Prostate Health Diet that Reduces Enlarged Prostate

Prostate Health Diet that Reduces Enlarged Prostate - Most men need to be concern with the size of their prostate cancer. Starting over 50 you can start a special prostate health diet that will maintain the health of your prostate and assure you will not have prostate cancer or enlarged prostate. Read on to find out how you can do this. and don't forget to read about Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer

There are sixteen different supplements that you can add to your prostate health diet. But let start with the ones you should start using right away. The first one you should start using is beta-sitosterol.

Beta-sitosterol

Beta-sitosterol is the main active ingredient in the herbs saw palmetto and pygeum. Both of these herbs do not have enough beta-sitosterol to be of real value in giving you prostate health. Now, beta-sitosterol, which can be obtained from sugar cane pulp, can be purchased in capsule doses of 300 - 600 mg, which gives you an effective dose to eliminate your enlarged prostate. Pygeum can only provide around 30 mg and you need upwards of 600 mg daily.

Go to the Internet to find a good beta - sitosterol price and quantity.

Flax Seed or Fish Oil

The nutrient to use for the best prostate health diet is flaxseed oil. Flax seed oil contains more omega-3 than omega-6 and so it makes it a good source of omega-3. The more omega-6 use, from olive oil and other vegetables oils, the more prone you will be to prostate cancer. This is not the case with omega-3 oil and this has been verified through clinical studies.

Omega-3 protects the prostates cells and has anti-inflammatory properties. Using fish oil can also be a better choice than flax seed oil since your body digests it better.

Use 1 - 2 grams of flax seed or fish oil per day.

Soy Isoflavones

Soy Isoflavones have been shown in clinical studies to have good effects on your prostate and should be added to your prostate health diet. These isoflavones are flavones and contain no photoestrogen so the have no estrogen effects in the body.

The active ingredients in the isoflavones are genestein and daidzein. Buy a brand that has up to 40 mg of isoflavones Use this quantity daily.

Ionic Minerals

The prostate needs minerals. Adding these to your prostate health diet is critical. You cannot have good prostate health without plenty of minerals and your regular diet cannot supply what you need.

Use the Ionic Minerals, which are liquids, but not the colloidal minerals. Ionic Minerals are absorbed immediately into your blood stream soon after they enter your mouth.

In addition to these ionic minerals, you need to make sure you get plenty of zinc and selenium. The prostate has more zinc than any other part of the body. So take 15 - 20 mg per day and not to exceed 40 mg.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is another critical vitamin that you want to make sure you get plenty of. If you are out in the sun a lot, then you will not need to supplement with this vitamin. Otherwise, use up to 800 IU of this vitamin.

Vitamin E

This is the next most important Vitamin you should supplement with. Use up to 400 mg per day of the natural mixed tocopherols. Clinical studies have shown that vitamin E can reduce and suppress prostate cancer cells.

There you have it. Use, beta sitosterol, isoflavones, minerals, vitamin D, and vitamin E in your prostate health diet and see improvements in your prostate symptoms and health.

About hair loss

Any hair loss in excess of 10% of all hair at any point of time can be called abnormal hair loss and may require treatment or special care. Hair loss can occur on account of any of the following:
• Side Effects of medication
• Abnormal hormone levels
• Infection of the scalp
• Physical uprooting of hair because of poor head gear or bands
• Genetic reasons

The hair loss on account of any specific reason like medication, abnormal hormone levels or infection of scalp can be treated. The most troublesome and the most common forms of baldness is the common male/female baldness in which the hair recedes along the temples and the forehead in case of men and recedes in density all over in case of women. Such baldness is usually genetic. Genetic baldness is usually caused by an enzyme alpha reductase that converts testosterone to dehydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT leads to shrinking of hair follicles. This results in generation of thinner and weaker strands of hair that fall off very quickly.

The special herbal hair care product Renew contains a group of herbs that provide overall scalp and hair root nutrition and also help in the control of dandruff. The special herbs in Renew help in stopping hair follicle shrinkage. Regular use leads to reversal of shrinkage and hair gain. Renew is helpful in all kinds of hair loss situations.
Renew is available in the form a hair oil that has to be applied locally. Local application means that unlike when systemic hair loss medicines like Fenasteride and dutasteride, hair growth does not happen in undesirable areas like the back or the bums.

Massaging of hair and scalp with Renew provides additional nutrition to the scalp and prevents hair loss. Massaging also increases the blood circulation in the scalp and this keeps the hair roots strong.
Part your hair and apply Renew all over the scalp, massage the scalp gently with fingers in a circular motion so that the oil gets absorbed into the scalp. Leave for an hour and then wash with mild shampoo if required. Alternatively you could apply Renew to your hair and scalp before going to sleep and then wash your hair in the morning.

Renew has no known side effects.
Each 10 ml of Renew oil contains:

Eclipta Alba 3%
Herpestis/Bacopa Monnieria 2%
Emblica officinalis 2%
Cyperus scariosus 1%
Vetiveria zizanioides 1%
Santalum album 1%
Pongamia glabra 1%
Crataeva nurvala 0.5%
Abrus precatorius 0.5%
Glycyrrhiza glabra 0.5%
Nardostachys jatamansi 0.5%
Valeriana jatamansi 0.5%

Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer

Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer-The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped sex gland in men that produces the seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. The growth of the cells in the prostate gland is stimulated by the male sex hormone called testosterone. Though its causes are unknown, prostate cancer is a frightening prospect for men. This cancer threatens not just their lives, but also their sexuality. Possible consequences of treatment (even if the treatment has been successful in saving a person

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped sex gland in men that produces the seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. The growth of the cells in the prostate gland is stimulated by the male sex hormone called testosterone. Though its causes are unknown, prostate cancer is a frightening prospect for men. This cancer threatens not just their lives, but also their sexuality. Possible consequences of treatment (even if the treatment has been successful in saving a person’s life) include erectile dysfunction and bladder control problems. Prostate cancer progresses very slowly and the early stages show little or no symptoms. If detected early, effective treatment with minimum side effects is possible. Once the cancer spreads (metastizes) treatment becomes more difficult.

A man’s vulnerability to prostate cancer increases with age. Most often, prostate cancer is detected very late and people who lose their lives do not die from prostate cancer, but die WITH prostate cancer. As the cancer develops, it eventually squeezes the urethra, which surrounds the prostate. This is when signs and symptoms begin to appear:

-Urgency in urination
-Difficulty in starting urination
-Dull, persistent ache in the lower pelvic area
-Painful urination, a very slow flow (almost like a dribble)
-Intermittent urine flow, and a sensation that the bladder is not empty
-Frequent urination, sometimes including blood
-Painful ejaculation
-Persistent pain in the bones, lower back, hip and thighs
-General ill health, loss of appetite, and decline in weight

If the cells from the cancerous prostrate break away, the cancer will spread. Most commonly, prostate cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, bones in the hips or the lower back, lungs, and sometimes even the brain.

Risk factors:
The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. As with almost any other cancer, heredity also plays a key role. For reasons unknown, African-American men seem to have a higher risk of prostate cancer. A fat-rich diet and sedentary lifestyle also contributes to the risk. Fat causes an increased production of testosterone, which may in turn lead to the development of cancer cells. High levels of testosterone mean higher chances of developing prostate cancer. Therefore men who suffer from hypogonadism, or have been undergoing long-term testosterone treatments are at risk. A vasectomy may also result in prostate cancer, though there is no conclusive proof of this.

A routine screening test may reveal the beginnings of prostate cancer. A DRE (Digital Rectal Examination), which involves inserting a gloved finger into the rectum, helps the doctor to examine the prostate. Any change in shape or size of the gland may mean trouble. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test analyzes a blood sample for the levels of PSA. If a higher than normal level is detected, a prostate infection or cancer may be suspected. A transrectal ultrasound helps to further evaluate the prostate using sound waves. If initial tests produce positive results, a prostate biopsy may be done to verify the presence of cancer. If cancer is confirmed, the next step is to investigate the spread of the cancer. A bone scan, CT scan, and Ultrasound scan may be used for this.

