Well Cooked Meat Can Raise Cancer Risk By Up T0 500%

As we are probably in the last few weeks of the barbecue season I hope this warning doesn’t come too late. If your answer to the question ‘how do you like your steak?’ is to say ‘extremely well done’ then for your health’s sake you might want to turn down the heat a little. The link between charring meat by frying, barbecuing or otherwise heavily cooking it and cancer has been made before but a new study from the University of Texas has just confirmed it.

Researchers there have found that people who eat well-done meat double their risk of developing bladder cancer when compared to people who eat meat on the rarer end of the spectrum. The reason? This type of cooking can lead to the formation of cancer-causing chemicals in the meat, due primarily to the heterocyclic amines (HCAs) that form when meat is cooked at very high heat.

There are three different HCA chemicals formed during high-heat cooking that, collectively, raise your cancer risk by more than 250 percent. And that astonishing figure is just for the average person; if you are already genetically predisposed to developing cancer then the risk is nearly doubled to almost 500 percent.

As I said, the link between cancer and very well cooked meat has already been made and the U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified a total of 17 different HCAs. Prior research has already established that these chemicals, which are produced when meat is charred, increase pancreatic cancer risk but now it appears that they contribute to bladder cancer as well.

The good news is that the study team made very clear in its report that meat itself is not necessarily the culprit in increasing cancer risk, but rather the intense cooking methods by which it is prepared. If you are patting yourself on the back because you don’t eat red meat I regret to inform you that chicken, pork and even fish cooked heavily may also form cancer-causing HCAs. This is a blow to me as one of my favourite meals is to marinade and then dry fry salmon steaks in a redhot nonstick pan until the surface is crispy — ah well, another favourite food hits ‘the occasional treats’ list!

So if you are addicted to the barbecue or grill then the best advice is to keep meat away from direct flames as this will help to reduce the development of HCAs and lower the risk of developing cancer.

Walking For Health – and Holidays!

As my regular readers know, I am all in favour of exercise provided it is enjoyable! So although you will never find me working out in a gym I do appreciate walking in a number of environments. The health benefits of walking are well-known and indeed I couldn’t put it better than this quote: “Walking is by far the best prescription for the 21st century”, says Professor Sir Muir Gray, Chief Knowledge Officer of the NHS and Director of the National Campaign for Walking.

New statistics released by online service NHS MidLifeCheck reveal that 49 is the age when men are most likely to start taking stock of their diet and lifestyle and the results certainly indicate that as well is taking stock they need to take immediate action as these statistics show:..

• 63% of men are overweight with 21% considered to be obese.

• 31% did just 0-30 minutes of brisk physical activity in the previous week.

• 29% admit their emotional (mental) wellbeing is poor, with varying combinations of depression, high stress levels and pessimism.

• The average man is over 2 stone overweight and carries around a whopping 37-inch waist.

Just in case you’re feeling smug ladies it seems that we also need to be paying more attention to our health as a recent piece of research in Occupational and Environmental Medicine suggests that heart disease amongst women is also rising and walking is an excellent cardiovascular workout which in turn, burns fat.. Walking of course has far more benefits than just helping us lose weight and lower blood pressure because if performed in green, open spaces – rather than on a treadmill at the gym — it is clinically known to reduce stress, alleviate muscle tension and significantly improve mood and self-esteem.

If you want to combine those benefits with a holiday that takes place in a peaceful environment with stunning scenery then you might want to investigate Upland Escapes who offer several different locations (including France, Italy, Austria and Gran Canaria) to give the you exactly that. They are an award-winning company (Best in a Mountain Environment – Winner – Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009) whose stated aim is to help you rejuvenate body and mind by offering walks to make your soul sing and who wouldn’t want that!

On an Upland Escapes walking holiday, there are no fixed itineraries and no timetables, so you can design your own day and go at the pace that suits you best. In each Upland destination there are a variety of activities on offer, such as horse-back riding, mountain biking and canoeing, which provide variety for those seeking more physical exercise and are ideal for families. Another bonus — at least for me — is the fact that they also provides nutritious and delicious deli-style packed lunches, full of healthy, organic local ingredients, chosen to compliment the season, so that your goal to eat more healthily can be worked towards, even on holiday.

If you can’t spare a week – or don’t fancy putting yourself at the mercy of the airlines — then they also offer one day walking experiences in England. For more information visit www.uplandescapes.com or call 01367 851 111

The Toothbrush That Doesn’t Need Toothpaste – or Water!

