Dec 27, 2007
Dec 26, 2007
Being fat is still unhealthy
CHICAGO (Reuters life!) - Being overweight may not kill you, but it could lead to obesity, U.S. health experts cautioned on Wednesday in response to research suggesting that being a bit heavy does not raise the risk of death.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that being overweight did not increase the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer.
It also was linked with a significantly decreased rate of death from non-cancer and non-heart related causes, such as accidents or diseases like Alzheimer's.
Experts noted that the research only looked at death rates, not overall health. It did find that obesity was associated with a significantly higher risk of death from heart disease.
"You should not take heart in the idea that if you are only overweight you are OK," said Dr. Robert Kushner, a professor of Medicine at Northwestern University who specializes in nutrition and diet.
"Given time, there is a high likelihood you will be obese because people gain weight as they age in this country," Kushner said in a telephone interview.
He said many studies have shown that as one starts gaining weight, health risks develop. "We've done very well at medicating people to keep the medical complications at bay, which allows people to live longer," he said.
The study, conducted by Katherine Flegal of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, looked at specific causes of deaths in relation to body mass index, a ratio of height and weight.
A BMI of 25 to less than 30 is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese.
The researchers found that people in the overweight category were no more likely than healthy-weight people to develop heart disease or cancer and had far fewer deaths from other causes, such as accidents or diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
"Among overweight people there were fewer deaths from those causes than expected," Flegal said in a telephone interview.
"There is some evidence that there might be something about nutritional reserves ... that makes you a better able to withstand an adverse situation," she said.
The study did find significant risks linked to obesity, including a higher risk of death from heart disease, Diabetes and kidney disease, and several cancers that have been linked with obesity, such as breast, colon and pancreatic cancer.
Flegal said the study was not intended to alter any public health recommendations. "Everybody should eat right, be active and not smoke," she said.
Dr. Louis Aronne, an obesity expert at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said it would be "dangerous as a society to assume it is OK to be overweight."
10 Food Side Effects You May Not Know
When you feel like eating something, what comes to mind first? For me it's the purely the taste. Then my inner-brain kicks in and thoughts of portion size, calories, fats, & sugars, slowly convince me to make a smart choice.
Weight gain aside, I would rarely think of any other complications or side effects the food may cause. Side effects are attributed to medications or medical procedures, but not food, right? Well, guess again. Turns out, the food we eat may also cause side effects. Some side effects are serious, some are disturbing, and some may put you into embarrassing situation.
Here is a list of 10 common side effects caused by the food we eat:
1. Body Odor. Researchers found that red meat consumption negatively influences on body odor [1].
2. Acne. Foods that are high in saturated fat and trans fatty acids increase the sebum production in the body, which in turn increases acne. Researchers suggest that there is a positive association between milk consumption and acne.
3. Allergy. Allergy is a number one foods side effect. In theory, any food can cause an allergy. But in fact there are 8 foods to blame for 90% of allergic reactions to food: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (including Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts), fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.
4. Candidiasis (Yeast infection). Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the normal yeast in the body, so foods that affect the yeast levels may contribute to a yeast infection. These foods are: sugars, vinegar, starches, refined carbohydrates, yeast and yeast containing products.
5. Heartburn and Acid Reflux. There is a relatively long list of foods that cause heartburn. Some foods cause the lower esophageal sphincter - a muscle that helps to keep stomach contents out of the esophagus - to become weaker, and some cause the stomach to produce more acid than usual. Both of these problems can increase acid reflux. Most common food triggers for heartburn are citrus fruits, fried and fatty foods, vinegar, tomatoes, chocolate.
6. High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia). Cholesterol is found mostly in animal foods. Consumption of cholesterol-rich foods can elevate blood cholesterol level, which may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol foods are: brains (beef, pork, lamb), eggs, organ meat (liver, kidneys, spleen).
7. Kidney stones. People whose diets are high in animal protein and low in fiber and fluids may be at higher risk for stones. Several studies have shown that increasing dietary calcium and restricting salt, animal protein, and foods rich in oxalate, such as rhubarb, spinach, cocoa, nuts, pepper, and tea, can help prevent calcium oxalate stones from returning [2].
8. Memory and Cognition Impairment. Among older adults whose diets are high in saturated fats and trans fats, a high intake of foods containing copper may cause a fast decline in their ability to think, learn, and remember, according to the study from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago [3]. The research studies have linked fat intake, especially that of saturated and trans fats, to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive difficulties.
9. Edema and Water Retention. Foods high in salt, sodium or sugar may cause the body to retain considerable fluids and worsen edema. The body needs a constant concentration of salt in its tissues. When excess salt is taken in, the body dilutes it by retaining fluid.
10. Migraine and Headache. Foods may trigger not only migraine but also tension type headache, which feels like tightening of a band around the head, making the whole head ache. Foods cause headaches by affecting the brain chemistry or changing the size of blood vessels. Certain foods cause headache in most vulnerable people because of their high content of the amino acids tyramine and phenyethyamine. The tyramine increases blood flow to the brain, which can lead to a headache. Common headache food triggers are aged cheese, beer, red wine, chocolate, nitrite-containing foods
Vaccines cut disease deaths by 99 percent: study
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vaccines have cut deaths from the diseases they prevent by 99 percent, U.S. government researchers reported on Tuesday.
They looked at the rates of both disease and deaths for 13 illnesses prevented by vaccines, most given in infancy and childhood, and found they have worked as intended.
"The number of cases of most vaccine-preventable diseases is at an all-time low; hospitalizations and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases have also shown striking decreases," the researchers wrote in their report, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"These achievements are largely due to reaching and maintaining high vaccine coverage levels from infancy throughout childhood by successful implementation of the infant and childhood immunization program."
Sandra Roush of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and colleagues examined the illness and death rates for 13 vaccine-preventable diseases -- diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), acute hepatitis B, hepatitis A, varicella (chickenpox), Streptococcus pneumoniae and smallpox.
