it to slightly putrefy before consuming it. Innu would also eat the partially digested grasses of caribou by cutting open their stomachs and intestines. Eskimo women gave birth to one healthy baby after another with little difficulty. They did not suffer from any health problems or cavities.

 The Maori of New Zealand, along with other South sea islanders, consumed sea food of every sort - fish, shark, octopus, sea worms, shellfish - along with fatty pork and a wide variety of plant foods including coconut and fruit.

African cattle-keeping tribes like the Masai consumed virtually no plant foods at all, just beef, raw milk, organ meats, and blood (in times of drought).

The Dinkas of the Sudan, whom Price claimed were the healthiest of all the African tribes he studied, ate a combination of fermented whole grains with fish, along with smaller amounts of red meat, vegetables, and fruit. The Bantu, on the other hand, the least hardy of the African tribes studied, were primarily agriculturists. Their diet consisted mostly of beans, squash, corn, millet, vegetables, and fruits, with small amounts of milk and meat. Price never found a totally vegetarian culture. Modern anthropological data support this: all cultures and peoples show a preference for animal foods and animal fat.

Hunter-gatherer peoples in Northern Canada, the Florida Everglades, the Amazon, and Australia, consumed game animals of all types, especially the organ meats, and a variety of grains, legumes, tubers, vegetables, and fruits when available.

Price noted that all peoples, except the Innu, consumed insects and their larvae. He also noted that all cultures consumed fermented foods each day. Foods such as cheese, cultured butter, yogurt, or fermented grain drinks like kaffir beer (made from millet) in Africa, or fermented fish as with the Innu were an important part of native diets.

Curiously, all native peoples studied made great efforts to obtain seafood, especially fish roe which was consumed so that we will have healthy children. Even mountain dwelling peoples would make semi annual trips to the sea to bring back seaweeds, fish eggs, and dried fish. Shrimp, rich in both cholesterol and vitamin D, was a standard food in many places, from Africa to the Orient.

The last major feature of native diets that Price found was that they were rich in fat, especially animal fat. Whether from insects, eggs, fish, game animals, or domesticated herds, primitive peoples knew that they would get sick if they did not consume enough fat. Explorers besides Dr. Price have also found this to be true.

Fallacies Of Modern Nutritionists Dr. Price’s findings contradict virtually everything that “politically correct” nutrition holds. If the studies are accurate then the low-fat school must be ditched. One can conclude from the Dr. Price’s findings that when the people were eating traditional fats like butter, lard and tallow made from organic milk and animals, degenerative diseases were still virtually unheard of. It was only when traditional fats were replaced by commercial vegetable oils that cancer and heart disease have soared. Saturated fatty acids constitute at least 50% of the cell membranes, giving them, necessary stiffness and integrity, they have a vital role in the health of our bones, they lower Liprotein A, a substance in the blood that is a good indicator of heart disease, they protect the liver from alcohol ingestion, they enhance the immune system, they are needed for the proper utilization of essential fatty acids, they are the preferred food for the heart, and they have important antimicrobial properties, protecting us against harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract.

Saturated Fat, Vitamin A & D And the “X” Factor. Animal fats are carriers of vital fat-soluble vitamins such as A and D, needed for prevention of birth defects, health of the immune system, and proper development of bones and teeth. Price was convinced that these “fat-soluble activators” were responsible for the perfect teeth with a band of dazzling whiteness, no crooked teeth, broad, round faces and an absence of disease. When he analysed these diets he found that they contained at least 4 times the minerals – calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and iron, and TEN times the fat-soluble vitamins that consisted the American diet of his day.

The richest sources of Vitamin A and D are the very foods that modern man avoids with a fervour for fear of developing disease.

Price also discovered another fat-soluble vitamin that was a more powerful catalyst for nutrient absorption than vitamins A and D. He called it “Activator X” or the “X” Factor. All the healthy groups Price studied had the X Factor in their diets. It could be found in certain special foods which these people considered sacred – cod liver oil, fish eggs, organ meats and deep yellow Spring and fall butter from cows eating rapidly growing green grasses. Price used the combination of high vitamin butter and cod liver oil with great success to treat osteoporosis, tooth decay, arthritis, rickets and failure to thrive in children.

What About Seeds and Grains? Traditional cultures prepare grains, nuts and seeds by sprouting, roasting, soaking, fermenting and sour leavening. Research has shown that legumes and grains contain enzyme inhibitors which help the seed hibernate for long periods of time – it is part of their natural cycle. However, when these inhibitors enter our bodies, they can inhibit a variety of enzyme systems, and additional phytic acid present in the bran of all grains, can prevent the absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc.

Sprouts
A seed is a treasure chest of latent energy in the form of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. When it is soaked in water some remarkable changes occur. Enzymes which until then have lain dormant become active; they begin to break down stored starch into simple sugars such as glucose and fructose, they split long-chain proteins into free amino acids, and they convert saturated fats into free fatty acids. The tendency that some seeds have to produce flatulence when eaten unsprouted is drastically reduced. In fact enzyme activity in plants is never so intense as at this early sprouting stage. Physicians who use freshly grown sprouts as part of healing diets claim that it is this high level of enzyme activity that stimulates the body’s own enzymes into greater activity. Sprouts are, in effect, predigested and as such have many times the nutritional efficiency of the seeds from which they grew. Sprouts provide more nutrients ounce for ounce than any other natural food known.

 Experiments show that protein levels rise with germination, and that as germination proceeds the ratio of essential to non-essential amino acids changes, providing more of those the body needs. When maize seeds germinate,  for example, the concentration of lysine and tryptophan (two essential amino acids whose low levels in un sprouted corn make it a poor quality protein food if eaten on its own) increase, while the concentration of prolamine, an amino acid not necessary for human nutrition, decreases.

 The vitamin content of seeds also increases phenomenally when they germinate as mentioned below:

FACTS AND FINDINGS OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH FROM SEVEN UNIVERSITIES.
- Dr. Ralph Bogart, Kansas Agricultural Experimental Station, sprouted oats and found in a quantity of 40 grams, 15mg. Of Vitamin C, more than in the corresponding amount of fresh blueberries, blackberries, or honeydew melon.

- Dr. Berry Mack, University of Pennsylvania, found that his sprouted soya beans by the end of 72 hours had a 553% increase in Vitamin C.

-Dr. C. Bailey, University of Minnesota, found only negligible amounts of Vitamin c in wheat, but after a few days of sprouting, he found a 600% increase.

- Dr. Andrea at McGill University, found 30mg. Of Vitamin C per 110 grams of sprouted dry peas, favourably comparable to orange juice.