The mode of treatment directly depends on how aggressive the cancer is. For most men, a combination of treatments (surgery, radiation paired with hormone therapy, chemotherapy) may prove effective.

The best way to reduce the risk from prostate cancer is to eat a diet rich in fiber and low in fat. Regular exercise also helps.

A Little About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer affects an estimated one out of every six males. Therefore it's understandable that most men want to know at least something about prostate cancer, especially as they are approaching their 40s. This article is going to touch on some of the symptoms and treatments, as well as some of the side effects that come from prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatment. This article is not intended to be a substitution for your doctor's advice, so make sure that you see

Prostate cancer affects an estimated one out of every six males. Therefore it's understandable that most men want to know at least something about prostate cancer, especially as they are approaching their 40s. This article is going to touch on some of the symptoms and treatments, as well as some of the side effects that come from prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatment. This article is not intended to be a substitution for your doctor's advice, so make sure that you seek a professional opinion if you feel that you may have prostate cancer.

One thing that's important to note is that you may not suffer any symptoms at all. That is why it's very important to be checked for prostate cancer frequently, and especially more so as you get older because they can find the prostate cancer before any symptoms show up at all in most cases. Some men that have prostate cancer may experience some of the following symptoms. Frequent or difficult urination, as well as a weak urine flow, erectile dysfunction as well as painful ejaculation and blood in the urine or semen.

There are many different treatment options for prostate cancer and you will want to discuss these with your doctor or healthcare professional before any decision is made. A few of the choices are active surveillance, radiation or hormone therapy, chemotherapy or surgery. There are also other choices and as I said before you should discuss these with your doctor.

One of the best things that you can do for your prostate is to make sure you take care of it in the first place. This may reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Just knowing some simple things such as taking vitamin E, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and being informed about eating fats and red meat can reduce your risk of prostate cancer.

Breast Health: 8 Things Every Woman Needs To Know

These simple steps can help optimize your body's hormonal balance and reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, and provide additional health, anti-aging, and disease-prevention benefits.

I always advocate self-care as the first step in preventing and treating health challenges. When it comes to breast health, the importance of self-care is a message I can't share often enough. It is great to see pink ribbons everywhere in October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! If I had my wish, every pink ribbon would carry an additional important message for women.

That message would read "You can improve your breast health and reduce the risk of breast cancer right now with a few simple lifestyle changes."

We may not be able to control where we live or our genetic risk factors- it's true. However, a growing body of research is showing us that women really can make a difference in their breast health through diet, exercise, and weight management.

These simple steps can help optimize your body's hormonal balance and reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, and provide additional health, anti-aging, and disease-prevention benefits.

We need to emphasize that everyone should be focusing on what we can control not what we can't.

- We can evaluate our hormone levels with a saliva test. The best way for premenopausal and postmenopausal women to know if their bodies have an imbalance of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone is to do a saliva test. Saliva Testing is the most accurate and easy way to this.
- We can use bio-identical hormones if we need hormone supplementation. Bio Identical means that the molecular structure of the hormones identically match the hormones made by our body as opposed to Pregnant Mare's Urine which is natural to horses not humans.

- We can change our habits: reduce alcohol consumption and quit smoking.

- We can manage our weight and exercise daily. Studies also show that maintaining a healthy, average weight is just as important in favorably influencing the estrogen/progesterone ratio. Regular exercise is equally important. On the other hand, obesity, high insulin levels, alcohol intake, smoking, oral contraceptives, hormones from meat and meat products, pesticides, and herbicides can swing this ratio in the wrong direction.

- We can eat a balanced diet choosing Eat organic to avoid pesticides, herbicides, and estrogens in meat and dairy products. Include one to three servings of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and cabbage in your diet each day. Studies show that Indole 3 Carbinol the active ingredient helps balance estrogen levels.

- We Can supplement wisely with EFA's, essential fatty acids and use a fruit and vegetable concentrate if you do not eat 5 - 8 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

- We can do BSE's- breast self exams becoming more familiar with our own body

- We can become better informed - read Dr. John Lee's "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer" as a start.
tag breast,cancer,hormones,women,health,medical,hrt,saliva,testing,estrogen

Breast Cancer Treatment: Surviving Chemotherapy

Breast Cancer Treatment - Chemotherapy is a word that strikes fear into most of our hearts. We've seen the movies and heard such horrible stories about undergoing this difficult treatment for a disease that could very well kill us. I underwent chemo for breast cancer, and here are some of the things I learned.

Chemotherapy is a word that strikes fear into most of our hearts. We've seen the movies and heard such horrible stories about undergoing this difficult treatment for a disease that could very well kill us. I underwent chemo for breast cancer and know that, in some cases, the cancer isn't hard … it isn't painful … it doesn't make us sick. That's the case for most of us who have breast cancer, but don't have distant metastases. But then, they say we need to do chemo and we know we'll feel that.

Although chemo drugs haven't changed that much, and they're still terribly hard on our bodies, the management drugs have changed a lot. Chemotherapy, for many of us, isn't the show-stopper we thought it would be. Of course, each of us is different and the chemo drugs affect each of us in different ways, but, for the most part, chemo is definitely doable.

My breast cancer was Stage IIIa, with a 5.8 cm tumor, 8 of 10 lymph nodes positive, and I was only 39 years old. That bought me a ticket for the chemo ride. And I was scared out of my wits. But, I found an online breast cancer support group, at WebMD, and those women told me everything to expect and more. I went through four rounds of adriamycin and cytoxan. Both of them are some pretty stout breast cancer chemo drugs. After that, I did a controversial treatment that involved extremely high doses of cytoxan, taxol, and cisplatin, so I learned quite a bit about surviving chemotherapy.


First of all, I would highly recommend getting a port. This is a line that goes into a vein in your chest, the entrance to which sits just under your skin, right below your collarbone. It requires a quick surgery to put it in but, if you're having a mastectomy for your breast cancer, you can get the chemo port put in at the same time. If you choose not to do that, you'll have to get your chemo treatments through your veins and chemo is really hard on your veins. This means that you will, most likely, have to endure multiple attempts for them to find a vein, as time goes by. With the port, it's already in a vein, so all they have to do is stick the needle into the port to access it. If you find this uncomfortable, there is a cream they can give you called Emla cream. One of the first things I learned was to tell them the moment I was uncomfortable. It's all fixable. You'll put the Emla cream on a bit before you have to have your port accessed and it'll numb your skin.

Most breast cancer chemotherapy drugs will cause your hair to fall out. This is because chemo kills the rapidly dividing cells in your body. Your mucous areas and hair follicles are affected for this reason. That's why you may have nausea or develop mouth or throat sores. Again, all this sounds scary, but is totally manageable. Since you will probably be losing your hair, which can be quite traumatic, I would advise going wig or hat shopping before you even get your first chemo. Take a girlfriend with you and be adventurous. Try on different styles, and even colors. If you've always wanted to be a blonde, now's your chance! Make a day of it and have fun with it. Goodness knows, you have to look for that silver lining every chance you get. Also, make sure to have your nausea med prescription filled before you go so you'll have it waiting for you if you need it at home. You may be pretty tired, afterward, so don't wait till then to get those meds.

On your first chemo day, they will probably give you some steroids, intravenously or through your port, to help with the nausea. This may make you hungry; it sure did for me! But, I would recommend you don't eat your favorite food on chemo day. Chemo is manageable, but after you're all done, you may find that you have associations. For example, I used to love the cucumber melon fragrance when I was going through chemo. I had cucumber melon everything! But, to this day, the smell of cucumber melon makes my stomach do a little somersault because it reminds me of such an unpleasant time in my life. The same can happen with food. I still can't look a chicken burrito in the eye! But, I'm sure glad I didn't eat a taco because I would've hated for that to be ruined for me!

