Health care : Calcium‏

You are mostly water and then you are mostly calcium!

Calcium is a mineral and all minerals are metals.
Remember when your doctor prescribes you vitamin and mineral supplements, they are prescribing you vitamin and metal supplements.

So besides water you are mostly metal!

No two ways about it, taking the wrong calcium,
like Coral Calcium, can cause major health problems!

The simple act of taking Vitamins with Minerals can promote disease. Metals, when added to the body, must be bound to a metalloenzyme (an enzyme that contains one or more metals). Enzymes are like the horse pulling a cart (the metal) to where it belongs and can be used by the body. When the body is unable to respond with the proper metalloenzyme, disease can occur.

Calcium not only makes up your bones, it's also found in your nerves, muscles and most of the cells in your body. Calcium, along with other vitamins and metals, are in water and almost everything you eat.

There are two common forms of calcium and dozens of chemical compounds of calcium. One good, the other very bad. This is a well kept secret in the medical and water industry. Tens of billions of dollars are being made in hospitals because of heart disease and selling water softeners that use salt to remove the good calcium from water.

There are more than 60 chemical forms of calcium (Ca): Calcium acetate, Calcium benzoate, Calcium bromate, Carbonate (CaCO2), Carbide (CaC2)Chlorate, Chloride (CaCl2), Chromate, Fluoride, Gluconate (C12H22CaO14)Hydroxide (Ca[OH]2), Oxide (CaO), Nitrite, Phosphate (Ca3[PO4]2), Sulfate (CaSO4) and on and on. Your body needs calcium, but the calcium it needs has to be water soluble, digestible, and recognized by the body. From there, the body then has to chemically process it. All calcium is not water soluble, nor is it digestible or recognizable by the body, therefore, the body is unable to process it effectively.

Water, milk, cheese and vegetables are the best source of calcium.

1. Calcium Carbonate (Bad) - causes scale and plaque. Coral Calcium is a carbonate based calcium.

2. Calcium Bicarbonate (Very Good and very water soluble) - found in meats, fruits and vegetables this calcium builds strong bones when it is properly bound to enzymes and converted by the body.

There is a big difference between the many types of calcium. Someone with osteoporosis, for example, and loosing bone mass, should avoid calcium carbonate pills. They could develop for example, bone spurs on the foot. Every had plantar faciitis? If so, you've probably had a referral to see a Podiatrist (foot specialist). Should you take a different calcium like calcium citrate in lieu of calcium carbonate? Probably not; you probably don't kneed more calcium - you probably need the enzymes essential for control of the calcium that are already in your body. Do not ingest the bad Calcium (Carbonate) - it is not soluble in water.

Limestone, clam shells and marble are like the scale in your plumbing, which is known as calcium carbonate. This form of calcium is not soluble in water and is not bio-available. When calcium is taken in the bad form like calcium carbonate, the body tends to put it anywhere it wants to.

If bad calcium builds up in the arteries it can restrict blood flow to the heart, brain, legs, feet and other areas of the body which may cause major health issues.
Bad calcium may cause gallstones, kidney stones, buildup in the joints as arthritis. It could even be responsible for diabetes and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Calcium buildup is easily detected by an EBT (Electron Beam Tomography) scan. An EBT scan is more accurate, less costly and much safer than an angiogram.

EBT is now one of the major screening devices for the detection of coronary artery disease. Ten times faster than more traditional CT scans, EBT has been approved by the FDA and is considered ideal for detection of calcification in coronary arteries.

