Nutrition and arthritis

Learn how proper nutrition can help remedy arthritis.

In America there is one out of every seven people that suffer from some form of arthritis. There are over one hundred different forms of arthritis, all having much of the same characteristics, such as joint inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and pain. Two most common forms of arthritis are Osteo-arthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is where the joint cartilage usually breaks down people with this kind of arthritis may have defective cartilage that makes it not withstand normal wear and tear and rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that can cause severe pain and crippling and this arthritis develops when an overactive immune system attacks connective tissue in the joints causing inflammation and pain.

It has been noted that during the past most doctors dismissed diet as having any part in the preventive role of arthritis. But in today’s medical world there has been research that has proved this theory wrong. Researchers have found out that glucosamine, a natural body substance that protects cartilage and stimulates its growth, and chondroitin, a substance found in gristle and cartilage. The studies show that the combination of these two slows and possible may reverse the effects of Osteoarthritis. You can find these two supplements in health food stores.

They have also found through research that fatty oils aid in reducing inflammation, pain and redness in many forms of arthritis. Omega-3 in the main oil, this oil can be found in salmon, sardines, halibut and other cold-water fish. Doctors suggest eating these fish at least three to four servings per week. There are fish oil supplement tablets available, but they are not as good as eating the fish itself. There is also a cream available to rub on swollen joints, it is called capsaicin, contains an oil found in red peppers. Capsaicin is absorbed through the skin and reduces inflammation.

Unfortunately there is no cure for arthritis so many people who suffer are constantly looking for relief. Take heed, there are many medicines and therapies available that state that are the miracle cure. Most are worthless and sometimes dangerous. It is best to consult your doctor before venturing into an unknown cure.

Nutrition for AIDS and HIV infected patients

When one is infrected with the HIV virus they should be cautious of their nutritional intake, to help maintain health and lifespan.

There is still no cure for AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and there is not a set diet for a person with HIV, which is the virus that causes the disease, AIDS. But good nutrition can play a part in preventing weight loss and other AIDS complications. When patients are diagnosed with HIV, Doctors will usually advise the patients while they are not ill, to seek nutritional advice from a qualified clinical dietician. This helps the patient prepare and learn about nutrition.

Maintaining a healthy diet with AIDS is complicated, due to a person with AIDS often has cases of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, a loss of appetite either from the disease itself or the medication they take. AIDS affects the digestion system also, which makes it hard for the body to absorb essential vitamins and minerals such as folate, riboflavin, thiamine, and vitamins B6 and B12. A person with AIDS, often experiences rapid weight loss, when this happens patients have to be fed through tubes, if nutrients are not being absorbed properly doctors will often prescribe this procedure even if there is no rapid weight loss.

The HIV virus attacks the immune system this makes a person not able to defend against infections and diseases. There is a higher risk of HIV infected persons to get food poisoning from bacteria such as salmonella, shigella and campylobacter. These bacteria can cause death to HIV positive persons. Because of this people with HIV or people who prepare food for HIV patients need to pay close attention to food safety.

When preparing eggs they should be boiled at least seven minutes or until hard, fish and meats should be cooked until well done. Raw oysters and other shellfish should be avoided entirely and anything with raw eggs. Such as homemade mayonnaise and ice creams, commercial mayonnaise and hard ice cream and sherbet are safe.

Patients with the HIV virus and AIDS patients are often given multiple vitamin and mineral pills to prevent nutritional deficiencies, but supplements with mote than one percent of the Recommended Dietary Allowance should only be administered by a Doctor. Many AIDS and HIV infected people are turning to herbal medicine as a self-care approach. But many herbal medicines may cause allergies in AIDS and HIV infected persons so the herb or herb mixture must be checked with doctor before administering.

Garlic and health benefits

Is it really healthy to eat garlic? Here is an explanation of garlic and its health benefits.

Allium sativum - garlic, whose family members include onions, scallions, chives and shallots is a favorite, pungent flavoring agent around the world, but there's lots more to it than flavor!

Louis Pasteur proved that garlic had antibiotic properties by putting a small piece in a petri dish of bacteria, which it quickly killed. That was the first of thousands of modern scientific experiments using garlic - The Journal of the American Medical Association reported in the November 1990 edition that garlic has been described as therapeutic in more than 1,000 scientific studies!

As far back as 3,000 years ago, people were using it medicinally. It was a part of the diets of the slaves who built the pyramids. The ancient Greeks used it before battles and races. More recently, it was used to treat infected battle wounds of the First World War.

Is it really beneficial for the average person to eat it, though? Like most foods and substances, the answer is difficult to come by.

Some studies have shown that as little as half a clove of garlic a day can reduce cholesterol up to nine percent and because of that, reduce the risk of heart attack up to eighteen percent. Others say it will reduce cholesterol up to seventeen percent, still others say it has little if any effect. It's worth noting that many, many more studies show a reduction in cholesterol than those who don't.

We do know that it lowers blood pressure by enlarging or stretching blood vessels. One researcher noted that decreased blood pressure could be measured after patients took only one garlic powder capsule.

It's also an anticoagulant and could be helpful in protecting from clots which cause strokes. If you're taking aspirin to keep your blood from forming clots, garlic may be a more pleasant way. Mixing aspirin or other blood thinning medicines with garlic can be dangerous under some circumstances though, and should be done under a doctor's care.

It's been discovered that ulcers can be the result of viral infections, against which garlic can be a useful, internally taken, substance. It also is helpful against parasites, bacterial infection, cancer, and even slows the growth of existing tumors.

Garlic works inside the body by promoting the ability of white blood cells to fight infections, and by stimulating other immune cells like macrophages and T-cells which fight viral and bacterial infections, as well as cancer cells. In other words, it helps your body to help itself, and neither bacteria nor virus can develop a resistance to that.

Raw or cooked? It's still under debate. Some studies say one thing, some say another. Garlic pills are thought to be as effective as raw garlic cloves by some; by others they're thought to be useless. Standardized doses make it easier to track the effectiveness, but there are questions as to the effectiveness of garlic at all after it's been tampered with.

The reasoning is that the power as well as the taste and odor of garlic is released when a clove is bruised, cut or chewed. Allicin thus released oxidizes quickly and breaks down into over a hundred different substances, not all of which are proved to be helpful to the human body.

What can we believe? It's best to go with what we know to be true.

1. Raw garlic is an antibiotic, taken internally or externally.
2. It lowers blood pressure in pill form.
3. It's an anticoagulant in any form.
4. It inhibits the growth of cancers and tumors in raw form.

With all the benefits to the average person, it should be included in every other diet every day. Especially in the US, where overweight, high blood pressure and heart problems are common health concerns, a daily dose of garlic is a part of a sensible, healthy diet.

Note: Individuals who take anticoagulants or who have hemophilia, or need to guard against low blood pressure need to consult their doctors and/or alternative health care specialist.

What is folic acid used for?

Getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet? Learn more about folic acid and its essential role in the human body.

Folic acid comes in several forms. It is known by the following names, folate, leucovorin calcium, folinate calcium, folacin, folate sodium and vitamin M. Folic acid is an integral component of several enzymatic functions in the human body. It is also vital to the formation of red blood cells and without it the development of bone marrow would be stunted. Folic acid is also useful in the proper functioning of the entire central nervous system. However, folic acid’s perhaps most important function is in growth and reproduction. Without folic acid, the manufacture of nucleic acids - the stuff cells are made of - would not be possible.

The dietary sources for folic acid are primarily the green, leafy vegetables. You can also find high concentrations of folic acid in liver and mushrooms. All the root vegetables are excellent sources of folic acid, as are nuts, dried beans and peas. Folic acid can also be found in oranges and nuts. Egg yolks provide and optimal source of folic acid as well.

Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism, folic acid deficiency does occur and can lead to abnormally low levels of red blood cells in the system. This results in anemia. The primary symptoms of folic acid deficiency include extreme fatigue, nausea and lack of apetite. Individuals experiencing deficiency may also have mouth sores and hair loss. Diarrhea is common. In infants and children, folic acid deficiency can cause growth retardation.

