Healthy in Natural

Early Pregnancy Symptoms Discharge, Heartburn, Nausea and More

2010-01-26T17:20:00.000-08:00

There are many common early pregnancy symptoms. Discharge from the vagina is almost universal in the early weeks of a pregnancy. This increase in the discharge is due to the increase in the growth of the cells lining the vagina. The walls naturally start to thicken as soon as the egg is fertilized and this thickening can cause you to have a discharge of a white, milky fluid. The medical term for this fluid is leucorrhea and is harmless so it doesn't need any treatment. This discharge may actually continue throughout the pregnancy.

If you notice that the discharge has a foul odour, then this could be the symptom of a bacteria or yeast infection. Other symptoms of this that will require you to have medical treatment in the form of creams and vaginal suppositories include itching and burning sensations. Douching will not have any effect on the normal discharge you experience during pregnancy.

Other early symptoms of pregnancy that you can watch for in addition to missing your normal menstrual period include:

Morning Sickness. This is common in the first trimester of pregnancy and the name comes from the fact that most women have nauseous feelings early in the morning. Nausea and queasiness can occur though at any time of the day or night. You may also develop an aversion to foods you once loved to eat or to the smell of certain foods being cooked. These food aversions and the nausea are not harmful and are a normal part of carrying a baby in the womb. The sick feelings tend to abate at about the 13th or 14th week, although some women continue to feel sick all through the pregnancy. Some helpful hints include having dry crackers ready to settle your stomach and eating small meals more often so that you don't feel hungry.

Constipation. This complaint affects a large proportion of pregnant women. It is largely due to an increase in the body production of progesterone which decreases the colon ability to absorb water from the food you eat. Drinking more milk than you usually do can also cause bouts of constipation. This problem tends to worsen just after the first trimester. You can help ease the problem by making sure you drink plenty of water, getting plenty of exercise and including foods high in fibre in your diet.

Dizziness or Fainting. Many pregnant women first find out they are pregnant after they faint and then go to the doctor to try to determine the cause. It is also more noticeable in the second trimester when you get up or move suddenly. During pregnancy the blood vessels dilate at a dramatic rate and the amount of blood may be too much for the vessels. This is what causes the dizzy or fainting spells.

Fatique. Feeling more tired than usual is a very common early sign that you may be pregnant. The blood is carrying more oxygen to the fetus in the womb, which causes your heart to beat faster and in turn causes you to feel fatigued. Take naps during the day or if this is not possible start going to bed earlier at night. Eating foods that are rich in protein and iron can also help to reduce the feelings of tiredness.

Broccoli sprouts offer protection

2009-11-27T08:39:00.000-08:00

A concentrated extract of freeze dried broccoli sprouts cut development of bladder tumours in an animal model by more than half, according to a report in the March 1 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. This finding reinforces human epidemiologic studies that have suggested that eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli is associated with reduced risk for bladder cancer, according to the study's senior investigator, Yuesheng Zhang, MD, PhD, professor of oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. "Although this is an animal study, it provides potent evidence that eating vegetables is beneficial in bladder cancer prevention," he said. There is strong evidence that the protective action of cruciferous vegetables derives at least in part from isothyiocyanates (ITCs), a group of phytochemicals with well-known cancer preventive activities."The bladder is particularly responsive to this group of natural chemicals," Zhang said. "In our experiments, the broccoli sprout ITCs after oral administration were selectively delivered to the bladder tissues through urinary excretion." Other cruciferous vegetables with ITCs include mature broccoli, cabbage, kale, collard greens and others. Broccoli sprouts have approximately 30 times more ITCs than mature broccoli, and the sprout extract used by the researchers contains approximately 600 times as much. Although animals that had the most protection against development of bladder cancer were given high doses of the extract, Zhang said humans at increased risk for this cancer likely do not need to eat huge amounts of broccoli sprouts in order to derive protective benefits. "Epidemiologic studies have shown that dietary ITCs and cruciferous vegetable intake are inversely associated with bladder cancer risk in humans. It is possible that ITC doses much lower than those given to the rats in this study may be adequate for bladder cancer prevention," he said. Zhang and his colleagues tested the ability of the concentrate to prevent bladder tumours in five groups of rats. The first group acted as a control, while the second group was given only the broccoli extract to test for safety. The remaining three groups were given a chemical, N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN) in drinking water, which induces bladder cancer. Two of these groups were given the broccoli extract in diet, beginning two weeks before the carcinogenic chemical was delivered. In the control group and the group given only the extract, no tumours developed, and there was no toxicity from the extract in the rats. About 96 percent of animals given only BBN developed an average of almost two tumours each of varying sizes. By comparison, about 74 percent of animals given a low dose of the extract developed cancer, and the number of tumours per rat was 1.39. The group given the high dose of extract had even fewer tumours. About 38 percent of this high-dose group developed cancer, and the average number of tumours per animal was only .46 and, unlike the other animals, the majority were very small in size.