Wanting to brush your teeth after every meal and being in a position to do so are not always the same thing. If you are one of those people who manages to carry both toothbrush and toothpaste with them you are more organised than I am so I was intrigued when I came across a toothbrush that cleans teeth without the aid of paste or even water.

The publicity for the hyG toothbrush recommends it for those going camping or to festivals – two areas where you are very unlikely to find me – but I do appreciate the benefit of being able to brush not just after a meal but to erase the traces of that mid-morning coffee and almond croissant.

It works by breaking the strong attraction that exists between teeth and plaque. It does this by reversing the polarity of teeth from negative to positive and since plaque is positively charged it is repelled from the teeth and onto the negatively charged hyG toothbrush.

So how does it do that is exactly? Apparently, all you need to do is wet your thumb and make sure it is in contact with the metal plate on the toothbrush’s handle to create the necessary electronic charge. Even when used without toothpaste or water, the hyG toothbrush has been shown to be up to 48% more effective at removing plaque than normal brushing – which puts its certainly ahead on most daily routines. I have tried it out myself on a recent trip and given that it is considerably lighter than my electric toothbrush — and needs no recharging — it was certainly just as effective and a plus on the packing side.

If you want to get one for yourself you should be able to find one in your local Waitrose store, health food shops, or your dentists. It is also available online from www.pharmacy2U.co.uk

Vitamin C Supplementation Helps Slow Growth of Cancer Cells

If there are two people who got a wholly unjustified bad press from the medical profession then for my money Linus Pauling runs Dr John Lee a close second. Over fifty years ago Linus Pauling began his pioneering research into how vitamin C impacts health and his findings have been debated and challenged ever since. Pauling, who died in 1994, was an American chemist, peace activist, author, and educator and winner of two Nobel prizes. He was also one of the most influential figures in putting nutrition and supplementation to the forefront of the health debate.

He was revered in his lifetime by those who saw the benefits of his work on vitamin C, although he was always controversial. His best known quote on cancer research for example certainly made him plenty of enemies when he said “Everyone should know that most cancer research is largely a fraud, and that the major cancer research organizations are derelict in their duties to the people who support them.” Now, almost 25 years after his death, a new study not only confirms his contention that vitamin C has remarkable healing and protective benefits but has discovered how vitamin C may slow down the growth of cancer cells. Margreet Vissers is associate professor at the University of Otago’s Free Radical Research Group in New Zealand and the results of the study she headed has just been published in the journal Cancer Research. The problem with vitamin C, as with so many other ‘alternative’ treatments is that despite the many anecdotal accounts claiming vitamin C can help in both the prevention and treatment of cancer it has not been clinically proved to the medical establishments satisfaction.

In earlier studies conducted by Dr. Vissers, she demonstrated the vitamin’s importance in keeping cells healthy and results indicated that vitamin C might be able to limit diseases such as cancer as that involve cells that have unregulated growth.

Her research team decided to investigate whether vitamin C levels were lower in patients with endometrial tumors and also looked to see whether these low vitamin C levels correlated with the aggressiveness of a malignancy and the resistance of a tumor to medical therapy.

The results were impressive. Tumors were less able to accumulate vitamin C when compared with normal healthy tissue and a lack of vitamin C allowed tumors to survive and grow more easily. Tumors with low vitamin C levels were found to contain more of a protein dubbed HIF-1 which helps cancer thrive and spread, even under conditions of stress. The findings are important because they provide evidence for the first time of a relationship between HIF-1 and levels of vitamin C levels in cancerous tumours.

What is even more important, in my view, is this completely vindicates Linus Pauling as the research shows that treating cancer patients with adequate amounts of vitamin C might well reduce HIF-1, help limit the rate of tumor growth and increase the responsiveness to tumors to therapy. Dr. Vissers went even further in stating her belief that Vitamin C might even prevent the formation of solid tumors in the first place, and that is the best argument I know for ensuring adequate amounts in your diet and personally I supplement daily for its protective role in heart disease, as well as possible cancer prevention.

How To Reduce Winter Flu by 50%

Given that we seem at the moment, and perhaps for the foreseeable future, to be experiencing any combination of the four seasons in one day I thought it would be useful to give you a heads up on avoiding Winter flu the natural way. Before you head off to the doctor for your antique flu jab you might like to know that recent research has proven that a vitamin D supplement is more effective at reducing the risk of flu infection than vaccines or antiviral drugs.

The study was conducted by researchers from Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition based on a double-blind, randomized study on 354 children between the ages of six and 15 during the winter of 2008-2009. Half the children were assigned to take a daily supplement of 1,200 IU of vitamin D, while the other half were given a placebo pill.