- Dr. Beeskow, Michigan Agricultural Experimental Station, found the maximum of Vitamin C in sprouts after 50 hours of sprouting.

- Dr. Paul Burkholder, Yale University, found the Vitamin B2 content of sprouted oats increased by 1300%, and when the little green leaves appeared on the sprouts, the amount increased to over 2000%. He also found the following approximate increases in: Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): 500%, Pantothenic acid: (Vitamin B5) 200%, Folic Acid: 600%, Biotin: 50%, Inositol: 100%, and Nicotenic Acid: 500%.

- Dr. Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., M.D., from California, found sprouted legumes and beans to contain first quality, complete proteins.

- Dr. Clive McCay, Cornell University, wrote a series of articles recommending a “kitchen garden” of sprouts in every home to produce fresh sprouts through the year.

Soaking grains and seeds, which helps them ferment with natural bacteria, is also another way of breaking down the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors. For example, in India, rice and lentils are fermented for at least two days before they are prepared as idli and dosas.

 What Is The Best Diet ?

The obvious conclusion of Price's research is that for humanity to survive, it must consume whole, fresh and unprocessed foods. More and more, people are beginning to see this and have been changing their eating patterns. Sadly for the majority, however, the continuation of negative dietary habits will inevitably lead to decreased vitality, unhealthy children, in short, the degeneration of the human race.

Whole foods are delicious! The first positive, happy lesson to be learned from traditional diets and Price's work is that good food can and should taste good. Its absolutely OK to saute vegetables and meats with butter. Its OK to consume whole (unpasteurized, non-homogenized, denatured, pesticide, antibiotic filled) milk, meat with its fat, eggs, shrimp and lobster, and liver with onions and bacon. Its OK and healthy to eat home made soups made from gelatin-rich bone broths and sauces made from drippings and cream.

The building blocks of our diet should be eating organic, wholesome, untampered, genetically modified, pesticide-free, plant foods raised on naturally enriched soils, and healthy animals that live free to graze and manure the paddocks of their farms, as opposed to standing in a cramped stall, never seeing sunlight, being fed soybeans and corn meal, and being shot up with steroids and antibiotics.

Another positive to eating whole foods is that it is beneficial to the environment and relatively cruel free with regards to the animals involved in food production.

Eating whole foods is an ethically better decision to make for the economy as well. Organic foods are usually raised by small farms. Each time you buy an organically raised plant or animal product, you are helping someone to earn a living. Isn't that preferable to giving your money to a multinational food company that mass produces its product, not caring about the health of the soil, the planet, the animals, or ourselves?

Finally, eating organic, whole foods is healthier. We humans evolved eating certain food stuffs in certain ways. You did not see a caveman trimming the fat off of his meat - he ate the whole thing. You did not see a Swiss Alps villager eating low fat cheese - she ate the whole thing. You did not see Maori fishermen avoiding shellfish for fear of cholesterol - they ate the whole thing.

Foods are packaged in ways that Nature intended: they contain all the nutrients within themselves for optimal assimilation by our bodies. Eating whole foods insures us the highest amount of nutrients food has to offer. Tampering with them is not wise.

Westerners live in countries where food is readily available, unlike other parts of the world where people routinely starve or are malnourished. Further, we live with a choice between two ways of eating: the way of whole foods, and the way of processed, deranged junk food.  With such a privilege, we owe it to ourselves and our children to choose the way of life: the way of whole organic  foods. By making this decision, we can avoid the tide of chronic disease that threatens to consume our bodies and minds. Let us make that decision and embrace the ways of our ancestors. It is only by turning to the wisdom of traditional diets that we can find our biological salvation.

References:

Abrams, H. Leon. Vegetarianism: An Anthropological/Nutritional Evaluation, Jnl of Applied Nutrition, 32:2, 1980.

The Preference for Animal Protein and Fat: A Cross-Cultural Survey, Food and Evolution, Marvin Harris and Eric Ross, eds., Temple University Press, 1987.

Diorio, L.P., et al The Separate Effects of Protein and Calorie Malnutrition of the Development and Growth of Rat Bone and Teeth, Jnl of Nutrition 103:856-865, 1973.

Fallon, Sally. Nasty, Brutish, and Short? The Ecologist, Jan/Feb 1999.

Menaker & Navia Jnl of Dental Research, 52:680-687, 1973.

Navia, J. Nutrition, Diet, and Oral Health, Food and Nutrition News, 50:1-4, 1979.

Price, W. Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, Keats Publishing, 1943.

Spencer & Kramer Factors Contributing to Osteoporosis, Jnl of Nutr, 116:316-319, 1986.

Further Studies of the Effect of a High Protein Diet as Meat on Calcium Metabolism

The New Raw Energy – Leslie Kenton.
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Super Reasons To Add Fennel The Mediterranean Herb To Your Diet.

 Fennel is known for its strong anti-oxidant properties due to the presence of a number of phytonutrients.

Benefits of Fennel and its Seeds:
  • Cancer preventative
  • Reduces inflammation
  • High in vitamin C - hence anti-microbial
  • Due to its high fibre content it helps to reduce cholesterol levels. The fibre removes potentially carcinogenic toxins from the colon - hence very useful in the prevention of colon cancer.
  • Folate in fennel - converts a dangerous molecule homocysteine into benign and harmless molecules. Homocysteine when present in concentrated amounts in the body causes damage to the blood vessel walls and in turn may lead to stroke or heart attacks.
  • High in potassium - the nutrient which helps to lower blood pressure.
  • Fennel seeds eaten raw are used to help improve eye-sight.
  • Fennel tea applied on the eyes with cotton wool as a compress reduces eye soreness and inflammation.
  • It is a diuretic
  • Aids digestion
  • Prevents kidney stones
  • Enhances milk production for breast feeding mothers
  • Coughs, asthma,
  • Combats parasites of the digestive system
  • Has some aphrodisiac properties

To prepare fennel tea, simply place 1 tsp of fennel seeds in a pot, add about 1/2 litre. Boil for 2 minutes and let it steep for another 3/5 minutes.

Fennel Salad Recipe

1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
1 orange, segmented - save excess juice
1 ripe avocado, cut into wedges
8 mint leaves, torn
2 -3 baby spinach leaves chopped
1 lemon juiced
1/4 tsp freshly ground coriander seed
Pinch of fresh black pepper, red cayenne pepper and sea salt.

Chop in a bowl. Add in turn mint leaves and seasoning and toss gently. Let the salad stand for a few minutes before serving to allow the spinach leaves to soften and flavours to meld. Enjoy !

Note: You may substitute the spinach leaves with lettuce leaves for a milder flavour.
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Colon Cancer. 

