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Are You at Risk for Ovarian Cancer?

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Jul
24
2011
Are You At Risk For Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is not the most common cancer in women, but it’s one of the most deadly. The reason ovarian cancer tops the list of most lethal cancers is because it’s usually not diagnosed until it has spread outside the ovaries where it can’t be easily treated. The key to conquering this form of cancer is for women to know their risk factors and see their gynecologist yearly for a check-up. What are the most common risk factors for ovarian cancer? Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer Some women are genetically predisposed to breast cancer, because they inherited one of two genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. Having one of these two genes increases the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer in women. A woman with BRCA1 or BRCA2 has a lifetime risk for getting ovarian cancer as high as 40%. This is why women who have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, especially if the cancer occurred prior to menopause, should talk to their doctor about testing for these genes. If … [Read more...]

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Tips For Sticking With a Fitness Routine

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Jul
24
2011
Fitness and Exercise

Have you ever experienced this situation? You eagerly start a new fitness routine with much enthusiasm and the very best of intentions. The first week you work out until you reach the point of complete exhaustion. Finally, you've so sore and exhausted you'll find almost any excuse to not work out. Unfortunately, this situation is far too common in a world where we expect immediate gratification. A new body isn't built in a day. Even if you're on the best fitness routine available, you need to develop patience. It takes time to see changes in your strength, stamina, and energy level, much less changes in your weight and physical appearance. If you recognize this from the beginning, you'll be more likely to continue your exercise routine even when it seems like you're not making progress. You also need to understand the importance of exercise consistency. Select a realistic routine you can stick with for the long haul. If you've never exercised don't design a strenuous fitness … [Read more...]

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Best Treatments for Painful Sunburns

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Jul
03
2011
Sunburn Treatments

You enjoyed a day at the beach and now have a painful sunburn to show for it. What's the best treatment for an unexpected sunburn? While nothing will completely take away the pain and redness, there are a variety of treatments that will relieve some of the discomfort you're feeling. Here are some suggestions: 1. Discover the magic of cool water. A cool bath and the application of cool compresses to your parched skin can work wonders as far as pain relief goes. Take a cool bath without any additives. Fold a large towel and soak it in cool water. Apply the towel to your sunburned areas then lie in a cool room. Make sure you drink plenty of cold water. You want to stay well hydrated after all that sun exposure. 2. Take an anti-inflammatory medication. Aspirin and Ibuprofen help with the pain and soreness associated with sunburn. Take them as directed on the bottle until the discomfort has subsided. 3. Avoid breaking the blisters. If you have blisters associated with … [Read more...]

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Can Sitting Too Much Kill You?

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Jun
22
2011
Can Sitting Too Much Kill You

Does sitting too much increase the risk of dying prematurely? According to a new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, time spent sitting is even more important in determining mortality rate than the amount of structured exercise a person gets. Time Spent Sitting and the Risk of Death Researchers reviewed survey responses looking at time spent sitting and overall physical activity in 123,216 individuals as part of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study. They discovered in healthy men and women, that the more time a person spent sitting down, the higher their risk of dying. The association was stronger in women than in men. Men who sat more than six hours a day were eighteen percent more likely to die, while women who spent the same amount of time sitting increased the risk of death by thirty-seven percent. The risk of dying was even greater in men and women who sat for long periods of time during the day and got no structured … [Read more...]

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Can Women Taking Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Benefit From Fish Oils?

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Jun
18
2011
Breast Cancer, Tamoxifen, and Fish Oil

Women who have breast cancer and those who are at high risk for the disease sometimes take the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is a medication that binds to estrogen receptors and blocks the action of estrogen on breast cancer cells. When estrogen is blocked, the breast tumor doesn’t grow as rapidly, as long as a woman has estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer - the most common kind. Now researchers have discovered that women taking tamoxifen for breast cancer may also benefit from fish oils. Fish Oil and Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Fish oil supplements have become a popular among Americans, because they reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease. They may also help to boost the cancer-fighting power of tamoxifen. In the laboratory, researchers induced breast tumors in a group of rats. Some of the breast cancer induced rats ate a diet consisting of 17% fish oils, while others ate a diet rich in corn oil as a control for two months. Some of the rats … [Read more...]

