Daily Healthy Blog

Detoxification and Weight Loss

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:38:50 +0000

Detoxification is very often used in the weight loss programs. Some weight loss programs are completely based on detoxification but I don’t think this is a correct approach to weight loss. While you can lose weight while on a detoxification program, as soon as you go back to your old lifestyle you will gain all that lost weight. That’s why do not rely on detoxification programs for your weight loss goals.

However detoxification should be an important part of any healthy weight loss program. Our unhealthy eating habits caused the accumulation of toxins in the body. Toxic waste that is deposited in our intestines can weigh lots of pounds! So only by clearing the body of toxins we could shed some pounds. And then we should continue with the healthy diet and exercise to ensure the continuation of the weight loss process. Healthy diet and exercise will also stop toxins from accumulating in the body and contribute to general health and well-being.

There are different types of detoxification programs. There are juice fasting programs, mono-diets, one-day water fasting and some more vigorous, several day fasting programs. It is better to start with “milder” detoxification programs.

1. Juice fasting. Fruits and vegetables play a major role in detoxification programs. They contain vast array of vitamins and minerals. Freshly squeezed juices contain enzymes that can help body get rid of toxins, provide vital energy, help in digestion process. Try apple, carrot and beetroot juice – beetroot is a powerful cleanser, use

Influenza – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:58:09 +0000

Influenza is commonly known as flu, it is an infectious disease of birds that can cause by RNA viruses. It is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by influenza virus. Actually it is a viral infection that affects throat, nose, bronchi and in some cases it also affects lungs.

Influenza is a serious disease and every year about 5%-20% of United States population infected by this disease. Sometimes, more than 200,000 of people are hospitalized as they are having infection of influenza. The flu can be serious or even deadly for elderly people, newborn babies and people with certain chronic illnesses. The influenza even has its own season generally from November to April, with most cases occurring between late December and early March.

Symptoms of influenza

The infection is sometimes confused with common cold but its symptoms are more severe than typical sneezing. Infection of influenza lasts for about a week and sometimes more. It is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, muscle ache, feeling chills, body ache, headache, severe malaise, sore throat, rhinitis and non-productive cough. Dizziness and loss of appetite is another cause of influenza. Sometime vomiting, weakness and ear pain can prove associated symptom of influenza.

Causes

The flu virus travels in air droplets when any infected person sneezes. One can easily inhale these droplets and affected by disease. You can even pick up the germs by sharing things with the infected person such as telephone, towel, computer keyboard etc.

Treatment

The main thing to keep away from flu is to get a yearly flu vaccine. Whenever you get the flu, your health care provider may prescribe medicine to help your body fight the infection and lessen symptoms. You can do some practical ways to prevent the spread of influenza. You should wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Don’t pick up the used tissues as this may lead to infection. Never share utensils and towels with infected person; infection may travel through this way. You should cover your nose and mouth at the time of sneezing as the inflectional bacteria travels in the air and can cause another person.

How the Economy is Shaping the Current Fashion Trends

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:08:13 +0000

With the global credit crunch hitting many people’s disposable income, this winter’s clothing trends and the Christmas season to come came seem like horrible expenses but if we take a look at what the fashion world has thrown at us we can see that it has moved away from impractical styles that were afforded less than a year ago. Instead the top fashion houses fall 08 collection has been to focus on sharp style such as military style wool coats and stripes which all points to one thing, smart style and hard work is the in thing. With high collars and zips (although styled not centrally) in an attempt to help stimulate the nation’s workforce to ward off colds and flu and continue working hard.

The high street shops have adapted to this, just look at Burton and Next’s winter collection, they have followed this same trend for the men out there who are struggling hard to keep their jobs. Fashion has predominantly been based on economy, various people in the 1900s favoured denim because of its high durability for the labourers who endured very tough working conditions; it was also favoured by fishermen.