Woman Sexual Health

2008-08-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

Sexual health requires a positive, respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled." This channel focuses on understanding sexual health issues of special interest to women

Healthy Eating: Eating Healthy when you don't want to

2008-08-15T22:57:00.000-07:00

For some people it is really hard to give up the junk food and sweets and start eating healthy. So let's use the example of eating the 5 to 9 fruits and vegetables we need daily.

There are ways to work with your mind so that it becomes much easier and more enjoyable to eat all those servings of vegetables we need each day. Eating healthy will be appealing to you.

Did you know that you think in pictures?

You are motivated by the things that you want to move away from that might cause emotions you don’t want such as pain, grief, anger etc. Examples: Ill health, overweight, not being able to join your family due to sickness is certainly things you want to move away from.

You are also motivated by the things you want to move towards. Emotions that would go with this are feeling happy, satisfied, loved, forgiven, respected, etc.

Move away from or move towards. These two ways you are motivated are the key to help you get past your dislike of vegetables and fruit if that is the problem .

Decide which type you are. Which are you most motivated by? Do you put moving away foremost in your mind or moving toward?

Ready to Start? Grab some vegetables. Look at them, feel them taste them, Chew on them. Snap them, break them up and hear the crunchiness. Involve as many of your senses as you can.

While doing that, do one of two things:

If motivated by what you are moving away from:

Paint the picture of what you are leaving behind. Accentuate the problems. Make them look really big and bad in your picture. Show your self what the big bad picture would be like a year from now or 5 years from now if you continued eating your bad diet. Put a lot of feeling into this.

If motivated by what you are moving towards:

Paint a big bright picture of what you will look like and feel like when you are eating healthy and have better health. Think about who you love, who loves you and what you want to do and could do when you have good health.

Maybe you are not sure where you fit in to this process. Then play both pictures for yourself. Really put some pictures in your head. Use plenty of color. Turn the sound up.

Now which did you feel more motivated to eat the vegetables you need?

Play this picture over and over again as you build healthy eating habits, especially focus on your vegetables and this will help you stay on track for better food choices and health.
Jeannie Crabtree