Liver Cancer

Liver is the second largest human organ, coming after skin. It is the chemical factory of human body and has some important functions, as storing some nutrients, converting fat to energy when necessary, producing bile, making certain amino acids, filtering harmful substances from blood, producing cholesterol, and so on. No one can live without liver. Liver cancer is the sixth most common diagnosed cancer and the third cause of cancer death worldwide. The incidence rates of liver cancer in Europe, and America is low, while the incidence rate of East Asia and Middle Africa can be three-fold higher than the average level, perhaps due to the high infection rate of hepatitis B and C and consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxin in those areas. And the incidence rate in males is about three times that in females. But even in western country the new cases of primary liver cancer increase while many other cancers are declining. What is liver cancer?Liver cancer refers to the growth of malignant tumors in liver tissue. Cancer is named after where it originally starts. Only cancer that starts in the liver is called liver cancer, or primary liver cancer. In all cases of liver tumors, primary liver cancer is relatively rare. In most cases, it is secondary cancer or metastatic liver cancer, which means that tumor originally grows in other part of the body, has spread to liver. Usually the data of liver cancer only refers to the cases of primary liver cancer. There are two different types of primary liver cancer, heptoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Heptoma or hepatocullular carcinoma (HCC) is the cancer that arises from hepatocytes, the main function liver cells. HCC is a ball-like tumor, usually confined to the liver, thought sometimes it spreads to other organs. It is more common in men and mostly occurs in people with cirrhosis. Cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer starts in the bile duct cells. This cancer grows along the bile ducts in sheets or lines, and is hard to find with X-ray. Cholangiocarcinoma is more common in women. Some primary tumors in the liver are benign (non-cancerous). They are usually small and may cause no symptoms. And they do not usually need to be removed unless they are causing symptoms. Most cases of liver cancer are actually metastases. Liver is one of the most common places for metastases to grow due to its high blood flow and biological functions. Secondary liver cancers can be metastases originally from colon, pancreas, stomach, lung or breast. What are the symptoms for liver cancer?A very early liver cancer usually has little or no symptoms since it is too small to cause any. As the cancer enlarges, it will have symptoms. Following are some of the symptoms for liver cancers.
Weight loss: Significant weight loss is defined as weight loss of more than 10% of the normal weight. Obvious loss of body weight doesn¡¯t necessarily mean that you are ill if you are on diet. But when there is no obvious explanation for the weight loss, please go to check it out with doctor. Swollen tummy (abdomen): Liver itself can get bigger with the cancer growing large, which may cause swelling over the right side of the abdomen. Meanwhile, sometimes swollen tummy is caused by ascites because the high pressure in the cancerous liver veins forces the fluid to leak from the veins into the abdomen. If ascites does develop, a tube can be put through the wall of the abdomen to drain the fluid away.Jaundice: Jaundice is yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclerae (white of the eyes). As the tumor grows large, the bile ducts of liver can become blocked, and the bile produced by the liver will flow back into the bloodstream, and the bilirubin in the blood accumulates, which causes juandice. Other signs of jaundice are dark-coloured urine and pale stools. The jaundice can be relieved sometimes by itself, or by inserting a narrow tube called stent in to the bile duct to keep it open and to allow the bile to flow normally into the small intestine. Pains: Sometimes people carrying liver cancer may feel a pain in the upper abdomen due to enlargement of the liver. Pains can also be felt in the right shoulder blade as nerves beneath the diaphragm connecting the right shoulder are stimulated by the enlarged liver. Other symptoms of liver cancer include loss of appetite, breast swelling in males, feeling sick and feeling full after a small meal. Some even have a high fever and feel shivery. If you have any one or some of the risk factors for liver cancer, and any of the above symptoms, please go to check it out with your doctor immediately. What are the risk factors for liver cancer?The exact cause of liver cancer is still unknown. But there are several risk factors that are known to increase one¡¯s likelihood to get liver cancer.
Cirrhosis: Over 80 percent of liver cancer cases in western countries are linked to cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is a fine scar tissue throughout the liver due to previous damages, including infection, inherited diseases and alcohol abuse. In the United States, hepatitis C and heavy alcohol drinking over a long period of time are the main causes of liver cirrhosis. However, only a small proportion of people who have liver cirrhosis develop primary liver cancer. Infection: Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases greatly the risk of developing liver cancer. Infection with HBV and HCV can also be the cause of cirrhosis, which increases the risk of liver cancer. HBV and HCV can spread from person to person through sharing contaminated needles (such as in drug use), unprotected sex, childbirth and blood transfusion. In the Unites States, infection of HCV is the most common cause of liver cancer while in Asia and developing countries, infection of HBV is more common. People infected by the two virus have higher risk to develop chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Of the two viruses, infection with HBV is more likely to cause symptoms, such as a flu-like illness and jaundice. And only a very small percentage of adults become chronic carriers. But the risk is higher in infants and small children who become infected. HCV, on the other hand, is less likely to cause symptoms. But most people with HCV develop chronic infections, more likely leading to liver cancer. Smoking: There is a link between smoking and liver cancer. Studies conducted in China and Japan show that among those who infected with HBV or HCV, the risk of smoker to develop liver cancer is as high as 12 times of non-smoker¡¯s. Inherited metabolic diseases: Certain inherited metabolic diseases can also lead to liver cancer. People with conditions of haemochromatosis, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, or porphyria cutanea tarda, have a higher risk of developing hepatoma. Obesity: Obesity can result in fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, which increase the risk of liver cancer. Aflatoxins: Alatoxin is a cancer-causing substances, found in mouldy peanuts, wheat, soybeans, ground nuts, corn and rice. Long-term exposure to aflatoxins is a major cause of hepatoma in Africa and Asia. The risk increases in people with HBV, or HCV infection.Anabolic Steroids: Anabolic steroids are male hormones that some athletes are known to use to increase their strength. Long-term use of anabolic steroid can slightly increase the risk of hepatocellular cancer. Arsenic: Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water, which might occur in some wells, increases the risk of liver cancer. This is more common in parts of East Asia.Diabetes: Diabetes can increase the risk of liver cancer if the patients have other risk factors such as heavy alcohol consumption or chronic hepatitis.Please remember that risk factors are not at all absolute. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean that you will get liver cancer. And many people who carry liver cancer may not have had any known risk factors listed above. How is primary liver cancer staged?Stage tells how widespread a cancer is. It tells whether the cancer is still contained within the liver or has spread to elsewhere. The stage of liver cancer is the most important factor for the doctor to decide the appropriate treatment options. The most accepted stage system of liver cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system. It tells the information including, tumor (T), extent of spread to regional lymph nodes (N), and whether the cancer has metastasized to other organ of the body (M).
Information for staging: TX, primary tumor cannot be assessed; T0, no evidence of tumor; T1, single tumor (any size) without invasion into blood vessels; T2, single tumor (any size) with invastion into blood vessels, or multiple tumors none of which are greater than 5 cm across; T3, multiple tumors that are greater than 5 cm across, or a tumor involving a major branch of the portal or hepatic veins; T4, tumor invading a nearby organ (other than the gallbladder), or tumor invading the visceral peritoneum (covering surrounding the liver).NX, regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed; N0, cancer has not spread to regional lymph nodes; N1, the cancer has spread to the regional lymph nodes.MX, distant spread cannot be assessed; M0, the cancer has not spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs; M1, the cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs. Summary of stages The T, N, M groups are combine to give an overall stage: Stage I - T1, N0, M0: there is a single tumor (any size) that does not invade blood vessels.Stage II - T2, N0, M0: there is a single tumor (any size) that does invade blood vessels; or there are several tumors, and all are less than 5 cm in diameter.Stage IIIA - T3, N0, M0: there are several tumors, and at least one is larger than 5 cm in diameter; or a tumor invades a branch of the major liver blood vessels (portal vein or hepatic vein).Stage IIIB - T4, N0, M0: a tumor invades a nearby organ (other than the gallbladder); or tumor has penetrated the outer covering of the liver.Stage IIIC - Any T, N1, M0: the cancer has invaded nearby lymph nodes, no matter the size and number of tumors.Stage IV - Any T, Any N, M1: the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, no matter the size and number of tumors, and whether nearby lymph nodes involved or not.Traditional TreatmentsThe treatments vary greatly according to the individuals. To create a treatment plan, the most important factor is the stage of liver cancer, and the doctors would also take into account the age, general stage of health, personal preference. Some possible treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.
SurgerySurgery is the most effective treatment for primary liver cancer that has not spread. There are two main options: liver transplant and partial hepatectomy. Both are potentially curable treatments. But only a very small portion of patients could benefit from surgeries. Hepatectomy is the surgical removal of the liver. The extent of hepactectomy depends on the number, size and site of cancer. The surgery may remove part of liver containing cancer, an entire lobe, or an even larger portion of liver. Liver has an amazing ability for self-repair. Even more than half of the liver is removed, it would grow back to its normal size in a couple of weeks. But hepatectomy is only available for those who are diagnosed early and no cirrhosis or metastasis occurs and whose rest of liver is still healthy. However even hepatectomy is taken, recurrence may occur sometimes if the liver still contains cancer the underlying disease that led to the first one. Liver transplant is to remove the whole liver and to replace it with a liver from another person. It may be a good option for the patients who have cirrhosis. But only those, whose liver tumor is less than 5 cm or up to 3 tumors all smaller than 3 cm across, can have liver transplant. Unfortunately the suitable donor for liver cancer is limited. And for most cases of primary liver cancer, liver transplant couldn¡¯t help. It is a too big surgery to survive if the patient is too ill. Or if the cancer has spread to other part of body, transplant won¡¯t cure it.ChemotherapyIn cancer treatments, doctors use chemotherapy to slow down the progress of cancer and palliate symptoms. But generally, primary liver cancers in adults are not sensitive to the usual chemotherapy. But chemotherapy is a standard tool to hepatoblastoma, the type of liver cancer that affects only children. Chemotherapy is often used to shrink the cancer before the surgery, or try to stop the cancer from coming back after surgery. RadiotherapyRadiotherapy uses high¨Cenergy ray to kill cancer cells. It helps to shrink the cancer to relieve the pain but no improvement of survival since normal liver cancer is sensitive to radiation together with liver cancer cells.
Pilot treatmentsCombination of surgery and immunotherapy for early stage liver cancer.Surgery, or hepatectomy, is the most promising option for early stage liver cancer patients with no cirrhosis to remove the lesion and control the development of the disease. Then CIK biotherapy, as the most efficient immunotherapy at present, will be adopted to kill the tiny scattered cancerous cells in blood and lymph and to restore the immune system.
Features:1. Radical cure for early stage liver cancer.2. Efficient prevention of recurrence and metastasis. 3. No toxicity or side effects to human body. No destroy to normal tissues. CIK cells could recognize and kill cancerous cells with no harm to healthy cells. 4. Quick recovery after treatments. 5. Quality of life improved with an enhanced immune system.Combination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, interventional therapy and immunotherapy for advanced stage liver cancerAdvanced stage refers to stage IIIb or IV. At advanced stage, the liver tumors usually are relative large with multiple metastases. Surgery is no longer available and chemotherapy cannot control the growth of tumor for advanced liver cancer. Our pilot treatment could cease the development of liver cancer and relieve the pains suffered by patients with good quality of life. Cryoablation kills cancer cells by freeze-thaw cycle and it is available to advanced stage liver cancer patients as well as early stage ones. Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the interventional therapy usually applied to treat liver cancer. Small catheters are punctured to the branches of the hepatic artery supplying the tumors and aliquots of chemotherapy dose and of embolic particles are injected through the catheters. TACE kills tumor in a better efficiency since it cuts off the blood supply for tumor and it allows a higher dose to the cancerous tissue while reducing toxicity to the whole body. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, the most efficient immunotherapy at present, can kill the tiny scattered cancerous cells in blood and lymph and to restore the immune system.
Features:1. Minimally invasive surgery-cryoablation, with little harm to normal function and little pains to patients, small wound and quick recovery.2. Available for advanced liver cancer patients. Most of primary liver cancers diagnosed are advanced liver cancer patients who have no chance for hepatectomy. Then cryoablation is a good option to remove the lesions safely and quickly.3. Ar-He cryoablation can block out blood vessel, which helps to enhance the therapeutic effects of TACE on large liver tumors.4. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, as well as enhances the efficacy of Ar-He cryoablation and TACE, can improve the immune function against tumor, which significantly extends survival time with a good quality of life. 5. No toxicity or side effects.The pilot treatment for advanced stage liver cancer offered by CTC removes the lesions as well as improves immune system. It is a promising treatment to improve life quality and extend survival time. Combination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, interventional therapy and immunotherapy for recurrence and metastatic liver cancer. Metastatic liver cancer is secondary liver cancer. Together with recurrence, metastatic liver cancer usually happens in advanced stage, when the patient is too weak for another surgery or for chemotherapy. Combination of Cryoablation, interventional therapy and CIK-DC cell immunotherapy is a good systematic treatment for recurrence and metastatic liver cancer.

