Natural Depression Treatments

Natural Depression Treatments.

Being depressed can make you feel helpless. You're not. Along with therapy and sometimes medication, there's a lot you can do on your own to fight back. Changing your behavior -- your physical activity, lifestyle, and even your way of thinking -- are all natural depression treatments.

These tips can help you feel better -- starting right now.

1. Get in a routine. If you’re depressed, you need a routine, says Ian Cook, MD. He's a psychiatrist and director of the Depression Research and Clinic Program at UCLA.

Depression can strip away the structure from your life. One day melts into the next. Setting a gentle daily schedule can help you get back on track.

2.Set goals. When you're depressed, you may feel like you can't accomplish anything. That makes you feel worse about yourself. To push back, set daily goals for yourself.


"Start very small," Cook says. "Make your goal something that you can succeed at, like doing the dishes every other day."

As you start to feel better, you can add more challenging daily goals.

3. Exercise. It temporarily boosts feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It may also have long-term benefits for people with depression. Regular exercise seems to encourage the brain to rewire itself in positive ways, Cook says.

How much exercise do you need? You don’t need to run marathons to get a benefit. Just walking a few times a week can help.

4. Eat healthy. There is no magic diet that fixes depression. It's a good idea to watch what you eat, though. If depression tends to make you overeat, getting in control of your eating will help you feel better.

Although nothing is definitive, Cook says there's evidence that foods with omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and tuna) and folic acid (such as spinach and avocado) could help ease depression.

5. Get enough sleep. Depression can make it hard to get enough shut-eye, and too little sleep can make depression worse.

What can you do? Start by making some changes to your lifestyle. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Try not to nap. Take all the distractions out of your bedroom -- no computer and no TV. In time, you may find your sleep improves.

6. Take on responsibilities. When you’re depressed, you may want to pull back from life and give up your responsibilities at home and at work. Don't. Staying involved and having daily responsibilities can help you maintain a lifestyle that can help counter depression. They ground you and give you a sense of accomplishment.

If you're not up to full-time school or work, that’s fine. Think about part-time. If that seems like too much, consider volunteer work.

7. Challenge negative thoughts. In your fight against depression, a lot of the work is mental -- changing how you think. When you're depressed, you leap to the worst possible conclusions.

The next time you're feeling terrible about yourself, use logic as a natural depression treatment. You might feel like no one likes you, but is there real evidence for that? You might feel like the most worthless person on the planet, but is that really likely? It takes practice, but in time you can beat back those negative thoughts before they get out of control.

8. Check with your doctor before using supplements. "There's promising evidence for certain supplements for depression," Cook says. Those include fish oil, folic acid, and SAMe. But more research needs to be done before we'll know for sure. Always check with your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you’re already taking medications.


9. Do something new. When you’re depressed, you’re in a rut. Push yourself to do something different. Go to a museum. Pick up a used book and read it on a park bench. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Take a language class.

"When we challenge ourselves to do something different, there are chemical changes in the brain," Cook says. "Trying something new alters the levels of [the brain chemical] dopamine, which is associated with pleasure, enjoyment, and learning."

10. Try to have fun. If you’re depressed, make time for things you enjoy. What if nothing seems fun anymore? "That's just a symptom of depression," Cook says. You have to keep trying anyway.

As strange as it might sound, you have to work at having fun. Plan things you used to enjoy, even if they feel like a chore. Keep going to the movies. Keep going out with friends for dinner.

When you're depressed, you can lose the knack for enjoying life, Cook says. You have to relearn how to do it. In time, fun things really will feel fun again.


source: webMD

Mediterranean diet can stop breast cancer

Mediterranean diet can stop breast cancer returning, experts have discovered

New research suggests adopting a diet including fresh fish and olive oil could dramatically reduce the chances of the cancer coming back

Evidence suggests a Mediterranean diet can actually help reduce the risk of getting cancer

A Mediterranean diet can stop breast cancer coming back, experts have discovered.

Researchers revealed the stunning findings at the world’s biggest cancer conference in Chicago, reports the Sunday People .

More than 300,000 Brits are diagnosed with various cancers every year and one in eight British women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives.

Many will beat the disease if diagnosed early enough but then live in constant fear of it returning.

