Breakthrough towards the natural control of cardiovascular disease

Why do we get infarctions of the heart but rarely other organs?
Why do we get arterio-sclerosis but not veno-sclerosis?
Why do animals not get hearts attacks but human do?

Why old theory of high cholesterol causing heart attack is no longer true?
What is lipoprotein(a)?
What is the role of micronutrients especially Vitamin C in preventing/treating arteriosclerosis?

The answers can be found after watching the above video from Dr Matthias Rath

How to Starve Cancer Out of Your Body

Addressing your diet should be at the top of your list, and rather than adding certain foods, you'll want to eliminate the most dangerous culprits first.

1. Red meat from animals reared in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO's) is a MAJOR contributor to cancer. These animals are given antibiotics, growth hormones and other veterinary drugs that get stored in their tissues. Additionally, cooking the meat over high heat creates heterocyclic amines, which further add to its carcinogenic effect.

2. Sugar. It is a universal mechanism for chronic disease. It kicks up inflammation. It kicks up oxygen free radicals. Those are the two main processes we see that underlie any single chronic disorder, including cancers. It fuels the growth of breast cancers, because glucose is cancer's favorite food. The more you consume, the faster it grows."

3. Fats. It's important to remember that every cell membrane is made out of fat, as is your brain.Bad-fats in the diet are a major contributor to ill health and cancer. On the list of fats to eliminate are:

• Animal fats from CAFO-raised animals
• Trans fats
• Partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated fats

Healthy fats of particular importance for cancer prevention are omega-3 and omega-9. Omega-3 in particular serve to effectively slow down tumor growth in estrogen-sensitive cancers such as breast-, prostate- and colon cancers.

4. Xenoestrogens (chemicals that mimic estrogen). This can become a rather long list once you start including any food contaminated with such estrogen-mimicking chemicals, such as BPA, found in the linings of canned goods and in plastics. The list gets truly unwieldy when you include personal care products that contain such chemicals as well…

Eating for Cancer Prevention

Research clearly shows that the one food that is the most important for optimal health is plant foods.

"Plants are packed full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are crucial for our health. They also have hundreds of phytochemicals in them. These don't have any nutritional or caloric value, but they are like natural medicines, and some of them behave exactly like chemotherapy," she says.

"Every plant has some anti-cancer properties to them. There are some that are standouts. Cruciferous vegetables are something that I really recommend. They're a family of vegetables that include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collards, and Brussels sprouts…

All of them have several different chemicals in common. They've got indole-3-carbinol, Calcium D-glucarate, and sulforaphane. They have big anti-cancer properties to them, and they inhibit the growth of breast, prostate, colon cancer and a variety of other ones. Of all the families of vegetables to consume, [cruciferous vegetables] are the ones to be aware of, so you can make sure you're including that in your diet frequently."

Other Lifestyle Factors that Influence Your Cancer Risk

Other lifestyle factors that have been found to have an impact on chronic disease and cancer include:

• Vitamin D—There's overwhelming evidence pointing to the fact that vitamin D deficiency plays a crucial role in cancer development. As mentioned earlier, you can decrease your risk of cancer by MORE THAN HALF simply by optimizing your vitamin D levels with sun exposure. And if you are being treated for cancer it is likely that higher blood levels—probably around 80-90 ng/ml—would be beneficial. The health benefits of optimizing your levels, either by safe sun exposure (ideally), a safe tanning bed, or oral supplementation as a last resort, simply cannot be overstated. In terms of protecting against cancer, vitamin D has been found to offer protection in a number of ways, including:
  
  
  • Regulating genetic expression
  • Increasing the self-destruction of mutated cells (which, if allowed to replicate, could lead to cancer)
  • Reducing the spread and reproduction of cancer cells
  • Causing cells to become differentiated (cancer cells often lack differentiation)
  • Reducing the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, which is a step in the transition of dormant tumors turning cancerous
• Getting proper sleep: both in terms of getting enough sleep, and sleeping between certain hours. According to Ayurvedic medicine, the ideal hours for sleep are between 10 pm and 6 am. Modern research has confirmed the value of this recommendation as certain hormonal fluctuations occur throughout the day and night, and if you engage in the appropriate activities during those times, you're 'riding the wave' so to speak, and are able to get the optimal levels. Working against your biology by staying awake when you should ideally be sleeping or vice versa, interferes with these hormonal fluctuations.
  
  

  "If we, for instance, go to bed by 10, we have higher levels of our sleep hormone melatonin; there's a spike that occurs between midnight and 1am, which you don't want to miss because the consequences are absolutely spectacular. Melatonin is not only our sleep hormone, but it also is a very powerful antioxidant. It decreases the amount of estrogen our body produces. It also boosts your immune system… And it interacts with the other hormones.
  
  So, if you go to bed after 10… it significantly increases your risk of breast cancer."

• Effectively addressing your stress: The research shows that if you experience a traumatic or highly stressful event, such as a death in the family, your risk of breast cancer is 12 times higher in the ensuing five years.
• Exercise—If you are like most people, when you think of reducing your risk of cancer, exercise doesn't immediately come to mind. However, there is some fairly compelling evidence that exercise can slash your risk of cancer.
  
  One of the primary ways exercise lowers your risk for cancer is by reducing elevated insulin levels, which creates a low sugar environment that discourages the growth and spread of cancer cells. Additionally, exercise improves the circulation of immune cells in your blood. Your immune system is your first line of defense against everything from minor illnesses like a cold right up to devastating, life-threatening diseases like cancer.
  
  The trick about exercise, though, is understanding how to use it as a precise tool. This ensures you are getting enough to achieve the benefit, not too much to cause injury, and the right variety to balance your entire physical structure and maintain strength and flexibility, and aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels. This is why it is helpful to view exercise like a drug that needs to be carefully prescribed to achieve its maximum benefit. For detailed instructions, please see this previous article.
  
  Additionally it is likely that integrating exercise with intermittent fasting will greatly catalyze the potential of exercise to reduce your risk of cancer and stimulate widespread healing and rejuvenation.

Adapted from:-

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/14/dr-christine-horner-interview.aspx?e_cid=20120114_DNL_art_1

Low-Dose Aspirin Not Answer for Heart Health

(NaturalNews)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 by: Dr. Phil Domenico, citizen journalist

If you listen to the reigning experts from the pharmaceutical world, aspirin appears to be the cure-all for everything. Now, a new Yale University study suggests that low-dose aspirin may prevent liver damage caused by side effects of drugs, alcohol, and obesity. Specifically, aspirin reduced mortality caused by Tylenol overdose in mice. Given together with Tylenol, it offered significant protection, increasing survival from 22 to 43%. Other drugs that block inflammation were also shown to protect the liver (Imaeda et al., 2009). As usual, no mention was made of anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals in this study.