After one month, influenza infection rates in the two groups remained the same, but by the second month those who had been given vitamin D were 50 percent less likely to become infected than participants in the control group and this drop in infection rate corresponded with an increase in their vitamin D blood levels.

In contrast, antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir and zanamivir reduced rates of infection by only 8 percent. Even vaccines had success rates significantly lower than the 50 percent achieved by vitamin D.

When the analysis excluded children who were being given vitamin D supplements at home, the results were even better and supplementation was found to reduce the risk of infection by a staggering 67 percent.

Because vitamin D is an essential nutrient, it normally has no side-effects if taken in normal doses but at very high doses can raise calcium levels in the blood.  Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which plays an important role in having a well-regulated immune system, and an overall lower risk of infection, heart disease, cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Before supplementing you should check with your doctor if you are taking any over-the-counter items such as magnesium-containing antacids or mineral oil or prescription medication particularly barbiturates, digoxin, phenytoin, verapamil D. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

The best way to get good Vitamin D levels is to have safe and limited exposure to the sun as that is how it is naturally synthesized by the body. Using very high factor sunscreen and more limited sunlight in winter can play a part in the majority of people in the UK being deficient so if you want to add extra, without supplements, then oily fish and eggs are two of the best sources. Personally, I also always start taking Echinacea tincture in September in order to boost my immune system in preparation for the winter.

How The Mind Can Heal

We are all familiar with the phrase “mind over matter” but how much do we really believe it? I am certainly a great believer in the power of the mind to help us accomplish many things and healing is certainly one of them. Now a new study published in the journal Diabetologia has found that your mental state affects your ability to heal from an illness that this is certainly not a new concept and is much used particularly in the area of cancer treatment at places like the Bristol clinic.

This particular study by Professor Kavita Vedhara, a professor at the University of Nottingham’s Institute of Work, Health and Organizations, focused on people with diabetes. With this condition it is quite common to develop foot or leg ulcers, (roughly 15 percent of diabetes patients), and many of them experience a much lower quality of life than other patients because they end up falling into depression and this can stall proper healing. Using this as the base, the study evaluated diabetes patients on all levels of the depression spectrum and found that those with the worst depression were the least likely to heal quickly from their foot ulcers.

Throughout the 24-week monitoring period of the study, patients who took a “confrontational” approach — meaning they desired to take control of the treatment and healing of their ulcers — were less likely than others to have a healed ulcer by the end of the treatment period. The research concluded that individuals with confrontational coping may experience distress and frustration because their attempts to take control do not result in rapid improvements.

I am not sure I agree that desiring to take control of your treatment is confrontational unless that leads directly to depression, but I am certain that having a positive outlook will help healing. We already know from previous research that having a positive outlook on life can increase longevity by 7 1/2 years so it makes perfect sense that approaching illness in the same manner will also impact it.

In this particular area meditation and stress management are the keys to success, even finding some time in the day to sit and relax and listen to music that soothes you be in a positive frame of mind will all help. If you are looking for music that is particularly useful, then I can recommend music used at the Bristol Cancer clinic, and other places, to relax patients and their relatives. Initially performing only in hospices the group was invited to participate in a research project at the Bristol Cancer Help Centre and the results quantify scientifically the remarkable effect of Sulis’ music on the listener.If you visit www.sulismusic.com you can listen to sample tracks and I can particularly recommend the lullaby from the Chameleon album.

Revolutionary Improvement in Stability for All Walking Devices

Of course when I say all walking devices I am excluding legs, but this British invention is a great boon to everything else you might use to help you from zimmer frames to shower stoolls and Nordic Walking Poles. Flexyfoot promises to do for them, and crutches and walking sticks, what Dyson has done for the vacuum cleaner, but sadly without the eliminating of the dust bunnies.

If you have ever used any of these devices you will know that they can have two disadvantages: impact as they strike the floor and a tendency slip on some surfaces. Flexyfoot is designed to replace the old fashioned ferrule (or rubber tip) on these aids as it claims to give 50 per cent more grip on floors and ground surfaces than ferrules, particularly on wet areas, and eases the significant aches and pains associated with constant stress and impact on joints.

If you like to know how it works then Flexyfoot uses suspension technology to provide improved grip and shock absorbency. When the user leans on their aid, small bellows pivot to maximise the surface area of the foot with the ground. This dramatically improves friction and reduces slippage. At the same time the air in the bellows is progressively pressurised to absorb impact and shock that would otherwise be transferred to the user.

