Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Prostate Cancer’

Feb
20

Protein has been garnering extra attention as the health conscious realize the benefits of including protein in their diets. protein is needed to help rebuild the body’s tissue, which is particularly important to athletes and bodybuilders. In fact, the body is in need of a continual supply of protein in order to repair and to build its tissue. Protein is also essential for producing antibodies, hormones, new muscle tissue, and blood hemoglobin. All protein that is lost within the body must be replaced and protein must be present in order for new tissue to be constructed.

While athletes swear by the ability of animal protein to build muscles, researchers are concerned about the potential effects of animal protein on the liver and the kidneys, as well as the link between animal protein and osteoporosis. As a result, many are turning toward soy protein and whey protein instead. But, what are the benefits, drawbacks, and differences between these different forms of protein? And, how much should you include in your diet in order to garner the benefits you are looking for?

Soy Protein

Soybeans contain high quantities of protein (considered to be of equal quality as animal protein) and also contain substantial amounts of amino acids. In addition, soy has been observed to lower cholesterol. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated 25 grams of soy protein per day can reduce the chances of developing heart disease.

Soy protein has also been found to reduce the symptoms of menopause, to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, and to help prevent a number of diseases related to hormonal issues. These include endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Soy protein has also been shown to speed up the metabolism of the thyroid, which can help with obtaining a leaner body. If you are intolerant to soy, however, its specific protein can actually have the opposite effect.

A number of soy protein products can be found at health food stores, including food bars, soy burgers, and even soy-based beverages. Those products containing soy protein isolate generally have the highest saturation. Other products containing soy protein include soy flour, whole soybeans, and tofu. Be sure to check the product label in order to determine the amount of soy protein the product contains.

Remember, however, soy isoflavones, which are sold as supplements in health food stores, are not the same substance as pure soy protein. Nonetheless, soy isoflavones possess a number of beneficial effects, such as improving kidney function and preventing bone loss.

If you are not allergic to soy, there are very few side effects to including soy in your diet. In some people, however, consuming soy on a routine basis can lead to an upset stomach and may even cause diarrhea or constipation.

Whey Protein

Like soy protein, whey protein has been shown to provide a number of benefits. For example, clinical studies have shown whey protein can:

Act as a natural antibacterial or anti-viralAssist in maintaining the proper weightReduce the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue SyndromeReduce liver damageImprove the function of the immune systemImprove blood pressureImprove athletic performanceImprove the function of the digestive systemReduce gastric mucosal injury

Whey protein is very high in biological value (BV), which is highly sought by athletes. In short, BV is the amount of protein your body can replace with 100 grams of consumed diet. The only other foods containing high levels of BV are whole eggs and egg whites. Unlike eggs, however, whey protein does not contain high levels of fat.

While soy protein is derived from soybeans, whey protein is derived from milk as a diluted byproduct of the cheese-making process. Fresh liquid whey protein contains only about 1% protein because it is mostly comprised of lactose and water. For this reason, it takes about 229 liters of milk to produce just one kilogram of high quality whey protein isolate.

While in its original form, whey protein affects the digestive tract in much the same way as yogurt. Therefore, it is considered to be a natural remedy for many intestinal issues. In fact, it is often used in Sweden to help prevent bowel problems, gas, and constipation. Nonetheless, it can have the opposite effect and actually lead to constipation for some individuals.

The amount of whey protein recommended in a person’s diet depends on his or her weight, gender, age, level of activity, and overall health. Including both soy and whey protein in your diet can be very beneficial to your health; but, since both can lead to constipation, be sure to follow a high fiber diet to help keep your bowel movements regular. Try one or both of these all-natural health supplements and discover the results for yourself!

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sep
05



The enlargement of the prostate is a regular event for many men over the age of 50. As a man ages, the risk increases. While some men are more susceptible than others, it is still a very painful condition, which if left untreated can cause permanent damage. New medications are being approved on a constant basis in order to help treat an enlarged prostate. There are also alternative methods and surgical procedures.