Many breast cancer chemo drugs are hard on your bladder, so be sure to drink, drink, drink. If you don't feel like drinking water, then broth, jello, or even popsicles will help. Since you've gotten your nausea meds all filled in advance, be sure to take them as prescribed, whether you think you need them or not. Chemo nausea isn't just any kind of nausea and it's much easier to stay ahead of it than to try to fix it once it occurs. If you do happen to get nauseated, and I can't stress this enough, call your doctor!!! There are many, many nausea meds and you do not have to feel sick just because you're doing chemo. Once they find the right drug for you, it will be so much easier. So, do not suffer this in silence! The same applies for if you get sores in your mouth or throat.

You will be tired from this treatment. Most of us get more tired as the treatments progress because they make our white blood cell counts drop really low. Because of this, it's a good idea to keep some Purell, or something similar, with you all the time for use when you've had to touch, for example, public restroom door handles. Your risk of infection will be much higher during this time.

If you lose your hair, it will typically happen in 10-14 days after your first chemo treatment. If you have long hair, you might want to cut it short in preparation. I know I felt so out of control of everything, during that time. When your hair comes out, it lets go quickly and in large clumps, getting all over your pillow and clogging your drain. For many women, that is more traumatic than even losing a breast. So, I figured that was the one thing I could control about this whole breast cancer thing … when my hair came out. I cut it really short, beforehand and, when it started to let go, I had my husband get the clippers and shave my head. My daughter helped and we did a little Mohawk and stripe action first!

That was my way of shaking my fist at this cancer … it might take my breasts, and it might take my hair for a while, but I beat it to the punch! It was my way of saying, "You cannot take my spirit!" You can do the same thing. Your breast cancer does not define you. It is but a speed bump in the course of your life. Strap on your gloves and step into the ring. This chemo is your biggest punch. Your spirit is your own and that breast cancer can't touch it!

Breast Cancer And Pregnancy

Breast Cancer And Pregnancy - Although it is rare for breast cancer to strike younger women, the fact remains that all women are at risk. And for those of childbearing age, the first sign and symptoms of breast cancer leading to a diagnosis can not only be upsetting and unexpected, but complicated as well.

Developing breast cancer at a younger age—in a woman’s 40s, 30s, even 20s—will mean making important and difficult decisions about one’s life and future perhaps much sooner than originally expected.

Although it is rare for breast cancer to strike younger women, the fact remains that all women are at risk. And for those of childbearing age, the first sign and symptoms of breast cancer leading to a diagnosis can not only be upsetting and unexpected, but complicated as well.

Developing breast cancer at a younger age—in a woman’s 40s, 30s, even 20s—will mean making important and difficult decisions about one’s life and future perhaps much sooner than originally expected.

One concern is developing breast cancer during pregnancy, which although rare, can still occur. In this case, the treatment chosen will not only affect the patient and her body, but the growing baby inside her as well. It will depend on what stage of pregnancy she is in (first, second or third trimester) and what stage her cancer is in—such as whether or not it’s advanced.

Most pregnant women can have treatment for their breast cancer without affecting the baby. But some might be advised by their obstetrician or health-care practitioner—or even decide themselves—to terminate the pregnancy, more so if the pregnancy is in its earlier stages, in order to receive certain treatments that would be too risky otherwise. But it is essential to remember that it is a woman’s own decision—it is not medically necessary to terminate a pregnancy if the expectant mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. All it does is limit treatment options. Breast cancer itself will not affect the fetus—only certain tests and treatments will.

Generally speaking, tamoxifen, chemotherapy, radiation, and other drug-related therapies are avoided if the woman is pregnant because of their associated risks with birth defects. Tamoxifen, especially, is considered very unsafe because it is a hormonal therapy and is never recommended if the woman is pregnant or planning on conceiving.

Surgery—either a lumpectomy or mastectomy—is the most common and preferred method of treatment for breast cancer in pregnant women.

Another concern is whether or not breast cancer survivors can or should go on to have children after treatment and recovery. It’s a very controversial issue with firm advocates on both sides of the debate.

There are two main questions here, for both the medical and health community and breast cancer survivors wanting their own children: 1) Do certain breast cancer treatments affect fertility?; and 2) Is it actually considered safe to conceive and carry a baby to term following breast cancer and breast cancer treatments?

As far as fertility goes, there is no definite answer here. For chemotherapy, it depends on the age and what specific drug was used—some affect fertility more than others. And taking tamoxifen after chemotherapy to prevent recurrence is not recommended if the woman desires to become pregnant right away. Although tamoxifen is sometimes used as a fertility treatment, there is evidence to suggest that it damages developing embryos, and therefore is not considered safe to use.

Many doctors caution these women to wait several years to ensure receiving the best breast cancer treatment possible and to go past the point of the biggest threat of breast cancer recurrence. But some women decide to go ahead and have babies anyway, since it’s so important to them.

Tag : breast, cancer, women, pregnant, pregnancy, survival, sick, chemo,therapy,babies,baby

The K Vitamin

The K vitamin is essential for the blood to clot to repair injuries. Whenever a person has a bleeding wound, it is the K vitamin that is present in the blood that stops the bleeding and enables most minor cuts to heal quickly.

There are three different forms of the K vitamin. The first variant of the K vitamin is vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone. This is the form of the K vitamin that is found in types of plant foods. Vitamin K found in plant foods. The second form of the K vitamin is the vitamin K2, or menaquinone. This type of the K vitamin is formed by friendly bacteria in the intestines. Thirdly, there is vitamin K3 which is also known as menadione and is actually an artificial form of the K vitamin. All three of these types of K vitamin end up in the liver where it is used to create the blood clotting substances.

The best natural sources of the K vitamin are green leafy vegetables, such as spinach. However, because the friendly bacteria in the intestine makes one of the forms of the K vitamin it is extremely rare for a person to have a deficiency of the K vitamin and so K vitamin supplements are not needed by the majority of people.

Apart from the main function of helping blood to clot, the K vitamin, specifically the Vitamin K1, has an important part to play in the bone building process. This K vitamin is required to retain the calcium in the bones and redistribute it to where it is needed.

Although a K vitamin deficiency is relatively rare there are certain groups of people who may suffer from it. Newborn babies may not have enough of the K vitamin as they have insufficient bacteria in their intestines to produce it. The majority of newborn babies in developed countries are therefore given a K vitamin injection to tide them over until the natural process takes over. That is the only time that a K vitamin supplement will be taken by most people throughout their lives. However, an extended course of antibiotics may lead to a K vitamin deficiency due to the fact that the antibiotics kill the intestinal bacteria as well as the ones that they are being taken to cure. Again, a K vitamin supplement may be given if the course of antibiotics has to continue for a long period of time.

Healthy Hair Vitamins

There a number of different specific hair vitamins and minerals that can play a major role in helping a person have a healthy head of hair. If a person does not have sufficient hair vitamins then the deficiencies can lead to thinning hair or even total baldness in the most severe cases. The fact is that the state of a person’s hair reflects the overall condition of their body. Extra hair vitamins are likely to be needed if a person is generally unwell or is undernourished as their hair will show damage too and may even stop growing.

Some of the most important hair vitamins that a person needs to have healthy hair include B6, biotin, inositol and folic acid. The best way to ensure that a person receives enough of these essential hair vitamins are for them to be taken as vitamin supplements. It is not just hair vitamins that are necessary for healthy hair though as there are a number of minerals that are essential, including magnesium, sulphur, silica and zinc.

The most essential hair vitamin is vitamin a but the best form of this is to include in the diet is beta-carotene. This is because the hair vitamin A can be toxic if consumed in large quantities but beta-carotene has no such problems and is converted by the body into vitamin A that can be used to promote healthy hair. Of course, vitamin A is not just a hair vitamin, it is also needed for a number of other functions including normal growth of bones, skin, nails and the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres.


