₦airaland Forum

If you are one of those people who pops an aspirin every night or tend to have a pill for the smallest of ailments, you might be doing more harm than good to your body. While aspirin has been touted to be the one drug that can help stop the onset of heart disease, author of ‘All About Bacteria’, Ravi Mantha has a different take on the phenomenon. Here are excerpts from his book.

There have been so many studies on the role of aspirin in reducing heart disease that there is a medical community consensus on this issue: a daily dose of aspirin can reduce your risk of heart disease by—wait for this—15 per cent!

There are two problems with this consensus. First, 15 per cent is not very high. Second, no one actually knows why aspirin reduces heart disease. Is it because it is a blood thinner, and thin blood is good for the heart? Does aspirin somehow slow down hardening of the arteries? Read more here: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/10/the-shocking-truth-about-aspirin.html

SeverusSnape:
Whether Amaechi becomes a Minister or not, It's a win-win situation for us.

If he doesn't, Then it will be that he has been paid back for his gross corruption and betrayal.

If he does, It only goes to confirm what we've been saying, which is: "B00HARI is as corrupt as the rest politicians".

I wouldn't want to have the slightest belief that B00HARI is incorruptible.

You sound like a chief wailer who is already having High BP because of his Nomination alone. I wonder what will happen to your health when your fears happen. Take heart, he may not scale through, but if he does, be sure that Millions of non-wailing Nigerians will be happy. LOL

Improving your cardiovascular health by clearing plaque build up from arteries is a sure-fire way to decrease your risk of serious heart disease or stroke. While there are surgeries and medications available that might do the trick, most of them come with some form of side-effect which can make you feel sick or weak for years of your life. For those who would rather use natural alternatives to improve their heart health, here are some tips to point you in the right direction.

1. Avoid Processed Fats
The idea that fat substitutes and heat-treated, chemically-processed oils are somehow better for you than good old-fashioned natural butter is a myth. The trans fats contained in purported “heart-healthy” foods like margarine, canola, soybean, and corn oils are actually worse than saturated fats. Not only do they increase LDL cholesterol, they also cause your other organs to malfunction, producing mutated hormones, build-up of toxins, inflammation, weight-gain, and even cancer.

2. Healthy Fats to Unclog Arteries
Probably the most well-known of all healthy fats are the Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. Of these, cod liver oil is considered the best due to its high concentration of vitamin D3. Other vitamin-rich oils include avocado, olive, almond, flaxseed, and palm oils.

Coconut oil is the “super-food” of healthy fats and is rapidly gaining popularity for its long list of health benefits. Though it is a saturated fat, coconut oil is comprised mainly of lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride which naturally helps to lubricate arteries when eaten daily. If you’re still leery about the idea that “butter is actually good for you,” you should give coconut oil a try instead.

3. Take Your Vitamins
Vitamins B6, B12, and C have been linked to cardiovascular health. Adequate quantities of these nutrients keep arterial walls flexible and help to prevent damage that can lead to plaque and blood clots. Vitamin B6 is easily obtained from many of the meats, nuts, fruits, and vegetables we consume. Good sources of B12 also include many meats, as well as dairy products, eggs, and some fortified vegetable sources like bran and tofu. Get your daily dose of vitamin C from any of these delicious fruits and vegetables.

4. Get More Sleep
If you aren’t getting the recommended 8 hours of rest every night, chances are pretty good that you have high blood-pressure, are over-weight, or both. This is because your brain and body perform most of their maintenance while you’re unconscious at night. If you want to reduce plaque build-up and damage to your arteries, getting more sleep is a big step in the right direction.

5. Unwind With Meditation
Take half an hour at the end of your day to relax and meditate. This will help you to reduce stress which can naturally lower your blood pressure and help you to get a good night’s sleep. Lower blood pressure relieves stress on arterial walls o flow more easily. Better circulation facilitates better oxygen- and nutrient-supply to your brain and muscles. Your body will be able to heal existing damage more easily and you’ll be less likely to develop problems in the future if you can keep your stress-levels low.

6. Gradually Stop Smoking
By far the most difficult advice on this list, kicking a smoking habit will benefit every part of your body. The chemicals in tobacco smoke cause damage to blood cells and arteries. Constant bombardment of the stimulant, nicotine also causes rapid fluctuations in blood-pressure which puts stress on the arterial walls. While it is certainly easier said than done, finding a way to kick the smoking habit will help to heal and clear your arteries.

7. Exercise for Your Heart
Weight loss is good for your all-around health, but it is also a great way to prevent and clear clogged arteries. Make an honest effort to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, even if it’s just to jog a couple of blocks or power-walk around the office building on your lunch break. Some other examples of workouts which you can easily sneak into a busy schedule include running in place for five minutes, indulging in a random bout of jumping jacks behind your desk, doing a few sets of chair squats, or getting up and dancing to a favorite song. Swimming is another great way to exercise, especially if you have sore joints that prevent high-impact activities like running.