The winter collection for many style houses is a walk in the right correct away from outlandish trends that all of a sudden feel like they were from another decade let alone a different financial climate; things such as men’s tights belong to a different age now. It is a stark reason to be thankful that we all still have jobs and we need to protect ourselves against prolonged work absences

Accutane vs antibiotic acne solutions

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:52:01 +0000

Acne can be a mild problem that gets easily eliminated by topical solutions you can buy at any pharmacy. But it can also be a problem that will require you to address a dermatologist and undergo a serious treatment. In most cases moderate and severe forms of acne will make the doctor prescribe you with an antibiotic treatment either in the form of pills or topical cremes. In some cases such a treatment will actually help, while in other circumstances the problem can get even worse. So what’s the catch with antibiotic acne treatment, what are its main drawbacks and is there any effective alternative to it? Let’s answer these questions.

First of all, we’ll have to look into the actual causes behind acne breakouts in order to understand why antibiotics are used for treating this condition. The usual mechanism of acne formation involves several factors. There’s a lot of different bacteria dwelling in skin pores, usually beneficial and helping fight alien bacteria that can cause irritation or infections. The amount of these bacteria is usually stable. However, when there’s an abundance of oil in the skin, which is very favorable for bacterial development, the amount of beneficial bacteria increases and that causes inflammation. This is what we see as acne and that’s why it is usually associated with bacterial infections. So the obvious solution would be to use a drug that cuts down the amount of bacteria and prevents inflammation. That’s exactly what doctors do when prescribing antibiotics to their patients.

There’s one problem with antibiotics though. Because they target nearly all bacteria in the skin this means that most beneficial bacteria are also eliminated. This creates the risk of alien bacterial infection because the usual bacteria protecting your skin from outside agents are eliminated by the treatment. And you may end up having more serious problems. Besides, after some time the amount of own bacteria can exceed again the normal amount if there are favorable conditions for bacterial development (increased oil production) and you will have to take antibiotics again. Which is not very good for your health in general because antibiotics seriously affect the liver and can also cause dysbiosis in many parts of the body, which can also be a serious health problem.

A really effective alternative to antibiotic acne treatment is using Accutane. This drug is regarded as the most effective solution for acne but since it is very potent it is only meant to be used under strict doctor supervision. Accutane has a different approach to treating acne and addresses the actual problem behind acne formation – excessive oil production in the skin. If the amount of oil is normalized there will be less bacteria and no irritation in the skin, which will stop acne breakouts. That’s exactly why Accutane is so effective for treating acne and doesn’t seriously affect any other aspects of skin health. Speak to your doctor about using Accutane in order to make sure that this drug will work for you.

Important points relating to your ED medication

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:41:43 +0000

For the many men who suffer from the condition known as erectile dysfunction, life can be very difficult. Having this condition can make men feel very self conscious and embarrassed even though it is actually a common condition that many men have suffered from. Of course, it is important for men with this condition to take action to try and do something about it and one very effective treatment that has already helped many men that suffer from ED is called Cialis. When you take Cialis you can start getting back on track with your sex life and your love life, which can take a lot of pressure and stress off you, leading to a positive effect on your quality of life.

If you are considering taking Cialis you should always make sure that you find out as much as possible about the treatment before you start taking it – a good rule of thumb for any drug based treatments that you are considering taking. This way you will know exactly how the treatment works, what to expect, what the possible complications and side effects are, whether it is suited to your needs and safe for you to take, etc. Below are a few important considerations to take into account if you are thinking of taking Cialis to deal with your erectile dysfunction.

You should bear in mind that Cialis is not a cure for erectile dysfunction, so do not expect to take the medication for a while and then be cured. It is a treatment that helps you to achieve and maintain an erection through taking specified doses of the treatment. You can choose from a daily dosage pack or a 36 hour dosage pack depending on your preferences

Whilst the side effects that come with this treatment are generally mild and short lived, there are a number of side effects that you may experience, although some users may experience few or even no side effects. Some of these include: flushing, back pains, stomach upset, headaches, runny nose and indigestion. If you experience these side effects but they persist rather than subsiding in a short space of time it is advisable to speak to your doctor

This treatment has helped many men who suffer from erectile dysfunction but it is not suitable for everyone. For example, men who are taking certain medications for heart related problems may not be able to take this medication. It is therefore important that you discuss your full medical history and any medications that you are taking with your doctor prior to taking Cialis

Cialis will not sexually stimulate the user. In order for the treatment to be effective you need to be sexually stimulated, as Cialis simply helps to increase the blood flow to the penis in order to help a sexually stimulated man to achieve and maintain an erection in order to engage in sexual activity

Top 5 Cancer Causing Foods

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:32:46 +0000

Have you ever wondered which foods are best to avoid when trying to prevent cancer?