Recommended intakes of folic acid vary, and excessive folic acid is not considered toxic. However the consensus among professionals seems to be anywhere from 100 to 1000 micrograms daily, depending on level of deficiency. Of course, before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner.

The benefits and dangers of flouride in water

Getting enough fluoride vitamins and minerals in your diet? Learn more about fluroide and its essential role in the human body.

Fluoride comes in several forms. It is known by the following names, calcium fluoride, stannous fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, and sodium fluoride. Sodium fluoride is added to most public drinking water.

The prime dietary source for fluoride are typically treated drinking water however, it also shoes up in foods and beverages that have been grown in areas where the drinking water has been fluoridated and then used in the manufacture of those products.

Fluoride’s primary function in the human body is to strengthen the bone and it is known to prevent tooth decay. Experts contend that fluoride strengthens the teeth’s enamel by strengthening the mineral composition of the teeth themselves. Once the composition of a tooth is strengthened by fluoride it can then ward off or at least be more resistant to attack from acid accumulation in the mouth. Fluoride intake is ideally begun early in childhood when the formation of teeth and bones is still taking place, therefore strengthening the initial buds for the future. Fluoride is known to aid in strengthening developing bone structure.

Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism, fluoride deficiency does occur but typically only in regions where water that is regularly consumed is not treated with fluoridation. Of more concern with fluoride is excess intake.

Fluoride taking in large quantities over time slowly poisons the human body. Prolonged intake of treated water that contains more than 2 parts fluoride per million (ppm) can lead to discolored, mottled or brownish enamel on the teeth. Extremely high concentrations, over 8 ppm can contribute to bone disorders, kidney, liver and adrenal failure as well as the heart, reproductive system and central nervous system. This is especially dangerous in young children and the elderly.

Recommended intakes of fluoride vary, however the consensus among professionals seems to be no more than 2.5 milligrams daily. Of course, before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner.

Vitamins and minerals: what is chromium?

Getting enough chromium vitamins and minerals in your diet? Learn more about chromium and its important role in the human body.

Chromium comes in two forms, and it is alternately known as GFT or the glucose tolerance factor, and chromium amino acid chelate. Chromium is integral to the proper functioning of many enzymatic processes in the human body. Chromium is also essential in the breakdown of sugar and the conversion of sugar into energy. It also functions in the production of many fats in the body. It is also thought that chromium may play a very important role in protein production within the human body.

The dietary sources for chromium are vast and varied. Traces of chromium are found in a large amount of foods. The most excellent sources of chromium in dietary products are whole grain cereals. Most meats and dairy products are excellent sources as well. Chromium can also be found as an additive in some chewing gums sold at health food stores.

Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism, chromium deficiency does occur and is fairly common in the United States. Severe chromium deficiency often because the soil in the United States has low traces of this mineral, therefore foods grown from the soil contain little if any chromium. Eating too many prepackaged and processed foods can also lead to chromium deficiency because and inadequate amount of chromium over long periods of time inhibits the human body’s ability to process sugar which leads to symptoms of high blood sugar. Other symptoms of chromium deficiency include artherosclerosis, depressed growth, mental confusion, tiredness and fatigue. Often there will be a tingling sensation in the hands or feet or both extremities.

Recommended intakes of chromium vary, but the common agreement among professionals seems to be between 5 to 10 micrograms daily. Of course, before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner as chromium is poisonous if taken in excess or oversupplemented.

Vitamins and minerals: what is biotin?

Getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet? Learn more about biotin and its integral function in the human body.

Biotin comes in two forms, and it is alternately known as vitamin H and Coenzyme R. Biotin is integral to many of the activities of enzymes in the human body. It is necessary for the breakdown of fatty acids in the human body. Biotin is also essential for the breakdown of carbohydrates. It is integral to the conversion process which takes fatty acids and carbohydrates in the body and converts them into energy. This then allows for production of fats and excretion of protein breakdown products.

The dietary sources for biotin are vast and varied. Biotin is available in a large number of foods. Liver and nuts are especially rich in biotin concentrations. Beans and egg yolks are also excellent dietary sources of biotin. Cauliflower is yet another consumable source of biotin for the human body.

Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism, biotin deficiency does occur. Severe biotin deficiency often occurs in individuals who have general ill health. Symptoms of deficiency may include depression and poor appetite. An individual suffering from biotin deficiency may seem lethargic, weak or easily fatigued. Hair loss may result from biotin insufficiency. Additionally in some cases of severe biotin deficiency, eczema occurs. The eczema can appear anywhere on the body but primarily targets the face. Occasionally deficiency will result in a slight swelling or inflammation of the tongue as well.

Recommended intakes of biotin vary, but the common agreement among professionals seems to be between 35-60 micrograms daily, depending on severity of deficiency. Of course, before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner.

Vitamins and minerals: what is selenium?

Getting enough selenium vitamins and minerals in your diet? Learn more about selenium and its essential function in the human body



Selenium comes in several forms. It is known by the following names: selenium yeast, selenium sulfide, selenium acid, and sodium selenite. Only minute quantities of this mineral are needed, although the lack of it can cause many problems in the human body.

The dietary sources for selenium are usually associated with the soil where they were grown. Vegetables and grain products often have a higher selenium content if the mineral was present in the soil from which they were harvested. Most meats and fish contain selenium, and are an excellent source of this mineral. Dairy products are also a good dietary source of selenium.

Selenium’s primary function in the human body is to work in conjunction with vitamin E in the preservation and elasticity of the tissues. It is also neccessary in the slowing down of the process of aging by increasing endurance and improving the blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. The prostoglandins in the human body which protect against high blood pressure cannot be formed without selenium. Prostoglandins aid in the prevention of abnormal blood clots, thereby preventing stroke and heart attack. Prostoglandins also assist in the stimulation of uterine contractions in pregnancy.

Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism, selenium deficiency does occur. Severe selenium deficiency often causes muscle pain and tenderness. It may also result in a constriction of the tissues due to loss of elasticity, and may also result in weakness and decreased stamina. Selenium deficiency can also lead to a fatal form of heart disease in children.

Recommended intakes of selenium vary and such a small amount is needed that it usually is easily obtained from dietary source, however the consensus among professionals seems to be between 50 to 200 micrograms daily1, depending on level of deficiency. Of course, before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner

What is pantothenic acid?

Learn more about what pantothenic acid is, and its essential function in the human body.

Pantothenic acid comes in three forms, and it is alternately known as vitamin B5, panthenol and calcium pantothenate. Pantothenic acid is integral to many of the activities of enzymes in the human body. It is necessary for the manufacture of energy from both sugars and fats in the system as well as the utilization of other vitamins. Pantothenic acid is also essential to the manufacture of fats, corticosteroids and the sex hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. It is also integral to the proper functioning of the adrenal glands and nervous system as well as for normal growth and development throughout the human body.

The dietary sources for pantothenic acid are vast and varied. Brewer’s yeast and wheat germ are good sources, as is royal jelly a substance often touted mostly as a beauty aid but which is also rich in this vitamin. Pantothenic acid can also be found in almost all vegetables, as well as cereals. It is is just about every meat product and pantothenic acid can be found in abundance in liver, kidney, heart, and fish as well as egg yolks.

Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism, pantothenic acid deficiency does occur. Severe pantothenic acid deficiency often occurs in individuals who have general ill health. Symptoms of deficiency may include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, headache and numbness or tingling in the limbs and extremities. Pantothenic acid deficiency may also cause cramping of the muscles and a lack of coordination. It can also make a person faint and confused.

Recommended intakes of pantothenic vary, but the common agreement among professionals seems to be between 5 to 20 milligrams daily. Of course, before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner.

Vitamins and minerals: what is niacin?

Learn more about what niacin is, and its essential function in the human body.

Niacin comes in many forms. Some of it’s names are vitamin B3, niacinamide, nicotinic acid, and nicotinyl alcohol tartrate. Niacin plays an essential and vital role in a variety of enzymatic functions in the human body. One of niacin’s most important functions is in the production of energy from the body’s blood sugar. It is also integral to the production of fats in the human body. Niacin is also very important to proper functioning of the nervous system. It also plays a role in the digestive system as well as in having healthy skin. Niacin even plays a role in the production of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, the sex hormones.

