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.

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?

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.

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

Fruits and Vegetables -- Cardiovascular Health

Since it is Heart Month, I thought you would like to read this article from Harvard.


Here is a great article to show the vital role of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
“Eat your fruits and vegetables" is one of the tried and true recommendations for a healthy diet. And for good reason. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help you ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent some types of cancer, avoid a painful intestinal ailment called diverticulitis, and guard against cataract and macular degeneration, two common causes of vision loss.
What does "plenty" mean? More than most Americans consume. If you don't count potatoes - which should be considered a starch rather than a vegetable - the average American gets a total of just three servings of fruits and vegetables a day. The latest dietary guidelines call for five to thirteen servings of fruits and vegetables a day, depending on one's caloric intake. For a person who needs 2,000 calories a day to maintain weight and health, this translates into nine servings, or 4½ cups per day.
Over the past 30 years or so, researchers have developed a solid base of science to back up what generations of mothers preached (but didn't always practice themselves). Early on, fruits and vegetables were acclaimed as cancer-fighting foods. In fact, the ubiquitous 5-A-Day message (now quietly changing to Eat 5 to 9 A Day) seen in produce aisles, magazine ads, and schools is supported in part by the National Cancer Institute. The latest research, though, suggests that the biggest payoff from eating fruits and vegetables is for the heart.
Fruits, Vegetables, and Cardiovascular Disease
There is compelling evidence that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The largest and longest study to date, done as part of the Harvard-based Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, included almost 110,000 men and women whose health and dietary habits were followed for 14 years. The higher the average daily intake of fruits and vegetables, the lower the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Compared with those in the lowest category of fruit and vegetable intake (less than 1.5 servings a day), those who averaged 8 or more servings a day were 30% less likely to have had a heart attack or stroke.
Although all fruits and vegetables likely contribute to this benefit, green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and mustard greens; cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and kale; and citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit (and their juices) make important contributions.
Fruits and Vegetables, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol
High blood pressure is a primary risk factor for heart disease and stroke. As such, it's a condition that is very important to control. Diet can be a very effective tool for lowering blood pressure. One of the most convincing associations between diet and blood pressure was found in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study. This trial examined the effect on blood pressure of a diet that was rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and that restricted the amount of saturated and total fat. The researchers found that people with high blood pressure who followed this diet reduced their systolic blood pressure (the upper number of a blood pressure reading) by about 11 mm Hg and their diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) by almost 6 mm Hg - as much as medications can achieve.
Eating more fruits and vegetables can also help lower cholesterol. In the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Family Heart Study, the 4466 subjects consumed on average a shade over 3 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Men and women with the highest daily consumption (more than 4 servings a day) had significantly lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol than those with lower consumption. How fruits and vegetables lower cholesterol is still something of a mystery. It is possible that eating more fruits and vegetables means eating less meat and dairy products, and thus less cholesterol-boosting saturated fat. Soluble fiber in fruits and vegetables may also block the absorption of cholesterol from food.
Doesn’t it give you confidence to know that Juice Plus+ is your easy solution to your 9-13 servings of fruits and vegetables a day for prevention?
References
1. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
2. Hung HC, Joshipura KJ, Jiang R, et al. Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of major chronic disease. J Natl Cancer Inst 2004; 96:1577-84.
3. Appel LJ, Moore TJ, Obarzanek E, et al. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. DASH Collaborative Research Group. N Engl J Med 1997; 336:1117-24.
4. Djousse L, Arnett DK, Coon H, Province MA, Moore LL, Ellison RC. Fruit and vegetable consumption and LDL cholesterol: the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 79:213-7.

More on Phytonutrients

Below is a link to a presentation on the benefits of phytonutrients. It is 30 minutes long and will hopefully drive the point across. Please copy and paste this link into your address bar to play it. Good luck

http://www.expert-anti-aging-advice.com/phytonutrients.html

What Are Phytonutrients and why are they important?

The article below talks all about Phytonutrients. This post is here to further discuss the importance Of Whole Food Nutrition instead of multivitamins. There is so much more nutrition available in fruits and vegetables than there are in multivitamins. What multivitamins lack is the synergy that phytonutrients bring to the equation. There are only approximately 13-15 vitamins known to man, but there are over 2000 phytonutrients in a tomato. Lycopene is one of them. It has gotten a lot of discussion recently because of its assistance with fighting prostate cancer. Please read the article below. I hope it opens your eyes
a little


Phytochemical refers to the compounds
found in plants that are powerfully
beneficial in protecting human from diseases.



What is phytochemical/phytonutrient?

"Phyto" comes from the Greek word "phuton" meaning "plants" hence the chemical/nutrient found in plants are called phytochemical or phytonutrient. The terms are used interchangeably but "phytonutrient" is increasingly becoming more popular for the positive association with "nutrient" rather than "chemical".

Phytochemicals refer to the compounds found in plants that were originally classified as vitamins. Flavonoids were known as vitamin P, indoles and glucosinolates were vitamin U, etc. But it was later found that phytochemicals are not vitamins at all.

Phytochemical is not a necessity to our body function, nor do they cause any diseases resulting from deficiency. Thus they cannot be classified as vitamins.
But phytochemical has been proven over and over again, to be beneficial for human health, not only in preventing diseases, but also in reversing some disorders.

Unlike most vitamins and enzymes, phytochemicals are not destroyed by preparation techniques such as chopping, extracting, cooking or grating.


In fact, sometimes preparation may even make the phytonutrients more readily available to us. For example, the sulfur compounds from garlic or onions are released when chopped and exposed to air. Or lycopene in tomatoes become more concentrated when processed and made into tomato sauce.

It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of phytochemicals. However, only about 1,000 of these were identified and only about a hundred were actually analyzed and tested.

