Detox Supplements: Fight Cancer with Vitamins and Supplements by Kedar N. Prasad, Ph.D. and K. Che Prasad, M.D.

June 30th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Nutritional Supplements Book Reviews

A Guide to Prevention and Treatment

Fight Cancer with Vitamins and Supplements: A Guide to Prevention and Treatment511V5TCXF8L._SL160_ Detox Supplements: Fight Cancer with Vitamins and Supplements by Kedar N. Prasad, Ph.D. and K. Che Prasad, M.D.

Scientific research has proven that certain nutrients found in foods and many nutritional supplements can help the body fend off cancer.  For patients already suffering from cancer, these same elements can fight the disease and increase the effectiveness of traditional cancer treatments.  This book explains the most up-to-date information direct from the scientific community, helping readers better understand the role of vitamins and how they can benefit from these micronutrients.

This book helps readers identify important nutrients for reducing their risk for cancer and learn to incorporate these elements into their diet through foods and supplements.  Fight Cancer with Vitamins and Supplements includes:

  • An easy-to-follow diet and supplementation program
  • Information that clarifies the mysteries surrounding the latest anti-cancer nutrients
  • Explanations as to how many vitamins found in foods are lost during storage and how to get them back
  • Evidence that the featured cancer prevention program can also effectively prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other serious conditions

About the Author

Kedar N. Prasad, Ph.D., is director of the Center for Vitamins and Cancer Research at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

His son, K. Che Prasad, M.D., is a fellow at the University of California, San Francisco.

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Detox Supplements: The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines by Michael Murray N.D.

June 23rd, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Nutritional Supplements Book Reviews

Vitamins, Minerals, Nutritional Supplements, Herbs, and Other Natural Products

The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines: Vitamins, Minerals, Nutritional Supplements, Herbs, and Other Natural Products510QYET3YVL._SL160_ Detox Supplements: The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines by Michael Murray N.D.

This book will prove helpful to anyone who uses vitamins, mineral supplements, or other natural products.  It poses and answers important questions about more than 250 of today’s most common natural remedies.  The author rates these products according to effectiveness and safety.

The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines contains important information on the following:

  • What each product is used for and how it is supposed to work
  • How safe and effective the product is
  • Potential side effects
  • Potential drug interactions
  • Dosage recommendations
  • Things to take into consideration when using the product to treat children, seniors, or pregnant women

About the Author

Michael Murray, N.D. is one of America’s most respected authorities on natural medicine.

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Indicators of Borderline Personality Syndrome

June 22nd, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Fitness

In the modern field of psychology, the borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is one of the hardest ones to diagnose. It is this sort of controversial nature of diagnosis that results from the inability of doctors to determine what this disease really is, what triggers it, and how it can be treated.

A good way to characterize borderline personality disorder is to look at how it parallels another psychiatric condition: bipolar disorder. This is because both conditions are characterized by impulsive behaviour and moods almost instantly changing.

While the mood swings of someone with a bipolar disorder can persist for long periods and years, those with borderline personality disorder will have mood swings that last for at least some hours and stretch to only a couple of days.

As characteristic of people with unstable psychiatric states, people who suffer from both bipolar disorder and BPD are unable to sustain the lives they lead, being unable to maintain relationships and fulfil responsibilities at home and at work.

Another differentiating characteristic of people suffering from BPD is that they tend to have a rather distorted view of the world. They tend to have an extremely pessimistic view of the world, defining things in a binary manner: black and white, good and evil. This binary view of the world is exactly how their moods are: on the extreme. If they like one friend one day, they can as easily despise that person the next.

Moreover, those who suffer from BPD willingly subject themselves to this dichotomy in their worldview. However, more often than not, they cast themselves in a negative light and classify themselves as being evil. As a result, they tend to have little self-worth, and often feel like they are invisible to the people around them. This often drives their suicidal drives-thoughts and actions.

What triggers BPD is still largely unknown; however, many people believe that it is often triggered by any traumatic event, especially something along the lines of childhood sexual and physical abuse. This conclusion was drawn from the fact that many of the individuals diagnosed with BPD were in fact, victims of abuse in their youth. In the early stages of the development of studies in BPD, it was originally considered as a manifestation of what we now know as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Borderline personality disorder is similar to many psychiatric conditions, in that it is characterized by many different indicators and manifestations. Anyone suffering from BPD must display five or more of these specific indicators: a shifting image of the self, suicidal tendencies, impulsive behavior, paranoia over being abandoned, unfounded anger, a general feeling of emptiness, mood swings, generic paranoia, and the inability to sustain relationships.

The wealth of symptoms-and the fact that it takes only five to get diagnosed-has led to the consequence of two people suffering from the same disorder but having a completely different set of at least five BPD indicators. This is the reason behind the disease’s controversial nature.