Smallpox was eradicated globally in 1979 thanks to vaccination and now the immunization is not routinely given to the general public.
"Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements of biomedical science and public health," Roush and her team wrote.
The U.S. statistics showed striking reductions in both disease and death. For example, between 1936 and 1945, more than 21,000 people on average became infected with diphtheria and 1,800 died on average every year. There were no cases or deaths in 2006.
Between 1953 and 1962, more than 500,000 people caught measles every year and 440 died of it. There were 55 cases in 2006.
The decline in cases of mumps was 95.9 percent after mandatory vaccination. Tetanus cases fell by 92.9 percent, and whooping cough cases declined by 92.2 percent. Deaths from tetanus and whooping cough fell by 99 percent.
U.S. children must show they have current vaccinations to attend most schools, or parents must declare they have a recognized philosophical or religious objection to vaccination.
Some parents have expressed fears about the safety of vaccines and in some communities groups have refused vaccination. The researchers said this has been shown to endanger both those who do not get vaccinated, and people they come into contact with.
The study did not include influenza because the vaccine must be reformulated and administered every year.
How to Avoid Allergic Reactions To Food
Have you ever started sneezing when eating peanuts, getting rash on your skin or feeling your heart starting to beat faster? Statistics show that around 12 million Americans suffer from food allergy, with 6.9 million allergic to seafood and 3.3 million allergic to peanuts or tree nuts.
Food allergies occur immediately after consumption of an allergen food unlike food intolerance where it takes hours for the first symptoms to appear. The food is treated as harmful to the body, by the immune system, which defends our organism from harmful external attacks. Chemicals called histamines are released in the blood and trigger allergic symptoms which include:
* itching
* Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body
* wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
* hoarse voice
* coughing
* stomach pain
* diarrhea
* nausea or vomiting
* dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
The most severe form of food allergy is called anaphylaxis. It is a life threatening condition which is often fatal to certain people. Symptoms may include:
* itchy skin rash (hives),
* swelling of the lips and tongue,
* tightening of the throat,
* difficulty breathing and
* feeling faint.
Statistics show that more than 150 people die annually from allergy to certain types of food.
The foods that are responsible for 90 percent of food allergies are:
* Peanuts
* Tree nuts, such as walnuts and pecans
* Milk
* Eggs
* Fish
* Shellfish
* Wheat
* Soy
The best way to prevent food allergies and eat healthily is to avoid eating allergen foods and try replacing them when possible with a corresponding food with the same nutritive values. Here is a few more guidelines about things you should know and how to put them into practice.
1. Check the food labels cautiously
When buying food, read attentively the labels on the food products. All manufacturers according to the new Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Act must clearly list all the ingredients of the product including the 8 food allergens even if they are present in trace amounts. If the sticker is not very explicit avoid buying these products, even if they might be cheaper.
2. Enjoy new products manufactured just for you
Specialized industries are producing new foods such as cakes, desserts and biscuits which were not eatable by allergic persons initially. They taste nearly the same but substitutes are used for the allergen foods such as nuts and eggs. There are also organisations on the internet like food allergy that design new recipes for children and adults that suffer from food allergies.
3. Always be on your guard
The person suffering from food allergy must always carry a first aid kit containing adrenaline and antihistamine injections in case of accidental intake of the allergens.
4. Sensitize the person concerned and his environment
The child should be sensitized about his health problem and the dangers of consuming even if its a small bite of a restricted food. The earlier the sensitization starts, the better it will be because kids are more cooperative at a younger age. Siblings and friends should also be informed about the health problems so that they can be more cooperative.
5. Safe food preparation
Parents should be very cautious when preparing food. The table and utensils used need to be clean. It is recommended to cook the food of the allergic person in the first place. And while laying the table, they must wash their hands clean to prevent any accidental contact of allergens with the allergic persons.
6. Visit your doctor regularly and be patient
Food allergic persons should be patient. In certain people, the allergy disappears gradually. Visit your doctor regularly to find about the progress of your allergies instead of having strict diets everyday. One day you may be able eat like everyone without any fear of having an allergic attack.
7. Keep a diary
Keep a diary to note the foods that aggravate your food allergies and new experiences as well as changes that you notice. The help of a dietician is recommended in the beginning. Your GP can direct you to them more easily.
8. Never succumb to temptation
Being tempted to have a piece of cake can be very dangerous. Your health and life is much more worth than it. Always think about the efforts people around you are putting to create an allergic-free environment for you.
9. Use the arrangements made for you
In school, there are special programs to accommodate special diets to children suffering from life threatening food allergies.
10. Eat food you are sure is safe
Allergic persons should avoid consuming cakes that are not Homemade and should always carry some snack on them. Buying food in restaurants are risky.
Different laws are being renewed and voted to protect people suffering from allergies. From restaurant foods to dishes served in airplanes, the allergic person has the right to enquire and ensure that the food is safe for him.
Here is a site which can be helpful to you if you have kids and babies.
There have been different studies that have been carried on allergens which I'm sure can be of some help to you.
Unlocking the Benefits of Garlic
Garlic has long been touted as a health booster, but it’s never been clear why the herb might be good for you. Now new research is beginning to unlock the secrets of the odoriferous bulb.
In a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of sciences, researchers show that eating garlic appears to boost our natural supply of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is actually poisonous at high concentrations — it’s the same noxious byproduct of oil refining that smells like rotten eggs. But the body makes its own supply of the stuff, which acts as an antioxidant and transmits cellular signals that relax blood vessels and increase blood flow.
In the latest study, performed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, researchers extracted juice from supermarket garlic and added small amounts to human red blood cells. The cells immediately began emitting hydrogen sulfide, the scientists found.
