Nutrition Month

Showing posts with label herbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label herbs. Show all posts

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Kidney Stone Suggestions

The easiest way to prevent kidney stones is to drink lots of water—two to three quarts a day.

 Kidney stones are hard masses of minerals that begin as tiny crystals and grow over time. Although most stones are small enough to pass through the urinary tract undetected, larger ones may become lodged in the ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys and the bladder), blocking urinary flow and causing extreme pain. Dehydration contributes to stone formation by increasing the concentration of the waste products in the urine that contribute to kidney stone formation. Do not underestimate the power of this simple therapy. Eight to 12 glasses of water may seem like a lot, but it provides potent protection.

If you already have kidney stones, check this out...

The synergistic natural ingredients in RENAVIVE® are very unique. Their action is to work on the surface of the kidney stone to dissolve it into smaller and smaller particles and then help support the kidney’s own elimination functions to safely eliminate micro particles through the urine.

 RENAVIVE® is specifically formulated to help with ALL types of kidney stones NO MATTER THE LOCATION, including the 4 main types - while thoroughly cleansing the kidneys.

 Calcium Oxalate Most common, stones formed due to excess calcium & oxalates in the urine

Uric acid Stones formed due to excess acid in the urine, usually caused by eating too much meat

Struvite Stones formed after urinary infections and typically consist of magnesium and ammonia 

Cystine Rare and genetic, stones formed by buildup of cystine in urine

 


Harvard researchers found that taking 180 mg of magnesium along with 10 mg of vitamin B6 daily reduced stone formation by 92.3 percent per year! Another study showed about a 90 percent reduction with magnesium alone (500 mg daily).



The products and statements made about specific products on this web site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided on this web site or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new vitamins, supplements, diet, or exercise program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Any testimonials on this web site are based on individual results and do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Plant Sterols in foods and enhanced products

Plant sterols and stanols are substances that occur naturally in small amounts in many grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Since they have powerful cholesterol-lowering properties, manufacturers have started adding them to foods. You can now get stanols or sterols in margarine spreads, orange juice, cereals, and even granola bars.

On a molecular level, sterols and stanols look a lot like cholesterol. So when they travel through your digestive tract, they get in the way. They can prevent real cholesterol from being absorbed into your bloodstream. Instead of clogging up your arteries, the cholesterol just goes out with the waste.

The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that people who have high cholesterol get 2 grams of stanols or sterols a day.

The effects of naturally-occurring plant sterols on cholesterol metabolism have also been studied in both older and more recent literature. It was reported that the differences between effects of different plant oils on blood lipid profiles may be related to their content of plant sterols.

Indeed, there has been renewed interest in the cholesterol lowering properties of speciality grains and unprocessed oils rich in plant sterols including amaranth oil, rice bran oil, 100% Certified Organic Avocado Oil 16 fl oz (473 ml) Liquid, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Macadamia Oil, and Argan Oil.

Also, it was shown that the consumption of original Wheat Germ, which contains about 328 mg plant sterols, reduced the cholesterol absorption by 42.8 % compared to plant sterol-free wheat germ. These results indicate that naturally available plant sterols are biologically effective as plant sterol supplementation in reducing cholesterol absorption, and that natural plant sterols have important effects on cholesterol metabolism.


Commercially, plant sterols are currently contained in bars (Benecol Smart Chews, Caramel), vegetable oils, orange juice (cardio juice heart healthy), mayonnaises, yogurt drinks (Benecol), Pacific Natural Foods Select Soy Non-Dairy Beverage Vanilla, 32-Ounce Containers (Pack of 12), and green teas
(Triple Leaf Tea, Tea Bags, Cholesterid, 1.34-Ounce Box, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)).
Health King Cholesterol Guard Herb Tea, Teabags, 20-Count Box (Pack of 4)
Cholesterol Management Herbal Tea Remedy, 100 tea bags


Plant sterols are also being sold or developed mixed with other functional ingredients such as: almonds, soy protein and viscous fibers; and minerals. There is also interest to combine plant sterols with antioxidants, such as flavonoids, quercetins, and catechin.

The statements and products referred to throughout this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. If you have a health condition or concern, consult a physician or your alternative health care provider. Always consult a medical doctor before modifying your diet, using any new product, drug, supplement, or doing new exercises. We recommend you educate yourselves on the scientific / nutritional facts.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Ovarian Cancer risk management

The 5-year survival rate for stage 1 is around 90%, whereas for stage III or IV, which is most often the stage at which the tumor is diagnosed, is less than 30%. Vague symptoms of the disease, such as abdominal discomfort, gas, bloating, nausea and urinary urgency, which may not manifest until the disease is advanced makes early detection a challenge.