The controversy behind diagnosing BPD has not hindered those in BPD advocacy groups to argue that BPD is actually a far more common disorder than people think. In fact, many believe that 2% of the entire population may be suffering from BPD, while 20% of those suffering from psychiatric disorders are suffering from BPD.

Continuous research is being done in order to treat and medicate BPD. This has allowed many people who were previously diagnose to return and live their normal lives again.

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Disability: Conquer that Mountain Now!

June 22nd, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

Disability among individuals in sports may pose a unique sort of challenge. This would especially be true of you feel the desire to climb and conquer a mountain. Is it possible for those who have some physical disability? With enough will and determination, yes.

The first hurdle to these disabled individuals is that they are often banned from participating in certain activities that others think they will be unable to do due to their disability. Then, these physically-challenged individuals begin to imbibe within themselves the belief that they are indeed unable to do the things that they want to do. This isn’t the case.

While they may have more difficulty than others in doing certain activities, this is does not preclude their ability to do it. With the right equipment and technique, they will be able to do some of the things that those who are not equally-challenged are able to do.

There are even those who are able to compensate for their disabilities by heightening the use of their other faculties. If they have a missing arm, some of them are able to train their legs to do some things that their arms should have been equipped to do.

You will not believe how much a person can do with a positive outlook and support. This is especially true when what is stopping a person from doing what he wants to do is a negative mentality. With enough resolve in the mind, the body will follow suit and work in concert.

Mountains may be one of the most daunting things to conquer for these individuals. This is because climbing a mountain requires not only physical strength, but also strong mental resolve. There are mountain climbers who get injured, or worse, lose their lives, because their minds were weak and because they exercised poor judgment.

However, there was never a rule for doing this on your own. One may even consider it foolish to try climbing a mountain without a companion. Partnering up with someone when you climb a mountain ensures greater success and safety.

Any physically-challenged individual will be able to climb a mountain with the guidance of able-bodied climbing buddies. The physical task is not as daunting as the first step: the belief that they will be able to do whatever they put their mind into. They can then begin to work on accomplishing the daunting task of climbing a mountain. They may find it hard to climb a mountain when seated on their wheelchairs, but with the help of ropes and other equipment, any paraplegic can further use the strength of their upper body to complete the task.

This is also true for those who are climbing but are missing their lower limbs. You may be surprised at how prosthetic limbs can in fact improve the balance in your body. However, don’t forget: preparing for the task of climbing requires a lot of preparation, which includes training to climb smaller hills, doing enough cardiovascular training, and studying survival skills.

Those who’ve had previous experience in climbing mountains have themselves suffered from injuries from more dangerous climbs, leaving them physically-challenged as well. However, many of them have done their part in making sure that this disability does not stand in the way of their desire to climb mountains. They then tried to find ways to climb mountains despite their disabilities.

If you have some physical handicap, you needn’t cross out mountain climbing from among the things you want to achieve. It may be a longer path, but it’s something that can be done.

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Detox Supplements: The Natural Pharmacist by Steven Bratman and Richard Harkness

June 21st, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Nutritional Supplements Book Reviews

Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions Bible

The Natural Pharmacist : Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions Bible51JESWVPEQL._SL160_ Detox Supplements: The Natural Pharmacist by Steven Bratman and Richard Harkness

Many people aren’t aware of the benefits or dangers of mixing vitamins, herbs, and medications.  Some combinations can affect your health for the better, while others can be hazardous.  By taking the correct vitamins or herbal supplements, you can actually reduce or even get rid of side effects from prescription medications completely.  On the other hand, treating side effects from medication or other medical conditions with the wrong supplements can increase your side effects and even keep your medication from working its best!

This book can keep you informed by providing you with following knowledge:

  • Learn to reduce your risk of negative drug/supplement interactions
  • Identify the supplements that can make your medication more effective
  • Detailed descriptions of drugs and supplements
  • Complete guide to all types of drug-herb-vitamin interactions

The Natural Pharmacist is full of research-based scientific data that supports its guidelines to healthy nutritional supplementation.

About the Author

Steven Bratman, MD., is a physician who specializes in both alternative and traditional medicine.

Richard Harkness, Pharm., FASCP, is a renowned columnist who has authored numerous medical books geared toward both consumers and pharmacists.

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Detox Supplements: The Vitamin D Cure by James Dowd and Diane Stafford

June 20th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Nutritional Supplements Book Reviews

The Vitamin D Cure51Pp%2Bth3-TL._SL160_ Detox Supplements: The Vitamin D Cure by James Dowd and Diane Stafford

Vitamin D deficiency is responsible for a broad array of health problems.  In this book, rheumatologist Dr. James Dowd explains how vitamin deficiency happens and presents a simple five-step program that can help you achieve optimum health.  The regimen can cure or alleviate diseases such as arthritis in less than two months.