8. Minimize Alcohol Consumption
If you drink more than one or two servings of alcohol per day, you may be hindering your bodies ability to heal itself and keep arteries clear of dangerous obstructions. Try to minimize your intake of beer and liquor. Instead, enjoy a glass of red wine which contains heart-healthy antioxidants that may help to protect against damage to arterial walls, reduce LDL cholesterol, and prevent the formation of blood clots.

9. Foods that Unclog Arteries
Whole grains and other foods containing soluble fiber have been proven to lower LDL cholesterol and improve heart health. Also, dark leafy greens contain antioxidants which can help your body to repair and prevent damage to arterial walls caused by oxidation in the blood stream. For more information about 21 foods that unclog arteries, Click: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/10/21-foods-that-naturally-unclog-arteries.html

Let’s end the cancer pandemic once and for all!

Every single day, tens of thousands of people, just like you, are curing cancer (and/or preventing it) from destroying their bodies. It’s time to take matters into our own hands and educate ourselves on real prevention and treatments.
It could save your life or someone you love.

Doctors, researchers, experts and survivors show you exactly “how-to” prevent and treat cancer in “The Quest for The Cures.”

Cancer doesn't need to be a death sentence and together, we will eradicate this horrible disease. Let's end the cancer pandemic once and for all!

For Free access to the Premier: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/10/the-truth-about-cancer-quest-for-cures.html

Studies show that a particular essential oil may provide a solid defense against various cancers. This essential oil, which contains high levels of an aromatic terpene known as linalool, has been utilized throughout history in the treatment of various health conditions. What’s even more exciting is that some of the latest science suggests that it’s at least as effective as chemotherapy in targeting cancer cells – without the harmful toxic effects of chemotherapy.

Long prized for its aroma-therapeutic qualities, lemongrass is loaded with key nutrient compounds that present powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer potential. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Researchoutlines the dozens of unique phytoconstituents present in lemongrass, including a diverse array of terpenes, ketones, esters, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. - See more at: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/10/the-unbelievable-anti-cancer-effects-of.html#sthash.jVoHD6ln.dpuf

IF YOU think your gut is only good for processing the food you eat and expelling wastes, think again. Here are six facts about your gut that may surprise you.

1. WE ARE MORE BACTERIA THAN HUMAN.

The human body is crawling with trillions of microorganisms (which are far too many to count), outweighing actual human cells, with the majority residing in our gut — a long tube that comprises of the oesophagus, stomach, intestines and your rear end. And due to the sheer number of these tiny critters, there’s little question as to how these microbes can have such an impact on our health. However, not all bacteria are bad. In fact, most are good, including those that colonise our gut to help us break down and absorb food, with some bacteria working to increase levels of vitamins in food making food more digestible.

2. GUT FLORA CAN DETERMINE WHAT YOU WEIGH

Different diets work for different people, and now research is showing how gut bacteria can help identify which diets are best for weight reduction and reducing the risk of certain diseases. In a recent Swedish study, obese subjects were instructed to eat a lower calorie, higher protein diet and results showed that those with a more diverse mix of bacteria had a significant improvement in their metabolic health — keeping diseases like diabetes and heart disease at bay compared to those with a lower mix of microbes. Researchers in this study suggest that tailored dietary advice may be given in the future based on individual gut flora.

3. GUT FEELING

The old adage “trust your gut” rings true after all, as scientists are now discovering that the brain-gut connection isn’t lead by our brains as previously thought. Instead, the gut’s lining harbours an independent network of nerve cells (more than the spinal cord) known as the enteric nervous system, which is equipped with its own reflexes and senses, controlling gut behaviour independently of the brain. This is the reason why our gut’s nervous system is often nicknamed the “second brain”.

4. AFFECTS IMMUNE HEALTH

Digestive health directly impacts your immune health, and vice versa with roughly 70 per cent of your immune system’s defence cells located in the gut. What’s more, gut bacteria are known to aid the production of certain vitamins, such as vitamin B and K which play a major role in immune health.

5. INFLUENCE YOUR MOOD

Your gut has a big say in how happy you feel. How? Your gut is home to the largest concentration of mood-altering neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Little wonder as to why common gut woes can lead to depression, insomnia, forgetfulness, and even loss of appetite.

6. STRESS MESSES WITH YOUR GUT

Our stressed-out lifestyle may be our stomach’s biggest enemy. Being under a great deal of stress or feeling anxious could impact the way our bowels contracts and function, including cramping, bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation — common symptoms with sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Not only does stress affect the physiological function of the gut, but excessive exposure to stress has been shown to actually reduce microbial diversity in the large intestine.

KEEPING YOUR GUT IN GOOD SHAPE

The best way to establish and maintain a healthy gut is get sufficient sleep, regular exercise, avoid unnecessary medication, excessive stress, and include fibre-rich fruits, vegetables, legumes and wholegrains, and foods containing naturally occurring healthy bacteria (probiotics), such as fermented foods (kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, yoghurt).