A number of pharmaceutical industry-sponsored studies support the use of aspirin for prevention. Low-dose aspirin is positioned as a widely available, inexpensive, and relatively safe drug regimen. Its anti-clotting effect is used widely to prevent heart attacks, strokes and blood clot formation. Given immediately after a heart attack, aspirin is said to reduce heart damage and the risk of another heart attack. Now, low dose aspirin may be promoted to inhibit liver inflammation from drug use. Consider, however, that higher doses may increase liver toxicity.Thus, from one single mouse study, the authors conclude that aspirin should be taken daily to help prevent or treat liver damage from a host of non-infectious causes. They even suggest that drugs previously discarded due to liver toxicity might be resurrected if combined with aspirin. Soon enough, a new OTC drug combining Tylenol and low-dose aspirin is likely to show up in drugstores.

However, aspirin is not the cure-all that the industry makes it out to be. Aspirin is not recommended for those with intolerance or resistance to nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, or by those with bleeding problems, asthma, kidney disease, peptic ulcers, diabetes, gout or gastritis. There is an increased risk of stomach bleeding when aspirin is taken with alcohol or warfarin. Up to 28% of patients who take low-dose aspirin to ward off heart attacks develop peptic ulcers, though often without symptoms (Yeomans et al., 2005). Factors that increase ulcer risk include old age or infection with H. pylori. Aspirin should also not be given to young people for colds or flu, as this has been linked with Reye`s syndrome.

As with any drug, the benefits of aspirin should be carefully assessed before taking it for long periods.Generally speaking, no drug is a solution for chronic degenerative disease. Aspirin is no exception, as it is in fact a metabolic poison. Indeed, aspirin`s side effects may far outweigh any benefits. Aspirin can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer (Schernhammer 2004), damage kidneys, and promote gastric bleeding. The WASH (Warfarin/Aspirin Study in Heart failure) study provided no evidence that aspirin is effective or safe in patients with heart failure. Indeed, there were trends toward a worse outcome among those taking aspirin, including heart failure (Cleland et al., 2004).

It is likely that aspirin is not as safe as suggested. It may also not be as cheap as advertised, when calculating the costs of treatment for adverse effects. Perhaps the greatest detriment of aspirin is that it diverts attention away from treatments that are truly beneficial.Nevertheless, it is not wise to go cold turkey with any medication. People who stop taking aspirin once they`ve been doing it for a while risk serious heart problems. More than 10% of people taking daily aspirin for heart reasons were hospitalized within one week of stopping the therapy. It`s a Catch-22 situation, since aspirin can increase the risk of heart damage, but stopping long-term therapy can do the same.

Solutions? Start by asking your doctor to safely wean you off blood-thinners without shocking your system into a heart attack. In the future, take these drugs only when needed. There are many natural alternatives to aspirin that are heart healthy without the damaging side effects.So, what are the best alternatives to aspirin? Simple lifestyle changes such as reducing refined carbohydrate and trans fat intake, eating more alkaline foods (low-carb veggies and fruits) and exercising can have a tremendously positive effect on your cardiovascular system. There are also natural supplements with blood-thinning properties, such as Fish Oil, Vitamin E, Nattokinase, and Bromelain. Among the spices, Basil is known for preventing blood clotting. Scientists caution not to take these potential blood thinners with aspirin, as the combination may thin the blood excessively. However, fish oil may safely enhance the anti-platelet effect of baby aspirin (Larson 2008).

A basic supplement regimen for cardiovascular health includes a high quality multivitamin, natural mixed vitamin E and pharmaceutical grade fish oil. There are also many minerals and antioxidants from food and supplements that boost circulatory health. Remember to buy top shelf supplements, not the cheap drugstore junk produced by the pharmaceutical industry. The extra cost is well worth the investment. Remember also to stop taking all blood thinners at least a week before surgery to avoid internal bleeding.Furthermore, be careful with excessive calcium supplementation. Too much calcium, without other nutrients to prevent its crystallization in the body, leads to hardening of the arteries and abnormal blood clotting. Reducing calcium intake to 800 mg daily combined with magnesium, vitamin K2, vitamin D3, boron and fish oil is by far a better bone building strategy that can also improve heart health.

Unfortunately, most magnesium supplements come in the oxide form, which is not absorbed by the body. Take 100-200 mg magnesium daily as citrate or taurate (or another absorbable form) to soften calcium. Vitamin K2 (but not vitamin K1) has been shown to decalcify blood vessels (Beulens et al., 2008). Vitamin D3 should be on everyone`s list to improve calcium metabolism and reduce inflammation.

There are also special foods and supplements that prevent excessive blood clotting. Nattokinase is an enzyme made from fermented soybeans that can prevent or dissolve clots. It is comparable to aspirin in enhancing blood flow, without the side effects. Nattokinase provides longer lasting benefits than aspirin without the potential for abnormal bleeding. By increasing circulation, Nattokinase enhances tissue oxygenation and increases nutrient and supplement utilization. This, in turn, increases energy, supports vision, promotes bone and joint health, alleviates minor joint and muscle pains, and supports memory (Peng et al., 2005). Nattokinase in combination with appropriate lifestyle and dietary modifications can provide excellent protection from heart attacks.Flavonol-rich cocoa drinks and dark chocolate also compare favorably with low-dose aspirin for healthy blood clotting (Mehrinfar 2008). Cocoa may be the preferred way to thin blood, since it tastes so good, and bolsters antioxidant defenses.

In contrast, aspirin may reduce antioxidant activity by blocking Vitamin C entry into cells. Tomato extracts have also been shown to help thin blood, and may contribute to cardiovascular health. By reducing platelet activation, tomato contributes to a reduction in clotting events that lead to heart attack and stroke, as shown in clinical trials (O`Kennedy 2006). Garlic`s blood-thinning effect is part of an ancient tradition. It stems from garlic`s ability to lower blood triglyceride levels. Indeed, a wide variety of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds derived from fruits and vegetables work in synergy to promote cardiovascular health. Many of these phytochemicals are available as supplements, either separately or in synergistic blends.If you insist on taking aspirin, consider that zinc and selenium may prevent aspirin`s impairment of antioxidant, liver and kidney function (Kesik et al., 2008). These antioxidant minerals can be found in ideal form and sufficient quantity in high quality multivitamins.

In conclusion, virtually all pharmaceutical approaches to health should be considered with caution. Drugs are not the best answer to improve health, and should not be anyone`s first choice. Furthermore, drug combinations are likely to cause more problems than they fix. Unfortunately, the pharmaceutical industry seems more concerned with profit than with health and welfare. Even well meaning doctors typically have no training in nutrition, and are not the best source of information in many areas of health. With so many beneficial nutrients available to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, wholesome food and supplements are the cornerstone to health. Those who would recommend drugs for these purposes, especially to counteract the toxic effects of other drugs, have another agenda altogether.

