Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Fruits and Vegetables and Fighting Cancer

I just came across this article. It reinforces everything that I have been saying on this blog and to my friends. Have a good read and Good Luck

UCR study: Eating fruits, vegetables boosts ability to fight cancer
10:00 PM PST on Friday, November 28, 2008
By LAURIE LUCAS-The Press-Enterprise

Based on a new study they published, two UC Riverside scientists advocate a daily dietary inclusion of fruit and
vegetables to help prevent cancer.
They found that apigenin, a naturally occurring substance in fruit and vegetables, improves cancer cells'
response to chemotherapy.
Xuan Liu, a professor of biochemistry, and Xin Cai, a postdoctoral researcher in her lab, report that ingesting
apigenin offers a novel approach to stop tumor resistance to cancer treatment.
Most cancer patients die because malignant growths are
impervious to the chemicals used to kill them, the researchers said.
Their study, published Oct. 24 in the online early edition of the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests a
possibility for developing safe chemotherapy with natural
substances.
The National Institutes of Health funded the five-year study.
"The importance is that it opened a new window in terms of therapy," Liu, 49, said by phone.
Cancer patients would receive apigenin first, then undergo chemotherapy or radiation.
Apigenin moves a protein vital to killing tumors to the nucleus of cancer cells. Typically, low concentrations of
this tumor suppressor, called p53, are diffused throughout healthy cells. But when cells are damaged, the protein
migrates to the nucleus where it activates genes that halt uncontrolled cell growth and kills the damaged cells.
Liu said they don't yet understand the mechanism, but apigenin is able to switch on this protein and transport it
to the nucleus of tumors.
"Apigenin is very effective in localizing p53 this way," Liu said.
Apigenin is found in fruit, including apples, cherries and grapes; vegetables and plants including parsley,
artichoke, basil and celery; nuts; and plant-derived beverages, including tea and wine. Researchers have shown
that apigenin has inhibited tumor growth in several kinds of cancer cells, including breast, colon, skin, thyroid,
leukemia and pancreatic.
The U.S. Department of Health guidelines urge people to eat at least five daily servings of fruit and vegetables.
"I've been eating a lot more of them," Liu said.
In future research, Liu and Cai said they plan to test cancer therapies with compounds that are similar to
apigenin but perform better.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Standing Frame

I received the article below earlier this morning. It will educate you on why standing is so important. I use a standing frame myself. You will find a link near the bottom of the right-hand column of this blog . It is a wonderful product .

Standing Frame Prescribed for Home Can Improve Long-Term Health

by Jackie Kaufenberg

Many spinal cord injury rehab professionals are aware of the secondary complications associated with prolonged immobility of people with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Rehab facilities that incorporate standing/weight bearing as a part of their SCI client’s standing program see the effects of secondary complications minimized. To achieve the greatest possible medical benefits, a person with SCI should start standing as soon as their PT or doctor determines it is medically safe.
Medical professionals have prescribed standing programs for these health benefits:
1. Increase range of motion and help prevent ankle, knees, and hip contractures
2. Improve circulation as it relates to orthostatic hypotension
3. Decrease abnormal muscle tone and reduce spasticity
4. Maintain bone density and prevent or stabilize osteoporosis and resultant hypercalciuria
5. Improve renal function, drainage of the urinary tract, and reduce urinary calculi
6. Reduce the risk of pressure ulcers and skin breakdown through changing positions
7. Improve bowel function by increasing gastrointestinal activity/motility using gravity as an assist, thus reducing the risk of constipation
8. Facilitate respiration by reducing respiratory infections and increasing oxygen intake by allowing lungs to completely expand
9. Build cardiovascular endurance and reduce swelling and pooling of the blood in the lower extremities
10. Provide a positive psychological impact and improve self-esteem
It is very common for rehab clinicians to incorporate standing as an intricate part of their client’s initial rehab program. However, a full standing program shouldn’t just be limited to a client’s initial spinal injury rehab sessions. In order to experience the long-term medical benefits of standing, a standing frame should also be prescribed for home use upon discharge. By prescribing a standing frame for home use, the person with SCI will be able to stand on a daily basis (or as often as prescribed). For instance, they could stand while checking their email, before dinner each day, or in the evening while watching a movie with their family.
Funding for Standing Frames
When a therapist prescribes a stander soon after injury (with their client’s initial equipment purchase, e.g. wheelchair, commode), their client may also have a better chance of obtaining funding for the standing frame through their medical insurance. Often, insurance companies are more likely to cover the stander or home medical equipment when it is included with the initial order for a wheelchair and other necessary rehab equipment. If you need assistance with the funding process for a standing device, there are resources on www.easystand.com/funding that can help.
Want to dig deeper into the medical benefits of standing?
Over 100 research study abstracts related to the benefits of standing can be found on www.easystand.com/research. You can search by author, title, diagnosis (e.g. all studies that pertain to SCI), and the benefit that the research cites. You can also view a free one hour webinar with Ginny Paleg, DScPT, MS, PT, called Supported Standing: Integrating Evidence into Practice on www.easystand.com/ginny
Did your therapist prescribe a stander for you to use at home? Do you think that standing has improved your health or quality of life?

