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Allergies May Protect Against Some Cancers, Danish Researchers Discover

Allergies May Protect Against Some Cancers, Danish Researchers Discover
People suffering from contact allergies may be less at risk of developing certain tumors, researchers found.

Why we should protect Planned Parenthood

Why we should protect Planned Parenthood
Lazy ovaries, depressed vaginas, testicular cancer, breast cancer, STD tests, and fertility drugs … our show and movies covered pretty much every aspect of reproductive and women’s health important topic for our viewers and for women, men and families nationwide.

Protect Against Cancer With Folic Acid

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Home Page > Health > Protect Against Cancer With Folic Acid

Protect Against Cancer With Folic Acid

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Posted: Sep 23, 2007 |Comments: 0
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Inadequate intake of dietary folates and folic acid has been strongly associated with the elevated levels of blood homocysteine which have been identified as a key risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. But folates and folic acid are also very important in protecting against certain cancers and birth defects and it is these functions which are considered here.

The term folic acid may be confusing to some, because it is in fact one of the most important and heavily researched of the B complex of vitamins and widely used in this form as a dietary supplement. In the form of folate compounds the vitamin is also found naturally in the body as well as in various common foods.

Folic acid is essential for a large number of biochemical reactions within the body, including the metabolism of energy from food, but is particularly important in ensuring that the continual process of cell division within the body proceeds normally. This is especially vital during the rapid development and production of new cells during the first weeks after conception. Inadequate intake of folates and/or folic acid in the early stages of pregnancy has been identified as a cause of what are known as “neural tube defects” which lead to inadequate or abnormal development of the foetal brain and spinal cord.

One of the most dreaded diseases which may result from these problems is spina bifida, but the incidence of this has been shown to be reduced by 75% when folic acid supplements of 400 mcg are taken during the first three months of pregnancy. Folic acid supplements are recommended because they are much more easily absorbed, “bioavailable” in the jargon, than folates from food.

It would in fact be difficult to obtain sufficient supplies of this nutrient from ordinary food sources. Supplementation is therefore recommended for all women of child bearing age because the need for this nutrient is at its most critical in the very early days of a pregnancy, possibly before the mother is even aware of her condition.

This is not to say, however, that a diet rich in folates should not still be followed, because amongst the best and most readily available sources of folates are leafy green vegetables, and orange juice which also provide a plentiful supply of valuable anti-oxidants and are extremely beneficial to general health.

A single cup of spinach or asparagus, for example, may provide as much as 130 or more micrograms (mcg) of folate; a small glass of orange juice perhaps 80 mcg. Pulses such as beans and lentils are also good sources, the latter providing around 180 mcg in just half a cup, beans between 80 and 140 mcg according to type.

Best of all, however, is fortified breakfast cereal, a single cup of which may yield between 200 and 400 mcg, reflecting the FDA’s insistence on the addition of folic acid to refined grain foods, including bread.

Although this policy is driven mostly by a desire to protect the unborn, the more general advice to consume at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day has also been put forward as a protector against cancer. Certainly such a diet would be rich in folates, and research suggests a strong association between folate deficiency and an increased incidence of certain of the more common cancers, including those of the cervix, colon and rectum, lung, oesophagus and breast. It is thought that the association may arise because of the role of folate in DNA repair within cells, DNA damage being regarded as a principal cause of cancer.

However, conventional medicine remains reluctant to accept folic acid supplementation as a possible weapon in the battle against cancer, even though one large scale study has reported a halving of breast cancer risk in women taking more than 600 mcg daily. For reasons which are not understood, however, this protective effect was only observed in the case of those women who also consumed at least one alcoholic drink per day. In general it can be said that the link between folic acid intake and cancer risk remains a matter of association rather than clear causation, but orthodox opinion is much less cautious in recommending a high intake of folates from food.