The secret is to be able to identify which foods contain ingredients that are carcinogens, or cancer promoters. Once you know which ingredients will end up giving you cancer, you can read labels and avoid those foods altogether.

So, what are the ingredients to avoid?

Let’s start with sugar. One of the ways cancerous tumors develop is by feeding on sugar in the bloodstream. If you are continuously overloading your body with sugar you’re giving your body what it needs for cancer to flourish.

Next is sodium nitrite. This chemical is added to certain foods… mostly lunch meats and bacon…on purpose in order to make it look reddish and fresh. Once upon a time, meats were preserved with salt, but manufacturers eventually switched to this much more dangerous form of meat preservation.

Then there’s hydrogenated oils. When oils are heated in the presence of hydrogen and metal catalysts, it makes them hydrogenated. this preserves the shelf life, but also creates trans fats. Aside from causing cancer, trans fats are bad for your heart and can even interrupt metabolic processes.

Finally, there’s the acrylamide factor. Acrylamides are created during the frying process, when starchy foods are subject to high temperatures.

And so, taking all of the above into consideration…the top 5 cancer causing foods are:
Hot Dogs – Usually preserved with sodium nitrite and full of fat (among other things!) Donuts – These contain hydrogenated oils, sugar, white flour and acrylamides. Talk about the perfect cancer causing food! French Fries – Often made with hydrogenated oils. There would also be acrylamides present. Processed meats and bacon – Lots of saturated fat and nitrites. You can find some without, but you’ll have to ask. Chips & crackers – Usually have white flour, sugar, and trans fats. many manufacturers also hide MSG in the form of yeast extract, and mess around with serving sizes so you actually take in a lot more bad stuff than you think.

There you have it. Avoid these foods most of the time and you’re well on your way to avoiding that dreaded ‘C’ word altogether.

How Diet Influences Cancer Risk

admin — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:02:58 +0000

Diet is a double edged sword. Improper diet increases the risk of cancer but a proper, well balanced diet reduces the cancer risk.

Diet is one of the most important lifestyle factors and has been estimated to account for up to 80% of cancers of the large bowel, breast, and prostate. Diet affects the risk of many other cancers, including cancers of the lung, prostate, stomach, esophagus and pancreas.

Prostate Cancer:

High consumption of meat, especially red meat, substantially increases the risk of prostate cancer.

Vegetables, especially cooked tomatoes, reduce the risk of prostate cancer. In one clinical trial, the role of Vitamin E as a prostate cancer reducing factor was established. In this study there was a 32% decrease in prostate cancer incidence and 41% decrease in prostate cancer mortality in people receiving Vitamin E supplements when compared to controls.

Breast Cancer:

In Japan, people consume Tofu, a soya product. It contains isoflavones that moderate the estrogen receptors in the body such as breast tissue. The incidence of breast cancer is low in Japan when compared to Western women; only 1/4th of the mortality rate of Western women. Japanese women’s low fat diet, high fish consumption and drinking green tea also decrease their breast cancer risk.

One case control study found that regular consumption of soy foods was associated with a marked decrease in breast cancer risk in premenopausal women. No effect in post-menopausal women.

A Japanese case-control study also found that tofu intake (3 times/wk compared with less than 3 times/wk) was associated with decreased risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. Again, soy intake was not protective against post-menopausal breast cancer.

In one study conducted in America, the relation between soy intake and breast cancer risk found that tofu consumption was protective in both premenopausal and post menopausal Asian women.

Lung Cancer:

Lung cancer risk is substantially decreased by a variety of carotenoids. Carotenoids act as antioxidants and thus minimize cell damage.

One study in Boston focused on the effect of different types of carotenoids on lung cancer risk. It was observed that lung cancer risk was significantly lower in subjects who consumed a diet high in a variety of carotenoids. This was especially true with non-smokers who had 63% less risk.

One study conducted in Hawaii reported further evidence for a protective effect from certain carotenoids against lung cancer and that greater protection was afforded by consuming a variety of vegetables compared to only foods rich in a particular carotenoid.