If the enlargement is not severe, doctors will normally suggest medicines first, or an alternative treatment, without considering the use of surgery. Prescription medication to help improve the urine flow is usually prescribed to men with an enlarged prostate. These are also called alpha-blockers, and they act by relaxing the bladder. Some of the commercial brands have been found to cause eye disorders and are not recommended for men who are planning eye surgery or have undergone eye surgery.

Another popular medicine is Finasteride, also called Proscar. The drug has been found effective in shrinking the prostate. This type of treatment is only used if the condition is not severe. While this medication is slightly controversial, it has been proven to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, it has also been proven to accelerate the growth of tumors in men who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Most medications will come with the normal side effects, such as nausea or dizziness. In order to avoid this, it is recommended that you take medications with food. When taking medication, you should also be careful about the other substances that you intake. Alcohol should be limited, as well as caffeine. You should only use herbal supplements with the approval from your doctor. While this might be explanatory, over-the-counter medications can cause certain reactions, especially decongestants and antihistamines. The reason is the fact that these medications might affect the muscle control of the bladder.

Herbal remedies are often tried by men if they are trying to avoid the visit to the doctor. The only problem is that the remedies are not required to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This means that they are not required to go through testing in order to make sure that the remedies are safe for patients to use. This also means that the side effects of these remedies are not always understood or reported, and no one knows what the consequences of taking the remedies will be at a later time.

If you are not able to make it to the physician right away, there are several things that you can do at home to help take some of the pain or pressure from your bladder. One tip is to drink a less amount of fluids after 7 or 8PM. This will minimize the trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Cutting down on your alcohol consumption as well as caffeine is a good start as well, especially since you will be recommended to do this after you visit the doctor. As always, exercising regularly will help your condition as well.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jul
15
herbal supplements


Results from a national survey in 2007 showed that, 17.7 percent of American adults had used “natural products” in the past 12 months. These natural or herbal supplements didn’t include vitamins and minerals.

Of late there have been a slew of discussions, debates, and studies that have questioned the efficacy and safety of herbal supplements, e.g. herbal supplements viz. Echinacea, Glucosamine, Kava, etc. could lead to dangerous side effects during plastic surgery. And an NIH supported study found that the herbal supplement black cohosh used alone or with other herbal dietary supplements, wasn’t effective in relieving hot flashes in postmenopausal women.

Nevertheless, the following are 5 promising health benefits of several herbal supplements.

1. Prostate Cancer Prevention – An increased consumption of dietary isoflavones is linked with reduced risk of prostate cancer. One source of the compound is Red clover (Trifolium pretense). However, there’s little information about these supplements’ safety. These results were reported in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

2. Prostate Cancer Treatment – According to a report published in the October 2005 edition of Nutrition and Cancer, Zyflamend – a unique herbal extract preparation, suppresses the growth of prostate cancer cells and causes them to self-destruct.

3. Managing Cocaine Cravings – A study presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology’s (ACNP) annual conference 2005, showed that the compound N-acetylcysteine (NAC) could modulate the effects of cocaine addiction. NAC is an herbal supplement known for its antioxidant properties and is sold over-the-counter.

4. Fertility Boost in women – Chasteberry was the herb that showed an improved ovulation and restoration of progesterone balance in women. These results published in the April 2004 issue of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine were an outcome of a small pilot study in by Stanford researchers.

5. Combating Liver Cancer – The aqueous leaf extract (ALE) from the plant Acanthus ilicifolius – found across India, increased the survival of cancer ridden animals (mice) to a significant extent. Suggesting that the plant extract may be used to guard against liver cancer. The study appeared in the World Journal of Gastroenterology (volume 13, issue 48).

It’s exciting to see that effective cures and treatments could very well lie outside the purview of conventional medicine. And that researches only help separate the wheat from chaff.



, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,