Kathleen Alleaume is a nutrition and exercise scientist and author of What’s Eating YOU?

SOURCE: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/

If you are currently showing signs of aging, you can thank three different processes for causing this to occur. They include glycation, inflammation, and oxidation.

Remember, aging isn’t just the wrinkles on your skin or the fact that your hair is turning grey. While these are the obvious signs of aging, the far more serious ones are what’s happening inside the body to your organs and joints. These changes are what will have the greatest influence on your quality of life moving forward.

If you aren’t as mobile as you used to be because your bones struggle to support your weight or your heart is beating with an irregular rhythm, it’s clear to see how quickly this can become very worry some.

When asked, most people would be quick to say sugar and trans fats cause aging. Right now, these are the two ‘no-no’s, that almost everyone has been told about. Told they must avoid if they want to stay healthy.

And while that’s true, those two evils definitely must be avoided, they aren’t the number one food that’s causing aging.

Why?

Because people realize they should avoid them. While some can’t be bothered and still give into their cravings for cookies, cakes, pizza, and French fries, most know that these foods aren’t a wise choice.
The real problem is the food that everyone thinks is healthy, when really; it’s causing you to age faster than you’d ever want to believe…SEE It Here => http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/10/the-1-worst-food-for-your-skin-joints.html

Aging is something that you cannot stop, but you sure can slow down if you do the right things. Likewise, do the wrong things, and you’ll be aging at a race car’s pace. Few people realize that what they eat on a day to day basis will have a profound influence on how they look moving forward.

This is all thanks to certain biochemical reactions that occur in your body whenever you eat certain types of foods. Some foods cause reactions that will reduce fine lines and wrinkles while enhancing your radiant glow. Others, on the other hand, promote fine lines and wrinkles while also damaging your body on the inside, which speeds up the aging process.

Has anyone ever told you their age and flabbergasted you that they were that young? Chances are, this person was not taking the right steps to prevent aging. If you don’t, it can happen very quickly. On the flip side, we’ve all seen those people who tell us their age and we can’t believe how old they really are. They look 10-20 years younger! These people are classic examples of those who are doing things right.

Here are some facts to know.

If you are currently showing signs of aging, you can thank three different processes for causing this to occur. They include glycation, inflammation, and oxidation.
Remember, aging isn’t just the wrinkles on your skin or the fact that your hair is turning grey. While these are the obvious signs of aging, the far more serious ones are what’s happening inside the body to your organs and joints. These changes are what will have the greatest influence on your quality of life moving forward.
If you aren’t as mobile as you used to be because your bones struggle to support your weight or your heart is beating with an irregular rhythm, it’s clear to see how quickly this can become very worry some.

When asked, most people would be quick to say sugar and trans fats cause aging. Right now, these are the two ‘no-no’s, that almost everyone has been told about. Told they must avoid if they want to stay healthy.
And while that’s true, those two evils definitely must be avoided, they aren’t the number one food that’s causing aging.
Why?
Because people realize they should avoid them. While some can’t be bothered and still give into their cravings for cookies, cakes, pizza, and French fries, most know that these foods aren’t a wise choice.

The real problem is the food that everyone thinks is healthy, when really; it’s causing you to age faster than you’d ever want to believe…See it at: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/10/the-1-worst-food-for-your-skin-joints.html#sthash.KO2u5IXg.dpuf

It's for real. No joke

When we're young, we all believe we're going to live forever. But as we age, most of us realize that's not the case. What's more, it becomes clear that the choices we make can have an impact on how long we live. While there are no guarantees or methods that can tell you how many calendars you'll buy (despite what actuaries say), there are many simple benchmarks that can help predict if you'll live longer than most.

Here are 20 of the most important reasons why you'll probably live longer than your peers—try not to rub it in. 5 and 13 Will Shock You! - See more at: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/09/20-reasons-youll-live-longer-than-your.html#sthash.xH4s9XTf.dpuf

This is 2015 and www.betterhealth.com.ng is a new health blog to watch out for.

The picture attached shows what happens to our colon when we poop Sitting and Squatting.

Source:http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/07/fact-or-myth-does-squatting-help-you.html

It's a good thing that medical research is Yielding good results in Sickle-cell anaemia.

A large team of Illinois researchers has announced the successful development of an original process of stem cell transplantation to treat sickle-cell anemia using healthy tissue from siblings.

According to a report in the journal Biology of Blood & Marrow Transplantation, the team was successfully able to cure twelve individuals with the condition, or 92 percent of the sickle-cell patients they treated.

Good news, right? See More: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/09/new-pain-free-cure-for-sickle-cell.html

When will She stop the non-stop screaming? when she dies? LOL

Aloe vera juice is no modern fad; it has a long history of being used as a health tonic and digestive aid in many indigenous cultures.

Although of African origin, this plant enjoys a worldwide distribution in the tropical and subtropical parts of the world, earning a place in various preparations of traditional Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern herbal medicine streams.

