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Archive for the ‘Disease Prevention’ Category

Current statistics state that osteoporosis affects 10 million Americans and 8 million women, or 55% of people over 50 are predicted to be affected by osteoporosis. 1 in 2 women are predicted to have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. This is a significant cause of morbidity as hip and spine fractures cause serious impairment of mobility and health concerns related to immobility. There is much in the news about medications and recommended supplements to take, as well as life style changes to help combat osteoporosis. Understanding the disease process helps to understand how these different treatments impact bone density, thereby enabling women to make informed decisions regarding their treatment of osteoporosis and osteopenia.

The majority of bone density, up to 90%, is formed by age 18 in women and age 20 in men. There are two types of cells which form and maintain healthy bone, osteoblasts are responsible for laying down healthy bone matrix which then undergoes mineralization with the aid of calcium, which adds strength. Osteoclasts are cells which are responsible for resorbing older bone, in so doing, the osteoclasts ensure that remaining bone is strong. In the early years of our lives, the activity of osteoblasts are balanced with osteoclasts. In osteoporosis, the osteoblasts have slowed in their formation of bone, however resorption of bone has continued at its usual rate. Because of this imbalance, bone slowly thins placing a woman at risk of a break or fracture. A number of factors can influence the balance and imbalance of this process:

Parathyroid hormone

Vitamin D metabolites

Prostaglandins

Cortisol

Sex hormones

Osteoporosis is a term referring to loss of bone density to the extent that a fracture is possible, osteopenia is a term reflecting a degree of bone loss not severe enough to place a person at risk for a fracture. A person’s bone density is determined most accurately by a test, Bone Mineral Density test. The most accurate of these types of tests is the Central DXA, or dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. In this test, the bone density is calculated, and then compared to women of same age and height to determine if there is a process besides aging causing increased bone loss. This calculated density is also compared to women of same height at 30 years of age, and then the calculated difference of bone density determines the degree of bone density loss.

Who is at risk for osteoporosis and osteopenia?
• Women with decreased estrogen ie. Postmenopausal women, premature ovarian failure
• Women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, use of aromatase inhibitors
• Women who have been on prolonged use of depo-Provera
• Women and men who have been on steroids for long periods of time, anticonvulsants. lithium,heparin
• poor dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D
• inactive and sedentary people
• People of Caucasian, Asian and Latino more so than Aftrican American ethnicities
• Smokers
• People who use of alcohol excessively (>3/day)
• people with certain forms of arthritis and gastrointestinal illnesses

Treatment for osteoporosis is usually provided in the form of bisphosphonate therapy. These drugs, the bis-phosphonates (Fosomax and others) work by slowing the activity of osteoclasts in bone. Other treatment includes estrogen which attenuates the resorption of bone or the osteoclast activity. Calcitonin is a thyroid derived peptide which also inhibits osteoclast activity. This form of treatment has not been shown to be as effective in preventing vertebral fractures.

The bisphosphonates are a very effective treatment in helping to produce new bone, although it has been recently speculated that this bone may not be as healthy as natural bone. For women that have enough bone loss to place them at serious risk for a fracture however, this bis-phosphonate induced bone can be protective to some extent. In recent studies by Orthopedic Surgeons, it was noted that bone integrity was improved early on in therapy but that benefit was lost after more than 4 years of treatment. As with many things in medicine, there are risks and benefits to be weighed when considering osteoporosis medication. It is important to discuss this with you provider before stopping any medication.

Life style changes are equally important in preventing and treating osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Exercise and diet also play an important role in preventing and treating osteoporosis.

• Muscle building exercise helps to activate the osteoblasts to lay down new bone,
• Calcium in our diet helps to make that bone strong, and
• Vitamin D helps our body to absorb and process the calcium.

Muscle building exercise of 90 minutes a week is recommended for bone health. An increased exercise time of 150 minutes a week is recommended for heart health and to lower insulin resistance. This muscle building exercise does not have to be high impact; brisk walking is excellent but as far as we know now, swimming will not help your bones as it is not weight bearing.

Calcium supplements will suffice to replace or augment dairy products. 1200-1500 mg of calcium daily is the recommended dose for post menopausal women. There are several different types of supplements and they are all good but are tolerated differently, experimentation will yield the best tolerated brand for any given person.