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2011 Fitness Trends

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Jan
11
2011
Fitness Trends 2011

Just as there are clothing and fashion trends, trends in fitness change too. No one wants to do the same workout over and over, so it’s exciting to see what’s new in the fitness world. Here’s what will be big in 2011. Fitness Industry Trends: Fast and Hard is In According to a recent poll conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine, 2011 will be the year of the boot camp workout. Boot camp workouts combine strength training and aerobics and they give you a heart-pumping, body-blasting workout using minimal equipment. Participants do old-fashioned push-ups, crunches, and jog in place similar to the techniques military recruits use to get into “fighting” shape. The beauty of the boot camp workout is it works the whole body in a relatively short period of time – and “recruits” burn up to 600 calories in an hour. The exercises are constantly changing, so it rarely gets boring, and when you finish, you’re drenched in sweat - but satisfied. Trends in … [Read more...]

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Does Drinking Extra Water Help You Lose More Weight?

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Dec
12
2010
Drinking Water

What’s completely calorie-free and helps you lose more weight? If you said “water”, you’re right on target. A new study shows drinking water before a meal helps boost weight loss. Plus, it keeps you well hydrated too. Drink Water to Boost Weight Loss Researchers at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia put the power of drinking water to the test. They gave 48 middle-aged and older adults either two 8-ounce glasses of water to drink before each meal – or nothing. Both groups ate a low-calorie diet during the three month study. At the end of the study, both groups were weighed. Who lost more weight? The group who drank nothing before their meals lost an average of eleven pounds over twelve weeks. On the other hand, the water drinkers lost an average of fifteen pounds during the same time period. Why Do Water Drinkers Lose More Weight? In a previous study, researchers found that dieters who sipped two glasses of water before a meal ate an average of eighty fewer calories … [Read more...]

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Does Drinking Coffee Increase Risk For Breast Cancer?

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Nov
30
2010
Does Coffee Increase Cancer Risk?

Making too many trips to Starbucks could be both hazardous and beneficial to your health at the same time. Researchers have uncovered a link between coffee drinking and a compound that could increase the risk of cancer of the breast. In an unexpected twist, though, this same compound found in coffee that makes breast cancer cells grow faster could also slow down growth of colon cancer cells. Coffee Drinking and Health: Does It Increase the Risk of Cancer? Researchers at Texas AgriLife Research Center have discovered a natural compound in coffee called trigonelline which mimics the effects of estrogen in the body. Most breast cancers are estrogen receptor positive meaning that their growth is stimulated by estrogen and substances with estrogen-like properties like trigonelline. The researchers say that this component found in coffee behaves like estrogen at even low levels – although they stopped short of saying that drinking coffee actually increases the risk of breast … [Read more...]

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Giving Thanks For Cranberry’s Healthy Benefits

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Nov
21
2010
Health Benefits Of Cranberries LR

Many people load up on cranberries around the holiday season. Who doesn’t enjoy homemade cranberry sauce or a fresh cranberry salad? But many people forget that the health benefits of eating cranberries are available throughout the year. This amazing red berry is a rich source of phytochemicals that make it a natural disease fighter; and the nutritional value of cranberries make it a good choice for the dinner table any day of the year. Here are some of the many health benefits of eating cranberries. Health Benefits of Cranberries: Cancer Prevention It’s the proanthocyanidins in cranberries that pack a punch against cancer. Studies show that these natural compounds stop the growth of human lung, colon, and esophageal cancers in the laboratory without harming normal cells. Of course it’s easier to stop a cancer in the laboratory than it is in the human body and it may take relatively high doses to get these effects; but it’s possible that lower levels could prevent certain … [Read more...]

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Are Low Vitamin D Levels Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease?

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Nov
18
2010
Vitamin D and Alzheimer's Disease

Vitamin D may be the wonder vitamin of the decade and one that few Americans get enough of. Studies show that low vitamin D levels can contribute to a variety of chronic disease including diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and even mental illness such as depression. Despite this, most people are deficient in this important vitamin when blood levels are tested. Now, it’s hypothesized that low vitamin D levels may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia in the aging population. Is there an association between Alzheimer’s disease and low vitamin D levels? Do Low Vitamin D Levels Cause Alzheimer’s Disease? In an article published on foodnavigator.com, Dr. William Grant from the Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center expressed his belief that Alzheimer’s disease and low vitamin D levels are strongly linked. He emphasized that vitamin D appears to help prevent many of the … [Read more...]

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