References

Beulens JWJ, Bots ML, Atsma F, et al. High dietary menaquinone intake is associated with reduced coronary calcification. Atherosclerosis. 2008 Jul 19. [Epub ahead of print]

Cleland JG, Findlay I, Jafri S, et al. The warfarin/aspirin study in heart failure (WASH): a randomized trial comparing antithrombotic strategies for patients with heart failure. Am Heart J 2004;148:157-64.

Imaeda AB, Watanabe1 A, Sohail1 MA, et al. Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice is dependent on Tlr9 and the Nalp3 inflammasome. J Clin Invest Jan 26, 2009.

Kesik V, Lenk MK, Kurekci AE, et al. Do zinc and selenium prevent the antioxidant, hepatic and renal system impairment caused by aspirin in rats? Biol Trace Elem Res 2008;123:168-78.

Larson MK, Ashmore JH, Harris KA, et al. Effects of omega-3 acid ethyl esters and aspirin, alone and in combination, on platelet function in healthy subjects. Thromb Haemost 2008;100:634-41.

Mehrinfar R, Frishman WH. Flavanol-rich cocoa: a cardioprotective nutraceutical.Cardiol Rev 2008;16:109-15.

O`Kennedy N, Crosbie L, Whelan S, et al. Effects of tomato extract on platelet function: a double-blinded crossover study in healthy humans. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:561-9.

Peng Y, Yang X, Zhang Y, et al. Microbial fibrinolytic enzymes: an overview of source, production, properties, and thrombolytic activity in vivo. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2005;69:126-32.

Schernhammer ES, Kang JH, Chan AT, et al. A prospective study of aspirin use and the risk of pancreatic cancer in women. J Natl Cancer Inst 2004;96:22-8.

Yeomans ND, Lanas AI, Talley NJ, et al. Prevalence and incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers during treatment with vascular protective doses of aspirin. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2005;22:795-801.

Pencegahan Penyakit Jantung Dari Perspektif Holistik

Saya tertarik nak mengulas buku ni atas beberapa sebab:-

1)'Pencegahan Penyakit Jantung Dari Perspektif Holistik'- satu topik yang begitu dekat dengan 'jiwa' saya
2)Penerbitnya-Universiti Malaya-yang merupakan alma matter saya yang tercinta
3)Salah seorang penulis buku ni iaitu Prof Dr Wan Azman Wan Ahmad yang merupakan bekas pensyarah perubatan (cardiology) yang begitu disegani dan dihormati.Seorang lagi penulis ialah Prof Madya Dr Fatimah Ibrahim, dari Jabatan Kejuruteraan Perubatan.

Lalu anda semua lihatlah topik-topik yang dikarang oleh penulis-penulis yang menerangkan secara mendalam, tetapi ringkas dan mudah difahami, tentang aspek perubatan Islam dengan penekanan kepada pencegahan penyakit jantung.

Sebuah buku yang patut dimiliki di setiap rumah!

Tajuk : Pencegahan Penyakit Jantung Dari Perspektif Holistik
Pengarang : Fatimah Ibrahim & Wan Azman Wan Ahmad
Penerbit : Universiti Malaya
ISBN : 978-983-2417-52-1
Mukasurat : 87
Status Stok : ADA

Kehidupan adalah satu anugerah Tuhan yang sangat berharga. Ia bermula dengan denyutan jantung yang pertama semasa kita berada di dalam perut ibu dan tamat dengan denyutan jantung yang terakhir. Apabila kita meneliti bagaimana jantung kita berfungsi, kita dapat melihat keajaiban organ yang sebesar genggaman tangan ini merasai kebesaran dan keagungan pencipta-Nya. Sesuatu yang begitu penting dan berharga yang telah diamanahkan kepada kita sejak bermula kehidupan kadang-kadang menyebabkan kita tidak tahu untuk menghargainya. Kebiasaan manusia apabila sudah terkena penyakit jantung atau lemah jantung, barulah mula sedar betapa besarnya nikmat tersebut. Buku ini adalah rentetan dari buku Solat Kebaikan Dari Perspektif Sains. Fokus buku ini adalah kepada pencegahan penyakit jantung dari perspektif holistik yang menerangkan pencegahan dari aspek perubatan moden dan Islam.

KANDUNGAN

BAB 1: Mengenali Jantung Anda
- Pengenalan
- Ruangan (Kompartmen) Jantung
- Proses Pengaliran Dan Sistem Kardiovaskular
- Sistem Elektrikal (Konduksi)

BAB 2: Penyakit Kardiovaskular
- Pengenalan
- Strok (Angin Ahmar)
- Tekanan Darah Tinggi
- Aneurysm
- Kegagalan Jantung Kongestif
- Angina
- Serangan Jantung

BAB 3: Atheroklerosis: Punca Kebanyakan Penyakit Kardiovaskular
- Pengenalan

BAB 4: Faktor-Faktor Risiko Atherosklerosis
- Pengenalan
- Faktor Risiko Tak Terkawal
- Faktor Risiko Terkawal
- Kencing Manis (Diabetis Mellitus)
- Obesiti
- Merokok
- Langkah Pencegahan

BAB 5: Pencegahan Atherosklerosis
- Pengenalan
- Pencegahan Atherosklerosis Dari Perspektif Perubatan Moden
- Rawatan Penyakit Jantung
- Rawatan Perubatan Menggunakan Ubat-Ubatan
- Rawatan Pembedahan Dan Angioplasti

BAB 6: Pencegahan Penyakit Kardiovaskular Menurut Gaya Hidup Islam
- Anjakan Paradigma
- Adab Makan Dan Minum Mengikut Cara Hidup Islam
- Menyebut 'Bismillahirrahmanirrahim'
- Makan Secara Sederhana
- Berkat Dalam Makanan
- Postur Duduk Yang Disyorkan Semasa Makan
- Kesederhanaan Dalam Kehidupan
- Cara Hidup Sederhana Yang Diamalkan Oleh Penduduk Madinah
- Diet Pemakanan Yang Disyorkan Oleh Islam
- Limau
- Bijan Hitam
- Madu
- Buah Zaiton Dan Minyak Zaiton
- Kurma
- Pisang
- Anggur
- Delima

BAB 7: Gaya Hidup Cara Islam
- Pengenalan
- Doa
- Membaca Al-Quran
- Zikir
- Berjalan Kaki
- Solat
- Kebaikan Solat Untuk Kesihatan
- Kadar Denyutan Jantung
- Faktor-Faktor Mempengaruhi Kadar Denyutan Jantung
- Kajian Denyutan Jantung Pada Setiap Postur Solat

Utk order:-

http://www.kedai-buku.com/kedai-buku/details/1817/um-pencegahan-penyakit-jantung-dari-perspektif-holistik.html

atau hubungi saya sendiri-

dr_hapizi@yahoo.com (Saya akan pos ke alamat anda dengan tambahan kos courier RM 10)

Vaksin HPV:Adakah Berbaloi?