Aloe vera juice can be used regularly as a general health enhancer or occasionally as a safe herbal remedy for specific problems. Some of it's Uses will surprise You.

Here are some very good reasons for you to include Aloe vera juice in your diet.- See more at: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/09/12-reasons-you-should-be-drinking-aloe.html#sthash.IVtNWirI.dpuf

Couples who send each other sexually suggestive or explicit images by phone, commonly known as "sexting," have better sex, according to a study presented to a psychology convention in Toronto.

The practice is often portrayed as risky, yet American researchers found it is widespread and could actually help couples improve communication and increase intimacy."

These findings show a robust relationship between sexting and sexual and relationship satisfaction," said Emily Stasko of Philadelphia's Drexel University.

She presented the results of an online survey of 870 Americans aged 18 to 82 at the American Psychological Association's 123rd Annual Convention in Toronto on Saturday.

More than eight out of 10 respondents said they have sexted. Three-quarters of them sent images to a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife, and associated sexting with better relationship satisfaction.

That increased gratification, however, did not carry over to singles surveyed, nor to respondents who said they were in a "very committed" relation.

Despite its potential to enhance communication between partners, past studies -- and recent headlines -- have focused almost exclusively on negative outcomes from sexting.

Some of the best known examples include news last year about phone hacks that led to the leak of nude photos of celebrities including actress Jennifer Lawrence, pop icon Rihanna and top model Kate Upton.In another notorious sexting case, US lawmaker Anthony Weiner quit the House of Representatives after confessing that he used social media to send sexually explicit pictures of himself to a number of women.

But such highly publicised negative outcomes said Stasko, fail to take into account the upside of sexting, which, when used by a loving couple, can increase the "potential positive effects of open sexual communication with a partner."

In summary, If you and your other half enjoy sexting, you're probably having better sex than your friends that don't. 

Do you agree? Lets have your comments

Source: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/09/couples-that-sext-have-better-sex.html

Kim-Jong Un's regime in North Korea recently announced that they have developed a cure for HIV, Cancer, Diabetes and a host of other serious illnesses and afflictions. Is it too good to be true?

Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of North Korea, has made an astounding medical breakthrough, or so the country’s state media have reported. In one fell swoop, Kim has conquered HIV, Ebola, Diabetes, some cancers and a whole host of other medical conditions, with a revolutionary new medication.

The injection, called Kumdang-2, is made from Ginseng, infused with rare earth elements, though the exact elements used are not disclosed. In the words of Dr Jon Sung Hun, quoted by the Korean Central News Agency, “The researchers insert rare earth elements (REE) into insam (ginseng) by applying the mico-elementary fertilisers of REE to the fields of insam.”

The drug has a relatively comprehensivewebsite, available in English and Russian, which on one page cites a study conducted in Africa on AIDS patients. According to the study, after being administered the maximum dose of Kumdang-2, 56% of patients were completely cured of AIDS, and the other 44% were "considerably cured" See more >> http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/09/has-kim-jong-un-cured-hivaids.html

Stop standing in front of the mirror and criticizing yourself.

Kimberly Snyder might just be the queen of detox. Not only does she have practically all of Hollywood sipping on her Glowing Green Smoothie, but she also just released a new book,The Beauty Detox Power ($19), to address the more emotional aspects of what it means to detox. In fact, she believes in how your emotional state helps or hinders weight loss so much that she wants you to stop a habit that’s common among many women. If you do, you’ll see weight-loss results even faster, Kimberly promises.

Your new mission? Stop with the negative talk if you want to lose weight. It may sound like it won’t be effective, but Kimberly’s reason for wanting you to stop body shaming yourself in order to see the pounds drop actually has scientific heft. “Most people don’t even realize what they’re saying to themselves, and most people only think that the only factors that affect their weight are what they’re eating and how they’re working out,” Kimberly said.

In fact, studies have shown that your thoughts matter when it comes to your waistline. - See more at: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/05/the-number-1-bad-habit-you-need-to-stop.html#sthash.hXdpIZhp.dpuf

When you sleep, your brain cleans up—literally. Cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds brain cells, scoops up toxic proteins that build up when you’re awake—including beta-amyloid deposits that clump together, destroy nerve cells and are strongly linked to Alzheimer’s risk—and safely gets rid of them. Getting too little sleep (such as only five or six hours a night) or poor quality sleep (waking up repeatedly) has been linked with increased levels of beta-amyloid deposits in older adults.