Protein is another essential hair vitamin. This is because hair itself is essentially protein. The amount of this hair vitamin that a person consumes in their diet can affect the hair directly. If a lot of protein is included in a person’s diet then this hair vitamin will lead to improved hair growth and a far fuller head of hair. However, a person who has a diet that is lacking in this hair vitamin will suffer from thinning hair and slow hair growth.

Of course, it is not just hair vitamins and minerals that are needed to ensure that a person has healthy, strong hair. There are a number of researchers who have found that there are direct links between the overall health of a person and the condition of their hair. If a person is under a lot of stress or suffers from a lack of sleep then their hair is also likely to suffer and it is likely that their diet will not provide enough hair vitamins to counter these effects. Hair vitamin and mineral supplements can be the solution to weak and damaged hair.

Liquid Vitamin Supplements

Most people do not realise that the body can absorb the nutrients from liquid vitamin supplements easier than from tablets. It is estimated that liquid vitamin supplements are actually absorbed at least five times better than regular vitamin pills. Of course, there are many other benefits that liquid vitamin supplements have over pills. For example, the liquid vitamin supplements are easier to swallow. This alone makes liquid vitamin supplements preferable to pills, especially for children and anyone else who has trouble taking pills of any type.

Young children are often unable to gather sufficient nutrients from the foods that they eat but it is almost impossible for them to take vitamin supplements in pill form. Liquid vitamin supplements are ideal because they can be given by a dropper, straight into the child’s mouth or even added to their regular bottle of water or juice to ensure that they receive all of the vitamins that they need to grow. For exactly the same reason, liquid vitamin supplements are perfect for anyone who is unwell and not able to eat properly.


Despite the best efforts of most people it is likely that most are not getting sufficient vitamins and minerals from their diet and that is where liquid vitamin supplements are beneficial. The vitamins in many common pill supplements are actually packed too densely. This leads to a lot of the vitamins not being broken down and absorbed as they should do whereas liquid vitamin supplements do not have the same problem. The body is therefore able to absorb far more of the nutritional value from liquid vitamin supplements than it can from those in the traditional pill form. In fact, the body only absorbs about 10-20% of the nutrients from vitamin pills compared to around 80-90% that it can absorb from liquid vitamin supplements.

Another benefit of liquid vitamin supplements is that they often contain more than one type of vitamin and other nutrients. Vitamin pills traditionally contain only one which means that you are going to have to take a whole handful of vitamin pills to get the same benefits as you do from many of the liquid vitamin supplements. Liquid vitamin supplements offer far more convenience and effectiveness for supplying the body with the vitamins that it needs. The cost of buying the equivalent number of vitamin pills to obtain the same results is also far more than that of liquid vitamin supplements.

A Guide to the C Vitamin

The c vitamin has got to be the most widely known vitamin these days. It is not surprising because the body needs c vitamin for over 300 functions. In fact, the c vitamin has been proved to help protect against heart disease, cancer and other serious illnesses. Without the c vitamin the body would not be able to heal itself either. This is because the c vitamin is vital for the formation of collagen. Whenever a person has a cut or an injury it is the collagen that helps repair the damage and without sufficient c vitamin this would be almost impossible. Collagen has a multitude of functions in the body, including keeping the organs in place, and it would not be able to do this without sufficient c vitamin.

The c vitamin is also an antioxidant for the body and helps other vitamins and minerals to be absorbed better. Folic acid and iron, for example, need the c vitamin to maximise their usefulness. The more c vitamin that the body has, the better its defence against colds and other common ailments and the c vitamin may not prevent a person catching a virus but it does help speed up the recovery process.

There is c vitamin in almost every fruit and vegetable but some have far higher c vitamin content than others. Cranberries and melons have high c vitamin content. In fact, tropical fruits have the highest c vitamin amounts of all fruit. Hot peppers are amongst the richest sources of the c vitamin when it comes to vegetables. The hotter the pepper, the higher its c vitamin content is. Unfortunately, the c vitamin is water soluble so many vegetables lose their effectiveness as a c vitamin provider if they are boiled for a long time. Steaming or quick stir frying vegetables ensures that more of their c vitamin content is retained. The recommended daily amount of the c vitamin is easily obtained from eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day if they are consumed raw or cooked quickly.

C vitamin supplements are extremely useful to ensure that people obtain sufficient c vitamin. However, with a balanced diet the amount of c vitamin the body receives is likely to be sufficient. However, if a person begins feeling tired or lethargic then a c vitamin supplement will help overcome this. There is no danger of having too much c vitamin as the body simply excretes the excess.

An Overview of Vitamin World

Nutritional supplements are in huge demand and one of the most established companies in this competitive market is Vitamin World. Vitamin World is a well established manufacturer and retailer of nutritional supplements. There are over 550 Vitamin World stores in the United States. However, it is the online side of their business that is even more impressive. The Vitamin World website has an extremely efficient automated order fulfilment system that is extremely sophisticated. This allows Vitamin world to process orders and dispatch them to thousands of households across the country.

The manufacturing side of Vitamin World was established in the 1960s in Long Island, New York. Nowadays, vitamin world produces more than a thousand nutritional supplement products. The product range that Vitamin has is extremely extensive and includes vitamins, minerals and herbs in every available type including tablets, two piece capsules, soft gel capsules, powders and liquids. All of the Vitamin World products are manufactured in their own state-of-the art facilities in Long Island.

Vitamin World has grown into a well respected nutritional supplement provider and this is due, in part, to the millions of dollars that it has invested in the manufacturing and quality control aspects of the business. The demand for quality nutritional supplements is constantly increasing and Vitamin World keeps ahead of the trends with its own scientists and researchers striving to develop new products to satisfy the needs of the public.

All of the Vitamin World products are developed in association with many state and federal agencies, including the FDA and the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP), to ensure that their test procedures guarantee their strength and beneficial qualities. This gives all Vitamin World customers the reassurance that their nutritional supplements are produced to the highest possible standards and with the greatest amount of purity available. The processes used by Vitamin World have become the benchmark for many other nutritional supplement manufacturers and retailers to aspire to.

Customers now have the choice of buying the Vitamin World products through a traditional store or in the comfort of their own home through the website. The efficiency of their website strives to deliver quality vitamin supplement products in the shortest time possible and guarantees full customer satisfaction. Vitamin World continues to develop new and more effective nutritional supplements and manufacture them in convenient forms to enable people of all ages to be able to have the nutritional health that their diet and lifestyle may not provide.

Causes and Symptoms of Leukemia

The word leukemia is derived from two Greek words when combined together means white blood. Leukemia is the cancer of the blood or the bone marrow and can be classified in two types:

Acute Leukemia:

This type of leukemia occurs where DNA of immature blood is damaged. This results in the immature blood cells growing disorderly. Blood cells die all the while and are replaced by new blood cells which the bone marrow produces. However, abnormal blood cells do not die quickly and quickly crowd out the newer blood cells. It is this crowding out that makes the patient ill. Acute leukemia mostly affects children.

Acute leukemia can further be subdivided into Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

Chronic Leukemia:

This is the rapid build up of mature but abnormal blood cells. Note that acute leukemia focuses on immature blood cells, chronic leukemia focuses on mature blood cells. This mostly affects older people and does not require immediate action compared to those suffering from acute leukemia.

Chronic leukemia can further be subdivided into Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Symptoms of leukemia are:

1. Poor Blood clotting

The clotting of the blood will be poor. This is because the new blood cells which are essential in the clotting process are being crowded out. This will make the sufferer bruise quite easily or bleed excessively. Sufferer may develop petechiae which are pinprick bleeds.

2. Suppressed immune system.

Since the normal blood cells have been suppressed or crowded out by the abnormal blood cells, the immune system of the body will be compromised. Note that the body’s immune system is built around the normal white blood cells. The results in the sufferer becoming prone to many opportunistic infections

3. Anemia
Due to insufficient amounts of healthy blood cells in the body system, the patient will develop anemia. Symptoms of this are pale skin and difficulty with breathing.