Colon Cancer The large intestine is made up of the colon (the upper five to six feet) and the rectum (the last six to eight inches). This is where the last stage of digestion occurs and where solid waste is held until it is released. Colon cancer is second only to lung cancer among cancers that kill both men and women.

Mostly credited to an increase in screening for and removal of polyps, the incidence has been declining during the past decade.

Most colon cancers occur in people over fifty. It strikes men and women nearly equally. Colorectal cancer develops over a ten-to-fifteen-year period and produces no symptoms until it is advanced. If the disease is detected early enough and the tumour has not metastasized, the survival rate is quite high.

Causes and Risk Factors Of Colon Cancer

A genetic defect is linked with some forms of familial colon cancer. Other causes are not known. Risk factors associated with colorectal cancer include: 

  • Calcium deficiency
  • Colorectal polyps
  • Family history of colon cancer (Lynch syndrome)
  • Continued constipation and / or diarrhea
  • Personal history of colon-related diseases or uterine or ovarian cancer such as polyps, non-polyps colon cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease
  • Build-up of toxins in the colon
  • Possibly diabetes
  • A diet high in saturated animal fat and low in fiber;
  • High intake of charbroiled, burned, wood-smoked, or fried foods
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Cancer in another part of the body
  • Studies show that active people are not as likely to develop colon tumors as those who do not regularly engage in physical activity.

Signs and Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Symptoms of colon cancer can include the following:

  • rectal bleeding
  • Blood in the stool
  • Changes in bowel habits (persistent diarrhea, gas pains, and / or constipation)
  • Persistent abdominal pain or bloating
  • Anemia
  • Significant weight loss
  • Unusual paleness or fatigue
  • Ulcerative Colitis

Detection and Diagnosis Of Colon Cancer


Screening for colon cancer is the best way to detect polyps before they turn cancerous. During regular checkups (and annually after age forty), men and women should have a rectal exam. Beginning at age fifty, one of the following tests should be performed along with a rectal exam:

  1. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and flexible sigmoidoscopy (if normal, repeat the FOBT yearly and the flexible sigmoidoscopy at 5-year intervals).
  2. Colonoscopy (if normal, repeat at 10-year intervals).
  3. Double contrast barium enema or colon x-ray (if normal, repeat at 5 - 10 year intervals)
If you have a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, you should have a colonoscopy every one to two years. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you may have inherited a genetic mutation that can lead to polyps and or / cancers developing at an early age, even in the teenage years. Investigate any family history of colon cancer and discuss proper screening guidelines with your physician.

In addition, a test kit for detecting blood in the stool can be purchased at most pharmacies. 

Dietary and Nutritional Factors

 It was once believed that a high-fiber diet protects the colon by reducing the time any harmful carcinogens that are present in the stool are in contact with the intestinal wall.

There have since been conflicting reports on this, but most health professionals still recommend a high-fiber, low fat diet. A high-fat diet is strongly linked to colon cancer.

A Mediterranean diet is a well balanced diet which offers optimum dietary protection.  The traditional Mediterranean diet consists of fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, pulses, fish, seafood,  virgin olive oil, and red meat is eaten once a week.

Cut out all refined sugar and refined grain products such as white bread, cakes, cookies, limited consumption of red meat, saturated fat and processed foods high in sugar and refined grained products such as cakes and cookies.

Garlic, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, melons, and dark green, red, and yellow vegetables are recommended for their antioxidant and sulfur compounds. Tomatoes may lower risk. Quercetin found in onions has been shown to have anticancer properties with respect to colon cancer. Probiotics found in yoghurt may also inhibit colon cancer. Goat's and or sheep's yoghurt is best for human consumption as it is most easily digested.

Consumption of chlorinated water has been linked to a greater incidence of colon cancer. It would be best to drink filtered water.
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Cervical Cancer: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

 Invasive cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women and accounts for over 11 percent of all cancers around the world. The majority of cervical cancers grow gradually over several years with precancerous cells existing previous to the cancer cells. If precancerous cells (dysplasia) is detected early enough and removed, cervical cancer can often be prevented.

Causes and Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer.

  • Most cervical cancers are associated with infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV), which can be transmitted sexually
  • Associated risk factors include having had more than five complete pregnancies
  • First intercourse before age eighteen
  • Unprotected Sex
  • Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, HPV, and genital herpes
  • Early childbearing
  • Multiple sex partners
  • Infertility
  • Low socioeconomic status
  • Smoking
  • Nutritional Deficiencies

Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer usually causes no symptoms until it is advanced, which is why it is essential for women to have regular pelvic exams and Pap tests.

  • It can cause bleeding between menstrual periods
  • Bleeding after intercourse
  • Bleeding after douching
  • Unusual discharge
  • Painful menstrual periods
  • Painful heavy periods  
 

Detection and Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer

The presence of abnormal cells can be detected by a Pap test, followed up with a biopsy. Women should begin having annual pelvic exams and Pap tests when sexually activity begins, or at age eighteen.
 
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

How to Grow Healthy Hair After Chemo

Picture
The foods we eat have a major impact on our health and this includes the health of our hair. If yours has been looking lackluster, breaks a lot or has any other issues, your diet may be the culprit.

Our bodies need the nutrients in nutritious food for optimal functioning and when our diets lack them, it manifests itself in many ways, including unhealthy hair.

​The following diet tips can help bring your hair back to life.

Eat Foods Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial fats that offer numerous health benefits.

They are most closely associated with heart health but can do wonders for our physical appearance as well.

When it comes to your hair, they promote a healthy scalp and prevent dryness. The best sources are wild caught salmon and other oily fish. If you are vegetarian, the richest sources include walnuts, flax seed and hemp seed.

Supplements are also an option, but diet is usually the optimal way to get the important nutrients we need. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may also be inappropriate if you have bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medications.

Eat Plenty of Healthy Proteins Proteins are the building blocks of your body and it needs ample, high quality sources to build and repair all parts of you including your hair.

Some of the top choices include lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds, pulses and goat's or sheep's yoghurt, cheeses  and kefir.

Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C Vitamin A and Vitamin C helps you body produce sebum, a substance that keeps the hair conditioned.

Good sources of vitamin A include dark, leafy green vegetables, carrots, butternut squash, cantaloupes, apricots and sweet potatoes. Rich sources of vitamin C include potatoes, papaya, bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kiwi, oranges, kale and pineapple.

Get Plenty of Calcium While calcium is most strongly associated with bone health, it is also a necessary component for hair growth.

The richest sources include goat's and sheep's products such as cheese, yogurt and cottage cheese. Good plant sources of calcium include, broccoli, Bok choy, collards, cabbage, kale, mustard greens and okra.