Now new research suggests adopting the diet of fresh fish, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and olive oil could dramatically reduce the chances of cancer coming back.

A Mediterranean diet also helps reduce the risk of heart disease

There is already strong evidence that the Mediterranean diet can help reduce your risk of developing cancer in the first place.

But the new findings, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago, suggest the diet could make a significant difference to those recovering from the disease.

Scientists studied more than 300 women who had been treated for early stage breast cancer and split them into two groups.

One half followed a Mediterranean diet while the other continued a normal, healthy diet.

After three years, 11 patients in the group on a normal, healthy diet saw their breast cancer come back.

But remarkably, none of the patients on the Mediterranean diet relapsed, according to the study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Lead researcher Claudia Biasini, of the Hospital of Piacenza, Italy, said: “The adoption of a Mediterranean Diet in this study has reduced the risk of cancer recurrence.”

Dr Erica Mayer, ASCO’s breast cancer expert, added: “The whole topic of lifestyle interventions for breast cancer survivors is a very important one.

“There is substantial research going on into what we should be recommending to breast cancer survivors.”

Breast cancer charities welcomed the findings but said further studies should be done to back up the research because it was a relatively small study.

Samia al Qadhi, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Care, said: “For many women with breast cancer, fear of the disease returning is one of the biggest issues they face after treatment.

“So anything that helps us understand how to lower risk of recurrence is a welcome addition to our toolbox.

The Mediterranean diet has previously shown it can protect against heart disease, with some studies suggesting it can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by one third.

There are also theories that it could protect against dementia, with research suggesting that it prevents the brain from shrinking.

Cancer experts said further research to understand the “impact” that diet can have on cancer patients.


Source: mirror

Four things you can do to decrease the chance you develop breast cancer

Four things you can do to decrease the chance you develop breast cancer

Lifestyle choices deemed the most important

A woman and her young child walk through a "mini-field of women" planted in support of the Breast Cancer Network Of Australia on May 15, 2016 in n Melbourne. The field consisted of pink lady silhouettes representing the women diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

Cox Media Group National Content Desk
According to a new study on who is likely to develop breast cancer, lifestyle choices were seen as one of the most important factor in reducing the chances a person will develop the disease.
The study, published online May 26 in JAMA Oncology, looked at more than 40,000 women tested for 24 gene variants which were previously linked to increased risk of breast cancer.
The study looked at factors that could lower a person’s chances of developing breast cancer. As it stands now, a 30-year-old white woman has a 1 in 11 chance of developing the cancer at some point in her life.
Here’s a quick look at the study and its results.

What did the study look at?

The goal of this study was to use data to develop a model for predicting "absolute risk of invasive breast cancer." According to the report, results would “provide new insight into the challenges and opportunities for risk-based targeted ... cancer prevention efforts.”

Who was included?

The study used information from 17,171 cases and 19,862 controls sampled from the Breast and Prostate Cancer Cohort Consortium, and surveys from 5,879 women participating in the 2010 National Health Interview Survey. The study did not include women diagnosed with having the BRCA1 and 2 genes, genes known to increase a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer.

What were the results?

The results were used to create a model for predicting absolute risk of breast cancer based on information about lifestyle and family history from individuals, and data on the risks of getting the disease.
According to the study, four lifestyle factors seem to increase the chance you could get breast cancer, with all other factors being even.
Maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and not taking hormone replacement therapy following menopause was shown to make a difference in the incidences of breast cancer for white American women.
Researchers said that if women followed those tips, approximately 30 percent of breast cancer cases could be avoided entirely. Of those who would still get the disease, most of the cases would be in women who have the a family history or a genetic mutation (BRCA1) that leaves them more likely to get breast cancer.

What about women with the BRCA1 gene? Will the lifestyle modifications help?

While those with the BRCA1 gene were not included in this study, researchers say lifestyle modifications have been seen to lower the chance of getting cancer even in women who have a high genetic risk for the disease.

What about non-white women?

The modifications were seen to benefit non-white women as well.

What should I do?

Some simple changes in your lifestyle – not smoking, watching your weight, not using hormone replacement therapy and limiting alcohol use – can make a real difference in your chances of getting breast cancer, according to the study.


source: krmg

constipation natural cures

Constipation is unpleasant, but you don't have to suffer. Try these home remedies to get your digestive system back on track.