Aerobic exercise:

What 30 minutes a day can do
Investing 30 minutes a day in aerobic exercise — such as walking, bicycling or swimming — can help you live longer and healthier. In fact, aerobic exercise may be the magic bullet you've been looking for.

Take a look at the health benefits associated with aerobic exercise. See how aerobic exercise affects your heart, lungs and blood flow — and get motivated to reap the rewards!

HOW YOUR BODY RESPONDS TO AEROBIC EXERCISE
During aerobic exercise, you repeatedly move large muscles in your arms, legs and hips. You'll notice your body's responses quickly.

You'll breathe faster and more deeply. This maximizes the amount of oxygen in your blood. Your heart will beat faster, which increases blood flow to your muscles and back to your lungs. Your small blood vessels (capillaries) will widen to deliver more oxygen to your muscles and carry away waste products, such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Your body will even release endorphins, natural painkillers that promote an increased sense of well-being.

WHAT AEROBIC EXERCISE DOES FOR YOUR HEALTH
Regardless of your age, weight or athletic ability, aerobic exercise is good for you. As your body adapts to regular aerobic exercise, you'll get stronger and more efficient. Consider some of the many ways that aerobic exercise can help you feel better and enjoy life to the fullest.

Regular aerobic exercise can:

Reduce health risks. Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of many conditions, including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer. Weight-bearing aerobic exercises, such as walking, reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Help you manage chronic conditions. Aerobic exercise helps lower high blood pressure, control blood sugar and relieve chronic muscle pain. If you've had a heart attack, aerobic exercise can help prevent subsequent attacks.
Keep excess pounds at bay. Combined with a healthy diet, aerobic exercise can help you lose weight — and keep it off.
Ward off viral illnesses. Aerobic exercise activates your immune system. This leaves you less susceptible to minor viral illnesses, such as colds and flu.
Keep your arteries clear. Aerobic exercise increases the concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol and decreases the concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol in your blood. The potential result? Less buildup of plaques in your arteries.
Strengthen your heart. A stronger heart doesn't need to beat as fast. A stronger heart also pumps blood more efficiently, which improves blood flow to all parts of your body.
Boost your mood. Aerobic exercise can ease the gloominess of depression and reduce the tension associated with anxiety, as well as promote relaxation.
Increase your stamina. Aerobic exercise may make you tired in the short term. But over the long term, you'll enjoy increased stamina and reduced fatigue.
Stay active and independent as you get older. Aerobic exercise keeps your muscles strong, which can help you maintain mobility as you get older. Aerobic exercise also keeps your mind sharp. Researchers say that at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week can reduce cognitive decline in older adults.
Need more convincing? People who engage in regular aerobic exercise appear to live longer than those who don't.

START SLOWLY
Check with your doctor before you begin to exercise. Once you have your doctor's OK, start slowly. You might walk five minutes in the morning and five minutes in the evening. The next day, add a few minutes to each walking session. Pick up the pace a bit, too. Soon, you could be walking briskly for 30 minutes a day — and reaping all the benefits of regular aerobic exercise.

Other options might include cross-country skiing, aerobic dancing, swimming, stair climbing, bicycling, jogging, elliptical training or rowing. If you have a condition that limits your ability to exercise, ask your doctor about alternatives. If you have arthritis, for example, aquatic exercises may give you the benefits of aerobic exercise without stressing your joints.

Live longer and stay healthier with just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day!