The power to boost hydrogen sulfide production may help explain why a garlic-rich diet appears to protect against various cancers, including breast, prostate and colon cancer, say the study authors. Higher hydrogen sulfide might also protect the heart, according to other experts. Although garlic has not consistently been shown to lower cholesterol levels, researchers at Albert Einstein college of Medicine earlier this year found that injecting hydrogen sulfide into mice almost completely prevented the damage to heart muscle caused by a heart attack.
“People have known garlic was important and has health benefits for centuries,'’ said Dr. David W. Kraus, associate professor of environmental science and biology at the University of Alabama. “Even the Greeks would feed garlic to their athletes before they competed in the Olympic games.'’
10 Reasons Why You Must Drink Milk At Breakfast And Before Bedtime
Like almost everybody, I had a problem drinking milk. This is mostly due to the "myth" that milk is reserved only for babies and kids. Although the campaign Got Milk was often criticised as a propaganda for the Dairy Business, the fact remains that milk is very good for your health. The dietary guidelines recommend 3 cups of milk per day but the one extra cup can be obtained through milk products such as yoghurt, milk and cookies, and cheesecake..
Here are 10 reasons why milk is good for health:
Calcium and Potassium
Calcium is the building block of our bones and thus, prevents a disease common in old age known as Osteoporosis. It is also essential for other functions such as nerve transmission, muscle contraction and blood clotting.
Potassium regulates our blood pressure. It is also needed for muscle contraction.
Protein
Milk is an excellent source of protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids which are required to meet our physiological needs.
Vitamins A,B-12,D
Vitamin A helps maintain a good eyesight and smooth skin. It also controls cell growth and the proper functioning of our immune system.
Vitamin B-12 is essential for our nervous system. It is also involved in blood formation.
Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and bone formation.
Phosphorus and Riboflavin
Phosphorus and riboflavin help in the "production of energy" in the body's cell. They also help in our bone formation.
Niacin
Niacin keeps enzymes functioning normally and helps the body process sugars and fats. It is also important for the development of the nervous system.
Weight Loss
Though not as reliable as other weight loss diets, milk is linked to weight loss as attested by the following studies.
Controlled eating
Drinking a glass of milk at breakfast and before bedtime prevents unhealthy snacking and the cravings of food at night or before lunch.
Milk does not develop kidney stones
An urban legend linked to milk is that milk develops kidney stones.
At the University of Chicago, D.R. Webb showed that even calcium-sensitive patients were able to consume milk or calcium-fortified orange juice without increasing their risk of stone formation. Patients drinking 600 mg of calcium in beverage form developed no kidney stones.
Milk decreases risk of Diabetes
As the following study shows, milk may lower the risk of type 2 Diabetes in middle-aged or older women.
Milk decreases heart disease
Skim milk low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Note of Caution:
Unfortunately, milk and milk products cause an estimated 50% of the adult population's uncomfortable bloating, gas, cramping and diarrhea. Lactose intolerance can result from two things: either through a natural enzyme deficiency, which prevents the body from digesting milk sugars, or through an allergy to milk itself. The amount of lactase, the intestinal enzyme responsible for the digestion of lactose, the sugar found in milk, typically declines naturally after weaning, unless the body is genetically predisposed to produce more lactase.
A solution to the discomfort of lactose intolerance can be the consumption of dairy products pre-digested by lactase.
One additional reason for you to drink milk if you have kids, is that you as a parent, are setting an example for them. So drink a glass of milk before bedtime as from today to your health!
Lower Your Blood Pressure and (Weight) With the DASH Diet
Following the article I wrote on the Fad and Crash diets, I searched the web to find another healthy diet plan to lose weight. I came across a booklet known as Your Guide To Lower Blood Pressure With DASH. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.
The booklet, based on the DASH research findings, tells how to follow the DASH eating and reduce the amount of salt you consume. It offers tips on how to start and stay on the eating plan, as well as a week of menus and some recipes.
The DASH eating plan follows heart healthy guidelines to limit saturated fat and cholesterol. It focuses on increasing intake of foods rich in nutrients that are expected to lower blood pressure, mainly minerals (like potassium, calcium and magnesium), protein, and fiber. It includes nutrient-rich foods so that it meets other nutrients requirements as recommended by the Institute of Medicine.
The DASH plan can serve as a healthy weight loss method. Here is an extract from the new DASH ebook which shows how to use the DASH eating plan to lose weight.
The DASH eating plan can be adopted to promote weight loss. It is rich in lower-calorie foods, such as fruits and vegetables. You can make it lower in calories by replacing higher calorie foods such as sweets with fruits and vegetables.
Here are some examples:
To increase fruits –
* Eat a medium apple instead of four shortbread cookies. You’ll save 80 calories.
* Eat ¼ cup of dried apricots instead of a 2-ounce bag of pork rinds. You’ll save 230 calories.
To increase vegetables –
* Have a hamburger that’s 3 ounces of meat instead of 6 ounces. Add a ½ cup serving of carrots and a ½ cup serving of spinach. You’ll save more than 200 calories.
* Instead of 5 ounces of chicken, have a stir fry of 2 ounces of chicken and 1½ cups of raw vegetables. Use a small amount of vegetable oil. You’ll save 50 calories.
To increase fat-free or low-fat milk products –
* Have a ½ cup serving of low-fat frozen yoghurt instead of a ½ cup serving of full-fat ice cream. You’ll save about 70 calories.
And don’t forget these calorie-saving tips:
* Use fat-free or low-fat condiments.
*
* Use half as much vegetable oil, soft or liquid margarine, mayonnaise, or salad dressing, or choose available low-fat or fat-free versions.
* Eat smaller portions – cut back gradually.
* Choose fat-free or low-fat milk products.
* Check the food labels to compare fat content in packaged foods – items marked fat-free or low-fat are not always lower in calories than their regular versions.
* Limit foods with lots of added sugar, such as pies, flavoured yoghurts, candy bars, ice cream, sherbet, regular soft drinks, and fruit drinks.