Stomach Cancer:

Nitrates in food and other preservatives added to food including meat are converted into ‘nitrites’ in the human stomach. The nitrites undergo nitrosation to form ‘nitrosamines’ and ‘nitrosamides’. This increases the risk of stomach cancer in people eating vegetables from nitrate rich soil.

In one study, Vitamin C appeared to protect against the risk of stomach cancer by inhibiting formation of nitrates in stomach.

Cancer of the stomach is 5 times more common in Japanese people compared to Western populations. When Japanese people migrated to the United States, they progressively acquired the low incidence of the US due to changes in their diets.

In one study conducted in Hawaii that involved both Japanese and Caucasians, the stomach cancer risk was associated with consumption of rice, pickled vegetables, and dried/salted fish, and a negative association with vitamin C intake.

One ecological study in Belgium showed a relation between the nitrate and salt consumption and stomach cancer. The analysis of this model showed that the significance of nitrate as a risk factor for stomach cancer mortality increased markedly with higher sodium levels.

Dietary habits and stomach cancer risk was studied in Shanghai, China. According to this study, risks of stomach cancer were inversely associated with high consumption of several food groups, including fresh vegetables and fruits, poultry, eggs, plant oil, and some nutrients such as protein, fat, fiber, tea and antioxidant vitamins.

By contrast, risks increased with increasing consumption of dietary carbohydrates, frequent consumption of preserved, salty or fried foods and hot soup/porridge, with irregular meals, speed eating and binge eating. This provides evidence that diet plays a major role in stomach cancer risk.

No single food can completely prevent cancer but a balanced combination of different groups can help. Appropriate diet can prevent 3-4 million cancers each year.

Weaker bones may be a problem

admin — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:24:51 +0000

The design of the human body shows remarkable adaptation to our immediate environment. Whenever a foreign element is detected, the autoimmune system is there for our defense. Whatever the problem, the white cells rally round and fight the invasion. Because our body learns about new strains of bacteria and viruses all the time, it’s constantly modifying the way the autoimmune system works to give us the best possible protection. If it cannot beat the invader, the body tries to adjust its chemistry to reduce the adverse effect. Overall, we do well in our increasingly complicated environment.

To the body, the chemicals we take as medication are also invaders in the bloodstream. Sadly, we can’t send a message to the white cells telling them these chemicals are new friends. Everything is an enemy to be destroyed. This is really bad news. When the drugs first arrive in our bloodstream, the effect is exactly as predicted by the research team that designed the drug. An unprepared body always reacts with the most beneficial results in the first few hours. But as time passes, the autoimmune system gets to work and it adapts the body to reduce the effect of the chemicals. Doctors call the result tolerance. Our body grows used to have the drug in the bloodstream and the beneficial effect slowly disappears. The only ways of dealing with this are either to increase the dose or to switch to a new drug. Unfortunately, all this does is buy time. Sooner or later, tolerance builds up again and we are back to the same decision.

The proton pump inhibitors are not addictive in the same sense as, say, the opiate painkillers, but they are subject to the same problem of tolerance. If you take any of these drugs over time, you will slowly have to increase the dose to get the same effect. Until recently, this was not thought a problem but recent studies now suggest a problem for menopausal women. Any woman over the age of 50 who begins to go through the menopause will lose calcium. Osteoporosis is a well-recognized problem and doctors usually advise women to take calcium supplements to retain bone density. It’s now clear the use of drugs like Nexium may be accelerating the calcium loss. When the proton pump is slowed and the amount of acid is reduced, the body also reacts by changing the volume and type of enzymes produced. This is intended to improve the digestion system but it can also affect the way in which the dissolved food is processed. The recent studies suggest the increase in some enzymes slows the rate at which calcium is absorbed. Even if you are taking a calcium supplement, you may be losing bone density.

The moral of this most recent study could not be more clear. Men do not seem to be at risk in the same way but, for women, the best possible chance of retaining bone density seems to be stopping the use of Nexium as you go through the menopause. To avoid the return of heartburn, this will involve changing your diet to reduce the amount of high-fat. But, if you retain strength and lose weight, you get a double benefit.

Tumeric – Spice Up Your Life and Prevent Cancer

admin — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:55:32 +0000

In India, the rates of heart disease, Alzheimers disease and cancer are much lower than the United States. It is thought that diet accounts for the differences. One particular yellow spice used in India is gaining a lot of attention from medical researchers.