But not surprisingly, given the potential benefits, nutritional therapists are much less a cautious in recommending folic acid supplementation at levels far in excess of the officially Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 400 mcg (0.4 mg) a day; some suggesting as much as 10 mg (10,000 mcg). And in fact there appears little reason for concern over the ingestion of such apparently large amounts.

Although the US Food and Nutrition Board has recommended that folic acid intake should be limited to 1,000 mcg (1 mg) per day, this is not so much because of possible problems with such an intake of folic acid in itself, but rather because it may cure a particular type of anaemia which is one of the symptoms of an underlying deficiency of vitamin B12. Whilst you might think that such a cure would be beneficial, the problem is that it may mask the underlying vitamin B12 deficiency with potentially serious neurological consequences.

But the solution to the problem would seem straightforward. It is simply to ensure that a generous supply of vitamin B12 is obtained along with any folic acid taken. And this should not be difficult if the vitamins are taken as part of a supplement containing the entire B complex, as is always recommended. As with all vitamins supplements, they should for maximum effectiveness be taken in conjunction with a comprehensive multi-mineral.

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Article Tags:
folic acid, folates, b complex vitamins

Protect your computer, yourself

Protect your computer, yourself
Seems like there is a month for everything these days. In October, the subjects ranged from the worthwhile (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month) to the completely absurd (National Toilet Tank Repair Month). In that vein, National Cyber Security Awareness Month was somewhere near worthwhile.

Love Yourself, Protect Yourself…Get Tested!!

breast cancer staging

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Be the first to comment - What do you think? Posted by - 08/14/2010 at 7:51 pm

Categories: Breast Cancer Staging Tags: Love, protect, tested, Yourself, Yourself...Get

Novartis Vaccines Begins Shipment of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Fluvirin(R) to U.S. Market to Help Protect Ahead of …

Novartis Vaccines Begins Shipment of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Fluvirin(R) to U.S. Market to Help Protect Ahead of …
CAMBRIDGE, MA–(Marketwire – July 29, 2010) – Novartis Vaccines ( NYSE : NVS )

Silicon oil appears to protect vision in patients undergoing radiation therapy for ocular melanoma: Study

Silicon oil appears to protect vision in patients undergoing radiation therapy for ocular melanoma: Study
Eye cancer patients face an unenviable dilemma. They must enter treatment knowing that their surgeon’s strategy to kill the deadly tumor with radiation may also sacrifice their eyesight.

I Froze My Eggs to Protect Them From Chemo

Some women who go on chemotherapy are plunged into early menopause because the drugs suppress estrogen. It’s pretty common for women like Karen to freeze their eggs in case they want to have kids later and lose the ability to conceive.

Be the first to comment - What do you think? Posted by - 04/20/2010 at 7:24 pm

Categories: Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Tags: chemo, Eggs, From, Froze, protect, them

How Women Can Protect Themselves From Getting Breast Cancer

Chances are you know someone – a family member, colleague, or friend who has been affected by cancer. You’ll want to learn more about prevention especially if you have a history of cancer in your family. There are over two hundred different types of cancer and the most common one for women is breast cancer. The lifetime probability of a woman developing breast cancer is 1 in 9. The good news is that it is possible for women to protect themselves from breast cancer. When breast cancer is discovered and treated early, the chances for recovery are better.

Every woman should know their own breasts so that any changes are noticed soon and can be reported to a physician. Knowing your breasts includes having a mammogram every two years if you are between the ages of 50 and 69 and getting a clinical breast exam by a doctor or trained health professional at least every two years from the age of 40. Regardless of age, all women should do their own monthly breast self-examination a few days after her period. When doing breast self-examination, things to look for include: puckering of the skin, the appearance of what is sometimes called ‘orange peel skin’, any place in your breasts that feels lumpy or harder than the rest and bleeding from the nipples or crusting.

It is important to note that most breast problems are not breast cancer and most lumps are not cancerous. When a lump is not cancerous it is referred to as ‘benign’. A cancerous lump is called ‘malignant’.