Niacin can be found in a variety of dietary sources. Many meats such as liver, poultry and fish contain niacin. It is also found in almost any lean meat product. However, niacin can also be found in whole grain bread products as well as nuts and dried beans, which are the absolute best source of niacin in foods.

Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism on so many levels, niacin deficiency does occur. Severe deficiency often occurs in areas where corn is the staple of the diet. Niacin is often used as a treatment for bowel disorders which produce deficiency, and other diseases such as liver disease and alcoholism which produce problems with malabsorption in the intestines. Niacin has also been used successfully in the treatment of high cholesterol, as when it is taken in high doses niacin is known to lower specific fats in the blood.

Recommended intakes of niacin vary, but the common agreement among professionals seems to be between 6 to 18 milligrams daily. Of course, before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner.

What is magnesium?

What is magnesium and its essential function in the human body.

Magnesium comes in many forms. Some of it’s known names are magnesium amino acid chelate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium oxide dolomite and magnesium sulfate. Bones and teeth contain about 70% of the human body‘s magnesium. Magnesium is essential to the functioning of the human body because it transmits nerve impulses, causes the contraction of muscles and is integral to healthy development of teeth and bones.

Magnesium can be found in a variety of dietary sources. The best dieteray source of magnesium is in the green, leafy vegetables. However, magnesium can also be found in many nuts and whole grain foods as well as soybeans. Many different varieties of seafood are also excellent sources for your intake of magnesium. In many areas, hard drinking water is also a prime source for magnesium.

Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism, magnesium deficiency is not uncommon. Severe magnesium deficiency often occurs in individuals who have overstimulated nervous systems. Individuals with magnesium deficiency will be restless, confused and suffer from palpitations. They may also be highly irritable, easily or chronically depressed and in some cases they will experience tremors and disorientation. It has been suggested that an inadequate dietary intake of magnesium may be a contributing factor to the development of coronary artery disease and can also lead to stones in the kidneys where deposits of calcium result.

Supplements may be useful with certain medically diagnosed conditions which involve impaired absorption from the intestine, or when estrogen containing medications are being taken. Estrogen can reduce blood magnesium levels of magnesium and lead to deficiency if those taking them are not receiving enough magnesium through dietary sources.

Recommended intakes of magnesium vary widely, but the common agreement among professionals seems to be between 50 to 400 milligrams daily. Of course, before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner.

Ideas and recipes: Is your child a picky eater?

If you have a picky eater in the home, its time to change your child and toddler with these ideas and recipes.

Is your child a picky eater? This doesn't have to be such a bad thing unless they just are not getting enough nutrition to keep them healthy, above all nutrition in the early years makes a foundation for the health of your child in later years. There is such a difference in a child who

doesn't like spinach and broccoli and just refuses to eat those food. You can always subject other vegetables for these. When you have a child who doesn't want to eat any vegetables and wants just for example, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and no vegetables then it is time to change things in your home and you can.


When you start a child eating healthy at the youngest age and try all different foods then they are likely to develop a taste for these foods. Please do not tell your child he should not like spinach because you don't like spinach, then the thought is formed and he thinks well if Mommy doesn't eat spinach then I don't need to either. Try to use recipes that incorporate new foods regularly. Try not to preform these ideas in your children as so many parents are doing, just stop picky eater toddlers.

Naturally you don't want to go through each meal scolding and fussing and worrying about your child and demanding that your child clean his plate, this does not accomplish your goals. First of all limit the high fat and greasy foods your child wants very slowly, and don't forget you'll want to also limit the high sugar foods gradually also. Children especially in this present generation are growing up on fast food and very little nutrition, look around you, this is very true, but you don't have to let your child eat in this manner. Remember you are the parent and this is your child, you are the one forming this child to be a healthy adult.

Try to preplan meals for your family from all the food groups, give them nutritious options even if you start out with small portions and say I want you to try this, you may like it, and sure enough most of the new foods will be accepted and they will like them. Try using complex recipes, and don't just plop some raw spinach down in front of them. Sure there will be new foods that they don't accept, wait and try those foods later or perhaps put in a casserole. You can make many casserole dishes with vegetables and even adults don't notice you have added to the nutrition of the casserole. With time you'll find foods that children who are picky eaters like.

Try to have a certain schedule for eating each meal whenever possible and limit the in between snacks to healthy foods such as fruit. If your child fills up his tummy with potato chips, for instance, or chocolate candy, naturally he is not going to want to eat at mealtime. This is what is happening so much to children of this generation, as they are allowed to go into the pantry and grab a bag of chips or candies and munch whenever they choose to do so and this is not something that should be allowed. You need to be in charge of the pantry and your recipes and when they are allowed to just munch, nibble and choose the foods they want at any given time.

Another idea would be if the child doesn't want, for example, a serving of spinach then let him make a decision on either a piece of toast or a bowl of cereal, don't let him go get chips or make a sandwich of ham and cheese, let the substitute decision be yours, not his and do this only one night a week. With this plan a toddler will look at the food on his plate and know that one night a week you are iving him the decision to choose the cereal or the toast instead of the spinach, he may think well tomorrow night she may prepare something I don't like more than spinach and just eat the spinach and wait for the next meal to have his once a week decision.

On the foods you are trying to get the child to try make the portion very small, even a tablespoon and you can always give him more if he really likes it and he'll think of this as a reward, try that, it works. Toddlers like recipes that intimidate thougths of food.

Above all, think about your child and his nutrition needs and his health, remember a child who has proper nutrition misses less school and you make less trips to the doctor and spend less.

How to make your children eat vegetables

Information on ways to make children eat vegetables. Using creative ways such as with serving them and putting toppings on them.

As parents we like to make sure that our children are eating well and getting all the nutrients they need. Children need two to three servings of vegetables on a daily basis. But it always isn’t easy for us as parents to get our children to eat vegetables. We should try to get our children to eat them any way we can because vegetables protect against cancer and heart disease. Teaching children to eat vegetables now, when they're young, will help them lead healthy lives when they get older.

A simple way to get children to eat vegetables is eating them ourselves. Following our example, they may start eating vegetables themselves. Don’t say things like that, “If you eat your vegetables, you can have dessert.” These methods work for a little while but can end up back firing, possibly leading them to hate vegetables more. Also change up the meals you prepare. Giving your child new varieties of foods which will help her develop a taste for trying new things.

Sometimes the simple things just don’t work. We have to start becoming a little creative when it comes to making our children eat these vegetables. Insuring they get all the nutrients needed to grow up to be healthy and strong. By doing this in the beginning when they are small, they will hopefully help them learn to love vegetables.

Think of creative ways to make children eat vegetables. For instance, cut up vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, celery and assembling them in a creative way on a plate with dip for an afternoon snack. Or slightly steam carrots, broccoli, celery and olives and call it hors d'oeuvres. Or try using cheese sauce either by dipping the vegetables or by putting the cheese right on top of the cooked or raw vegetables.

There are cooked dishes that already contain vegetables like various kinds of vegetable soups. These could be even more delicious with some melted cheese on top.

You can blend vegetables in a blender and then add them to spaghetti sauce, meatloaf or anywhere else you feel it would liven up a meal. Children end up eating these dishes without even knowing they’re getting their supply of vegetables in it.

If you prefer, you can also add a teaspoon of sugar on top of cooked green beans and peas to give them a little sweeter taste. You could likewise top sweet potatoes, yams and squash with marshmallows. Doing this shouldn’t contribute to a sweet tooth as long as it’s a small amount offered with a healthy food.

There are also a number of vegetarian recipes available that vegetables can hide in, like zucchini pizza.

If you have a child that refuses to eat vegetables hopefully some of these suggestions I’ve listed will help to turn that around. In the end, you’re not just getting them to eat vegetables, you’re helping them to live a healthier lifestyle.

Suggested daily food serving

Daily food serving and portions of food for the active person. Servings for each food group and their portion size.