Last year, we told you about an extraordinary discovery by a team at the University of Rochester Medical Center that unlocks how the brain does this marvelous nightly detox. They studied mice, whose brains (we’re sorry to report) are pretty similar to ours. During sleep, it turns out, brain cells temporarily shrink, which makes more room for cerebrospinal fluid to move between them and sweep the toxic stuff out. (See “How Sleep Sweeps Toxins From Your Brain”)

Now, those same researchers have teamed up with others from Stony Brook University in New York and learned that sleep position matters. So how should you sleep to help your brain stay clean and healthy?
- See more at: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/09/how-sleeping-on-your-side-may-protect.html#sthash.1FXr9yO0.dpuf

Research led by investigators from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania describes two novel approaches that could prevent HIV infection by targeting proteins in semen that boost transmission of the virus.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is commonly spread through sexual contact with an HIV-infected partner. The virus can be transmitted via infected blood, semen or vaginal secretions, with semen being the primary vector for the virus.
Semen contains proteins that form polymers called amyloid fibrils. These polymers help the HIV virus attach to the membranes of human cells, boosting transmission of the virus by up to 10,000 times.

Senior study author Prof. James Shorter, associate professor of biochemistry and physics at the Perelman School of Medicine, and colleagues propose that reducing amyloid fibril levels in semen could reduce HIV transmission. They reveal how this could be done in two separate studies.

The first - published in the journal Chemistry & Biology in 2012 - describes how a heat shock protein called Hsp104 attacks amyloid fibrils, converting them into non-amyloid forms.

In addition, the team reveals how they developed inactive Hsp104 scaffolds that disrupt the organization of amyloid fibrils, leading to the assembly of non-threatening protein structures. The researchers also modified Hsp104, allowing it to team up with an enzyme to weaken amyloid fibrils in semen.

According to Prof. Shorter, each of these strategies reduced amyloid fibrils' ability to boost HIV transmission, "so this approach has potential as a therapeutic."

'Tweezer-shaped' molecule reduces likelihood of HIV transmission by 100-fold

For the second study - recently published in eLife - Prof. Shorter and colleagues teamed up with researchers from the Ulm University Medical Center in Germany to reveal how a small molecule called CLRO1 not only interferes with amyloid fibrils' ability to enhance HIV transmission, but attacks the HIV virus itself.
The researchers describe CLRO1 as a "tweezer-shaped" molecule that impairs the formation of amyloid fibrils in semen and dismantles pre-formed fibrils.

In addition, CLRO1 interferes with membranes surrounding HIV virus particles, disarranging particles that have already attached to amyloid fibrils.

On exposing human cells to HIV-infected semen, the researchers found CLRO1 reduced the likelihood of HIV transmission by more than 100-fold.

The researchers say because CLRO1 has no negative impact on other cell membranes, it could be used to develop safer vaginal and anal gels that prevent HIV infection. Prof. Shorter adds:

"We think that CLR01 could be more effective than other microbicides that are in development because of its dual action, its safety in terms of side effects and its potential broad application."

The team notes that CLRO1 has proven safe in zebrafish and mice, and the next step is to test the molecule in non-human primates.

Last month, Medical News Today reported on the first case of prolonged remission in an HIV-infected child. Researchers revealed that an 18-year-old woman who was infected with HIV at birth was in remission, even though she had not received antiretroviral therapy for the past 12 years. - See more at: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/09/targeting-semen-proteins-to-prevent-hiv.html#sthash.Sq387YTx.dpuf

In my mind’s eye, I am still 27 years old. Then I look in the mirror, and I am momentarily shocked. That can’t be me! Although I know that I’ve earned every wrinkle, age spot and sag while experiencing life to the fullest, sometimes I yearn to look a little (or a lot) younger. Don’t you, too?

Well, we can—and we can do it without much effort, expense or Real Housewives-like scary plastic surgery. Honolulu-based naturopathic physician Laurie Steelsmith, ND, author of Natural Choices for Women’s Health, offered an abundance of creative suggestions.

Some take just minutes, others take almost no time at all… yet they can take as much as 10 years off a woman’s appearance.

Read 18 Youth-restoring options for when you have only five seconds or few minutes to spare…
- See more at: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/09/how-to-look-10-years-younger-in-5.html#sthash.vl4zZviH.dpuf

When you are trying to improve your health and lose weight, there are certain foods that you should avoid.
Many of these foods are obviously unhealthy because they contain ingredients that are known to cause weight gain.
However, some other foods which are not so obviously linked to weight gain can nevertheless turn out to be just as bad for you.
These foods are deeply problematic, because most people do not know to avoid them and therefore end up consuming them much more often than they should. Here are 5 foods that you should never eat again:
- See more at: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/09/5-foods-you-should-never-eat-again.html#sthash.TaIAWclC.dpuf

Cancer is recognized worldwide to be a major health problem affecting millions of people each year. More than 1 million people in the United States alone get cancer each year, and as of 2009, a total of 562,340 deaths from cancer were projected to occur in the United States yearly.

The main reason for such a high mortality rate from cancer is due to abnormal behaviors of certain cells, which usually results in cancer cell progression, tumor growth and metastasis.

Are You Eating Enough Cancer-Fighting Foods Every Day?

Many cancer survivors have been fortunate enough to use a combination of natural cancer treatments themselves at home, in conjunction with conventional medical treatments, in order to overcome their disease. This duel approach can help support the entire body and mind in the healing process that can sometimes be long and very difficult. Today, the early combination of chemotherapy and nutrition therapy is able to save the lives of thousands of cancer patients.