4. Other symptoms of leukemia are nausea, fatigue, headaches or the feeling of fullness caused by an inflated spleen or liver.

If you notice any of the above symptoms of leukemia, it is advisable you seek help fast.

Signs and Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer survival rate is high if the symptoms of this cancer are detected early. The first symptom of breast cancer is a lump in the breast. This lump feels unusual to other breast tissue and it is usually the first warning sign.

A considerable amount of women, over 70% only discover that they have breast cancer after they detect the lump.

A mammography is then conducted by a trained physician to confirm whether it is cancerous or not. The mammography is strictly an early warning test and early detection of the symptoms of breast cancer will aide in treatment and recovery.

Another sign of breast cancer is Paget's disease of the breast. This presents itself in the form of eczema like redness and flaking around the breast nipples. Intensified symptoms of Paget’s are ache around the breast, tingling, itching, increased feeling and burning.
Weight loss is another symptom. Inexplicable loss of weight is usually a symptom of ill health and a visit to the physician can detect the reasons behind it

Still another symptom is pain in other parts of the body. If the cancer metastasizes, it can spread to other parts of the body such as the bone, kidney, liver and other parts. For instance, one may experience pain in the joints which is actually a sign of breast cancer.

Other symptoms include the inversion of the nipples, changes in the size of the breast and unprompted discharges from one of the breast nipples. If you notice any of the above symptoms of breast cancers, it is recommended you consult your physician as soon as possible

Men and Breast Cancer

The men of any age may develop breast cancer, but is usually detected in men between 45 and 65 years of age. Breast cancer found in men is less than 1% of all cases of breast cancer. Although rare, the inflammatory breast cancer found in males is a very aggressive cancer that grows quickly. It's called inflammatory because cancer cells block the lymph vessels and this is manifested in the skin, which becomes thick and hollowed, the appearance is similar to that of an orange peel.

You may find the following types of breast cancer in males:

• Infiltrating ductal carcinoma: Cancer that has spread beyond the cells lining the breast ducts. This is the kind suffered by the majority of men with breast cancer.

• Ductal carcinoma in situ: Abnormal cells found in the lining of a duct, also called intraductal carcinoma.

• Inflammatory breast cancer: A type of cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm.

• Paget's disease of the nipple: the surface of an underlying tumor ducts underneath the nipple.

Inflammatory breast cancer can spread in just a few weeks, is often mistaken for other things like a rash or infection. The symptoms are:

• Redness, swelling and warmth in the breast

• Red skin, purple or bruised

• Skin with bumps and / or marks as an orange

• Burning, pain and tenderness

• Increased breast size and an inverted nipple

Because usually this cancer does not form like a regular ball of tissue, but it spreadsthroughout the breast tissue right a way. This is why it is very difficult to detect with a mammogram alone, and the magnetic resonance imaging and biopsies can not usually diagnose it accurately either. However, surgical biopsy and positron emission tomography (PET) can be used effectively to detect it. In the near future, PET may be the most important diagnostic test for the inflammatory breast cancer. Although still under evaluation, Doctors have found that PET is able to see more inflammatory breast cancer, including lymph nodes removed from the breast, which will determine the presence of metastases at diagnosis better than other test.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis and treatment options depend on the following aspects:

• The stage of cancer (if located in the breast only or has spread to other parts in the body).

• The type of breast cancer.

• The concentration of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors in tumor tissue.

• If cancer is also found in the other breast also.

• The age and general health of the patient.

I hope that you find this informayion helpful.

Anemia

Anemia is an abnormally low red blood cell (RBC). Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein, the iron-oxygen to all parts of the body leads. If the number of red blood cells is too low, has parts of the body does not receive enough oxygen and can not function properly. Most people with anemia feel tired or weak. Fatigue associated with anemia, a person can seriously impair quality of life and make it more difficult for patients with cancer and treatment side-effects to be done. Anemia is common in cancer patients, especially those receiving chemotherapy

Causes

RBCs are made in the bone marrow (a spongy, fatty tissue found inside larger bones). A hormone called erythropoietin, made in the kidneys, tells the body when to make more RBCs. So, any damage to the kidney or bone marrow can cause anemia. For example:

* Some chemotherapy can cause the bone marrow to not work properly, impairing its ability to make enough RBCs.

* Cancers that affect the bone marrow directly (including leukemia or lymphoma) or cancers that metastasize (spread) to the bone can crowd normal bone marrow cells, including red blood cells.

* Platinum chemotherapy, such as cisplatin (Platinol) and carboplatin (Paraplatin) can injure the kidneys, lowering the production of erythropoietin.

* Radiation therapy to extensive areas of the body or to bones in the pelvis, legs, chest, or abdomen can damage the bone marrow.

* Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite can cause a lack of nutrients needed to make RBCs, including iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid.

* Bleeding, as a result of surgery, or a tumor causing internal bleeding can cause anemia if RBCs are lost faster than they can be replaced.

* The body’s immune system response to cancer cells can also cause anemia, called anemia of chronic disease.

Signs and symptoms

People with anemia may experience some of these symptoms:

* Fatigue

* Muscle weakness

* Rapid or irregular heart beat and occasional chest pain

* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

* Dizziness or fainting

* Pallor (pale skin or lips)

* Headaches

* Difficulty concentrating

* Insomnia

* Difficulty staying warm

* Bleeding problems

Diagnosis and treatment

Anemia is diagnosed with a blood test that counts the number or percentage of RBCs and measures the amount of hemoglobin in a person’s blood. People with certain types of cancer or those undergoing cancer treatment known to cause anemia, may have regular blood tests, usually a CBC (complete blood count), to look for anemia and other blood-related complications.

If the anemia causes symptoms, the person with cancer may need a transfusion of RBCs. Some people with anemia caused by chemotherapy can be treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) such as epoetin alfa (Epogen or Procrit) or darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp). These drugs are forms of erythropoietin that are grown in the laboratory and work by telling the bone marrow to make more RBCs. Both are given as a series of injections and can take up to four weeks to start working. Learn more about ASCO’s recommendations for epoetin treatment. People considering taking ESAs should be aware of revised product labeling for these medications, based on emerging safety data. Learn more about understanding ESAs.

Your doctor may prescribe iron or folic acids pills or vitamin B12 if they find that lack of these nutrients has contributed to your anemia. Eating foods high in iron (such as red meats, dried beans or fruits, almonds, broccoli, and enriched breads and cereals) or folic acid (such as enriched breads and cereals, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, and lima beans) may also help.

Types of cancer Treatment

The type of cancer treatment recommended by your doctor depends on the cancer types, size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread and your general health.

The treatment of cancer most common are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. These treatments can be used alone or in combination with other therapies. Other treatment options include anti-cancer therapies, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cells selectively. In addition, patients are asked to make clinical trials on treatment decisions to be taken into account. A clinical trial is a study to test a new treatment to show that safe, effective and perhaps better than standard therapy. Your doctor can help you all the options for clinical trials. Learn more about clinical trials.

The first treatment of a person is given as first-line treatment. Adjuvant therapy is administered after the first treatment (eg chemotherapy after surgery). Neoadjuvant therapy is treatment before the initial treatment (like chemotherapy before surgery) administered.

As cancer treatments become more specialized, many people are now a team of doctors, nurses and specialists treated in health care. Usually, a doctor, often an oncologist, leading to the coordination of personal care. Find out more about the oncology team. It is recommended also important for people with cancer and their families feel comfortable with your doctor and your treatment plan. It is always advisable to seek a second opinion.