Vitamin D3 capsules or pills are recommended as it is difficult to get adequate Vitamin D in the diet. Vitamin D3, or ergocalciferol, is the recommended type as this last longer in the body. It is important to get a brand that does not contain Vitamin A as the body cannot regulate this easily and toxicity as well as overdose is possible.

Osteoporosis is a silent but serious disease which can be easily prevented and treated. Screening is painless and usually covered by insurance companies if medically indicated. It is important for women to approach their medical providers for screening and information for both themselves and for male partners who may also be at risk.

The heart disease statistics for Americans at risk for heart disease are quite staggering. Approximately 14 million Americans suffer from coronary artery disease, which is the most widespread form of heart disease, not just in America, but throughout the world.

Every 34 seconds, an American dies from heart disease, and every 20 seconds, an American, somewhere in the United States, suffers a heart attack.

This is the harsh reality for Americans at risk for heart disease, but the good news is, that putting preventative measures in place, will give you massive protection against this deadly disease, and ensure you live long enough to enjoy quality time with your family.

There are a number of major risk factors for heart disease, and these are:

* Being A Regular Alcohol Drinker
* Being Diabetic
* Suffering From High Blood Pressure
* Being A Regular Smoker
* Carrying Extra Weight
* Being Inactive Physically
* Having A Family History Of Heart Disease
* Having High Blood Cholesterol

Tackling, controlling and managing each of these risk factors will, without doubt, maximize the protection for Americans at risk for heart disease.

The area you need to manage and stay on top of at all times, is high blood cholesterol and here’s why.

When your LDL cholesterol (bad) levels get too high, then a material called plaque will start developing in the walls of your arteries.

Over time, as more and more plaque starts accumulating there, clots will being forming. This will then cause blockages to occur in the coronary arteries that provide blood for your brain and heart.

The effect of this for you is a stroke or a heart attack.

Coronary artery disease is mainly caused by a build-up of hard cholesterol deposits in the arteries.

The good news is that you can prevent this, and in preventing it, you need to ensure that you raise your HDL cholesterol levels, as this is your heart protective good cholesterol.

The recommended ways to improve your cholesterol levels is through diet, exercise and supplements.

Reduce or eliminate any foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol.

Get some regular exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.

Start taking a cholesterol supplement, but make sure the ingredients are completely natural.

You are probably wondering why a supplement instead of prescription cholesterol medication?

There are 2 reasons for this. The first is side effects. There are no side effects with the cholesterol supplement, but the prescription medication can cause a whole range of dangerous side effects, like nausea, memory loss, kidney damage, liver problems and heart failure.

The second thing is that prescription medications will only target LDL cholesterol, which is of no use, as it leaves your cholesterol levels imbalanced, keeping you at risk.

The right supplement will target the whole of cholesterol – LDL, HDL and triglycerides.

One thing to remember, it is not just Americans at risk for heart disease. Millions of people in the majority of countries around the world are also at risk.

If you are one of the Americans at risk for heart disease, or indeed any nationality at risk, then pop over to my website today and start protecting yourself.

Tomatoes are notoriously picky plants. Tomatoes are in the potato family, which makes them susceptible to tens, if not hundreds of pest and disease problems; however, that should not stop any tomato loving gardener from harvesting buckets of healthy tomatoes. The key is to learn how to prevent, diagnose and treat tomato problems.

Tomato Disease Prevention

Disease prevention in tomato plants starts with healthy growing practices. Preparing the soil, watering properly, and feeding appropriately are all keys to tomato disease prevention. Tomatoes like a well draining soil filled with lots of organic matter. Tomato roots penetrate deeply into the soil, helping to stabilize plants and take up water. With well-prepared soil, watering deeply and infrequently-every 4-6 days, will allow the tomato plant to have enough water, without putting the plant at risk of problems of overly “wet feet.” Always water in the morning, so plant leaves have time to dry during the day. Leaves are a perfect spot for disease incubation, and water ripens those conditions even more. Prune your plants to provide air flow through the leaves and branches, which will also aid drying time. Ensure that your tomato plants receive proper nutrition by conducting a soil test, and treating the soil according to the results. All of these practices will give your plants a good start fighting off diseases and pests.

Diagnosing Tomato Pests and Diseases

If all of your well-intentioned cultivation practices have not stopped your plants from succumbing to a problem, then you must diagnose the problem. Tomatoes can suffer from pest problems, nutrition problems, viral, bacterial and fungal problems.