* Eat fruits canned in their own juice or in water.
* Add fruits to plain fat-free or low-fat yoghurt.
* Snack on fruit, vegetable sticks, unbuttered and unsalted popcorn, or rice cakes.
* Drink water or club soda – zest it up with a wedge of lemon or lime.
The DASH plan also has a few guidelines on fitness.
Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention Tips
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Men and women can take preventative steps for avoiding Breast Cancer and staying healthy. Essentials within your control, include:
? aerobic exercise 3-4 times a week
? maintaining a positive mental attitude
? breathwork and deepening body-awareness (yoga is great)
? expressing your feelings to keep your energy flowing
? eating healthy foods and taking the "right" supplements
? avoiding toxicity.
Some things to avoid:
? Any medication containing acetaminophen. Products such as Tylenol, Sudafid, Bromo seltzer,vicodin, and many others drive down the glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is an essential antioxidant and detoxifier.
? Aspartame (not to be confused with aspertate) has been proven to cause cancer in rats. It is a common ingredients in many no-sugar products such as yogurt, ice cream, desserts and carbonated beverages. Splenda is also harmful.
? Toxins. Use toxin-free, organic products. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly with soapy water to remove chemical residues. Better yet, buy only organic products and non-GMO (non-genetically modified) foods. Read labels (Veggies and fruit will have an 9 to indicate organic and an 8 for non-GMO).
? Active computer screens should be at least 18 inches away from your body. You need to be at least 36 inches from your active television screens.
Breast Self Exams are the number one method for detecting changes in breast health. Finding any symptoms does not mean you have cancer. Early detection means your survival, and thriver rate, is very high. Very high! It also means you have a broad range of alternative and complementary treatment options. So learn the signs.
No one knows your body as well as you do. That's why it's essential to exam your breasts at the same time every month - so you can detect any changes that might occur. When you do the self-exam, you are reassuring yourself that your body is still in great condition.
There are numerous websites that now offer instruction in self-exams. One I prefer is the Komen Foundation, (www.komen.org) which offers an interactive video you can watch on your Home computer, while doing your exam.
Many women find it helpful to have a buddy to call each month to remind or be reminded to conduct the self-exam. It's never to late to begin a good habit, so invite a yoga buddy to be your breast health buddy now.
The signs to pay attention to include the following:
A lump, hard knot or thickening
Swelling, warmth
Redness or darkening
Change in size or shape
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Rash
Itching or scaling, especially on the nipple
Pulling in of your nipple or other breast areas
Sudden discharge from the nipple
New pain in one spot
Some clients have reported one or more symptoms to their medical practitioners, and been told it's "Nothing". That may be true. Often the lumps and rashes are not a sign of cancer. But they could be. Rely on your inner wisdom. It if feels "not right", then keep getting other opinions until you're satisfied with the results. Thermography, Thermal imaging, a new form of Breast Cancer detection, is highly recommended as a non-invasive method which is available at some breast care centers in the US.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Men and women can take preventative steps for avoiding Breast Cancer and staying healthy. Essentials within
In the daily fight for survival our vision is blurred because our health is compromised. This is when the enemy attacks- we lose focus and become vulnerable. We doubt our inner strength and become discouraged and depressed.
Sometimes it seems like the fates are against us. However, life's obstacles should not deter us from our personal triumphs. We must forge upward and onward to meet our goals; not necessarily our destiny.
Be vigilant; protect the spirit. Remember the enemy is sneaky and dangerous. My enemy is Breast Cancer. Who or what is your enemy? Have you identified it? If you have, ask yourself a few questions and solidify a plan of action.
Cling steadfastly to beliefs. Sometimes it becomes our sole life line; our saving grace. During the darkest hours of the storm it can become impossible to hold on. But hold on we must. We must weather the storm. It may be necessary to go outside our comfort zone. It may be time to re- examine our lives, question our beliefs, and make life changing decisions.
Establish and develop a relationship with God. It is the single most proactive choice we can make. Faith is nothing if it is not tested and tried. Stand firmly on it; focus steadily on the enemy, and never lose site of goals. Rebuke the demon daily in the name of Jesus and through it all laugh; it is therapeutic.
We handle the things that we can and stay optimistic, trusting in our hearts and in our souls that God will bring us through the storm. If we believe and have faith as tiny as a mustard seed we will be able to move mountains. Stop worrying and feeling sorry for self; fight with every fiber of the being. Desperate situations call for desperate measures.
The enemy must not take control of the mind, the intellect, and/ or the soul. Keep it at bay; pray, pray, pray. Stay optimistic and nourish the spirit regularly to keep it strong and centered.
The spirit is the core of the being- it needs sustenance. Let the spirit drink the nourishment provided by the Lord as it hungers for righteousness. Remember the spirit can grow weak but it will never die. Inner strength comes from the God within. It doesn't take an awful lot to revive the spirit. Prayer and meditation does; the Word of God fortifies the soul; they are free and always available.
Faith, prayers and the Word of God: therein lays the inner strength in the midst of our personal turmoil.
Faced with the challenge of life or death, I chose life and in doing so, I made a conscious decision to be a survivor of the dreaded disease - Breast Cancer. I let go and let God, knowing that He is well able to handle any circumstance. I put Breast Cancer behind me and God ahead of me, in the order it was meant to be, and God gave me the victory. Today I am living with the effects of Chemo and Radiation treatments but I am living cancer free.
Are Obese Women Getting Short-Changed By Chemotherapy Treatments?
How much chemotherapy does an obese woman need? Typically an obese woman with breast cancer would receive reduced doses of chemotherapy as they battle Breast Cancer.
Back in June of 2005, a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine concluded that obese women should receive chemotherapy based on their actual weight, and not in reduced as amounts as it the standard practice.