Learn how to:

  • Determine how much vitamin D you need
  • Use the sun and nutritional supplements to raise your vitamin D levels
  • Determine your blood acidity and change your diet accordingly
  • Achieve the best state of health possible by with all-around supplementation
  • Use exercise to its best effect

Take control of your health by following this program.  You will free yourself from a host of health problems you may have thought to be incurable and ensure a longer and healthier life.

About the Author

James Dowd, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Michigan State University.  He specializes in arthritis and is a widely published and highly respected authority on the subject.

Diane Stafford has authored and assisted with the writing of over a dozen books, such as Migraines for Dummies and No More Panic Attacks.

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Get Killer Abs with These Five Foods

June 19th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

If you’re thinking about shedding the pounds, chances are you’re aiming to get killer abs.  When it comes to losing weight, the belly is probably the most difficult area.  But there are ways to solve this particular problem. The simplest way to do this is exercise and burn calories.  This is the most effective way to lose weight but not your bulging belly.  To get flat abs, all you need to do is watch what you eat.

Research has discovered a connection between monosaturated fats and flat bellies.  You can actually eat fat to get flat abs.  You can find monosaturated fats in a lot of plant type foods.  It’s all about mixing and matching these healthy fats to shed some pounds.

The first type of food on your list to get those killer abs are some nuts and seeds.  And the only kind you should get them in is unsalted.  Some examples of these healthy nuts are cashews, walnuts and pecans.  But the two most recommended nuts to get are pumpkin and sunflower seeds.  Grab a couple of tablespoonfuls of these healthy nuts to satisfy your snacking needs.

The next type of foods to eat for a flatter tummy is oils.  Believe it or not, there are healthy oils that help you shed the pounds. Some examples of these healthy oils are sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil and walnut oil. Just use one tablespoon of any of these oils to sauté your favorite vegetables and you’re steps closer to a healthier lifestyle and slimmer abs.

Avocados are the third food you need to consider. This healthy fruit is filled with monosaturated fats. You can use them in different ways.  Add them in a salad or a sandwich for a healthy meal.

The fourth food to get you closer to a flatter belly is olives.  You can get whatever type of olive you can get your hands on since all of them are good for you. To make an interesting sandwich, make an olive tapenade as a sandwich spread.

The last kind of food to consider is chocolates.  Surprisingly, this sweet treat is a great diet food only if you have them in small quantities. Choose the dark or semi-sweet kind and take advantage of its monosaturated fat benefits.

Just by adding quantities of these five belly-busting foods to your meal everyday you will observe a slowly slimming tummy. All it takes to get you closer to those killer abs you’ve been aiming for is by adding healthy foods to your diet and don’t forget to work out too.

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How Depression Affects Your Worldview

June 18th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

Depression can have a tremendous impact on your life, and this is something that you will be very much aware of if you’ve ever had bouts of expression. This can cause further pressure in the way you live your life, making things that were usually easier to bear far more difficult. This is because apart from its emotional impact, depression can manifest itself in how you relate to the people around you and the life that you lead.

Before we begin analyzing the impact of depression on a person’s life, there needs to be a clarification of what depression really is. For instance, most people go through bouts of sadness after any sad event-such as unemployment, death in the family, or a bad relationship. However, depression is different because it takes root rather deeply in a person that the feeling of sadness does not go away for long. The feeling of depression causes a negative effect on the rest of a person’s activities-making him or her unable to concentrate, unable to eat properly, and even experience feel physical pain.

Depressive individuals may even find it difficult to comply with the tasks they have to fulfill in a day. They may find it hard to even get up in the morning, prepare their meals, clean, or do their tasks at work. Despite the fact that they may attend to their tasks sometimes, the way they do these tasks may be less than satisfactory. This can often cause stress on the people around them, who may have to clean up after them.

One depressed family member can cause other family members to feel similar bouts of depression. This may result from a feeling of guilt or helplessness-even if they know that they are not exactly to blame for that depression. However, the sheer stress and degree of the depression suffered by a loved one may make them probe themselves further, looking for reasons how they might have contributed to that depression. In addition, the added stress they feel due to having to look after a depressed loved can also further damage them emotionally, as they have to worry about their own problems while having to deal with this depression with the rest of the family.

If you’re beginning to feel like your depression is slowly seeping into your wellness and your ability to fulfil your responsibilities, you may find yourself in eventual financial ruin. You might skip days of work, and, in the process, even lose your job. Your spouse and family members may become unable to fulfil their duties as well, as they stay home looking after you and attending to your needs. The loss of income, additional medical bills, and other expenses can further the strain on the family unit. This may then encourage further depression, as you may feel to blame for the fate of the rest of your family. This will then begin and further a vicious cycle.