Pest damage to tomato plants causes visible physical changes. Cutworms actually cut off the plant from its root system, causing the plant to wilt and die. Aphid damage results in sticky residue on the plant. Aside from the damage they inflict, you can often see the pest itself on the plant. Caterpillars bury into fruit and eat it, causing fruit to rot. Whiteflies and spider mites are visible on the leaves. Diagnosing pest problems is easier than other problems because most pests can be observed on the plant.

Nutrition problems in tomato plants manifest in several areas of the plant. Tomatoes absorb a wide variety of nutrients, minerals and trace elements from garden soil. Deficiencies in each nutrient result in specific symptoms in the plant. Excess nitrogen causes deep green, lush, leafy plants with little fruit. Nitrogen deficiency causes yellowing of lower leaves. Calcium deficiency causes blossom end rot, a common problem on tomato fruit characterized by yellow, leathery spots that spread into black, rotting patches on the blossom end of the fruit. (The end away from the stem.) Nutrition problems can be seasonal, or soil related. A soil test helps determine what nutrients are lacking in the soil. If all nutrients are in the soil, factors such as overly wet or cold soil can make it more difficult for plants to absorb nutrients.

Viruses, bacteria and fungus all cause tomato diseases and problems. Wilts, damping off, leaf spots, mildew, fruit rot, cankers, and leaf mosaic problems are all common tomato problems caused by a cocktail of tiny organisms. Each problem shows in the tomato in different ways. Leaf mosaic viruses show up in leaves, causing mosaic-like patterns. Cankers are growths on stems, leaves or fruit. Root rot often shows up in the leaves of the plant, as they shrivel and die from not having enough water. For a comprehensive, pictorial guide on diagnosing tomato plant pests and diseases, consult How to Grow Tasty Juicy Tomatoes (available from www.bestjuicytomatoes.com).

Treating Tomato Pest and Disease Problems

The phrase: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure definitely applies to tomato growing. As earlier related, properly caring for tomato plants and their soil prevents many problems. However, should your plants fall prey to a problem, there are many ways to treat.

First, correctly diagnose the problem. Once diagnosis is certain, follow procedures related to the particular problem. Many plant problems can be alleviated by changing gardening techniques. Plants that are stressed are more susceptible to pest and disease problems. Examine watering, mulching, and feeding practices. If those techniques are in balance, many pest and disease problems will go away. Nutrition deficiencies may be corrected by adding correct nutrients to the soil in easily accessible forms. Some nutrients are best delivered as leaf or soil drenches, while others work well in time-release granular applications. Pest problems can be corrected with beneficial insects, changes in gardening techniques, and insecticides-both synthetic and organic. Viral, bacterial and fungal problems can also be treated with a combination of gardening techniques and soil and plant drenches and sprays. Safety is an important consideration when applying any sort of pesticide. Read the label carefully and follow all directions. More is not better when pesticides are concerned.

While all of this information can seem daunting, tomato growing is a rewarding hobby. Keep a good reference on hand, and whenever your plants are under the weather, open the book and identify the problem. How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes contains over 260 colored photos of diseases, pests and common nutrition deficiencies and is a must-have for any top-notch tomato grower!

Alzheimer’s disease now affects more than 5 million Americans, and research projects that number will triple to more than 15 million by 2050. This dreaded memory-robbing disease is feared more than any other disease by most people, as it hits at the core of our being, stealing treasured experiences and our most basic identity.

While there is a genetic link for a small subset of patients who develop Alzheimer’s disease, the vast majority are victims of poor lifestyle choices which are at the root of this condition. As medical science races to find a pharmaceutical cure, experts agree that there are a number of healthy changes which should be adopted to dramatically reduce the risk of falling victim to this insidious affliction.

Controlling the Risk Factors

Four key factors have been identified which directly affect the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease:

• Chronic stress throughout adult life quadruples incidence in later life.
• Obesity in midlife increases Alzheimer’s disease by 3 ½ times.
• Uncontrolled diabetes is related to a twofold increase in disease
• Smoking ups the risk factor by 79%

Each of these factors can and should be controlled to dramatically reduce or virtually eliminate the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Many of the top diseases which claim the lives of Americans today are caused by poor diet and lifestyle, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke. Prevention is the key, as all of these diseases are much more difficult to treat once they’re diagnosed. Making relatively simple changes earlier in life can have a profound effect on development of Alzheimer’s disease and longevity.