While there are no cures yet, researchers have discovered that a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent cancer. Since cancer is a disease that starts in our cells, everything we eat and are exposed to can affect them. Choose to be a non-smoker and avoid second-hand smoke. In regards to diet, choose a variety of lower fat, high fiber foods. Studies have shown that intake of total fat, saturated fat and meat are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Maintain a healthy body weight and limit alcohol consumption. Protect yourself from the sun. At home and at work, follow health and safety instructions when using hazardous materials. The link between an active lifestyle and breast cancer prevention is as yet unclear but general health is improved when regular exercise is an integral part of a person’s lifestyle.

Taking care of ourselves is an ongoing commitment that requires self-discipline and knowledge. It is well worth the effort and you’ll feel much better for it.

Travis Waack is the webmaster of http://health.online-006.com/breast_cancer.html If you would like more information on breast cancer and prevention, this is where you will want to start.

Be the first to comment - What do you think? Posted by - 03/17/2010 at 10:34 pm

Categories: Breast Cancer Research Tags: breast, cancer, From, getting, protect, Themselves, women

How to Protect Against Breast Cancer from Hormone Replacement

Hormone replacement therapy with synthetic estrogen and progesterone increases the risk for breast cancer. What’s really scary is that your risk remains high even after you stop treatment. But there’s good news…a common kitchen spice may offer some protection against this dreaded disease.

Breast Cancer & Hormone Replacement

Traditional hormone replacement uses synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone that are non-biological, or not identical, to human hormones. The synthetic hormones are chemically different and can disrupt normal breast cell metabolism leading to cancer.

The Women’s Health Initiative study of estrogen and progestin in healthy women was stopped early when researchers found an increased risk of developing cancer from the hormones. But it gets worse.

Stopping therapy may not reduce the risk. If you’re a breast cancer survivor and you took hormones to relieve menopause symptoms you’re three times more likely to develop a recurrence of the cancer.

So how can you protect yourself if you took non-biological hormones? The answer is the turmeric spice.

Protect with Turmeric

Scientists at the University of Missouri concluded that curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, could prevent cancer in women who took the synthetic hormones. It slows tumor growth and reduces the overall incidence. Animal studies demonstrated that the spice stops the synthetic hormones from releasing cancer-promoting growth factors into healthy breast tissue.

The researchers concluded that, “…exposure to [synthetic hormones] will predispose a large number of postmenopausal women to future tumor development. The results of our study show that women could potentially take curcumin to protect themselves from developing [breast cancer].”

There are additional health benefits attributed to turmeric spice beyond breast health. It’s a potent antioxidant, it reduces inflammation, it degrades chemical toxins, and it promotes normal cell growth throughout the body.

But there is a problem…turmeric is poorly absorb into the bloodstream. The conventional products don’t work because most of the spice never reaches the blood. You end up taking large doses which can get expensive. However, an advanced formulation with greater absorption was developed by a top biotechnology company.

Advanced Curcumin Formulation

The biotechnology company, Dolcas-Biotech, developed a “super” formula that absorbs up to seven times better than conventional products. Studies show that one 400 mg capsule a day results in blood levels equal to ingesting 2,500mg of conventional turmeric products. Not only does it result in higher blood levels, but the new formula remains active in the bloodstream almost twice as long.

Talk to your doctor about turmeric. If you need it, find a product that uses the advanced formula with the trademark name “BCM-95 Super Bio-Curcumin®” clearly printed on the label. Make sure each capsule provides 400 mg that is standardized to 95%.

If you have ever taken synthetic (non-biological) hormones, protect against breast cancer by supplementing daily with curcumin. The October 2007 Life Extension magazine has a must read article titled, A Novel Turmeric Compound. I strongly suggest that you read it now.

Be the first to comment - What do you think? Posted by - 03/07/2010 at 8:45 pm

Categories: Breast Cancer Research Tags: against, breast, cancer, From, Hormone, protect, replacement

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