Liver Cancer

Liver is the second largest human organ, coming after skin. It is the chemical factory of human body and has some important functions, as storing some nutrients, converting fat to energy when necessary, producing bile, making certain amino acids, filtering harmful substances from blood, producing cholesterol, and so on. No one can live without liver. Liver cancer is the sixth most common diagnosed cancer and the third cause of cancer death worldwide. The incidence rates of liver cancer in Europe, and America is low, while the incidence rate of East Asia and Middle Africa can be three-fold higher than the average level, perhaps due to the high infection rate of hepatitis B and C and consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxin in those areas. And the incidence rate in males is about three times that in females. But even in western country the new cases of primary liver cancer increase while many other cancers are declining. What is liver cancer?Liver cancer refers to the growth of malignant tumors in liver tissue. Cancer is named after where it originally starts. Only cancer that starts in the liver is called liver cancer, or primary liver cancer. In all cases of liver tumors, primary liver cancer is relatively rare. In most cases, it is secondary cancer or metastatic liver cancer, which means that tumor originally grows in other part of the body, has spread to liver. Usually the data of liver cancer only refers to the cases of primary liver cancer. There are two different types of primary liver cancer, heptoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Heptoma or hepatocullular carcinoma (HCC) is the cancer that arises from hepatocytes, the main function liver cells. HCC is a ball-like tumor, usually confined to the liver, thought sometimes it spreads to other organs. It is more common in men and mostly occurs in people with cirrhosis. Cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer starts in the bile duct cells. This cancer grows along the bile ducts in sheets or lines, and is hard to find with X-ray. Cholangiocarcinoma is more common in women. Some primary tumors in the liver are benign (non-cancerous). They are usually small and may cause no symptoms. And they do not usually need to be removed unless they are causing symptoms. Most cases of liver cancer are actually metastases. Liver is one of the most common places for metastases to grow due to its high blood flow and biological functions. Secondary liver cancers can be metastases originally from colon, pancreas, stomach, lung or breast. What are the symptoms for liver cancer?A very early liver cancer usually has little or no symptoms since it is too small to cause any. As the cancer enlarges, it will have symptoms. Following are some of the symptoms for liver cancers.
Weight loss: Significant weight loss is defined as weight loss of more than 10% of the normal weight. Obvious loss of body weight doesn¡¯t necessarily mean that you are ill if you are on diet. But when there is no obvious explanation for the weight loss, please go to check it out with doctor. Swollen tummy (abdomen): Liver itself can get bigger with the cancer growing large, which may cause swelling over the right side of the abdomen. Meanwhile, sometimes swollen tummy is caused by ascites because the high pressure in the cancerous liver veins forces the fluid to leak from the veins into the abdomen. If ascites does develop, a tube can be put through the wall of the abdomen to drain the fluid away.Jaundice: Jaundice is yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclerae (white of the eyes). As the tumor grows large, the bile ducts of liver can become blocked, and the bile produced by the liver will flow back into the bloodstream, and the bilirubin in the blood accumulates, which causes juandice. Other signs of jaundice are dark-coloured urine and pale stools. The jaundice can be relieved sometimes by itself, or by inserting a narrow tube called stent in to the bile duct to keep it open and to allow the bile to flow normally into the small intestine. Pains: Sometimes people carrying liver cancer may feel a pain in the upper abdomen due to enlargement of the liver. Pains can also be felt in the right shoulder blade as nerves beneath the diaphragm connecting the right shoulder are stimulated by the enlarged liver. Other symptoms of liver cancer include loss of appetite, breast swelling in males, feeling sick and feeling full after a small meal. Some even have a high fever and feel shivery. If you have any one or some of the risk factors for liver cancer, and any of the above symptoms, please go to check it out with your doctor immediately. What are the risk factors for liver cancer?The exact cause of liver cancer is still unknown. But there are several risk factors that are known to increase one¡¯s likelihood to get liver cancer.
Cirrhosis: Over 80 percent of liver cancer cases in western countries are linked to cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is a fine scar tissue throughout the liver due to previous damages, including infection, inherited diseases and alcohol abuse. In the United States, hepatitis C and heavy alcohol drinking over a long period of time are the main causes of liver cirrhosis. However, only a small proportion of people who have liver cirrhosis develop primary liver cancer. Infection: Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases greatly the risk of developing liver cancer. Infection with HBV and HCV can also be the cause of cirrhosis, which increases the risk of liver cancer. HBV and HCV can spread from person to person through sharing contaminated needles (such as in drug use), unprotected sex, childbirth and blood transfusion. In the Unites States, infection of HCV is the most common cause of liver cancer while in Asia and developing countries, infection of HBV is more common. People infected by the two virus have higher risk to develop chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Of the two viruses, infection with HBV is more likely to cause symptoms, such as a flu-like illness and jaundice. And only a very small percentage of adults become chronic carriers. But the risk is higher in infants and small children who become infected. HCV, on the other hand, is less likely to cause symptoms. But most people with HCV develop chronic infections, more likely leading to liver cancer. Smoking: There is a link between smoking and liver cancer. Studies conducted in China and Japan show that among those who infected with HBV or HCV, the risk of smoker to develop liver cancer is as high as 12 times of non-smoker¡¯s. Inherited metabolic diseases: Certain inherited metabolic diseases can also lead to liver cancer. People with conditions of haemochromatosis, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, or porphyria cutanea tarda, have a higher risk of developing hepatoma. Obesity: Obesity can result in fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, which increase the risk of liver cancer. Aflatoxins: Alatoxin is a cancer-causing substances, found in mouldy peanuts, wheat, soybeans, ground nuts, corn and rice. Long-term exposure to aflatoxins is a major cause of hepatoma in Africa and Asia. The risk increases in people with HBV, or HCV infection.Anabolic Steroids: Anabolic steroids are male hormones that some athletes are known to use to increase their strength. Long-term use of anabolic steroid can slightly increase the risk of hepatocellular cancer. Arsenic: Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water, which might occur in some wells, increases the risk of liver cancer. This is more common in parts of East Asia.Diabetes: Diabetes can increase the risk of liver cancer if the patients have other risk factors such as heavy alcohol consumption or chronic hepatitis.Please remember that risk factors are not at all absolute. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean that you will get liver cancer. And many people who carry liver cancer may not have had any known risk factors listed above. How is primary liver cancer staged?Stage tells how widespread a cancer is. It tells whether the cancer is still contained within the liver or has spread to elsewhere. The stage of liver cancer is the most important factor for the doctor to decide the appropriate treatment options. The most accepted stage system of liver cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system. It tells the information including, tumor (T), extent of spread to regional lymph nodes (N), and whether the cancer has metastasized to other organ of the body (M).
Information for staging: TX, primary tumor cannot be assessed; T0, no evidence of tumor; T1, single tumor (any size) without invasion into blood vessels; T2, single tumor (any size) with invastion into blood vessels, or multiple tumors none of which are greater than 5 cm across; T3, multiple tumors that are greater than 5 cm across, or a tumor involving a major branch of the portal or hepatic veins; T4, tumor invading a nearby organ (other than the gallbladder), or tumor invading the visceral peritoneum (covering surrounding the liver).NX, regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed; N0, cancer has not spread to regional lymph nodes; N1, the cancer has spread to the regional lymph nodes.MX, distant spread cannot be assessed; M0, the cancer has not spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs; M1, the cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs. Summary of stages The T, N, M groups are combine to give an overall stage: Stage I - T1, N0, M0: there is a single tumor (any size) that does not invade blood vessels.Stage II - T2, N0, M0: there is a single tumor (any size) that does invade blood vessels; or there are several tumors, and all are less than 5 cm in diameter.Stage IIIA - T3, N0, M0: there are several tumors, and at least one is larger than 5 cm in diameter; or a tumor invades a branch of the major liver blood vessels (portal vein or hepatic vein).Stage IIIB - T4, N0, M0: a tumor invades a nearby organ (other than the gallbladder); or tumor has penetrated the outer covering of the liver.Stage IIIC - Any T, N1, M0: the cancer has invaded nearby lymph nodes, no matter the size and number of tumors.Stage IV - Any T, Any N, M1: the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, no matter the size and number of tumors, and whether nearby lymph nodes involved or not.Traditional TreatmentsThe treatments vary greatly according to the individuals. To create a treatment plan, the most important factor is the stage of liver cancer, and the doctors would also take into account the age, general stage of health, personal preference. Some possible treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.
SurgerySurgery is the most effective treatment for primary liver cancer that has not spread. There are two main options: liver transplant and partial hepatectomy. Both are potentially curable treatments. But only a very small portion of patients could benefit from surgeries. Hepatectomy is the surgical removal of the liver. The extent of hepactectomy depends on the number, size and site of cancer. The surgery may remove part of liver containing cancer, an entire lobe, or an even larger portion of liver. Liver has an amazing ability for self-repair. Even more than half of the liver is removed, it would grow back to its normal size in a couple of weeks. But hepatectomy is only available for those who are diagnosed early and no cirrhosis or metastasis occurs and whose rest of liver is still healthy. However even hepatectomy is taken, recurrence may occur sometimes if the liver still contains cancer the underlying disease that led to the first one. Liver transplant is to remove the whole liver and to replace it with a liver from another person. It may be a good option for the patients who have cirrhosis. But only those, whose liver tumor is less than 5 cm or up to 3 tumors all smaller than 3 cm across, can have liver transplant. Unfortunately the suitable donor for liver cancer is limited. And for most cases of primary liver cancer, liver transplant couldn¡¯t help. It is a too big surgery to survive if the patient is too ill. Or if the cancer has spread to other part of body, transplant won¡¯t cure it.ChemotherapyIn cancer treatments, doctors use chemotherapy to slow down the progress of cancer and palliate symptoms. But generally, primary liver cancers in adults are not sensitive to the usual chemotherapy. But chemotherapy is a standard tool to hepatoblastoma, the type of liver cancer that affects only children. Chemotherapy is often used to shrink the cancer before the surgery, or try to stop the cancer from coming back after surgery. RadiotherapyRadiotherapy uses high¨Cenergy ray to kill cancer cells. It helps to shrink the cancer to relieve the pain but no improvement of survival since normal liver cancer is sensitive to radiation together with liver cancer cells.
Pilot treatmentsCombination of surgery and immunotherapy for early stage liver cancer.Surgery, or hepatectomy, is the most promising option for early stage liver cancer patients with no cirrhosis to remove the lesion and control the development of the disease. Then CIK biotherapy, as the most efficient immunotherapy at present, will be adopted to kill the tiny scattered cancerous cells in blood and lymph and to restore the immune system.
Features:1. Radical cure for early stage liver cancer.2. Efficient prevention of recurrence and metastasis. 3. No toxicity or side effects to human body. No destroy to normal tissues. CIK cells could recognize and kill cancerous cells with no harm to healthy cells. 4. Quick recovery after treatments. 5. Quality of life improved with an enhanced immune system.Combination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, interventional therapy and immunotherapy for advanced stage liver cancerAdvanced stage refers to stage IIIb or IV. At advanced stage, the liver tumors usually are relative large with multiple metastases. Surgery is no longer available and chemotherapy cannot control the growth of tumor for advanced liver cancer. Our pilot treatment could cease the development of liver cancer and relieve the pains suffered by patients with good quality of life. Cryoablation kills cancer cells by freeze-thaw cycle and it is available to advanced stage liver cancer patients as well as early stage ones. Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the interventional therapy usually applied to treat liver cancer. Small catheters are punctured to the branches of the hepatic artery supplying the tumors and aliquots of chemotherapy dose and of embolic particles are injected through the catheters. TACE kills tumor in a better efficiency since it cuts off the blood supply for tumor and it allows a higher dose to the cancerous tissue while reducing toxicity to the whole body. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, the most efficient immunotherapy at present, can kill the tiny scattered cancerous cells in blood and lymph and to restore the immune system.
Features:1. Minimally invasive surgery-cryoablation, with little harm to normal function and little pains to patients, small wound and quick recovery.2. Available for advanced liver cancer patients. Most of primary liver cancers diagnosed are advanced liver cancer patients who have no chance for hepatectomy. Then cryoablation is a good option to remove the lesions safely and quickly.3. Ar-He cryoablation can block out blood vessel, which helps to enhance the therapeutic effects of TACE on large liver tumors.4. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, as well as enhances the efficacy of Ar-He cryoablation and TACE, can improve the immune function against tumor, which significantly extends survival time with a good quality of life. 5. No toxicity or side effects.The pilot treatment for advanced stage liver cancer offered by CTC removes the lesions as well as improves immune system. It is a promising treatment to improve life quality and extend survival time. Combination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, interventional therapy and immunotherapy for recurrence and metastatic liver cancer. Metastatic liver cancer is secondary liver cancer. Together with recurrence, metastatic liver cancer usually happens in advanced stage, when the patient is too weak for another surgery or for chemotherapy. Combination of Cryoablation, interventional therapy and CIK-DC cell immunotherapy is a good systematic treatment for recurrence and metastatic liver cancer.