Better Sex through a Healthy Lifestyle

2008-08-15T22:53:00.000-07:00

Anything that promotes whole body health can enhance optimal functioning in the bedroom. Like any other sophisticated machine, your body is at its best when none of its relevant aspects are ignored. To get your temple in prime operating condition, there are several aspects of body and soul to consider. One indisputable reason to keep the arteries clear and the blood flowing smoothly is that a strong heart steadily pumping blood has a direct relationship to the strength of blood flow throughout the body. In both men and women strong blood flow to the genitals increases sexual arousal and (in men) intensifies the vitality and endurance of erection. Clogged arteries and sluggish blood flow result in decreased blood to the genitals and diminished arousal for both genders. If the blood flow is weak, so will be the performance. A Healthy Diet Most Better Sex Diets focus on the health of your heart and includes a lot of fruit and vegetables, grains, legumes and moderate amounts of meat. In only 6 weeks the Better Sex Diet can reportedly increase your sexual vitality, potency and health, never-mind likely adding much-desired years to your (sex) life. Popular myths have long included the power of aphrodisiacs over sexual prowess. Taking their name from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, since time immemorial men and women have been in search of foods, formulas and functions that have the power to stimulate sexual desire and enhance performance. In the epic tale of Casanova the legendary lover extraordinaire is believed to have eaten as many as 60 oysters each day. As much as he enjoyed oysters, however, Casanova always insisted that women were his true cuisine. Today, medical science and the charting of chemical processes have joined the more mystical knowledge about aphrodisiacs. In the case of oysters, not only are the sea-dwelling mollusks reminiscent of female genitalia, they are also rumored to be powerful aphrodisiacs thanks to their high concentration of zinc, iron and dopamine. In more recent news, word has spread about the libidinal effects of grapes, blueberries, eggs, cereal and vanilla ice cream. What all of these foods have in common, in addition to fuelling the aphrodisiac rumor-mill, is the perceived effectiveness of particular vitamins and nutrients in stimulating various sexual boosts. For example, the vitamins in eggs can supposedly reduce performance anxiety and premature ejaculation, the calcium in vanilla ice cream evidently makes orgasms more powerful, and the folic acid in cereal keeps arteries clear, enhancing blood flow to the right places. While itâ€™s popularly thought that certain edibles can improve sexual health, nutritionists remind us that many of the legends were launched in an era when the human diet wasnâ€™t as complete, and that too much of any particular vitamin or nutrient can have a negative effect on the body. An Active Lifestyle The importance of overall health for the promotion of sexual benefit is also evident in the development and maintenance of hormone production. While it is true that estrogen determines the development and function of female sex organs, testosterone powers the sex drive in both men and women. When the senses encounter sexual stimuli they are passed to the limbic lobe of the brain, thought of as the bodyâ€™s â€˜pleasure centerâ€™. The limbic lobe sends signals via the nervous system to the pelvic region. Blood vessels in the genitals are prompted to dilate, admitting a rush of blood that inflates both male and female erectile tissues and increases sexual excitement. The tissues then close off to prevent the blood from flowing out of the area. The result is erection and all the other signs of sexual exhilaration. Simultaneously, the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine are released, sending messages of pleasure and arousal throughout our bodies. This chemical cascade is responsible for healthy libido and sexual function and can be negatively affected by age, illness, stress or injury. It is important to note that cardiovascular function is also improved by regular exercise. The promotion of a strong, repetitious heartbeat sends a surge of blood into your bodyâ€™s intricate web of vessels and lowers the risk of plaque formation in artery walls, that can slow blood flow and increase the blood pressure necessary to keep it flowing. Beyond a strong cardiovascular system, experts agree that a balance of body, head and heart contribute to a healthy sex life. Numerous studies link exercise to increased sexual function through physiological enhancement in muscle strength, tone, endurance and body composition. "Adults who exercise regularly not only have increased levels of desire, but also enhanced ability to perform sexually and greater sexual satisfactionsays Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. The release of endorphins during and after exercise sessions are also known to ease depression and anxiety. Stress relief and increased self esteem result in elevated mood and increased confidence, and contribute to the natural invigoration necessary for increased libido and stamina. The benefits of physical fitness are also known to improve self-image and perceived desirability. A study done by Harvard School of Public Health examined the exercise regimens of 31,000 male health care professionals. Of the participants, those who were sedentary were 30% more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than those who exercised regularly. The University of British Columbia recently undertook a study relating to women and exercise that found those who exercised for 20 minutes per day experienced greater sexual responses than those who did not. Specialists suggest that it is important to sexual health not to over-do the workout. In the same way that too much of one vitamin can have negative consequences on the body, too much exercise can decrease testosterone levels in both sexes and diminish sexual appetite. A Healthy Mind If we believe, as suggested by therapists, that sex is first and foremost a psychological issue then we have to pay some attention to ourselves beyond diet and exercise. Doctors suggest that psychology is so powerful that pleasure is increased by removing the mental blocks that limit our ability to sense pleasure at its fullest. The physiological human animal is an experiential and sensory beast; we are continuously aroused by ideas and images that stir our sexual imaginations. Just as partners for reading or recreation require a shared interest in specific books or sports, so do sexual partners need to have mutual interests? But the opportunity to indulge healthy sexual fantasies might be only a conversation away. By communicating your desires to your partner, and acting on the games that have been running around in your head, the shame or guilt attached to the ideas will likely vanish by letting them out of the mental cage, not to mention take on new life as you explore them with your partner. The other side of a healthy mind has to do with being able to unwind from the mental fatigue caused by the stresses of life. Bouts of mental exhaustion, caused by a stressful work life, a heavy week of school, or one of lifeâ€™s other trenches, can result in decreased sexual appetite and negative effects on self-esteem and confidence. In terms of managing mental stress levels, some techniques include: getting an adequate amount of sleep, soaking in a hot tub, meditation, yoga and just about any other pass time that allows us to get our mind off of the stresses of regular life. About SexInfo101.com SexInfo101.com is a leading source of information on sex tips, dating advice and more. We provide forums for honest discussion on all the topics you want to know about but are too afraid to ask about. From sexual positions and oral sex to AIDs and other sexually transmitted diseases, we look to educate to provide a healthier, more fulfilling relationship between you and yours.
by sex info