Beberapa hari lepas, Menteri Kesihatan mengumumkan akan memberi vaksin Human Papilomavirus (HPV) secara percuma kepada remaja perempuan rakyat Malaysia. (Human papilomavirus (HPV) telah dikaitkan sebagai penyebab utama insidens kanser pangkal rahim).Soalan saya: adakah berbaloi dengan duit pembayar cukai yang dilaburkan atau ianya 'mengenyangkan' sesetengah pihak? Nilaikan sendiri dan baca juga artikel di bawah tentang risikonya..

Study Reveals Serious HPV Vaccine Problems: Fainting, Blood Clots, Death Among Risks

Saturday, September 12, 2009

by: S. L. Baker, features writer

(NaturalNews) At first glance, a study just published in the August 19th edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) is yet another whitewash job about the safety of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus recombinant vaccine --better known as Gardasil, the genital human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Licensed in June of 2006 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for girls and young women between the ages of nine and 26, the enormously hyped and advertised vaccine is designed to prevent infection with four types of HPV: types 16 and 18 can cause cervical cancer and types 6 and 11 are the most common types of genital warts.The JAMA report says that the Gardasil adverse events reported have been mostly consistent with data gathered before the vaccine was considered safe enough to be widely administered to young girls. But a close reading shows some disturbing additional facts. Just as NaturalNews has consistently reported, the vaccine has caused an extraordinary number of adverse side effects

(http://www.naturalnews.com/026722_Gardasil_HPV_cervical_cancer.html).

And now comes word from the JAMA report that the HPV vaccine has unexpectedly caused episodes of fainting and life-threatening blood clots. In fact, in a statement to the media, these events were called "disproportional" -- meaning these side effects are anything but rare. What's more, among the 12,424 adverse reaction reports about the HPV vaccine, 772 (6.2 percent) were serious and included 32 reports of death. Other problems caused by the vaccine include local site reactions, skin rashes, nausea, dizziness, headaches and even Guillain-Barre syndrome (a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system sometimes causing paralysis) and anaphylaxis (hypersensitivity reaction that can cause sudden death).

As just reported by CBS news, the teenage daughter of physician Scott Ratner and his wife was one of the unfortunate girls who became severely ill with a chronic autoimmune disease, myofasciitis, after her first dose of Gardasil. Dr. Ratner told CBS his daughter was so ill with the neurological problem "..she'd have been better off getting cervical cancer than the vaccination."One the lead researchers for Gardasil has also gone public this week, telling CBS news there is no data showing that the vaccine even remains effective beyond five years. That means that if a ten year old girl is given the vaccine and subjected to possibly serious and even life-threatening side effects, the vaccine may offer her no protection at all when she hits her teens or young adulthood.

What makes the debate about Gardasil crazy to begin with is that studies have shown 70 to 90 percent of people with HPV naturally clear the virus from the body within two years of infection -- with no help from drugs or vaccines.

So the most effective protection from problems caused by HPV is to avoid being infected by the multiple strains of HPV by not engaging in promiscuous, unprotected-by-condoms sex (the virus is transmitted sexually and condoms do not offer 100 percent protection) and by keeping your body's immune system strong and healthy through good nutrition, exercise and exposure to sunlight.

In an editorial accompanying the JAMA study, Charlotte Haug, M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc., of The Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association in Oslo expressed her concerns about the aggressively promoted Gardasil vaccine:

"Whether a risk is worth taking depends not only on the absolute risk, but on the relationship between the potential risk and the potential benefit. If the potential benefits are substantial, most individuals would be willing to accept the risks. But the net benefit of the HPV vaccine to a woman is uncertain. Even if persistently infected with HPV, a woman most likely will not develop cancer if she is regularly screened..."

CoQ10 and Cancer Treatment

Mrs. H, a lady in 30's is a case of endometrial (womb) cancer stage 3b. She already completed radiotherapy in a tertiary centre in KL.

As part of holistic approach cancer treatment, she was advised to take fairly high dose of CoQ10 (60 mg 3 times a day).

Now what is CoQ10? Thanks to a nice article by William Faloon on September 2009 issue of Life Extension Magazine.

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2009/sep2009_CoQ10-And-Cancer-Treatment_01.htm

CoQ10 and Cancer Treatment

By William Faloon

For more than a decade, Life Extension® has reported on small clinical studies that demonstrate beneficial effects in those with certain cancers who supplement with coenzyme Q10.

More recent studies have not only documented clinical improvements, but also have identified probable mechanisms by which CoQ10 may help slow tumor growth. Some of these mechanisms include immune augmentation, suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor (that facilitates tumor angiogenesis), and reduction of inflammatory markers that may facilitate cancer cell propagation.

Questions and Answers About Coenzyme Q10

What is coenzyme Q10?

Coenzyme Q 10 is a compound that is made naturally in the body. The Q and the 10 in coenzyme Q10 refer to the groups of chemicals that make up the coenzyme. Coenzyme Q10 is also known by these other names:
-CoQ10.
-Q10.
-Vitamin Q10.
-Ubiquinone.
-Ubidecarenone.

A coenzyme helps an enzyme do its job. An enzyme is a protein that speeds up the rate at which natural chemical reactions take place in cells of the body. The body’s cells use coenzyme Q10 to make energy needed for the cells to grow and stay healthy. The body also uses coenzyme Q10 as an antioxidant. An antioxidant is a substance that protects cells from chemicals called free radicals. Free radicals can damage DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Genes, which are pieces of DNA, tell the cells how to work in the body and when to grow and divide. Damage to DNA has been linked to some kinds of cancer. By protecting cells against free radicals, antioxidants help protect the body against cancer.
Coenzyme Q10 is found in most body tissues. The highest amounts are found in the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. The lowest amounts are found in the lungs. The amount of coenzyme Q10 in tissues decreases as people get older.

What is the history of the discovery and use of coenzyme Q10 as a complementary or alternative treatment for cancer?

Coenzyme Q10 was first identified in 1957. Its chemical structure was determined in 1958. Interest in coenzyme Q10 as a possible treatment for cancer began in 1961, when it was found that some cancer patients had a lower than normal amount of it in their blood. Low blood levels of coenzyme Q10 have been found in patients with myeloma, lymphoma, and cancers of the breast, lung, prostate, pancreas, colon, kidney, and head and neck.
Studies suggest that coenzyme Q10 may help the immune system work better. Partly because of this, coenzyme Q10 is used as adjuvant therapy for cancer. Adjuvant therapy is treatment given following the primary treatment to increase the chances of a cure.

What is the theory behind the claim that coenzyme Q10 is useful in treating cancer?