And now again a study presented in the August 2005 edition of Lancet claims that doctors should not reduce chemotherapy doses for obese women when no receptors for the hormone oestrogen have been found on the Breast Cancer cells. This type of cancer is called oestrogen-receptor negative.
Clinicians often reduce chemotherapy doses for obese patients because of worries about how the treatment may react with the patient and affect their overall health.
According to the study's director Marco Colleoni of the European Institute of Oncology, Italy, and his colleagues, reducing the first course of chemotherapy for obese patients with oestrogen-receptor negative Breast Cancer proves "detrimental".
Colleoni and his team looked at the relation between body-mass index (BMI), chemotherapy dose reduction, oestrogen receptor expression, and outcome for pre-menopausal women with Breast Cancer by examining data from four randomized trials.
They found that 97 out of 249 obese patients received less than 85% of protocol specified dose during the first course of chemotherapy compared with patients with normal and intermediate BMI.
Obese patients with oestrogen-receptor negative disease that received 85% or more of the first protocol specified dose had significantly better disease-free survival and overall survival than those who received less than 85% of the normally recommended dosage.
Yet, obese patients with oestrogen-receptor positive Breast Cancer who had reduced doses of chemotherapy did not have a significant difference in their outcome compared with those given the recommended chemotherapy doses.
And contrary to popular practice, the researchers also noticed that obese patients initially treated with protocol doses of chemotherapy did not have more toxicity than patients who received reduced doses.
Dr Marco Colleoni concluded that, "Our findings suggest that for women with ER-absent or ER-low tumours, reduction in chemotherapy dose should be avoided."
The message for obese women coping with cancer is to be aware of your risks and rights. Ask your doctor will she recommend lower doses of chemotherapy for you based on your weight and ask why.
Resources: Lancet, Archives of Internal Medicine
health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her Home in San Diego. Her works include Acne Messages: Crack the Code of Your Zits and Say Goodbye to Acne (ISBN: 0974912204) and Skinny Fat Chicks, Why We're Still Not Getting This Dieting Thing (ISBN: 0974912212). Naweko created the Noixia philosophy to help people enhance their lives by connecting with their inner-mysteries and inner-selves. Her works take often over-looked, yet viable research and transforms in into practical tools that people can use to improve their health. Get useful, but too often ignored women's health news by visiting http://www.Noixia.com, Where Beauty Means health.
A Tool for Early Breast Cancer Screening
Who isn't familiar with the expression, "early detection is the best prevention?" We hear this term throughout the year and most everyone is familiar with this "catch phrase" as it relates to Breast Cancer. Obviously, a woman's chance for survival improves when a cancer is found early. We hear that simple rhyming statement but are women really offered early detection?
Our "gold standard" for Breast Cancer screening is mammography, clinical breast exam and self-breast exam. Other techniques are used but ALL current technologies examine structure; something is formed and large enough to be seen or felt. However, it is well-documented that a mass that is detected by mammography has been growing for 8-10 years before it was detected. Is this early detection?
There exists a technology that can detect an issue YEARS before a tumor can be seen on X-ray or palpated during an exam and truly offers early detection. This technology has been approved by the FDA as an adjunctive screening tool since 1982 and offers NO RADIATION, NO COMPRESSION AND NO PAIN. For women who are searching for early Breast Cancer detection, digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) may be of interest.
Historically, DITI fell out of favor shortly after its initial debut in the early 80s. When DITI was first introduced, strict protocols and trained technicians did not exist. Shortly after its initial beginnings, DITI fell out of favor as a diagnostic tool in the medical community.
There are now very strict protocols both for testing and interpreting. Perhaps due to these guidelines, thermography (as with all digital technology) has exploded in its technique and capabilities. Thermal cameras detect heat emitted from the body and display it as a picture on a computer monitor. These images are unique to the person and remain stable over time. It is because of these characteristics that thermal imaging is a valuable and effective screening tool. Tumors or other breast diseases measures warmer than surrounding tissue and can thereby alert a physician to a problem before a tumor is actually palpable.
Medical doctors who interpret the breast scans are board certified thermologists. Thermography is not limited by breast density and is ideal for women who have had cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, women who refuse mammography, or women who want clinical correlation for an already existing issue. Thermography, because it analyzes a developing process, may identify a problem several years before mammography. As we all know, early detection is important to survival.
DITI has an average sensitivity and specificity of 90%. An abnormal thermogram carries a 10x greater risk for cancer. A persistent abnormal thermogram carries a 22x greater risk for cancer. Thermography, as well as mammography is a personal choice for women. This decision ideally should be made in collaboration between you and your physician. However, thermography does not require a physician's order.
Early Breast Cancer Detection
Most women are familiar with mammography as our "gold standard" for Breast Cancer screening. However, there are additional tools available that women can add to their arsenal.
One of the most effective tools in breast cancer screening is breast self-exam (BSE). However, BSE works best when women are appropriately trained in the procedure, and then followed-up with annual clinical breast exams (CBE) from their physicians. In a 2000 University of Toronto study, approximately 20,000 women were screened for breast cancer with BSE and annual CBE, and 20,000 were screened with BSE and mammograms. After more than 10 years, the BSE and annual CBE reported 610 cases of invasive breast cancer, and 105 deaths. In the BSE and mammogram group, there were 622 cases of invasive breast cancer and 107 deaths. Without question, the first line of defense against Breast Cancer begins with diligent BSE.
Other tools that are available to women include the AMAS (anti-malignan antibody screen) test and the NMP Nuclear matrix protein) test. Both these are blood tests that measure a certain protein in the blood that may indicate cancer. The AMAS test has been around for several years while the NMP test has not been available until only recently. Clinical trials continue in this area.