The food pyramid commonly referred to by people to determine how much of each food group they need to consume is not actually accurate for everyone. The suggested servings per day are for a typically normal person. But for those of us who are more active, we need more sustinanance. If you frequently (meaning 2 or more times a week) exercise or lift weights, you are not getting enough calories to live on. By eating a well-balanced diet, you will feel more energy and see faster results whether you are trying to lose or gain weight. You should be aiming for 55-60 percent of carbohydrates, 25-30 percent of protein and 15-20 percent of fat at each meal. Eat every couple of hours throughout the day to prevent hunger. Make sure you eat from every food group at most sittings.

1 carbohydrate gram is equal to 4 calories.
1 protein gram is equal to 4 calories.
1 fat gram is equal to 9 calories.


SERVING SIZE FOOD

size of a baseball medium fruit
size of palm 3 oz meat or fish
size of fist 1 cup vegetables
ice cream scoop 1/2 cup cooked pasta
dice or domino 1 1/2 oz cheese
thumb tip 1 tsp butter/marg
large handful 1 cup dry cereal


FOOD GROUP SUGGESTED SERVING

dairy 2-3 for men
2-3 for women
lean meat 3-4 for men
2-3 for women
fruits 4 for men
3 for women
vegetables 5 for men
4 for women
breads 11 for men
9 for women

Diabetic exchange diet

The American Diabetes Association and Dietetic Association have developed a diet of food exchanges that work well in the treatment for diabetes. Learn more.

The American Diabetes Association and Dietetic Association have developed a system of food exchanges that work well in the treatment for diabetes. You can now find the food pyramid on most products you buy in your local grocery store. Usually found on the side or back panel. These guidelines are not to be substituted for your complete regime. Consult with a registered dietician as your physician instructs you to.

Meats. The exchange groups for meat and cheese are categorized by lean meat (55 cal) and low fat substitutes, medium-fat meat (75 cal) and substitutes, and high fat (100 cal). Exchange sizes on the meat list are generally one ounce and based on cooked meats (three oz of cooked meat equals 4 oz of raw meat) These proteins are found in meats, fish poultry, cheese, eggs, milk, dried beans, legumes and some nuts.

Starches and Bread. Each exchange contains about 15 grams of carbohydrates; 3 grams of protein, and a trace of fat for a total of 80 calories serving size may vary. A general rule is that 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, grain, or pasta equals one exchange and one ounce of a bread product is one serving.

Vegetables. (25 cal) are 1/2 cup cooked, 1 cup raw, and 1/2-cup juice. Each group contains 5 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein, and between 2 to 3 grams of fiber. Vegetables can be fresh or frozen, canned low sodium is also acceptable.

Fruit has about 15 grams of carbohydrates for a total of 60 calories. The serving size varies. Example ½ of banana is one exchange, 1 small orange is 1 exchange.Milk is usually one cup or 8 oz. For those who are on weight-loss or low-cholesterol diets, the skim and very low-fat milk lists should be followed (90 cal).

Fats store in the body for extra calories for in the future. A fat exchange is (45 cal) usually varies in serving size. Avoidance of saturated fats and choose polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats instead. Fats are found in margarine, butter, oils, nuts, meat fat, and dairy products.

Free foods. Sugar free soda, black tea and coffee, sugar free gelatin, and I cup of raw lettuce.It is very rarely recommended for anyone that is diabetic unless instructed by a physician to go on a 1200 cal ADA diet.

The following is a list of how many exchanges from each group is needed for the calories listed above.

Cal 1200 1500 1800 2000 2200
Bread 5 8 10 11 13
Meat 4 5 7 8 8
Veg 2 3 3 4 4
Fruits 3 3 3 3 3
Fats 2 3 3 4 5
Milk 2 2 2 2 2

Sample Daily Exchange for 1500 Calorie ADA (Diabetic Diet)Using common sense and the above exchange list you can figure out how many you need for each exchange. Never skip a meal or save up your exchanges for another meal. Example: 1 hamburger is 2 starches, 1 meat, 1 fat, 1 vegetable if with the works. (Based on a 3oz patty)

1500 Calories sample

Break Lunch Dinner Snack
Bread/ 2 2 2 1
Meat 0 2 3 0
Vege 0 1 2 0
Fruits 1 0 1 0
Fats 1 1 2 0
Milk 1 0 0 1

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your health provider. It should be re-emphasized that nothing herein should be considered medical advice.

What is anorexia nervosa: signs and symptoms?

What is anorexia nervosa. Here is the definition, and how to detect it in someone you know

Anorexia Nervosa was named and identified in the 1870's almost simultaneously by medical men in England, France and the United States. However, the American public knew virtually nothing about this condition until the 1970's. By the 80's the disease was quite common to the public and was joked about on "Saturday Night Live", featured in prominent newspapers such as "New York Times" and "Weekly World News", and in magazines such as "People", "Mademoiselle", and "Seventeen".

According to the American Anorexia Bulimia Association (AABA), one percent of all teenage American girls develop anorexia nervosa and up to 10% of those who develop it die from it. The National Eating Disorders Organization (NEDO) observes that 90-95% of all victims are female. Because untreated anorexia nervosa is a proven woman-killer, knowing the warning signs is essential to successful recovery.

There are two types of anorexia nervosa: restrictive and binge/purging. According to the Academy for Eating Disorders, restrictors maintain a low body weight through self-starvation and excessive exercise. In addition to calorie cutting, binge/purgers stuff themselves, then induce vomiting or misuse laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. Because of its resemblance to bulimia nervosa, a diagnosis for the latter group can be problematical. If a patient meets criteria for both anorexia and bulimia, she is diagnosed as an anorexic, binge/purging type. According to NEDO, one-third of anorexics develop bulimia.


The Academy for Eating Disorders notes that most clinicians will suspect anorexia in a patient who is 85% or less of normal body weight. But what is "normal"? Norms vary with individual body type and chemistry. For this reason, Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. (ANRED) advises against relying on charts, tables or complex formulas. Instead, ANRED recommends a combination of subjective and objective factors. How do you feel? If the answer is "strong, energetic, and healthy," you're probably on the right track. Are your blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels good? Are you free of the back or joint pain associated with bone loss due to malnutrition? If so, these are signs that you have achieved a healthy weight.

Warning signs of anorexia nervosa, include:
Significant to extreme weight loss with no known medical illness
Ritualistic eating habits
Denial
Criticism and Intolerance of others
Excessive Exercise
Eating low- to no-fat, and low-calorie foods
Sufferer says she is fat, even when this is obviously untrue
hair loss
cold hands and feet
fainting
exhaustion
shortness of breath
dry, brittle skin
depression
withdrawal
tooth and gum decay
dressing in baggy clothes
hyper-competitiveness

The anorexic skips meals, refuses to eat with others, and concocts strange dishes. She will grocery shop and cook tasty recipes for the entire family, but refuse to eat her own meals. There is always an excuse not to eat. In a subconscious cry for help, a binge/purger-type anorexic will often leave clues: empty food packages; foul-smelling bathrooms; running water (to cover sounds of vomiting); and overuse of breath fresheners.

Intolerance of others, excessive exercise, and hyper-competitiveness. These, according to ANRED, are related to a desire for perfection. The anorexic wants to be the best in everything.

Denial. The sufferer believes that the thinner she becomes, the closer she gets to perfection - even if she resembles a concentration camp inmate. Thus, from her point of view, there is no problem.

Depression and withdrawal. The Academy for Eating Disorders observes that adolescence is a time when self-esteem is vulnerable. Since onset of anorexia primarily occurs during the teen years, it is not surprising that sufferers have low self-esteem. The anorexic cannot feel good about herself because she's never thin enough to satisfy her standard of perfection.

Baggy clothes. These are used to hide wasting, and to keep warm.

Tooth and gum decay. According to ANRED, anorexics lack buffers in their saliva that protect teeth from acid produced by mouth bacteria. Some sufferers grind their teeth in their sleep.

Over time, these symptoms lead to real damage. In order to protect itself, the body begins to shut down. The following are medical consequences of advanced anorexia.

heart muscle damage resulting in death (This is what happened to Karen Carpenter). According to ANAD, the most common cause of death n late-stage anorexics is low potassium, which can cause an irregular heartbeat.

cessation of menstruation
kidney failure
lanugo, a fine body hair, on arms and face
muscle atrophy
osteoporosis

Anorexia ia a serious condition. And it's not all about being skinny. It's about being in control. The anorectic may feel the only thing in her life she is able to control is her body weight. It's a power struggle. You can not simply tell her to eat.