Coenzyme Q10 may be useful in treating cancer because it boosts the immune system. Also, studies suggest that CoQ10 analogs (drugs that are similar to CoQ10) may prevent the growth of cancer cells directly. As an antioxidant, coenzyme Q10 may help prevent cancer from developing.
Refer to the PDQ health professional summary on coenzyme Q10 for more information on the theory behind the study of coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of cancer.

How is coenzyme Q10 administered?

Coenzyme Q10 is usually taken by mouth as a pill (tablet or capsule). It may also be given by injection into a vein (IV). In animal studies, coenzyme Q10 is given by injection.

Have any preclinical (laboratory or animal) studies been conducted using coenzyme Q10?

A number of preclinical studies have been done with coenzyme Q10. Research in a laboratory or using animals is done to find out if a drug, procedure, or treatment is likely to be useful in humans. These preclinical studies are done before any testing in humans is begun. Most laboratory studies of coenzyme Q10 have looked at its chemical structure and how it works in the body. The following has been reported from preclinical studies of coenzyme Q10 and cancer:

-Animal studies found that coenzyme Q10 boosts the immune system and helps the body fight certain infections and types of cancer.
-Coenzyme Q10 helped to protect the hearts of study animals that were given the anticancer drug doxorubicin, an anthracycline that can cause damage to the heart muscle.
-Laboratory and animal studies have shown that analogs of coenzyme Q10 may stop cancer cells from growing

Have any clinical trials (research studies with people) of coenzyme Q10 been conducted?

There have been no well-designed clinical trials involving large numbers of patients to study the use of coenzyme Q10 in cancer treatment. There have been some clinical trials with small numbers of people, but the way the studies were done and the amount of information reported made it unclear if benefits were caused by the coenzyme Q10 or by something else. Most of the trials were not randomized or controlled. Randomized controlled trials give the highest level of evidence.

In randomized trials, volunteers are assigned randomly (by chance) to one of 2 or more groups that compare different factors related to the treatment.
In controlled trials, one group (called the control group) does not receive the new treatment being studied. The control group is then compared to the groups that receive the new treatment, to see if the new treatment makes a difference.
Some research studies are published in scientific journals. Most scientific journals have experts who review research reports before they are published, to make sure that the evidence and conclusions are sound. This is called peer review. Studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals are considered better evidence. No randomized clinical trials of coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for cancer have been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
The following has been reported from studies of coenzyme Q10 in people:

Randomized trial of coenzyme Q10 and doxorubicin

A randomized trial of 20 patients looked at whether coenzyme Q10 would protect the heart from the damage caused by the anthracycline drug doxorubicin. The results of this trial and others have shown that coenzyme Q10 decreases the harmful effects of doxorubicin on the heart.

Studies of coenzyme Q10 as an adjuvant therapy for breast cancer

Small studies have been done on the use of coenzyme Q10 after standard treatment in patients with breast cancer:
In a study of coenzyme Q10 in 32 breast cancer patients, it was reported that some signs and symptoms of cancer went away in 6 patients. Details were given for only 3 of the 6 patients. The researchers also reported that all the patients in the study used less pain medicine, had improved quality of life, and did not lose weight during treatment.
In a follow-up study, two patients who had breast cancer remaining after surgery were treated with high doses of coenzyme Q10 for 3 to 4 months. It was reported that after treatment with high-dose coenzyme Q10, the cancer was completely gone in both patients.

In a third study led by the same researchers, 3 breast cancer patients were given high-dose coenzyme Q10 and followed for 3 to 5 years. The study reported that one patient had complete remission of cancer that had spread to the liver, another had remission of cancer that had spread to the chest wall, and the third had no breast cancer found after surgery.
It is not clear, however, if the benefits reported in these studies were caused by coenzyme Q10 therapy or something else. The studies had the following weaknesses:
The studies were not randomized or controlled.
The patients used other supplements in addition to coenzyme Q10.
The patients received standard treatments before or during the coenzyme Q10 therapy.
Details were not reported for all patients in the studies.

Anecdotal reports of coenzyme Q10

Anecdotal reports are incomplete descriptions of the medical and treatment history of one or more patients. There have been anecdotal reports that coenzyme Q10 has helped some cancer patients live longer, including patients with cancers of the pancreas, lung, colon, rectum, and prostate. The patients described in these reports, however, also received treatments other than coenzyme Q10, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

Have any side effects or risks been reported from coenzyme Q10?

No serious side effects have been reported from the use of coenzyme Q10. The most common side effects include the following:
Insomnia (being unable to fall sleep or stay asleep).
Higher than normal levels of liver enzymes.
Rashes.
Nausea.
Pain in the upper part of the abdomen.
Dizziness.
Feeling sensitive to light.
Feeling irritable.
Headache.
Heartburn.
Feeling very tired.

It is important to check with health care providers to find out if coenzyme Q10 can be safely used along with other drugs. Certain drugs, such as those that are used to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, or blood sugar levels, may decrease the effects of coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 may change the way the body uses warfarin (a drug that prevents the blood from clotting) and insulin.

As noted in Question 1, the body uses coenzyme Q10 as an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect cells from free radicals. Some conventional cancer therapies, such as anticancer drugs and radiation treatments, kill cancer cells in part by causing free radicals to form. Researchers are studying whether using coenzyme Q10 along with conventional therapies has any effect, good or bad, on the way these conventional therapies work in the body.

Is coenzyme Q10 approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a cancer treatment in the United States?

Coenzyme Q10 is sold as a dietary supplement and is not approved by the FDA for use as a cancer treatment. In the United States, dietary supplements are regulated as foods, not drugs. This means that approval by the FDA is not required before coenzyme Q10 is sold, unless specific health claims are made about the supplement. Also, the way companies make coenzyme Q10 is not regulated. Different batches and brands of coenzyme Q10 supplements may be different from each other.

Price: RM 200 (56 capsules)

30 mg capsules
order/enquiry? sms:0179351516

Prolapsed Disc

A few weeks ago, my brother's wife was admitted to a private hospital and diagnosed as prolapsed disc. They would like to know something about it and the treatment available, especially the supplements needed.

A few lines on prolapsed disc

A prolapsed disc may also be called a slipped disk or a herniated disc. Those familiar with other hernias may understand this last term better. Hernia is often thought of as a bulging or extrusion of tissue, where it doesn’t belong. The prolapsed disc is similar, though it occurs in the discs of the spine.

The spine has special cushioning between each vertebra, and these are called discs. Discs have a soft center called the nucleus pulpous, and then a harder outer ring. Sometimes, that soft center breaks through the outer ring and extrudes out, which can put pressure on other structures in the spine like the nerves.

Depending on which disc has “slipped,” pain may be felt in numerous places. It can result in low back pain, and many prolapsed discs do occur in the lower back. People might also note pain in one or both legs. Pain felt can vary in severity and some people may not even be aware they have a prolapsed disc. Others are well aware of it and pain felt is extreme, and may occur suddenly.