One additional tool that may detect an issue early is digital infrared thermal imaging or DITI. In 1982, the FDA approved thermography as an adjunctive tool for Breast Cancer screening. DITI measures heat emitted from the body and is accurate to 1/100th of a degree. DITI examines physiology, NOT structure. It is in this capacity that DITI can monitor breast health over time and alert a patient or physician to a developing problem; possibly before a lump can be seen on X-ray or palpated clinically. There are no test limitations such as breast density. DITI is a non-invasive test that does not emit radiation.
The unique characteristics of cancer allow DITI to detect Breast Cancer at an earlier stage of growth. As cancer is developing, it builds its own blood supply which is then reflected as increased heat in that particular region of the breast. DITI has a specificity of 83%; which reflects a problem in its early stages of development not late-stage cancer as in mammography. An abnormal thermogram carries a 10-times greater risk for cancer and a persistently abnormal thermogram carries a 22-times greater risk for cancer.
Clinical research studies continue to support thermography's role as an adjunctive tool in breast cancer screening and the ONLY tool that measures breast health over time. There are now more than 800 publications on over 300,000 women in clinical trials. A recent finding published in the American Journal of Radiology in 2003 showed that thermography has 99% sensitivity in identifying Breast Cancer with single examinations and limited views. Scientists concluded that a negative thermogram is powerful evidence that cancer is not present.
Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.
Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive health Solutions in Southern California. She is an American college of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area.
Screening For Breast Cancer With No Compression And No Radiation
Who would have thought that a technology for detecting Breast Cancer used today actually had its' roots dating back to 480 B.C.? Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) is a fairly new technology that represents a practice that was once used by Hippocrates. This technology is based on a technique that Hippocrates would use as he spread mud over his patients and then watched to see which areas dried first. It was in those places on the body that could show a disease.
It wasn't until 1957 that the first modern application of thermography came into existence when a Canadian doctor discovered that the skin temperature over a breast tumor was higher than that of healthy tissue. By 1982, the Food and Drug Administration approved thermography and classified it as an additional diagnostic tool for the detection of Breast Cancer. However, DITI was introduced as a diagnostic tool before strict protocols were established for both the technicians who performed the scans and the doctors who interpreted the scans. Shortly after its initial beginnings, DITI fell out of favor as a diagnostic tool in the medical community.
There are now stringent protocols both for testing and interpreting. Perhaps due to these guidelines, thermography (as with all digital technology) has exploded in its technique and capabilities. Thermal cameras detect heat given off by the body and display it as a picture on a computer monitor. These images are unique to the person and they remain stable over time. It is because of these characteristics that thermal imaging is a valuable and effective screening tool to determine changes that could point to trouble down the road. As we all know, early cancer detection is important to survival.
Another advantage is that, unlike mammography, there is no radiation and no compression of the breast; two significant reasons some women refuse mammography. Thermography measures temperature changes in the body. Tumors create their own blood vessels. Where there are more blood vessels, there is more heat. It is in these areas on the body that the camera detects changes in heat or temperature.
Medical doctors who interpret the breast scans are board certified thermologists.
Thermography can be utilized by women of all ages. It is not limited by breast density and is ideal for women who have had cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. Cancer typically has a 15 year life span from onset to death. Ideally, women should begin thermographic screenings by age 25. A woman diagnosed with Breast Cancer at age 40 possibly had the cancer as early as age 30. Since most women do not have a mammogram until age 40, there is a critical time period from age 25 to 39 that thermography could be extremely beneficial.
Thermography does not replace mammography. However, it is an additional tool that is available to women. By combining both technologies, the detection rate increases to 95-98%, surpassing either technology as a stand-alone therapy.
Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.
Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive health Solutions in Southern California. She is an American college of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area.
Lets Start Screening For Breast Health
In the United States, American women are told to begin annual mammographic screening for breast cancer at the age of 40. Long before we've reached this age, we are advised to perform a monthly breast exam and see our doctors for a clinical breast exam (CBE) annually as well. However, the detection rate of Breast Cancer for CBE is only 47% when the tumors are less than 1 centimeter while mammography has given us a 70% detection rate. By the time a tumor is detected by palpation or found mammographically, it has already been growing and developing for 8-10 years.
Mammography has a high false positive rate. Only 1:6 biopsies are found to be positive for cancer when performed due to a positive mammogram or CBE. This places additional stressors on women who undergo these procedures.
Other risks of mammography include the radiation that each breast is exposed to during a mammogram. During a chest X-ray, a person receives 1/1000 of a RAD, or radiation absorbed dose. This type of X-ray is a high energy X-ray. During a mammogram, however, the X-ray used is a low energy X-ray and results in 1 RAD or a 1000-fold greater exposure than a simple chest X-ray. It has been suggested that the low energy X-ray used may cause greater biological damage which is cumulative over time. In a journal entitled Radiation Research and published in 2004, the author concludes that the risks associated with mammography screening may be FIVE times higher than previously assumed and the risk-benefit relationship of mammography exposures need to be re-examined.
In 1982, the FDA approved thermography as an adjunctive tool for Breast Cancer screening. Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging, also known as DITI measures heat emitted from the body and is accurate to 1/100th of a degree. Certified Clinical Thermographers follow strict guidelines and transmit their scans for interpretation by board certified thermologists. DITI examines physiology, NOT structure. It is in this capacity that DITI can monitor breast health over time and alert a patient or physician to a developing problem; possibly before a lump can be seen on X-ray or palpated clinically. There are no test limitations such as breast density. Women with cosmetic implants are great candidates for thermography which emits no radiation and no compression. Contact is never made during a thermographic scan.
Clinical research studies continue to support thermography's role as an adjunctive tool in breast cancer screening and the ONLY tool that measures breast health. There are now more than 800 publications on over 300,000 women in clinical trials. A recent finding published in the American Journal of Radiology in 2003 showed that thermography has 99% sensitivity in identifying Breast Cancer with single examinations and limited views. Scientists concluded that a negative thermogram is powerful evidence that cancer is not present.