Recent researches have found that all plants contain compounds that protect them from diseases. When we eat these plants, the very same protective compounds, called phytochemicals, are made available to our bodies. In the same way, it protects our bloodstream, cells, tissues, membranes, organs and immune functions from diseases.

An astounding fact that proves an amazing Creator is that in each plant, it is believed there are hundreds of different phytochemicals. A simple tomato not only has lycopene, but has several hundreds of other phytochemicals which cannot even yet be identified by mere man.


How does phytonutrient work?

Studies after studies have shown that individuals with high intake of the four plant-based food groups¾fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes¾have a much lower risk of degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, etc.

How does phytonutrient help prevent these diseases? To understand this, we need to backtrack a little and understand how diseases are formed. Also read antioxidant.

An example: When free radicals run rampant in our body, through the air we breathe, the food we eat, or merely from stress, they cause deterioration and destruction of our healthy cells. This process ultimately result in degenerative diseases in the weakest parts of our body that succumb to the attack.

When we eat food that has phytonutrient, it will quickly activate a group of enzymes that go around cleaning up the free radicals before they cause any harm to the body. In very much the same way, it works like the anti-oxidant. In fact, many phytonutrients are anti-oxidant.

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How much phytonutrient do we need?

As I mentioned above, phytonutrient is not a necessity for our body, but yet we must eat much of it for all its health benefits. You get a variety of phytonutrient from a variety of fruits and vegetables for their different protections of diseases and cancers.

How much phytonutrient you need depends very much on your environment and your lifestyle. Read what creates free radicals. We cannot prevent the formation of free radicals but we can reduce them and minimize their destruction potential to our body.

If you think that you are in the high risk group, plan to increase your fruits and vegetables intake to counter the damaging effect.

Generally, take at least five servings (five cups) of high quality fruits and vegetables daily. If you are in the high risk group, take between eight to twelve servings.


This may sound like a lot but is easily achievable if you juice and make fruits and vegetables part of your daily diet, cutting down on meat, to a vegetables and meat ratio of 5:1. If you have to take meat, opt for fish instead.

Decide to make this new dietary a lifelong commitment, especially if you are eating to reverse a certain condition. You will definitely see an improvement.

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The phytochemical family

The phytochemical family is so big that a whole book can be written about it. There are over 100 identified phytochemicals, but I have picked out some of the most common and proven phytonutrients to be listed here.

These are available in abundance in fruits and vegetables. You don't need to remember them all. Just remember that when you eat as much of these whole, unadulterated natural food as possible, it will go a long way in protecting your health in more ways that you will ever know. There is nothing to lose, only much to gain!



Phytonutrient


Health Benefits


Food Source



Allicin and allylic sulfides Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral; lower the risk of stomach and colon cancer. Chives, garlic, leeks, onions, shallots

Anthocyanidins and proantho-cyanidins Anti-oxidants, keep elasticity of capillary walls, anti-inflammatory, stop cancer cell formation. Dark grapes, berries, cherries, ginger.

Bioflavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, rutin) Potent anti-oxidants, anti-carcinogenic; bind toxic materials and escort them out of the body. Apricot, citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, cherries, grapes, papaya, cantaloupe, plums, tomatoes.

Carotenoids (alpha and beta carotene, lycopene, lutein) Important anti-aging anti-oxidants, enhance immune function, balance blood sugars, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer (especially prostate cancer). Carrots, sweet potatoes, all berries, guava, grapefruit, watercress, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermelon, any dark green leafy vegetables, spirulina and chlorella.

Chlorophyll Helps build healthy blood, protect against cancer, and a powerful wound healer. All green vegetables, with high concentrations in spirulina and chlorella.

Coumarins Have anti-tumor properties, enhance immune functions and prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines. Beets, carrots, celery, citrus fruits, fennel, green peppers, pineapple, strawberries, tomatoes.

Ellagic acids Neutralize carcinogens before they can damage DNA, protect from cancer-causing nitrosamines and aflatoxin. Blackberries, cranberries, grapes, guava, raspberries and strawberries.

Glucosinolates An important anti-cancer and liver-friendly phytonurient; reduce risks of cancer of breast, colorectal, lung and stomach by helping the liver detoxify. Also regulate white blood cells and cytokines. Cabbage family vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards and kale.

Indoles and isothiocyanates Reduce incidence of cancer, reverse cancer by killing cancer cells and inhibit cancer development. Plentiful in the cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower. Also in horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, strawberries and raspberries.

Lutein Powerful anti-oxidant that protects against macular degeneration. Green leafy vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale. In fruits - avocado, kiwi fruit, mango, papaya, peaches, oranges, pear, plum.

Phytoestrogens Bind excess estrogens to a protein made in the blood, thus reducing estrogens to estrogen sensitive tissues. This reduces risks of breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Also provide protection for menopausal symptoms, fibroids and other hormone-related diseases. Alfalfa and sprouts, celery, citrus fruits, fennel, legumes, wheat, licorice,

Phytosterols Blocks the uptake of cholesterol and excrete it from the body, thus helping to prevent heart diseases. Also halts the development of tumors in breast, colon and prostate glands. Most plants, especially green and yellow vegetables, seeds, beans and lentils.

Polyphenols Very potent anti-oxidants with anti-cancer properties, more powerful than vitamin C and E. Especially found in green tea. Also in bilberries, Siberian ginseng and bee pollen.

Polysaccharides Protect against radiation. Absorb toxic metals and xenobiotics and discarding them from the body. Spirulina and chlorella.

Sulforaphane Its anti-bacterial compounds reduce risks of stomach ulcers and stomach cancers. From the cruciferous family again¾broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale.









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