Some forms of movement exacerbate discomfort, while lying down may ease it. This is certainly a condition that requires a doctor’s care. One rare complication may occur, called cauda equina syndrome, which includes severe pain and inability to urinate or have bowel movements. The area around the rectum may feel numb too. This is a medical emergency and needs immediate attention because permanent damage to the nerves feeding these areas can result without medical intervention.

Most people simply find themselves in pain, without having cauda equina syndrome. Only about 10% of people will require extreme measures like surgery to treat a prolapsed disc. In many cases the area of prolapse shrinks and improves within a few weeks after symptoms are first noted, and pain is not significant enough to consider surgery.

Basic treatments when a prolapsed disc is diagnosed are to pursue moderate activity per doctor’s recommendations, but to avoid any activities that appear to exacerbate pain. People may require pain medication, and some are helped by over the counter drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Others may require stronger prescription medications that contain things like codeine. Some people are also helped with muscle relaxants or tranquilizers.

When pain persists beyond the six-week mark, or if the area of prolapse is significant there are surgeries that can treat this condition. Most surgeries simply remove the bulging area of the disc, and this treatment can be relatively effective. However, it does not always end pain or fully resolve the problem.

Slipped discs tend to occur most often in men. They are also most common in people between the ages of 30-50. Cause of them isn’t always clear, and it’s also not definitive that being in good physical health means avoiding them completely. Still, it’s important to remain in good shape, and do exercises that can strengthen the back muscles and the abdominal muscles. Though these may not prevent a prolapsed disc, they contribute to overall sound health.

Dr. H's comment

We are quite certain that prolapsed disc is mainly caused by overwhelmed stress of the area.Helpful nutritional treatment includes good, powerful multivitamins/minerals such as Essentials from Usana, potent antioxidant such as grape seed extract and anti-inflammatory nutrients such as Omega 3 fish oil.

Merdekakah Kita?..

Salam Ramadhan Al-Mubarak dan Salam Kemerdekaan,

Lama rasanya tak mengetuk keyboard mengupdate blog ni..thanks to kengkawan yang masih sudi menjengah dan maafkan hamba jika tak sempat reply email etc.

Bulan puasa ni, sama saja bagi pakcik, rutin kerja harian dan tanggungjawab keluarga masih sama. Malam terasa lebih meriah dengan tarawih etc. Sama-samalah kita mengoptimumkan masa sebulan ni ye..

H1N1...hmmm...nampaknya masih tak ada tanda-tanda nak reda. saban hari ratusan kes baru dan beberapa kematian berlaku. Bagi pakcik, yang paling penting kita protect ourselves dan our family..

Cerita pasal protection ni, ramai yang hanya terbayang topeng muka, which is in a way very good, but actually still not enough.

Yang paling penting ialah sebenarnya kita memastikan IMMUNE SYSTEM badan kita di tahap optimum dan terbaik untuk melawan segala virus dan bakteria berbahaya!

Perhatikan kes-kes kematian H1N1 yang berlaku pada pesakit yang mempunyai tahap immune system yang rendah seperti bayi, orang tua, pesakit diabetes, pesakit jantung, kanser, HIV dll.

Hasil dari sedikit research dan pengalaman, pakcik ingin mencadangkan semua orang (lebih-lebih lagi jika berisiko tinggi) untuk mengambil satu produk supplemen terbaik iaitu ESSENTIALS dari USANA.

ESSENTIALS mengandungi semua vitamin dan mineral dalam dosage yang tinggi, lengkap dan seimbang untuk immune system kita.

Jadi, bertindak sekarang sebelum terlambat!

Erti kemerdekaan sebenarnya ialah bila kita bebas dari penyakit, hutang, dosa, khianat, dendam, prasangka dan macam-macam lagi.Merdekakan DIRI kita dulu!

Dengan kata lain-kita hidup dalam BALANCE-fizikal, mental dan spiritual

Selamat berpuasa dan selamat hari raya aidilfitri, maaf zahir batin (in case tak sempat update blog sebelum raya :))

Price: RM 200 (84 tablets) for 1 month supply. (including courier charge)

To order: sms- 0179351516

email: dr_hapizi@yahoo.com

Vitamin C: An Update

Linus Pauling (1901-1994), Nobel Prize winner, one of most influential chemist in history, also known as 'Vitamin C Man' will always be remembered as an 'authority' notably in vitamin c area/research.

This article is taken from Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University on the latest what scientists know about..VITAMIN C

______________________

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Unlike most mammals, humans do not have the ability to make their own vitamin C. Therefore, we must obtain vitamin C through our diet.

Function

Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen, an important structural component of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bone. Vitamin C also plays an important role in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are critical to brain function and are known to affect mood. In addition, vitamin C is required for the synthesis of carnitine, a small molecule that is essential for the transport of fat to cellular organelles called mitochondria, for conversion to energy . Recent research also suggests that vitamin C is involved in the metabolism of cholesterol to bile acids, which may have implications for blood cholesterol levels and the incidence of gallstones .

Vitamin C is also a highly effective antioxidant. Even in small amounts vitamin C can protect indispensable molecules in the body, such as proteins, lipids (fats), carbohydrates, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) from damage by free radicals and reactive oxygen species that can be generated during normal metabolism as well as through exposure to toxins and pollutants (e.g. smoking). Vitamin C may also be able to regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin E .

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

In the U.S., the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C was recently revised upward from 60 mg daily for men and women. The RDA continues to be based primarily on the prevention of deficiency disease, rather than the prevention of chronic disease and the promotion of optimum health. The recommended intake for smokers is 35 mg/day higher than for nonsmokers, because smokers are under increased oxidative stress from the toxins in cigarette smoke and generally have lower blood levels of vitamin C.

Disease Prevention

The amount of vitamin C required to prevent chronic disease appears to be more than that required for prevention of scurvy. Much of the information regarding vitamin C and the prevention of chronic disease is based on prospective studies, in which vitamin C intake is assessed in large numbers of people who are followed over time to determine whether they develop specific chronic diseases.

Benefits in disease prevention

Cardiovascular Disease.

-A study found that the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases was 42% lower in men and 25% lower in women who consumed more than 50 mg/day of dietary vitamin C and who regularly took vitamin C supplements, corresponding to a total vitamin C intake of about 300 mg/day (NHANES I)

Stroke

-A prospective study that followed more than 2,000 residents of a rural Japanese community for 20 years found that the risk of stroke in those with the highest serum levels of vitamin C was 29% lower than in those with the lowest serum levels of vitamin C .

Cancer

A number of case-control studies have investigated the role of vitamin C in cancer prevention. Most have shown that higher intakes of vitamin C are associated with decreased incidence of cancers of the mouth, throat and vocal chords, esophagus, stomach, colon-rectum, and lung.