By eating ample amounts of healthy foods, one way to start is by following an authentic Mediterranean diet. This diet offers the basics of healthy eating and living.

Committing to this way of eating is an easy way to improve your appearance and your health without having to worry about following complicated eating plans.

We are always looking for a magic pill or food to solve all of our problems and it does not work that way.

0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) 

What is Aids ?

AIDS is an immune system disorder in which the body's ability to defend itself is greatly diminished. When human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the virus that causes AIDS) invades key white blood cells called T lymphocytes and multiplies, causing a breakdown in the body's defense system, eventually leading to overwhelming infection and / or cancer - and, ultimately, to death. 

Most deaths among people with AIDS are not caused by AIDS itself, but by one of the many infections or cancers to which the syndrome makes the body vulnerable. Essentially, AIDS is experienced as a series of various illnesses which come about by the initial HIV infection.

Risk factors for AIDS.

The more factors present, the greater the risk. They include the following:

  • Overuse of certain drugs, especially antibiotics and steroids.
  • High-risk sexual activity
  • Substance abuse, including the use of alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine, amyl nitrate, marijuana, and other recreational drugs, especially intravenous drug use.
  • Preexisting herpes infection, hepatitis, and / or mononucleosis.
  • Preexisting sexually transmitted disease, especially syphilis.
  • A diet high in processed foods, refined sugars, and fat.
  • Infection with yeast (Candida albicans) and / or parasites.
What are the symptoms of AIDS ? 

Many people who are infected with HIV are not even aware that they have it. While some people experience a mild flulike illness within two to four weeks of exposure to the virus, it generally takes at least two to five years before any symptoms of HIV infection appear.

The length of time between an initial HIV infection and a positive diagnosis of AIDS has been estimated to be between two and ten years or more.

The virus does not lie dormant during this time. It immediately attacks the immune system.

In many cases, the first symptoms of HIV and AIDS are nonspecific and variable. One of the most common is a tongue coated with white bumps. This is oral thrush, or candidiasis. Candidiasis indicates a compromised immune system. Intestinal parasites are another common problem.

Other possible symptoms include:

  • Prolonged, unexplained fatigue.
  • Swollen glands (lymph nodes)
  • Unexplained fever lasting more than ten days
  • Excessive sweating (especially at night)
  • Mouth lesions, inclusing thrush and painful, swollen gums.
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Changes in bowel habits, including constipation.
  • Frequent diarhea
  • Symptoms of a specific opportunistic infection
  • Tumor (Kaposi's sarcoma)
  • Skin rashes or lesions of various types
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • General discomfort or uneasiness (malaise)
  • Headache
Additional symptoms that may be associated with HIV and / or AIDS include:

  • Speech impairment
  • Memory loss
  • Joint swelling, joint stiffness, joint pain, bone pain or tenderness
  • A lump or lumps in the groin
  • Blurred vision 
  • Genital sores
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Decreasing intellectual function
  • Unusual or strange behaviour
  • Anxiety, stress, tension
  • Generalised itching
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Decreased vision or blindness, blind spots in the field of vision
  • Chest pain
No one should assume he or she is infected with HIV just because he or she has one or more of the above symptoms. These symptoms can be related to many illnesses, so being tested for HIV is the only way to be sure.

Testing HIV-positive does not mean that one has AIDS. It means that one has been exposed to HIV, as shown by the presence of the virus antibodies in the blood.  A confirmed positive HIV test result is often the earliest indication that the person may eventually develop AIDS. The medical criteria for a diagnosis of full blown AIDS are quite specific. They require the presence of one or more of the following infections or cancers known to be associated with HIV infection. 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these include:

  • Pneumoncystitis carinii pneumonia
  • Candidal esophagitis, esophagitis from herpes simplex or cytomegalo virus
  • Cryptosporidiosis of the intestine for more than four weeks.
  • Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system.
  • Kaposi's sarcoma
  • Herpes simplex ulcers, extensive in location, lasting for more than one month.
  • Toxoplasmosis of the brain
While this list is not all-inclusive, these are the more common AIDS-defining illnesses. Pneumocystitis carinii pneumonia alone accounts for over 50 percent of initial AIDS-defining conditions.

Anyone with HIV or AIDS can make a major contribution to his or her survival and quality of life by getting into an early treatment program, especially a program where immune enhancement is encouraged.  People with HIV or AIDS need higher than normal amounts of all nutrients because malabsorption is a common problem. Nutritionists can help you improve your nutrition and lifestyle to support you. 

0 Comments

18/1/2013 1 Comment

Natural Remedies For Diarrhea.

What Is Diarrhea ?

Diarrhea can be described as having frequent and loose, watery stools. Symptoms that may accompany diarrhea include vomiting, cramping, thirst, and abdominal pain. Some people may have a fever as well.

It is rarely a serious condition, except in young children and older adults. Diarrhea causes the loss of both fluids and electrolytes (minerals), which can lead to serious problems.

Causes Of Diarrhea ?

Diarrhea can exist alone or as a symptom of other problems. Among the many possible causes of diarrhea are: 

  • incomplete digestion of food
  • food poisoning
  • food allergies
  • excess alcohol consumption
  • bacterial, viral or other infection
  • consumption of contaminated water
  • caffeine
  • magnesium
  • laxatives, and sorbitol (for young children), are all known to cause diarrhea in some people.
  • The use of certain drugs, including antibiotics such as tetracycline, clindamycin (Cleocin), or ampicillin can also contribute to diarrhea.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or Crohn's disease, pancreatic disease and cancer may all lead to severe intestinal upsets.
  • Emotional stress can also cause diarrhea 
  • Acute diarrhea accompanied by fever and mucus or blood in the stool can be a sign of infection or the presence of parasites

Natural Remedies For Diarrhea

  • Herbs drunk as teas:   chamomile, pau d'arco, raspberry leaves, fenugreek, ginger
  • Grapefruit seed extract: has anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial  properties
  • Wild Oregano Oil: antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral agents.
  • Drink plenty of liquids such as hot carob drink (carob stops diarrhea), clear broth soups, weak tea with honey, carrot juice, and electrolytes
  • Avoid high fiber foods
  • Drink Rice water
  • Avoid dairy products, protein, fatty foods, gluten foods. 
1 Comment

18/1/2013 3 Comments

How A Protein Meal Tells Your Brain You're Full. 


This is an interesting read.

How a protein meal tells your brain you're full.

3 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Early Signs Of Pregnancy 

 Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy

Perhaps the earliest sign of pregnancy is the feeling that you are really pregnant. This feeling is not just to do with suspicions, there is a definite consciousness of being pregnant. This is due to the first secretion of pregnancy hormones. 