Lungs Cancer

General Information
Lung cancer (also called ¡°bronchogenic carcinoma¡±) is an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in pulmonary tissue. These abnormal cells can form tumors which are either benign or malignant. Benign tumors can be simply removed. Malignant tumors, however, must be treated before they are able to grow and migrate to other pats of the body. This migration is known as metastasis. Certain types of lung carcinomas tend to undergo metastasis very early in their development, making them very life-threatening and difficult to treat. Lung carcinomas are responsible for approximately 1.3 million deaths per year worldwide1.ClassificationThere are two major types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell lung carcinoma. Of the two, the more prevalent type is non-small cell lung carcinoma. Carcinomas differ from mesotheliomas and sarcomas in the type of cell from which they are derived. Lung carcinomas are derived from lung epithelial cells, whereas mesotheliomas and sarcomas derive from the tissues surrounding the lungs.
Fig 1.: Microscopic image of small cell lung cancer cell histology Type 1 ¨C Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (SCLC) is the most aggressive type of lung cancer both in its rate of growth and its ability to metastasize. It is the type most closely associated with smoking2, tending to arise in the primary and secondary bronchial tubes3, and it accounts for approximately 20% of all lung cancers4. It is usually detected only after metastasis and can be further categorized as limited stage or extensive stage SCLC. Type 2 ¨C Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) account for approximately 80% of all lung cancers5. They can be further divided into three main sub-types, which are grouped together because of their similarities in diagnosis and treatment: squamous cell lung carcinoma, large cell lung carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma ¨C this is currently the most prevalent type in the US, comprising approximately 50% of all NSCLC¡¯s6. This type tends to develop in the outer and peripheral regions of the lung, and sometimes at multiple sites. Types of adenocarcinoma include: - Bronchioalveolar carcinoma - Adenosquamos carcinoma - Papillary adenocarcinoma - Mucoepidermoid carcinoma - Adenoid cystic carcinoma Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma ¨C accounting for almost 30% of NSCLC¡¯s7, squamous cell lung carcinoma typically occurs in the central primary, or secondary bronchii. Highly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas tend to develop more slowly than other types. Large Cell Lung Carcinoma ¨C a fast-growing and quickly metastatic type of carcinoma, large cell lung carcinoma is also the least common. It is poorly differentiated and tends to develop near the surface of the lungs.StagingLung cancer staging ranges from 0 to IV for NSCLC, whereas SCLC is categorized as limited or extensive.Causes Smoking ¨C The number one cause of bronchogenic carcinomas is tobacco smoke, accounting for approximately 90% of lung cancer deaths. Cigarette smoke itself is known to contain 60 carcinogens, including radon8. Radon ¨C a colorless, odorless gas which is known to have mutagenic properties. Prolonged radon exposure tests in Iowa (the American state with the highest average radon concentration) demonstrated a 50% increase in lung cancer risks9. Asbestos ¨C these silicate fibers can reside in lung tissue for long periods of time. A possible cause of both mesotheliomas and bronchogenic carcinomas, asbestos can corroboratively function with tobacco smoking to greatly increase the risk of lung cancer. Other Causes ¨C other possible causes, drawn from recent scientific discoveries, include familial genetic predispositions and viruses with mutagenic capabilities (including HPV, JC virus, simian, BK virus, and cytomegalovirus).SymptomsCommon symptoms of lung cancers include:- A worsening cough that doesn¡¯t go away- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)- Constant chest pain- Shortness of breath (dyspnea), wheezing, or hoarseness (dysphonia)- Swelling of the face and neck- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)- Frequent problems with bronchitis or pneumonia- Physical Fatigue, weight loss or loss of apetite (cachexia)TreatmentsIn general, Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma treatments should combinate localized and systemic therapies.Localized treatments are used to remove the ¡°localized¡± tumor mass from the body. Lung cancer treatments of this type can include: * Surgery * Radiation therapy * Cryoablation¨C a minimally invasive, freezing technique used to ablate the tumor mass * RFA ¨C or Radio Frequency Ablation, a minimally invasive heating technique to ablate the tumor, but with greater limitations than cryosurgery based on tumor size and location. * TACE ¨C a vaso-constrictor used to slow tumor growth and concentrate chemo treatment * p53 gene therapy ¨C Gendicine * Anti-angiogenesis treatment - EndostarSystematic treatments are used to treat or prevent cancer metastasis and recurrence, and to heal the whole body¡¯s ¡°system¡±. They include: * Chemotherapy * CIK-DC cell Immunotherapy (a Cytokine-Induced Killer and Dendritic Cell treatment) ¨C this therapy injects naturally-occurring CIK/DC cells into the patients. The natural function of these cells is to kill small tumors, circulatory and lymphatic cancer cells, and to strengthen the body¡¯s immune system, preventing metastasis and cancer recurrence. * p53 gene therapy ¨C Gendicine * Chinese Traditional Medicine
Combination of surgery and immunotherapy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer:Surgery removes the cancerous organ to minimize the cancer toxins. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, as the most efficient immunotherapy at present, will be adopted to kill the tiny scattered cancerous cells and to restore the immune system.Features1. Efficient prevention of recurrence and metastasis. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy eliminates cancerous cells which may have spread before the surgery and restore human¡¯s immune system against cancer. 2. No toxin or side effect3. Good quality of life4. Improve the cure rate. Combination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, mild or standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy for advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer:Cryoablation is minimally invasive surgery, which eliminates cancer by freeze-thaw cycle. Mild chemotherapy is a modified chemotherapy which achieves the results of regular chemotherapy with half dosage and toxin. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, as the most efficient immunotherapy at present, is given to kill any hidden cancerous cells and to restore the immune system.Features:1. cryoablation is minimally invasive surgery, with little harm to normal function and little pains to patients, small wound and quick recovery.2. CIK biotherapy, as well as enhances the efficacy of cryoablation and mild chemotherapy, can improve the immune function against tumor. 3. Low toxicity or side effects to human body. Mild chemotherapy has a regular chemotherapy efficacy with reduced toxicity and side effects. And CIK-DC cell immunotherapy helps to reduce the toxicity and side effects.4. Significantly extends survival time with a good quality of lifeCombination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, mild chemotherapy and immunotherapy for metastatic lung cancer:Metastatic lung cancer and recurrent lung cancer, usually happens in advanced stage, when the patient is too weak for another surgery or for chemotherapy. Combination of Cryoablation, mild chemotherapy and immunotherapy is a good systematic treatment for recurrent and metastatic lung cancer. It helps extend survival time significantly with a high quality of life and low side effects.