Before beginning treatment, consider asking the doctor about the goals of treatment, how long the treatment will take, and the potential side effects. Knowing what to expect before treatment begins can reduce any fear and anxiety you may be feeling about your cancer treatment plan..
Below is an overview of the most common cancer treatments. For more details about treatment for a specific type of cancer, be sure to review the individual Cancer

Surgery

Surgery involves the removal of cancerous tissue from the body. It is the primary treatment for many types of cancer, and some cancers can be completely removed with surgery alone. Surgery can also confirm a diagnosis (such as with a surgical biopsy), determine the extent of the cancer (called staging), and relieve side effects (such as removing an obstruction to ease pain). Some types of surgery are performed in a clinic or doctor's office instead of the hospital, and the patient returns home the same day. This is called outpatient surgery. Most cancer surgeries, though, are performed in a hospital and the patient must stay at the hospital at least overnight; this is called in-patient surgery. Before any type of surgery, consider preparing a list of questions for the surgeon to discuss beforehand. Carefully review with your doctor any preparation you may need before surgery and learn what to expect when you are scheduled for surgery.
The side effects of surgery depend on the type of surgery and the overall health of the person before surgery. One of the more common side effects is pain, but doctors have ways to provide relief when pain and other side effects occur in most people. Refer to individual Cancer Type sections for more information about surgical procedures for specific cancers. Learn more about the side effects of cancer surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream, targeting cancer cells throughout the body.
Chemotherapy is given by a medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medication. Some people may receive chemotherapy in their doctor's office; others may go to the hospital. A chemotherapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a specific time. For example, some drugs are given continuously over several days; some are given several times a week. Learn more about what chemotherapy is and preparing for treatment.

Side effects of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can cause a variety of side effects. However, doctors have made major strides in recent years in reducing many side effects. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Depending on the drug, some people may also experience tingling or numbness in the arms and legs, hair loss, and mouth sores. Because some drugs can damage blood cells, a person may experience anemia (low red blood cell counts) and/or an increased risk of infection (low white blood cell counts). These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished. Find out more about the side effects of chemotherapy.
During chemotherapy, a person may lose his or her appetite or develop an aversion to the taste or smell of food. Consider talking with a registered dietitian, who can give suggestions about meal planning and managing side effects through simple nutritional changes. And, learn about using nutrition to manage side effects.
Fortunately, many new drugs do not cause the same, severe side effects as some older chemotherapy. And, medications that reduce side effects caused by chemotherapy are available. Before treatment begins, talk with your doctor or nurse about the possible side effects of the specific type and dose of chemotherapy you’ve been prescribed and how to prevent or relieve side effects if they do occur. Find ways to manage common side effects.

Many people are concerned about the side effects of chemotherapy, both during treatment and many years later (called long-term or late effects). Once treatment is finished, ask your doctor or nurse for a summary of your treatment, such as the drugs and doses used, and any side effects you experienced. Having this information will help a doctor determine if a future health problem is related to the cancer treatment. Learn more about the late effects of cancer treatment.

Radiation treatment

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells.
The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation therapy, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. When radiation treatment is given using implants, it is called internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy. Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy that uses protons instead of x-rays to treat cancer. Learn more about understanding radiation therapy.
Radiation therapy is considered a local treatment, as it only affects one part of the body. The goals of radiation therapy can include shrinking the tumor before surgery, keeping the tumor from returning after surgery, eliminating cancer cells in other parts of the body, and relieving pain.
Before beginning external-beam radiation therapy, the doctor will plan where to aim the radiation. The goal is to hit as much of the tumor as possible while minimizing the exposure of healthy tissue. A person's skin may be marked to show where the radiation will be directed. New computerized techniques help pinpoint the best place to give the radiation.

Side effects of radiation treatment

Radiation therapy can cause a variety of side effects. However, similar to the side effects of chemotherapy, there are now often many ways to reduce or avoid side effects. Side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. Other side effects may include swelling, redness or irritation of the skin, hair loss, cough or shortness of breath (if the radiation is given to the neck or chest area), mouth sores (if the radiation is given to the head), and digestive problems (if the radiation is given to the abdominal area). These side effects go away once treatment is finished. Internal radiation therapy may cause bleeding, infection, or irritation after the implant is removed. Radiation treatment does not make a person radioactive..
In addition, external-beam radiation therapy may have long-term side effects that can affect a person for many years. For this reason, people who receive radiation therapy should keep a record of their radiation treatment schedule (including the dose and location of the radiation) and report it as part of their medical history; this is particularly important for children and young adults. Long-term side effects can include the risk of a second cancer, infertility (the inability to father a child or maintain a pregnancy), heart problems (from radiation to the chest), gastrointestinal problems (from radiation to the abdominal area), lung fibrosis (scarring or thickening of the lung tissue), neurologic problems, thyroid problems, or osteoporosis. Also, people who have had previous radiation to the chest should be aware that they are at higher risk of developing breast and lung cancers.
Today, most people who receive radiation therapy now receive smaller doses than what was given in years past. And, side effects have been reduced since there are ongoing advancements in how to better direct the radiation beam to affect only the tumor and not the healthy tissue surrounding it. Each person considering radiation therapy should discuss the risks versus benefits of the treatment with his or her doctor before treatment begins. Read some frequently asked questions about radiation therapy and see the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's (ASTRO) website, www.rtanswers.org.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets faulty genes or proteins that contribute to cancer growth and development. Targeted therapy is usually given along with another type of treatment, such as chemotherapy. Because these drugs target specific genes or proteins, a test may be needed to find out if the drug will work for a specific type of tumor. Although there aren’t a wide variety of tests available now, many more may be available in the future or as part of a clinical trial as doctors seek to give patients the best possible treatment for their type of cancer.
Generally, targeted treatments do not have the same side effects as traditional chemotherapy. However, depending on the drug and the dosage, a person may experience nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, heart problems, rash, and/or diarrhea. Each drug has specific side effects; talk with your doctor about what side effects to expect and how to manage them..

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy (also called biologic therapy) is designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight the cancer. It uses materials made either by the body or in a laboratory to bolster, target, or restore immune system function. Interferon and colony-stimulating factor are two examples of immunotherapy. The side effects of immunotherapy generally include flu-like symptoms, such as chills, nausea, and fever. Immunotherapy also includes cancer vaccines—an investigational approach to helping the immune system fight cancer..

Hormone therapy

Several types of cancer, including some breast and prostate cancers, can only grow and spread in the presence of natural chemicals in the body called hormones. Hormone therapy fights cancer by changing the amounts of hormones in the body. It is usually used to treat cancers of the prostate, breast, thyroid, and reproductive system. For example, many women take the hormone treatment tamoxifen (Nolvadex) for breast cancer.
Like any treatment, hormone therapy has side effects, and most go away once treatment is finished. The side effects depend on the drug and affect men and women differently. Refer to individual Cancer Type sections for more information about hormone therapy and specific side effects.

Bone marrow and stem cell transplantation

Blood and marrow transplantation is a medical (not a surgical) procedure, lasting weeks to months from start to finish, in which diseased marrow (a spongy, fatty tissue found on the inside of larger bones) or immune system is replaced by a healthier one. For people with cancer, the goal is to destroy every remaining cancer cell. To learn more about this procedure, read the four-part series on Understanding Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation.

A Guide to the B Complex Vitamins

There is a lot of discussion about the B complex vitamin and how it is essential for the body to perform a multitude of functions. However, the B complex vitamin is not simply one very complicated vitamin, as the name might suggest. There are actually eight B vitamins that are in the B complex vitamin as well as a few other related substances. The eight vitamins that make up the B complex vitamin are thiamine or vitamin B1, riboflavin or vitamin B2, niacin or vitamin B3, pyridoxine or vitamin B6, cobalamine or vitamin B12, folic acid, pantothenic acid and biotin.  The other related substances that are also in the B complex vitamin include choline, inositol and para-aminobenzoic acid.

Every part of the B complex vitamin performs its own individual function within the body but it is when they work together as the B complex vitamin that they provide essential maintenance for the body to remain healthy. The B vitamin complex comprises B vitamins which are water soluble and it is essential that enough of these vitamins are consumed on a daily basis. The body cannot store water soluble vitamins such as the B complex vitamin and this leads to a regular intake being required.