Cataracts

Decreased vitamin C levels in the lens of the eye have been associated with increased severity of cataracts in humans. Some, but not all, studies have observed increased dietary vitamin C intake and increased blood levels of vitamin C.

Lead toxicity

In a study of 747 older men, blood lead levels were significantly higher in those who reported total dietary vitamin C intakes averaging less than 109 mg/day compared to men who reported higher vitamin C intakes

Dr H's comment:

Most nutritional experts nowadays recommend us to take 1000-2000 mg vitamin C daily in order to prevent the current epidemic of chronic diseases.(regular multivitamin contains about 60 mg vitamin c, so you need to take it separately)

full article:

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/index.html

on Linus Pauling:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Pauling

Vitamin B17: The Cancer Buster that is kept a secret

Vitamin B17 is found in almost all fruit seeds such as the apple, peach, cherry, orange, nectarine and apricot, as well as some beans and many grasses such as wheat grass. The seeds of these fruits (particularly apricots) hold the source of one of the most important nutrients known to man. It is one of the main food sources in cultures such as the Navajo Indians, the Himalayan Hunzas and the Abkhasians. Did you know that within these tribes there has never been a reported case of cancer? Research has shown that these tribes never contract cancer or suffer from heart disease if they stick to their native diet, which is exceptionally high in both apricots and millet.

Vitamin B17: A Brief History of Oppression

Vitamin B17, also known as Amygdalin or Laetrile, is basically a glycoside (certain molecules in which a sugar part is bound to some other part). Initially, it was isolated from the seeds of the tree Prunus dulcis, also known as bitter almonds (banned from the US in 1995), by Pierre-Jean Robiquet and A. F. Boutron-Charlard, in 1803 and was followed by a thorough investigation of the glycoside, by Liebig and Wöhler, in 1830.

During 1950 after many years of research, a dedicated biochemist Dr. Ernst T. Krebs, Jr. isolated a new vitamin that he numbered B17 and called 'Laetrile'. Thousands became convinced that Dr. Krebs had finally found the complete control for all cancers, a conviction shared by even more people today. But back in 1950 Dr. Krebs had no idea of the hornet's nest he was about to stir up.

How do we get cancer in the first place? - through exposure to cigarette smoking, intense sunlight or perhaps the effect of toxic food additives? According to Dr. Krebs neither is the case. His hard biochemical evidence points to the fact that cancer is a simple deficiency disease of vitamin B17, long ago removed from our highly refined western diets. Dr. Krebs suggests that the so-called 'carcinogens' (substances, radionuclide or radiation that are agents directly involved in the promotion of cancer) are merely stress triggers, which finally expose the B17 deficiency with devastating effects: cancer.

The proof Dr. Krebs has presented over the years to support his claim of 'lost' B17 in our diets is impressive. For example, centuries ago, we used to eat millet and linseed bread rich in B17, but now we chew our way through wheat bread which has none at all. Generations ago we used to crush the seeds of plums, cherries, apples and apricots with our home made jams and preserves. Thus, B17 was part of daily diets and guess what... Centuries ago there was a lot less cancer around, if any at all...

Vitamin B17 at work

Vitamin B17 is harmless to healthy tissue for a very simple reason. Each molecule of B17 contains one unit of cyanide, one unit of benzaldehyde and two of glucose (sugar) tightly locked together. In order for the cyanide to become dangerous it is necessary to first 'unlock' the molecule to release it. This can only be performed by an enzyme called beta-glucosidase, which is present all over the human body in minute quantities. However, beta-glucosidase is present in vast quantities (up to 100 times as high) at only one place: the site of a malignant cancer tumour. Thus, the cyanide is unlocked only at the cancer site with drastic results, which become utterly devastating to the cancer cells because the benzaldehyde unit unlocks at the same time.
Benzaldehyde is a deadly poison in its own right, which then acts synergistically with the cyanide to produce a poison 100 times more deadly than either in isolation. The combined effect on the cancer cells is best left to the imagination.

Back to the attack

Unable to patent B17 or claim exclusive rights to the vitamin, the pharmaceutical multinationals launched a massive propaganda attack of unprecedented viciousness against Laetrile, despite the fact that hard proof of its efficiency in controlling cancer was everywhere (and still is).
Dr. Kreb's B17 Laetrile was derived from apricot kernels and then synthesized into crystalline form using his own unique process. Out of the blue, the American Food and Drug Administration bombarded the media with a story about an unfortunate couple who had poisoned themselves by eating raw apricot kernels in San Francisco. The story made headline news across the US but strangely journalists never managed to establish the identity of the unfortunate couple, despite many determined attempts. But the multinational pharmaceutical/FDA boot had been put in with a vengeance. From that point onwards, eating apricot kernels or B17 Laetrile became synonymous with committing suicide.

You can only guess what happened next after the FDA and pharmaceutical multinationals started pouncing on the claims of vitamin B17... Yes, demands were made for government studies to be conducted and the results of these studies showed that evidence for the benefits of B17 as a cancer treatment were ‘inconclusive’ or not ‘comprehensive’ and it became a case of ‘same old story, same old song’.

Unfortunately, most governments have buckled under the pressure exerted by the pharmaceutical multinationals, the FDA, and the American Medical Association (AMA). All three have mounted highly successful 'scare' campaigns based on the fact that vitamin B17 contains quantities of 'deadly' cyanide; conveniently forgetting that vitamin B12 also contains large quantities of cyanide but is freely available in health food shops world-wide...
Join me next week when the story of vitamin B17 continues and I will tell you all about Laetrile Therapy as well as good food sources of B17 and how to source B17 supplements

From Health Science Institute:

http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/natural-health-articles/cancer/cancer-vitamin-b17-cure-symptoms-88643.html

Papaya is the Health Fruit of Angels

Papaya is called fruit of the angels by Conquistadors because of its heavenly taste. In its prime, it is a cerise-orange colored, unbelievably juicy fruit with an aroma to match its heavenly taste. Not only is papaya beautiful, fragrant and luscious, it is amazingly healthful!

How fortunate that this glorious fruit is available year-round. Although a native of the tropics, papaya trees produce fruit all year long and are now produced in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. A ripe papaya can be as long as twenty inches, but most commercially grown fruits are pear-shaped, about seven inches in length and about a pound in weight.

It is high in bromelain, which makes it beneficial in ways similar to pineapple. Since it loses nutrient strength as it ripens, papaya is best if purchased mostly ripe and eaten by the next day. Purchase fruit that is orangey-red in color and just a little soft to touch. Fruits that have yellow patches are less ripe and will take a few days at home to become their best. The seeds of a papaya are small, round and black in color. Although they are edible, they have a bitter, peppery flavor that few people seem to find enjoyable.