Exercise Your Body and Brain

Physical activity is good for both the muscles and the brain. Exercise helps regulate blood sugar uptake to the cells and insulin sensitivity, and both when poorly controlled contribute to diabetes and Alzheimer’s risk. Moderate cardio and resistance training on most days of the week helps build muscle mass and improves cognitive health. To exercise the brain, pick up a good book or challenge yourself by learning a new skill. Forcing the brain to build new memory pathways will assist short term memory and improve retention.

Adopt a Healthy Diet

Reduce total calories consumed and eliminate refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks and pastries. Many refer to Alzheimer’s disease as “diabetes of the brain”, as it is characterized by inflammation and insulin resistance which affects communications between neurons. Diet is the best way to reduce these risks. Eat a rainbow of different raw vegetables, nuts, seeds and unprocessed or cooked oils. Be sure to include Omega-3 fats from fish or fish oil supplements, as these provide the building blocks for brain cell wall construction.

Relax and Reduce Stress Factors

Lifelong, chronic stress appears to have a significant impact on the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Stress increases cortisol, a powerful hormone which can hamper nerve cell growth and connections, leading to cognitive decline. Learn breathing techniques which increase brain oxygen levels and attenuate your response to stress. Take a 30 minute walk, meditate or learn yoga,as all are proven to reduce the stress factors that lead to disease proliferation.

Shield Your Brain

The brain is an amazing organ which is well protected by the skull and the blood-brain barrier. Still, it is vulnerable to physical injury and toxic assault. Always protect your head when competing in injury prone sporting events or when riding a bike or motorcycle. Research shows that a single traumatic brain injury early in life can double the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as you age. Get rid of synthetic toxic chemicals from around the house, including cleaning supplies, detergents and personal care items in favor of natural, organic substitutes. Over the course of decades, these chemicals build up in your tissues and can lead to dementia.

There are important steps which we all should take to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. It’s now understood that this form of dementia is largely caused by factors which are well within our control, and we can take charge of our diet and lifestyle to prevent our chances of becoming a grim statistic.

Alzheimer is a most familiar form of dementia. Diagnosed generally in people of over the age of 65yrs. Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s is usually mistaken to be age related problem or stress related manifestation. Most common symptom is memory loss where a person finds difficult to remember most recent events. Alzheimer’s disease is confirmed with cognitive and behavioral test, followed by brain scan. As the disease grows to next stage symptoms also include, irritability, aggression, mood swings and confusion, language break down and long term memory loss.

Prevention is better than cure, and some recent findings suggest that individuals can reduce the risk of this disease by adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet system.

Studies reveal that smoking at a latter stage in life that is after 65 years of age manifolds the chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease by 79 percent. So in the best interest of your health it is advisable that you refrain from smoking.

Obesity is also considered as a factor which makes a person susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. Research has shown that an obese person is most likely to get Alzheimer’s disease is three and half times more than a normal built person. Hence losing weight should be a priority for those who are over-weight.

Studies also highlight that consumption of certain nutrient contained foods can circumvent Alzheimer’s disease. Consuming diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, olive oil, cereals and fish lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. These nutrients help by giving protection from stress and also by reducing inflammation in brain.

Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids are also considered to useful to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Found in foods like tuna, salmon and flaxseed they contain healthy fats also known to reduce cholesterol and other heart problems.

Another fundamental characteristic to prevent Alzheimer’s disease is maintaining healthy lifestyle by managing stress in positive manner. Stress is also one of the contributing elements in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Another main component of maintaining healthy and balanced lifestyle is exercise. Regular exercise reduces risk of numerous diseases including Alzheimer’s. Exercise provides you with healthy mind and body and reduces stress.

Adequate sleep also contributes to prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. So it is advisable to have appropriate sleep daily in order to prevent Alzheimer’s and other numerous diseases.

Some specific things like vitamin B12, vitamin D and fish oils when incorporated in your life can also prove to be beneficial in lowering risk of Alzheimer’s disease. These special supplements are believe to preserve memory and improve it as well.

Diabetes and stress too increases your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. So always make it a point to keep stress and diabetes in control.