Inflammation is the underlying issue that dictates cancerous tumor initiation, progression and growth. Studies suggest that 30 percent to 40 percent of all kinds of cancer can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle and dietary measures! And other sources claim that this number is in fact much higher, with around 75 percent of cancer cases being lifestyle-related.

Practicing strategies that are fully within your own control — including things like eating a healing diet, vegetable juicing, consuming probiotic foods, taking immune-boosting supplements, busting stress and practicing healing prayer — can make you feel more empowered and hopeful when battling a disease, which goes a very long way in the healing process.

Foods and Habits that Increase Your Cancer Risk

Just like with heart disease, diabetes, leaky gut syndrome and other autoimmune disorders, free radical damage or oxidative stress from inflammation is truly at the root of cancer formation. While we often think of the word “cancer” as one type of disease, this term actually encompasses over 100 different cellular disorders in the body. Cancer refers to uncontrolled cell division that leads to a tumor or abnormal cell growth. When abnormal cells divide without control, they can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body, including the blood and lymphatic systems.

The root causes of cancer are complex and multifactorial, with possible causes including: poor diet, exposure to environmental toxins, genetics, viruses or infections, high stress levels, poor digestion and nutrient absorption, and lack of physical activity. While most people choose to turn to conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation or other drugs, there’s also mounting evidence that cancer risk can be dramatically reduced by following a healthy diet filled with anti-inflammatory foods and controlling other factors that kick off heightened oxidative stress, also called an “immune cascade.”

Foods that increase inflammation and cancer risk include:
- Sugar
- Refined oils
- Refined carbohydrates
- Conventional dairy products
- Farm-raised meats

What does work when it comes to lowering inflammation and fighting free radical damage? The key is consuming plenty of cancer-fighting foods with antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. This means avoiding packaged and processed foods that contain dangerous phthalates and focusing on only those that do not contain antibiotics, chemicals or toxins. Buying foods that are organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised and additive-free can greatly lower the toxic load of your diet.

Findings from the 2010 European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) that looked at dietary factors associated with higher cancer risks showed that there’s significant associations between cancer risk and low intakes of certain nutrients. Data from the investigation that was published in the European Journal of Cancer showed an inverse association between higher intakes of vitamin C, carotenoids, retinol, α-tocopherol and fiber with overall cancer risk.

After following over 519,978 participants living in 10 European nations, results showed that those who most closely followed a style of eating similar to the Mediterranean diet were the most protected. High intake of cancer-fighting foods like vegetables, fruit, fish, calcium-rich foods and fiber was associated with a decreased risk of colorectal, lung and breast cancers, while red and processed meat intake, alcohol intake, unhealthy body mass index (BMI), and abdominal obesity were associated with an increased risk. Being physically active and obtaining enough vitamin D also helped lower cancer susceptibility.

What does this mean in terms of choosing the very best cancer-fighting foods that you can? Lots of fruit and vegetables can help lower the risk of cancer and offer protective elements so these should be the bases of your diet. On top of that, obtaining enough healthy proteins and fatty acids keeps your immune system working properly and prevents muscle wasting, deficiencies, or hormonal and nerve problems.

The Top 12 Cancer-Fighting Foods => See more at: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/09/top-12-cancer-fighting-foods.html#sthash.p78hiHHK.dpuf

It's funny

Drinking 500 ml of water half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner may help with weight loss, according to new research.
Published in the journal Obesity, the study found drinking 500 ml of water half an hour before eating breakfast, lunch and dinner led to greater weight loss among obese adults compared with those who did not drink water before mealtimes.

"The beauty of these findings is in the simplicity. Just drinking a pint of water, three times a day, before your main meals may help reduce your weight," says Dr. Helen Parretti, of the University of Birmingham in the UK.

It is well established that water is essential for our health. It rids toxins from the body, transports nutrients and oxygen to cells, lubricates joints, regulates body temperature and protects the body's organs and tissues, among other functions.

Previous studies have also demonstrated other benefits for water consumption. In 2013, for example, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting that drinking water before a mental task can boost brain performance.

Other research has also suggested water consumption may be effective for weight loss. Dr. Parretti and colleagues set out to investigate this association further.

Water 'preloading' before mealtimes led to 1.3 kg greater weight loss over 12 weeks

The team enrolled 84 obese adults to their study and randomized them to one of two groups. One group was required to consume 500 ml of tap water 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner - referred to as "preloading" - every day for 12 weeks. The remaining participants - the control group - were asked to imagine their stomach was full prior to each main meal.

All participants received a weight management consultation at study baseline, in which they received advice on how to improve their diet and physical activity levels. All subjects also received a follow-up telephone consultation 2 weeks later.

Compared with the control group, participants who preloaded with water prior to each main meal lost an average of 1.3 kg (2.87 Ibs) more in weight. Preloading subjects lost an average of 4.3 kg (9.48 Ibs) over the 12-week period, while control subjects only lost an average of 0.8 kg (1.76 Ibs).