The B complex vitamins are extremely beneficial for a number of conditions and may be needed in additional quantities at certain times in a person’s life. Of course, there is a recommended daily allowance for the B complex vitamins that varies according to the sex and age of a person. However, doctors and other health professionals have discovered the benefits of increasing the intake of the B complex vitamin to help overcome certain illnesses.

Many people suffer from anxiety and stress at one time or another and research has found that the B complex vitamin can be beneficial in helping alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and stress. If a person has been unwell the B complex vitamin can be extremely valuable in aiding the recovery process. Fatigue can be a symptom of a multitude of illnesses as well as simply overdoing things but the B complex vitamin can help alleviate general tiredness and lethargy.
Interestingly, some skin conditions, such as dermatitis, can also benefit from addition B complex vitamin intake. In fact, a number of creams and other skin preparations contain added vitamin B complex that can be absorbed by the skin to alleviate the condition. The condition of a person’s hair will also be greatly improved with sufficient B complex vitamin intake.

What is Symptom | Swine flu, what are the symptoms

Symptoms - this post will examine more deeply what is meant by Symptom and all information about the Symptom in relation to the swine flu, and here I give the sense Symptom Symptom according to wikipedia and viruses associated with pig flus, other than that I also gave FAQ's about Symptom I get from www.telegraph.co.uk
Symptom, is a departure from normal function or feeling which is noticed by a patient, indicating the presence of disease or abnormality. A symptom is subjective, observed by the patient, and not measured,
Types
Symptoms may be chronic, relapsing or remitting. They also may progressively worsen or progressively become better (convalescence). Conditions may also be classified as symptomatic (present and demonstrating symptoms) or asymptomatic (present but without symptoms). Asymptomatic conditions and asymptomatic infections can exist for many years undiagnosed and may only be found upon medical testing (such as high blood pressure).
Constitutional or general symptoms are those that are related to the systemic effects of a disease (e.g., fever, malaise, anorexia, weight loss). They affect the entire body rather than a specific organ or location.
The terms "chief complaint", "presenting symptom", or "presenting complaint" are used to describe the initial concern which brings a patient to a doctor. The symptom that ultimately leads to a diagnosis is called a "cardinal symptom

Non-specific symptoms are those self-reported symptoms that do not indicate a specific disease process or involve an isolated body system. For example, fatigue is a feature of an enormous number of medical conditions, and is a documented feature of both acute and chronic medical conditions, both physical and mental disorders, and as both a primary and secondary symptom. Fatigue is also a normal, healthy condition when experienced after exertion or at the end of a day.
Swine flu: what are the symptoms
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: The symptoms of swine influenza in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat.

some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.

Q: What is swine flu?
A: It is a contagious respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses.
Pigs are hit by regular outbreaks.
There are many different types of swine flu and the current cases involve the H1N1 strain of type A influenza virus.
Q: How do humans catch it?
A: While people do not normally catch it, humans can contract the virus, usually if they have been in close contact with pigs.
It is also possible for the constantly changing infection to spread from person to person, which has happened in the latest outbreak.
Experts believe it spreads in the same way as seasonal flu – through coughing and sneezing. You cannot catch it through eating pork.
Q: What is the difference between swine flu, avian flu and the flu commonly seen in the UK during the winter?
A: Influenza viruses are commonly circulating in the human and animal environment, with different strains causing illness in humans, bird and pigs.
Seasonal influenza is caused by viruses that are adapted to spread in humans.
Humans have some natural immunity to the strains that are in common circulation, and this immunity can be boosted by immunisation with a vaccine.
Avian influenza is caused by influenza viruses adapted for infection in birds.
Similarly, swine influenza is caused by influenza viruses adapted for infection in pigs.
These illnesses all cause the same respiratory symptoms in sufferers and can be passed between one another.
Q: How dangerous is it?
A: More than 150 people have died and thousands made ill,.
However, testing has shown that the antiviral drugs oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) appear to be effective against the human swine influenza H1N1 strain,
Q: Why should we be worried about it?
A: The World Health Organisation warned the outbreak had "pandemic potential" and countries were advised to step up surveillance and preparation in case the infection spreads rapidly.
Flu viruses have the ability to change and mutate, making it difficult for drugs manufacturers to ensure effective vaccines are available.
The new version of the H1N1 virus is a mix of different animal and human versions of the disease. Mixing can lead to the development of changed viruses to which humans have little immunity.
Q: What is a pandemic?
A: If the flu spreads over a wide geographic area and affects a large proportion of the population it goes beyond an epidemic and becomes a pandemic.
According to the Health Protection Agency, an influenza pandemic is defined as a new or novel influenza virus that spreads easily between humans.
When new influenza viruses are introduced into the environment, humans do not have any natural immunity to protect against them.
Therefore, there is a risk that new influenza viruses could develop into a pandemic if the virus passes easily from human-to-human.
Q: Is it in the UK?
A: Swine flu has already spread to the UK.
Anyone who has recently returned from affected countries should consult a doctor if they notice flu-like symptoms.
Q: What is being done in the UK to prevent the infection?
A: The HPA said it is working with the UK government to review the current incident and any threat it poses to UK public health.
It advised people to follow general infection control practices and good hygiene to reduce transmission of all viruses.
This includes covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully, washing hands frequently with soap and water and cleaning surfaces which are regularly touched

Good Food Health Vitamin Intake

It is essential that a person is aware of what constitutes good food health vitamin intake. The federal drug administration produces a recommended daily allowance for the majority of vitamins which it regards as a good food health vitamin intake. These figures vary according to a person’s age, sex and some other factors so that the good food health vitamin intake for a young woman is going to be different to that of a man in his seventies.

The food health vitamin intake amounts of certain foods are included in the nutritional labelling. This labelling is important for a person to consider and helps ensure that they are receiving the correct food health vitamin intake from the foods that they eat. The nutritional information is often represented as a percentage of the recommended daily allowance of each vitamin and mineral and can help assess the value of the foods in the quest for good food health vitamin intake.

There are also a number of items that a person may want to restrict in their diet as part of their good food health vitamin intake. Again, the nutritional labelling of certain foods can help a person to see how high a product is in these undesirable contents. Salt and fat, for example, may be items that a person wants to consider limiting as part of their good food health vitamin intake even though they are not strictly vitamins. The majority of people actually refer to nutrients when they use the word vitamin and food manufacturers are aware that a person is looking at minerals and other items when they are considering their good food health vitamin intake. Fiber is another element that many people are more aware of as forming an essential part of a balanced diet and is necessary for good food health vitamin intake.

If a person is on a restricted diet for any reason then they need to pay even more attention to their good food health vitamin intake. Obviously, some foods contain different nutrients to others and this is applicable to vitamins as well and it may be more difficult for a person to achieve their good food health vitamin intake if they are unable to eat certain foods. Vitamin supplements can form an essential part of a good food health vitamin intake for people who are unable to obtain their vitamins from their normal diet. It is also worth remembering that the good food health vitamin intake for a person varies throughout their life depending on their general health.

The Genetics of Breast Cancer

After we talked about The Genetics of Cancer, it is time we will provide the posting about The Genetics of Breast Cancer, Genes carry small individual collections of information in each cell of the human body. Each gene consists of a unique DNA sequence. Researchers in the Human Genome Project is estimated that nearly 30,000 different genes in each cell. The genes are packaged into chromosomes. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell. One chromosome of each pair inherited from the father of the person and the other from the mother of the person.

Genes control how a cell, including how fast it grows, how often they divide, and how long you live. To control these functions, genes produce proteins that lead to specific tasks and act as messengers in the cell. Therefore, it is important that each gene is the proper instructions or "code" for the production of its protein-protein can be so the proper functioning of the cell has to fulfill

What role do genes play in breast cancer?

