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An Apple a Day? Study Shows Soluble Fiber Boosts Immune System

Mar 04

ScienceDaily (Mar. 2, 2010) — A new University of Illinois study touts the benefits of soluble fiber — found in oats, apples, and nuts, for starters — saying that it reduces the inflammation associated with obesity-related diseases and strengthens the immune system.
“Soluble fiber changes the personality of immune cells — they go from being pro-inflammatory, angry cells to anti-inflammatory, healing cells that help us recover faster from infection,” said Gregory Freund, a professor in the U of I’s College of Medicine and a faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences’ Division of Nutritional Sciences.
This happens because soluble fiber causes increased production of an anti-inflammatory protein called interleukin-4, he said.
The study will appear in the May 2010 issue of Brain, Behavior, and Immunity and is available online now.
In the experiment, laboratory mice consumed low-fat diets that were identical except that they contained either soluble or insoluble fiber. After six weeks on the diet, the animals had distinctly different responses when the scientists induced illness by introducing a substance (lipopolysaccharide) that causes the body to mimic a bacterial infection.
“Two hours after lipopolysaccharide injection, the mice fed soluble fiber were only half as sick as the other group, and they recovered 50 percent sooner. And the differences between the groups continued to be pronounced all the way out to 24 hours,” said Christina Sherry, who also worked on the study.
“In only six weeks, these animals had profound, positive changes in their immune systems,” she said.
known that obesity is linked to inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Yet, in a recent study, the U of I scientists demonstrated that fat tissue produces hormones that appear to compensate for this inflammation. “There are significant anti-inflammatory components in fat tissue and, if they were strategically unleashed, they could potentially protect obese people from further inflammatory insults, such as a heart attack or stroke. In obese animals, you can see the body compensating in an effort to protect itself,” he said.
Not all fat is bad, the researcher noted. The Mediterranean diet, which receives high marks for its health benefits, includes such foods as olive oil; salmon, tuna, sardines, and trout, which contain important omega-3 and -6 fatty acids; and plant sources of fat, such as flaxseed.
“Now we’d like to find a way to keep some of the anti-inflammatory, positive effects that develop over time with a high-fat diet while reducing that diet’s negative effects, such as high blood glucose and high triglycerides. It’s possible that supplementing a high-fat diet with soluble fiber could do that, even delaying the onset of diabetes,” he said.
This study is one of the first to provide two valuable lessons, said Sherry. The first, already noted, is that soluble fiber has direct anti-inflammatory effects and builds up the immune system. The second is that the amount of soluble fiber necessary to achieve these health benefits is a reasonable, not a pharmacological, amount.
The recommended daily dietary recommendation is 28 to 35 grams of total fiber, but most of the FDA’s health claims are for insoluble fiber, and that’s where things get a bit complicated, she said.
“Not all fiber is created equal, although you wouldn’t know that by reading nutrition labels,” said Sherry. “Most manufacturers don’t tell you how much of each type of fiber a food contains, and we think it’s important that this information be included on a product’s packaging.”
Good sources of soluble fiber are oat bran, barley, nuts, seeds, lentils, citrus fruits, apples, strawberries, and carrots. “We used a citrus-based pectin in our study,” Sherry said.
Insoluble fiber, found in whole wheat and whole-grain products, wheat bran, and green, leafy vegetables, is also valuable for providing bulk and helping food move through the digestive system, but it doesn’t provide the boost to the immune system that soluble fiber provides.
Co-authors are Stephanie S. Kim, Ryan N. Dilger, Laura L. Bauer, Morgan L. Moon, Richard I. Tapping, George C. Fahey Jr., and Kelly A. Tappenden, all from the U of I. Sherry is now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan. The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and the USDA among others.

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Story Source:
Adapted from materials provided by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Health and Nutritional Supplements, You Need Both

Oct 09

ENERhance is a natural herbal supplement.

Also contains vitamins & minerals.

Increases energy without caffeine.

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Health and Nutritional Supplements, You Need Both

By: Tan Kim Kia

Health is the greatest treasure a man can have.

There are several factors that influence our health. Among them we find the pollution, stress, inadequate nutrition. All these factors are hurtful to our body.