Dr. Parretti told MNT that the study was not designed to understand exactly how water consumption drives weight loss, but she suggested several possible mechanisms could explain the findings.

"These could include that drinking water increases your metabolic rate temporarily or that it makes you feel fuller so you then eat less at mealtimes," she noted.

The researchers say their findings provide "preliminary evidence" that drinking water prior to main meals can aid weight loss, and note that it is a simple strategy health care professionals could easily promote for overweight or obese patients.

Dr. Parretti adds:

"When combined with brief instructions on how to increase your amount of physical activity and on a healthy diet, this seems to help people to achieve some extra weight loss - at a moderate and healthy rate. It's something that doesn't take much work to integrate into our busy everyday lives."

Dr. Paretti told MNT, however, that there are some groups of patients, such as those with heart or kidney failure, for whom consuming a pint of water before mealtimes may not be appropriate.

The team now plans to conduct a larger, longer-term trial looking to gain a better understanding of how water preloading influences weight loss.

"Losing a few extra pounds over the course of a year can be significant to an individual, and this could be an easy way to help with that weight loss," says Dr. Parretti. "It's a simple message that has the potential to make a real contribution to public health."

Source: www.betterhealth.com.ng

I'm actually at the airport right now running on VERY little sleep, so today's research report is a great reminder for me to get back on schedule.

You see, we all know that sleep is important. Restful sleep helps to "recharge" your system, decrease stress hormones, and reduce fatigue, but you probably didn't know that it's also vitally important to protecting your brain from toxicity, damage, and even debilitating diseases like Alzheimer's.


In a recent study conducted at the University of Rochester Medical Center, researchers discovered that it's during sleep that the brain clears out potential harmful waste the builds up during the day.

You see, as you sleep your brain pumps spinal fluid into the brain to "flush out" waste into the circulatory system and eventually to the liver for removal. Because this process is very energy intensive, it's difficult for the brain to perform it during the day while already over-active and preoccupied with performing every day tasks.

Instead, researchers found that sleeping brains were able to clear out much more amyloid-beta, the plaque-building protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Take home message:
If you want to keep your brain healthy and free of toxins, strive for 7 - 8 hours of sleep each night. Nothing new there, but this information just may cause you to make it more of a priority! I know it will for me!

Source: www.betterhealth.com.ng

From early birds to night owls, we all can agree that when we finally lay our heads on the pillow we'd like to actually go to sleep, thank you.
Nothing is more annoying than insomnia, and the evidence is piling up that sleep is essential for good health. Although the research is a bit spotty when it comes to which foods help or harm sleep, anecdotal evidence does suggest that certain items consumed right before bedtime are more likely to be "sleep promoters" while others may be "sleep stealers," says Russell Rosenberg, Ph.D., CEO of the National Sleep Foundation.

Here's a list of potential good guys and bad guys when it comes to getting some shut-eye.

Cherries: Best
Cherries are one of the few natural foods to contain melatonin, the chemical that helps control our body's internal clock, says Keri Gans, a registered dietician in New York City and author of The Small Change Diet.
One study—albeit a small one—found that drinking tart cherry juice resulted in small improvements in sleep duration and quality in adults who suffered from chronic insomnia. (And travelers often take melatonin capsules to combat jet lag). Why not a few cherries, tart or otherwise, to promote sleep?

Bacon Cheeseburger: Worst
The stratospheric fat content of this particular fast food is guaranteed to be a sleep killer. Fat stimulates the production of acid in the stomach, which can spill up into your esophagus, causing heartburn. Fatty foods can also loosen the lower esophageal sphincter, the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, making it even easier for acid to get in all the wrong places.

In fact, there's almost nothing to recommend this kind of high-fat, salt-laden indulgence if you want to preserve your health, including the quality of your sleep.

Milk: Best
You may have fond memories of your mother or grandmother making you a glass of warm milk to help you fall asleep. This may not be just an old wives' tale. Milk contains the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to the brain chemical serotonin.

Although the topic is a controversial one, some people believe that tryptophan and serotonin might make it easier to sleep. Or maybe a simple glass of milk brings back soothing childhood memories, which help you drift off.

Wine: Worst
Alcohol of any kind is terrible for sleep, says Rosenberg. Why? It metabolizes quickly in your system and causes you to wake up multiple times during the night.

One study found that a glass of bourbon or vodka mixed with caffeine-free soda at bedtime increased the amount of time women spent awake during the night by 15 minutes. It also reduced nightly sleep

time by 19 minutes and diminished quality of sleep.
If you don't refrain from alcohol for our own benefit, do it for your mate. "Alcohol makes snoring worse so it will impact you and your potential bed partner," said Rosenberg.

Jasmine Rice: Best
Jasmine rice ranks high on the glycemic index, meaning the body digests it slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the bloodstream.