The hormones affect your body in every respect, including your mind and the way you feel.

Feeling tired is another early symptom of pregnancy. Although some women may have more energy, the majority would confess to feeling tired. It is a new kind of tiredness that they haven't felt before often having an uncontrolled desire of wanting to sleep

High levels of progesterone in early pregnancy could be the explanation of this deep desire to sleep.

Progesterone is a sedative in human beings. It also accounts for the serene and beatific look that is classically associated with pregnancy.

Missed Period (amennorhoea)

Within two weeks of fertlisation you'll miss a period and that is the classic sign of pregnancy. While pregnancy is the commonest cause of a missed period, it's not the only one so don't automatically assume you're pregnant.

A severe physical illness, a great shock, jet lag, even a surgical operation and anxiety are known to make a period late.

On the other hand, it is quite common to have a very light period after the pregnancy is established and this accounts for some pregnancies appearing to be only eight months in length.

Morning Sickness

Many women suffer from sickness in one form or another, caused by the increasing levels of hormones circulating in the blood. One hormone called human hormone chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is produced in your bloodstream to keep up supplies of oestrogen and progesterone to  prevent a menstrual period. In other words to maintain the pregnancy. 

It is presence of HCG in urine that confirms a pregnancy. The build-up of this hormone roughly parallels the time of nausea for many women, ending between 12 and 14 weeks.

The sudden rush of hormones can have a direct irritant effect on the lining of the stomach and this shows as a feeling of nausea.

They also cause a rapid clearing of sugar from the blood, which can result in a feeling of great hunger and sickness. Nausea, in some cases accompanied by vomiting, occurs from about week 6. It rarely lasts longer than the first three months and then it gradually stops.

Tastes and Cravings

A change in taste and in preferences for certain foods may be one of the first signs of pregnancy and occur even before you miss a period. It is quite common to go off certain foods and drink, commonly fried foods, coffee and alcohol, as well as cigarette smoke.

It is often described as a metallic taste in the mouth which affects your appreciation of the food. Cravings are thought to be due to the rising hormone levels and are sometimes experienced during the second half of the menstrual cycle for the same reason. Don't indulge a craving for high calorie foods, which may be low in nutritional value.

Frequency of Urination (micturition)

As the uterus begins to swell, it presses on the bladder, which lies close to it. Consequently, the bladder tries to expel even small amounts of urine, and many women notice a desire to pass urine more frequently as early as one week after conception - you may find yourself having to go to the lavatory every hour. Unless there is a burning sensation or pain when you pass urine there is no need to consult your doctor about increased frequency. By about week 12, the uterus has increased in size and rises up out of the pelvic cavity. This reduces the pressure on the bladder and the frequency of urination.

Breasts

The changes that take place in the breasts in early pregnancy are really an exaggerated form of what happens in the second half of every menstrual cycle due to stimulation by progesterone. Even before you miss your period you will have tingling and soreness of the nipples and your breasts may feel heavy and tender and be measurably larger. Very early in pregnancy the veins over the surface of the breasts become more prominent and the creamy nodules in the nipple area will become larger. The nipples also start to enlarge and deepen in colour. Your body is already preparing itself to nurture your newborn baby.

Diet During Pregnancy


You ARE What You Eat therefore Your Baby Is What You Eat !

What You Eat affects your baby’s future.  What you eat in the following nine months can impact your baby’s health, as well as your own, for decades to come.

A good diet is vital to health during pregnancy, and to the normal development of the baby. The time to pay attention to diet, and if necessary change it for the better, is several months prior to conception and not when pregnancy is confirmed.

During the critical early weeks the normal, healthy development of the embryo depends on the mother’s state of nutritional health and also her toxic state.

Mineral and vitamin imbalances which would probably go unnoticed in a child or adult can have a disastrous effect on the developing baby.

This is because the cells in the embryo are growing at such a rapid rate, causing an exaggerated response to any harmful influences.

A natural, organic, wholefood diet is the only one which will adequately serve during pregnancy.
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Food to Avoid and Include if You Have Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland at the base of the bladder that encircles the urethra, the tube through which urine is voided. The prostate produces prostatic fluid, which makes up the bulk of the male ejaculate and nourishes and transports the sperm.

Cancer of the prostate gland is the second leading cause of cancer death among men. It is primarily a disease of aging.  Men in their thirties and forties rarely develop prostate cancer, but the incidence increases steadily after the age of fifty.

Approximately 80 per cent of all cases occur in men over the age of sixty-five, and by the age of eighty, 80 per cent of all men have prostate cancer to some degree.

Prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer. They mostly occur in the rear portion of the prostate gland; the rest originate near the urethra.

Lymphatic vessels leading from the prostate gland to the pelvic lymph nodes provide a route for prostate cancer to spread to other areas of the body.

Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer

Possible symptoms of prostate  cancer can include one or more of the following:

  • pain or a burning sensation during urination
  • frequent urination
  • a decrease in the size and force of urine flow
  • an inability to urinate
  • blood in the urine
  • continuing lower back, pelvic, or suprapubic discomfort
 However, the disease often causes no symptoms at all until it reaches an advance stage and / or spreads outside the gland.

In addition, these symptoms most often are caused not by cancer, but by an enlarged prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Causes Of Prostate Cancer

 The exact cause or causes of prostate cancer are not known. However, there are certain risk factors that have been linked to its development.

  • Men aged sixty-five and older
  • African- American men
  • Men who have a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with prostate cancer are at increased risk.
  • The incidence is higher among married men than it is among unmarried men
  • Also at increased risk are men who have had recurring prostate infections
  • A history of venereal disease
  • Those who have taken testosterone
  • Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals increases risk
  • There is a link between a high-fat diet that is low in fruits and vegetables and prostate cancer

This may be due to the fact that heavy fat consumption raises testosterone levels, which could then stimulate growth of the prostate, including any cancer cells it may be harboring. Some studies have suggested that vasectomy may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, although other studies contradict this hypothesis.

A clear message from migration studies is that most prostate cancer is due to diet and to environmental factors, not genetics.

Clearly, disease of the prostate gland is a major health issue for men. However, surgical removal of the prostate has a number of significant risks.

Since many of the nerves required for bladder control and erection are contained within the prostate gland, surgery to remove the prostate may also remove some of these nerves, rendering a man impotent or unable to control his bladder.

It is now believed that the metabolic products of testosterone cause an enlarged prostate and cancer. Within the prostate gland, the hormone testosterone is rapidly and irreversibly converted by an enzyme to a more potent product called DHT.