Overcoming an eating disorder is a long and difficult journey, most people are never truly "healed". They fight the urges for the rest of their lives. You can, however, learn to control it.

If you or someone you know is suffering an eating disorder, please get medical help immediately. The sooner you are treated, the easier recovery will be and you will have less long-term effects.

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.


What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.


How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.


What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.


Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.

The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.

There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.


What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.


How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.


How is mesothelioma treated?

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient’s age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.


Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.


Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).


Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).

To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.


Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?

Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.

People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER. Information specialists at the CIS use PDQ®, NCI’s cancer information database, to identify and provide detailed information about specific ongoing clinical trials. Patients also have the option of searching for clinical trials on their own. The clinical trials page on the NCI’s Cancer.gov Web site, located at http://www.cancer.gov/clinical_trials on the Internet, provides general information about clinical trials and links to PDQ.

People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need To Know. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI Publications Locator Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.

Importance of a low salt diet

Learn the importance of a low salt diet. Heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity - all have been associated with salt and high sodium content of food.

Salt - is it a good substance or a bad one? Approximately 40% sodium by weight, salt is a combination of sodium and chloride. The truth is our bodies need sodium to help us regulate blood pressure and blood volume. Sodium also assists in keeping our muscles and nerves in top-top shape. But as in all things, moderation is the ultimate key.

Salt is linked high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks as too much sodium thickens the blood. The link to obesity is a result of sodium's ability to retain water which weighs heavy. Water rentention may be mistakenly thought of as fat as it will accumulate in the ankles and mid section.

Health literature can be confusing with its talk of grams and milligrams. Medical practitioners agree that no more than 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt per day should be used, about 2400 milligrams. Count each 1/4 teaspoon as 500 milligrams for an easy way of figuring sodium intake.

Drugs can contain large amounts of sodium. This is especially true of over the counter preparations. Some drug companies are now manufacturing low-sodium drugs due to consumer demand and must declare their sodium content on product labels.

Sodium content happens in food one of two ways: natural sodium occurring in food and salt that has been added to the food. In the days of the European explorers such as Christopher Columbus, food was heavily salted and spiced to preserve it to make the long voyage across the sea. Today, although it's no longer necessary to preserve foods in this manner, frozen and canned food companies still salt with a heavy hand.

While it is good to use spices instead of adding table salt to your food, check the spice labels as sodium appears naturally to some degree in small amounts in various spices. Read container labels and look for words such as 'soda' and 'sodium'. Search the labels for this symbol - Na. These are all indicators of salt's presence.

When dining in restaurants, be verbal about not wanting salt added to your food. Ask questions about how the food is prepared. It's your health and you need to protect it.

Reducing salt in your diet is a great idea. You will still take in all the sodium your body needs through food. Reduce the amount of added sodium by following these simple to follow rules:

1 - Use herbs and spices to flavor foods.

2 - Don't add salt to your food. Learn to enjoy the natural tastes of meals.

3 - Choose fresh vegetables over canned as much as possible.

4 - If you're using canned or frozen vegetables, rinse them well before cooking.

5 - Look for unsalted nuts, lentils, peas, beans and seeds.

6 - Choose low-sodium, low-fat cheese and milk.

7 - Don't cook vegetables in the same water that came in the can.

Food can be delicious without tremendous amounts of salt. Just to make sure you're not tempted, empty out the salt shaker and retire it to a far away cupboard.

How nutrition changes with age

The effects that age and nutrition has on the body. It contains helpful information on how to get your body prepared for the changes as you grow older.

Always check with your doctor before taking any additional supplements.

If you remember, when you were a child, your parents saying, eat this or eat that because it is good for you and it will help you grow up to be strong. Well, they were right, your diet when you are young has a lot to do with your health as an adult. Many of the degenerative changes that happen as we get older can be eliminated or at least delayed by a proper diet when we are in our youth.

As a person gets older especially into the elderly years their appetite declines with age, so when you are older you do not get the proper nutrition that is needed to subdue infections and ward off diseases. In most cases an unhealthy diet is the cause of the infections and or disease when you become older. A person that has eaten fatty foods all their life are at extremely high risks of heart disease, heart failure such as strokes and heart attacks. A person that has consumed a high amount of alcohol through their life is at high risk of liver, pancreas, and kidney malfunctions, not to mention cancer.

It is best to begin in your youth by eating healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits and of course meats. There have been studies about the Mormons who stay on a vegetable and meat menu and avoid indulgence in harmful drinks and smoking, they are known to live a longer life, but a healthier longer life.

As the body ages it does not need as much as it does when it is younger. The body’s metabolism slows down and the body does not need as many calories to function. But there are certain vitamins and minerals that an older body needs that the younger body can use less of. The minerals and vitamins such as Calcium, an older body needs more to prevent osteoporosis and to keep the bones healthy, vitamin D is needed to help absorb the calcium. Zinc is needed to combat against infections, because with age the body’s immune system also degenerates. Fiber is important because the stomach muscles weaken with age and fiber helps prevent constipation.

The older the person gets the more the diet needs to change to provide for the body’s needs. There are basic guidelines for the nutrition of an elderly person. An older person should try to eat at least six servings of starches per day, such as whole grains; bread, dried beans; potatoes and pasta are all good sources. The body also needs at least six servings of fruits and vegetables, such as fresh fruits, broccoli, cabbage, and berries all are good sources of vitamin C and A, these are needed to promote the immune system to avoid deadly infections. High protein foods should be eating at least at two servings; lean beef, chicken and eggs are suggested. Dairy products are definitely needed to help the bones retain their stability.

Also, remember exercise is important part of staying healthy. If you suffer from appetite loss, the exercise is good for stimulating the appetite also.

Aging and nutrition

Aging and nutrition: When you get older your body needs change. The body's need for energy decreases while the need for nutrients increase. Studies show that some diets can actually slow the aging process.

Aging is inevitable, but many of the degenerative changes in the body are not. You must take the proper steps to prevent this, but it is possible.

Medical research shows that proper nutrition can slow down or even prevent many dibilitating conditions. Some examples would be: heart disease, osteoperosis, and diabetis.

Did you know that almost one half of the health problems in the elderly are related to diet? It is a proven fact that people whose diet is rich in vegetables live longer and are healthier.

Our elderly are amoung the most poorly nurished of all Americans. The reason for this is really quite simple. As you age you sense of smell and taste decreases. When this happens food does not look as good to you as it did when you were younger. Also, there are more health problems that make food less appealing. It is harder to chew, you get constipated, there are more digestive problems, and you just plain old don't feel hungry.

Then there is the fact that family has changed. You are no longer feeding all the children; you may have lost your spouse. Financial needs have also changed and most often you are on a fixed income. It may be more difficult for you to get out and shop. All of these are factors in the change of diets in the elderly.

Your body composition changes with age. Your muscle mass decreases because you are not using them the way that you once did. Your metabolism slows down and you need to consume far less calories. (It is estimated that you should drop your calorie intake by at least 10% after the age of fifty. At the age of seventy your need decreases again.) If you fail to cut back, it is most likely that you will gain weight and be at risk for several of the diseases that we mention earlier.

As you get older, the body is not as good at absorbing or using up some of the nutrients that it consumes. Some of those that may need to be increased or replenished as you get older are:

Calcium: This is what gives us healthy bones. An elderly person may need to find a way to supliment to prevent such things as osteoperosis. This is expecially true of woman.

Vitamin D: The body needs this to help it absorb the calcium.

Vitamin B-12: This helps to build red blood cells. Many elderly need to get weekly shots so that they can maintain healthy nerves.

Vitamin E: This is important to help ward off heart disease.

Zinc: This helps the bodies ammune sysem which can be affected by aging as well.

Potassium: This is important to help with high blood pressure and can be depleated by some of the medications used to treat it.

Sometimes it is just a matter of a daily vitamin to help you replenish what you are lacking. Sometimes it may be more. This you need to discuss with your doctor as you make plans for a healthier diet.