Constipation

Contipation

Natural home remedies for constipation If your first instinct when you’re constipated is to reach for the laxatives, chances are you don’t need one. The best way to get ‘regular’ again is to eat more fibre, drink more fluids and exercise. Fix it with fibre Start off the day with a high-fibre bran cereal. Some brands contain as much as 14 grams of insoluble fibre, the kind that adds bulk to stool. If you’re new to the whole fibre thing, start off with a smaller serving to prevent gas, bloating and cramping. Fill up on dried beans, prunes, figs, pears and oatmeal. These foods are also all high in soluble fibre. Mix one to two teaspoons of psyllium seeds into a cup of hot water. Let it sit for two hours, add lemon and honey, then drink. Flaxseeds are high in fibre and also contain heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Take one tablespoon of the ground seeds two or three times a day. You can also add it your morning cereal or smoothie. As you increase your intake of fibre be sure to drink lots of water‘at least 8 glasses a day. Loosen up with a hot cup A morning cup of hot java will help. Caffeine has a bowel-loosening effect. Just don’t drink too much since it’s also a diuretic. Herbal or decaffeinated tea, or a simple cup of hot water with lemon juice will also help to get things moving. Dandelion tea has a mildly laxative effect. Steep one teaspoon of the dried root in one cup of boiling water. Drink one cup three times per day. Tastes awful but it works Castor oil has a compound that when digested stimulates the small and large intestines. Swallow one to two teaspoons quickly on an empty stomach and give it eight hours to work its magic. Tastes nasty but it works! Wrinkled fruit to the rescue Prunes are one of the oldest home remedies for constipation. High in fibre, prunes also contain a compound called dihydroxyphenyl isatin, which kicks the colon into action. Raisins are also high in fibre as well as tartaric acid, which has a laxative effect. Get up and go There’s a reason the evening walk used to be called the daily constitutional. Regular exercise helps your body move food quicker. Aim for a daily walk at the very least. Put the pressure on You can stimulate your digestive system through acupressure. Using your thumb, apply pressure at the spot four finger-widths above your wrist on the back of the forearm. Do this two minutes per day. Last resort The herb cascara sagrada is one of the key ingredients in over-the-counter laxatives. It comes in a variety of forms (teas, tinctures,tablets) and it’s important to follow the directions on the package carefully. Don’t use it for more than two weeks since it can cause you to lose too much fluid and salt. Senna is the mother of all laxatives. A tincture is the easiest way to take his herb. Usually 20 to 40 drops at bedtime is sufficient. Go easy with both of these herbs since long-term use can cause dependency. 
 Relax and don’t wait Never force a bowel movement. You can give yourself hemorrhoids or anal fissures that eventually narrow the anal opening, causing constipation. Never ignore nature’s call. If you do, you’re asking for a case of constipation.

Constipation remedy: Sesame seeds

Sesame seeds

The oily composition of sesame seeds works to moisturize the intestines, which can help if dry stools are a problem. Add the seeds to cereals or salads for crunch, or pulverize them in a coffee grinder and sprinkle on food like a seasoning. This home remedy for constipation is a favorite of Amish and Chinese folk healers.

Constipation remedy: Molasses

Molasses

One tablespoon of blackstrap molasses before bed should help ease your constipation by morning. Blackstrap molasses is boiled and concentrated three times, so it has significant vitamins and minerals; magnesium in particular will help relieve your constipation.

Constipation remedy: Mint or ginger tea

Mint or Ginger Tea

Mint and ginger are both proven home remedies to help alleviate a slew of digestive problems. Peppermint contains menthol, which has an antispasmodic effect that relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract. Ginger is a "warming" herb that causes the inside of the body to generate more heat; herbalists say this can help speed up sluggish digestion. In tea, the hot water will also stimulate digestion and help relieve constipation. Dandelion tea is also a gentle laxative and detoxifier.

Constipation remedy: Healthy fats

Healthy Fats

Olive oil, nuts, and avocados all contain healthy fats, which can help lubricate your intestines and ease constipation. A salad with fiber-rich leafy greens and a simple olive oil dressing, a small handful of nuts, or a tablespoon of natural nut butter on fruit or toast are good options. Even if you're watching your weight, healthy fats are necessary for basic body functions; they are very satiating to keep you satisfied with less.