Depression

Author: michael russell

Depression is a disorder of mind. In depression the brain chemistry gets affected. The common symptoms of depression are guilty feeling, sadness, suicidal thoughts, lack in concentration, loss in energy, loss of interest in life etc. If anyone observes these type of symptoms then he must go to a doctor for consultancy. The patient can be diagnosed in several ways depending upon his age and situation. He can be treated with allopathic medicines, by counseling etc. But a better method of diagnosing depression is also available. in this method the patient is treated with the help of supplements made from herbs which are present in nature. The advantage of using these supplements is that they have less number of side effects when compared with other modes of treatment of depression. This treatment is cheap in comparison to other treatments. The Herbal supplements which are generally used for the treatment of depression are;1. St. John's Wort: It can be taken in the form of capsules, tea, oil. It increases the production of dopamine(a kind of neurotransmitter) in the brain. This herbal supplement is very sensitive towards sunlight. So care should be taken while keeping this supplement. Proper exercises should be done during the course of time taking this supplement to reduce the chances of side effects. St. john's wort is available in different combinations . A few of them are:a. Lobelia /St.John's wort: Its chemical combination is very much similar to nicotine. But the main benefit associated with it is that it is non addictive in nature. The combination includes 0.5g hypericin with 0.5g of Lobelia. It is less expensive herbal supplement. It helps in boosting the respiratory system.It is generally used from getting rid of smoking habits which is a main cause of depression.b. Kudzu /St.John's wort: This composition contains 1g hypericin with 1g of diadzin. It is used for treating alcohol addiction which indirectly is a cause of depression.The other popular herbal supplements are Kava Kava, Sam-e, Ginseng etc.The herbal supplements boosts our:1. Immune system: These supplements generally boosts up our immune system. So you are able to fight with diseases whose after effect is in the form of depression.2. Brain: Many factors such as high blood pressure, anxiety etc. creates imperfections in our brain by affecting the chemical composition of brain. The use of herbal supplements provides optimum supply to the brain which helps in fighting against the unusual thoughts which leads to depression.Most of the companies marketed their Natural herbal supplements as the best one to get relief from Depression.


Factors And Symptoms Of Depression


Depression is described as the sad or irritable behavior of the individual that has greater intensity and duration. It is a common illness, but is very serious and common among the people. It is caused due to the imbalance of chemicals, called the neurotransmitters, which carry signals to brain and nerves for communication. There are various other factors, which cause depression among the human beings. An individual can be depressed due to his own eating habits and physical conditions or due to the environment in which he is living. The eating habits of the individual, family history, eating disorders, smoking, stress and physical conditions of the individual, the loss of the loved ones of the individual are the factors that lead to depression among the human beings. The other important factors that leads to depression are:1. Marital factor: If a person is happily married then chances of depression decreases.2. Age: People of old ages are more prone to depression.3. Heredity: If there is a family history then chances of depression increases.4. Gender: The depression is found more in women than in women . A study shows that twenty five percent of women are suffering from depression in comparison to twelve percent of man. The factors for this difference are:a. women are more sensitive than men.b. women are full of emotions.c. There is a frequent change in female hormones than in men.d. Women feel more stress than man as they have to play various roles like wife and mother simultaneously with their work at home and office. They find it difficult to manage.e. Men thinks that alcohol can provide them help to get rid of depression, but in reality it masks the depression. In comparison women are less addicted to alcohol.5.Previous Episodes: If a person has suffered from depression once before then there are more chances in that person to develop it again.There are many symptoms of depression that can be seen in an individual. If any individual comes across at east five or more of the above symptoms for more than two months, then it is a symptom of depression. These symptoms are as follows:Feeling sad or feeling like crying in children and irritation in adults.Loss of interest in performing routine workSudden gain or loss of weight of the individualNot being able to concentrate and take decisionsThe thoughts of death or suicideTemporary loss of memorySleeping and eating disordersPersistent pains, cramps and digestive problemsFatigue and loss of energyNatural Supplement have no side effects on the patient if they are clinically tested and they provide a complete treatment for depression as well as Anxiety.