Fight Cancer With Broccoli Sprouts

2008-08-15T22:51:00.000-07:00

Mom was right to insist on us eating our vegetables. She
knew they built health and gave us the minerals we need.
Now scientists have found that we can eat foods to help
us both prevent cancer and fight cancer.

Take Broccoli sprouts. Broccoli sprouts are rich in a
compound that provides significant protection against breast
cancer and colon cancer. The compound is called sulforaphane glucosinalate.

Sprouts grown from certain types of broccoli seeds contain
up to 50 times more of this compound than mature broccoli
to help you fight cancer.

My research shows that a brand of sprouts developed at John
Hopkins University is guaranteed to have 20 more times the
SGS compound than the mature broccoli. This one is called
BroccoSprouts. You can purchase broccoli sprouts at your
local health food store or grocery store.

It is possible that Broccoli sprouts could carry the
bacteria that make you sick - salmonella and e.coli, so
you may want to take them out of the container when
you get them home and soak in a bowl of water with
a few drops of grapefruit seed extract for three or four minutes.

Don't put the sprouts back in the same container unless you
soak that as well. After draining them for a few minutes
store them in the refrigerator.

With Breast cancer and Colon cancer so common these days,
be sure to add in this protective food, assisting your body to
fight off illness and cancer.

By Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac.

Reference to the Northeastern corner of Ireland being "national territory" was removed. In its place, law makers guaranteed the people of the North a

2008-02-02T05:11:00.000-08:00

MURPHY has got to thinking about the fate of Articles Two and Three in the Irish constitution, which concern the Government's territorial claim over the Six Counties.

Their value was debated as part of a referendum built into the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

We knew the public voted to abandon the territorial claim to the North contained in the original articles, but what now constitutes the national territory - 32 counties or just 26 (not forgetting Rockall, of course, and any oil or gas in the vicinity)?

A phone call to the Dept of Foreign Affairs set Murphy's mind at ease. After the referendum, Articles Two and Three were amended but not deleted.

Reference to the Northeastern corner of Ireland being "national territory" was removed. In its place, law makers guaranteed the people of the North a right to Irish citizenship and to be "part of the Irish nation".

Our expert tells us the desire for a united Ireland is still enshrined in the revised articles.