While you can't completely do away with the risk of ovarian cancer through diet and exercise you will be able to significantly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer as well as all other types of cancer. Staying healthy and watching your weight is an important personal strategy to help your body stay healthy and avoid all types of cancer and diseases.

Various studies have looked at the relationship of obesity and ovarian cancer. Overall, it seems that obese women (those with a body mass index of at least 30) have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. A study from the American Cancer Society found a higher rate of death from ovarian cancer in obese women. The risk increased by 50% in the heaviest women.

The risk of developing ovarian cancer gets higher with age. Ovarian cancer is rare in women younger than 40. Most ovarian cancers develop after menopause. Half of all ovarian cancers are found in women over the age of 63.


OVA1 uses a blood sample to test for levels of five proteins that change due to ovarian cancer. The test combines the five separate results into a single numerical score between 0 and 10 to indicate the likelihood that the pelvic mass is benign or malignant.

OVA1 is intended only for women, 18 years and older, who are already selected for surgery because of their pelvic mass. It is not intended for ovarian cancer screening or for a definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Interpreting the test result requires knowledge of whether the woman is pre- or post-menopausal

OVA1 measures serum levels of five proteins whose expression is altered in ovarian cancer—CA-125 II, transthyretin (prealbumin), apolipoprotein A1, b2-microglobulin, and transferrin.

CA 125 is a protein present in normal ovarian tissue and appears in the blood when protective barriers are destroyed, as occurs in cancer or endometriosis. This test is a tumor marker for monitoring disease progression and reoccurrence in ovarian cancer. CA 125 can also be detected in other cancers such as pancreas, liver, colon, breast and lung. This test is not intended as a screening tool for diagnosis of ovarian cancer.Your CA 125 level can be checked with or without fasting.

Transferrin saturation of more than 60% has been identified as a cancer risk factor.

Transthyretin has traditionally been seen as a biomarker for nutritional status, it was previously referred to as prealbumin.

Beta2-Microglobulin is a protein found on the surface of many cells in your body. This test can help determine if you have specific types of cancer affecting white blood cells including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma or kidney disease.


Some supplement suggestions that include herbs that have been researched for ovarian cancer.

Quercetin is a powerful anti-cancer agent which stops chemical signals that give ovarian cancer cells a growth advantage over healthy cells. Green peppers are full of quercetin. In supplement form, the generally recommended dose is 125-250 mg 3 times daily, between meals. Note: the centerpiece of the oleander extract contains small amounts of quercetin. Do not take quercetin with cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimunne) or nifedipine (Procardia).

Astragalus-Increases production of immune-system chemical interleukin-2 (IL -2), which fights cancer and the human papilloma virus (HPV). Activates gene pS3. The generally recommended dose is 500-1,000 mg 3 times daily.

Milk thistle extracts inhibit growth of ovarian cancer cells and prevent angiogenesis. Also helps protect and regenerate the liver. The generally recommended dose is from 400 to 1000 mg or more per day.

Green tea Catechin Extract- Deactivates plasmin, which helps tumors spread. The generally recommended dose is 250-500 mg daily.

Plant polyphenols such as resveratrol in tablet/supplement form. Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol called a phytoalexin, a class of compounds produced as part of a plant's defense system against disease which is produced in the plant in response to an invading fungus, stress, injury, infection or ultraviolet irradiation. Resveratrol has been shown to reduce tumor incidence in animals by affecting one or more stages of cancer development, including ovarian cancer. Red wine contains high levels of resveratrol, as do grapes, raspberries, peanuts and other plants.

Selenium is a powerful cancer fighter that also protects the liver and is essential for proper iodine utilization. Most women who get ovarian cancer are deficient in selenium, The generally recommended dose without medical supervision is 200 to 400 mcg daily, although nutritionally-oriented physicians may use as much as 900 to 2,000 mcg selenium from methylselenocysteine daily as part of a comprehensive cancer treatment protocol.
Some natural substances (pomegranate, turmeric, resveratrol) compete with estradiol (the most active form of estrogen) at estrogen receptor sites, and can therefore be especially effective for estrogen-dominant conditions including fibroids, ovarian cysts, PMS and hormone related weight gain, among others. It also acts by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, stopping the conversion of androgens into estrogen. Additionally, PriVita can also induce more interferon in the system, which activates natural killer cells, a major component of the immune system.