Constipation remedy: Lemon water

Lemon Water

The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant to your digestive system and can help flush toxins from your body. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into a glass of water every morning, or add lemon to tea; you may find that the refreshingly tart water not only acts as a natural remedy to your constipation but also that it helps you drink more water each day, which will improve your long-term digestion.

Constipation remedy: Lemon water

Coffee

Coffee can stimulate your colon and speed up your trip to the bathroom. Other hot drinks work too: Herbal tea or a cup of hot water with a little lemon juice (a natural laxative) or honey may stimulate your colon as well. Coffee is also a diuretic, however, so make sure to keep drinking water or your constipation could become worse.

Constipation remedy: Raisins

Raisins

High in fiber, raisins also contain tartaric acid, which has a laxative effect. In one study, doctors determined that panelists who ate 4 1/2 ounces of raisins (one small box) per day had their digested food make it through the digestive track in half the time it took other subjects who did not. Cherries and apricots are also rich in fiber and can help kick your constipation. Eat these fruits with a bowl of yogurt for the added benefits of gut-soothing probiotics.

Constipation remedy: Prunes

Prunes

These fiber-rich fruits are a go-to home remedy for getting your digestion back on track. Three prunes have 3 grams of fiber, and they also contain a compound that triggers the intestinal contraction that makes you want to go. Another great dried fruit choice is figs, which may not cause as much bloating as prunes.

Constipation remedy: Castor oil

Castor Oil

This home remedy for constipation has been handed down for generations. One of the primary uses for castor oil is as a laxative; take 1 to 2 teaspoons on an empty stomach and you should see results in about 8 hours. Why? A component in the oil breaks down into a substance that stimulates your large and small intestines.



source: www.rd.com
              www.besthealthmag.ca

Natural Ways to Treat Liver Disease

Natural Ways to Treat Liver Disease.

If the fat in your liver makes up 5–10 percent of the organ’s weight, then you are diagnosed with fatty liver disease. There are two main types of fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is another rare condition that happens when fat builds up in the liver of pregnant women.

One of the hardest-working organs in the body, the liver works tirelessly to detoxify our blood, to produce the bile needed to digest fat, to break down hormones, and to store essential vitamins, minerals and iron. This is why it’s so important to take care of our livers or practice a liver cleanse — as when the liver is not functioning optimally, we cannot digest our food properly, especially fats.

It’s the liver’s responsibility to process nutrients absorbed by the intestines so they’re more efficiently absorbed. The liver also regulates blood composition to balance protein, fat and sugar. Finally, it removes toxins from the blood, and breaks down both alcohol and medications.

For people with fatty liver disease, the handling of fat by liver cells is disturbed. Increased amounts of fat are removed from the blood and produced by liver cells, and not enough is disposed of or exported by the cells. As a result of this, fat accumulates in the liver. There is an imbalance between the uptake of fat and its oxidation and export.

Today, we’re faced with so many environmental toxins occurring in our homes, places of work and in our food supply, so it’s essential for our general health and well-being to keep our livers functioning properly.

Types of Fatty Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease is the result of drinking alcohol excessively. This condition is in direct correlation to the amount of alcohol you drink; your blood is not able to break down the alcohol properly, and it affects your liver. This can also be a hereditary condition because genes that are passed down from your parents may increase your chances of becoming an alcoholic.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common liver disorder in the Western world. It’s recognized as one of the most common forms of chronic liver disease and is among the most common forms of chronic liver disease across the globe. NAFLD is most likely to happen in people who are overweight and middle-aged, but recently there are more and more cases of children with NAFLD because it is a result of the standard American diet. People with NAFLD often have high cholesterol and diabetes as well. Typically, this condition is linked to malnutrition, medications, inherited liver disease, fast weight loss and too much bacteria in the small intestine. There are three types of NAFLD:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver is when fat builds up in the liver, but it won’t necessarily hurt you. This means that it’s causing excess liver fat, but there are no complications, which is common. According to a study conducted at the University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital in Australia, NAFLD is present in 17 percent to 33 percent of Americans. This growing percentage parallels the frequency of obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis happens to a small number of people with fatty liver. The fat causes inflammation in the liver, and this can impair the liver’s ability to function. This can also lead to cirrhosis, or the scarring of the liver.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-associated cirrhosis is when liver inflammation leads to the scarring of the liver tissue, making the liver heavier than any other solid organ in the body. This scarring can become so severe that the liver no longer functions, leading to liver failure.
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is a serious condition where fat builds in the liver; it can be dangerous to the baby and mother, especially if it leads to liver or kidney failure. This condition can also be caused by a serious infection or excessive bleeding. When a mother is diagnosed with fatty liver disease during pregnancy, the baby is typically delivered right away, and within a few weeks the mother’s liver will return to normal (sometime this requires time in intensive care).