But it accepts this must only be done in harmony and friendship with the democratic consent of the majority of those living in Northern Ireland.

Hard to argue with that.

Natural Pain Relieving Substances

2008-02-02T05:02:00.000-08:00

Vitamin C is an incredible nutrient. It has many important qualities. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and is essential in human nutrition. Vitamin C is used extensively in the United States and is very popular. One of its primary roles and functions is in the formation of collagen, the main protein connective tissue substance in the body. Collagen is critical for the growth and repair of body tissue and cells. It is very important for healthy gums, blood vessels, bones, and teeth. Vitamin C also plays an important role as one of the primary antioxidants in the body countering the negative destructive effects of free radicals.

Vitamin C does many things within the body: It increases the absorption of iron and is needed for the metabolism of folic acid, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. It can help prevent cancer, protects against infection, enhance immunity, aid in the production of anti-stress hormones and protect us against the harmful effects of pollution and cigarette smoke.

Vitamin C is very important in a number of disease processes including atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. It can decrease cholesterol levels. Vitamin C promotes healing within the body, especially in the healing of wounds and burns, also in healing after surgery. Vitamin C protects against blood clotting and bruising as it reduces capillary fragility. It plays a role in the manufacture of certain nerve transmitters and hormones, especially in the production of anti-stress hormones. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and aids in the prevention of many types of viral and bacterial infections. It also acts as a natural laxative, lowers the incidence of blood clots in the veins, reduces the effects of many allergy-producing substances, extends life by enabling protein cells to hold together and can reduce the risk of cataracts.

Vitamin C's actions are very impressive as a singular substance. Vitamin C works with and reinforces other antioxidants, especially Vitamin E. These two vitamins increase the actions of each other, thus having a greater effect on their antioxidant activity on free radicals.

The human body cannot manufacture Vitamin C. Because of this, it must be obtained daily from our diets or from supplementation. There is a lot of controversy in regard to the optimal amounts of Vitamin C necessary for general health needs and in the treatment of disease processes. This controversy has been going on for a number of years and it does not look like it will be resolved anytime soon. As an example, with serious diseases, such as Cancer, very large amounts of Vitamin C may be necessary as part of a natural protocol. However, many within the medical community would dispute this approach.

Scurvy is a disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency. It is characterized by poor wound healing, soft and spongy bleeding gums, edema, extreme weakness, and "pinpoint" hemorrhages under the skin. More common signs of lesser degrees of deficiency, including gums that bleed when brushed, increased susceptibility to infection, especially colds and bronchial infections, joint pains, lack of energy, poor digestion, prolonged healing time, a tendency to bruise easily, and tooth loss.

Sources: Vitamin C is found in a large variety of fruits and vegetables. Good sources include asparagus, avocados, beet greens, black currants, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, collards, dandelion greens, grapefruit, lemons, mangos, mustard greens, onions, oranges, papayas, green peas, sweet peppers, pineapple, rose hips, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes and watercress.

A number of herbs also contain Vitamin C. Included in this group are alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, kelp, peppermint, mullein, nettle, oat straw, parsley, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, skullcap, yarrow and yellow dock.

Mens Health - Men, What You Eat Makes A Difference In Your Health

2008-01-27T00:37:00.000-08:00

Men, What You Eat Makes A Difference In Your Health

As a man in middle age, have you ever wondered why you just don't feel as well as you did a few years back? What has happened to your health?

As a health practitioner, I have noticed a big difference by middle age in a man who ate a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables plus good oils and those who did not.

Why? Many men suffer from eating depleted or marginally depleted foods. Men end up suffering from sub clinical nutritional deficiencies, wich lead to health problems

Increase your health through good nutrition

As a man, unless you have severe colon problems, increase your vegetable and fruit consumption. Here is where you will find the needed vitamins and minerals your body needs.

Vegetable intake, particularly intake of cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli and broccoli sprouts, help lower the risk of prostate cancer in men.