Depression Treatment:

According to a survey today 50 to 60 percent of the world's population is suffering from depression. It is a situation in which a person feel loneliness and negative thoughts come in his mind. In general depression is the outcome of fast and hectic life in which a person has no tim e to care for his body. Because of depression a person can even think of committing suicide. So it must be treated as soon as possible.There are different types of treatments available to the individual based on the type of depression. If the depression is moderate, then talking therapy can be used. Talking therapy includes the following types of therapies:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy is based on changing the way of thinking of the individual because the way of thinking of the individual has major influence on the health of the individual. In this therapy, the individual is encouraged to think positively and stay away from stress and negative feelings.Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): This therapy is based on improving the relationship of the individuals with other people. The individuals are helped in improving the relationship and communication with other people.Counseling: This method of treating depression involves the guidance of individuals to solve the problems encountered daily in a different and more effective way.If the depression is severe. then antidepressants are used with talking therapy. But this type of treatment needs patience because doctor needs some time to try allow the possible antidepressants medicines and their combinations that best suits the patient. the doses of these antidepressant medicines are decided on the basis of patient's age. If a person is taking some other medicines along with antidepressants then he must tell about this to his doctor because they can cause side effects and these side effects can be so serious that the can take patients life.Antidepressants are the most common drugs used by the people suffering from depression. Antidepressants consists of different types of drugs such as SSRIs, tricyclics and MAOIs. Antidepressants may have some side effects or even may not prove effective on the first use. In such cases, the dose of the antidepressants should be changed.Other treatments of depression consist of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). VNS is the process of inserting device in the body of the individual in order to provide stimulation to the vagus nerve. In ECT, the individual is treated with the help of electrical pulses of short duration.


Different Types Of Depression:


There are different types of depressions based on its severity. The different types of depressions are as follows:Major depressive disorders: It is a major depression, which interrupts the person to perform his routine work. The symptoms of this type of depression are more. The individual suffering from major depression has high risk of suicidal attempts. There are two types of major depressive disorders, which are as follows:Melancholic depressionCatatonic depressionDysthymic disorder: It is also called the dysthmia. This type of depression is less severe and the person can able to perform his routine work. The symptoms of dysthemic depression can exist for more than 2 years.Bipolar disorder: It is also known as manic-depressive illness. It is caused as a result of change of temper from high to low and from low to high. Some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder are as follows:Invincible belief in oneselfImpulsivityFast speech or extreme talkativenessPsychotic depression: It is a severe form of depression in which the individual may have hallucinations and hear and see things, which are actually not there.Seasonal affective disorder: This is a general type of depression which is associated with seasons. It is automatically after the passage of a particular season. For example in winter season the day gets shorter and due to which he feels more fatigue. But this is automatically treated when winter season passes away.Postpartum depression: This type of depression generally happens in women. It happens after pregnancy. During pregnancy the level of female hormones like progesterone and estrogen increases in the body. But after the birth of an infant child the hormonal level in females falls back at a very fast rate to acquire normal level. The doctor thinks that this rapid change in female hormonal level leads to depression symptoms. The symptoms includes headache, fast heart breathing, guilty feeling, no interest in friends and family, no interest in life, hopelessness, crying without any reason.Anxiety depressive disorder: It comprises of various mental problems such as panic disorder, social phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and post traumatic stress disorder. This is a very severe form of depression in which suicide rate increases. Psychotherapy is the best treatment for anxiety disorders.Typical Depression: This type of depression is generally found in women. The symptoms include oversleeping, overeating, panic attacks etc. This is not a very serious form of depression but still needs treatment.


Manage Stress By Enhancing Your Brain:


“Stress management” is a hot catchphrase in natural health these days. However, many people do not realize that effective stress management starts with brain enhancement. How a person thinks about themselves and their environment, and what they value, affects how they interpret a particular situation. If they interpret it as stressful or dangerous, their brains send signals to their bodies to create a “fight or flight” stress response. Getting this process under control can make a huge difference in people’s overall level of stress.Much advice has been given about how to think positively. One can repeat positive mantras or look for a silver lining in a difficult situation. Aerobic exercise, which sends oxygenated blood and endorphins to the brain, can also help the brain become more positive. It is also well-documented that deep abdominal breathing and stretching can create a calm mind that is resistant to negative thoughts and stress.However, according to Ilchi Lee in his recent book, Brain Wave Vibration: Getting Back into the Rhythm of a Happy, Healthy Life, the simplest way is to simply shake away negative thoughts or “brain waves,” leaving behind positive ones that the brain naturally wants to produce. This sort of exercise can be performed almost anywhere by anyone. Performing it even when one is not stressed can create a more calm and productive response to potentially stressful future situations.This exercise is known as Brain Wave Vibration. It can be performed simply by shaking the head to create a vibration in the brain. As the head and neck relax, this vibration can then travel down the spine to the entire body. One can even add visualization to this exercise to make it more effective. Just imagine a light that starts in the brain and travels over the entire body, pushing away stress and tension from the body.In addition to changing thinking patterns from negative to positive, Brain Wave Vibration relaxes tension in muscles and organs, further helping to reduce the effects of stress.Used as a simple method of natural health maintenance, Brain Wave Vibration has been shown to quickly clear the mind, making way for the positive mindset necessary for stress management.


Use Your Nose For Effective Stress Relief:


Whether it's a bad day at the office or a stressful day at home, there is nothing like stress relief through the use of aromatherapy. What is so distinctive about aromatherapy is the use of your sense of smell to help heal your mind. Essential oils are use to provide mental, spiritual, and physical healing. The aroma, which is experienced by using various scented oils, invokes emotions which affect the brain, where all emotions are controlled. Thus, when trying to overcome stress through aromatherapy, relief is achieved through our sense of smell.Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways. Scented candles, baths, fragrances, showers, or even a wood-burning fire are all forms through which aroma can be dispersed. It is the essence of the aroma that reduces stress and provides a calm, soothing, and relaxing state. The following are some aroma suggestions for stress relief:Lavender. Lavender is one of the most popular oils used in aromatherapy. Whether used in baths or scented candles, it is touted as being the most important part of any aromatherapy ritual. Lavender tends to calm and soothe an agitated mind.Ylang Ylang. Ylang ylang regulates cardio and respiratory rhythms. It also calms nerves and produces a feeling of euphoria. Create a relaxing atmosphere through the use of ylang ylang.Lemon. While lavender is known to alleviate stress, lemon oil is another healing substance which has similar properties for use in stress reduction. According to studies, it clears the head, improves concentration and memory, and combats depression. It is also one of the most refreshing of oils used today.Chamomile. Another well-known oil which has become beneficial to one’s health is chamomile. When used In tea form, it not only calms and relaxes, but offers stress relief as well. This herbal medicine is primarily used to alleviate anger and anxiety.Geranium. Geranium calms and refreshes the body and balances the adrenals. It is uplifting and is sometimes used as an antidepressant.There are also special blends available that combine a variety of the above-mentioned aromas in varying parts for more effective stress relief. You may also want to make your own blend of aromas by following any number of blend "recipes" available in books or on the Web.Using aromatherapy for healing is nothing new. Aromatherapy has been used since ancient times. It was used primarily by the Egyptians, who recognized the physical and spiritual properties of scented oils. Cleopatra would take milk baths strewn with rose petals, and the aroma would contribute to her physical wellbeing. In fact, Egyptians used scented oils in the mummification process.In addition to being used for stress relief, aromatherapy has been used to prevent disease, help in weight loss, and treat depression. Aromatherapy products are everywhere today. The next time you feel anxious or stressed out, take a soothing bath using your favorite bath oil, and light some scented candles. You will feel relaxed and calm in no time and will probably get a good night's sleep as well.