Luckily, depression is something that can be treated, especially when it is diagnosed especially in the early stages. It will reduce the possible negative implications it may have on the family and relationship dynamics, as it is treated before it worsens. Luckily, there are a lot of medications that can help manage depression.

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Aromatherapy and Anxiety

June 15th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

What is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person’s mood or health. Scientific evidence is weak and preliminary but mildly encouraging for a limited number of claims. Be informed of the pros and cons before indulging in it.

Although aromatherapy lacks the necessary scientific backing as to its effectiveness, still there are a lot of people who swear by it in relieving stress and anxiety. People who do not want to take prescription drugs turn to aromatherapy instead. It is a simple remedy for the temporary relief of anxiety and tension.

There are various essential oils used in relieving stress and anxiety. Among these are the following.

1. Lavender. It is considered as one of the most popular essential oils available. Its very agreeable smell is a very good sedative. To show its safety and wide use, there are a lot of products in the market, such as baby washes and lotions that use lavender as its main ingredient.

2. Chamomile. This essential oil provides a calming, soothing effect. No wonder it is highly used in traditional medicine.

3. Sandalwood. This oil is very useful in relieving stress.

4. Patchouli. Said to be an aphrodisiac, this essential oil is said to enhance mood.

5. Vanilla. This oil is considered as very effective in soothing the nerves. Its very pleasant aroma makes it a favorite among many people.

Uses of Aromatherapy

For people on the verge of a panic attack, a simple sniff at any of these essential oils can provide instant wonders. This is also so for those who feel so stressed out. The smell or aroma of the oils can provide immediate relief. How else can aromatherapy be used? Consider the following.

1. For the enjoyment of the whole family, diffusers and aroma lamps can be placed in strategic places in the house. For those who would want to relax just before bedtime, putting these lamps and diffusers in the bedroom can be very beneficial. It can put you in the mood for a restful sleep.

2. A warm bath does wonders for the body. Adding five to six drops of your favorite essential oils to your bath water can double the benefit. This will surely take all the tension and will set you in a relaxed mood.

3. A good massage surely relaxes tense muscles and perks up brain chemistry. The use of aromatherapy oils enhances further the benefits derived from an ordinary massage. You can use any of your favorite essential oils.

Most essential oils are safe to the skin. But to be sure, it’s wise to do a simple sensitivity test first. Dilute the oils for maximum benefits. The next time you feel so stressed out and tense, have an essential oil handy. You will be thankful how wonderfully it can work for you!

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Dieting to Speed Up Metabolism

June 14th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

Losing weight is simply the process of burning more calories than what you consume. A lot of weight loss plans fail to take note of this important, yet simple, detail. They usually focus more on the consumption part of dieting your way to a supposedly healthier and slimmer you.

A lot of people resort to skipping meals just to avoid consuming too many calories. Starving yourself is not the answer! This isn’t the wises thing to do because when trying to trim down, you shouldn’t deprive your body of nutrients. You starve your body when you do this and it actually slows down your metabolism or even stops it. This means you won’t be able to lose calories. The trick to this is coming up with a diet plan that speeds up your metabolism so you can burn calories faster.

When trying to speed up your metabolism, one of the most important steps is eating within half an hour after getting up in the morning. This jolts your metabolism into starting early. Having different kinds of foods that your body can burn throughout the rest of your day is also important. You should have at least a cup of complex carbs, 3 ounces of lean protein and of course, a glass of water.

You also have to remember to keep your metabolism going by munching on small meals every four hours. To maximize what you can burn it actually best to eat every couple of hours to three hours. This make you satisfy your hunger as soon as it sets in, which is a key trick to losing weight. Do no allow your body to feel starved or deprived of nutrition because it will slow your metabolism down - you don’t want to do that if you want to lose weight.

It also should be understood that the small meals you munch on through out the day should be healthy of course. The best forms of snacks are protein-filled snacks that force your metabolism to burn more than what you eat. You can also opt to eat granola bars and such, like healthy peanuts and different kinds of grains, that keep you energized for the rest of the time that you are up and about.

The main meals you have for the rest of your 24 hours should consist of a wide variety of healthy foods that can stimulate your metabolism to burn more and keep going at full speed. You can begin with at least 3 ounces of lean protein for every major meal. Eating one serving of a complex carb that takes longer to burn and leaves you satisfied longer is also a smart idea. You can use something like brown rice that is both delicious and healthy. You can also never go wrong with vegetables. Eat as much vegetables as you can. The upside to this is that you can pig out on vegetables and not gain weight at all.

This is basically all you have to do to lose weight. If you manage to “train” your metabolism to burn at full speed you will lose weight faster than you can notice. This will make your body burn at maximum efficiency and speed. You will be able to literally just feel and look leaner and lighter.

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