Eat a variety of raw foods daily. Cooking depletes the food of enzymes, which your body needs in order to run many of it's daily functions.

When eating cooked foods, I also suggest that you find a high quality digestive enzyme to take with your meals. Most people need them. Our body only supplies so many enzymes and often cannot break down all the foods we consume now days. This leads to toxicity and ill health.

When possible buy organic produce. These foods usually contain a higher amount of vitamins and minerals that we need in our diet than the food we buy at the grocery store. The organic producers are are trying to rebuild the soil and are careful about putting harmful herbicides and pesticides on their products and in the fields.

As a man who wants better health please note: when you eat your foods in their more natural form, your body chooses what it needs for rebuilding and balancing, from the chemistry of the food. That is why I find a whole food nutritional supplement so good to rebuild better health. It has easily digested sources of foods in a powdered form.

Do add good source of oils in your diet from such things as olive oil, almond oil, fish oils and other oils found in the Health food store. However do not use Canola Oil, or Rapeseed as it is sometimes called, no matter if it is found in the Health Food Store. It has been found to cause health problems.

You may also want to ad in a couple of foods that are beneficial for prostate health. Two of the better known ones are ground flax seed oil and pumpkin seeds. Have several servings per week.

Cut down on junk food.

Cut down on your junk food and then move into making it a treat instead of a daily thing. The lightened load from removing the Chemicals, dyes, fats and sugars from your diet will help immensely in building health.

Your body will thank you with far less illness, disease, weight loss if needed, clearer thinking and probably added years of life. Your energy will increase and people may remark that you are looking younger.

by Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac

Cranberry Juice To The Rescue

2008-01-27T00:31:00.000-08:00

Learn about the health enhancing benefit of Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice was first made by American settlers in 1683. It is a love it or hate it beverage. For those who like it, it has a number of health benefits. Let me share some of those.

Emulsifies Fat.

This is for all of you that have some excess fat to lose. According to Nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S., Cranberry juice contains high levels of organic acids, which have an emulsifying effect upon fat deposits. She generally suggests it along with some flax seed or flax seed oil.

Urinary infections

When it comes to urinary tract infections caused by a strain of E coli bacteria, cranberry juice compounds may help. Some of the compounds in the juice block the bacteria from sticking to the cells in the body, so that the body can more easily flush the bacteria out.

Respiratory Infections

Study results in 2002 suggest that cranberry juice may inhibit a type of bacteria that is a common cause of ear and respiratory infections in children. This is according to researchers at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

In this study it was found that cranberry juice can inhibit certain strains of Haemophilus influenzae, a type of bacteria found in the nose and throat of 75% of healthy children and adults. The bacteria can also cause infections, and may be responsible for up to 40% of bacterially-derived middle ear infections.

In this study, the researchers found that the juice could prevent certain strains of the bacteria from sticking to red blood cells or mouth cells, a step that can allow the bacteria to linger in the body. It seemed that the juice inhibited the bacteria's pili, the hair-like structures that allow them to adhere to surfaces. The juice had no effect on strains of Haemophilus influenzae that lacked pili.

While the results took place in test tubes, this certainly would be something to keep in mind for children and adults who get throat and ear infections.

Don't over do the juice!

I do want to warn you that excessive consumption of juices. Drinking too much fruit juice can contribute to obesity, the development of cavities (dental caries), diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems, such as excessive gas, bloating and abdominal pain. Children especially, as their bodies are smaller for the amount of juice ingested.

Recipe

Consider this more of a medicinal drink than a beverage, and you will do fine. Probably 3 cups a day for an adult, and a half cup 3 times a day for a child, until symptoms abate.

1 tea bag of Green Tea or Chai Green Tea
(Chia green tea contains ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and clove along with green tea)
2 cups unsweetened Cranberry Juice

Bring one pint of water to a rolling boil. Insert your tea bag and steep 3 to 6 minutes. Pour into a one quart container. Add two cups of unsweetened Cranberry Juice. Store in the refrigerator and use within three days.