Liver Disease Symptoms

There are often no symptoms of fatty liver disease, so you may live with the condition and not realize it. Over time, sometimes it can take years or even decades, some signs may begin to surface. These symptoms include:

• feeling tired
• fatigue
• weight loss
• loss of appetite
• weakness
• nausea
• confusion
• trouble concentrating
• pain in the center or right upper part of belly
• enlarged liver
• bloating and gas
• dark urine
• bruising easily
• excessive sweat
• constipation
• dry and dark patches on neck and under arms

Sometimes, fatty liver disease leads to cirrhosis, a disease that occurs when the liver weighs about three pounds and is the largest solid organ in the body. This is the most dangerous and life-threatening type of fatty liver disease. Over time, healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, which prevents the liver from functioning properly. The scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver and slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs and naturally produced toxins, as well as the production of proteins and other substances made by the liver. Symptoms of cirrhosis include the buildup of fluid in the body, muscle weakness, internal bleeding, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and liver failure.

Commonly, fatty liver disease isn’t noticed until a checkup with your doctor. There are medical tests and devices that can be used to detect the formation of NAFLD. A doctor may notice that a patient’s liver is larger than usual. The disease can also be detected with a blood test; a high number of certain enzymes will suggest that you have fatty liver disease. An ultrasound can be used to get a closer look at your liver, and a biopsy would be able to diagnose NAFLD. Your doctor would take out a tiny piece of liver with a needle and test it for inflammation, signs of fat or damaged liver cells.

If you think you are at risk of getting NAFLD or you notice some of these symptoms, ask your doctor for these tests.

Root Causes & Risk Factors of Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease occurs when the liver has trouble breaking down fats, causing fat to build up in the liver tissue. Some root causes of this disease include:

• Medications
• Viral hepatitis
• Autoimmune or inherited liver disease
• Fast weight loss
• Malnutrition

There are a number of risk factors that increase your chances of having NAFLD; they include:

• Obesity
• Gastric bypass surgery
• High cholesterol
• High levels of triglycerides in the blood
• Type 2 diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Sleep apnea
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• Underactive pituitary gland (hypopituitarism)

According to a study conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, obesity is associated with an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. A major feature of NAFLD, called steatosis, occurs when the rate of hepatic fatty acid uptake from plasma and fatty acid synthesis is greater than the rate of fatty acid oxidation and export. This metabolic imbalance is a significant factor responsible for the formation of NAFLD.

A 2006 review published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology states that NAFLD is extremely common among patients undergoing bariatric surgery, ranging from 84 percent to 96 percent. The review also noted that the disease seems to be most common among men, and it increases with older age and after menopause in women.

Foods that Make Fatty Liver Disease Worse

Alcohol
If you have fatty liver disease, and you are a heavy drinker, quitting is the most important thing to do first. Alcohol is the culprit; it’s what caused the liver disease because your liver cannot break it down quick enough for your body. According to a review conducted at the Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New York, fatty liver disease is common among alcoholics not only due to malnutrition, but also because of toxicity and inflammation. Even if you have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, it’s best to eliminate alcohol from your diet.

High-Carbohydrate Foods
Foods such as bread, rice, grits and corn should be avoided. All white bread and carbs should be eliminated or reduced from your diet, and some whole grain products aren’t great either. When we consume too many refined carbohydrates, insulin levels spike, and insulin sensitivity is a major factor in the cause of liver disease. Read the label on whole grain packages, and avoid buying anything that is labeled “enriched.”