Friday, March 13, 2009

Chiropractic Neurology

My chiropractor, a very good friend, is a Chiropractic Neurologist. He provided me with the article below. He is smarter than most medical doctors and understands the human body incredibly well, better than anyone I have ever spoken to or read. Every Saturday morning, I have an appointment for an adjustment. He teaches me something that I didn't know, makes me laugh and always makes me feel better than when I came in. The article will help you better understand the Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic Syndrome: A Silent Killer

Most of us know of Tim Russert. Mr. Tim Russert was a well-known and respected journalist and family man who died suddenly last year of a massive heart attack without warning. Mr. Russert had been to see his primary care doctor within weeks of his death. He underwent a cardiac stress test that was found uneventful. Since his death, doctors and other health experts have begun to use the term "Tim Russert Syndrome" synonymously with Metabolic Syndrome. Identifying a man potentially at risk of having Metabolic Syndrome may be just this simple: Having a waistline measuring greater than 40''. Do you know anyone who fits this description?
What is Metabolic Syndrome?
Metabolic Syndrome is a collection of risk factors that increase the risk of a catastrophic cardiovascular event more than each risk does on its own. Two main contributing factors for Metabolic Syndrome are stress and the average American diet.
Metabolic Syndrome is diagnosed by having three or more of the following five conditions:

1. High Triglycerides (a part of a Cholesterol Profile blood test >150).
2. Low HDL (High Density Lipoprotein, the "good cholesterol" - also part of the Cholesterol Profile: < 50 in men and <40 in women).
3 .Central Obesity (waist measurement greater than 35" in women and greater than 40" in men).
4. High blood pressure (>130/85 mmHg).
5. High blood sugar (fasting blood sugar > 100).
The theory that supports Metabolic Syndrome is that the body is attempting to adapt to a constant state of inflammation. This pro-inflammatory state is likely due to:
1. Ongoing physical or emotional stress.
2. A diet rich in omega 6 fatty acids, hydrogenated oils and trans-fats.
3. A sustained increased immune response.(ie: autoimmune conditions, infections or chronic diseases).

The body will defensively respond to this unhealthy pro-inflammatory state by elevating it's own hormone levels of cortisol (for its anti-inflammatory effects) produced by the adrenal glands. Increased levels of serum cortisol circulating for prolonged periods has a negative effect on the body increasing one's risk of heart attack or stroke. Sustained increased cortisol levels can increase insulin resistance, increase and sustain blood pressure, decrease thyroid hormone level, break down muscle and fat and reduce sex drive.

I have become increasingly concerned about the negative impact that Metabolic Syndrome can have on you, your family and friends. I have incorporated into my practice several diagnostic protocols for identifying the various different risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome and effective drug-free methods in the prevention and treatment of the various components of this disease. In some cases, the need for treatment with medication may be required.

If you are diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome taking early action steps will help reverse the signs and symptoms associated with this syndrome. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Identify and reduce the cause of your stress.
2. Immediately make corrective changes in your diet. The American diet is pro-inflammatory as mentioned earlier in this article. Making smart food choices by reducing foods rich in Omega 6 fatty acids and hydrogenated oils is a good place to start.
3. Supplement your diet with Omega 3 fatty acids, folic acid, B-6, and B-12 to suggest a few.

Please consult me prior to taking any supplementation for recommendations and dosage.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Remote Power Switch for my computer

I do not have the use of mod hands, arms or legs. I used the program Dragon Naturally Speaking to control my computer with my voice. It works very well, but sometimes as you all know, the computer has a mind of its own and needs to be rebooted.

Recently, my friend from Casmar Consulting modified my computer to eliminate a password at start up. I guess I trust my wife. Last night, I had a Remote Power Switch added to my computer. I now have a power switch attached to my shirt. When my computer gives me fits, I can power it down and reboot it using the Remote Power Switch. When it comes back up, and a password is not required, Dragon NaturallySpeaking is set up to open up with the computer and I am back in business.

Since I cannot use my arms or hands, the TRIVIAL task of reaching over and pressing/holding the power switch is impossible. Now it’s possible due to my Remote Power Switch. Contact me with any questions.
Good luck