Super Spice Secrets: Can This Miracle Spice Stop Cancer, Alzheimer's and Arthritis?

By Dr. Mercola

For more than 5,000 years, turmeric has been an important part of Eastern cultural traditions, including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Valued for its medicinal properties and warm, peppery flavor, this yellow-orange spice has more recently earned a name for itself in Western medicine as well.

Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, which is native to Indonesia and southern India, and is widely used as an ingredient in curry dishes and yellow mustard. As research into this powerful spice has increased, it has emerged as one of nature’s most powerful potential healers.

Said Dr. David Frawely, founder and director of the American Institute for Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico:
“If I had only one single herb to depend upon for all possible health and dietary needs, I would without much hesitation choose the Indian spice Turmeric. There is little it cannot do in the realm of healing and much that no other herb is able to accomplish.

Turmeric has a broad spectrum of actions, mild but certain effects, and is beneficial for long term and daily usage. Though it is a common spice, few people, including herbalists know of its great value and are using it to the extent possible. It is an herb that one should get to know and live with.”

Turmeric’s Beneficial Effects in a Nutshell
Strengthens and improves digestion
Reduces gas and bloating
Assists in the digestion of protein and with rice and bean dishes
Improves your body's ability to digest fats
Promotes proper metabolism, correcting both excesses and deficiencies
Maintains and improves intestinal flora
Improves elimination of wastes and toxins
Supports healthy liver function and detox
Turmeric helps increase bile flow making it a liver cleanser that can rejuvenate your liver cells and recharge their capability to break down toxins
Helps to prevent alcohol and other toxins from being converted into compounds that may be harmful to your liver
Supports formation of healthy tissue
Purifies your blood
Stimulates formation of new blood tissue
Anti-inflammatory: Helps to reduce irritation to tissues characterized by pain, redness, swelling and heat
Contains curcuminoids that fight cancer, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s
Curcuminoids are potent phytonutrients (plant-based nutrients) that contain powerful antioxidant properties
Counteract the damaging effects of free radicals in your body
Relieve arthritis pain and stiffness, anti-inflammatory agent
Anti-carcinogenic: “Curcumin has been shown to prevent a large of number of cancers in animal studies. Laboratory data indicate that curcumin can inhibit tumor initiation, promotion, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis.”[1]
Supports treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: “Because Alzheimer's disease is caused in part by amyloid-induced inflammation, curcumin has been shown to be effective against Alzheimer's. Clinical trials are in progress at UCLA with curcumin for Alzheimer's.”[2]
Curcumin: Turmeric’s Active Anti-Inflammatory “Ingredient”
Most notably turmeric is known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, which come from curcumin -- the pigment that gives turmeric its yellow-orange color, and which is thought to be responsible for many of its medicinal effects. There are an estimated three to five grams of curcumin in 100 grams of turmeric.

Curcumin has been shown to influence more than 700 genes, and it can inhibit both the activity and the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX), as well as other enzymes that have been implicated in inflammation.[3]

Turmeric’s Cancer-Fighting Properties
In India where turmeric is widely used, the prevalence of four common U.S. cancers -- colon, breast, prostate and lung -- is 10 times lower. In fact, prostate cancer, which is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in U.S. men, is rare in India and this is attributed, in part, to turmeric.

Numerous studies have looked into this potential cancer-fighting link, with promising results. For instance, curcumin has been found to:
Inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells
Inhibit the transformation of cells from normal to tumor
Help your body destroy mutated cancer cells so they cannot spread throughout your body
Decrease inflammation
Enhance liver function
Inhibit the synthesis of a protein thought to be instrumental in tumor formation
Prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth
As for the results of research studies, a study in Biochemical Pharmacology found that curcumin can slow the spread of breast cancer cells to the lungs in mice.[4]
"Curcumin acts against transcription factors, which are like a master switch," said lead researcher, Bharat Aggarwal. "Transcription factors regulate all the genes needed for tumors to form. When we turn them off, we shut down some genes that are involved in the growth and invasion of cancer cells."
A second study in Biochemical Pharmacology also found that curcumin inhibits the activation of NF-kappaB, a regulatory molecule that signals genes to produce a slew of inflammatory molecules (including TNF, COX-2 and IL-6) that promote cancer cell growth.[5]

Turmeric’s Essential Role for Your Liver
Your liver’s primary role is to process and remove toxins carried in your bloodstream. When functioning at its peak, it can filter up to two liters of blood per minute and easily break apart toxic molecules to reduce their toxicity. Your liver is also a crucial part of vitamin, mineral, protein, fat, carbohydrate and hormonal metabolism.

However, poor diet, allergens, pollution and stress can cause your liver to become sluggish, and this can impair its vital functions. This is where turmeric can be a very useful part of your liver support system. Studies have shown that it:
May increase important detoxification enzymes in your liver
Induces the formation of a primary liver detoxification enzyme, glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes
Turmeric is also a natural cholagogue, a medicinal agent that promotes the discharge of bile from your system. Increased bile flow is important to help your liver detoxify and to help your body digest fats.

Turmeric for Your Heart, Brain and Overall Health
Turmeric inhibits free radical damage of fats, including cholesterol. When cholesterol is damaged in this way, or oxidized, it can then damage your blood vessels and lead to a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, research suggests that turmeric’s ability to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol may be beneficial for your heart. It’s also rich in vitamin B6, high intakes of which are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.

Meanwhile, turmeric appears to be highly protective against neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, in India levels of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s are very low, and studies have shown that curcumin can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in mice. The compound has also proven capable of blocking the progression of multiple sclerosis.

Further, Professor Moolky Nagabhushan from the Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, who has been studying turmeric for the last 20 years, believes that turmeric can protect against harmful environmental chemicals, and in so doing protect against childhood leukemia. The research showed that curcumin in turmeric can:[7]
Inhibit the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (cancer-causing chemicals in the environment)
Inhibit radiation-induced chromosome damage
Prevent the formation of harmful heterocyclic amines and nitroso compounds, which may result in the body when eating certain processed foods, such as processed meat products
Irreversibly inhibit the multiplication of leukemia cells in a cell culture
Turmeric's volatile oils also have external anti-bacterial action. As such, they may help prevent bacterial wound infections and accelerate wound healing. Johnson & Johnson even sells a curcumin-containing Band-Aid in India!
And the therapeutic potential of turmeric and curcumin do not end there. Evidence suggests the spice may also be beneficial for:
Cystic fibrosis
Type 2 diabetes
Crohn’s disease
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Cataracts
Gallstones
Muscle regeneration
Inflammatory bowel disease
Which Type of Turmeric is Best?
For use in cooking, choose a pure turmeric powder, rather than a curry powder. At least one study has found that curry powders tend to contain very little curcumin, compared to turmeric powder. Turmeric is also available in supplement form and for many this is a more convenient method to obtain these health benefits discussed above, especially if they are from a high-quality organic source and if one doesn’t particularly enjoy the taste of curry.