These are just a few tips to help a person as they get older to plan for a better diet and a healthier life:

Plan regular meals for the day and try to avoid so much snacking. If it is a must to snack try things like fruits and vegitables instead.

Make meal time something to look forward too. Even if you are eating alone you can make it fun. You may want to set your table up. Put on some candles. Pull out your favorite cloth napkins. Treat yourself to some music. The possibilities are endless.

If you have trouble chewing--switch to things like fish or ground meats. Soups can be wonderful and much better for you than just something to drink.

Don't like to eat alone. Try round-robins or pot lucks. You will not have to cook as often and you will have the pleasure of someone elses company.

Add some color to your plate. Dress it up. Add some greens, sprinkle some of your favorite spices. Give your plate some personality.

These are just a few ideas on how you can take steps to maintain your health as you begin to age. Getting older happens/feeling older does not have too.

Health benefits of apple cider vinegar

Health benefits of apple cider vinegar for people and their pets. It is antibacterial and anti-fungal and gives the immune system a good boost.

Apple Cider Vinegar is cheap, easy to use and it really benefits our health in numerous ways. Hippocrates, the father of medicine thought of it as a powerful elixir and a naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic that fights germs. Ancient Egyptians, Roman’s and Greeks used it. And Apple Cider Vinegar is mentioned in the Bible as an antiseptic and healing agent. Even Columbus had barrels of vinegar on his ships for the prevention of scurvy. Indeed, Apple Cider Vinegar has been used for thousands of years, as both a health and cleansing agent.

Apple Cider Vinegar can benefit both people and their pets. It is antibacterial and anti-fungal and gives the immune system a good boost. As a high potassium electrolyte balancer, it remineralizes the body and helps normalize the blood’s alkaline acid balance.

Apple Cider Vinegar is proving most beneficial to people or animals with arthritis because it breaks down calcium deposits in the joints while remineralizing the bones. It has proven to be equally beneficial to dogs with hip dysplasia.

Apple Cider Vinegar is a good remedy for food poisoning and helpful in digestive upsets. It is also effective for urinary tract infections and it lowers high blood pressure. In animals, it is helpful in skin and coat problems. For those on diuretics, it is helpful in replacing potassium depletion. Use one teaspoonful in the dog or cat’s drinking water daily as a healthy tonic. Two teaspoonfuls in a pint of water, for yourself.

For centuries, people have recognized cider vinegar’s health benefits to fight infection, promote digestion, and even in fighting osteoporosis. So when you eat that salad with the cider vinegar and oil dressing, you’re reaping large health benefits as well as good taste!

What is a low fat diet plan?

So you've decided to try to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Congratulations! One way you can do that is by lowering the fat in your diet.

The typical American should consume less than 30% of their total calories from fat. Less than 10% should be saturated fat. Saturated fat comes from primarily animal sources. Check the labels when buying food and check for the percentage of fat and saturated fat. One rule of thumb is to make sure each food item you purchase has less than 30% fat and less than 10% saturated fat.

What are the benefits of eating a low-fat diet? People who consume diets low in fat, consume less calories. Therefore, their risk of weight gain also decreases. Also your risk of cancer and heart disease also decreases. Low saturated fat intake equals lower cholesterol level.

What can you do to lower the amount of fat in your diet? You can do many things. Here is a list of suggestions:

* When cooking ground beef for meat loaf, etc. Rinse off the meat and remove the grease from the pan then proceed with cooking. The rinses off the excess fat without affecting the taste.

* Buy lean or extra lean meats and poultry without skin. These products have at least 33% less fat than normal.

* Eat more grains. Be eating more grains you automatically decrease the amount of fat in your diet.

* Check food labels. As stated previously, check the labels for the amount and type of fat in it.

* If you choose to eat something high in fat, balance it with something low in fat. Add vegetables instead of French fries with you hamburger.

* Eat more beans. They are a good source of protein and fiber. This can fill you up without the excess fat.

Fat is not a terrible thing. We just tend to overconsume it in this country. Just like everything else, moderation is key. Too much of a good thing can be bad for you.

Chocolate's health benefits

Is chocolate really that bad for you or can it play a part in a healthy lifestyle?

In 1519 Spanish Conquistadore Hernando Cortes led an expedition into the depths of Mexico to capture gold and silver treasures from the Aztec people. The Emperor Montezuma, along with his subjects, welcomed these strange looking visitors as ‘white Gods, risen from the sea.’ The Spaniards were feasted and served a cold, bitter drink that was very popular among the Aztecs. The drink was called cacahuati.

From the Aztecs the Spaniards learned that the drink has mystical connections, it being the product of the juice of the seeds of the cacao tree. Montezuma himself held that the drink not only gave him strength and energy, but also gave an impetus to his sexual prowess. To the Spaniards, however, the drink was too bitter. By adding sugar, however, it was made more pleasant to the European palatte. In fact, Cortes decided to introduce this new find into the Spanish Court. He called it chocolatl and in Spain it became an immediate success. Among the elite it became a delicacy, served piping hot. Soon Spanish ships were bringing regular supplies of cacao beans to satisfy this demand. Before long the drink spread across Europe. In England, they changed the name to the easier to pronounce chocolate. Methods of manufacture were refined over the years and before long the chocolate drink was just the first in a long line of cacao seed based products – chocolate bars, milk chocolate, chocolate with nuts in it, chocolate with cherries, chocolate with caramel.

Today chocolate is all around us. We all love it. Many of us, however, feel a little guilty about eating it. So, what’s the truth. Is chocolate really bad for you?

Does chocolate cause acne? In a recent study out of the University of Pennsylvania, 65 acne sufferers began to consume large amounts of chocolate. 46 showed no change in their condition, 10 got better and 9 got worse. This would sem to indicate that chocolate does not affect acne.

Does chocolate cause migraines? Unfortunately, the research does show that large amounts of chocolate can cause migraines as well as upset stomachs and hives. These types of reactions are, however, relatively minor.

Chocolate does not cause high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Since it is a product of plants, chocolate contains no cholesterol. A chocolate bar does however contain a lot of calories – a bar of one and a half ounces has a whopping 220 calories. Chocolate is, however, a powerful fighter of fatigue and it does give the consumer strength and energy.

Chocolate, then, has both positive and negative aspects to it. You’ll have to weigh the balances for yourself as you decide whether or not to indulge.

Health and longevity

Learn some secrets about health and longevity! No, there is no fountain of youth, but there are things that we can eat and drink to help us look and feel younger.

No, there is no fountain of youth, but there are foods that we can eat and drink to help us look and feel younger. Anti-wrinkle creams are helpful because they do contain ingredients to replenish the skin with moisture after aiding in removing dead skin cells. Getting plenty of sleep is also vital to good health and a more youthful appearance. Exercise and lower stress levels are yet other ways to renew our youthful appearance.

But why not work on giving your skin a more youthful look from the inside out? By eating and drinking the right foods, we can turn back the hands of time and you will look and feel years younger. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen. And it will happen naturally. Below is a list of foods containing high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are the key. Antioxidants fight free radicals, which are toxins to our bodies. There are free radicals in cigarettes and pollution, for example.

Foods of longevity:

-nuts
-peaches
-potatoes
-spinach
-cauliflower
-stringbeans
-carrots
-apples
-mushrooms
-celery
-lettuce
-bananas
-cucumbers
-broccoli
-watermelon
-grapefruit
-oranges
-sweet potatoes
-onions
-cooked corn
-squash
-grapes
-stawberries
-beets
-prunes
-blueberries
-grapes

Eat the fruits fresh, eat the vegetables fresh or steamed is best. A little crispness should be left to the vegetable so not to destroy the nutrient content.

Drinks of longevity include:

-Water first and fomemost. Filtered water flushes the body of toxins, and it also hydrates the body's cells, including the skin. You should have at least 8 or more glasses of water per day.

-grape juice - very high in antioxidant level
-orange juice
-prune juice
-grapefruit juice
-any juices of the above listed fruits and vegetables, in which juices are usually made.

A very "cool" way to enjoy these fruit juices are as slushes or smoothies (where the fruit juice is mixed with ice and nonfat vanilla yogurt.)

*NOTE: You should at least 6 servings of antioxidants per day.