Did you know that in a whole year we consume over four kilos and a half to five kilos of poisonous substances present in our food?

If not eliminated, these substances create a chaotic movement of our body cells and generate a favorable ground for the action of free radicals. These free radicals generate a great diversity of cancer forms.

Health depends on an adequate diet too. “Scientific evidence in support of the health benefits of nutritional supplements has grown dramatically in recent years,” said Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Boston. “We must now work to translate this knowledge to health care providers, policy makers and consumers so the simple actions people can take to promote their health and prevent disease can be more fully realized. The impact of a rational use of dietary supplements can also help reduce health care costs which escalate every year as our population grows older.

Symptoms

Many problems such as : lack of energy, insomnia, headaches, depression, mood swings, anxiety, easy bruising, bleeding gums, slow wound healing etc. can be traced directly to deficiencies in specific vitamins and minerals.

Circumstances

Because of the methods applied nowadays in agriculture, which destroy the natural mineral substances, we cannot be sure that the agricultural products ensure us the necessary vitamins and minerals. Although all people should try to have healthy and balanced diet, few in reality do.

Nutritional Supplements to bridge your nutrition gaps

More and more people try the nutritional supplements as a way to combat the nutritional deficiencies and to ensure the necessary of vital nutrients for maintaining the quality of their life. Before you start taking nutritional supplements you must know a few things about them.

Nutritional supplements represent a support to our body. The nutritional supplements clean the human body and restore the deficiencies present inside. While taken constantly, nutritional supplements promote good health and help prevent disease. Nutritional supplements represent a good thing that we need . Here are a few things that you might consider before taking nutritional supplements:

1. Everybody can consume nutritional supplement and mostly if is diagnosed with a nutritional deficiency.

2. You must find out if you have a nutritional deficiency.

3. Ask your physician if it is safe for you to take nutritional supplements.

4. Does this supplement interacts with any drug or food you are consuming?

5. If you want to know more you can read about it or you can find more information at nutritional supplements guide from the Internet.

Quality

Regarding their quality, the nutritional supplements must be natural, easy to assimilate, must have a high nutritional value, must come from ecologically non-polluted areas and must be certified.

On the market are thousands of dietary supplements. Great companies fight for a place on the market. Each of them offers a diversity of products. These products seem to bring the same benefits to our body but they are in fact very different one from another. The difference is obvious when you read the label and you see the ingredients. The ingredients are the ones which make the products so valuable.

Research

The nutritional supplements are usually obtained after a period of research.

The research services work hard in order to offer us good products having great and rapid effects. It would be good for you when you choose to take nutritional supplements to inform upon the company which produces the products. If it is a world leadership or if it is among the greatest in the world than you may decide to consume the products it proposes to you. They are first tested over and over again and are only then offered to the public.

So we must be very careful when choosing nutritional supplements and do not forget to consult your physician!

About the Author:

Allan Tan Kim Kia is an nutrition scholar and author of Best Vitamin Supplements Guide who provides tips and advice how to choose and where to buy best vitamin supplements online. http://www.best-vitamin-supplements-guide.com

Printed From: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/health-and-nutritional-supplements-you-need-both-83822.html

Popularity: 1% [?]

Super Smoothie Recipe

Oct 08


Super Smoothie Recipe, Healthy Fruit Smoothy, Nutrition How to Make

Natalie shows you how to make the king of all healthy fruit smoothies.

Please visit Natalie’s website at
http://www.nutritionbynatalie.com

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Popularity: 17% [?]

Walnuts May Prevent Breast Cancer

Jul 31

Walnut consumption may provide the body with essential omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols that reduce the risk of breast cancer. (Credit: iStockphoto/Elena Elisseeva)

ScienceDaily (Apr. 22, 2009) — Walnut consumption may provide the body with essential omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols that reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009.

Elaine Hardman, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at Marshall University School of Medicine, said that while her study was done with laboratory animals rather than humans, people should heed the recommendation to eat more walnuts.

“Walnuts are better than cookies, french fries or potato chips when you need a snack,” said Hardman. “We know that a healthy diet overall prevents all manner of chronic diseases.”

Hardman and colleagues studied mice that were fed a diet that they estimated was the human equivalent of two ounces of walnuts per day. A separate group of mice were fed a control diet.