Amazingly, green tea, essential fatty acids, and berries help to keep the enzyme in check that converts testosterone into DHT.

A German study has shown that the herb saw palmetto is more effective and has less side effects, than the prescription drug commonly used to treat enlarged prostate glands.

Foods To Avoid

  • Diets high in saturated fats
  • Safflower oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and cottonseed oil
  • Red meat and organ meats
  • Anabolic steroids
  • Excessive seafood and shellfish
  • Dairy products

Harvard researchers found that men who get at least ten servings of tomato based foods per week are 45 per cent less likely to develop prostate cancer.

Lycopene is a retinoid found in abundance in tomato products and watermelon. Lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid stored in the prostate gland, and is more potent than beta carotene in protecting against prostate cancer. Lycopene is not stored for very long, which means that a daily dose of lycopene-rich food is in every man's best interest.

Lycopene is absorbed better when tomatoes are cooked with olive oil or baked.  Also limit synthetic fat intake since it reduces beta carotene and the amount of lycopene in the body.

Obviously, men should enthusiastically eat to beat and prevent prostate cancer !
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Hemorrhoids, Symptoms and Treatment. 

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus and in the rectum (the very lowest portion of the colon) that may protrude from the anus.

Hemorrhoids are very much like varicose veins; they enlarge and lose elasticity, resulting in saclike protrusions into the anal canal. They are not tumours or growths.

Causes of Hemorrhoids

  • Sitting or standing for long periods of time
  • violent coughing
  • lifting heavy objects (or lifting even relatively light objects improperly)
  • straining at bowel movements - especially when constipated

Other Causes Of Hemorrhoids

  • obesity
  • lack of exercise
  • liver damage
  • food allergies
  • not eating enough dietary fiber
  • during pregnancy and after childbirth
  

Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids

  • itching
  • burning
  • pain
  • inflammation
  • swelling
  • irritation
  • seepage
  • bleeding

Different Types Of Hemorrhoids

  • External: These develop under the skin at the opening of the anal cavity and mostly affects younger people.
  • Internal: Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum.
  • Prolapsed: A prolapsed hemorrhoid is an internal hemorrhoid that collapses and protrudes outside the anus, often accompanied by a mucous discharge and heavy bleeding.
As far as we know, hemorrhoids are unique to human beings. No other creature develops this problem.

This can be taken as an indication that our dietary and nutritional habits play a greater role in this disorder than anything else.

Foods To Eat

Eat foods that are high in dietary fiber such as wheat bran, fresh fruits, and nearly all vegetables. Apples, beetroots, Brazil nuts, broccoli, foods in the cabbage family, carrots, green beans, oat bran, lima beans, pears, peas, psyllium seed, and whole grains are recommended.

A high fiber diet is probably the most important consideration in the treatment and prevention of hemorrhoids. Although it has also been noted that if you have too many bowel movements a day - that could also aggravate hemorrhoids and make them worse. Making sure to eat the right amounts of fiber so you have a bowel movement once to twice per day is ideal. ​
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

The Benefits of Eating Cherries

Picture
 The phytochemical anthocyanin gives cherries their red, purple, or black colour.

Anthocyanin has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Heart Disease

Laboratory studies on anthocyanin show antioxidant effects that might help prevent the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis). Other studies show the anti-inflammatory benefits of anthocyanins that may also help to protect the heart.

Cancer

A study on the effects of anthocyanins on colon cancer cells showed no beneficial effect inside cells but did show a strong potential for neutralising nitrogen-containing free radicals in the bloodstream or colon. This might help protect against stomach and colon cancer.

How To Eat Cherries

Enjoy your cherries fresh. Cooking will leach some anthocyanins into the cooking water. Green stalks are a sign of freshness. To preserve vitamin C the cherries should be stored in the fridge.

Some people are allergic to a specific protein in the cherries. They should always be eaten on an empty stomach i.e. as breakfast first thing  in the morning.

An average portion of cherries is about 10, when I start eating cherries I can't stop and end up eating at least 25 !

0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Balance Your Testosterone Levels Naturally. 

 Exercise and diet can increase natural testosterone without using synthetic HGH or testosterone products. Testosterone is the main hormone responsible to maintain youth, increasing muscle size and reducing body fats. It also increases bone density and support libido.

Decline in testosterone levels is associated with many problems. Usually low testosterone production starts at the age of forty. Low t treatment helps in restoring its levels back to normal but it is better to use natural ways to increase them as they are without any possibility of side effects.

Most of studies also showed the effectiveness of testosterone products such as patches or gels on the middle-aged men who have remarkable loss in muscle mass and bone strength. The testosterone patches or gels reverse the signs of aging and reduces abdominal fats.

A team of researchers looked on 31 studies in aggression and found that it increased lean body mass and reduces body fats. However, no benefits were seen by the use of growth hormones in decreasing bad cholesterol levels and increasing good cholesterol. Moreover, no changes were in triglycerides, aerobic ability, bone density or blood sugar and insulin levels.

Side effects of using testosterone products include fluid preservation, joint ache, breast swelling and carpal tunnel syndrome. Research shows that there is an increased risk of cancer. Individuals who have unusually larger muscles due to human growth hormone injections were at much bigger danger for cancer, diabetes, and possible many other health issues.

Testosterone levels in men boost with particular exercises and foods. Research shows that weight lifting exercises amplify more testosterone levels. Leg and back muscles are the major muscles and exercising these areas will amplify testosterone levels. Focus the core muscles, upper body along with legs and back.

Free weight squats and lunges, Cable or elastic band squat-presses, Sprinting runs or high-resistance bike spins are some famous exercises that increase testosterone levels. Healthy nutritional diet like zinc, onions, garlic, cruciferous vegetables, is best food to increase your testosterone levels.
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Leaky Gut Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments. 

Leaky Gut Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments. Leaky Gut Syndrome otherwise known as Increased Intestinal Permeability is a condition characterized by leaking of the intestinal walls.

This happens as the walls are damaged by harmful bacteria and toxins causing inflammation and irritation to the linings of your intestinal tract. When this happens, your intestinal walls can be compromised because it can no longer perform its normal functions.

Hence, the leak can be a way for harmful organisms and substances like fungi, parasites, bacteria, undigested particles to flow to your bloodstream, causing an autoimmune response.

This is a very intriguing medical condition that is often left undiagnosed by medical professionals. Therefore, it is important to know what causes it, what its symptoms are and how it can be treated.