Another important feature is its patented air-sprung technology, which means that it bends and can rotate 360 degrees independently, enabling the user to twist and turn to reduce the stress applied to arm and shoulder joints.

The designer, David Goodwin, was motivated to create this because he has a sister with MS, and his 95 year old mother complained to him about the difficulties and discomfort of using their walking sticks, particularly that the rubber feet wore down much too quickly and were difficult to change. Developed over three years, it has been trialled via a pioneering orthopaedic surgery unit and tested to destruction and is designed to perform perfectly at temperatures of -25 degrees Celsius should you happen to live north of the border, or in Scandinavia.

It is simple to fit, even for weaker hands, and has a non-marking, easy-to-clean tread designed to eliminate stones and mud, meaning less mess inside. And when they do finally wear down, replacement feet are screwed on in seconds.

If this sounds like something that would help you, or someone you know, Flexyfoot is available from www.flexyfoot.com, freefone 0800 0285 888 and selected retailers, chemists and mobility shops. It’s not expensive either as the recommended retail price is £12.99, which is a small price to pay such a big improvement in safety and comfort.

Treatment for Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection, more commonly referred to as a bladder infection or UTI, is a very painful condition in which bacteria enters through the urethra and into the bladder and causes several symptoms including but not limited to frequent urge to urinate, pain during urination, and bloody urine. If left untreated, a bladder infection can turn into a kidney infection, which is a much more serious condition that can result in permanent damage and/or kidney failure and even death.

When being treated with certain medications, the symptoms of urinary tract infections usually clear up in a few days; however, you may need to continue using medications for a week or longer, depending on how you respond to the medication. In additiion, your doctor may prescribe a pain medication that will help when there is pain with urination. One common side effect of urinary tract analgesics is discolored urine ” bright blue or orange.

If you catch your UTI at the very first sign of symptoms (painful urinating, constant urge to urinate, lower abdominal pain) you may be able to flush out the bacteria with plain water. Drink plenty of water and it will dilute and flush out the toxins. Another natural remedy to try at the first signs of a UTI is baking soda. Mix 1/2 teaspoon in an eight ounce glass of water and drink. The baking soda will raise the acid balance in your urine.

The symptoms of a urinary tract infection are: a strong urge to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, blood or bacteria in the urine, a strong odor from the urine, unable to pass large amounts of urine. What causes a urinary tract infection? There are many factors that can bring on a urinary infection. Such factors and causes of a urinary tract infection are the following: being a female, being sexually active, age, birth control medication, diabetes, and reoccurring tract infections.

Another common treatment for uti is drinking lots of water. You should always drink lots of water when you have a uti, but if caught during the early stages, drinking lots of water to flush out the bacteria can cure the problem altogether.

If you suffer from a chronic UTI then you should consider going to a pharmacy or retail store and purchasing URIZOL. URIZOL is an over the counter medication that is used to treat this infection. The medication is an all natural remedy for the infection. It eases abdominal pressure, stops burning during urination, and reduces the urge to constantly have to urinate. URIZOL works as a type of diuretic due to the fact that it contains asparagus. Asparagus works to clean out the urinary system so that patients do not feel such a strong urge to urinate. It also contains cranberry which contains antioxidants that work to cleanse the body. The mediation also contains Echinacea, Buchu, Juniper, and Marshmallow mucilage. These ingredients work to reduce urinary irritation, fight infection, and cleanse the urinary tract system. With about a weeks worth of usage, the patient can reduce the symptoms of chronic UTI.

Learn more about Urinary Tract Infections and the Causes. Stop by our site where you can find out all about How to Treat UTI – Natural Remedy vs. Antibiotics?.

What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome and How Can You Treat It?

Irritable bowel syndrome (or IBS) is not inherited  or dangerous.  It is generally deemed to belong to a group of long-term  intestinal problems  related to the intestinal tract  for which there’s no  underpinning  structural or biochemical reason.  About 20% of men and women  get IBS at some time in the course of  their lifetime  and at any time about five percent  of grown ups  have conditions  consistent with Ibs. It is mostly  widespread  in the developed countries  of the world. Notwithstanding  the point that there are many  hypotheses  about its incidence  and advancement  it is not clear  what causes Irritable bowel syndrome.

There is a lot of speculation about the disease and generally speaking, it is typically believed that IBS is a cluster of disorders with comparable signs and symptoms but a range of causes.  For example, the symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome result from what would seem to be an imbalance in the connections involving the gastrointestinal system, the brain, sensory performance, and the autonomic nervous system that changes management of bowel motility.