Standard testing showed that walnut consumption significantly decreased breast tumor incidence, the number of glands with a tumor and tumor size.

“These laboratory mice typically have 100 percent tumor incidence at five months; walnut consumption delayed those tumors by at least three weeks,” said Hardman.

Molecular analysis showed that increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids contributed to the decline in tumor incidence, but other parts of the walnut contributed as well.

“With dietary interventions you see multiple mechanisms when working with the whole food,” said Hardman. “It is clear that walnuts contribute to a healthy diet that can reduce breast cancer.”


Adapted from materials provided by American Association for Cancer Research.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Antioxidant Levels In Cooked Vegetables Vary With Cooking Method Healthier To Griddle-Cook Or Microwave

Jul 24

Contains vitamins,minerals and natural herbs

Antioxidants to help build the immune system

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ScienceDaily (Apr. 20, 2009) — Some vegetable cooking methods may be better than others when it comes to maintaining beneficial antioxidant levels, according to a new study in the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists. Results showed that, depending on the vegetable, cooking on a flat metal surface with no oil (griddling) and microwave cooking maintained the highest antioxidant levels.
Fruits and vegetables are considered to be the major contributors of nutritional antioxidants, which may prevent cancer and other diseases. Because of their high antioxidant levels and low-calorie content, consumers are encouraged to eat several servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Researchers at the University of Murcia and the University of Complutense in Spain examined how various cooking methods affected antioxidant activity by analyzing six cooking methods with 20 vegetables. The six cooking methods were boiling, pressure-cooking, baking, microwaving, griddling and frying. Their findings showed the following:

The highest antioxidant loss was observed in cauliflower after boiling and microwaving, peas after boiling, and zucchini after boiling and frying.
Green beans, beets, and garlic were found to keep their antioxidant levels after most cooking treatments.
The vegetables that increased their antioxidant levels after all cooking methods were green beans (except green beans after boiling), celery and carrots.
Artichoke was the only vegetable that kept its high antioxidant level during all the cooking methods.
Griddle- and microwave-cooking helped maintain the highest levels of antioxidants, produced the lowest losses while “pressure-cooking and boiling [led] to the greatest losses,” says lead researcher A. M. Jiménez-Monreal. “In short, water is not the cook’s best friend when it comes to preparing vegetables.”

(2009, April 20). Antioxidant Levels In Cooked Vegetables Vary With Cooking Method Healthier To Griddle-Cook Or Microwave. Retrieved April 22, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2009/04/090415163730.htm”>http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2009/04/090415163730.htm

Popularity: 3% [?]

Healing Herbs for Preventing and Curing Cancer

Mar 09

leucozepin

Leucozepin bestseller
Strengthen Immune System: contains Astragalus

Secondary Benefits

  • Regulates blood cell counts
  • Boosts energy
  • Activates NK cells
  • Stimulates macrophages
  • Relieves fatigue

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Healing Herbs for Preventing and Curing Cancer