A few more hints for a youthful appearance is to have plenty of roughage in your diet, such as whole grains and green salads, get some fresh air, think holistic health, exercise your mind and relax as well, and take a multivitamin daily. Check with your pharmacist or doctor to find the one that is right for you.

Learn about the vitamin and mineral nutrition nutrients in food health

It is not always easy to eat right. Sometimes we don't eat a well balanced meal because we don't know what foods we need to eat.

It is not always easy to eat right. Sometimes we don't eat a well balanced meal because we don't know what foods we need to eat. Here is a breakdown of vitamins and nutrients, their functions and food sources.


Vitamin A- antioxidant, good for the eyes and skin

Food source-green and yellow vegetables, apricots, asparagus, broccoli, canteloupe, peaches

Vitamin B1-good for circulation, metabolism and brian function

Food source-brown rice, egg yolks, fish, peanuts,raisins, whole grains.

Vitamin B2-promotes red blood cell formation, increases oxyegen to tissues

Food source-cheese, eggs, fish, meat, poultry, spinach and yogurt.


Vitamin B6- metabolism, benefits nervous system and immune function

Food source-protein foods, bananas, avacados


Vitamin B12-prevents anemia, aids in digestion

Food Source- seafood, dairy products

Folic acid-strengthens immunity, boosts energy

Food source-brown rice, protien foods, green leafy vegetables

Vitamin C- antioxidant, healthy gums

Food source-citrus fruits, berries, green leafy vegetables

Vitamin D-healthy teeth,aids in wound healing

Food source-Fish and dairy

Vitamin E-Antioxidant, prevents cardiovascular disease and cancer, improves circulation, promotes healthy skin and hair.

Food source-whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables

Vitamin K-essential for blood clotting, strong bones

Food source-cabbage, brussel sprouts, liver, broccoli, asparagus

Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses per day. Help keep yourself as healty as can be.

Diabetes diet

Overview of how diet can affect a diabetic's health.

Meal planning includes choosing healthy foods, eating the right amount of food, and eating meals at the right time. The American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association developed 6 food exchange lists for the purpose of meal planning for people with diabetes. The 6 lists are: starch or bread, meat and substitutes, vegetables, fruits, milk or dairy, and fat. Every food on the list has approximately the same amount of carbohydrate, fat, protein, and calories for the amount given.

Any food on the list can be exchanged for any other food on the same list. The food exchange lists also show the number of food choices that can be eaten at each meal and snack. Using the foods on the exchange list (along with a personal meal plan designed by a registered dietitian or nutritional counselor) will control the distribution of calories throughout the day so that food and insulin will be balanced.

Meal plans differ depending on the type of diabetes. With insulin-dependent diabetes (Type I), consistency in the time meals are eaten and the amounts and types of food eaten is very important to allow food and insulin to work together to regulate blood-glucose levels. If meals and insulin are out of balance, extreme variations in blood glucose can occur. In noninsulin-dependent diabetes, weight control is the most important principle in addition to a well-balanced diet.

Consultation with a registered dietitian or nutrition counselor is an invaluable tool for planning meals and controlling diet for persons with diabetes.

Natural ways to prevent cancer

Learn the natural ways to prevent cancer with vitamins, minerals, and supplements which researchers have deemed anti-cancer causing agents.

The American Cancer Society has estimated that nearly 552,000 Americans will die of cancer this year. More than 1,500 people die each day of the disease. Cancers of the stomach, liver, lungs, breast, prostate, skin, pancreas and others account for one out of every four deaths, ranking the disease as the second leading killer in this country. It is not hard to understand why, for most Americans, cancer is one of the most feared diseases. Nearly everyone knows someone who has had or has cancer.

The good news is that medical research has also shown that 80 percent of the causes of cancer have been identified and are preventable. Some of these factors include smoking, drinking, exercise, and diet. Research has also identified certain vitamins, herbs, and supplements that act to inhibit cancer. This research has propelled people seeking to prevent cancer, and to prevent the spread of cancer, to turn towards alternative medicine to ward off cancer.

Cancer begins as a single abnormal cell that begins to multiply out of control. Groups of cells from tumors invade healthy tissue. If undtected, the cells multiply and spread to other areas of the body. The agents that cause cancer are called carcinogens, because they promote the growth of cancerous cells. Cancer is caused by external carcinogens, like chemicals, radiation, and viruses, as well as internal factors, like hormones, immune conditions, and inherited mutations.

Studies have also indicated that eating fatty foods, drinking alcohol and smoking regularly increases the likelihood of cancer. The evidence compiled so far suggests that about one-third of the 500,000 cancer deaths that occur in this country each year is due to dietary factors. Another third is due to cigarette smoking.


Fatty foods, alchohol and smoking act as promoters, helping abnormal cells to grow more quickly. Fatty foods are increasingly linked to increasing the risk of breast and colon cancer. Excessive alcohol has also been linked to increasing the risk for breast, mouth, pharynx, and esophagus cancer. If one is a smoker, the risks are multilplied.

Because the symptoms of cancer often mirror other illnesses, the symptoms of cancer may go undetected for a long time. Internal cancers, like colon cancer, are also difficult to detect early because symptoms often don't begin to surface until the cancer has progressed, and often spread.

Because of this, the American Cancer Society has established recommendations to detect cancer early. Early detection examinations can help save lives and reduce suffering from most forms of cancer. Some of these cancers can be detected by self-examinations [breast examinations], physical examinations by a health professionals [skin cancer], or by x-rays and blood tests.

Symptoms of cancer will manifest in the organ of the body effected by the growth, and can result in pain and discomfort, or physical abnormality, as is the case with breast and skin cancer.

The most conventional methods for treating cancer are chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.

Surgery is the oldest form of treatment for cancer. About 60 percent of people with cancer have had some type of operation.

Chemotherapy is the use of medicines and drugs to treat cancer. Systematic chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs that are usually given into a vein or mouth. These drugs enter the bloodstream and reach all the areas of the body.

Radiation therapy is one of the oldest, cost effective cancer therapies. From the time of the discovery of x-rays by William Roentgen and radioactivity by Marie and Pierre Curie, about a century ago, there have been efforts to use radiation to treat cancers. Advances in technology and a better understanding of how radiation works in the body have made radiation therapy a significant part of cancer treatment. It is estimated that 50-60% of all people with cancer will receive radiation at some point during their cancer treatment.

Research has also identified vitamins, minerals, herbs, and vitamins that will act to prevent, or prevent the spread of cancer.

The growing trend of alternative medicine in fighting cancer has been well-documented by medical doctors. What they have found is that some vitamins, minerals, herbs and supplements actually work as inhibitors, preventing abnormal cells from growing. Unlike surgery and chemotherapy, these natural remedies have no deleterious side effects.

Carotenoids, the pigment that give fruits and vegetables its dark green and yellow color, has been shown to prevent cancer. Beta-Carotene, present in yellow and green vegetables, helps protect against lung cancer and my help prevent cancers of the bladder, mouth, larynx, esophagus, breast and others.

Vitamin C may also lower the risks for cancers of the esophagus and stomach. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing cancer-causing chemicals that form in the body. It also blocks the conversion of nitrates to cancer-causing nitrosamines in the stomach.

Vitamin E is also touted as an anti-oxidant that prevents cells from damage by free radicals and fights off cancer.

Selenium has been found to have the same antioxidant effects as Vitamin C and Beta-Carotene. Vitamin B has also been found to have this effect.

While the final verdict is not back, Ginseng has been found in many studies to inhibit the formation of tumors. This research has been very successful in animals, but conclusive human studies have not yet yielded concrete results.

Preliminary studies have also revealed that Cat's Claw has tumor inhibiting and immune-stimulating properties.

Garlic is toxic to some tumor cells. The pungent flavor from garlic detoxifies potential carcinogens. Garlic extract has slowed the growth of breast, skin, and colon cancers in mice.

Vitamin D has also been shown to be a viable option for the prevention of skin cancer.