The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is yet not known, so it is not easy to determine in surety what will prevent Alzheimer’s. Unarguably healthy lifestyle is the best and only way to keep several diseases away. To sum it up adequate sleep, proper stress management and exercise can prove to be useful to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

To Your Health!

Phytonutrients and disease prevention, is there any possible connection? These nutrients play a very important role in health but they are not vitamins or minerals; however they are critical in helping with the absorption of both in your body.

They are not essential for life like vitamins and minerals, but they can certainly improve both the quality of life as well as possibly extending life. They may also play an increasing important part of preventing cancer and other diseases from attacking your body. But what are they?

What are Phytonutrients?

The actual term photo is a Greek derivative that means plants. Phytonutrients are the organic various forms of plants and are rapidly being recognized as extremely important components that assist both vitamins and minerals in keeping our bodies healthy.

There is growing evidence that they may also help in fighting several diseases, especially cancer from attacking your cellular structure as they are huge cellular protectors.

The vitamin industry has been led by Liquid Vitamin manufactures in adding these critical plant components to their formulations and they have been so successful that most of the industry are following their lead and adding them as well.

To fully understand what they are, it helps to understand how they work. The next time you are in your garden, look at your various vegetables and plants and ask yourself how they are protected by ultraviolet light, infections, and pollution. The answer is very simple; they are protected by chemicals that are found in phytonutrients.

These chemical components are naturally found in a wide variety of plants and are also known as secondary plant metabolites, which are substances that are necessary for or take part in certain metabolic processes.

And just like the roles that they play in protecting plants and vegetables, they play that same role in something much more important; protecting the human body along with vitamins and minerals.

Classifications:

There are literally several thousands of chemicals that are present in the food that we eat and no one source will ever agree on the number of exact classifications. Vitamins have 13 major classifications, minerals 14, but minerals could be argued to have many more and the same will be true with Phytonutrients.

Some sources will suggest that there are two major classifications, while others will suggest as many as nine. Nonflavonoids and Flavonoids make up the most popular classes, and Nonflavonoids can be found in strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, as well as Tonka beans.

Flavonoids in various forms are found in fruits, citrus, vegetables, tea, soybeans, onions, and endive.

Cranberries, red grapes, grape juice and certain nuts are also excellent sources, as well as red wine. However, there are still other classifications that play very important roles in protecting your body against potential disease.

Health Benefits:

The following are other classifications that help your body every day.

Carotenoids help bring out the bright colors in fruits and vegetables, but they are also very stringent as antioxidants that help with the heart and its functions. Sources of these forms of phytonutrients are broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, and carrots. Isoflavones have shown in several tests to lower cholesterol and are found in beans, soybeans, kidney beans, and lentils.

Lignans team up with other nutrients to help in preventing diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. It is a natural form of estrogen so it naturally helps to lower the estrogen levels in your body that go bad and promote the growth of tumors. It is found primarily in flax seed and sesame seeds.

Indoles help to regulate your hormones and sources of this nutrient are found in broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Saponins help to bind and than excrete bile acids, which helps to lower cholesterol levels. This nutrient is found in potatoes, spinach, and herbs.

Organ sulfur compounds are found in both garlic and onions and help keep cholesterol levels low; and polyphenols are very potent antioxidants that produce cancer fighting enzymes. This nutrient is found primarily in green tea and strawberries. Monoterpenes is found in the peels of oranges and lemons, and is also virulent in attacking cancer cells.

Phytonutrients help with cellular function and regeneration of cells which is a critical part of controlling cancer. They fight the development of cancer from within your body. They help to shut down the precancerous cells that go bad and multiply in gang like styles of attack against the non affected cells.

Cancer is well documented to start with just one cell that losses control by either wearing out or is weakened by repeated attacks and can not be replaced in time by a new cell. Metastasis is the process where the cell weakens, is attacked, and than overcome by cancer. In most cases your immune system defeats this process but it needs all the help that it can get.

Summery:

Adding these micro nutrients daily in your diet along with vitamins and minerals is something that could improve your quality of life as well as possible extending it.

Is there any real wonder that countries that have diets high in these micro nutrients have a much longer lifespan and a much lower cancer rate then we have in United States? The liquid vitamin industry was the first to recognize the importance of phytonutrients but the rest of the industry is changing very rapidly to keep up with the many benefits of combining all three of them together.