In conclusion, women need to begin breast health screening early; as young as age 25. This can provide women with the earliest possible indication that further investigation is necessary. It takes approximately 15 years for a Breast Cancer to form and lead to death. If "early detection is the best prevention," let's start using technology that truly allows for the earliest possible alert to a developing problem.
Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.
Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive health Solutions in Southern California. She is an American college of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area.
Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging In Medical Therapy
Digital technology now makes Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging available to all. There now is a completely safe test that can aid in diagnosis, treatment and monitoring with absolutely no risk or radiation exposure.
DITI, or digital infrared thermal imaging, is a noninvasive diagnostic test that allows a health practitioner to see and measure changes in skin surface temperature. An infrared scanning camera translates infrared radiation emitted from the skin surface and records them on a color monitor. This visual image graphically maps the body temperature and is referred to as a thermogram. The spectrum of colors indicates an increase or decrease in the amount of infrared radiation being emitted from the body surface. In healthy people, there is a symmetrical skin pattern which is consistent and reproducible for any individual.
DITI is highly sensitive and can therefore be used clinically to detect disease in the vascular, muscular, neural and skeletal systems. Medical DITI has been used extensively in human Medicine in the United States, Europe and Asia for the past 20 years. Until now, bulky equipment has hindered its diagnostic and economic feasibility. Now, PC-based infrared technology designed specifically for clinical application has changed all this.
Clinical uses for DITI include, defining the extent of a lesion of which a diagnosis has previously been made (for example, vascular disease); localizing an abnormal area not previously identified, so further diagnostic tests can be performed (as in Irritable Bowel Syndrome); detecting early lesions before they are clinically evident (as in Breast Cancer or other breast diseases); and monitoring the healing process before a patient returns to work or training (as in workman's compensation claims).
Medical DITI is filling the gap in clinical diagnosis; X-ray, Computed Tomography, Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), are tests of anatomy or structure. DITI is unique in its capability to show physiological or functional changes and metabolic processes. It has also proven to be a very useful complementary procedure to other diagnostic procedures.
Unlike most diagnostic modalities DITI is non invasive. It is a very sensitive and reliable means of graphically mapping and displaying skin surface temperature. With DITI you can diagnosis, evaluate, monitor and document a large number of injuries and conditions, including soft tissue injuries and sensory/autonomic nerve fiber dysfunction. Medical DITI can offer considerable financial savings by avoiding the need for more expensive investigation for many patients. Medical DITI can graphically display the biased feeling of pain by accurately displaying the changes in skin surface temperature. Disease states commonly associated with pain include Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or RSD, Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid arthritis.
Medical DITI can show a combined effect of the autonomic nervous system and the vascular system, down to capillary dysfunctions. The effects of these changes reveal an asymmetry in temperature distribution on the surface of the body. DITI is a monitor of thermal abnormalities present in a number of diseases and physical injuries. It is used as an aid for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as therapy follow up and rehabilitation monitoring, within clinical fields that include rheumatology, neurology, physiotherapy, sports Medicine, oncology, pediatrics, orthopedics and many others.
Results obtained with medical DITI systems are totally objective and show excellent correlation with other diagnostic tests.
Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.
Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive health Solutions in Southern California. She is an American college of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area.
Early Detection And Breast Cancer
It is generally accepted that by the time a cancer is found by mammography or palpated during a clinical breast exam, the cancer has been growing for 8-10 years. What if we could have been alerted to the problem as it was developing, rather than wait till it is large enough to be seen by the naked eye? Would that be of interest to you?
There exists a technology that can detect an issue YEARS before a tumor can be seen on X-ray or palpated during an exam. This technology has been approved by the FDA as an adjunctive screening tool since 1982 and offers NO RADIATION, NO COMPRESSION AND NO PAIN. For women who are refusing to have a mammogram or those who want clinical correlation for an existing problem, digital infrared thermal imaging may be of interest.
There are very strict protocols both for testing and interpreting. Perhaps due to these guidelines, thermography (as with all digital technology) has exploded in its technique and capabilities. Thermal cameras detect heat emitted from the body and display it as a picture on a computer monitor. These images are unique to the person and remain stable over time. It is because of these characteristics that thermal imaging is a valuable and effective screening tool. Tumors or other breast diseases measures warmer than surrounding tissue and can thereby alert a physician to a problem before a tumor is actually palpable.
Medical doctors who interpret the breast scans are board certified thermologists. Thermography is not limited by breast density and is ideal for women who have had cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. Thermography, because it analyzes a developing process, may identify a problem several years before mammography. DITI may allow women time and opportunity to support their immune system, change their lifestyle and give their body the best chance to alter their fate.
DITI has an average sensitivity and specificity of 90%. An abnormal thermogram carries a 10x greater risk for cancer. A persistently abnormal thermogram carries a 22x greater risk for cancer. Thermography, as well as mammography is a personal choice for women. This decision ideally should be made in collaboration between you and your physician. However, thermography does not require a physician's order.
Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.
Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive health Solutions in Southern California. She is an American college of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area.
My First Thermographic Experience
I had been a bit nervous all day wondering what my thermogram procedure would entail. Would I need to undress completely? Would I be given one of those paper gowns that opens in the front and barely covers me? Would there be any heat coming out of the camera? I had been avoiding a mammogram after reading the latest information about the risks associated with X-ray; knowing that I was potentially putting myself at greater risk by not taking charge of my health. It was my massage therapist who told me about thermography as an adjunctive tool for Breast Cancer screening and now I find myself lost in my thoughts as I am driving to my thermographic appointment.
As I entered the lobby, I noticed that the temperature was cool and refreshing. The paintings on the wall were bright and cheerful with many colors that caught my eye. I felt at ease right away.