Irritable bowel syndrome is called a functional dysfunction since there is no sign of problems when the intestinal tract is analyzed and becauseit limits the capability of the intestinal organs to work correctly. It is also know under a variety of other titles, which include: ColitisIrritable Colon, Mucous Colitis, Nervous Stomach and Spastic Colon.

Other prevalent symptoms include bloating, mucus in the stools, or a sensation of bloatedness.    

Irritable bowel is more usual in women than men and symptoms frequently initially start within the late teenage years to early twenties.  Symptoms of IBS may lead to higher amounts of stress simply because of worry that the sufferer may believe a more severe disease present.  

Remedies will depend on the types of symptoms you have and their severity, and also how the symptoms have an impact on your daily life, and will most likely include changes to your way of living.  Treatment choices could comprise:
·    A modest increase in dietary fibre, along with ample amounts of clear liquids
·    Limiting or getting rid of common gas-producing food, such as beans and cabbage
·    Minimizing or removing dairy foods, if lactose intolerance is a trigger
·    Antidiarrheals, for example imodium or lomotil – these can be an important part of management for anyone with diarrhea-predominant IBS
·    Pain-relieving remedies – opiates like codeine can provide helpful pain assistance.  

Considered one of the solutions that is growing in acceptance is probiotic supplements.  Many people choose to take probiotics after a colon cleanse course of action.

As outlined previously, some doctors believe that mental reasons could potentially cause Ibs.   They state that acutely stressful circumstances can be associated with transient differences in colon performance.  Stress may accentuate colon contractions and there is some data that people with IBS cope less well with anxiety than others.

Irritable bowel syndrome is more common in women than men.  The fact is,  women are 2-3 times more liable than men to get irritable bowel syndrome.  The period may exacerbate IBS symptoms in ladies.

In summary, irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common condition, and it’s cause is unknown.  The Illness can often known as ColitisIrritable Colon, Mucous Colitis, Nervous Stomach, and Spastic Bowel. The disease is a group of long-term  intestinal symptoms attributed to the digestive system for which there’s no underpinning structural or biochemical basis and is normally categorized as a “functional” condition.  It is recognized by persistent abdominal discomfort and pain together with alterations in bowel performance, diarrhea, constipation or a combination of these, commonly over months or many years.

Sinus Pain

Sinus pain is felt more strongly in lower part of the nose. The nose feels tender to the touch and flabby as if the cells are being decomposed from within the nose. The embarrassing part of sinus pain is the constant need to void the nose of the mucus that is always there no matter how often the nose if blown to rid it of the obstructive mucus and accumulated dust and mites. The fact is that it is a tiresome and unpleasant feeling knowing that such material is constantly lodging in your sinus cavities.

Take a eucalyptus leave along with a pinch of salt and boil it in water until leaf becomes tender. You can use this one or two ways. Cover head with a towel and inhale vapors and or take a bulb syringe after water has cooled a bit suck the water into the bulb, hold your head back squeeze inside of each nostril eucalyptus works as a natural decongestant. So this will relieve the pressure in the nasal passageways so you can breathe better. You may also use a humidifier or clean air purifier to improve the air you are breathing in.

Treating Sinusitis and treating the pain that can be a symptom of sinusitis can be two different matters. Sinus pain can be severe and in some cases even temporarily debilitating. Methods of treating this pain include over-the-counter pain relievers (especially NSAIDS, as they act as an anti inflammatory as well as a pain reliever), heat applied to the area, steam and facial massage.

Alternating between a warm and cold compress to the head and face alleviates the symptom of the sinus pressure that you feel. Star with a warm compress for a few minutes than use the cold compress continue the process for at least twenty minutes. It helps to loosen the mucus and relieves the swelling to allow the mucus to flow freely.

Usually, Sinusitis results from an infection, be it as a common cold or that of the upper respiratory system, one that spreads to the sinuses starting from the nose and leading to the mucus passageways. Allergies to pollen, dust, smoke, and similar air pollutants can also trigger it as well. Another contributing factor is a hot indoor environment with dry-air heating or a room with excessive dryness.

If you are interested in trying an over the counter product that is all natural, please consider SINUVIL. This is for people with chronic or acute sinusitis. If you are looking for a natural alternative to sinus surgery or antibiotics, please visit our website http://sinuvil.com and read more for yourself.

Learn more about Treating Sinus Infections. Stop by our site where you can find out all about Get Rid of a Sinus Infection Naturally – 5 Tricks to Get Rid of a Sinus Infection.

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