Angiogenesis-Regulating Protein Controls Tumor Growth

Human beings can live -- and most apparently do -- with microscopic cancers in their bodies. It's when these cancers grow and spread that they wreak havoc.
A solid tumor cannot grow beyond the size of a pinhead unless it has an independent blood supply to deliver the oxygen and nutrients it needs to grow and advance. In order to grow and invade, a tumor develops its own blood supply through the process called angiogenesis.

Researchers have long theorized that angiogenesis-inhibiting drugs could interrupt that process, cutting off the blood supply to the tumor and, ideally, killing it.

Now a genetic analysis of a protein believed to affect the formation of blood vessels has proved that Thrombospondin-1 in fact regulates a tumor's ability to form the independent blood supply that cancers need to grow and thrive, UCLA researchers report.

This is the first time the mechanism of Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) regulation has been demonstrated genetically in laboratory animals with cancer, said molecular biologist Luisa Iruela-Arispe, a researcher at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center and an assistant professor in the UCLA Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology.

Iruela-Arispe's research is outlined today in the early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The article can be found at this URL.

The UCLA discovery, the result of five years of laboratory experimentation and genetic analysis, could lead to new treatments targeted to fight malignancies, Iruela-Arispe said.

Already several angiogenesis inhibitors tested in clinical trials have been shown to suppress tumor growth, but their mechanism of action is often unclear.

In the case of TSP1, recognized more than a decade ago as the first naturally occurring protein to act as an angiogenesis inhibitor, Iruela-Arispe and her team of researchers set out to discover the mechanism used to regulate angiogenesis.

"As human beings, we have many internal controls in place to prevent tumors from growing and expanding. These are our gatekeepers," Iruela-Arispe said. "We all have cancers that occur within us, but the body throws up a lot of obstacles to keep the cancers from growing. TSP1 is likely to be one of those obstacles, and we were able to prove that it does regulate angiogenesis and tumor growth through a novel mechanism."

To uncover the mechanism, Iruela-Arispe and her team studied a strain of laboratory mice with breast cancer that overexpressed TSP1. These mice developed much smaller tumors that took longer to grow than a strain of mice that expressed no TSP1 at all.

Of the mice that overexpressed TSP1, 20 percent appeared to be protected from cancer -- although they carried the genetic mutation for the disease, the mice did not develop any tumors at all, Iruela-Arispe said.

The strain of mice with no TSP1, on the other hand, developed very large tumors very quickly. Iruela-Arispe said 100 percent of these mice developed breast cancer.

Additionally, the blood supply created by the tumors in the mice with no TSP1 was better developed and more efficient than the blood supply in the mice that overexpressed TSP1.

The capillaries in the mice lacking TSP1 were larger in diameter and more frequent in number, Iruela-Arispe said.

Iruela-Arispe's research shows that TSP1 regulates the activation of a molecule called MMP9, which in previous research has been shown to promote angiogenesis and allow tumors to spread more easily to other organs.

Iruela-Arispe's data indicates that TSP1 could be suppressing the activation of MMP9, providing protection from tumor growth.

This discovery could be used to develop drugs that mimic TSP1, perhaps preventing tumors from developing independent blood supplies. In effect, the drugs would starve the tumors of nutrients and oxygen, leading to their death.

"We know a lot about what promotes angiogenesis," Iruela-Arispe said. "Unfortunately, we know very little about what regulates it."

Iruela-Arispe has been studying TSP1 for nearly a dozen years. Her scientific team will continue to study the protein, "to build on this discovery and see if we can learn more about it and how it may help protect us from developing cancer," she said.

Vitamin C and Cancer

Revisiting Vitamin C and Cancer

George Williams was 70 years old in 1986. That was the year he learned he had kidney cancer. The cancer had spread to his liver and the lymph nodes in his chest. His oncologist told him he could give him chemotherapy and radiation but it wouldn't likely help. The doctor suggested George get his affairs in order.

George had heard about the work of Linus Pauling and some Scottish doctors on the effects of megadoses of vitamin C on cancer. He then visited the only doctor in Wichita, Kansas who treated people with megadoses of vitamins, my father, Hugh Riordan, M.D. My father told George that he would give him injections of vitamin C but didn't know if it would help. George received 30 grams (30,000 milligrams) of vitamin C twice a week for six weeks. X-rays six weeks later showed a marked decrease in the size of the tumors. George continued the injections. Six months later there was no evidence of cancer. Mr. Williams lived a relatively healthy life for another 14 years and died a few years ago of congestive heart failure at the age of 84.

In the Fall of 1994, a 73 year-old farmer from Western Kansas was diagnosed with wide-spread non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Biopsies and CT-scans showed he had cancer in all the lymph nodes from his chest up. He was treated with chemotherapy for 8 months resulting in a remission. In July, 1997 he began losing weight (30 lbs). He returned to his oncologist and a CT-scan at that time showed recurrence. He was placed on chemotherapy in September, 1997. In December, 1997 with no change in the cancer, his immune system was so depressed he developed a case of Shingles and the chemotherapy was stopped. I first saw this gentleman in March, 1998. He was given vitamin C injections 50 grams (50,000 millligrams) two times per week. Three months after beginning vitamin C therapy a CT-scan showed no evidence of cancer. Another CT-scan in February, 1999 was also clear and he was declared to be in complete remission by his oncologist.

Given the results seen clinically as described in the cases above, my father and I went on to perform research on the effects of vitamin C on the immune system and tumor cells. The two major conclusions coming from our research were 1) people with cancer require much more vitamin C than healthy people; and 2) vitamin C in high doses (given through the vein) can act similar to chemotherapy without the side effects. Our latest article was published in the British Journal of Cancer.

It's a good thing that neither my father nor George listened to the negative reports on vitamin C and cancer that came out of the Mayo Clinic several years before he began treatment. Those two clinical tests in Minnesota found the vitamin did not alter the course of disease and the notion was abandoned-it was essentially rejected as a cancer treatment at that time.

Two recent articles in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggest the Mayo research was flawed and the scientists were biased against the use of "alternative" cancer treatments.

The author of one of the articles, Dr. John Hoffer a professor of medicine at McGill University, says "In 1971, even saying that vitamin C could be useful was so outlandish that a conversation would stop between scientists and physicians."

"What's changed now is ... a commitment on the part of agencies to study alternative cancer therapies."

Dr. Hoffer said his own speculation is the Mayo researchers "wanted a quick and decisive way to disprove the treatment."

In May of 1999, vitamin C researchers, including my father and I attended a closed-door research workshop in Montreal. There we began re-examining the methods used to test high-dose vitamin C against cancer. Dr. Hoffer attended the meeting, as did Dr. Mark Levine, a molecular scientist at the National Institutes of Health. One of the conclusions of the workshop was that the Mayo Clinic treatments were too short, and the vitamin C was given by mouth, not by injection. If given by mouth the vitamin is not as well absorbed and blood levels do not reach a concentration high enough to disable tumor cells.

Dr. Levine in the other Canadian Journal article wrote, "We should rigorously explore the anti-cancer effects of vitamin C, when administered intravenously at high doses, in patients with well-documented cancer."

We routinely give large doses of vitamin C to people with cancer at the ITL Clinic. In addition to its anti-tumor effects vitamin C has side "benefits," as opposed to adverse side effects seen with other cancer treatments. The side benefits include an increased sense of well-being, decreased pain, enhanced immune system and stronger collagen-the glue that prevents cancer cells from spreading.

Many people who come to our clinic are taking chemotherapy and/or radiation. We find that people tolerate these standard treatments much better when they also get high dose vitamin C. One patient comes to mind, Richard, a 54 year old businessman was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer 5 years ago. He was put on chemotherapy and at the same time I started him on vitamin C infusions 2-3 times per week. He sailed through the chemotherapy without any symptoms. After 11 months of treatment he went on a two-week trip to Florida. He was able to get his chemotherapy from a doctor there, but not the vitamin C. By the end of the trip he was getting typical side effects from the chemotherapy-most prominently mouth and throat ulcers. One week after getting back on the vitamin C his ulcers healed. Richard remains alive and well today.

Occasionally people who take vitamin C experience miraculous results, however it is not a cancer cure. As part of a comprehensive cancer treatment program vitamin C is a powerful tool to help people have stronger immune systems, an increased quality of life, and increased chances of surviving their disease.