I was quickly greeted by the thermographer. She guided me to her office and there I felt all the tension melt away. She showed me around the office explaining the need for a cool temperature and allowing me to browse her collection of literature, leaflets, handouts and brochures. It smelled like my grandmother's garden in the spring. Just a hint of orange blossom, honeysuckle, green apple all mixed with a light touch of rain forest greeted my nose. The plants were lush and healthy and soft music was playing in the background. The lights were dim and I could almost imagine myself back in grandma's Arizona room.
The thermographer asked if I had any questions and of course I said no, trying to show her that I was calm, relaxed and not a bit nervous. She smiled knowingly and asked me to please step behind the room divider and change into a robe she set out for me. The robes were soft cotton and tied in the front. She then asked that I fill out the paperwork. She explained that I would need to do my best to keep my arms away from the side of my body so I could cool down and she could get a more accurate image. She then read over my information and asked me questions about my health in general and specifically breast health. All the while, I was grateful for the full coverage of the cool, cotton robe and remembered to keep my arms away from my body.
Next, I moved to the scanning area where I was shown the six different positions required for the scan. She then asked me to sit on the stool and turn my back to her. At this point, she asked me to drop my gown. I was told to keep my hands on my waist while she took my thermal picture. I learned that it usually takes 12-15 minutes for the temperature of my skin to come to equilibrium with the temperature of the room. Once my temperature stabilized, the scanning began. During the scan, she asked that I raise my hands above my head and remain still; allowing me to rest my hands back on my waist between the different poses. The camera did not emit any heat and never touched my body. The total scan time was about 5 minutes.
Once we were done, I changed back into my clothes and thanked the technician for a soothing and comforting experience. Before I left the office, I picked up a few of the breast health brochures to share with my family, friends and colleagues.
Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.
Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive health Solutions in Southern California. She is an American college of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area.
New Advances In Early Breast Cancer Detection
In November 2003, the American Cancer Society stated that breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 44. In the United States, there are approximately 200,000 new cases of breast cancer and more than 40,000 deaths; making the U.S. one of the countries with the highest death rate due to breast cancer. Perhaps the most alarming statistic is 1: 8 women will eventually develop Breast Cancer over their lifetime.
One of the most powerful steps a woman can take to reduce her risk for developing Breast Cancer is to educate herself about the petrochemicals, or xenoestrogens that are in her environment and work to eliminate or reduce them. Petrochemicals are "hormone disruptors" and it is through the unbalancing of your hormone system that can lead to problems. These xenoestrogens are found in cosmetics, lotions and fingernail polish and polish remover. They are obviously found in pesticides and insecticides. What you may not be aware of is that petrochemicals are found in plastics. If food is placed in a plastic container and reheated in the microwave, the plastic melts into your food and you ingest it. The harder the plastic, the more resistant it is to this process but the potential for accidental xenoestrogen ingestion is still present. Simply put, do not reheat food in plastic containers in the microwave.
Conventional screening methods all examine structure. For example, mammography uses X-ray to examine breast tissue. Any structure that has grown large enough to be seen by X-ray could be detected by mammography. However, mammography can have a high false positive rate. In fact, only 1 in 6 biopsies are found to be positive for cancer when found by mammography or clinical breast exam. This leads to increased psychological stress, physical trauma and financial concerns.
Other risks of mammography include the radiation exposure, although this has been debated by doctors for many years. Recently published in Radiation Research, 2004 the author suggests that the risks associated with mammography screening may be FIVE times higher than previously assumed and the risk-benefit relationship of mammography needs to be re-examined.
There exists a technology that can detect a breast issue YEARS before a tumor can be seen on X-ray or palpated during an exam. This technology has been approved by the FDA as an adjunctive screening tool since 1982 and offers NO RADIATION, NO COMPRESSION AND NO PAIN. For women who are refusing to have a mammogram or those who want clinical correlation for an existing problem, digital infrared thermal imaging may be of interest.
Thermal cameras detect heat emitted from the body and display it as a picture on a computer monitor. These images are unique to the person and remain stable over time. It is because of these characteristics that thermal imaging is a valuable and effective screening tool.
Breast thermography has undergone extensive research since the 1950s. There are over 800 peer-reviewed studies on breast thermography with more than 300,000 women included in large clinical trials. An abnormal thermogram is 10 times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than a first order family history of the disease. A persistently abnormal thermogram carries a 22-fold higher risk of future Breast Cancer.
Medical doctors who interpret the breast scans are board certified and endure an additional two years of training to qualify as a thermologist. Thermography is not limited by breast density and is ideal for women who have had cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. It is recommended that since cancer typically has a 15 year life span from onset to death, that women begin thermographic screenings at age 25.
Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.
Health tip: Try eating vegetarian sometimes
Every Friday is health Tip Day.
The simple act of replacing meat with something healthier, like soy protein, can make a big difference to our health. Doing this on a regular basis, perhaps once a week or more, can add up to a lot in the long run. Meat is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and it’s much better for your body if you can avoid it. I became a vegan last year, and I’ve never eaten healthier. You don’t need to become vegan (although I highly recommend it!) to eat healthier, but trying vegan or vegetarian dishes now and then can be a good and healthy experience.
I suggest trying out an easy-to-make vegetarian dish at first, something simple yet delicious. There are some good soy protein replacements out there, for ground beef, chicken, sausages and more. Like spaghetti? Try using the soy ground round instead of ground beef.
To get you started, I’ll give you one of my favorite, yet easiest to make, vegan recipes. This is my original recipe, so if you like it, you are obliged to close your eyes, and savor the deliciousness.
Zen Habits Three Bean Vegan Chili
1 package Morning Star Meal Starters (or any ground beef replacement)
one 14.5-oz. can each: black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans
one 14.5-oz. can corn
one 29-oz. can each: stewed tomatoes & tomato sauce
half a yellow onion, diced
half a green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced
2-4 cloves garlic, diced (depending on how much you like garlic)
black pepper, salt, chili powder to taste
olive oil
Dec 25, 2007
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