You can drink this cold or warm it up and drink. If you have used regular green tea you can add a very small pinch of any of the spices mentioned above that is in the Chia tea, for more flavor.

Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac

Heart Health – Fish Oils To The Rescue

2008-01-27T00:28:00.000-08:00

In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming more common, lets take a look at something most of us can add to our weekly diet for prevention of heart problems.

Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish oil promotes heart health. A daily dose of fish oil has helped prevent, slow or even reverse the hardening and narrowing of arteries in heart disease in some studies.

In the current issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Munich report that a fish-oil capsule a day may``modestly'' improve blood flow to the heart and bolster traditional therapy in patients with atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. In a study of 223 men and women, those who took a dose of fish oil per day for two years had fewer atherosclerosis complications such as heart attack and stroke.

Fish oil, found in fish such as salmon, it is a key component of the low-saturated-fat Mediterranean diet that has been linked to the lower incidence of heart disease in that area of the world.

How does fish oil work? Researchers are not ready to say, but one team of doctors used x-ray to peer into patients heart arteries at the beginning And end of one study. They found that after two years, the arteries of the fish-oil patients, on average, offered more room for blood flow to flow through, with less plaque.

The improvements were not dramatic, however the doctor’s team concluded that the benefits found in this study are significant enough to warrant including fish oil as part of traditional heart-disease treatment. At minimum, taking a daily capsule or dining on fish twice weekly would fulfill the needed amount.

Fish oil has also been found to help heart rhythm problems and can help to thin the blood as well. Research continues and always finds Fish oils to be helpful for the heart. It is certainly worth adding fish a couple times per week to the diet, isn’t it?
by Jeannie Crabtree

Diabetes: The Controllable Disease

2008-01-27T00:20:00.001-08:00

Introduction

Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose (say: gloo-kose), a sugar that is the body's main source of fuel. Diabetes is a chronic condition that needs close attention, but with some practical knowledge, you can become your child's most important ally in learning to live with the disease. "The prevalence of diabetes is going up because obesity is going up," says Judith Fradkin, director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. "Generally, the first step in treatment is to make patients believe that diabetes is a disease that can be effectively controlled. The "amount of money it will cost in 10 years to manage diabetes is going to bust the economies" of many countries, says institute president Paul Robertson.

Diabetes

Diabetes, caused by the body's inability to produce or use insulin effectively to prevent a buildup of sugar in the blood, now afflicts nearly 21 million in the USA and roughly 250 million worldwide. Diabetes can also cause long-term complications in some people, including heart disease, stroke, vision impairment, and kidney damage. Diabetes can also cause other problems in the blood vessels, nerves, and gums.

Blood

During the past decade, medical studies have shown that by reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol and keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible, diabetics can forestall many of the disabling complications that once seemed inevitable. This knowledge, along with simpler, more accurate blood tests and better drugs, has improved treatment, says Buse, an endocrinologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "New drug treatments, more accurate methods for monitoring blood sugar levels and assessing control of diabetes, and practical steps that patients can take are more common than ever, she says. Until 1993, it wasn't clear that lowering blood sugar prevented or delayed complications, and it's only within the past decade that doctors learned that managing blood pressure and cholesterol reduced complications, she says.

Type

There are two major forms of diabetes: type 1, an autoimmune disease that results in loss of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and usually occurs in children or young adults, who need daily insulin shots; and type 2, which accounts for 90% of diabetes cases and is associated with obesity and inactivity and reduces the ability to use insulin efficiently.

Type 1 diabetes (formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes) occurs when the person's own immune system attacks and destroys the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes occurs at about the same rate in men and women, but it is more common in Whites than in minorities.

Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent diabetes) is different. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes about 9 out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is more common in older people, mainly in people who are overweight.

Conclusion

The best way to prevent diabetes is to make some lifestyle changes and maintain a healthy weight.