Papaya can be eaten for its digestive and heart health properties. Externally, it is used in anti-aging products and both the skin and pulp are valuable as healing agents. After a course of antibiotic therapy, papaya juice will rapidly return the intestinal bacteria count to normal. It is especially rich in Vitamin C and carotene.

More unusual, but very valuable is its high arginine, papain and carpain contents. Arginine is known to be good for male fertility, while papain is a proteolytic enzyme. This means papain can break down protein, making it valuable as a meat tenderizer. Carpain is an enzyme considered to be good for the heart.

Papaya also contains fibrin, a rarity in the plant world. In humans, fibrin is an essential part of the blood clotting process.Although further study needs to be done, early findings lead to the belief that papaya may prevent diabetic heart disease. It is high in fiber, which helps to lower cholesterol.

A very special ability of the fiber contained in papaya is that it can bind cancer causing toxins to it, preventing them from binding to cells in the colon. For individuals with a family history of colon cancer, papaya may be an important dietary addition.Another promising finding is that men who ate lycopene-rich foods are less likely to develop prostate cancer. Papaya is one of the high lycopene fruits, easy to eat and easy to obtain in today's markets.Papaya is a great addition to any meal or snack. Chunks of fresh papaya are terrific in cereal or in smoothies.

Sources:

Jian L, Lee AH, Binns CW. Tea and lycopene protect against prostate cancer. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16 Suppl 1:453-7. 2007. PMID:17392149.

Fortin, Francois, Editorial Director. The Visual Foods Encyclopedia. Macmillan, New York 1996.Ensminger AH, Esminger M. K. J. e. al. Food for Health: A Nutrition Encyclopedia. Clovis, California: Pegus Press; 1986 1986. PMID:15210.

About the author

Sheryl is a kinesiologist, nutritionist and holistic practitioner. Her website http://www.younglivingguide.com/ provides the latest research on preventing disease, looking naturally gorgeous, and feeling emotionally and physically fabulous. And her latest website http://www.raiselibido.com/ offers a vast quantity of information on how to increase sex drive and enjoy a vibrant sex life.

link: http://www.naturalnews.com/025846.html

Vitamin K Protects Blood Vessels, Bone Loss, Cancer and Aging!

What is vitamin K and what are the functions to our body?

William Faloon, one of the founder of Life Extension Foundation, has his answer in this excellent review article on the subject..

LE Magazine January 2009

Protection Against Arterial Calcification, Bone Loss, Cancer, and Aging!

By William Faloon

Predicting which nutrients will emerge as life-saving superstars can be challenging.
For example, a vitamin introduced just a decade ago is demonstrating profound anti-aging effects that extend far beyond its original indications.
Based on an abundance of positive findings, scientists have developed a more cost-effective form of this nutrient that enables it to stay in the body much longer than before.

The incredible news is that maintaining constant levels of this nutrient not only protects against atherosclerosis, but may reverse arterial calcification as well!

A wealth of studies published in 2008 reveals this same nutrient possesses anticancer properties while suppressing factors involved in common age-related diseases.

A hallmark of normal aging involves calcification in soft tissues throughout the body such as heart valves, glands, and blood vessels.

One might erroneously think that dietary calcium is a culprit behind pathological calcification processes. The opposite is true. When rabbits are fed calcium-deficient diets, calcification rates rise by 2.7-fold. Calcium-supplemented diets, on the other hand, reduce calcification by 62%.

The reason for this contradiction is that in response to a deficit of calcium in the blood, the body excessively robs our bones and saturates soft tissues with calcium.

As we age, we lose our ability to regulate calcium balance and then suffer the lethal consequences of systemic calcification. It is encouraging to know that a low-cost nutrient (vitamin K) can quickly restore calcium homeostasis.

What You Need to Know: Protection Against Arterial Calcification, Bone Loss, Cancer, and Aging!

• One of the pathological processes that occur with aging is calcification of tissues throughout the body. Arterial calcification increases heart attack risk.


• Vitamin K helps regulate calcium balance, keeping calcium in the bones and out of the arteries. Insufficient vitamin K accelerates arterial calcification, while restoring vitamin K2 can help reverse arterial calcification.


• Vitamin K shows promise in the prevention and treatment of numerous cancers, including prostate cancer.


• Vitamin K2 is often utilized in Japan to halt bone loss and prevent fractures, and it may complement prescription osteoporosis therapies such as Fosamax®.


• Vitamin K2 shows numerous advantages over vitamin K1, including better absorption and increased protection against heart disease


• The MK-4 and MK-7 forms of vitamin K2 have demonstrated important health benefits in numerous studies. While the MK-4 form has been shown to support cardiovascular and bone health, the MK-7 form is exceptionally long acting and reaches higher levels in the blood.


• Individuals who use Coumadin® have long been advised to avoid vitamin K, and as a result, they may suffer increased atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. Under a doctor’s supervision, vitamin K can help stabilize blood indicators of coagulation in Coumadin® users while conferring other health benefits.


• By preventing pathological tissue calcification, vitamin K may confer anti-aging effects throughout the body. Higher vitamin K intake has also been associated with reduced all-cause mortality.


• Daily supplementation with vitamin K1 and K2 (in both the MK-4 and MK-7 forms) is crucial for vascular health, bone health, and cancer protection.

read the full article here

Medicinal Benefits of Dates ('Kurma')

Allah The Almighty said to Maryam (Peace be upon her):

"And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree:It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee".

(Surah Maryam : 25)

Many Hadiths told about the favours and benefits of dates.

The prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) used to break his fast with some fresh dates before praying, and here appears the prophetic guidance: When fasting, a person relies on the sugar stocked in his body and especially that is stocked in the liver. The sugar obtained from the food taken just before starting the fast ('sahur') lasts for six hours and then the body uses the sugar kept in the liver. When a person breaks his fast with dates, rich in monosaccharides, those arrive quickly to the liver and then to the blood which carries the nutrients to the other organs, whereas the person who fills up his stomach with food and drinks needs 2 to 3 hours for his intestines to absorb the sugar.

Dates and milk are a complemented complete food and numerous Bedouins live on dried dates and goats’ milk but are fit, healthy and less susceptible to chronic and malign illnesses

Dates also strengthen and increase the contraction rate of the uterus during the delivery and this is why Allah said to the pure lady Maryam: (And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.)

It was reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Feed your women with dates as those who are fed with dates will have forbearing children”

Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: the prophet (PBUH) said: “Indeed in dates- there is a cure”. Reported by Muslim (14/3) and Ahmad (6/152)

It is a sunnah to break the fast with dates. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “ Whoever finds dates should break his fast with them and the one who does not should break his fast with water because it is pure”

Science has proved the benefits of dates, some of which are:

The active contents:

1) Dates contain a high percentage of carbohydrates which are the main source of energy, as well as glucose and fructose

2) High content of vitamins that protect from Pellagra

3) Contain calcium, which is essential in bones formation.

4) High content of iron and phosphorus.