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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Overcoming Physical Hurdles

June 29th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

People are born unique to the rest of their peers in one way or another. Others may find these unique traits otherwise concealed, while there are those whose points of difference are in clear view of the world. These physical differences may be comparatively more difficult to cope with. However, these needn’t be reason to allow one’s self to be overcome by these difficulties.

Often, any physical hurdle creates an almost immediate impetus to find a place to throw the blame. Unfortunately, this blame often falls inwards, particularly when the physical difficulty resulted during birth or through an accident. This unhealthy imposition of blame on the self further feeds feelings of guilt, and may in the long-run contribute to far more self-destructive attitude, leading to depressive disorders and such.

The feelings of anyone with physical difficulties may go from one extreme to another, even if they do not confess to this huge variety of fleeting emotions. This non-admission is often a way for the mind to cope with things that we have to deal with.

The good thing is that physical challenges need not be a hurdle standing in the way of your achieving your dreams and ambitions. However, this reality isn’t one that you can lecture; rather, it is one that each person must discover, learn for themselves, accept, and live by. This process will be made possible by truly being open to the possibilities beyond those that you are able to see for yourself.

Luckily, when you look closely, those who face physical hurdles are often found in the center of a supportive group of people-family, friends, and colleagues. These people are often the ones who love them unconditionally, even if loving means being tough one time or another in order to help that person grow. With the help of these people, any physically-challenged individual can be open, honest, and true to themselves.

Seek that support group, especially during times of greatest physical and emotional difficulty. The special thing about support groups-whether you are intimately related to them like family, or in public support groups-is that they offer a listening ear and no judgments.

If you have a loved one who is physically-challenged, you may find that he is less willing to accept the fact that you love him with no regard for however different he is. This may make it a challenge to love  him more openly, especially because you yourself may not have any clear physical difference. In these instances, do not be afraid to seek the support of those like you, and perhaps, in the process, find words of advice as to how to deal with this situation.

Do not treat a person who is physically-challenged in a special way. You may adjust somewhat to the way he talks or help him walk, but this does not mean you have the license to show pity and treat him any less than how he deserves to be treated. This is ultimately, a show of respect that each person-even those with physical hurdles-expect to be given him.

Differences among people that manifest physically cause challenges not only among those who possess these traits, but also for the people around them who love and support them. However, it is best to muster up the will and courage to overcome this hurdle, because doing so is every bit worth the trouble. Instil in both parties confidence and a feeling of worth, and these physically-challenged individuals may even change your life for the better.

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Valerian for Anxiety Treatment

June 25th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

Herbal remedies have been the subject of both research and ridicule for many centuries now. Some see them as the balance between effectiveness and safety, while others see them as inferior to the chemical medications we commercialize today. One of the famous herbal remedies worth mentioning is valerian.

A perennial flowering plant that grows mostly in Eurasia, valerian is recognized by its pink and/or white trumpet-shaped flowers. Typically at around four feet high, this plant’s roots have been used for centuries as medicine for different ailments, especially anxiety.

The “Father of Medicine” Hippocrates has been said to administer valerian for digestive problems. However, it was only during the eighteenth century when the plant’s sedative properties became known. Upon this discovery, doctors started to prescribe it for conditions like insomnia, exhaustion, stress, and many others linked to anxiety. Up to now, it is still an herbal remedy recommended by herbalists.

This plant has also been subjected to rigorous medical research. While scientists are still not certain about the cause of valerian’s sedative properties, it is mostly believed now that it affects the neurotransmitters in the brain like benzodiazepines, which are mostly found in Valium and Xanax. This means that it works by blocking certain enzymes that break down gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitting chemical that is linked to mood, relaxation, and sleep.

However, valerian has more long term effects, unlike benzodiazepines. While the conventional prescription drugs wear off after several hours, the effects of valerian actually lingers and supplements positive changes in the brain, leading to lower incidences of anxiety and stress. Statistically, valerian has been successful in lowering stress in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Safety of Valerian

Valerian has been found to have little to no adverse side-effects for those who consume it. While this is so, it is best to keep in mind that it may do something if it mixes with other substances.

As a sedative, it is not to be used with other sedatives and anti-depressants. For those who pay closer attention to rock stars who end up becoming train wrecks, a cocktail of alcohol, barbiturates, prescription anti-depressants, and other sedatives can cause serious problems. Of course, herbalists who really know what they’re doing will give you mixtures of herbs with similar properties along with valerian, which is okay.

If you don’t want any accidents or mishaps, taking any sort of sedatives before driving or operating heavy machinery should be avoided. Since it may cause stomach problems, headaches, restlessness, and even over stimulation for some individuals, it is best to stay on the safe side and keep away from valerian before these activities.

Valerian is one of the oldest herbal remedies in all of human history. A non-addictive and widely available herb that has no dangerous side effects and is known for its safety, valerian offers no reasons to not try it. If you are suffering from anxiety, put that Valium pill down and try some valerian. You’ll be glad that you did.