Dina Hunter

Healing Herbs for Preventing and Curing Cancer No one knows exactly what causes cancer. Research has learned that when the immune system slows down or cannot work properly, cancer and other immune failure diseases seem to take over. The white blood cells are a main part of the immune system. When the white blood cells die or in some way become impaired, the immune system breaks down. Conventional cancer treatments usually consist of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These can all lower your white blood cell count and wreak havoc with your immune system. White blood cells are very tough little guys, swimming through our veins, attacking infections and various other “bad germs” in our blood. But they are vulnerable to certain things. They can not do their job well when there is infection. They are killed off by chemotherapy, radiation, mold, chlorine and fluoride in our water supply and metal toxins such as mercury, iron or aluminum. What’s even more frightening is antibiotics, as well as, some pharmaceutical drugs that we are given to help combat disease and infection can sometimes destroy the white blood cells. Many times the very drugs and treatments that kill cancer end up killing the patient because their organs break down and fail to function. So there goes our immune system. In 2002 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I endured surgery and chemotherapy, which made me horribly sick and left me so weak I could barely walk across the room. When I told the oncologist I was sick and vomiting for several days after each chemo session, she told me it couldn’t be the chemo making me sick. It had to be something else making me vomit. Even after the chemo sessions were over, I was still too weak to do much of anything. I asked the oncologist if there were any herbs or certain kinds of foods I should eat. She said, “No, just eat what you normally eat.” She obviously had no knowledge of herbs or nutrition. So, it looks to me like, if you’re suffering from the effects of chemotherapy or radiation, you’re pretty much on your own. It’s very hard to cope with these vague feelings of tiredness, no energy, depression, irritability, loss of appetite, memory loss and concentration. Most doctors seem to feel these symptoms are unimportant and dismiss them without much thought. One thing we can do is take advantage of the many cancer fighting, immune enhancing herbs, some of which have been around for 1000s of years. Scientists around the world are concentrating on herbal medicines to boost the immune cells of the body in it’s fight against cancer. Find a good herbalist or Doctor of alternative medicine. He or she can put together an herbal formulation based on your body, it’s needs and your life style. Because there are many kinds of cancer and different herbs work in different ways, they are usually not given singly. They work much better in synergistic combinations. Some herbs fight disease by enhancing the immune system. Others work with the lymph system to neutralize toxins and encourage drainage of fluids which flush toxins out of the body. Water, although not an herb, does a very good job of flushing toxins from the body. Just make sure the toxic chemicals that are added to most water systems are filtered out before you drink it. According to the Department of Agriculture there are over 3000 herbs that contain anti-cancer properties. Following is a list of the more common herbs for treating this dreaded disease. Astragalus has been used for more than 5000 years in China. It enhances the immune cells and the natural killer cells that are known to destroy cancer cells. It has been shown in research to speed recovery from chemotherapy and radiation treatments and prolong life expectancy. Astragalus is rarely given alone. According to Chinese medicine it works best when given along with other immune enhancing herbs. Some studies do show that it is effective when used alone and it is certainly worth using. Flaxseed supplements help balance the hormonal system and enhances the immune system and is recommended as a preventative for women who are concerned about breast cancer. Doctors in Germany have been using yarrow along with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Garlic and onion has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer of the colon, esophagus and the stomach. Hippocrates was the first to recommend it’s use. Antioxidants are found in most fruits, vegetables and herbs and are known to fight cancer and other diseases. Pau D Arco has been known to shrink cancerous tumors. Burdock, Cat’s Claw, sweet potatoes and pineapple, all have cancer fighting qualities which can detoxify your body and boost the immune system. If you don’t have an herbalist or doctor who will prescribe a synergistic herbal combination to fight cancer for you try eating a wide variety of herbs known to fight cancer and rejuvenate the immune system. Find more information about combating disease with herbs at www.healthyherbalplants.com .

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/healing-herbs-for-preventing-and-curing-cancer-482749.html

About the Author:

Dina Hunter is the author and owner of www.healthyherbalplants.com She is a firm believer in natural healing with fresh natural foods and herbs.She uses herbs for pain, stress and joint care As a cancer survivor she has done a lot of research on herbs to help This article discusses relevant herbs for preventing and curing cancer and helping the body cope with radiation and chemotherapy, recover from the effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/healing-herbs-for-preventing-and-curing-cancer-482749.html

Popularity: 10% [?]

Only about 9% of all adults regularly receive the recommended daily units of important nutrients:

Mar 09

(i.e. vitamins, minerals, trace elements and enzymes). Their body urgently needs these valuable nutrients to maintain all vital functions and thus to protect their health… More info on http://www.zdravje-plus.com/

According to scientific studies, only about 9% of all adults regularly receive the recommended daily units (RDU’’s) of important nutrients (i.e. vitamins, minerals, trace elements and enzymes). Their body urgently needs these valuable nutrients to maintain all vital functions and thus to protect their health.

About 50% of the population of the United States – 125 million people – now take vitamin and mineral supplements. That’s because they accept the view, long held by many experts on diet and health, that given the pollution and the stress of our modern world, supplements help to maintain a healthy body.

Research scientists prove that by supplementing the diet with vitamins and minerals, you can improve your health and perhaps head off possible health problems in the future. Even some of the most conservative health groups, including the American National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society and the Heart Association, acknowledge that there are many benefits associated with the intake of vitamins and minerals.