What Causes Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Leaky Gut may not appear very dangerous but it can be very serious in the long run if left untreated. Essentially, this disorder is caused by a lot of factors and these are the following:

  • Poor Diet and Malnutrition
These are among the most common reasons why you may develop Leaky Gut. Eating food low in nutritional value or not eating properly can deprive the body of the nutrition it needs to perform properly. Once your digestive functions are affected you will not be able to digest food accordingly causing abnormalities in the normal condition of your intestinal tract.

  • Food Allergy
This is thought to be the most common culprits in Leaky Gut Syndrome. This is due to the fact that food allergy usually causes delayed reaction to foods as you may develop an immune reaction due to your antibodies. With this, the symptoms may not be prominent until hours or days post ingestion. Typical food allergies include dairy, nuts, soy, wheat and eggs.

  • Local or Systemic Inflammation
Essentially, inflammation compromises the permeability of your intestinal tract. Thus, when you have experienced allergy, injury or there is the presence of bacteria or undigested particles in your intestine the body produces cytokines which is acts an anti-inflammatory. Hence, these conditions are known to trigger Leaky Gut Syndrome.

What Are Its Signs and Symptoms?

The signs and symptoms of Leaky Gut are divided into three stages. The early symptoms of Leaky Gut include the following:

  • Stomach ache
  • Intestinal Gas
  • Diarrhea/Constipation
  • Heartburn
  • Bloating

In the second stage, the symptoms are actually associated with the inflammation of your intestinal tract that can be manifested by the following:

  • Digestion Problems
  • Noticeable Food Allergies
  • Headaches
  • Skin rashes
  • Fatigue and Joint Pains

The last stage is characterized by breakage of intestinal lining forming huge gaps causing the following:

  • Colitis
  • Arthritis
  • Severe dermatitis and other conditions
  • Fungal infections
  • Gluten Intolerance

How to Treat Leaky Gut Syndrome?

The main cause of Leaky Gut Syndrome is the food that you eat so the best way to heal the condition is to watch over your diet. Basically, your diet must be structured as such:

  • Low Sugar
  • Low in Gluten
  • Casein Free

In essence, your diet must be free from casein which is milk extract and the main ingredient in dairy products like cheese. Other than dairy products, casein can also be found in energy bars and beverages. Also, you diet must be low in sugar. Hence, you must avoid sweets and sugary fruits eat more apples, strawberries and grapefruits. It will also help if you will eat more fiber and whole grains.

Lastly, gluten must be regulated in the diet so you must try to eat less food that contains malt, wheat, barley and rye. Instead, consume other grains like corn and rice. As much as possible, avoid breads and pasta products that contain gluten in order to reverse Leaky Gut Syndrome.
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Low Testosterone Associated With Depression, Smoking, Obesity But Not Aging. 

An innovative study finds out some facts about male aging. Australian researchers found that low testosterone causes are some lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity, in addition to depression.

The study find out that age is not a factor of low testosterone. Professor of medicine at the University of Adelaide in Adelaide, Australia said that low testosterone levels are not an expected part of the aging process. However, changes in testosterone are determined by smoking behavior and changes in health such as obesity and depression.

With the exception of heart disease, issues surrounding men’s health on a group or population level are surprisingly underdeveloped. Many older men have low levels of the sex hormone testosterone. However, its causes are not known.

A study supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia analyzed testosterone measurements in more than 1,500 men. On average, testosterone levels did not decline significantly more than five years; relatively, they decreased less than 1 percent each year, the authors reported.

Men with low testosterone levels have more chances to become obese. Smoking and depression also leads to low testosterone however, stopping smoking may be a cause of a slight decrease in testosterone for short term, and the benefit of quitting smoking is huge.

A past research shows an association between depression and low testosterone. Testosterone is an important hormone that performs many body functions including a healthy body composition maintenance, fertility and sex drive.

Doctors say that low testosterone levels are not a natural part of aging however; they may be due to health-related behaviors or health status itself. Regular sexual activity tends to increase testosterone, according to reports.

Testosterone, the most significant hormone, decline due to unhealthy life style and not due to old age, according to the recent study. Smoking and depression are the two main factors of low-t.  Avoid both of these factors to enjoy a healthy life style.
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Breast Cancer, Symptoms, Prevention and Healing. 

Cancer of the breast is the most common of all cancers in women and tends to afflict those who have a relative with breast cancer. However, there are many other factors which influence the development of cancer which you can do something about, unlike your genetic inheritance.

Factors Influencing The Development Of Breast Cancer

High fat consumption is a contributory factor. Toxins such as drugs, pesticides and herbicides are stored in animal fat and women who eat fatty meat obviously also consume these toxins, which are then stored in the fat tissue. Since fat amkes up a large proportion of breast tissue, a women's breast becomes a storehouse for toxins. Dietary fat stimulates the secretion of prolactin, a pituitary hormone, which may contribute to breast cancer.

Research has shown that obese women have a higher chance of developing breast cancer than other women, because estrogen is stored in body fat and estrogen contributes to breast cancer.

Low intake of vitamins A, C and E, selenium, folic acid, iron, zinc, magnesium have been shown to be linked with cancer.

Certain food substances, such as the nitrosamines derived from foods containing nitrites such aas bacon, hot dogs, salami and sausages, as well as saccharine and sugar intake can contribute to breast cancer.

Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils are also under suspicion.

Heavy drinking may contribute to breast cancer. Vegetarians have been shown to suffer less from breast cancer than meat eaters. This may be related to toxins in animal fats as well as to the fact that meat eaters have higher leves of prolactin than vegetarians.

Women who started taking the pill before the age of 25 and who took it for more than four or five years have been shown to have an increased risk of breast cancer. The same is true for women who took estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for five to ten years or more.

Women who began their periods early and who had a late menopause, and those who have never had children, are more prone to breast cancer. Women who had their first child over the age of 30 are at higher risk than those who had their first child before the age of 22.

Women who have had cancer elsewhere, or in one breast, are more at risk. The incidence of breast cancer increases with age and is most common between the ages of 50 and 65.

Stress is also an important factor in breast cancer.

Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

  • a lump or change in the shape or size of the breast
  • thickening or dimpling of the skin enlarged veins
  • a retracted nipple, if this is not normal
  • discharge from the nipple
  • non-cyclical pain, particularly when past the menopause
  • swelling of upper arm, in the armpit or above the breast

Taking Steps To Prevent Breast Cancer

  1.  Check your breasts once a month, a few days after your period finishes so that any cysts in the breast that come and go with the period do not cause unnecessary concern. Post - menopausal women can check their breasts at any time of the month.
  2. Go through the same routine every month so you can spot changes. First look at your breast in the mirror to make sure there are no changes in shape, size texture, or colour of the breast. Then lie down and feel each part of the breast with the flat of your fingers for any lumps or bumps or changes in skin texture.
  3. Do not smoke.
  4. Keep your alcohol intake low. Not more than one drink a week. It is best to not have alcohol at all.
  5. Make sure you eat healthily. It should mostly be made up of fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organically grown, whole grains, nuts and seeds, beans and pulses, oily fish and olive oil.
  6. Avoid fatty food, keep your meat intake as low as possible.
  7. Avoid junk food and refined carbohydrates especially sugar.
  8. Keep away from well known carcinogens such as smoked meats, sausages, peanuts, additives, saccharine and hydrogenated oils.
  9. Make sure you have plenty of vitamins A, E, C and D in your diet. These have been shown to help abnormal cancer cells back to normal healthy cells. They also improve the function of the immune system in its battle to destroy abnormal cells.
  10. Beta carotene in carrots, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage and broccoli for example has been extensively shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
  11. Vitamins C and E help to protect the stomach, bowel and bladder from the carcinogenic effects of certain foods. Vitamins A, C, and E and selenium have antioxidant properties.  These vitamins inhibit deterioration of cells caused by 'free radicals' which contribute to the development of cancer and in this way help prevent it.
  12. Add in plenty of essential fatty acids to your diet.
  13. A high fibre diet, with plenty of whole grains and vegetables not only prevents constipation, but also hastens the removal of carcinogens from the bowels and diminishes their chances of absorption into the system.
  14. Fibre also enhances the elimination of estrogen via the bowels, thereby helping to prevent excess estrogen in the system from contributing to breast cancer.
  15. Avoid contaminants in water by drinking filtered water and bottled water.
  16. Avoid taking the contraceptive pill and the use of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).
  17. Exercise and make sure you get fresh air, rest and relaxation and adequate sleep.
  18. If you are overweight. Seek the help of a qualified nutritionist to bring your weight under control.
  19. If you are stressed, take time off to relax and let go of tensions and anxieties.
  20. Now is a time to release unresolved emotional problems. Try to deal with them and let them go.
  21. Yoga, Tai Chi, psychotherapy or sharing the troubles to a caring friend may all help.
  22. Avoid putting yourself under any unnecessary pressures. Try to let go of them and spend at least one hour daily doing or being just what you want to.
  23. Give that one hour to yourself, put yourself first for a change, even if it means just lying on the couch listening to music or reading a good book or enjoying a warm bath infused with your favourite essential oils.


0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

What Is Cancer ? 

Cancer is an abnormal reproduction of cells. Normal cells reproduce throughout our lives, to replace those that are worn out, to repair injured ones and to allow growth of the body in a controlled and orderly way.

Changes in cellular tissue cause certain cells to grow, divide, and reproduce in an uncontrolled way - much more rapidly than normal cells - and eventually produce a lump, known as a tumour. A tumour can either be benign or malignant. A benign tumour remains confined to one area and the cells are not cancerous. A malignant tumour may spread its cells to other parts of the body.

As the tumour grows, the cells invade surrounding tissues and can also be carried via the blood and lymphatic system to other areas, where new growths, known as metastases, may develop.

Once cancer is diagnosed, by analysis of cells taken from the tumour, orthodox treatment normally involves surgery to remove the tumour and the area around it, radiotherapy to kill the cancer cells, or chemotherapy using drugs to kill the cancer cells. One or all of these treatments may be used at any one time.

Unfortunately both radiotherapy and chemotherapy not only destroy cancer cells, they also affect the white blood cells in the body, the mainstay of the immune system necessary for the body to fight off disease, including cancer.

Proper nutrition can help you  prevent cancer. There are cancer fighting foods and herbs which you can add to your daily regime. For cancer patients effective nutritional strategies will give them a higher chance of survival. 
0 Comments

18/1/2013 0 Comments

Do You Know When To Replace Your Toothbrush ?. 

Are you very vigilant about taking care of your oral health? That's great! Do you see your dentist on a regular basis for a professional cleaning and check-up? That is even better! Do you replace your toothbrush on a regular basis? If the answer to that question is "no", you can rest assured that you are not alone.

Many people forget to replace their toothbrush because it is such an easy gesture to overlook. However, if you have noticed that the toothbrush bristles are splayed out, it is time for you to get a new toothbrush.

How Often Should You Get A New Toothbrush

You have probably heard that you need to replace your toothbrush every two to three months. It is important to note that the actual time can vary greatly. If the bristles are worn out, you may need to replace your toothbrush before the three month mark. Additionally, if you have been sick recently or have an illness that weakens your immune system, you will also benefit from replacing your toothbrush frequently. Your toothbrush is a breeding ground for bacteria. Researchers have found that these same bacteria can lead to diarrhea and skin infections.

That is not something that you probably want to think about, but there are millions of bacteria living in your mouth right now. You remove some of these bacteria every time that you brush. Even though we remove millions of bacteria when we brush, our chances of becoming ill from a toothbrush are quite low. Additionally, it is not that difficult to keep the toothbrush hygienic.

Below are some simple tips that you can take to keep your toothbrush clean:

You will need to rinse your toothbrush off every time that you use it. It is best to use running tap water, so that you can get rid of all the food debris. After you have finished rinsing, shake the toothbrush to get rid of excess water.

Make sure that you set the toothbrush upright to dry. Bacteria thrive on moisture and if you set the toothbrush upright, you can help prevent the bacteria from multiplying. Many people put a toothbrush cover on their toothbrush. This is a bad idea because a cover can trap moisture.

Do not share your toothbrush with anyone. This might seem like a given, but sharing a toothbrush is a very easy way to spread germs.

You also want to make sure that you do not store your toothbrush close to the toilet. Bacteria spread through the air every time that you flush. Additionally, putting the sit down after every flush also helps prevent the spread of bacteria.

What else can you do to clean your toothbrush?

There are a number of toothbrush sanitizers available today. They come in the form of rinses, sprays and ultraviolet lights. These products claim to help kill bacteria, but there has been no evidence to suggest that they can prevent you from becoming ill.

Many people clean their toothbrush by putting in the dishwasher or heating it up in the microwave. However, no one recommends either one of those methods. You will probably damage your toothbrush, which will make it even less effective at removing bacteria.

Simply, put you need to make sure that you store your toothbrush correctly, avoid sharing it with other people and replace it on a regular basis.
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Barbara is a qualified Holistic Nutritionist MSc., offering Health, Nutrition & Lifestyle Counseling. She gives Healthy weight loss advice and promotes the Mediterranean diet. She is the author of the Med Life Diet - creating healthy lifestyle habits and attitudes for life !

    Archives

    January 2026
    September 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    April 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    May 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.