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Top Ten All Time Diet Tips

June 25th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

One of the most sought after goals for most people at any time is to lose weight. Whether it’s the New Year or any other part of the year, we always want to get rid of the flab. We will have to admit that despite looking alright, we always want to look even better by taking away that fat around the belly, arms, thighs, and so on.

And so, we go on our daily lives, trying to implement some diet or incorporate some exercise to lose weight. Most of us fail perhaps because we do not want it enough. However, by keeping ten tips in mind, we can turn the tide of this battle.

1. Begin your weight loss regimen on a Monday. While this seems superficial, it does have some impact on physical and psychological factors. Since Monday is the start of the week after two days of rest on weekends, it is the perfect time to start exercising and dieting according to our needs. As we are ready to work or go to school, so we are ready to lose weight as well. As long as that particular Monday is the start of a non-stop healthy lifestyle, then success can be achieved. But you must remember without fail that you must never think of leaving it for next Monday. You start right away or you’ll never start at all.

2. Plan your diet for that week right away. The worst thing that you can do for yourself in your diet is to eat something out of impulse. That means the junk food that you buy just because you are feeling a little hungry is what will kill your diet. Write down what you should eat in every day of that week and never betray it, no matter what your stomach says. Follow that diet plan to the letter and nothing more.

3. Pre-pack adequate serving sizes of healthy snacks for yourself. This will help you fight the battle against the empire of evil when it comes to diets - fast food. When you feel like you need to metabolize something, pull out that snack and stay away from that drive-through take out.

4. If you know what’s good for you, starvation is the bane of every healthy diet. While you may think that you’re actually keeping yourself from consuming extra calories, what it really does is slow down your metabolism. If you want to keep your metabolism going, which is crucial for weight loss, do not skip meals.

5. Counter-intuitive, but effective, eating every two to three hours is actually the best diet. Utilized by both professional athletes and determined commoners alike, eating bit by bit in this interval will help keep metabolism at its quickest rate, letting you burn fats as much as possible.

6. Proteins and carbohydrates are essential for every meal when it comes to both losing weight and just plain healthy living. Instead of just reaching for sugar when feeling a bit weak, consume proteins and carbohydrates regularly to avoid feeling that slump.

7. Cardio exercises are the key to burning off excess calories from your body. Diet alone will not help you burn them off, so dedicating yourself to three to four 45-minute sessions of cardio every week will set you off to a good pace.

8. Building muscle will help you burn calories more efficiently. Since muscles burn the most calories in the body, weight and resistance training will let you both look good and burn calories more quickly.

9. Staying hydrated is something that is underestimated, yet underrated. Drinking water is definitely effective in losing weight as it keeps you healthy and helps you consume less food during the day.

10. This may sound needless, but it is very helpful. Keeping a food journal will help you track your progress in your diet. You may also expand this by tracking your workouts as well, letting you take control of your weight loss program without feeling lost and staying faithful to it.

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Understanding What Makes People Fat or Thin through Psychology

June 24th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

Humans by nature have limitations when it comes to control over certain body types.  How much fat people carry depends on their parents.  The process of metabolism depends on their genetic makeup.  But most of the time, it’s up to the choices that people make when it comes to what they eat.

Believe it or not psychology plays a huge role in how much people weigh.  Through the subconscious, a person can determine how much they eat, how much they workout and it even determines the right kind of weight range fit for them.  Such are the anorexics or the bulimics whose eating problems go beyond what they eat but delve more into the habits of eating.  But not many realize that this same reasoning can also be used to people who are obese.

There are a lot of reasons why people tend to eat more than they can.  Check out some of these common reasons why.

  • People tend to overeat to fill an emotional void in their life.  They can trace this void all the way back to their childhood days although it can also manifest in events happening at the present.  An example is when someone eats a lot after a divorce to recompense for the losing his or her partner.
  • Overeating may come as a result of a person being a victim of abuse.  For instance, a sexually abused person may tend to overeat to make her less attractive to protect them from not going through it again. Some victims may opt to eat more to feel comfortable.  This usually happens for a long period after any abuse.
  • People may overeat because of stress.  They would rather eat a lot than face whatever makes them stressful.  Although this is only a temporary fix, the moment the stressor appears again, then the process repeats itself.

Keeping it Healthy in Mind and Body

Overweight people stay the way they are because of the choices they make.  They may try diets, medications, working out and other means but it usually doesn’t work. This will only work if they try to work out the deeper issues going on inside of them before they can work on their physical selves.

If psychological problems behind obesity continue to prevail then any weight loss measure will fail.  These problems usually come with low self-esteem which is common in stopping weight loss efforts to work.  No matter how much people try to lose weight, the results don’t usually last.

But having low self-esteem may also mean that people tend to give up right away because they can’t see the results quickly enough hence the effort fails.  Even if weight loss is achieved and the psychological problem continues to linger then the weight loss will be temporary.

The immediate treatment of psychological problems is necessary in order to prevent something harmful like overeating.  It is only through improvement of the mind that the body follows because the groundwork has been laid towards achieving a healthy weight.

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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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