Experts presume that more than 50% of all illnesses can be traced at least partially to wrong and unbalanced nutrition, lacking essential nutrients. We live in lands of plenty and still do not receive all our bodies urgently need…. a padoxum not many are aware of!

Even if we follow the advice of nutrition experts and compose our diets accordingly, it’’s very likely that the food we eat does not contain the necessary content in vitamins and minerals. The content of these nutrients in foods has dropped significantly of the last 20 years. This is due to soils that have been used to overproduce and it is directly related to the modern processing methods and the extended distances over which food is transported. You know yourself how long it can take, until you receive foods. From the time of harvest to the moment the so important vegetables and fruits finally find their way on to your table, easily 10 or more days can pass …
Our daily lives are affected by hectic lifestyles and environmental influences. We can certainly use the additional nutritional support provided by high quality food supplements. As we age, we become less and less able to receive all of our nutritional requirements from food supplies that have been grown with conventional cultivation methods. Specialists in all fields, scientists, health organizations, doctors and various governmental agencies continually impress upon us the fact that we must pay more attention to a well-balanced diet.

The human body requires vitamins to ward off disease, boost immune system response, and even improve overall moods. When the skin gets a cut, the human body needs a good number of vitamins to clot. When one gets sick, the body requires a more than average amount of vitamins to help fight the virus. The results of countless research projects have proven that millions of people are failing to achieve an adequate daily intake of essential vitamins and minerals. It follows, that many people need food supplements just to ensure they obtain these essential nutrients. But supplements can only help ensure your well-being and body immune system if they are bioavailable. Life Plus products meet these demands.

It is important to provide your body with everything it needs every single day.
Cleanse it and to maintain cellular health by eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Compensate for inadequacies with the help of quality food supplements.

It is absolutely vital that you have a good strong immune system. By having this, your body can fight off diseases, infections and all manner of ills. Protecting the immune system is a vital part of living longer, feeling younger and being healthy.

Here are some natural ways to boost your immune system:
* Walking and physical activity (dancing, gardening, cycling, swimming…). Simply walking is surprising almost as good in this respect as running and going to the gym. Regular exercise and physical activity (30-minute during the day) strengthens your immune system, cardiovascular system, heart, muscles and bones. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, improves mental functioning, concentration and cognitive performance, and lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, cortisol and other stress hormones. Disease often follows any blockage in the body’s intricate mechanism. Therefore another defense against disease is to keep your body and its mechanisms moving!

* High nutrient diet. Eat foods rich in antioxidants (like vitamins A, C, E and lycopene), omega-3 fatty acids, and folate. Antioxidants fight and neutralize free radicals, which are molecules that damage cells and cause heart disease, cancer and premature aging. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular-enhancing and immune-regulating properties. It is helpful in preventing and controlling high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, depression, inflammatory and auto-immune disorders. Folate prevents age-related cognitive decline, damage to blood vessels and brain cells by lowering homocysteine levels. It also ensures DNA integrity (important as we age and when pregnant) and promotes healthy red blood cells. Excellent food sources for these nutrients are as follows. ? Antioxidants – pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, grapefruit (red and pink), blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, peppers (red and green), tomatoes, broccoli, sunflower seeds, almonds and olive oil. ? Omega-3 Fatty Acids – ground flax seeds, walnuts, soybeans and pumpkin seeds. ? Folate – dark green leafy vegetables (turnip greens, mustard greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, collard greens, etc.), beans, legumes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, beets and okra. Give your body an herbal boost. Hundreds of herbal supplements and tinctures exist to give the immune system additional support during the winter.

* Special food. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The following foods can fuel your immune system, make you healthier and help your body fight infections. Certain food, including apples, raw garlic cloves, carrots, spirulina… may help your immune system defeat bacterial, viral and even fungal infections. Garlic contains allicin, ajoene and thiosulfinates – three powerful compounds that help the body prevent and fight infections. Carrots contain loads of beta carotene, which is a powerful phytonutrient that boosts the immune system’s production of infection-fighting natural killer cells and T cells. These cells are healthy and attack and kill off disease-ridden microbes. Spirulina, a microscopic aquatic green plant, Lactobacillus and Bifidus probiotics, the “good bacteria” and Organic Wheat Grass. While antibiotics kill germs after an infection has started, spirulina prevent it from occurring in the first place. Spirulina protecting the digestive tract and creating a higher level of activity within the cellular immune system, and also enable a damaged immune system to repair itself. Drink lemons. Lemon is the ideal food for restoring acid-alkali balance, which supports healthy bacteria instead of the viruses and harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments. Stock up on raw fruits and vegetables for their antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzymes. The nutritional content that you receive from raw fruits and veggies is unparalleled. Many vitamins, including C, are antioxidants and will protect cells – including those of your immune system – from damage by toxins in the environment. Dark-coloured produce (berries, kale, broccoli) tends to be higher in flavonoids, polyphenols and other antioxidants.