Turmeric (curcumin) is the Asian spice that turns curry yellow. It is also added to yellow mustard to make it, well yellow. The turmeric plant is a relative of ginger and its medicinal qualities have been known for years. The German Commission E, an authoritative guide to herbal medicines, lists turmeric as effective for stomach (dyspeptic) conditions. Its actions which include increased bile flow and anti-inflammatory actions are well documented in experiments.

Turmeric prevents cystic fibrosis and Alzheimers disease in mice but some of the most impressive data involves cancer. Research at the University of Alabama demonstrated decreased production of the MDM2 cancer protein which then caused prostate cancer cells to die. More studies have demonstrated an impressive array of inhibitory effects on cancer cells at all three phases of carcinogenesis; induction, growth and metastasis (eCAM 2007;4:181). Not only can it prevent cancer formation but it also has activity to decrease cancer cell growth and prevent spread of cancer cells. The data are so impressive there are 7 clinical trials in humans studying the effect of turmeric on cystic fibrosis, chronic psoriasis, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer according to the National Institutes of Health.

So add a little exotic turmeric spice to your life and help prevent disease. Good health never tasted so good.

Alternative Cancer Treatment – Relation Between Diet And Cancer

admin — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:54:42 +0000

No area of oncology is more complex and controversial than the relationship of cancer and diet. Everyone would like to believe that there is some diet which can substantially affect the likelihood of cancer, or better still to cure it once contracted. But to date, the evidence of the effect of diet is unclear and often inconsistent.

All reputable sources agree that no diet outright cures cancer. Nor is there strong evidence to support the view that any particular diet prevents contracting it. But there are many studies that suggest that occurrence, recurrence and survivability may be affected by the foods we choose.

Though far from certain, many studies examined by researchers at Cornell University were able to correlate lower death rates – an increased five or ten year survivability, with certain dietary choices.

In one study examined (the Nurses Health Study), 1,982 women who had already developed breast cancer were followed for an average of 13 years. Over 1,200 had cancers that had not metastasized (spreading of a primary tumor to other areas producing secondary tumors of the same type). Survival rates of cancer patients whose disease has spread are known to be much lower (21% five-year survival, as contrasted to 86% for those whose cancer has not metastasized).

Some in the first group ate larger amounts of poultry and fish, containing protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They had significantly lower risk of death than women in the group who did not consume as much. Further, women who ate large amounts of hydrogenated oils had a significantly higher death rate.

Another study was carried out by the National Cancer Institute of more than 2,400 individuals. A subset, 975 women, who had contracted breast cancer consumed a low fat diet (33.3g per day) for five years. Another 1,462 consumed 51.3 g per day. The low fat group experienced a 42% reduction in recurrence.

The difficulty with all these studies is they are looking only at associations, not causation. It’s unclear from the data what is relevant. Do these dietary choices reflect only the fact that women who focus on maintaining a healthy diet are making healthier lifestyle choices overall? Or, are the foods themselves actually helpful or harmful, and to what degree?

As with many studies involving fruits and vegetables, the answer is unclear. Apart from those which contain antioxidants, any beneficial effect is simply not known with confidence. In this case, however, the evidence is strong that foods high in antioxidants do help reduce the chances of contracting breast cancer.

Free radicals in the blood stream are ionized atoms that are known to be able to harm cells. Antioxidants ‘gobble them up’ – reduce the amount by combining with the free radicals, rendering them harmless.

But fat studies are less clear. The leading theory says, since high estrogen levels are known to highly correlate with higher breast cancer risk, and fat efficiently stores estrogen, then lowering fat lowers the risk.

The flawed conclusion that is sometimes drawn however is the belief that eating fat makes you fat. But it isn’t the consumption of fat that causes higher body fat, per se. Eating more calories than are used causes the body to store the excess in fat, leading to a higher body fat percentage. And, fat contains more calories per unit weight than other foods. The route is indirect.

Despite difficult to interpret or incomplete evidence, there is one thing all experts can readily agree on: maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle are wise choices. Whether they lower the risk of contracting breast cancer or not, for the 1 in 12 women who will get it sometime in their life, being in optimal health helps combat it before, during and after.