Cancer begins when one or more genes in a cell are mutated (changed), creating an abnormal protein or no protein at all. The information provided by an abnormal protein is different from that of a normal protein, which can cause cells to multiply uncontrollably and become cancerous.
A person may either be born with a genetic mutation in all of their cells (germline mutation) or acquire a genetic mutation in a single cell during his or her lifetime. An acquired mutation is passed on to all cells that develop from that single cell (called a somatic mutation). Somatic mutations can sometimes be caused by environmental factors, such as cigarette smoke. Most breast cancers (about 90% to 95%) are considered sporadic, meaning that the damage to the genes occurs by chance after a person is born. Inherited breast cancers are less common (5% to 10%) and occur when gene mutations are passed within a family, from one generation to the next. Genetic mutations in certain types of genes are more likely to cause cancer. The most common gene mutations that can increase breast cancer risk occur in tumor suppressor genes. A tumor suppressor gene makes proteins that prevent tumor formation by limiting cell growth. Mutations in a tumor suppressor gene cause a loss of the ability to restrict tumor growth and, as a result, cancer can develop.

What are the chances a mutated gene is inherited?

Every cell usually has two copies of each gene: one inherited from the mother and one inherited from the father. Breast cancer usually follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, in which a mutation needs to happen in only one copy of the gene for the person to have an increased risk of getting the disease. This means that a parent with a gene mutation may pass on a copy of the normal gene or a copy of the gene with a mutation. Therefore, a child who has a parent with a mutation has a 50% chance of inheriting that mutation. A brother, sister, or parent of a person who has a gene mutation also has a 50% chance of having the same mutation.

What is a woman's average risk for breast cancer?

A woman with an average risk of breast cancer has about a 12% chance of developing breast cancer.

How common is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, excluding cancers of the skin, and the second most common cause of death from cancer among women. In 2009, an estimated 192,370 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 62,280 women will be diagnosed with in situ breast cancer. An estimated 1,910 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. It is estimated that 40,610 deaths (40,170 women, 440 men) from this disease will occur this year.

How can a woman know if she has inherited a genetic mutation that increases her risk of breast cancer?

Only genetic testing can determine whether a person has a genetic mutation. Most experts strongly recommend that people considering genetic testing first consult a genetic counselor. Genetic counselors are trained to explain the risks and benefits of genetic testing.

For more information, read Genetic Testing and What to Expect When Meeting With a Genetic Counselor.

How does a woman know if breast cancer runs in the family?

Breast cancer may run in the family if first-degree relatives (mothers, sisters, children) or many close relatives (first-degree relatives, grandmothers, aunts, nieces, granddaughters, cousins) have been diagnosed with breast cancer, especially before age 50.

What is a woman's risk if breast cancer runs in the family?

If a woman's first-degree relative developed breast cancer, the woman’s risk is double the average woman's risk. If two first-degree relatives developed breast cancer, the woman’s risk is 5 times the average risk. It is uncertain how much a woman's risk of breast cancer is increased when a man in the family has breast cancer.

Which inherited genetic mutations raise the risk of breast cancer?

There are several genes linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Some of the most common hereditary cancer syndromes associated with breast cancer risk are described below.

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome. The two genes are associated with HBOC, BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA stands for BReast CAncer), are tumor suppressor genes. Women who inherit a BRCA mutation have a 50% to 85% chance of developing breast cancer and a 15% to 40% chance of developing ovarian cancer. Men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations may have an increased risk of breast and prostate cancers. Both women and men with BRCA2 mutations may be at increased risk of breast cancer or other types of cancer. Approximately one in 40 women with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage carry a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes that increases their risk of breast cancer to between 50% and 85%. Their risk of ovarian cancer is also increased to about 40%. About 80% of hereditary (inherited) breast cancer is caused by mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2.

For more information, read the Cancer.Net Cancer.Net Guide to Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer.

Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T). Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare recessive disorder characterized by progressive neurological problems that lead to difficulty walking. Signs of A-T develop in childhood. Children may begin staggering and appear unsteady shortly after learning to walk. Most people with A-T will eventually need to use a wheelchair. Slurred speech and difficulty with writing and other tasks develop over time. Red marks that are caused by dilated capillaries (tiny blood vessels), called telangiectases, often appear on the skin and eyes. People with A-T also have a weakened immune system and are prone to infections.

There is about a 40% risk of cancer for people with A-T. The most common cancers associated with A-T are leukemia and lymphoma. As the lifespan of individuals with A-T increases, other types of cancer, including melanoma, sarcoma, and breast, ovarian, and stomach cancers, are being reported in adults. However, it is too early to determine if there is truly an increased risk for these cancers that is caused by A-T, or whether these are sporadic cancers developing in adults who also happen to have A-T.

A-T is inherited as an autosomal recessive condition. In autosomal recessive inheritance, a person needs to have two copies of a gene mutation in order to have the disease. This means that each parent must have one mutated gene and one normal gene. If both parents carry a gene mutation for A-T, each of their children will have a 25% chance of inheriting both gene mutations and having A-T. The gene associated with AT is called ATM. For people who have one altered copy of the gene, there may be a somewhat increased risk of melanoma and breast, ovarian, and stomach cancers. Genetic testing for the ATM gene is available.

For more information, read the Cancer.Net Guide to Ataxia-Telangiectasia.

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS). People with LFS have up to a 50% chance of developing cancer by age 40 and a 90% chance of developing cancer by age 60. Some of the cancers most commonly associated with LFS are osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer), soft tissue sarcoma, leukemia, breast cancer, brain cancer, and adrenal cortical tumors. An adrenal cortical tumor begins in the adrenal cortex, which is the outer layer of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are located on top of each kidney and are a part of the body’s endocrine (hormonal) system.

LFS is a rare condition. The gene associated with LFS, called p53, is a tumor suppressor gene. Testing for p53 gene mutations is available for families who may have LFS. Another gene, CHEK2, may cause LFS for some families. Testing for mutations in the CHEK2 gene is only available as part of a research study.

For more information, read the Cancer.Net Guide to Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Cowden syndrome (CS). Women with CS have a 25% to 50% risk of developing breast cancer and a 65% risk of developing noncancerous breast changes. CS is a rare genetic condition caused by a mutation on the PTEN gene. People with CS also have a high risk of both noncancerous and cancerous tumors of the thyroid and endometrium (lining of the uterus). Also, people with CS often have small growths on the face or in the mouth and a larger than average head size. Genetic testing for the PTEN gene is available.

For more information, read the Cancer.Net Guide to Cowden Syndrome.


Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS). Women with PJS have approximately a 50% risk of developing breast cancer. Women with PJS also have about a 20% risk of developing ovarian cancer. People with PJS often have multiple hamartomatous polyps, which are normal-appearing growths in the digestive tract that become a noncancerous tumor. These polyps cause an increased risk of colorectal cancer. People with PJS also have increased pigmentation (dark spots on the skin) on the face and hands. The increased pigmentation often appears in childhood and fades over time. Families with PJS also have an increased risk of uterine and lung cancers. The gene associated with PJS is called STK11. The STK11 is a tumor suppressor gene, and genetic testing for the STK11 gene is available.

For more information, read the Cancer.Net Guide to Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome.


Other genes. Other genes may cause hereditary breast cancer. However, more research is needed to understand how gene mutations can increase breast cancer risk and to find other genes that may increase a person’s risk of breast cancer.

What is a person's risk level?

In addition to family history, other environmental and lifestyle factors may increase the risk of breast cancer. Discussing family history and personal risk factors with a doctor can help a person better understand his or her risk. People with a higher than average risk may benefit from genetic counseling and early detection strategies.

A risk factor is anything that increases a person's risk of developing cancer. Having a particular genetic mutation linked to breast cancer cannot predict that a person will develop cancer. Controllable risk factors, such as eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, limiting alcoholic beverages, and avoiding tobacco products also play a role. Most people who develop breast cancer have few known risk factors. Research to better understand the link between genetic mutations and breast cancer is ongoing. Talk with a doctor for more information about risk factors, prevention, and screening for breast cancer.
source : http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Genetics/The+Genetics+of+Breast+Cancer