* Full night’’s sleep. Getting enough sleep has a profound impact on your stress levels, immune function and disease resistance. Everybody’s different: your body may need anywhere from 6 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol). Sleep time is when your body and immune system do most of its repairs and rejuvenation.
* Eat plenty of protein. Protein is a building block for a healthy body, mind, and immune system. Diets low in protein tend to be high in carbs which convert readily to glucose, spiking blood sugar and stressing the immune system.

* Drink plenty of water.

* Stop drinking coffee. Caffeine robs your body of minerals and vitamins, and it dehydrates you. If you drink coffee, make sure you add an additional two glasses to your water intake per cup of coffee. A mineral supplement helps to offset caffeine’s damage, too.

* Stop eating refined sugar and avoid artificial sweeteners. If you do only one thing to boost your immune system – eliminating sugar you will see noticeable results in your energy levels, weight distribution, immunity and your ability to think clearly.

* Nurture yourself. Make sure you take time to yourself, spend some time with friends, and indulge yourself in a massage, a hot bath… Relaxing in a hot bath relieves sore muscles and joints, reduces stress and tension, and promotes a good night’s sleep. Our bodies respond to our emotions – if you’re feeling harassed and anxious, it can manifest in a sore throat or a cold.

* Yoga and stretching. The slow movements and controlled postures of yoga improves muscle strength, flexibility, range of motion, balance, breathing, blood circulation and promotes mental focus, clarity and calmness. Stretching also reduces mental and physical stress, tension and anxiety, promotes good sleep, lowers blood pressure and slows down your heart rate.

* Hygiene. The most effective measure in preventing the spread of microorganisms that cause infections is good body hygiene. Washing your hands with soap and water as soon as you come home, and always before you eat, greatly reduces your exposure to bacterial and viral infections.

* Laughter and humor. There is truth to the saying that laughter is the best medicine. Laughing reduces stress hormones like adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol. Laughter has long been held as the “best medicine” and, in fact, science has now found that every cell in the body has a receptor for the substances produced when we are happy. Every cell is therefore influenced by how we feel. Our first line of defense against any disease is therefore happiness.

* Music. Listening to your favorite music is a great method of reducing stress and relieving anxiety. Your individual preference in music determines which types of soothing sounds will best reduce your tension, blood pressure, and promote feelings of tranquility. Pay attention to how you feel when you hear a particular song or genre of music, and keep listening to the ones that produce a relaxing effect.

* Positive thinking. Optimism can counteract the negative impact stress, tension and anxiety has on your immune system and well-being. Often it is how you perceive things that determine if you get overwhelmed, both mentally and physically. Having a positive attitude, finding the good in what life throws your way and looking at the bright side of things enhances your ability to effectively manage stress.

* Tea. Regularly drinking tea throughout the day can help strengthen your immune system and your body’s ability to fight off germs and infections. Both green and black teas contain a beneficial amino acid called L-theanine, which can increase the infection fighting capacity of gamma delta T cells. L-theanine also promotes a sense of relaxation, calmness and well-being by influencing the release and concentration of neurotransmitters (like dopamine, serotonin and GABA) in the brain.

* Lifestyle changes. Boosting your immune system may mean making lifestyle changes. This means to stop smoking, cut down on alcohol intake, eat a healthy diet, and get more exercise… The same steps you need to take to live a healthy life, lose weight, and get fit, are also the same things that will boost your immune system.

Blaz Ferlinc, independent Life Plus distributor
http://www.zdravje-plus.com/

Popularity: 1% [?]