If you want to have some bread here and there, buy fresh bread that is made in the bakery or health food store — you can also try breads from gluten-free flours, like Ezekiel bread, or these sandwich substitutes. If you are going for rice, choose brown rice.

Sugary Drinks
Sports drinks, soda, energy drinks and juice are full of sugar and artificial sweeteners. This sugar that enters your body causes fatty liver disease. The average 12-ounce can of soda, for example, has 10 teaspoons of sugar! Your body isn’t able to break down the amount of sugar that most Americans consume every day, and it’s impacting the liver, big time.

According to a study conducted at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, sugars, particularly fructose, are suspected to contribute to the development of NAFLD and its progression. There have been substantial links between increased fructose consumption and obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance.

Processed Foods
Hydrogenated oils, refined sugar, convenience foods and lunch meats are notoriously toxic to your system. Nitrates and nitrites, for example, are commonly found in processed foods and lunch meat, and they have been linked to serious conditions, including cancer. The high fructose corn syrup found in our processed foods is the single biggest cause of fatty liver; you must stay away from these products in order to heal liver disease.

Foods that Improve Fatty Liver Disease

Raw Vegetables
A review published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry states that natural products that are found in vegetables, as well as fruits, plant extracts and herbs, have been traditionally used for treating liver diseases. It’s so important to add vegetables to your everyday diet.

An easy way to do this is by juicing vegetables for near-perfect health. With impaired liver function, juicing vegetables has the added benefit of making the vegetables easier to digest and more readily available for absorption. Vegetables ideal for a liver detox include kale, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, beets and celery; try something like beetroot juice to start.

Ginger Root
High-fiber foods help support a healthy digestive tract, hastening the elimination of toxins in the body. For example, ginger root benefits the digestive system. Make ginger tea by boiling ginger slices in green tea or water. You can also add ginger to a stir-fry, salad or smoothie.

Sweet Potatoes
Because of there potassium content, sweet potatoes are beneficial because they help cleanse the liver. One sweet potato contains nearly 700 milligrams of potassium! It’s also rich with vitamins B6, C, D, magnesium and iron. Sweet potatoes are easy to eat because they’re naturally sweet, and the sugars are slowly released into the bloodstream through the liver, so it won’t cause a spike in blood sugar. There are a ton of healthy sweet potato recipes that you can try at home today.

Bananas
Containing 470 milligrams of potassium, banana nutrition is also great for cleansing the liver and overcoming low potassium levels; plus, bananas assist in digestion and help release toxins and heavy metals from the body.

Dandelion Root
The vitamins and nutrients present in dandelions help cleanse our livers and keep them working properly. Dandelions also aid our digestive system by maintaining the proper flow of bile. They’re natural diuretics and allow the liver to eliminate toxins quickly. Dandelion tea or stems are also high in vitamin C, which helps with mineral absorption, reduces inflammation and prevents the development of disease.

Milk Thistle
As a liver support and aid, milk thistle is a powerful detoxifier. It helps rebuild liver cells while removing toxins from the body that are processed through the liver. According to a study published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences, milk thistle has the power to improve mortality in patients with liver failure; it’s able to naturally reverse the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, pesticides in our food supply, heavy metals in our water supply, pollution in the air that we breathe in and even poisons.

According to a 2010 study, milk thistle benefits help treat alcoholic liver disease, acute and chronic viral hepatitis, and toxin-induced liver diseases.

Liver
Liver from young, healthy, grass-fed cattle or chicken liver pate is full of nutrients and vitamins. It’s rich with vitamins A and B, folic acid, choline, iron, copper, zinc, chromium, and CoQ10; in fact, it’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods that you can eat. If you rather not animal liver, take liver supplements that guarantee no hormones, pesticides or antibiotics were used in the feeding and care of the cattle.

Best Supplements & Natural Remedies for Liver Disease

Vitamin E
Research done at the University of Florida suggests that lifestyle changes, along with vitamin E supplements, are helpful for people with liver damage caused by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Vitamin E benefits include its role as a powerful antioxidant that reduces inflammation; it also increases immunity and helps the body fight serious conditions.