A 2007 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming jasmine rice four hours before bedtime cut the amount of time it took to fall asleep in half when compared with eating a high-glycemic-index meal at the same time interval. The authors speculate that high-glycemic-index meals may up the production of tryptophan.

Coffee: Worst
Coffee contains caffeine, which is a central nervous stimulant. Translation: Drinking Java too close to bedtime will keep you up at night.

Of course, people differ in their sensitivity to caffeine and that's usually based on how much caffeine you're accustomed to consuming, says Timothy Roehrs, Ph.D., a senior scientist with Henry Ford Sleep Disorder and Research Center in Detroit. If you don't know your tolerance, skip the java, especially late in the day.

Fortified Cereal: Best
Carbs in general are good for sleep but it's not a great idea to binge on a box of cookies before bedtime (or anytime).

Instead, try a bowl of Kashi or shredded wheat, which contain "good" or complex carbs. Even better, cereal goes well with milk, which has its own sleep-promoting qualities. "That's two for the price of one," Rosenberg says. Other complex carbs are quinoa, barley, and buckwheat.

Dark Chocolate: Worst
Chocolate contains not only calories, but caffeine, especially dark chocolate. A 1.55-ounce Hershey's milk chocolate bar, for instance, contains about 12 milligrams of caffeine, or the same amount as three cups of decaffeinated coffee.

A Hershey's special-dark bar has 20 milligrams of caffeine, about the same as half an ounce of espresso. Chocolate also contains theobromine, another stimulant that can increase heart rate and sleeplessness.

Bananas: Best
Bananas help promote sleep because they contain the natural muscle-relaxants magnesium and potassium, says Gans. They're also carbs which will help make you sleepy as well.

In fact, bananas are a win-win situation in general. "They're overall health promoters," says Rosenberg. "We need potassium for cardiovascular health and cognitive functioning."

Red Bull: Worst
Yup, the culprit here again is caffeine, and it's present in spades. An eight-ounce Red Bull energy drink contains about 80 milligrams of caffeine or equivalent to a one-ounce Starbucks espresso.

Five-Hour Energy packs 200 milligrams of caffeine into just two ounces, which means you might as well be imbibing 16 ounces of regular coffee.
With this much caffeine, you might do well to avoid energy drinks even earlier in the day. "In some people caffeine can take up to eight hours to wear off," says Gans.

Turkey: Best
Like milk, turkey contains tryptophan, a chemical that can make people doze off in front of the TV after Thanksgiving dinner. But if you're a die-hard insomniac, a meal's worth of turkey (or a glass of milk) isn't likely to help you.

"You'd have to drink a lot of milk or turkey to have a major effect," says Rosenberg. "[But] if you need a little bit of a push in the right direction [it might help]."

Mountain Dew: Worst
Mountain Dew MDX along with jolt Cola and Vault contain 71 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce serving. That's the upper limit of what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows.

Other sodas aren't much better. Also, typical soda drinks like Pepsi and Coke contain citrus as well as sodium benzoate and other chemicals which can aggravate the gastrointestinal tract and promote acid reflux, not a recipe for a good night's sleep.

Sweet Potato: Best
Sweet potatoes are a sleeper's dream. Not only do they provide sleep-promoting complex carbohydrates, they also contain that muscle-relaxant potassium. Other good sources of potassium include regular potatoes (baked and keep the skin on), lima beans, and papaya.

Indian Curry: Worst
It's not Indian food per se but the heavy spices which can keep you awake at night.

One study conducted in Australia found that young men who poured Tabasco sauce and mustard on their dinner had more trouble falling asleep and experienced less deep sleep than men who ate blander suppers. Spices can also cause heartburn.

So definitely don't do spicy and high-fat in the same late-day meal. It's a potential sleep-wrecking recipe.

Valerian Tea: Best
The root of the valerian plant has been shown in some studies to speed the onset of sleep and improve sleep quality. Some people hold that valerian tea along with motherwort, chamomile, and catnip brews, none of which contain caffeine, will help make you drowsy.

It may not be any property of the actual tea however, but the power of the relaxing ritual as you get ready for bed, says Roehrs.

Chicken: Worst
Chicken or any type of protein is going to be counterproductive if consumed at night. "Digestion is supposed to slow by about 50% while you're sleeping but if you eat a lot of protein, you digest [even] more slowly," explains Rosenberg.

Instead of focusing on sleeping, your body is focusing on digesting. Adding a carbohydrate to the protein can tip the balance back towards sleep.

Source: http://www.betterhealth.com.ng/2015/08/16-best-and-worst-foods-for-sleep.html#sthash.OKqGTlv2.dpuf

cana882:
PMB I'm a great fan bt, please according to a great man;

It is not PMB. As a fan, you should know that he will never go that path of dishonor. It is EFCC and the petitioners. Please if the Law goes after criminals, lets be happy. If Justice will bring loots back to our treasury, so be it. This quote might not be applicable in every situation. If you follow news very well, you should know that the country is not focusing it's energy in this area as you are insinuating.