What to Eat during Chemotherapy

Mar 05

by Gen Wright

It is important to take balanced diet during chemotherapy. Patient should eat as much as possible. Eating well during chemotherapy will help to cope with side effects of the treatment and fight infection easily. It also helps to rebuild or repair healthy tissue.

You should choose balanced diet which contain all the nutrients that body needs. Your diet should contain fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, egg, cereals, breads and dairy products. Diet with high calories will help to keep your weight up and also build and repair skin, hair, muscles and organs. It is also important to drink adequate of fluid during your chemotherapy treatment.

When you are taking chemotherapy drugs, your immune system is affected. So, it is important to take varied and balanced diet during the treatment. Following are the tips regarding your diet that you need to follow:

1. Take small snacks and meals through out the day. Eat less but more often.

2. Include protein rich food in your diet at each meal. Protein rich food includes lean meats, eggs, nuts, beans and dairy products.

3. Fruits and vegetables which are high in antioxidants should be included in your diet. It helps your immune system.

4 Food that are rich in carbohydrates such as bread, rice, pasta and cereals are important. They provide energy for the body.

5 Make sure your diet contains adequate amount of calories. Include eggs, milk and cheese in your diet which high in calories. You can also drink calories liquids.

6 Your food should be well cooked and heated.

7 Try different food and recipes. Eat in a different location, eat by candlelight.

8. Eat with friend and family members, watch TV, listen music while eating alone.

9 To avoid infection, ensure cleanliness while preparing your food.

Due to side effects such nausea, mouth or throat problem, you can lose your appetite. It is also difficult to eat if you feel depressed, sick or tired. You should take small meal or snacks whenever you want to eat. It is not necessary to eat regular meals every day. Try different food and recipes. Whenever possible, take a walk before meal. It will increase your appetite. Change meal location, eat by candlelight, eat with friends and family members. This will help you to feel hunger.

Alcohol can interact with some chemotherapy drugs and affect their effectiveness or worsen side effects associate with treatment. Because of this, it is advised to drink less alcohol or avoid it completely. However, small amount of alcohol can help you to feel relaxed and feel hunger. Consult your doctor before taking any alcoholic beverages such wine, beer or any other.

Consult a nutritionist to know what to eat during chemotherapy treatment. A nutritionist can provide you diet plan that you need follow during chemotherapy treatment. This diet plan offer all the nutrients and vitamins that you need.

For more information on chemotherapy and cancer symptoms, please visit our resource sites.Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.comKey words:What to Eat during Chemotherapy

http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/What-to-Eat-during-Chemotherapy/380397

Popularity: 42% [?]

Need an Immune System Makeover? Boosting Your Immune System During Cancer is Easier Than Ever

Feb 03

Know someone who has cancer? If so, then you know that a compromised immune system goes hand in hand with the disease.

And if you have been following any of the alternative and complementary medicine treatments for cancer on the internet, you also know that one of the most consistent things that cancer survivors do is boost their suppressed immune system.

Every alternative medical practitioner and complementary medicine practitioner familiar with cancer patients will agree that what every cancer patient needs is an immune system makeover. And the way to do it is with a great diet of natural, wholesome foods and fresh juices high in antioxidants, enzymes and also herbs.

It’s not surprising that herbs are used for immune system makeovers. Hundreds of studies have come to the forefront of scientific discovery proving that there are herbs that act against infectious organisms, sometimes better than antibiotics, and these herbs don’t have any side effects. There are herbs that can suppress an overactive immune system, such as in someone with allergies. There are dozens of herbs with anti-cancer properties, and herbs that activate the white blood cells, the red blood cells, and the natural killer cells that kill cancer cells directly.

In fact, every culture has their own herbs growing wild waiting for us to discover them. The Chinese have the most amount of data supporting their herbs; they have researched herbs long before the herbal revolution hit America. Their journals are filled with herbal research and Chinese health practitioners often mixed herbs with acupuncture in their treatments.

Thus, it’s not surprising to find that the Chinese herbalists have created an all-natural herbal formula for those in need of an immune system makeover.

I had been searching for something that could help friends and clients with cancer, something that could be helpful when used as an immune system makeover. A friend/colleague pointed one out to me.