Turmeric
By adding beneficial turmeric to your diet or taking a supplement every day, you reduce inflammation in the body and treat digestive conditions. If using a supplement, take 450 milligrams of curcumin capsules each day.

Black Seed Oil
This amazing oil can greatly speed the healing process for people with fatty liver disease. A study published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences measured black seed oil’s ability to inhibit liver oxidative stress markers. The results of the study indicated that black seed oil benefits liver disease patients because it’s able to reduce the complications and progression of fatty liver disease.
The best thing you can do to treat fatty liver disease is maintain a healthy diet. Many people with fatty liver disease are overweight and malnourished. A healthy diet that provides the vitamins and nutrients that your body needs to function is very important. The number one treatment of fatty liver disease is weight loss and a healthy diet. It’s essential that you eat a well-balanced diet that is predominately plant-based; plus, you should exercise regularly — shoot for doing physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day, even if it’s taking a walk.


source: www.draxe.com

Cancer Chemotherapy

 Cancer Chemotherapy

Normally, your cells grow and die in a controlled way. Cancer cells keep forming without control. Chemotherapy is drug therapy that can kill these cells or stop them from multiplying. However, it can also harm healthy cells, which causes side effects.
During chemotherapy you may have no side effects or just a few. The kinds of side effects you have depend on the type and dose of chemotherapy you get. Side effects vary, but common ones are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, pain and hair loss. Healthy cells usually recover after chemotherapy, so most side effects gradually go away.
Your course of therapy will depend on the cancer type, the chemotherapy drugs used, the treatment goal and how your body responds. You may get treatment every day, every week or every month. You may have breaks between treatments so that your body has a chance to build new healthy cells. You might take the drugs by mouth, in a shot or intravenously.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Source Link:www.nlm.nih.gov

Chemo side effects

Cancer cells tend to grow fast, and chemo drugs kill fast-growing cells. But because these drugs travel throughout the body, they can affect normal, healthy cells that are fast-growing, too. Damage to healthy cells causes side effects. Side effects are not always as bad as you might expect, but many people worry about this part of cancer treatment.
Anemia, Fatigue, Hair loss, Increased chance of bruising, bleeding, and infection, Nausea and vomiting Other chemo side effects  Constipation Diarrhea Mouth, gum, and throat problems, Nerve and muscle problems, Skin and nail changes, Urine changes and bladder and kidney problems, Weight gain, Other questions you may have When to call your doctor Sex, fertility, and chemo Thoughts, emotions, and chemo Paying for chemo treatment The normal cells most likely to be damaged by chemo are blood-forming cells in the bone marrow; hair follicles; and cells in the mouth, digestive tract, and reproductive system. Some chemo drugs can damage cells in the heart, kidneys, bladder, lungs, and nervous system. In some cases, medicines can be given with the chemo to help protect the body’s normal cells.

How long do side effects last?

Most side effects slowly go away after treatment ends because the healthy cells recover over time. The time it takes to get over some side effects and regain energy varies from person to person. It depends on many factors, including your overall health and the drugs you were given.
Many side effects go away fairly quickly, but some may take months or even years to completely go away. Sometimes the side effects can last a lifetime, such as when chemo causes long-term damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, or reproductive organs. Certain types of chemo sometimes cause delayed effects, such as a second cancer that may show up many years later.
Patients often become discouraged about how long their treatment lasts or the side effects they have. If you feel this way, talk to your doctor. You may be able to change your medicine or treatment schedule. Your doctor or nurse also may be able to suggest ways to reduce any pain and discomfort you have.

Source Link: www.cancer.org

Doctors Tip:Â Back Pain

Back Pain

 Maintaining good posture is key to a healthy back.
To see how your standing posture stacks up, try this posture test. If you're standing properly you should have an S-shaped curve to your spine: It should curve forward at the neck, backward at the upper back, and forward again at the lower back.

 1. Stand in a normal, relaxed stance with your back against a wall. Your upper back, buttocks, and heels should touch the wall.

 2. Slide your hand into the space between your lower back and the wall. It should slide in easily and almost touch both the wall and your back.

 3. If there's no space, you're not allowing your lower back to curve. If there's too much space, you may be over exaggerating the curve.

Source Link: www.wholehealthmd.com