There are formulas out there that will help boost the immune system. The ones that contain Chinese herbs such as astragalus, ginseng, reishi mushrooms, and green tea would be a good start. Other formulas add additional vitamins which makes sense because the antioxidants can quench free radicals and other chemicals produced inside the body that accelerate reactions that contribute to cancer. Some of those vitamins include vitamin C (known to prevent metastasis), vitamin A, E, B vitamins, folic acid, and vitamin D. One can’t neglect the minerals either. Selenium has known anti-cancer properties, zinc builds the immune system and molybdenum is involved in detoxifying reactions.

The bottom line is always to support the body nutritionally in every way possible and by so doing, you can help create an immune system makeover. Once you have all these functions taken care of, there is no reason why a person wouldn’t feel energized and restored the longer the person takes it. That is because there is healing going on.

It’s really not amazing. It’s simply science. Immune system makeovers can happen.

For more information, see http://www.immuneenhance.com/products/enerhance

For more articles on cancer and herbs, see http://www.drdonna.info Check the April 2008 article section.

Popularity: 4% [?]

How To Beat Lack of Energy from Chemotherapy Treatment

Feb 02

Dr. Donna Schwontkowski

Chemotherapy takes a big toll on the body of a cancer patient. It’s common to have side effects such as lack of energy, nausea, lack of appetite, mouth sores and hair loss. Many people think that because these side effects are quite common, everyone on chemotherapy will have the same experience. The good news is that this is not true.

Lack of energy, nausea, lack of appetite, mouth sores, and hair loss can be prevented by using all natural herbs that are combined in specific dosages in an herbal formula. When an all natural formula is created properly, it is not uncommon to find many patients reporting the elimination of chemotherapy side effects after using it for only 7 days. Some patients may even report that they are able to get off bed rest and start working again while others notice that nausea and lack of energy has become a thing of the past.

Why Chemotherapy Patients have Lack of Energy

Chemotherapy drugs often cause low levels of white and red blood cells, which contributes to the feeling of lack of energy. By killing cancer cells with chemotherapy drugs, some healthy cells are also killed. It takes time for the body to recover and start the production of new cells again. In the meantime, the person feels tired and as if all their energy has been zapped out of them. Once in this weakened mental and physical state, it becomes easy to give up the will to live.

That’s where the all natural herbs come to the rescue. In many cultures, all natural herbs have been used to build the cell counts in the blood back up to normal levels. Other all natural herbs act on a part of the white blood cell line, for example, the natural killer cells which specifically kill cancer cells.

Natural Effects from Herbs Only Help the Body

The reason that all natural formulas work so well is that they combine herbs together. For example, the combination of 15 all natural different herbs with known anti-cancer effects, known action that supports the immune system, and known anti-oxidant properties can work wonders. Research on the actions of herbs is plentiful. For example, the all natural herbs Astragalus and Bai-zhu atractylodeshas activates white blood cells, both T and B cells, important in the battle against cancer. Reishi mushrooms have been heavily researched and promote the production of natural killer cells which kill cancer cells specifically.

The formula could also contain tangerine, dong quai, Chinese licorice, dendrobium, ligustrum lucidum, spatholobus, codonopsis, psoralea, polygonaturm, poria seed, lycium fruit, and rehmannia.

When all natural herbs are combined together, their effect on the body is often greater than the effect seen by each individual herb. Herbs augment each other, resulting in greater results for the person taking them. This is the case of some anti-chemotherapy side effects formulas which have been found to boost energy levels, thereby eliminating the chemotherapy fatigue and lack of energy, boost production of antibodies and interferon, and also boost the levels of the white and red blood cells.

These formulas can be taken before chemotherapy starts, during chemotherapy and even afterwards. They are considered by many to be a blessing to those taking it because the all natural herbs allow them to finish their course of chemotherapy with minimal side effects. They receive the best of both worlds – medical and the all natural herb world, two opposing viewpoints that are blended together to result in a better quality of life.

It’s Dr. Donna’s passion to bring herbal info to those who are suffering from side effects of chemotherapy when there is a solution. She is a master herbalist and holds other degrees (http://www.drdonna.info) For more info on herbs that help decrease chemotherapy side effects, see http://www.immuneenhance.com

Popularity: 3% [?]

 
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